10 Best Indoor Dog & Puppy Playpens in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Playpens are an easy and convenient way to keep your dog secured in one area. Whether you’re dealing with a litter of puppies or a single dog, a playpen can be a lifesaver. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best playpen to meet your needs. Product reviews are one of the best ways to know you’re buying the right product for your needs when purchasing online. We’ve put together reviews of the 10 best playpens for dogs to make it easier for you to get the right one delivered right to your front door.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)

The 10 Best Indoor Playpens for Dogs and Puppies:

1. EliteField 2-Door Soft-Sided Playpen – Best Overall

The best overall dog playpen is the EliteField 2-Door Soft-Sided Playpen, available in eight sizes and eight color combinations. It pops up and folds down for storage in seconds, and it comes with a storage bag. It features two doors with locking zippers and lots of mesh for ventilation. It includes three pockets, two of which are for accessory storage and a third that is water bottle. The floor mat zips out and is machine washable for easy cleaning. It can accommodate pets up to 150 pounds. It is made from soft materials, so it’s not the top pick for large breed dogs and puppies prone to chewing.

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2. Frisco Wire Exercise Pen with Step-Through Door – Best Value

The best dog playpen for the money is the Frisco Wire Exercise Pen with Step-Through Door, available in five heights. It comes pre-assembled but can be arranged into multiple shapes thanks to the hinged panels. It can also be connected to a second playpen to make it twice the size. It’s made from sturdy, coated metal wire to keep it in good condition for years to come. It features a door with double locks and an extra safety latch, keeping your dog securely in the pen, and it folds flat for storage. This pen does not have feet, so it may slip on hard floors.

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3. Lucky Dog Pet Resort Outdoor Playpen & Cover – Premium Choice

The premium choice for dog playpens is the Lucky Dog Pet Resort Outdoor Playpen & Cover. This playpen is available in one size, but it’s made from powder-coated steel, making it rust-resistant and ready to withstand the elements. It’s easy to assemble and requires no tools, although it does not come pre-assembled. It includes a waterproof tarp that covers the pen, keeping your dog and the pen protected from sunlight and rain. The tarp fits tightly over the steel roof. It features a lockable gate and raised legs that make cleaning easy.

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4. MyPet 8-Panel Petyard Passage Plastic Pen – Best for Puppies

If you’ve got puppies to contain, the top dog playpen is the MyPet 8-Panel Petyard Passage Plastic Pen. This playpen is easy to set up out of the box, and even though it comes pre-assembled, you can remove or add panels as desired. It encloses 34.4 square feet as assembled, making it large enough for multiple dogs. It includes a small dog door that can be locked if desired, and it has a carry strap for easy transport. It has skid-resistant pads for use on slick surfaces. This pen is not a good option for dogs over 19 inches and dogs prone to jumping or climbing.

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5. Yaheetech 16 Panel Exercise Pen

The Yaheetech 16 Panel Exercise Pen is a great option if you want to design your own playpen layout. It includes 16 panels that can be assembled in a variety of shapes. Two or more pens can even be combined to make an even larger enclosure, although this pen does sell for a premium price. It’s made from powder-coated iron for durability and includes two panels with doors that can be latched for security. When not in use, the panels can be laid flat on top of each other to save space. The bottom of each door sits about 6 inches above the ground, which may make it difficult for puppies and very small dogs to use the doors.

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6. Pet Gear Travel Lite Soft-Sided Dog Pen with Removable Top

The Pet Gear Travel Lite Soft-Sided Dog Pen with Removable Top is available in three sizes. It comes pre-assembled and is easy to pop up and fold down for storage. It’s well ventilated and features a removable top that can provide protection from the sun for your dog. The floor is water-resistant, making for easy cleanup, and it includes a door with a lockable zipper and a storage pocket for accessories. Since this is made of soft nylon, this playpen is not a good option for large breed dogs and dogs or puppies that may chew. Some people report the zippers to be somewhat finicky on this particular playpen.

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7. MidWest Wire Dog Pen with Step-Thru Door

The MidWest Wire Dog Pen with Step-Thru Door is available in five heights and comes pre-assembled. It includes a step-through door, four swivel snap locks, and corner stabilizers. It folds flat when not in use for easy storage and when set up, it encloses 16 square feet of space. It’s made of powder-coated metal, making it durable in the elements. A wire mesh top or sun protection top can be purchased separately. This pen does not have feet, so it may slip and scratch hard floors. If jumped on, it may fall over, so this is not a good option for large, active dogs or multiple puppies.

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8. IRIS 8-Panel Plastic Exercise Playpen

The IRIS 8-Panel Plastic Exercise Playpen is available in three colors and is made from sturdy plastic. It gives your dog over 21 square feet of playing space. Once assembled, it’s easy to set up and clean, making it a good option for puppies, but it does require assembly upon arrival. Non-skid rubber feet will prevent the pen from sliding and scratching your floors. The hinged door has two steel latches for security, and the door itself is made to be at dog level for dogs of almost any size. This playpen sells for a premium price and is lightweight enough for large dogs to push it around.

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9. Regalo 4-in-1 Play Yard Configurable Gate

The Regalo 4-in-1 Play Yard Configurable Gate includes eight panels assembled in multiple ways. It also includes wall-mounting hardware, which adds up to 2 inches at each wall. This can be used as an enclosed playpen or a dog gate to keep your dog securely in one area. It has a walk-through design with a convenient double lock lever handle to get in and out. It’s made of durable coated metal but is not recommended for dogs prone to jumping or climbing. Setup may be complicated, and some people frequently report needing to re-tighten the latches.

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10. IRIS Open Wire Dog Pen

The IRIS Open Wire Dog Pen is available in two sizes and features an attractive wood look plastic with the durability of steel wire. It’s made with extra small to medium-sized dogs in mind, so it’s not a good option for large and extra-large breed dogs. It has a molded bottom tray to protect your floors, and it uses a sliding gate with a lockable latch to keep your dog secure. This playpen sells for a premium price, and it is not a good pick for dogs that are big chewers as the plastic latch can be chewed through, allowing your dog to escape.

Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog Playpen

Choosing the Right Playpen for Your Dog

To choose the best playpen for your dog, you need to first consider your dog’s age and size. Puppies don’t have the same level of escape skills that many adult dogs have, but they may be more likely to chew themselves out of an enclosure. Large dogs may need a tall playpen or one with a covering of some kind to prevent escape. Laid-back senior dogs are unlikely to jump or chew their way out of a playpen.

You should also consider your intended use for the playpen. If you’re planning on using it outdoors, you’ll need to select a product made to be used outdoors. Otherwise, you may end up with a rusted mess after the first time your playpen gets rained on. For an indoor-only playpen, you may want to select something that appeals to your aesthetic preferences within your home.

Conclusion

These reviews only covered the top dog playpens, but there are dozens on the market, which can be overwhelming. The best overall pick is the EliteField 2-Door Soft-Sided Playpen, which is easy to manage and includes multiple extra features, like storage pockets. The more budget-friendly dog playpen is the Frisco Wire Exercise Pen with Step-Through Door, which is available in multiple heights and can be combined with another playpen to increase the space. For puppies, the best option is the MyPet 8-Panel Petyard Passage Plastic Pen, which will keep multiple pups securely inside.