Rank #2 in Best Dog Playpen 2026: 10 Ranked, Why 2 Extra Panels Buy 6% More
MidWest Folding Metal Dog Exercise Pen with Door, 61 cm
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The MidWest Homes for Pets Folding Metal Dog Exercise Pen is the folding steel pen in this guide: black e-coated, 61 cm tall, eight panels measuring 61 cm each, a door that closes on double latches, and four ground anchors plus four thumb snaps in the box. It sits at number two in our ranking at £29.63, roughly a third of what the two acrylic pens here cost (£89.99 and £99.99). Its 4.6 out of 5 comes from 63,048 ratings on Amazon, of which 78% are five-star, and it ranks 124th in Amazon's Dog Playpens category.
The listing, though, gives three different sizes for the same pen. The name and first bullet promise 1.5m, written as 16 square feet — 16 sq ft is 1.49 m², so that figure is an area, not a length. The dimensions field says 157 x 157 x 61 cm, about 2.5 m² of floor; eight 61 cm panels laid square would give roughly 122 x 122 cm, or 1.5 m², so the two do not agree. The panel size is written as 24' x 24' — feet — when 61 cm is 24 inches. And the spec table lists dog breed size as Medium, while the same bullet says the pen suits small dogs, puppies or toy breeds. Everything here comes from the Amazon listing, not from any test of our own.
How those 63,048 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.6 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £29.63 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 from 63,048 ratings |
| Panels | 8 panels, each listed as 61 x 61 cm (24' x 24') |
| Height | 61 cm |
| Play area as listed | 1.5m, described as 16 square feet |
| Item dimensions as listed | 157L x 157W x 61H cm |
| Item weight | 6.58 kg |
| Dog breed size as listed | Medium (bullets say small dogs, puppies and toy breeds) |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Solid construction works well as a play/night pen with my puppy and easy to take down if needed, but needs weights if you have a large breed puppy”
Verified purchase“Still using this two years later, the dog feels safe and comfortable in it and has never considered jumping over. I only use it at night but it's been ideal for a lab puppy. It gives her somewhere safe to go into and I put her bed and water inside it and she loves it. I can also fold part of it away when I want to make it smaller, I did attach two together so it was bigger but when she was little one was sufficient for a few weeks.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Dog Playpen 2026: 10 Ranked, Why 2 Extra Panels Buy 6% More.
Questions people ask
How much floor space does the MidWest pen give a dog?
The listing gives two answers. Its name and first bullet say 1.5m, described as 16 square feet, which is 1.49 m². The dimensions field says 157 x 157 cm, which works out at about 2.5 m². Eight 61 cm panels laid square would come to roughly 122 x 122 cm, or 1.5 m².
How tall is it, and can a dog jump out?
The MidWest pen is listed at 61 cm tall. The listing's own bullets recommend it for small dogs, puppies and toy breeds, and one Amazon reviewer writes that her lab puppy has never considered jumping over it.
Does it need tools to put up?
No. The listing says no tools are required, that it sets up in seconds and folds flat for storage, and that four thumb snaps are included for assembly and four ground anchors for use on grass.
What is in the box?
The listing lists the exercise pen, four ground anchors and four thumb snaps. It also says the pen attaches to most dog crates and is compatible with optional tops for added security.
Is it suitable for a large dog?
The spec table lists dog breed size as Medium, but the bullets say it suits small dogs, puppies or toy breeds, and a reviewer notes it needs weights if you have a large breed puppy.
What model is it and where does it rank?
It is MidWest model 550-24DR, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 63,048 ratings and ranked 124th in Amazon's Dog Playpens category, with a stated country of origin of China.
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