The 15 Best Cat Carriers 2026 [Buy a comfy one right meow!]
This post was updated in July of 2026 to reflect the latest options!
‘So you’re in the market for cat carrier and you want to make sure you get one that is just right for your cat. Given there are about a million options on the market you’ll want to choose one of the best cat carriers around.
Below there’s a list of some of the best carriers around and then a bunch of additional info on carrier selection and why you might need one. So get to reading, pop open the Table of Contents for easy navigation!
If you’re specifically looking for a Cat Bubble Backpack check out this article.
The Best Budget Carrier
The Amazon Basics Soft Sided Carrier
If your carrier’s only job is getting your cat to the vet and back a couple of times a year, you don’t need to overspend on it. The Amazon Basics Soft Sided Carrier is about as no-frills as carriers get, but it covers the basics well and won’t dent your wallet doing it.
It comes in two sizes, so measure your cat before you order instead of guessing — a carrier that’s too snug defeats the whole purpose. I wouldn’t reach for this one for a cross-country flight, but for routine trips, it’s genuinely hard to beat.
A couple items worth noting on this one:
- Lightweight enough to carry comfortably on the shoulder strap or the standard handles, whichever your cat tolerates better on a given day.
- Multiple entry points mean you’re not stuck coaxing a reluctant cat in from just one direction.
- Ventilation is solid for a carrier at this price, with enough airflow to keep your cat comfortable on shorter trips.
- The included pad is machine-washable, which matters more than you’d think once an anxious cat has an accident inside.
- Folds down flat for storage, so it’s not taking up permanent closet real estate between trips.
A few things worth cautioning you about:
- The bottom is thin enough that a heavier cat will feel every bump in the road, and the mesh isn’t tough enough to stop a determined cat from clawing or chewing a hole through it.
The Most Extra Room
The PetsFit Expandable Travel Carrier
If you’re looking for a soft carrier that is a hefty chunk larger and has more comfort than something like the Amazon Basics carrier than the Petsfit Expandable is a great carrier to consider. Not only does it include all the major perks of the Basics carrier, but it also has some cool features like the expandable side area that gives your cat a big bump up in real estate space inside.
This is exceptionally useful when you have a long layover or a long trip in a car and you don’t want to let your cat out, but still want her to have some space for comfort or a bowl of water or food. There’s a full video review available below, but the bullets below detail it out pretty well:
- The expandable side panel adds real usable space for your cat to turn around, stretch out, or just get some distance from the “trapped in a bag” feeling.
- The support frame pops out when you need the carrier to shrink back down for tight spaces, like under an airplane seat.
- Comes with the same washable pad, shoulder strap, and multiple entry points as the Basics carrier, just in a roomier package.
- Folds down flat for storage once the frame is removed.
- There is a pad included that can be tossed in the washing machineIt breaks down easily to take up minimum space
- It does fit under most airline seats (when the expander isn’t out), but you’d have to check each airline specifically to verify (and you will likely need to remove the frame)
A few things worth cautioning you about:
- It costs meaningfully more than the Basics carrier
- If you are traveling on a really consistent basis, as with any product made of nylon, the edges will fray and the frame will start to push through
The Shelter Standard
The Petmate Two Door Top Loader
Petmate is an incredibly well known company and I see these carriers in use on a consistent basis at the shelter I volunteer at all the time. Not only are they well designed, but they are incredibly durable and they come in a varying set of sizes.
I’d highly recommend you go with the 24 inch version for any adult cat and if you have an extra large cat you might want to consider something even bigger than this. That being said, these carriers are constructed solidly and perform extremely well. You can also check out the video review below.
Key features worth noting:
- Very solid construction using screws to hold the pieces together
- The ventilation is top notch with it having a grated door and tons of small air holes
- It has both top and front entrances for those cats that don’t like being loaded in from the front
- Easy to add your cats favorite blanket or bed inside with plenty of room
- Super easy to clean after a trip if necessary
A few things worth cautioning you about:
- As with any hard carrier there is no shoulder strap so it can be annoying to carry it a long distance
- Not fit for airplane travel due to the size and the lack of flexibility (most hard carriers are not)
Best Hands Free option
Petsfit Comfort Cat Backpack
If you’ve ever tried to walk any real distance with a cat carrier digging into one shoulder, you already understand the appeal of a backpack. The Petsfit Comfort Cat Backpack puts the weight on both shoulders instead of one, which makes a real difference over any kind of distance.
It’s built for cats 15 pounds and under — I’d stick close to that ceiling, since anything bigger starts to feel genuinely cramped inside. It’s a great option if you’re the type walking your cat somewhere on a regular basis rather than just driving them to the vet twice a year.
- Super easy to transport your cat in because all the weight is on your shoulders
- Both top and front loading, though admittedly the front loading is small and not easy to use
- Has a harness attachment & the front window unzips for better viewing (be very careful with this as your cat can and will jump out if they want to)
- This particular backpack has solid ventilation as well with 4 major ventilation gratings
- The bottom is fully removable for easy washing and cleaning
- Has additional stability straps for your waist and chest to keep the backpack tightly against you
- Breaks down for easy storage just like a regular soft carrier
A few items worth cautioning you about:
- There are no pouches or pockets to carry anything like snacks or treats
- When upright it will be cramped for a cat to lay down other than in a tiny ball
- There is no handle to carry it if you don’t want it on your shoulders
Best for Senior Cats
ZENY Foldable Pet Stroller
The original stroller pick in this spot for years was the Paws & Pals City Walk, which was genuinely the most popular pet stroller I’d come across — a favorite for older cats getting safe outdoor air, and for bonded pairs of cats who’d rather ride together than get split into separate carriers.
That exact listing has gone out of stock, so we’re pointing you toward the ZENY Foldable Pet Stroller instead, which keeps the same core idea: four wheels, an enclosed and ventilated riding area, and none of the weight resting on your arms or shoulders.
It’s a genuinely different category from a traditional carrier, worth considering if you’re regularly taking a senior cat, a nervous cat, or two cats out together rather than just to the vet.
- Four-wheel design means you’re pushing, not carrying, which matters if you’ve got an older or heavier cat, or you’re taking more than one cat out at once.
- A built-in storage basket gives you somewhere to stash a water bottle, treats, or anything else you’d want along for a longer outing.
- The included cup holder is a small touch, but a genuinely convenient one if you’re using the stroller for actual walks rather than just short trips.
- Folds down for storage and transport when you’re not using it.
- Well suited to bonded cats who get anxious separated into two different carriers, letting them stay together for the ride.
Cautions:
- treat the fold-down mechanism and wheel durability as promising rather than fully proven, and check the enclosure for any small gaps before letting a determined kitten near it unsupervised.
Best Two Kitten Carrier
Bejibear Cat Carrier for 2 Kittens
The old Pet Magasin Collapsible carrier that used to hold this spot combined a firm hard-sided frame with the fold-flat convenience of a soft carrier — a nice combination, but that exact listing is gone now.
The Bejibear Large Cat Carrier for 2 Cats fills the gap with a different angle worth considering if you’ve got more than one cat: it’s sized generously enough for two, still collapsible for storage, and built to TSA’s airline-approved dimensions.
If you’ve been stuffing two kittens into a carrier meant for one, or splitting them into two separate bags they hate being apart in, this is the kind of upgrade worth a look.
- Sized to comfortably fit two kittens together, useful for bonded pairs who get more anxious separated than they do sharing a carrier while they’re growing up
- Soft-sided and collapsible, so it folds down flat for storage between trips instead of permanently taking up space.
- Built to TSA airline-approved dimensions, worth knowing if travel is part of why you’re shopping for a carrier at all.
- Backpack-style straps give you a hands-free way to carry it, on top of standard handles.
- The grey color and simple design keep it from looking like a novelty item if you’re carrying it through an airport.
Best for Anxious Cats
“You’ve got This” Cat Carrier
The “You’ve got This” Cat Carrier has a focus on just being a genuinely good carrier for an anxious cat. It leans hard into reducing travel stress specifically, with privacy flaps and a top-load design that doesn’t require wrestling a scared cat in through a front door they can see coming. If your cat turns into a puddle of anxiety the second the carrier comes out of the closet, this is built with exactly that cat in mind.
- Top-load design lets you lower a nervous cat straight down into the carrier instead of coaxing them through a front opening they can see and dread.
- Privacy flaps let you close off the mesh windows when your cat needs to hide from the world rather than watch it go by.
- 360-degree mesh windows give your cat the option to see you and stay oriented when they’re feeling brave enough to look out.
- Rip-stop fabric and lockable zips are built specifically with escape-artist cats in mind.
- Has by far the largest base of owner feedback of any pick in this section, a good sign this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan listing.
Cautions:
- Because it’s designed around flexibility (privacy flaps, multiple openings), it’s a slightly more complex carrier to get the hang of than a basic single-entry bag, so take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with it before your cat’s actually inside.
Best Panoramic Views
PetLuv Premium Travel Carrier
Some cats handle travel fine. Others turn every car ride into a full meltdown, and if yours is the second kind, the PetLuv Premium Travel Carrier is built with exactly that cat in mind.
The roomy design and all-around windows mean your cat isn’t stuck staring at a wall of fabric the whole ride, and there are enough anxiety-focused touches here that it’s clearly designed by people who’ve dealt with a stressed-out cat before. It runs a little larger and pricier than the basics, but if travel stress is the actual problem you’re solving for, it’s worth the upgrade.
- Optimum ventilation and maximum sightseeing with all-around windows
- There are window flaps that can roll down and close across each window
- It also has tear-resistant heavy duty rubber mesh for those cats that may attempt and escape
- The zippers lock together to keep the genius cats from popping the carrier open
- There are built in seat belt loops for car travel security
- It measures in at a Length of 24″, Height of 16″ and Depth of 16″
A few items worth noting on this model:
- If you plan to carry a heavy cat or multiple cats then be prepared for the bottom to sag a bit, there’s no bracing built in for this
Best Rolling Carrier
Petsfit Rolling Cat Carrier w/ Removable Wheels
If you’re tired of a shoulder strap digging in, or your cat’s simply too heavy to comfortably carry very far, the Petsfit Rolling Cat Carrier solves that by letting you pull instead of carry. It functions basically like a small rolling suitcase, and the wheels pop off entirely if you need to store it flat or just want the option to carry it by hand for a stretch.
It’s rated to hold pets up to 28 pounds, which covers most cats with plenty of margin, but measure your own cat rather than assuming. One important note up front: this is not an airline-approved carrier, so if you’re flying, look elsewhere on this list rather than at this one.
- You can easily pull your cat around without any weight on your back or shoulders
- The handle measures just under 35 inches long so you’ve got lots of space
- The carrier folds down flat and you can remove the wheels for storage purposes
- It is rated to hold a pet up to 28 pounds, but be sure to measure first
- Because it zips together you can load your cat from almost any direction
A few things worth noting for you potential buyers:
- When you take it off the wheeled base it doesn’t have a firm bottom, it may sag
- This carrier specifically calls out that it will not fit under an airline seat
Best Airline-Approved Expandable
Airline Approved 4-Sider Expandable
The Jet Sitter that used to hold this spot built its whole reputation on fitting under a United Airlines seat, and I get why that mattered — I’ve flown cross-country with my own cats on United more than once, and the carrier you bring genuinely makes or breaks how smooth that day goes.
That exact listing has since gone dead, so we didn’t want to just drop the category along with it. This Airline Approved Pet Carrier steps into the same role: TSA-compliant, sized to work under most major airline seats, and expandable on four sides once you’re off the plane. If air travel with your cat is genuinely why you’re shopping right now, this is one of the stronger picks on this whole list for that specific job
- Sized and marketed specifically to meet airline under-seat requirements, which is exactly the box you need checked before you book a flight with your cat.
- Expands on all four sides once you’re off the plane, giving your cat real extra room the rest of the trip.
- Comes with a removable fleece pad, so cleanup after an accident doesn’t mean scrubbing the whole carrier.
- Built-in pockets give you somewhere to stash documents, a leash, or treats without a separate bag.
- Collapsible design folds down for storage between trips.
There is one major item worth cautioning you about with this model:
- “Airline approved” varies by airline and even by specific aircraft, so confirm your exact carrier’s under-seat dimensions against your specific airline before you fly rather than assuming the label covers you everywhere.
Best Budget Airline Pick
TSA Approved Soft-Sided Carrier
The old Pet Magasin Luxury TSA carrier was a small, lightweight option built to squeeze under nearly any airline seat, and its replacement keeps that same job description. This soft-sided carrier is TSA and airline-approved, rated up to 16 pounds, and collapses flat when you’re not using it, all at one of the lowest price points on this entire list.
It’s not built for long-haul comfort or a giant cat, but if you need a straightforward, budget-friendly carrier that’ll actually get you and your cat through security without a hassle, this covers it.
- TSA and airline-approved sizing takes the guesswork out of whether it’ll fit under your seat.
- Rated to hold cats and small dogs up to 16 pounds, which covers most cats without much to spare.
- Collapses completely flat for storage when you’re not traveling.
- One of the most affordable options on this entire list, which matters if you only need a carrier occasionally.
- Has great ventilation and two methods for carrying it (shoulder strap included)
- Compact 17″x11″x11″ dimensions keep it easy to maneuver through a crowded airport or terminal.
A couple of things to consider before your make your purchase:
- It only has the ability to load your cat from the top
- Its small size that makes it airline-friendly also means it won’t comfortably fit a larger cat, so measure before you buy rather than assuming “TSA approved” means “one size fits all.”
Best Easy-Load Hard Carrier
SportPet Hard Sided Triangle Traveler
If you like the security of a hard-sided carrier but you’re worried about your cat being stressed out climbing into a tight opening, the SportPet Triangle Traveler solves that with a genuinely huge entrance.
It’s the kind of carrier your cat can practically walk right into on their own, rather than something you have to wrestle them through. It’s built for trips to the vet, around town, or even a longer car or train trip, and solid plastic construction means cleanup is about as easy as it gets.
It’s not built for air travel, but for everything else, it’s a strong, no-nonsense hard carrier.
- Has a huge opening making it easy to load your cat or have her walk right into it
- Since it is made of solid plastic it is super easy to clean
- It folds down into a thin briefcase style for easy and compact storage
- Has numerous sliding locks to ensure your kitty can’t slip out like Houdini
- It measures in at 15.2” L x 18.5” W x 14.2” H
A couple of items worth considering before purchase:
- This one is not airline approved, so if you’re flying, look toward one of the airline-specific picks on this list instead.
Best Extra Legroom
Two Sided Expandable Soft Carrier
If your cat’s the type who wants to actually move around once you’re settled in rather than stay balled up for the whole trip, this is the carrier built for that. It’s airline-sized to clear TSA and most under-seat requirements while collapsed, but pop both the front and back panels out once you’re through security or off the plane and your cat suddenly has a lot more room to stretch, turn around, and stake out a spot.
Four separate entry points also mean you’re not stuck coaxing a stubborn cat in from one single opening — top, either side, or the front all work. It earns this label specifically because it’s one of the few picks on this list giving your cat real extra square footage without giving up airline compliance to do it.
- Four points of entry — top, both sides, and the front — so you can load your cat from whichever direction they’re least likely to fight you on that day.
- Expands on two sides once you’re settled, giving your cat noticeably more room to stretch out than a fixed-size carrier allows.
- A steel-strand reinforced frame is built to resist sagging, including keeping the top from caving in when you set a bag on it or sling it over your shoulder.
- Three removable, washable pads (two side cushions plus a bottom bed) make cleanup after an accident simple, and non-slip pads on the base help keep it from sliding around under an airline seat.
- The padded, adjustable shoulder strap supports several carry styles — hand, shoulder, luggage strap-on, or a car seatbelt loop — so you’re not locked into one way of hauling it.
Worth cautioning you about before purchasing:
- Owner feedback on this one is genuinely split rather than uniformly glowing — some describe it as roomy and holding its shape well, others report it runs too large for their airline’s actual under-seat allowance or feels less sturdy than expected, so it’s worth double-checking your specific airline’s dimensions and reading a few recent reviews before you travel with it.
Best for Big Cats
Sivlefoss Large Cat Carrier
For big cats, I’m recommending the Sivlefoss Large Cat Carrier, which covers the same “big cat” need but takes a completely different approach: instead of a rigid hard-sided kennel, it’s a soft-sided, collapsible fabric crate in the same 24-inch size class, built with a plush mat included for comfort.
If you’ve got a larger cat and you liked the old pick’s size range but not necessarily its hard-sided bulk, this is worth a look as a lighter, more packable alternative.
- Sized at 24″x16″x16″, comfortably matching the size range of larger cats that the old hard-sided pick was aimed at.
- Soft-sided and collapsible, so unlike a rigid kennel, it folds down flat for storage between trips instead of permanently taking up closet or trunk space.
- Comes with a super-soft plush mat included, adding real comfort that a bare hard-plastic floor doesn’t offer.
- Lighter and easier to carry than a comparable hard-sided kennel of the same size, since it’s built from fabric rather than plastic.
- Suited to both indoor and outdoor use, giving it more flexibility than a carrier built strictly for one setting.
A few things worth cautioning you about:
- Being soft-sided rather than hard-sided, it won’t offer quite the same rigid protection a hard kennel does if your cat is a heavy leaner or a determined scratcher, so weigh that trade-off against your cat’s temperament before choosing this over a hard-sided option elsewhere on this list.
Best Outdoor Lounging Setup
Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel
This portable 2-in-1 double kennel/shelter gives your cats two separate compartments they can share or keep apart, with a seat-belt fixture built in for securing it during car travel. It’s not something you’ll be carrying long distances by hand, but as a home-away-from-home setup for outdoor time or road trips, it fills a real niche the rest of this list doesn’t cover.
- Two separate compartments let you keep cats apart or unzip the middle to let them hang out together, depending on what your specific cats prefer.
- Seat-belt fixture built in for car travel gives you real security instead of a shelter that slides around the back seat.
- Roomy 20″x20″x39″ footprint gives your cats genuine space to stretch out, rather than just squeeze into.
- Folds down and includes its own carry bag, so it’s not a permanent fixture once you’re done with it.
- Same trusted One for Pets brand as the original Driving Lounge that held this spot for years.
Cautions:
- It’s not built to be carried by hand over any real distance, so think of this as a portable home base you set up rather than a carrier you’ll be lugging through an airport.
Additional Information
Frequent Q&A
Wrapping It Up
So let’s close things up with a quick recap:
- There are a bunch of reasons you should have a good quality carrier available for your cat
- There are numerous kinds of carriers out there, each type has pros and cons & you should select on based on your needs
- A cardboard carrier should not be considered a long term solution
- Be sure to associate your cats carrier with positive things like treats or meal time, this will make them less likely to balk at going into it when it is necessary
If you have any other thoughts on the cat carriers and which type you use please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article. Also feel free to point any questions my way through comments or email as well!
References: Pet Magasin, Petsfit, One4Pets & all airline sites listed above.
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