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MidWest iCrate 36 Single Door vs LifeStages 36 Double Door (2027)

Two MidWest 36 inch crates compared: the single door iCrate against the double door LifeStages, on doors, wire, weight, and value for 2027 buyers.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Dog Crates
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-11-01
MidWest iCrate 36 Single Door vs LifeStages 36 Double Door (2027) featured graphic

What owners report

Most praised
  • Puppy owners say the divider made the first month of house training noticeably tidier
  • It folds small enough to ride in a car boot for weekends away without a second crate
  • The pan slides out for a quick rinse after accidents instead of a full crate wash
Common complaints
  • Strong puppies learn to rattle the single latch louder than owners expect at night
  • The wire feels light next to heavier crates once a dog starts leaning on the door
  • Corner placement turns the single door into a daily reach-around frustration

What owners report

Most praised
  • Corner placement owners say the side door changed the crate from awkward to easy
  • The sturdier wire gets mentioned by owners upgrading from a lighter first crate
  • Rubber feet earn quiet praise from renters protecting wood floors
Common complaints
  • The pan warps over time for owners who wash it hot or leave it in sun
  • Folded, it is bulkier and heavier to carry than the lighter iCrate
  • Persistent pawing still bends the door frame on the most determined dogs

Our recommendation

Buy the LifeStages if the crate sits in a corner, against a wall, or with a stronger dog. Buy the iCrate if the crate sits in open floor, the dog is calm, and the lower price matters. Both share the same 36 inch size, divider, and pan system, so this is not a size decision. It is a placement and strength decision, and placement is the one owners get wrong most often: a single door crate in a corner is a daily frustration that no price saving fixes.

Doors and placement

The iCrate has one front door. The LifeStages adds a side door. In open floor space the difference is invisible. In a corner, a hallway, or against a wall, the side door is the difference between easy access and dragging the crate out twice a day. Measure the room before choosing, not just the dog.

Wire weight and durability

LifeStages wire and frame are heavier and sturdier, which shows when a dog leans on the door or paws at the frame over months. The iCrate wire is lighter and perfectly adequate for calm dogs, but it flexes sooner under strong dogs. Heavier wire also means a heavier folded carry, so the LifeStages is less pleasant to move.

Pan, feet, and daily details

Both crates include a divider and a leak-proof pan, and both fold flat with no tools. The LifeStages adds rubber feet that protect floors and reduce sliding, a small detail that matters on wood and tile. Pan quality is similar in both, and both pans can warp with heat or age, so treat the pan as replaceable in either crate.

Price and long term value

The iCrate costs less upfront. The LifeStages often costs less over time, because owners who start with the iCrate and then need two doors or heavier wire buy twice. Buyers who know their placement is awkward or their dog is strong should skip the cheaper first step and start with the LifeStages.

Choose MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Single Door Folding Dog Crate, 36 Inch if…

  • The crate sits in open floor with clear front access
  • Your dog is calm and crate trained
  • Lightest possible folding carry matters to you
  • Budget is tight and the second door is not needed

Choose MidWest Homes for Pets LifeStages Double Door Folding Dog Crate, 36 Inch if…

  • The crate sits in a corner or against a wall
  • Your dog leans, paws, or tests the door frame
  • You want the crate to last through years of daily use
  • Floor protection from rubber feet matters in your home

Questions, answered

Are the dividers interchangeable between the two crates?

Both are 36 inch MidWest crates with divider systems, but buy the divider for the specific model rather than assuming a swap. Panel spacing and fittings differ between families, and a loose divider defeats its house training purpose.

Which one is better for a puppy?

Both work for puppies with their dividers. The LifeStages is the better puppy buy if the puppy is a large breed that will grow strong, or if the crate placement needs the side door for night time breaks.

Is the LifeStages worth the extra money?

Yes, if you use the side door or need the heavier wire. No, if the crate sits in open floor and the dog is calm: in that case the iCrate does the same job for less, and the extra money buys nothing you will notice.

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