10 Best Soft Cat Carriers 2025 in the United States

The Henkelion Large Soft Sided Cat and Pet Carrier is a solid option for daily travel, car journeys, and trips to the pet hospital. It is designed for pets up to 25 lbs, but you should also consider the dimensions to ensure a comfortable fit for your pet (20 x 13 x 13 inches). Made from durable and lightweight polyester fabric, this carrier includes four-side mesh panels for excellent ventilation, allowing easy checks on your pet during travel.

It is not airline-approved, so it's unsuitable for air travel. The carrier is collapsible and easy to store, featuring padded shoulder straps and handles for comfortable portability. Additionally, it is machine washable, making cleaning straightforward.

While it offers a spacious interior for small to medium-sized pets, it's important to reference your pet's length and height beyond just weight when selecting this carrier. The key strengths of this product are its durability, ease of cleaning, and good ventilation. On the downside, the lack of airline approval limits its use for plane travel. It also may not be ideal for larger pets despite the weight capacity due to size constraints.

The Petmate Dog Crate in the 24-inch size is a solid choice for small cats or dogs weighing up to 15 pounds. Its plastic build offers durability and is easy to clean, which is helpful if your pet has accidents or if you use it often for travel. The crate’s ventilation is good, with plenty of holes allowing for fresh air and visibility, helping your pet feel less confined. Having two doors—a front-loading and a top-loading option—makes it easier to get your pet in and out, which is a big plus for both cats and small dogs who can be tricky to manage.

At just under 5 pounds, it’s fairly lightweight and includes a foldable handle, making it reasonably portable for short trips. The size offers enough room for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, which is important for their comfort during travel or vet visits. However, since it’s made of hard plastic rather than soft fabric, it’s less flexible and might take up more space when stored compared to soft carriers that can fold down. Also, while it’s labeled as airline-approved for cargo, it might not be suitable as a carry-on inside the cabin because of its rigid shape.

This carrier suits pet owners looking for a sturdy, easy-to-clean option that meets airline requirements and keeps small pets secure and comfortable. For those seeking something lighter or more compact for storage, a soft-sided carrier might be better, but this crate balances durability and comfort well for small pets.

The Amazon Basics 4-Doors Portable Soft-Sided Folding Travel Crate is a compact and lightweight option for small pets like cats, small dogs, and rabbits. Its size (26 x 18 x 18 inches) is suitable for small animals, and it weighs about 7.7 pounds, making it easy to carry around. The soft fabric material is water-resistant at the base, which adds some protection against spills or accidents, though soft-sided carriers generally won’t be as durable as hard plastic ones. Ventilation is good with four doors, including a top door that lets in sunlight and fresh air, and zipped doors on the front and sides for security and easy access. The multiple entry points make it convenient for pets to get in and out without stress. It also includes straps to keep the doors rolled open and a removable fleece pad for pet comfort.

Portability is a strong point here: the crate folds down quickly without tools and comes with a padded shoulder strap and carrying handle, so it’s easy to transport and store when not in use. Cleaning should be straightforward thanks to the removable bed pad, but since the main body is fabric, cleaning spills or pet hair from the crate itself might take extra effort compared to solid carriers. This crate fits well for pet owners who need a lightweight, portable, and breathable option for travel or short trips. For those seeking a carrier that offers maximum durability or a larger size for bigger pets, this model may not fully meet those needs.