The Best Dog Carriers of 2026

• Style: Backpack
• Best for: Small cats and dogs
• Dimensions: 17.72"L x 9.84"W x 11.81"H
• Material: 600 Denier Oxford
• Weight limit: 20 pounds
• Carrier weight: 3.28 pounds

Crafted from water-resistant fabric with a hand-washable fleece liner, the Natuvalle dog carrier has reinforced zippers and locks and folds down to about two inches for easy storage. There’s a decent amount of mesh paneling for ventilation in this dog carrier, and my dog trainer husband especially likes the mesh pocket on one side, which he suggests would be the perfect place to stick a lavender oil-dotted satchel to soothe your pet.

One downside is that the dog carrier doesn’t arrive assembled entirely, so be ready to get your Ikea on. The top opening of this dog carrier is also tiny, making it difficult to coax your dog into the carrier. Considering the Natuvalle's selling points include the ability to carry the item on your front or back, as a shoulder or handbag, or as an upright or side dog carrier, we found that the functions didn’t differentiate themselves enough to be truly helpful. A wheeling option would have been vastly preferred.

The Natuvalle dog carrier is recommended for pets weighing up to 16 pounds and measuring up to 17 inches long and 11.5 inches tall.

• Style: Carrier
• Best for: Domestic cats, small dogs
• Dimensions: 18.7"L x 10.8"W x 10.75"H
• Material: Nylon, leather
• Weight limit: 18 pounds
• Carrier weight: 4.3 pounds

You may already be familiar with Away as a maker of luxe luggage for people. It was only a matter of time before they dipped a toe into pet travel, with a chic and sleek bag designed to complement its human line.

If you plan to travel frequently with your pup, this dog carrier is worth considering. Not only does this dog carrier meet all Federal Aviation Administration requirements, but it also received five stars from the Center for Pet Safety and is crash test-certified. We appreciated the durable, extra-thick nylon that’s flexible when needed but still retains its shape, as well as the waterproof interior and exterior for easy maintenance.

That said, this is one pricey dog carrier, which is worth it for safety (or to coordinate with your Away rollaboard) but less so if just intended for casual jaunts. We also didn’t love how restricted it was: fewer windows and mesh means less visibility, and there aren’t many entrance/exit options, so depositing your pet inside may involve a struggle.

The Away dog carrier is recommended for pets weighing up to 18 pounds and measuring up to 18 inches long and 10.75 inches tall.

• Style: Carrier
• Best for: Medium dogs
• Dimensions: 19"L x 11.75"W x 11.5"H
• Material: Polyester, Mesh, Faux Fur, Synthetic
• Weight limit: 20 pounds
• Carrier weight: 4.9 pounds

A dependable leader on other best dog carrier lists, the Sherpa has plenty of mesh windows for ventilation, top and side entries with locking zippers for safety, and an adjustable padded seat belt and luggage straps. Plus, its faux lambskin liner is machine-washable. You might find it especially appealing if you're a frequent flier, because this dog carrier earned the Worldwise Guaranteed on Board program, which assures that dog carriers are in line with the rules and regulations of participating airlines such as Delta, Southwest, and United. In the event you’re denied boarding due to the Sherpa, the company will reimburse your plane ticket and pet fee. That said, airline compatibility shouldn't be an issue due to a spring wire frame that pushes down to conform to underseat requirements. On the other hand, this can make the dog carrier a bit saggy and amorphous, meaning it’s tricky to place a wiggly pup inside.

The Sherpa Deluxe dog carrier is recommended for pets up to 16 pounds, 16 inches long, and 10 inches tall.

• Style: Carrier
• Best for: Small dogs
• Dimensions: 19"L x 10"W x 14"H
• Material: Polyester, mesh, fleece, synthetic
• Weight limit: 22 pounds
• Carrier weight: 2.76 pounds

Our favorite parts of this bag are its locking zippers, which can only be manipulated from the outside, as well as a small “petting” window that lets you comfort your pup. Make that a palm-sized pup, or better yet, a kitten, as even the larger-sized model we tested is exceedingly small. This no-frills (and again, super small) dog carrier is lightweight and machine-washable, which are definite pros. But as expected, the value price essentially represents the quality of the materials and the overall durability of the build.

The Frisco dog carrier is recommended for pets weighing up to 10 pounds, measuring 15 inches long and 10 inches tall.

• Style: Carrier
• Best for: Domestic cats, small dogs
• Dimensions: 19"L x 10"W x 13H
• Material: Polyethylene terephthalate
• Weight limit: 10 pounds
• Carrier weight: 1.81 pounds

We appreciated that this dog carrier comfortably accommodates leggy dogs, and liked the generous size of its pockets. It comes in multiple attractive colors, has a built-in leash for securing the dog to the dog carrier, and sells for a reasonable price. That said, the EliteField left much to be desired. Besides its pretty basic design, the construction felt flimsy as the sides tended to collapse when lifting it with an animal inside. It also lacks a few helpful features: There’s no way to keep the pockets closed, no option for top-entry—often an easier way to deposit unwilling pets inside of a dog carrier—and the structure and straps don’t seem like they’d stand up to long-term use.

The company doesn’t give clear specifications for recommended weights and sizes, but the dog carrier measures 17 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 12 inches tall.