10 Best Soft Cat Carriers 2025 in the United States

The Henkelion Large Soft Sided Cat and Pet Carrier is a solid option for daily travel, car journeys, and trips to the pet hospital. It is designed for pets up to 25 lbs, but you should also consider the dimensions to ensure a comfortable fit for your pet (20 x 13 x 13 inches). Made from durable and lightweight polyester fabric, this carrier includes four-side mesh panels for excellent ventilation, allowing easy checks on your pet during travel.

It is not airline-approved, so it's unsuitable for air travel. The carrier is collapsible and easy to store, featuring padded shoulder straps and handles for comfortable portability. Additionally, it is machine washable, making cleaning straightforward.

While it offers a spacious interior for small to medium-sized pets, it's important to reference your pet's length and height beyond just weight when selecting this carrier. The key strengths of this product are its durability, ease of cleaning, and good ventilation. On the downside, the lack of airline approval limits its use for plane travel. It also may not be ideal for larger pets despite the weight capacity due to size constraints.

The Henkelion Cat, Dog Carrier is designed for small to medium pets, supporting up to 15 lbs in weight. With dimensions of 17 x 11 x 11 inches, it provides ample space for your pet to feel comfortable during travel. Its lightweight build, at only 7.1 ounces, makes it easy to carry. Made from durable polyester fabric, the carrier is built to last.

The four-side mesh design ensures good ventilation, allowing your pet to breathe easily and you to keep an eye on them. It is also airline-approved, making it convenient for air travel with your pet. The adjustable shoulder strap and padded handles enhance portability, and its collapsible feature ensures easy storage. Cleaning is a breeze as the carrier is machine washable.

Entry and exit points are limited to a single opening, which might make it a bit cumbersome to get your pet in and out. This Henkelion carrier is a good choice for pet owners seeking a durable, well-ventilated, and portable carrier for their small to medium-sized pets, particularly for those who travel frequently by air.

The Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Carrier is a hard-sided option, differing from typical soft cat carriers. It measures 19 x 12.6 x 10 inches with an inner space smaller than the outer dimensions, making it best for very small cats or tiny dog breeds under 11 pounds. Its durable plastic and steel wire build offers solid protection and security, which is great for travel safety but less flexible compared to soft carriers.

Ventilation is well thought out, with multiple openings on the sides, top, and back to keep your pet comfortable. The dual doors—front and top—make it easier to place or remove your cat without struggling, which is a nice convenience feature. However, being hard-sided means it’s not as lightweight or easily compressible as soft carriers, which can be a drawback if you need something very portable or easy to store.

Cleaning is straightforward thanks to the plastic material, but the rigid structure may be less forgiving in tight spaces or crowded travel scenarios. If you prioritize durability and protection for a small pet and don’t mind a hard shell, this carrier performs well, but for those wanting something softer, lighter, or more flexible in shape, a traditional soft cat carrier might be a better fit.