Best Cat Carriers
Most cats ride in a carrier only a few times a year, and most of those trips end at the vet. That is why so many cats hide when the carrier comes out.
Updated October 27, 2026. Research by The Pet Gear Lab team.
Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Picks are labeled Research pick because they come from published testing and owner reports. How we pick.
The short answer
The Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel is the best cat carrier for most vet visits: it has top and front doors and splits into two halves, as feline vets advise. To fly in the cabin, pick the Sherpa Original Deluxe. For car safety, pick the Sleepypod Air, which Sleepypod says the Center for Pet Safety rates to 18 lbs.
Key facts
- The AAFP recommends a sturdy carrier with top and front doors and a top that comes off, so a cat can stay in the bottom half during the exam.
- The AAFP’s owner page, citing the Center for Pet Safety, says to seat belt a carrier into the back seat only if it has been crash tested.
- The Center for Pet Safety says a carrier not on its certified list has not yet passed its testing.
- The AAFP says each cat should have its own carrier, even cats that get along.
The right carrier makes those trips easier. Feline vets favor a sturdy carrier that opens from the top and whose top half comes off, so a nervous cat can stay put during the exam.
Where you are going matters too. A hard plastic kennel is easy to clean and good for the car. A soft carrier is lighter and can squeeze under an airplane seat. Only a few carriers have passed independent crash testing.
We sorted the picks by job, and we explain below how to get your cat used to the carrier before the next vet visit.
Quick picks
Best overall, a hard carrier with a top door that makes vet visits easier
Best soft airline carrier, for under-seat flights with a calm cat
Best crash-tested, certified by the Center for Pet Safety, for car trips
Best for large cats, a roomy plastic carrier that folds flat for storage
Budget pick, a basic two-door hard carrier at a low cost
How to choose
Pick a top door, and a top that comes off. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) says to choose a carrier with a top that comes off, so the vet can examine your cat in the bottom half. A top door also lets you lower a cat in when it will not walk in.
Match the carrier to the trip. NBC Select’s experts say hard-sided carriers are the safest choice in the car and easier to clean after an accident. Soft carriers are lighter and better for flights. Hard kennels like our Petmate and Frisco picks are cargo-style, not in-cabin carriers, according to Cats.com.
Size it to your cat, not the label. Cat trainer Albert Colominas, quoted by NBC Select, suggests measuring from the base of the tail to the nose, and from the shoulders to the floor, then adding a few inches to each. Your cat should be able to sit and stand without crouching. Weight limits vary by size, so check the listing.
Look for real crash testing. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) keeps a short list of certified carriers and says a product not on it “has not yet passed our testing.” Catster warns that some carriers labeled “crash tested” were tested but did not pass.
Skip backpacks and wheels for vet trips. The AAFP says backpack-style carriers are cramped and unstable. A feline behavior professional told NBC Select that wheeled carriers jostle the cat. A shoulder strap or handle is steadier.
One cat per carrier. The AAFP says each cat should have its own carrier, even cats that get along.
Getting a cat used to the carrier, and vet visits
A carrier that only comes out for the vet becomes a signal that something bad is coming. Cat Friendly Homes, the AAFP’s site for owners, says comfort training can make travel “a less stressful experience.” It takes patience. An AAFP handout says it “may take days or weeks” before a cat trusts the carrier.
Make the carrier part of the furniture. The AAFP and Fear Free both suggest leaving the carrier out in a room your cat uses, with soft bedding inside. Add treats, catnip or toys, and let your cat explore. Do not chase or push your cat in.
Train in small steps. Fear Free’s Linda Lombardi suggests sessions of one to two minutes, ideally twice a day. Reward your cat for coming near, then one paw in, then all paws, then staying longer. With a hard carrier that comes apart, you can start with only the bottom half, then add the top, then the door. Next, lift and carry it a short way. Then take short car rides that do not end at the vet. The article cites a study in which trained cats “showed less stress on the car ride.”
Why a top-loading carrier helps at the vet. The AAFP’s guidance has three parts:
- A top door makes loading easier. The AAFP recommends a sturdy carrier with both a top and a front entrance. If your cat will not walk in, you can gently lower it in from the top.
- A removable top makes the exam easier. The AAFP says to choose a carrier whose top comes off. With the top removed, your cat can stay in the bottom half, which the AAFP says helps it feel safer during the checkup.
- Soft carriers need the right openings. If you use a soft carrier, the AAFP says it should have a large top opening, and ideally doors on both ends that do not collapse when opened.
Our two hard picks, the Petmate and the Frisco, come in two halves that bolt together by hand, according to Cats.com and PetsRadar. Practice taking the top off at home before the visit.
Cover the carrier. The AAFP suggests putting a towel or blanket over the carrier before you leave the house to cut down on sights and sounds. Fear Free trainer Mikkel Becker suggests leaving one end open. Carry it with both arms, close to your body, and keep it level.
Secure the carrier in the car. The AAFP calls the floor “the safest space for the carrier,” and its owner page says to use the floor behind the driver or front passenger seat. It adds that, per CPS, a carrier should be seat belted into the back seat only if it has been crash tested. Never let a cat ride loose, and the AAFP says a harness or leash alone is not a safe way to travel. If a carrier has an inside tether, NBC Select’s experts say to clip it to a harness, not a collar.
Flying: check your airline first. In general, a cat flying in the cabin rides in a carrier under the seat in front of you. Size limits differ between airlines, and NBC Select’s experts warn that an “airline approved” label does not guarantee you will be allowed on. Cats.com notes that soft carriers can be compressed to fit. Before you book, read your airline’s pet policy or call, and compare the carrier’s measurements to its under-seat limits. NBC Select’s experts also advise keeping your cat in the cabin, not in cargo.
Coming home. The AAFP notes that other cats in the house may react to a cat that smells like the clinic. It suggests a quiet room with food, water and a litter box at first, then a slow reintroduction.
What to know about these picks
We have not tested these carriers. Our main hands-on source is Cats.com’s roundup (updated June 1, 2026), where Liz Coleman tested carriers at home with her own two cats. She used the Sleepypod Air for about a month and also tested the Petmate and SportPet picks. The roundup does not say whether she tested the Frisco or Sherpa carriers herself.
We also used NBC Select’s roundup by Zoe Malin, built from carriers that staff use with their own cats. The page was first published in May 2024, and its page data shows an update on December 31, 2025. Gear Patrol’s October 2023 roundup took carriers on trips with staff cats. PetsRadar published a review of the Petmate in October 2021. Catster’s 2026 list and Hepper’s hard carrier list describe no structured testing, so we used them only for supporting mentions.
Wirecutter and The Spruce Pets could not be accessed for this update. CNN Underscored’s cat carrier page would not load, and neither would Rover’s Sleepypod Air review.
Crash test claims come from the Center for Pet Safety’s own pages and from Sleepypod. Care and travel advice comes from the AAFP, Cat Friendly Homes and Fear Free. Specs come from maker pages, Chewy or PetSmart listings. We do not list prices, since they change often.
Specs compared
| Pick | Best for | Type | Openings | Weight limit | Crash tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel | Best overall | Hard plastic kennel | Top and front doors | 10 or 15 lb by size (sources vary) | No (Cats.com) |
| Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier | Soft airline carrier | Soft, spring-wire frame | Top and side | 16 lb (PetSmart) | No independent approval (Cats.com) |
| Sleepypod Air | Crash-tested | Soft, ballistic nylon | Not listed | 18 lb (CPS rating, per Sleepypod) | Yes, CPS rated (Sleepypod) |
| SportPet Designs Travel Master Collapsible Carrier | Large cats | Collapsible plastic | Side gate only, no top door | 25 lb (sources vary) | Not listed |
| Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Kennel | Budget | Hard plastic kennel | Top and front doors | Not listed | No (Cats.com) |
Specs from maker pages, Chewy and PetSmart listings, the Center for Pet Safety and Cats.com, October 2026. Limits vary by size; check the listing.
The picks in detail
Travel Cats Research pick
Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel
Best overall, hard top-load
Verdict: A sturdy, widely tested hard carrier with the top door and two-piece build that feline vets recommend for exam day.
What it does well: Cats.com named it the best hard carrier. The tester found it easy to put together, and said its steel doors make loading and unloading simple. The top opening is wide enough to “pass both hands through” to pet your cat. Gear Patrol named it the best hard-sided carrier and praised the top door for loading reluctant cats. PetsRadar said it “offers outstanding durability and ventilation,” and noted that the top and bottom fasten with wing nuts and bolts. Chewy says the 19-inch size holds pets up to 10 pounds and “meets most airline cargo specifications.” The 24-inch size is listed up to 15 pounds. Owners rate the 19-inch size 4.7 out of 5 across more than 2,200 ratings on Chewy.
The downsides: Cats.com says it is not crash tested, has no attachments to secure it in the car, and is approved only for an airplane’s cargo hold, not the cabin. Several Chewy reviewers say the top door does not stay open on its own while you load your cat. Hepper notes some complaints about the front door not closing. Gear Patrol called it sizable for a cat carrier. PetsRadar lists the 24-inch size up to 20 pounds, while Chewy says 15, so check the listing for your size.
Skip it if: you plan to fly with your cat in the cabin. Choose the Sherpa or the Sleepypod Air instead. If your cat is over 10 pounds, go up to the 24-inch size.
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Travel Cats Research pick
Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier
Best soft airline carrier
Verdict: The soft carrier that came up most often in the roundups we read, built to fit under an airline seat.
What it does well: Catster named it the best overall cat carrier, and Cats.com named it the best for air travel. NBC Select called it the best affordable carrier and said most of its cat-owning staff use it. Gear Patrol said the spring-wire frame fits under airline seats, and the mesh on three sides gives good airflow. It opens from both the top and the side, as the AAFP suggests for soft carriers. PetSmart lists a 16-pound maximum, in sizes of 17 by 11 by 10.5 inches and 19 by 11.75 by 11.5 inches. Sherpa’s Guaranteed On Board program covers the small and medium sizes. Cats.com says Sherpa will reimburse your flight and pet fee if your cat is turned away under the program.
The downsides: Cats.com says the carrier has not been approved for car safety by any independent group. It also reports that some reviewers say Sherpa’s quality has declined over the years. Catster and a Chewy reviewer say the mesh can be chewed or torn. Gear Patrol and NBC Select both note the open mesh makes your cat very visible, which can stress shy cats. Chewy lists the large size as discontinued.
Skip it if: your cat chews fabric or is over 16 pounds. For car safety, choose the Sleepypod Air.
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Travel Cats Research pick
Sleepypod Air
Best crash-tested
Verdict: A crash-tested carrier that is also sized for in-cabin flights, for owners who want one carrier for both car and plane.
What it does well: Sleepypod says the Air is “rated to 18 lbs” by the Center for Pet Safety. The CPS certified list includes Sleepypod carriers, and a February 2025 Sleepypod release says its carriers, including the Air 2.0, met CPS’s updated crash standard. Cats.com named it the best overall carrier after about a month of testing, and said it “maintains its shape without collapsing.” It has straps on both sides to secure it with a seat belt. Sleepypod lists the carrier at 16 to 22 inches long, 10.5 inches wide and 10.5 inches tall, in ballistic nylon with mesh on four sides. Chewy says it compresses to fit under a range of airline seats.
The downsides: Cats.com says limited window space can make it hard to see your cat. Chewy owners rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 35 ratings. Some called it too dark or not well ventilated. One said it did not fit under an American Airlines seat, and another found it hard to fit in a back seat. Sleepypod says not to use its carriers with other brands’ accessories. When we checked, every color on Sleepypod’s own site showed sold out, though Chewy listed it in stock.
Skip it if: your cat is over 18 pounds or likes to watch the world go by. Sleepypod’s dome-shaped Mobile Pet Bed is also on the CPS list for pets up to 15 pounds and opens from the top, but it is not made for flights, according to NBC Select.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Travel Cats Research pick
SportPet Designs Travel Master Collapsible Carrier
Best for large cats
Verdict: A roomy plastic carrier with a wide door for big cats, which folds flat when you are not using it.
What it does well: Cats.com tested it and named it the best collapsible carrier. The tester found it easy to pop open and break down, and its angled sides made it “a little easier to carry” than the Petmate. Chewy lists the X-Large at up to 35 pounds, with an 18.5 by 15.25 inch base, a wide side gate with a removable door, and a plush, water-resistant bed. Catster also listed it as a hard carrier for large cats. Owners rate the X-Large 4.6 out of 5 across 55 ratings on Chewy.
The downsides: It has no top door, so you cannot lower a cat in from above, and we found no sign that the top comes off for exams. Cats.com says it has no storage, only one way to carry it, and is not for flights. Cats.com lists it for cats up to 25 pounds, while Chewy says 35, so check your size. Chewy owners say it is heavy and awkward to carry with a big cat inside, and one received a broken latch.
Skip it if: you fly with your cat, or your cat fights going in through a front door. Cats.com’s large-cat pick, the SturdiBag XL, is a soft option its tester used with her 17-pound cat. It also has no top door that we could confirm, costs much more, and the XL is not for flights.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Travel Cats Research pick
Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Kennel
Budget
Verdict: A low-cost top-load kennel from Chewy’s house brand, best for small cats and short trips.
What it does well: Cats.com named it the best budget carrier and said it suits annual vet visits. It comes in two halves that bolt together without tools, with a top door and a front door. Hepper named it the best hard-sided carrier overall. Chewy lists the 20-inch size at 3.3 pounds empty, with a hard plastic shell and wire top and front doors. Chewy says it is airline compliant, but to confirm your airline’s rules. Owners rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 810 ratings.
The downsides: Cats.com says it “is best suited to small cats,” that the door “may pop out of place” with a heavy load, and that it is not crash tested. Chewy reviewers say the top opening is too narrow for some adult cats, the plastic flexes, and the bolts must be tightened for a secure fit. Chewy does not list a weight limit. As a Chewy house brand, it is mainly sold at Chewy.
Skip it if: your cat is large or heavy. The Petmate is sturdier and comes in a bigger size.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Questions people ask
Is a top-loading cat carrier better for vet visits?
Feline vets think so. The AAFP recommends a sturdy carrier with top and front doors, and a top that comes off. Your cat can then stay in the bottom half during the exam, which the AAFP says helps it feel safer. Our Petmate and Frisco picks both have a top door and come apart in two halves.
Should I buckle my cat's carrier into the car seat?
Only if it has passed a crash test. The AAFP’s owner page, citing CPS, says to belt a carrier into the back seat only if it has been crash tested. Otherwise, put it on the floor behind the driver or front passenger seat. The Sleepypod Air is our crash-tested pick.
Will my cat carrier fit under an airplane seat?
It depends on the airline and the plane. NBC Select’s experts warn that an “airline approved” label does not guarantee boarding. Soft carriers with a flexible frame, like the Sherpa, squeeze into tight spaces more easily. Check your airline’s pet policy and under-seat size before you book.
How big should a cat carrier be?
Big enough for your cat to sit and stand without crouching. Measure from the base of the tail to the nose, and from the shoulders to the floor, then add a few inches, as a cat trainer told NBC Select.
Sources and further reading
- Cats.com, Liz Coleman, fact-checked by Jackie Brown, updated by Kate Barrington, “The 13 Best Cat Carriers for 2026” (updated June 1, 2026)
- NBC Select, Zoe Malin, “The best cat carriers for stress-free travel, according to editor reviews” (May 7, 2024; page data shows December 31, 2025)
- Gear Patrol, Will Sabel Courtney, “The Best Cat Carriers You Can Buy” (October 20, 2023)
- PetsRadar, Kathryn Williams, “Petmate Two Door Top Load Cat Carrier review” (October 19, 2021)
- Catster, “10 Best Cat Carriers in 2026: Reviews & Top Picks” (date not shown on page)
- Catster, “Are Cat’s Carrier Crash Tested? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ” (date not shown on page)
- Hepper, Misty Layne, “10 Best Hard-Sided Cat Carriers: 2024 Reviews & Top Picks” (date not shown on page)
- American Association of Feline Practitioners, “Visiting Your Veterinarian: Getting your Cat to the Veterinary Practice” (2022)
- American Association of Feline Practitioners, “Getting Your Cat to the Vet” (date not shown on page)
- AAFP and ISFM, “Getting Your Cat to the Veterinarian: Reducing the Stress of Veterinary Visits for You and Your Cat” (date not shown)
- AAFP, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, “Transport of Cats” position statement (2010)
- Cat Friendly Homes, Dr. Apryl Steele, “Getting your cat acclimated to the carrier” (date not shown on page)
- Fear Free Happy Homes, Linda Lombardi, “Teach Your Cat To Go Into A Carrier, Without A Struggle” (November 26, 2018; updated March 31, 2021)
- Fear Free Happy Homes, Mikkel Becker, CBCC-KA, “Cat Carrier Follies: How To Help Cats Learn To Love Their Carriers” (August 27, 2017; updated February 7, 2022)
- Center for Pet Safety, “Look for the Logo! Center for Pet Safety Certified” (date not shown on page)
- Center for Pet Safety, 2015 carrier crash test results (date not shown on page)
- Sleepypod, “Sleepypod Pet Carriers are First to Earn Top Safety Ratings When Crash Tested at New Center for Pet Safety Standard,” Business Wire (February 18, 2025)
- Sleepypod, Air product page
- Sleepypod, Mobile Pet Bed product page
- Chewy and PetSmart listings and owner reviews for each pick
Product details change. Confirm the model, size and weight limit on the retailer page before you buy. Check your airline’s current pet rules before you fly. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.
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