Best Cat Carriers
Updated How we research
Soft-Sided Collapsible Cat Carrier TSA Airline Approved (17x11x11)
A soft-sided collapsible cat carrier sized 17x11x11 and listed as TSA airline approved for cabin travel with a cat.
GAPZER Pet Carrier for Large Cats up to 20lbs, Washable
GAPZER's washable pet carrier for large cats up to 20lbs, giving bigger cats more room than standard carriers.
For an apartment cat the carrier mostly means vet visits, but it needs to store small the rest of the year. A bulky crate that eats closet space is a daily annoyance. We looked for carriers that keep a nervous cat secure and calm, open from the top for easy loading, and fold or tuck away between trips. Comfortable ventilation and a stable base rounded out the picks.
The short version
We compared 6 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:Soft-Sided Collapsible Cat Carrier TSA Airline Approved (17x11x11). Highest overall score in this guide at 8.2/10.
- Also great value:GAPZER Pet Carrier for Large Cats up to 20lbs, Washable. Value score of 8/10, overall 7.6/10.
- Solid build:IONRIVER Soft Sided Cat Carrier, Airline Approved (Medium, Grey). Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 7.3/10.
- Feature-rich:GAPZER Soft-Sided Cat Carrier with Privacy Protection. Features score of 6/10, overall 7.1/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Soft-Sided Collapsible Cat Carrier TSA Airline Approved (17x11x11)8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.GAPZER Pet Carrier for Large Cats up to 20lbs, Washable7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.IONRIVER Soft Sided Cat Carrier, Airline Approved (Medium, Grey)7.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.GAPZER Soft-Sided Cat Carrier with Privacy Protection7.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Vceoa Soft-Sided Cat Dog Carrier for Pets Up to 16 Lbs7.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Portable Foldable Soft-Sided Pet Carrier up to 15 Lbs, Airline Approved6.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1A soft-sided collapsible cat carrier sized 17x11x11 and listed as TSA airline approved for cabin travel with a cat.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 17x11x11 size is stated, so you can compare it to airline limits
- + Collapsible design folds flat for storage in a small apartment
- + TSA airline approved labeling suits cats who fly in the cabin
- - Each airline sets its own under-seat rules, so confirm before flying
- - Collapsible frames can feel less rigid when the bag is lifted
#2GAPZER's washable pet carrier for large cats up to 20lbs, giving bigger cats more room than standard carriers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20lbs rating suits big breeds like Maine Coons or two small kittens
- + Washable fabric makes cleanup simple after an accident on the road
- + Roomier interior lets large cats turn around and lie down
- - Larger carrier is bulkier to carry and store in a small space
- - May exceed cabin limits on airlines with strict under-seat sizes
#3IONRIVER's medium grey soft-sided cat carrier, listed as airline approved for owners who fly with a cat in the cabin.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Airline approved labeling makes it a candidate for cabin travel
- + Medium size balances room for the cat with an easy carry
- + Neutral grey fabric looks tidy and hides everyday dirt
- - Medium sizing is vague, so compare it with your cat's length
- - Check the weight capacity against your cat before buying
#4GAPZER's soft-sided cat carrier with privacy protection, built for nervous cats who settle better when they cannot see out.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Privacy covers help anxious cats stay calmer during travel
- + Soft-sided build is light and easy to store in a closet
- + Good pick for short vet visits in a car or by rideshare
- - Check the carrier's weight limit against your cat's size
- - Blocking the view also makes it harder to check on your cat
#5Vceoa's soft-sided carrier for cats and small dogs up to 16 Lbs, a light option for vet trips and short outings.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 16 Lbs limit covers most adult cats and toy dog breeds
- + Soft sides are lighter to carry up apartment stairs than hard crates
- + Works for both cats and small dogs in a mixed-pet home
- - Title gives no detail on airline sizing for flights
- - Soft walls offer less crush protection than a hard-shell carrier
#6A portable foldable soft-sided carrier for pets up to 15 Lbs, marked airline approved for light cats and tiny dogs.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Folds down flat when not in use, saving closet space
- + 15 Lbs limit suits average cats and very small dog breeds
- + Airline approved label makes it usable for cabin flights
- - Check the mesh ventilation panels before longer trips out
- - Lower weight limit than some carriers built for large cats
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Each airline sets its own under-seat rules, so confirm before flying (Soft-Sided Collapsible Cat Carrier TSA...)
- Larger carrier is bulkier to carry and store in a small space (GAPZER Pet Carrier for Large Cats up to...)
- Medium sizing is vague, so compare it with your cat's length (IONRIVER Soft Sided Cat Carrier, Airline...)
- Check the carrier's weight limit against your cat's size (GAPZER Soft-Sided Cat Carrier with Privacy...)
- Title gives no detail on airline sizing for flights (Vceoa Soft-Sided Cat Dog Carrier for Pets Up...)
- Check the mesh ventilation panels before longer trips out (Portable Foldable Soft-Sided Pet Carrier up...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among cat carriers?
Soft-Sided Collapsible Cat Carrier TSA Airline Approved (17x11x11) is our top overall pick. A soft-sided collapsible cat carrier sized 17x11x11 and listed as TSA airline approved for cabin travel with a cat. It earns our score of 8.2/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
GAPZER Pet Carrier for Large Cats up to 20lbs, Washable is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. GAPZER's washable pet carrier for large cats up to 20lbs, giving bigger cats more room than standard carriers.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Apartment Pet Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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