Impact Collapsible 48-Inch Aluminum Crate

In this impact collapsible 48-inch aluminum crate review, the Impact Collapsible Crate ranks fifth of eight in our best heavy duty dog crates guide and takes the label of best travel and portable option. It is a white aluminum kennel that measures 48 inches long, 27 inches wide and 33 inches tall, weighs 48 pounds, and sells for $760.50. The crate holds 4.5 stars from 128 Amazon ratings. Impact Dog Crates built it for giant breeds such as Newfoundland, St. Bernard and Tibetan Mastiff owners who move between home, shows and road trips. The pitch is simple: real heavy duty strength that folds flat, which steel crates simply cannot do.

Day to day, the Impact Collapsible Crate opens in under 60 seconds with no tools, and one hand works the single door, which matters when you are holding a leash. Military grade handles make the 48-pound lift manageable for one adult. Because identical sizes stack, two units can share the same floor footprint in a garage or show trailer. The rounded diamond air holes keep airflow moving, and the aluminum body will not rust the way painted steel can. Meanwhile, the 33-inch height and 27-inch width keep the footprint car-friendly, though they are tighter than a 54-inch steel crate. Included side rails round out the package.

Value is where the $760.50 price needs defending. That money buys one crate, not a set, and the lifetime guarantee covers defects in materials or workmanship only, since dog damage is excluded. In practice, though, no steel crate in our guide folds flat, and that portability is what you are paying for. By contrast, a cheaper 54-inch steel kennel gives a Great Dane more room for less money but stays put in one spot. Even so, for show handlers, breeders and travelers who load a vehicle weekly, the Impact Collapsible earns its keep. Buy it if your dog respects a kennel and you need one crate that works at home and on the road. Skip it if you need maximum interior space or a chew-proof warranty.