TL;DR
Choosing between a Diggs and a MidWest crate for your puppy often comes down to a choice between long-term style and short-term practicality. Diggs crates, particularly the Revol, offer a modern aesthetic and safety features like diamond-shaped mesh that prevents paws from getting stuck. However, they come with a premium price tag that may be hard to justify during the messy puppy stages. MidWest crates are the industry standard for a reason: they are affordable, easy to clean after accidents, and include divider panels that grow with your dog. For many owners, the smartest move is starting with a durable MidWest wire crate for the first year and upgrading to a stylish Diggs model once the dog is house-trained and past the destructive chewing phase.
Introduction: The Battle of Aesthetics vs. Utility
Bringing a new puppy home is a whirlwind of joy, sharp teeth, and midnight potty runs. One of the first major investments you will make is a crate. It serves as your dog’s bedroom, their safe space, and your primary tool for house-training. In the current market, two brands dominate the conversation: Diggs and MidWest Homes for Pets.
Diggs has often been called the “Apple of dog crates.” Their designs are sleek, integrated, and clearly built for modern homes. On the other hand, MidWest represents the “utility truck” of the industry. These wire crates aren’t trying to win beauty pageants, but they have safely housed millions of dogs for decades. When you browse through our wider selection of dog products, you’ll notice that while specialized gear is great, foundational tools like crates require a balance of safety and durability.
For a puppy owner, the needs are specific. You need a crate that can handle “accidents” without trapping odors. You need a way to adjust the size of the living space so your puppy doesn’t use one corner as a bedroom and the other as a bathroom. Most importantly, you need something that can withstand the relentless chewing of a teething puppy. While we look toward the best gear available in 2026, the fundamental requirements of puppy raising remain the same.
Comparison Table: Diggs vs. MidWest
| Product Name | Best For | Price Range | Pros/Cons | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diggs Revol | Modern Homes & Travel | $375 – $650 | Safe mesh; collapses easily / Very expensive; high visibility | |
| MidWest iCrate | Budget-Conscious Owners | $30 – $120 | Includes divider; lightweight / Thinner wire; less secure latches | |
| Diggs Evolv | Modular Customization | $170 – $250 | Slim profile; playpen mode / Complex assembly; small doors | |
| MidWest Ultima Pro | Heavy Chewers | $80 – $200 | Thick wire; very durable / Heavy to move; basic look | |
| MidWest Life Stages | Growing Puppies | $50 – $150 | Closer wire spacing; sturdy / Harder to fold than iCrate |
Diggs Crates: Features and Innovation
Diggs Revol
The Diggs Revol is designed to look like it belongs in a high-end apartment. Beyond the looks, it solves a major safety concern: standard wire crates have vertical bars that can catch a puppy’s paw or jaw. The Revol uses a diamond-shaped mesh inspired by the automotive industry. This mesh is much tighter, making it virtually impossible for a puppy to get stuck. After testing several crates, I found the ceiling hatch to be a standout feature. It allows you to drop in treats or comfort your puppy without opening the main door and risking a “jailbreak.”
The Good
- Pinch-Free Design: The diamond mesh is significantly safer for small paws.
- One-Handed Folding: It collapses down in seconds, making it the best high-end option for travel.
- Garage Style Door: The side door slides up and over, saving floor space in tight rooms.
The Bad
- Sticker Shock: It is nearly five times more expensive than a basic wire crate.
- High Visibility: The open design can over-stimulate some puppies, leading to barking. You might need to buy a separate cover.
- Plastic Wear: The frame uses heavy-duty plastic which, while sturdy, can still be scuffed by aggressive chewers.
Our Take: Best for stylish apartment dwellers who prioritize safety and travel. Skip if you are on a tight budget or have a puppy that gets anxious when they see everything happening in the room.
Diggs Evolv
The Evolv is the newer, more affordable sibling to the Revol. It ditches the collapsible garage-door mechanism for a modular wire hybrid design. What makes it unique for puppy owners is the ability to reposition the doors. You can essentially build the crate to fit your specific nook or cranny. It’s slimmer than most crates, which helps it “disappear” into your decor. However, it lacks the ceiling hatch that makes the Revol so puppy-friendly.
The Good
- Modular Layout: You can place doors on the front or sides depending on your furniture layout.
- Playpen Mode: It can be converted into a playpen setup if you buy multiple units or specific panels.
- Safety Mesh: Uses the same diamond-shaped wire as the Revol for paw safety.
The Bad
- Complex Assembly: Unlike the Revol which pops open, the Evolv requires actual setup time.
- Small Entryway: The door openings are a bit narrower, which can be tricky for larger puppies to navigate comfortably.
Our Take: Best for owners who want the Diggs aesthetic and safety at a lower price point. Skip if you need a crate that folds down frequently for travel.
MidWest Homes for Pets: The Reliable Standard
MidWest iCrate
The iCrate is likely the most common dog crate in the world. It’s lightweight, folds flat, and almost always includes a free divider panel. For a puppy, that divider is essential. It allows you to buy the crate size your dog will need as an adult (like 36 or 42 inches) but wall off the back half so your puppy feels secure and doesn’t soil the back of the crate. We’ve discussed similar setup strategies in our guide to the best crates for puppies.
The Good
- Unbeatable Value: It’s hard to find a better price-to-utility ratio.
- Everything Included: Comes with the tray, divider panel, and carrying handle.
- Standard Sizing: Because it’s so common, finding aftermarket covers or beds is effortless.
The Bad
- Thinner Wire: A determined, large-breed puppy could potentially bend the bars.
- Single Latches: Smaller sizes only have one latch, which “Houdini” dogs can occasionally figure out.
Our Take: Best for puppies who are generally calm and owners who want a no-fuss, affordable solution. Skip if your puppy is a high-energy “escape artist.”
MidWest Ultima Pro
If the iCrate is a sedan, the Ultima Pro is an armored truck. It uses much thicker, heavier wire and closer spacing. For puppies that tend to chew on bars or try to force their way out, this is the safest choice in the MidWest lineup. It feels significantly more “permanent” once set up. If you are struggling with a puppy that destroys their gear, you might also want to look at best chew toys for large breed puppies to redirect that energy.
The Good
- Extreme Durability: The heavy-gauge wire doesn’t flex or rattle as much as cheaper models.
- Professional Grade: Often used by trainers and groomers because it stands up to heavy daily use.
- Easy-to-Clean Tray: The leak-proof plastic pan slides out easily for those inevitable puppy accidents.
The Bad
- Very Heavy: This is not a crate you want to carry through an airport.
- Industrial Look: It looks like a cage, there’s no way around it.
Our Take: Best for powerful large-breed puppies (like Shepherds or Labs) who need a sturdy enclosure. Skip if you need something portable or lightweight.
MidWest Life Stages
The Life Stages crate sits right between the iCrate and the Ultima Pro. It features closer wire spacing than the iCrate, which is a subtle but important safety feature for very small puppies. It prevents them from trying to poke their heads through the bars. While it’s slightly heavier than the iCrate, it offers a more robust feel without the massive weight of the Ultima Pro.
The Good
- Added Safety: Narrower bar spacing is ideal for toy breeds and young puppies.
- Longevity: It’s built well enough to last from the first day home through adulthood.
- Secure Latches: The slide-bolt latches feel more secure than the thinner ones on the budget models.
The Bad
- Rattle Noise: Like all wire crates, it can be noisy when the dog moves around inside.
- Folding Mechanism: It’s a bit more “clunky” to collapse than the quick-fold iCrate.
Our Take: Best for owners who want a step up in quality from the base model without spending Diggs-level money. Skip if weight is your primary concern.
What Real Users Are Saying (Reddit Insights)
When you look past the marketing photos, the reality of puppy ownership is often messy. Puppy owners on forums like r/dogs and r/puppy101 provide a sobering perspective on whether these high-end crates are worth it during the first year.
General Sentiment: The “Beater” Strategy
A common theme among veteran dog owners is that puppies are essentially “gear destroyers.” Between teething, potty training accidents, and general curiosity, your first crate is going to take a beating. Many users suggest buying a used or cheap wire crate first.
“I would say don’t buy things for a puppy you don’t want them to wreck. A simple wire crate now and then an upgrade when they are out of puppyhood… you’ll be less upset about a wire crate taking a beating than anything you spend more than 100 bucks on.” — u/CheshireChaotic88, Reddit
Top Complaints: High Visibility and Aesthetics
While Diggs is praised for its looks, some users find that the “conspicuous plastic” doesn’t actually blend in as well as they hoped. Furthermore, the high visibility of the Revol mesh can be a double-edged sword. Puppies who suffer from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) may struggle to settle down if they can see every movement in the house.
“I don’t find the [Diggs Revol] to be stylish. The conspicuous plastic is, well, conspicuously plastic, and the overall effect is busy. Conventional black wire crates are easier to tune out visually.” — u/Mbwapuppy, Reddit
Budget Tips & Value Picks
For those who want the “best for their dog” but are wary of the $500 price tag, the MidWest Ultima Pro is often cited as the professional’s choice. It provides the security and durability of a high-end crate at a fraction of the cost, even if it lacks the “Apple-esque” design of the Diggs.
Comparative Analysis: Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Durability and ‘Chew-ability’
Puppies explore the world with their mouths. A MidWest wire crate is almost entirely metal, making it very difficult for a puppy to cause structural damage. The Diggs Revol, while safe, has plastic components on the frame and handles. If your puppy is a “power chewer,” they may leave teeth marks on the expensive plastic of a Revol, which can be heartbreaking given the price. If you’re dealing with a particularly oral puppy, browsing our pet gear and accessories for durable chew alternatives is a must.
Ease of Cleaning
Accidents happen. When a puppy has a “blowout” in their crate, you want a tray you can slide out, hose down, and disinfect in minutes. Both MidWest and Diggs feature removable trays. However, the Diggs Revol has more nooks and crannies in its folding mechanism where “mess” can get trapped. A standard MidWest wire crate is simpler to deep-clean because the design is so open and basic.
Best Dog Crates by Segment
Best for Small Breeds (Havanese, Yorkies)
For tiny dogs, the Diggs Revol is fantastic. The diamond mesh ensures their small paws never get caught, and the smaller crate sizes feel like a cozy den. If the price is too high, the MidWest Life Stages is the best alternative because of its narrow bar spacing.
Best for Large Breeds (Golden Retrievers)
Large breed puppies grow at an alarming rate. The MidWest Ultima Pro is our top pick here. It can handle the weight and strength of a 70-pound adolescent dog while providing the security needed during those rowdy puppy months. For more on this, check out our comparison on Diggs vs Revol for puppies.
Best for Frequent Travelers
If you take your puppy to the office or visit family on weekends, the Diggs Revol is the winner. Its “pop-up” mechanism and wheels (on larger sizes) make it far more portable than any wire crate, which usually requires awkward folding and carrying handles that dig into your hands.
Other Notable Alternatives Worth Considering
- Kindtail PAWD: A plastic, nest-like crate that looks more like a piece of modern art than a cage. It’s great for small dogs but lacks a divider for growing puppies. Check on Amazon.
- MidWest Exercise Pen: While not a crate, many owners use an “ex-pen” attached to a MidWest crate to give puppies a safe place to play while still having access to their bed. Check on Amazon.
- Furniture-Style Dog Crates: These look like end tables. They are beautiful but generally NOT recommended for puppies because wood is too easy to chew and hard to clean if an accident occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Diggs Revol crate worth the high price for a puppy?
It depends on your lifestyle. If you value safety (diamond mesh) and frequent travel (easy folding), it is a top-tier investment. However, many Reddit users suggest starting with a cheaper MidWest iCrate during the potty-training phase and upgrading to a Diggs once your dog is a reliable adult to avoid damaging a $500 item.
Do I need to cover my Diggs crate at night?
Most puppies sleep better in a “den-like” environment. Because the Diggs Revol has high visibility, your puppy might get distracted by movement in the room. Using a breathable crate cover or a blanket can help them settle down. Diggs sells custom-fit covers, but a standard dark sheet often works just as well.
What is the difference between MidWest iCrate and Ultima Pro?
The iCrate is a lightweight, budget-friendly option designed for standard use. The Ultima Pro uses much heavier-gauge wire and is significantly more durable. If you have a powerful breed or a dog that is prone to “escaping,” the Ultima Pro is the safer, more robust choice for long-term use.
Should I buy a 36-inch crate for my puppy now or wait?
It is best to buy the size your dog will need as an adult. Both Diggs and MidWest offer divider panels that allow you to shrink the internal space while your puppy is small. This prevents them from using one side as a bathroom, making house-training much more effective from day one.
How do I stop my puppy from peeing on their bed in the crate?
First, ensure the crate isn’t too large; use your divider panel to limit their space. Second, remove soft bedding if they keep having accidents, as the fabric absorbs the scent and encourages repeat behavior. Once they are consistently dry overnight, you can reintroduce a bed like the Diggs Snooz.
Final Verdict: The Puppy Growth Strategy
If you are looking for the absolute best in safety and aesthetics, the Diggs Revol is the winner. Its diamond mesh and easy-fold design are unmatched. However, for a new puppy owner, the MidWest Ultima Pro or Life Stages often makes more sense. These crates provide incredible durability and ease of cleaning at a price that won’t leave you frustrated if it gets scratched or soiled during the “teenage” months.
The smartest financial move? Buy a MidWest crate for the first 12 months. It will handle the mess, the chewing, and the training. Once your dog is fully house-broken and has stopped treating everything like a chew toy, treat yourself and your dog to a Diggs crate as a permanent piece of home furniture. For more advice on keeping your new puppy healthy, visit our pet health and care resources.
Some links below are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.