Are you ready to buy an Impact dog crate but not sure whether to choose the Collapsible or High Anxiety model? You’re not alone. Starting at $780, you don’t want to waste your money on the wrong crate.
Impact Collapsible Crate Quick Verdict |
 Overall, the Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate is a great option. Copper and Skye have separation anxiety but they love their High Anxiety crate. We use it every day. They act like it's their safe space. It is a premium product with a premium price tag. The High Anxiety crate starts from $1079. |
Having tested them on my Klee Kai for the past three years, I understand the key differences between the Collapsible and High Anxiety crates. They’re great crates, but they serve different purposes.
If you’ve decided to ditch your basic wire crate for something with better functionality, materials and security, you’re considering a reliable brand. Impact Dog Crates is a leader in the dog crate market, and I’ve been using their crates daily since 2023.
Copper and Skye are crate-trained, and they love having a den-like space. We’ve been using crates to keep them safe while living in apartments in the UK and the USA over the past nine years.
During this time, I’ve tested over 10 different dog crates to help other pet parents find the best product for their needs, whether you’ve got a dog with destructive tendencies or need a crate for travel. You can read my ultimate guide here.
In this comparison article, I’m going to share the key differences between the Impact Collapsible and High Anxiety dog crates to help you avoid making an expensive mistake.
Impact Collapsible vs High Anxiety Dog Crate: At A Glance
| Feature | Collapsible | High Anxiety |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 23.25lbs | 45lbs |
| Purpose | Functionality | Indestructibility |
| Collapses | Yes | No |
| Best for | Portability | Escape artists |
| Travel friendly | Yes | No |
| Ventilation hole size | 0.817" | 0.5" |
| Assembly | Less than 5 minutes | Around an hour |
| Escape resistent | Moderate | Excellent |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Starting price | $780 | $1089 |
| Community code | KLEEKAI | KLEEKAI |
My Experience Testing Impact Crates with Copper & Skye
I’ve got real lived experience testing these two dog crates on my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs Copper and Skye over the past three-and-a-half years in home.
The Collapsible dog crate appealed as an option to use inside my home, in our ADU, in my garage and in my car trunk. I wanted a dog crate that had a nice appearance, provided functionality and portability, but kept my Klee Kai safe.
We’ve used the Collapsible crate a lot – whether it was in different areas of our home and property or taking Copper and Skye on road trips in the trunk of our car.
When I first got the Collapsible crate, it would take me around five minutes to collapse and reassemble. Over time, I’ve become a lot quicker. I can now do it in less than two minutes.
The High Anxiety lived in our living room for almost three years until we got the Fable dog crate last year. Copper and Skye would gravitate towards it daily as a place for some quiet time, especially since we share a home with our young child.
It didn’t move much during those three years because we also appreciated the design. We opted for the white one to blend with the interior design of our home, and we felt it was a more elevated option than wire dog crates.
I will say it takes a while to set up, especially if you do it alone like me. It took me nearly an hour. I would recommend recruiting a family member or friend to help get it done more quickly.
Watch Copper & Skye Test Both Impact Crates
What Is The Biggest Difference?
The biggest difference between the Impact Collapsible and High Anxiety is the purpose you want the dog crates to serve.
If you’re looking for a dog crate that’s got smart design features, keeps your dog safe and offers functionality and portability, I’d recommend the Collapsible dog crate.
I’ve tested over 10 premium dog crates, and I consistently recommend it as my top overall pick because it’s a great choice for versatility.
However, if you’ve got a dog with destructive tendencies or separation anxiety, the High Anxiety is a better choice. It’s designed specifically for dogs with these behaviors.
Learn more about the Collapsible crate in my in-depth review.
I want to make it clear that the High Anxiety will not resolve your dog’s separation anxiety. You should speak to a dog behaviorist or trainer for guidance.
The High Anxiety is made from durable materials and features locks and smaller ventilation holes to prevent your dog from escaping or hurting themselves.
The High Anxiety comes with a lifelong dog-damage guarantee, under which Impact will replace the crate if your dog damages it. The Collapsible crate doesn’t.
Aside from functionality and purpose, there is a price difference. The Collapsible crate starts at $780, and the High Anxiety crate starts at $1089.
My community code “KLEEKAI” will help reduce your price by 25% if you do decide to invest in either crate. But that’s a significant $309 price difference.
Who Should Buy Each Crate?
| Reasons To Buy Collapsible Crate | Reasons To Buy High Anxiety Crate |
|---|---|
| You have a calm dog | You have an anxious dog |
| You want a crate you can bring on the road | You need portability |
| Your dog is crate trained | Your dog is an escape artist |
| You want a crate you can collapse and store | Durability matters |
| You want a quick setup | You travel often |
| You want a crate that doesn't take up space | You travel often |
Collapsible vs High Anxiety Feature Comparisons
Escape Resistance & Structural Strength
The Collapsible crate is made of aluminum with three locking points: a paddle latch, which I’ve always found easy to open and close, and two top latches. I have two Alaskan Klee Kai dogs who weigh less than 15lbs. To be honest, even if they threw their bodies against the door, I don’t think they could do much damage. I’ve sat on the crate, and I weigh over 200lbs, and its strength and structural integrity were apparent.
The High Anxiety is designed to withstand dogs of all sizes. It has welded zinc-plated steel corners, thick aluminum walls, and no hinges. Impact has used several military-grade features, such as butterfly latches and handles. They’re so confident in this crate that they call it escape-proof and offer a dog-damage guarantee.
Winner: High Anxiety crate
Safety & Ventilation Design
The Collapsible crate has diamond-shaped holes measuring just under an inch. This allows for ample airflow, while my Klee Kai likes having visibility into what’s going on without being in the thick of the action. They can’t get their noses or paws through the holes.
You can read my High Anxiety review.
The High Anxiety crate has even smaller ventilations holes. They’re circular in design and measure half an inch. This is to provide even greater peace of mind that your dog won’t be able to get teeth or claws hooked into the crate’s metal design. There’s still airflow, and my Klee Kai liked the den-like feel.
Winner: Impact High Anxiety
Ease of Assembly and Portability
You don’t require any tools to assemble the Collapsible crate. That’s a big win! The first time I assembled the crate using the sidebars, it took me around five minutes. It can be finicky when you’re first getting accustomed to collapsing and reassembling. However, I can now do it in less than two minutes. When it’s collapsed, it has a suitcase design. I usually slide it under a bed, pop it in the cupboard or the garage. It doesn’t take up much space collapsed, unlike the Revol by Diggs.
How does Impact compare to Revol?
Read my comparison review.
The High Anxiety crate takes a lot longer to put together – around an hour for me! There are stages where it would be helpful to have another pair of hands. Once assembled, you won’t be disassembling it. It’s almost double the weight of the Collapsible crate. So you will want to keep it in one place.
Winner: Collapsible crate
Warranty & Guarantee Protection
The Collapsible crate is covered by Impact’s standard lifetime warranty for any potential defects. It isn’t covered if your dog does any damage to the crate. You can add the dog damage guarantee for an extra $100 at checkout.
The High Anxiety, on the other hand, is covered should your dog manage to somehow damage the crate. Impact will either replace or repair it. It’s a lifelong guarantee.
Winner: High Anxiety crate
Lived Experience
I’ve used these crates for three and a half years, and they excel in different ways. The Collapsible crate is ideal for dog owners living in apartments or smaller homes who want a crate that can be stored when not in use. Alternatively, if you travel a lot and want a crate you can use in the car, hotels or other accommodations, the Collapsible crate is versatile.
If you’ve got an anxious or destructive dog, then the High Anxiety crate can keep your dog safe. While I sometimes get criticism for advocating dog crates, I believe they’re a valuable tool for pet owners. We’ve lived in rented homes with landlords and neighbors to consider. It was safer to keep our Klee Kai crated.
Price & Value
The Collapsible crate has a starting price of $760 for the 24″ (small). My 30″ crate costs $810. It goes all the way up to $2560 for the 3XL crate for dogs over 110lbs. I believe the Collapsible crate represents excellent value, especially for small and medium dogs.
I’ve got the 30″ High Anxiety crate, which is the smallest on offer, and carries a price tag of $1089.99. The largest is 2XL for dogs weighing over 85lbs. That’s priced at $1435.55.
Winner: You can save 25% on either crate with my community code KLEEKAI to bring down your cost on your first crate. However, the Collapsible offers better value due to its functionality and portability.
Pros And Cons Summary
Collapsible Crate
| Impact Collapsible Pros | Impact Collapsible Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to collapse | Price |
| Paddle-latch door | Multiple steps to collapse |
| Durable | No dog damage guarantee |
High Anxiety Crate
| Impact High Anxiety Pros | Impact High Anxiety Cons |
|---|---|
| Den-like feel | Price |
| Dog damage guarantee | Takes time to set up |
| Durable | Weight |
Impact Collapsible vs High Anxiety FAQ
The Collapsible crate isn’t designed to be escape-proof. I know my dogs wouldn’t be able to escape it or damage it. But they’re only 15lbs each.
The High Anxiety is not airline approved. However, Impact does offer an Airline Crate that meets airline standards with secure tie-down points, two butterfly latches, and padlock-ready security.
Impact uses high-grade aluminum to construct its dog crates. They’re made in the USA. They’re designed to last the test of time, unlike cheap wire crates. They come with guarantees, too.
Measure your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail, and from the floor to the top of their head or ears while standing. Add 2 to 4 inches to these measurements so your dog can comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down.
How Does Impact Compare To Other Crates
| Feature | Fable | Impact Collapsible | Gunner G1 Kennel | Impact High Anxiety | Kindtail PAWD | Revol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $799+ | $810+ | $550+ | $1089+ | $140+ | $575 |
| Material | Wood | Aluminium | Plastic | Aluminium | Plastic | Metal+plastic |
| Collaspible | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Home decor | Versatility | Travel | Anxious dogs | Budget friendly | Collapsing |
| Our verdict | Best looking | Best value | Keeps dogs safe | Den-like feel | Highly portable | Overpriced |
| Discount | 15% | 25% | $50 | 25% | 10% | None |
Which Did My Klee Kai Prefer?
Copper and Skye are comfortable using both of these dog crates, as I’ve witnessed daily for the past three-and-a-half years.
Unlike the Revol by Diggs, which we found slightly noisy, the Impact Dog Crates provided a quiet place for them to relax and take a break.
However, I do believe they had a favorite. It’s the High Anxiety because it provides an even greater sense of peace and security.
Need a crate for travel? You can read how Impact compares to the Gunner.
It has the ultimate den-like feel, with ample airflow but smaller ventilation holes, sturdy build, and reinforced front door.
We’d often find Copper and Skye sat inside the High Anxiety crate of their own accord. There’s no greater testament of their love for the crate than that.
My Final Verdict
I love both of these Impact crates, and I’ve used them consistently since first getting my hands on them back in 2023. They’ve served me and my dogs incredibly well.
However, I’d buy the Collapsible crate again if I were going to invest in just one of these premium dog crates today. It better fits my needs as a dog owner and is more versatile.
I love being able to collapse the crate when we have guests over, and I want to store it under a bed or in the garage. It’s quick to collapse and reassemble.
How does Fable compate to Impact? You can discover my comparison review.
Copper and Skye’s separation anxiety has improved over the years, and we no longer need the High Anxiety crate to keep them safe when we’re out of the home.
Having said that, I suspect their favorite crate was the High Anxiety because it had an even greater sense of safety and den-like feel, which Copper and Skye love.
But if you’ve got a new dog or puppy and need a versatile dog crate for different events and situations, I’d recommend the Collapsible crate.
You can use my community code KLEEKAI to get 25% off your first Impact Dog Crate, irrespective of whether you buy the Collapsible or High Anxiety crate.
Kieran Beckles is an NCTJ-qualified journalist, a former pet nutrition student, and co-founder of Life With Klee Kai. He has been reviewing pet food and products since 2018, testing over 50+ brands, and has raised his dogs, Skye and Copper, since 2017. His work blends hands-on testing and nutrition knowledge to help pet owners make informed decisions.