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12 Best Cat Carriers for Car Travel In 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Jana Blagojevic

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

a white cat in a pet carrier at the backseat of car

12 Best Cat Carriers for Car Travel In 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

a white cat in a pet carrier at the backseat of car

Every cat owner knows the struggles of traveling with their pet and how difficult it can be for both parties. While you’re looking for the most convenient way to transport your cat, your kitten just wants to feel safe and comfy. Finding an ideal cat carrier is easier said than done, as there are many options to choose from.

To help you narrow your options, we have reviews of the 12 best cat carriers that may fit all your needs and requirements. These cat carriers are specifically made for car travel to help make trips less stressful for your cat (and you!).

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Pet Gear Signature Carrier Bag Pet Gear Signature Carrier Bag
  • Spacious
  • Safety belt loop, pockets, interior tether
  • The top and front open for easier access
  • Best Value
    Second place
    EliteField Soft-Sided Carrier EliteField Soft-Sided Carrier
  • Airline-approved
  • Hand and shoulder straps
  • Waterproof and easy to clean
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Pet Gear View 360 Booster Carrier Pet Gear View 360 Booster Carrier
  • Opens with a single push of a button
  • The carrier doubles as a booster seat
  • Removable and easily washable cushion
  • Frisco Single Expandable Carrier Frisco Single Expandable Carrier
  • Soft-sided
  • Airline approved
  • Expandable mesh sides
  • K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Carrier K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Carrier
  • Multiple entry points
  • It comes with a removable pad
  • It can be safely secured to a seat belt
  • The 12 Best Cat Carriers for Car Travel

    1. Pet Gear Signature Dog & Cat Car Seat & Carrier Bag – Best Overall Pet Gear Signature Dog & Cat Car Seat & Carrier Bag

    Brand: Pet Gear
    Dimensions: 19” L x 12.5” W x 12” H
    Material: Mesh, Synthetic Fabric
    Recommended Cat Weight: 20 lbs

    This Pet Gear Signature Cat Car Seat and Carrier is perfect for long and comfortable car travels with your pet. It is incredibly spacious and gives your cat a great view of its surroundings. This pet carrier is our overall best choice because of its sturdiness and durability, ideal for larger cats and even small dogs. While the mesh may not withstand anxious kittens not used to being confined, it will make your cat feel safe and cozy when inside.

    It comes with a removable fleece pad that makes it convenient to remove and wash if there are any accidents during the trip. While the zipper may not endure long-term wear and tear, this product offers excellent overall quality.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Folds flat for convenient storage
    • Spacious
    • The fleece bottom pad is removable and washable
    • The top and front open for easier access
    • Safety belt loop, pockets, interior tether
    Cons
    • The zipper may break over time
    • Anxious cats can easily break through the mesh during a trip

    2. EliteField Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Cat Carrier – Best Value

    EliteField Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Cat Carrier

    Brand: EliteField
    Dimensions: 17” L x 9” W x 12” H
    Material: Polyester, Synthetic Fabric
    Recommended Cat Weight: 12 lbs

    The EliteField cat carrier is a product of excellent quality and is the best cat carrier for the money. It comes in six colors, so every pet owner can find something that matches their taste. This carrier is soft-sided, which is an advantage and a potential drawback as the sides may collapse, but it’s perfect for fitting under airplane seats.

    The EliteField carrier is suited only for smaller pets up to 12 pounds and comes with a convenient 3-year warranty. It can be carried by the two handles or by the comfortable, padded shoulder strap. It has enough pockets to fit all your pet’s necessities and can be folded flat for effortless storage.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Airline-approved
    • Waterproof and easy to clean
    • Hand and shoulder straps
    • 3-year warranty
    • It comes in six colors
    Cons
    • Suitable for smaller pets only
    • Soft sides

    3. Pet Gear View 360 Booster Travel System Cat Carrier – Premium Choice

    Pet Gear View 360 Booster Travel System Cat Carrier

    Brand: Pet Gear
    Dimensions: 20″ L x 12″ W x 18.5″ H
    Material: Synthetic Fabric, Mesh
    Recommended Cat Weight: 25 lbs

    This Pet Gear View 360 Booster carrier is another impressive product on our list, and several valuable features make it our premium choice. This carrier doubles as a booster seat and is exceptionally convenient for car traveling. It contains an inside tether to secure your pet’s harness without worrying about them during the ride.

    While the carrier comes with a unique zipperless design that most pet parents love, it might be easy to accidentally push the open button, opening your pet’s carrier and creating a risk during travel. While the Pet Gear carrier has a higher price, it is worth it due to its convenient and sturdy design.

    Pros
    • The carrier doubles as a booster seat
    • The zipperless design opens with a single push of a button
    • Equipped with an inside tether to easily secure your pet
    • Removable and easily washable cushion
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • The opening button can accidentally be pressed

    4. Frisco Single Soft-Sided Expandable Cat Carrier

    Frisco Single Soft-Sided Expandable Cat Carrier

    Brand: Frisco
    Dimensions: 17.3’’ L x 20.5’’ W x 11’’ H
    Material: Polyester
    Recommended Cat Weight: 22 lbs

    This Frisco Single Soft-Sided carrier is a great choice for pet owners who frequently travel by car or airplane with their cats. It’s very versatile, as the sides can collapse, which can come in handy when storing the carrier beneath a seat. The Frisco carrier’s low price draws most cat owners towards it, and the expandable sides will make it a comfortable experience for your pet.

    It also comes with a soft shoulder strap so you can easily carry your pet hands-free.

    Pros
    • Expandable mesh sides
    • Affordable
    • Airline approved
    • Soft-sided
    Cons
    • The sides may collapse easily

    5. K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Pet Carrier

    K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Pet Carrier

    Brand: K&H Pet Products
    Dimensions: 17’’ L x 19’’ W x 24’’ H
    Material: Synthetic Fabric, Mesh
    Recommended Cat Weight: 20 lbs

    The K&H Travel Safety pet carrier is another very convenient product that can make travel for your cat much more comfortable. It is cozy, secure, and safe for your pet since it can be easily fastened to the car seat. It’s mostly made of breathable mesh to give your kitten a view of the surroundings and good airflow.

    One of the very few minor inconveniences this carrier has is the small entry door compared to the overall size of the carrier. However, you can open three sides of the unit to allow your pet easier access. Some customers also reported a slight chemical odor when they received the product.

    Pros
    • Multiple entry points
    • It can be safely secured to a seat belt
    • It comes with a removable pad
    Cons
    • Small entry door
    • Chemical odor

    6. One for Pets Fabric Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel and Shelter

    One for Pets Fabric Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel and Shelter

    Brand: One for Pets
    Dimensions: 39’’ L x 20’’ W x 20’’ H
    Material: Polyester
    Recommended Cat Weight: 26 lbs

    The One for Pets Fabric Portable Double Carrier is a fantastic choice for those looking for a larger unit for more than one cat. While it comes at a higher price, it offers an extra spacious unit for your pets to stay safe and secure during travel. The double design allows space for two cats, with a divider in the middle—but when unzipping the partition, you get one large space if needed.

    The only risk with this carrier is that some cats can quickly figure out how to unzip the zipper from the inside, which can be dangerous during a car ride. However, the carrier can easily be secured to the car seat.

    Pros
    • Double design
    • Two separate units or one large unit
    • Spacious
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Cats may be able to open the zipper from inside

    7. Siivton 4 Sides Expandable Cat Carrier with Removable Fleece Pad

    Siivton 4 Sides Expandable Cat Carrier with Removable Fleece Pad

    Brand: Siivton
    Dimensions: 20″ L x 11.4″ W x 12.4″ H
    Material: Fleece and fur
    Recommended Cat Weight: 20 lbs

    This Siivton Expandable cat carrier is a fantastic choice for overly anxious or claustrophobic cats. It makes traveling much easier and more comfortable for our furry friends, and the breathable mesh cloth makes them feel like they are not confined. Because of its convenient and sturdy design, you can even use it on airplanes and fit it snugly beneath any seat.

    While the bottom is flexible, it may collapse under heavy weight when carried on the shoulder. However, it is double-sided to provide your pet maximum comfort while resting. When receiving the product, you may notice a chemical odor that can be unpleasant for pets, especially during longer trips, so make sure to air out the carrier before use.

    Pros
    • Four expandable sides
    • Doesn’t take up too much space during travel
    • Airline approved
    Cons
    • Chemical odor
    • Flexible bottom

    8. GAPZER Travel Carrier for Large and Medium Cats

    GAPZER Travel Carrier for Large and Medium Cats

    Brand: GAPZER
    Dimensions: 18.5″ L x 11.8″ W x 11.8″ H
    Material: Cotton
    Recommended Cat Weight: 20 lbs

    The Gapzer Travel Carrier is one of the best value carriers, considering its low price. It is incredibly affordable and offers fantastic quality. The all-mesh design gives your kitten a perfect view with excellent air circulation.

    The zipper is extra strong, and a cat cannot open it from the inside, although the mesh may get caught by the zipper sometimes. This carrier is perfect for road trips because it comes with a strap to secure your pet to the seat. It can be folded easily for your convenience and easy storage.

    Pros
    • Long strap to secure the carrier
    • Affordable
    • All-mesh surface
    • Easy to fold and store
    Cons
    • The zipper may get caught easily
    • It might collapse when open

    9. Prutapet Large Cat Carrier with Collapsible Litter Box and Bowl

    Prutapet Large Cat Carrier with Collapsible Litter Box and Bowl

    Brand: Prutapet
    Dimensions: 24″ L x 16.5″ W x 16.5″ H
    Material: Plastic, Steel
    Recommended Cat Weight: 55 lbs

    The Prutapet Large Cat Carrier is an excellent product for all small pets, including dogs. One of this carrier’s best features is the additional collapsible litter box and a water bowl, making road trips and camping much more convenient.

    Because the bottom is equipped with a soft lamb fluff, your cat will enjoy using this carrier and resting inside. It is ideal for car rides because it can be buckled for safety, and when you are not using it, you can fold it for easy storage. While the zipper makes it quick to open the carrier, some skilled cats may find a way to open it and get out—so keep an eye on that!

    Pros
    • It comes with a travel litter box and a water bowl
    • Foldable for easy storage
    • The carrier can easily be buckled during car rides
    Cons
    • Unpleasant chemical odor
    • Cats may open the zipper inside

    10. Wakytu Portable 2-in-1 Cat Carrier for Travel

    Wakytu Portable 2-in-1 Cat Carrier for Travel

    Brand: Wakytu
    Dimensions: 35.4″ L x 13.7″ W x 16.9″ H
    Material: Plastic
    Recommended Cat Weight: Not Specified

    The Wakytu Portable 2-in-1 Cat Carrier is an excellent solution for traveling and home use. While most pet owners choose this carrier for car traveling and camping trips, it is also an effective crate for your cat to rest at home.

    While the carrier may be a bit more expensive, it comes with several convenient accessories if you want to use it for travel. For camping, you can use the four gift tent stakes to windproof your carrier and secure it. The mesh may be a bit weak for cats that may try to break free, as they can easily tear a hole in the fragile material.

    Pros
    • Includes extra accessories
    • It can be used as one large pet carrier or two separate carriers
    • Waterproof, washable material
    • 3-year warranty
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Mesh can be ripped from the inside

    11. Petprsco Large Soft Cat Carrier with Washable Pad

    Petprsco Large Soft Cat Carrier with Washable Pad

    Brand: Petprsco
    Dimensions: 24″ L x 17″ W x 17″ H
    Material: Polyester
    Recommended Cat Weight: 55 lbs

    This Petprsco Large Cat Carrier is versatile and convenient for transporting your pet. It is a perfect product for car travel as it contains many useful features such as side pockets, a built-in safety leash, and additional gadgets. While it doesn’t come with a handle on the center of the carrier, it has handles on each side, making it fairly easy to use.

    While the anti-scratch mesh is handy for anxious pets, it might not be entirely scratch-proof; if your cat is not used to traveling this way, several scratches may rip the mesh. The plushy pad and warm blanket should help make your cat more comfortable.

    Pros
    • Three openings
    • Waterproof, anti-scratch mesh
    • It comes with a plushy pad, warm blanket, and foldable bowl
    Cons
    • It doesn’t include a shoulder strap
    • No center handle

    12. Jespet Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Travel Cat Carrier

    Jespet Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Travel Cat Carrier

    Brand: Jespet
    Dimensions: 19’’ L x 12’’ W x 12’’ H
    Material: Synthetic Fabric, Polyester
    Recommended Cat Weight: 20 lbs

    The Jespet soft-sided travel carrier might take the last spot on our list, but it is still one of the better carriers on the market. It has an amazingly low price and offers excellent value for money. It can easily be collapsed for storage and is perfect for car rides.

    The inside ridges are made of fiberglass, which can be dangerous if your cat tries to chew on them, so keep an eye on them while they get used to the carrier. Also, a determined cat will tear through the mesh easily. The carrier is soft-sided and convenient for traveling as it’s lightweight and easy to stow away.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Collapsible
    • Includes carrying handles and shoulder strap
    • Airline-approved
    Cons
    • The inside ridges are made of fiberglass
    • Not highly durable
    • Mesh tears easily

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Perfect Carrier

    Picking out the ideal cat carrier depends on its intended use. Some pet owners use their carriers only for monthly or annual vet trips, and others use them for regular trips. Whether you take your cat on a vacation or need to transport them from point A to point B, you’ll need a sturdy and durable unit.

    It is best to search for carriers that include portable litter boxes and bowls for longer trips, while some may even have tent stakes. A comfy, fluffy mat is another plus to keep your cat warm and cozy. If you are looking for a simple transporter carrier, it’s best to find one with sturdy edges that won’t collapse and plenty of attachments to secure it to the car seat.

    When deciding on the ideal cat carrier size, there are several factors you’ll need to consider. The larger the carrier, the better. While the cat’s weight is an essential measurement for a perfect fit, you must also consider the cat’s length. Some cat carriers have an excellent weight capacity but tend to be a little shorter, so you don’t want your cat to feel uncomfortable or cramped.

    Finding a large enough carrier can make vet visits and trips much more tolerable, as your cat won’t try to scratch their way out and destroy the carrier. Search for a cat carrier with as much mesh fabric as possible, giving them sufficient airflow and allowing them to view their surroundings.

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    Conclusion

    We know how difficult finding a perfect carrier can be, and hopefully, our reviews will give you some great options to consider. We discussed several high-quality carriers but we have a few favorites we recommend over the rest.

    To recap, the Pet Gear Signature Cat Car Seat and Carrier is ideal for long car travels with your pet and is our top choice overall. If you’re looking for a more budget option, the EliteField cat carrier provides an excellent value for the price and is ideal for airline traveling.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

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