Key takeaways
- Buying a carrier only days before a trip. Leave it open at home so your pet can explore it.
- Using an oversize carrier in a car, where the pet can slide around.
- Skipping a pad or familiar blanket; scent helps calm pets.
- Relying on “airline approved” labels without checking your airline.
The best pet carrier for most households is a hard-sided, top-and-front-loading carrier for vet visits and car travel, such as the Petmate Two Door Top Load, with a soft-sided airline-compliant bag like the Sherpa Original Deluxe for small pets on planes. Size matters more than brand: your pet should be able to stand, turn around and lie down naturally. This guide compares seven current carriers by type, size range and use, with sizing rules you can apply with a tape measure. Always confirm your airline’s current carrier dimensions before you fly, since limits vary by airline and aircraft.
Our top picks
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Quick Comparison of the Best Pet Carriers for 2026
| Pick | Best for | Type | Typical pet size | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petmate Two Door Top Load | Best overall for vet and car | Hard-sided plastic | Cats and dogs up to roughly 20 lb in the medium size | Budget |
| Sherpa Original Deluxe | Best airline soft carrier | Soft-sided with mesh | Small pets, up to about 16 lb in the large size | Mid |
| Sleepypod Air | Best for car safety | Soft-sided, crash-tested design per maker | Cats and small dogs | Premium |
| Petmate Sky Kennel | Best for air cargo and large pets | Hard-sided kennel | Medium to giant | Mid |
| Pet Gear I-GO2 Roller Backpack | Best rolling carrier | Soft roller / backpack hybrid | Up to about 20 lb | Mid to upper |
| Sportpet Designs Backpack Carrier | Best backpack for walking or hiking | Soft backpack | Small cats and dogs | Mid |
| Collapsible Fabric Carrier (generic class) | Best for storage and budget | Collapsible soft | Small pets | Budget |
Best Overall: Petmate Two Door Top Load
This hard-sided carrier has doors on the front and the top. A top opening makes it easier to lower a nervous cat in and lift them out, especially at the vet. The sturdy plastic shell offers solid protection, and the sides are ventilated. The metal door is secured with sturdy latches.
The trade-off is bulk when it is not in use: it does not collapse. It also is not designed for airplane under-seat use in most cases, so check dimensions if you fly.
Best Airline Soft Carrier: Sherpa Original Deluxe
Sherpa carriers are a common choice for pets that fly in the cabin because they are designed to fit under many airline seats, and the manufacturer labels them as airline approved for many carriers. The soft sides flex slightly to fit tight spaces, there is a fleece pad, and mesh panels give airflow. Sizes range from small to extra large.
Always check your specific airline’s sizing and weight rules, since “approved” can depend on airline and aircraft. Soft sides offer less crash protection than hard shells in a car.
Best for Car Safety: Sleepypod Air
Sleepypod designs carriers that fit with a car seat belt and, according to the company, were developed with crash performance in mind. The Air is a lightweight carrier with a mesh top for visibility and a structure that protects a pet in a collision better than most soft bags.
It is the priciest option here and sized more for cats and small dogs. For owners who drive a lot with pets, the safety design is a real selling point.
Best for Large Pets and Air Cargo: Petmate Sky Kennel
The Sky Kennel is a rigid plastic kennel built to airline pet-transport guidelines, with metal hardware and ventilation on multiple sides. It comes in sizes for medium to giant dogs. It also works as a crate at home or during a move.
It is heavy, and the large sizes take up significant space in a car. Check the airline’s cargo rules and make sure the kennel has the required hardware and labeling.
Best Rolling Carrier: Pet Gear I-GO2 Roller Backpack
This hybrid carrier has wheels and a telescoping handle for airports and adds backpack straps for stairs. It folds flat and includes an interior pad and tether. It’s popular with travelers who need to walk a distance.
Weight and dimensions vary by model, so measure against airline limits. A wheeled design can be bulky under certain seats.
Best Backpack: Sportpet Designs Backpack Carrier
A backpack carrier frees your hands for stairs, bikes or errands, and spreads weight over both shoulders. Look for a rigid base, ventilation on multiple sides and a short interior leash. These work best for small pets that tolerate being carried.
Check the weight rating and padded straps if you carry for long periods. Pets that panic in enclosed spaces may be safer in a hard-sided carrier.
Best Budget and Storage: Collapsible Fabric Carrier
Collapsible fabric carriers fold flat and cost the least. They suit occasional trips with calm small pets, or as an extra carrier for a second cat. A basic mesh window and carry handle are enough for short outings.
They give the least protection and may sag if your pet moves a lot. Use them only for short trips and keep your pet’s size well within the rated limit.
How to Choose a Pet Carrier
Size correctly
Measure your pet’s length from nose to the base of the tail, and height from floor to the top of the head or ears when standing. Add about 2 to 3 inches to each so the carrier fits. For cats, many vets recommend a carrier large enough to stretch out but cozy enough to feel secure.
Choose hard or soft
Hard-sided carriers offer more protection and are easier to clean. Soft-sided carriers are lighter and fit under seats. For anxious pets, top-loading doors make handling simpler.
Check airline and car rules
Under-seat limits are commonly around 18 inches long, 11 inches wide and 11 inches tall, though they vary. Secure carriers in cars with a seat belt or in the footwell so they cannot slide.
Worked Example: Sizing a Carrier
Say your cat measures 18 inches from nose to tail base and stands 11 inches tall. Add 3 inches to each: you need an interior of about 21 inches long and 14 inches high. Now compare with the carrier’s internal dimensions, not the outside, and check the weight limit includes your pet plus bedding.
| Pet weight | Carrier type | Interior length |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 lb | Soft or hard | 16 to 19 inches |
| 10 to 20 lb | Hard or large soft | 19 to 24 inches |
| 20 to 40 lb | Hard kennel | 24 to 32 inches |
| Over 40 lb | Large kennel | 32 inches and up |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a carrier only days before a trip. Leave it open at home so your pet can explore it.
- Using an oversize carrier in a car, where the pet can slide around.
- Skipping a pad or familiar blanket; scent helps calm pets.
- Relying on “airline approved” labels without checking your airline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best carrier for a cat?
A hard-sided, top-and-front-loading carrier is a good all-around choice for cats. It protects them in the car and makes vet visits easier. Soft-sided carriers are good for light travel.
What size pet carrier do I need?
Your pet should stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Measure nose to tail base and height standing, then add 2 to 3 inches to each dimension.
Are soft or hard pet carriers safer?
Hard carriers generally provide more protection in a collision, but crash performance varies by design. Secure either type with a seat belt and avoid placing them on seats unsecured.
What carrier fits under an airplane seat?
It depends on the airline and plane, but common limits are about 18 by 11 by 11 inches. A soft-sided carrier compresses to fit better. Always verify with your airline.
How do I get my pet used to a carrier?
Leave it out with the door open, add bedding and treats, and feed meals near it. Work up to short closed sessions before any trip.
Which Pet Carrier Should You Buy?
Buy the Petmate Two Door Top Load for everyday vet and car trips, a Sherpa Original Deluxe for flights with a small pet, a Sleepypod Air if you prioritize car safety, and a Sky Kennel for large dogs. Add a roller or backpack if you walk a lot with your pet.
