Best XL Dog Kennels for Home and Travel Use
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Shopping for an xl dog kennel usually comes down to three questions: how big is the floor, how will the kennel be used, and what goes inside it. This guide covers two 42 inch collapsible soft kennels for travel and home, plus five XL pads and mats that fit a 42 inch crate or sit inside any large kennel. Every number below comes from the product listings, and where a listing is silent, we say so. Measure your dog and your crate floor before you order anything from this page.
Quick answer
- For a portable xl dog kennel, the two 42 inch collapsible crates in this list (42 x 31 x 31 in) are the only true kennels; both list soft sides and fold flat.
- For comfort inside a 42 inch crate, the pads listed at 42 x 28 in or 41 x 27 in are the closest fit, with listing weight ratings up to 90 lbs.
- For warm weather, two cooling mats are included, but they are mats, not kennels, and neither listing says it is meant for a chewer.
- Always check the weight range on the listing against your dog, and ask your vet if you are unsure what size or style suits a puppy, senior or anxious dog.
What “XL kennel” means on these listings
Retailers use the word loosely. In this set, the kennels are the two collapsible crates that list a 42 inch size, and the rest are pads that fill the floor of a 42 inch kennel. Mixing the two up is the most common mistake: a pad cannot contain a dog, and a crate with no pad is a bare floor. The pack for this guide does not include a hard wire or plastic kennel, so we do not cover them here. If you need a rigid kennel, treat this page as a guide to the pads and the soft-crate option only.
The 42 inch figure also appears in the pad titles, because pad makers size their products to the standard crate lengths. The Miguel listing, for example, says its 42 x 28 x 2.5 in pad fits 42 in crates and pets up to 90 lbs, while its 36 x 23 x 2.5 in size fits 36 in crates and pets up to 70 lbs. That kind of pairing of length and weight is what to look for.
How to choose an XL kennel and pad
Start with the floor, not the dog’s label
The Miguel listing says to measure the crate floor before ordering, and that is good advice for every item here. A pad listed at 42 x 28 in is built for a crate floor of about that size. If your kennel floor is slightly smaller, a thick bolstered pad may ride up the sides; if it is larger, the pad leaves bare floor. The two collapsible crates list outside dimensions of 42 x 31 x 31 in, so the interior will be somewhat different. The listings do not state interior floor size, so confirm it with the seller before buying a pad to match.
Soft crate versus rigid kennel
Both crates here are collapsible with mesh panels. The benefit is portability: one lists a weight of 14.22 lb and the other 15.82 lb, and both fold down for the car. The trade-off is that a soft kennel is a travel and calm-dog product. The Miguel pad listing, for comparison, is openly described as made for calm pets, not heavy chewers. For a dog that digs, chews or panics in a crate, ask a trainer or your vet what is appropriate before choosing any soft-sided product.
Pad material and cleaning
Materials in this set fall into four groups: ripstop Oxford with a wipe-clean surface, memory foam with a microfiber cover, egg crate foam with a removable machine-washable cover, and cooling fabric. Wipe-clean surfaces suit drool and small accidents; removable covers suit dogs that shed or get muddy; cooling fabrics suit heat. Pick the one that matches the problem you actually have rather than the longest feature list.
Non-slip backing
A pad that slides on the crate floor is a nuisance for a big dog climbing in and out. The memory foam listing mentions a rubber backing, the waterproof foam listing says anti-slip, and both cooling mats mention a non-slip bottom. The Miguel listing does not mention a non-slip base in the bullets we have, so treat that as not stated.
The two XL soft kennels
1. Collapsible Dog Crate for Extra Large Dogs, 42 Inch (4-door mesh)
This soft crate lists a size of 42 x 31 x 31 in and a weight of 14.22 lb. The listing describes four-sided mesh, which means airflow from every side and a clear view for the dog. Setup instructions in the listing say to pull the crate open in four directions and press the collapsible tubes flat until they click, so folding it is a one-person job. One bullet uses the words escape-proof and a 90 lb rating; that is the seller’s wording and we cannot confirm it, so check the weight range yourself and watch how your dog behaves in a soft kennel at first.
Suits: owners who want a 42 inch kennel that goes in the car, a hotel room or a visit to family, with a calm adult dog.
Watch for: the listing does not state the material, interior floor size or door types beyond four-sided mesh.
2. 42 Inch Collapsible Dog Crate, 3-Door Foldable Travel Crate with Mat, Blanket and Bowl
The second soft crate also lists 42 x 31 x 31 in, at 15.82 lb, and the title says it comes with a mat, soft blanket and foldable bowl. The listing points mention a self-locking zip design, a removable and washable pad and blanket, and a tear-resistant description; all three are labeled as seller statements. Three doors give more ways to reach the dog, which helps in a car trunk or a tight corner. The extras mean you could use it without buying a separate pad, though a thicker pad from this list may suit a large dog better. The listing does not give the thickness of the included mat.
Suits: buyers who want one box with kennel, pad and bowl, and a three-door layout.
Watch for: it weighs about 1.6 lb more than the four-door model, and the zipper and tear claims come from the seller.
Five XL pads and mats for the kennel floor
3. Miguel Dog Crate Pad, 42 inch, ripstop Oxford
Miguel lists two sizes: 36 x 23 x 2.5 in for 36 in crates and pets up to 70 lbs, and 42 x 28 x 2.5 in for 42 in crates and pets up to 90 lbs. The bolster edge is 2.5 in high and the padded base about 0.6 in thick. The top is 900D ripstop Oxford that the listing says resists scratches and sheds light spills and drool; the bottom is 100D Oxford. Cleaning is a damp cloth, and the listing says to skip detergent to protect the water-resistant finish. Bolsters on all four sides are filled with polyester, and a loop lets you hang or carry the pad. It arrives vacuum packed and needs a few hours to puff up. The listing says it is made for calm pets, not heavy chewers.
Suits: owners who want a wipe-clean, portable pad for the car, campsite or a 42 in crate.
Watch for: a thin base at about 0.6 in, and no machine washing.
4. 42×28 Dog Crate Bed, memory foam kennel pad
This pad measures 42 x 28 x 1.18 in and is listed for dogs up to 90 pounds and 42 inch crates. The listing describes orthopedic memory foam under a soft microfiber cover, with a rubber non-skid backing, and says it is machine washable and quick drying. It also suggests the pad doubles as an indoor mat for muddy paws. The listing frames the foam as relieving pressure on elbows, which is the seller’s wording rather than a medical claim we can support; if your dog has joint trouble, ask your vet what bedding suits. At 1.18 in it is thinner than the 2.5 in bolster of the Miguel pad but has a continuous foam layer.
Suits: owners who want a machine-washable foam pad with grip on the floor.
Watch for: no bolster edge is mentioned.
5. Waterproof XL Dog Bed, 42 inch egg crate foam crate pad
This listing gives 41 x 27 x 3.5 in for dogs up to 90 lbs, and says there are eight sizes. It lists egg crate foam, a two-sided cover of flannel on one side and faux leather on the other, a waterproof liner, and an easy-care removable cover that is machine washable and tumble dried on low. At 3.5 in it is the thickest pad here, so check that the height suits your crate if the door sill is low. Two-sided covers let you flip between a soft side and a wipe-clean side.
Suits: owners of a 42 in crate who want the thickest foam, a waterproof liner and a washable cover.
Watch for: thickness in a low-door crate; the listing does not state a non-slip base beyond the title mentioning anti-slip.
6. Extra Large Dog Cooling Mat, 39.4 x 27.6 in
This mat is listed at 39.4 x 27.6 in in nylon with a self-cooling ice silk fabric, a Q-Max of at least 0.5 in one bullet (the title says above 0.45), and no gel, water or electricity. Welded seams, a puncture-resistant fabric and a non-slip rubber-dot bottom are mentioned, and it is machine washable on a gentle cycle. The listing says it can sit on a foam pad as a cooling topper, in a car or outdoors. The weight is 0.48 kg. It will slightly under-fill a 42 in crate floor, so it works as a topper over a pad.
Suits: warm climates where a pad alone is too warm.
Watch for: the listing uses the words casual chewing, so it is not for a dog that chews bedding.
7. FunFurry Cooling Mat, 44 x 32 in
FunFurry lists four sizes: 30 x 20, 36 x 27, 44 x 32 and 59 x 40 inches. The 44 x 32 in size is wider than a 42 x 28 in pad, so check your crate floor. The fabric is described as dense weave with Q-Max above 0.5, unprinted and odor-free, with quilted stitching that resists flattening or shifting, an anti-slip bottom, and machine washable and dryer safe care. Unlike the first cooling mat, the listing does not state a material name.
Suits: large crates or floors where a bigger cooling surface is needed, and owners who want to use a dryer.
Watch for: material not stated; the 44 x 32 in size may need trimming room in a 42 in crate.
Side-by-side summary
| Item | Listed size | Weight range or product weight | Key listing feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collapsible crate, 4-door mesh | 42 x 31 x 31 in | 14.22 lb; 90 lb rating is seller wording | Four-sided mesh, folds flat |
| Collapsible crate, 3-door with mat | 42 x 31 x 31 in | 15.82 lb | Mat, blanket and bowl listed |
| Miguel crate pad | 42 x 28 x 2.5 in | Up to 90 lbs | Ripstop Oxford, wipe clean |
| Memory foam crate bed | 42 x 28 x 1.18 in | Up to 90 pounds | Memory foam, rubber backing |
| Waterproof foam pad | 41 x 27 x 3.5 in | Up to 90 lbs | Egg crate foam, removable cover |
| Cooling mat (39.4 in) | 39.4 x 27.6 in | Not stated | Ice silk fabric, non-slip dots |
| FunFurry cooling mat | 44 x 32 in (four sizes) | Not stated | Dense weave, dryer safe |
Common mistakes with XL kennels
- Buying by dog weight alone. Weight ratings of 90 lbs tell you about the product, not the room your dog needs to stand and turn. Measure height and length too.
- Ignoring the interior floor. The crate listings give outside dimensions only.
- Using a cooling mat as the only bedding. Both cooling mat listings describe them as toppers or mats, not as padded beds.
- Assuming a soft kennel is for every dog. If your dog pushes, scratches or chews at the mesh, ask a trainer for another option.
- Washing against the care note. The Miguel pad is wipe clean and says to skip detergent, while the foam pads are machine washable. Follow each listing.
Which pad goes with which kennel
If you buy the three-door crate, the mat is included, but you can still add a thicker pad. For the four-door crate you need to buy bedding separately. Among the pads, the Miguel is the one with a bolster and a carry loop, which suits a travel kennel. The memory foam bed suits a home crate where grip matters. The waterproof foam pad, at 3.5 in, suits a dog that spends long hours lying down. The two cooling mats are best added in summer on top of a base pad. Whatever you choose, compare the listing size to your crate floor first; if the listing size is bigger than the floor, the pad bunches, and if it is smaller, the dog may rest on bare floor.
For more bedding ideas, see our comparison of seven crate mats by size and weight, and the list of XL dog beds with removable covers. If you are also comparing carriers, see soft-sided, hard-sided and kennel pet carriers.
FAQ
What size is an XL dog kennel?
The listings in this guide describe XL as a 42 inch crate. The two collapsible crates list 42 x 31 x 31 in, and the matching pads list 42 x 28 in or 41 x 27 in with a weight range up to 90 lbs. These are listing figures, so match them to your dog’s measurements, and ask your vet if you are unsure about size for a growing puppy.
Is a collapsible kennel good for an XL dog?
It can suit travel and a calm adult dog. Both collapsible crates here use mesh panels and list weights near 14 to 16 lb. The seller wording on one crate mentions a 90 lb rating, but a soft kennel is not the same as a rigid one, so watch your dog’s behavior and ask a trainer if the dog pushes against the sides.
Will a 42 x 28 in pad fit a 42 inch kennel?
The Miguel and memory foam listings say so for 42 inch crates. The crate listings give outside dimensions, not interior floor size, so measure the floor of your own crate before ordering.
Can I wash these pads?
It depends on the listing. The memory foam bed and the waterproof foam pad’s cover are listed as machine washable, the cooling mats are washable, and FunFurry adds dryer safe. The Miguel pad is wipe clean and says to skip detergent.
Do cooling mats replace a bed?
The listings describe them as mats or toppers. One suggests placing it over a sofa or foam pad. If your dog has joint or health concerns, ask your vet which bedding is best.
Bottom line
Choose the kennel first by the floor and use, then match a pad to the real interior size. For travel with a calm dog, one of the two 42 inch soft crates plus the Miguel pad is a straightforward pairing; for a home crate, pick the foam pad that fits the floor. Add a cooling mat only for warm weather, and treat every seller weight claim as something to check against your own dog.
