Crate shopping for your dog can be a fun and exciting venture. You want to make sure that you provide the best possible environment for them while they’re young, and using a crate will ensure that your curious pups stay out of trouble. The problem with crates is that there are so many brands and styles on the market, it’s hard to tell which one is the best for your dog.
In this article, we’ll be taking a close look at two popular dog crate brands: Frisco and Midwest. While both brands offer crates in a different variety of styles and options, we will be focusing on their collapsible wire crates in this article. This is because the majority of pet owners start out with this type and then branch out into other styles if they choose to do so. It’s always best to start with the basics!
What’s The Difference Between Frisco Vs Midwest Dog Crate?
Both the Frisco Fold and Carry and the Midwest iCrate offer a simple design without too many bells and whistles. They seek to deliver on the main goals that a dog crate is designed to achieve, namely: secure containment, safety, ease of use, and comfort.
However, there are slight differences between the two that may make one a better choice than the other depending on your needs. Let’s take a quick look at some of their differences below:
Price
The Frisco is slightly cheaper than the Midwest, a price difference that hovers around 10% (it ranges from slightly higher or lower depending on the crate size). For instance, the most expensive Frisco crate is $90.99 at the time of publication, while its Midwest counterpart costs $100.99.
Size
However, Midwest wire crates tend to be roomier compared to Frisco. For instance, Midwest’s 48-inch model is slightly taller in height compared to the Frisco 48-inches. This difference in height appears minimal at first glance, but reviewers note that it makes a marked difference. This added height also comes with some added bulk – the Midwest is slightly heavier compared to Frisco.
Latch Design
The last difference comes down to the latches on the doors. Both models feature double-latched slide bolts on their larger models, but the Frisco has a slight edge over the Midwest when it comes to the locking mechanism on the latches. The doors on Frisco crates come with L-shaped slide-bolt latches, while the Midwest’s model only has a straight bar for locking the doors down. This makes Frisco crates slightly more secure compared to Midwest.
Comparison Of Frisco Vs Midwest Dog Crate
Details
Frisco
Midwest
Design Options:
Single Door and Double Door
Single Door and Double Door
Size Options:
7 sizes (18″ to 48″)
7 sizes (18″ to 48″)
Price :
$22.99 – $90.99
$23.99 – $100.99
Features :
Collapsible, Divider Included, Removable Pan, Carry Handle, Protecting Rollers
Collapsible, Divider Included, Removable Pan, Carry Handle, Protecting Rollers
Weight (Largest Crate Size):
41.5 lbs
43 lbs
Material :
Coated Steel
Metal
Pros:
- Slightly lighter compared to Midwest
- Divider panels allow for crate size to “grow” with the dog
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Slightly roomier compared to Frisco
- Divider panels allow for crate size to “grow” with the dog
- Easy to assemble and clean
Cons:
- Not for escape artists
- Crates of the same length are sometimes shorter in height compared to Midwest
- Not for escape artists
- Straight bar-styled lock is less secure compared to crates that come with L-shaped latches
Frisco
Design Options:
Single Door and Double Door
Size Options:
7 sizes (18″ to 48″)
Price:
$22.99 – $90.99
Features:
Collapsible, Divider Included, Removable Pan, Carry Handle, Protecting Rollers
Weight (Largest Crate Size):
41.5 lbs
Material:
Coated Steel
Pros:
– Slightly lighter compared to Midwest
– Divider panels allow for crate size to “grow” with the dog
– Easy to assemble and clean
Cons:
– Not for escape artists
– Crates of the same length are sometimes shorter in height compared to Midwest
Midwest
Design Options:
Single Door and Double Door
Size Options:
7 sizes (18″ to 48″)
Price:
$23.99 – $100.99
Features:
Collapsible, Divider Included, Removable Pan, Carry Handle, Protecting Rollers
Weight (Largest Crate Size):
43 lbs
Material:
Metal
Pros:
– Slightly roomier compared to Frisco
– Divider panels allow for crate size to “grow” with the dog
– Easy to assemble and clean
Cons:
– Not for escape artists
– Straight bar-styled lock is less secure compared to crates that come with L-shaped latches
Frisco Fold And Carry Collapsible Wire Dog Crate
The Frisco Fold And Carry is one of the most popular crate brands on the market. It wins top marks for features, performance, and build quality. This model is designed primarily with home use in mind, but it’s equally suitable for frequent transport – there are convenient carry handles that allow you to easily pick up the fully-assembled crate without it falling apart.
The coated steel frame is sturdy and features a divider panel for puppies/small dogs. It has four caster wheels that make it easy to slide the crate around wherever you need, while also maintaining a good degree of stability during walkabouts. A dual-door design allows for convenient access from various directions, with both doors featuring slides bolts on the top and bottom.
In addition, this crate comes with divider panels and a removable pan. This makes it possible to configure the crate according to your dog’s size and needs. The divider panel allows you to adjust the living space according to your pup’s growth, while the removable tray can be used as a toilet or for storing accessories that need quick access.
FRISCO FOLD AND CARRY PROS
The main advantage of this crate is its affordable price point and functionality. It comes in 7 different sizes and features a “no tool” setup. These crates also come with divider panels to allow for easy expansion and customization. This is especially useful if you’re potty training a new pup, or looking for a crate that will grow with your pup over the year.
Another plus point of this crate is its foldable design with easy-grip handles, making it possible to pick up and carry around. Because it is slightly lighter compared to the Midwest, you can carry it around the house without too much effort. Of course, it is still not the most lightweight crate around, but it’s relatively easy to carry in part due to its foldable design.
Finally, Frisco doors are secured by L-shaped latches. This makes them more secure than Midwest’s straight bar locks, which are weaker and easily prone to tampering. If you have a particularly determined or smart pup, this slight difference in latch design can make a world of difference. Remember – the main function of a crate is to keep your dog safely contained!
FRISCO FOLD AND CARRY CONS
As with most wire crates, this one isn’t chew-proof or escape-proof. Larger dogs and persistent chewers might be able to bend the wires and make their own escape. If your pet is an escape artist, you will need to make modifications to your wire crate to make it harder to break apart. The foldable design of this crate is a double-edged sword – while it makes it possible for you to move the crate around, you have to worry about not overloading it with too much weight.
In addition, Frisco wire crates are also slightly shorter in height compared to Midwest models. This might be a problem if you have particularly cheeky pups who like to climb over the walls or chew on the upper corners of their crate. Even a 1-inch height difference can be enough to encourage your pup to attempt an escape!
Finally, Frisco wire crates are not airline-approved. If you’re planning to travel with your dog on a plane, you’ll need to find an airline-approved pet carrier instead. However, this is the case with virtually all wire crates. Airline-approved carriers typically have a plastic frame and metal wire walls, boasting much more resistance to chewing.
Midwest iCrate Dog Crate Review
This is another popular wire crate brand on the market, and for good reason. Midwest’s iCrate line of dog crates is known for its solid construction and compatibility with a variety of dog breeds. The iCrate is no exception – it comes in 7 different sizes, and has a divider panel to allow for easy expansion and customization. This is especially useful if you’re crate-training a new pup, or looking for a crate that will grow with your dog over its lifetime.
Like the Frisco, the Midwest comes with handles, protecting rollers, and a removable pan. It also boasts a “no tool” assembly, making it easy to set up and transport if need be. Its patented rounded side clips prevent your dog from injuring itself on sharp metal edges while keeping the crate secure at the same time.
To protect the crate against rust and corrosion, Midwest covers its wire crates in a protective black electro-coat finish. This also helps protect the crate against chewing and scratching – while it won’t guarantee that your dog won’t try to chew on the bars, it does make it more difficult for them to succeed!
MIDWEST iCRATE PROS
This crate boasts many of the same pros as the Frisco, with a few additional benefits. Firstly, it is roomier than the Frisco – this makes it excellent for taller breeds, such as golden retrievers or Labrador retrievers. In addition, it is also slightly heavier compared to Frisco. While this might be an issue if you intend to move the crate around frequently, it also makes for a sturdier crate.
Reviewers also appreciate the fact that this crate is very easy to assemble. Amazon user JL1231 describes the crate as being “Easy to collapse/set-up. Installation was a breeze, and we can easily travel around with it… [We actually got two of them!]” For dog owners who are frequently on the road and need a crate that’s easy to transport, this is definitely a great choice.
Finally, reviewers absolutely love the wide doors that come with this crate. These doors make clean-up and access much easier than with the Frisco, and reviewers praise this feature highly – it’s especially useful if you have a puppy that’s still in the process of house-training. Wider doors also allow for easier access if you’re transporting your dog in-and-out of the car frequently.
MIDWEST iCRATE CONS
Despite being a well-loved crate brand that has been around for ages, there are still some cons to this type of Midwest crate. For one thing, its wire bars might be a bit too wide and easy to bend. If your dog is especially persistent about escaping its crate, wire crates, in general, would pose a problem. We’d recommend getting something sturdier, such as this heavy duty crate by SmithBuilt.
Another issue is that some of the wire edges might be a bit sharp, despite the protective black coating. It is especially important that you check around the door hinges and other edge areas before using this crate for your dog. If your dog bumps into a sharp edge or catches its paw on it, it might come away with a cut that requires veterinary attention.
Lastly, the iCrate’s straight-bar style lock is less secure compared to crates that utilize L-shaped latches. When it comes to keeping escape artists inside their crates, the L-shaped latches are definitely superior. Not only are they harder for dogs to manipulate, but the ‘L’ shape also makes it more difficult for dogs to get their mouths around the latch and release it.
Conclusion
With so many great features, a divider panel included, and tons of great reviews, both the Frisco and Midwest dog crates are excellent options for your furry friend. Ultimately, it all comes down to what’s important to you and your furry friend.
If you need a crate that’s lighter and easier to move around frequently, the Frisco might be the better choice for you. However, if access is more important than weight, or if you have a larger breed that will require more room, then the Midwest might be your best bet.
In addition, Frisco has a slight advantage over the Midwest in terms of latch security. Generally speaking, however, wire crates aren’t great options for persistent dogs that like to chew and bend bars. If this describes your dog, it’s best to go with a plastic or aluminum crate that’s better able to withstand chewing.
We hope you found this article helpful! Have you ever used a Frisco or Midwest dog crate? Which type did you use, and how would you rate it? How are they holding up after extended use? If you have any comments, questions, or concerns regarding this article or dog crates in general, please feel free to leave them below. And if you know someone who’s thinking about getting a dog crate, please share this post with them! It might be helpful.
Thanks for reading and we’ll see you soon!
