If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’ve already heard about the impact dog crate.
It has been featured in numerous publications, including The Huffington Post, Lifehacker, Mashable, Business Insider, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur Magazine, and more.
There’s a LOT of hype about the impact dog crate, so we thought we’d put it to the test and give you our final verdict.
So, if you’re considering splashing the cash on an impact dog crate, we invite you to sit back, relax, and take a read through our comprehensive, all-you-need-to-know review (see also ‘Your Dog Hates Their Crate – What To Do‘).
Is it suitable for your dog? What benefits does it offer? Are there any downfalls to be aware of? We’ll be answering all of this and more.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Table of Contents:
Impact Dog Crate
According to impact’s website, you’ll have three crates to choose from: the high anxiety crate, the collapsible dog crate, and the stationary dog crate. All crates start at $1099.
High Anxiety Crate
This crate is designed for pups with anxiety, particularly those who are notorious escapees. This crate is escape-proof, double the thickness of aluminum, and it’s delivered to your door fully assembled.
This crate is available in six sizes (length):
- 30″
- 34″
- 40″
- 40″ (wide and tall)
- 42″
- 48″
It also features four butterfly latches, ventilation holes, and a ten-year guarantee.
Collapsible Dog Crate
The collapsible dog crate does exactly what it says on the tin. This crate folds down to just 8 inches, and it’s available in five sizes (length):
- 34″
- 40″
- 40″ (wide and tall)
- 48″
- 54″
It also comes in five different colors: white, blue, pink, black, and desert tan. This crate boasts a lightweight aluminum design, ventilation holes, airline rails, side carrying handles, and stackable corners.
Stationary Dog Crate
The stationary dog crate is shipped fully assembled, and it’s ideal for those seeking out an extra bit of protection for their pups in the home. However, this stationary crate also comes with airline rails and stackable corners, making it ideal for travel. The stationary crate comes in six sizes (length):
- 34″
- 40″
- 40″ (long and tall)
- 42″
- 48″
- 48″ (long and tall)
You’ll also be able to choose from the same five colors as the collapsible crate: blue, pink, black, and desert tan.
This crate features a stainless steel slam latch, ventilation holes, and military-grade handles, and it’s designed to be stackable in tight spaces.
High Anxiety Crate: Pros and Cons
Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the pros and cons of the high anxiety crate.
Pros
- Escape proof
- Strong construction
- Durable materials
- Great value
- 10-year warranty
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Available in 6 sizes
Cons
- Not recommended for small dogs
- Doesn’t come with a liner
Collapsible Crate: Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of the impact collapsible crate you should be aware of.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Stackable
- Folds down to just 8 inches
- Comes in 5 sizes
- Airline rails
Cons
- No liner included
- Does not include wheels
Stationary Crate: Pros and Cons
And finally, here are the pros and cons of the stationary crate.
Pros
- Stainless steel slam latch
- Military-grade handles
- Ventilation holes
- Stackable
Cons
- Does not fold down
- Does not include wheels
So, which one did we end up choosing? Well, we tried and tested them all. So although we’ve given you a brief look at the pros and cons of each crate, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s what we really thought of Impact’s dog crates.
Impact High Anxiety Crate
What did we think of the high anxiety crate? Well, we loved it. It came fully assembled, and we were impressed by how sturdy the crate was.
It seemed like it would hold up well over time. And although it didn’t have any wheels, it still managed to roll easily over most surfaces. We also liked that it came with a 10-year warranty. So, if something goes wrong, Impact will replace it free of charge.
We also liked the fact that the crate had a robust construction. It felt solid when we picked it up, and there weren’t any parts that needed to be snapped together because the crate was ready to go.
We introduced a high anxiety pup to this crate. He was transported (for a short trip), and even HE, a pup who LOVES to escape, could not wriggle out of this crate.
It was a large enough size for him to have room to sit comfortably and not feel trapped, and the ventilation holes not only serve their purpose but they also allow a small amount of space for your pup to see out.
Even with frequent movement and scratching, he could not break out during transport. After a while, he didn’t even bother, and he seemed quite happy to be left in the crate by himself.
Here’s what other customers had to say about the Impact High Anxiety Crate:
“I have a one-year-old Weimaraner with terrible separation anxiety. He would literally chew through the wire crates and use his body to push the sides out.
After weeks of coming home to him escaped, and countless ruined items in my house, I decided to bite the bullet and try Impact. I thought for the price they HAVE to work. Let me tell you, the peace of mind alone is worth the cost!!!”
(Source)
Impact Collapsible Crate
Impacts collapsible crate impressed us even further. The design is ingenious, and it has a lot going for it. First off, it folds down to just eight inches, making it easy to store away.
Then, when unfolded, it can accommodate almost any sized dog (depending on the size you pick!). We found that our puppy could fit into the crate easily, and he was able to move around freely inside.
There were no parts that needed to be connected, so it was easy to assemble.
Once it was done, we took it outside and placed it on the ground. Our puppy immediately hopped onto his back legs and began exploring, but he was keen to come back to the crate and loved it.
We also transported our pup in this crate and collapsed it when we were on vacation for storage. Collapsing the crate is a simple task, and as it folds to just eight inches, it was easy to keep stored in the car when we didn’t need it.
The stackable corners are also an ingenious addition. We had two collapsible crates to hand, and when we needed to stack them in a tight space, they came together wonderfully.
They secured together so firmly that we weren’t concerned about our crates being damaged or our pups being hurt!
Here’s what other customers had to say about the Impact Collapsible Crate:
“Went out on a limb because I needed something packable and durable for my Dutchie. She’s always been crate trained, and she especially loves this one. Peace of mind, durable, perfect.”
Impact Stationary Crate
Finally, we tried the impact stationary crate. Although this crate is incredibly well made, we do feel it’s not quite as impressive as the high anxiety crate and the collapsible crate.
First off, the impact stationary crate is well crafted and a comfortable size. When we leave our pups crated up at home, the last thing we want is for them to feel cooped up in a confined space.
Our pup had plenty of room to move around (and stand) in the stationary crate, and he was thankful for that!
But, like other Impact crates, this stationary model can also be stacked. This is great if you have more than one pup and you need to make the most of a small living area.
The stacking features worked as well as the other models, and we had no complaints.
However, this crate doesn’t look or feel like an indoor one. For a high anxiety dog, this would be fantastic in the home.
There’s not much opportunity for them to look out and bark at anything around them, but if your pup is mostly well behaved and likes to be nosey, they might find this crate limiting.
It also doesn’t come with any additions, such as liners or blankets. For the price, we were pretty shocked by this. Other competitors offer similar crates for a much lower cost, WITH the additions.
Here’s what other customers had to say about the Impact Stationary Crate:
“This cage is amazing. I have a 10-month-old lab and he is crazy lol. Already went through 3 cages from him breaking out of them until I got this. He can not get out of it !!! He’s calm down a lot more also. Highly recommend this crate.”
The Final Verdict
It’s crunch time. After trying and testing each crate, we’ve come away with a few crucial points to note.
First off, if you’re looking for a crate that cannot be chewed through or destroyed and will last a lifetime, any of the impact dog crates are a HIGHLY recommended investment.
The high anxiety and collapsible crates serve their purposes effortlessly. We had no complaints about their functionality, and we think both are well worth the investment.
It’s also clear that Impact really cares about dogs and their owners and knows how to make products that suit their needs.
From ventilation holes to military-grade handles and stacking features, they’re making themselves stand out in a crowded market, and customers trust them worldwide.
So, If you’re looking for a collapsible crate or a crate to transport (even on long road trips) a high anxiety dog in, we won’t hesitate to recommend impacts high anxiety or collapsible crates.
However, we can’t ignore that price tag. Although we feel it’s worth it for the high anxiety and collapsible crates, we’re unsure about the stationary crate.
This specific crate lacks notable, standout features, and it doesn’t include any of the nice extras offered by other competitors. For this reason, we’d have to give the stationary cage a firm pass (UNLESS we had an anxious dog in the home).
Related article: Diggs Crates Review
All in all, we can see why Impact crates have had so much hype, and we’re thrilled we were able to try them. Their crates have a lot of ingenious features that will benefit thousands of dogs and their owners, and for the most part, they’re worth breaking the bank for!
