The best cat carriers you can buy

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The Insider Pick:

• With its durable, high-quality construction and excellent safety features, the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier is our top pick for cat carriers. Not only will your cat be traveling in style, but he’ll be safe, secure, and comfortable throughout the entire trip.

As much as you might like to bring your cat with you everywhere you go, travel makes many cats nervous. For some cats, simply leaving the house is cause for terror. As much as your cat may hate it, however, it becomes necessary to take your cat out of the house once in a while whether for travel or just a trip to the vet. To keep your cat safe and secure, you need to invest in a high-quality cat carrier.

Cat carriers come in all shapes and sizes with different designs depending on the intended use. Soft-sided carriers are typically lightweight and easy to store, while hard-sided carriers offer sturdier protection. If you plan to take your cat with you when you travel by plane, you’ll need a carrier that is airline approved.

With so many options to consider, it can be difficult to make a choice. Fortunately for you, we’ve read the reviews and done the research to bring you our top picks for four different types of cat carrier as well as our top pick overall.

If you have a cat, you'll also want to check out our buying guides for the best hairball medicine, the best cat litter, the best cat scratching posts, the best cat toys, the best cat beds, the best cat fountains, the best cat food, the best flea prevention for cats, and the best cat collars. Read on to see all our top cat carrier picks.

Although the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Necoichi Ultra Light Portable Cat Carrier, the Pet Magasin Luxury Soft-Sided Cat Carrier, the Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Kennel, and the Pet Gear 1-GO2 Plus Traveler Rolling Backpack Carrier.

The best cat carrier overall

Sherpa/Business Insider

Why you'll love it: The Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier is built for comfort and convenience as well as maximum durability. 

If you’re looking for a cat carrier that does it all, consider the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier. Available in three different sizes to accommodate cats up to 22 pounds, this carrier is soft-sided and airline approved. It enables your cat to travel safely and comfortably by car or plane, no matter where you happen to be going.

The Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier features a patented wire spring frame that allows the carrier to be compressed by several inches – this is an important feature for air travel. The carrier also comes with Sherpa’s “Guaranteed On Board” policy, which promises that the carrier meets airline rules and regulations or you get your money back. For car travel, this carrier also features a seatbelt strap.

Anytime Magazine recommends the cat carrier because of its durability and quality construction. Not only does the carrier have a padded fleece lining for comfort, but it also has mesh side panels for ventilation with roll-down panels for privacy. In its review, PetHelpful highlights the effective escape-proof locking zippers, and Top Best Product Reviews loves the padded shoulder strap and non-slip handles.

With more than 3,800 customer reviews on Amazon, the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier has a solid 4.5-star rating. Users love the roomy design and quality construction as well as the easy-access top, though cats weighing more than 20 pounds may not be comfortable in this carrier.

Pros: Quality construction, suitable for airline or car travel, patented wire frame compresses for under-seat storage, seatbelt strap for car travel, escape-proof locking zippers, mesh panels for ventilation, roll-down flaps for privacy

Cons: May not be comfortable for cats weighing more than 20 pounds, may be more rigid than other airline carriers, may not withstand heavy chewing and clawing

Buy the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier on Amazon for $39.60 and up (price varies by color)

Buy the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier from Petco for $44.99 (originally $69.99)

The best budget cat carrier

Necoichi

Why you'll love it: Lightweight but surprisingly durable, the Necoichi Ultra-Light Portable Cat Carrier is a great cat carrier for $15.

When shopping for a cat carrier, there are myriad factors to consider but, for many cat owners, price is the primary concern. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly cat carrier that still gets the job done, consider the Necoichi Ultra-Light Portable Cat Carrier.

Made from sturdy fabric with breathable mesh walls, the Necoichi Ultra-Light Portable Cat Carrier is one of the most lightweight cat carriers on the market. With its teepee-like design, this carrier gives your cat room to stretch out or sit up, all while remaining safe and secure behind a heavy-duty zippered mesh panel. The carrier accommodates cats up to 18 pounds, plus it folds flat for storage and is easy to clean.

Heavy praises the Necoichi Ultra-Light Portable Cat Carrier for its lightweight durability, though the site points out that it may not be ideal for longer trips. Best Seekers makes note of the sturdy carry handle and the foldable design. The site also confirms that it is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

With more than 750 customer reviews on Amazon, the carrier has an excellent 4.5-star rating. This cat carrier may be simple in design but users love the low price as well as its lightweight and folding design. It may not be the most durable carrier on the market, but it is a good buy for the money.

Pros: Lightweight design is easy to carry, accommodates cats up to 18 pounds, made from sturdy fabric, mesh side panels for ventilation, comfort carry handles, folds flat for easy storage

Cons: May not accommodate cats over 18 pounds, not designed to withstand chewing or clawing, not airline approved, may have a chemical smell when first opened, not recommended for long trips

Buy the Necoichi Ultra-Light Portable Cat Carrier on Amazon for $12.79 (originally $15.99)

The best cat carrier for air travel

Pet Magasin/Business Insider

Why you'll love it: The Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Cat Carrier is made from heavy-duty materials in a lightweight, waterproof design that will keep your cat safe and secure when traveling by plane.

When traveling with your cat by plane, you need a carrier that is airline approved. Soft-sided carriers are generally best for air travel because hard carriers may allow your cat to slide and bump around, causing undue stress and an increased risk for injury. Our top pick for an airline approved carrier that will enable your cat to fly in comfort and safety is the Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Cat Carrier.

The Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Cat Carrier is made from high-quality, durable materials with a sturdy but lightweight design. The carrier itself weighs just two pounds and it folds flat for convenient storage. This carrier features mesh side panels for ventilation and a padded bottom for comfort. It also features a heavy-duty carry handle and an adjustable shoulder strap.

Petsho makes note of this carrier’s lightweight design as well as its waterproof construction. A review from My Pet Needs That speaks to the durability and quality construction of the carrier as well as the convenience of the adjustable shoulder strap. Anytime Magazine calls it a “good pet carrier that looks like a duffel bag.”

The Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Cat Carrier has nearly 1,500 reviews on Amazon and a solid 4.5-star rating. Consumers love the sturdy construction and their cats enjoy the padded interior. There is some mention of the size running a little small, but there are far more positive reviews than negative.

Pros: High-quality and durable construction, mesh side panels for ventilation, adjustable shoulder strap and heavy-duty carry handle, padded bottom for comfort, made from waterproof materials, comes with 100% money-back guarantee and two-year warranty

Cons: Only available in two sizes, sizes may run a little small, may not accommodate very large cats over 20 pounds, may have a chemical odor when first opened

Buy the Pet Magasin Soft-Sided Cat Carrier on Amazon for $24.97 (blue) or $26.97 (orange) (originally $49.99)

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