5 Best Soft Sided Cat Carriers of 2023

Soft-sided carriers are one of the most popular forms of transportation for our beloved feline companions. They have some notable advantages over hard-sided carriers, but unfortunately they’re a real hassle to shop for. Every soft-sided carrier has multiple features that differentiate it from its competitors, creating a confusing landscape for the average cat parent. In this article we will go over the benefits and drawbacks of soft-sided cat carriers, what to look for, and give you our picks for the best soft-sided cat carriers on the market.

Here at tuft + paw, we are cat experts. We're intimately familiar with the carrier features that are most important to cats and cat parents alike. This list is based on consultation with a veterinarian, cat behaviorist, hundreds of online reviews, and our own experience as cat parents to determine which cat carriers offer the best overall performance.

Tip: See our lists of the best cat carriers and the best carriers for large cats for even more recommendations. 

Cheat Sheet: The 5 Best Soft-Sided Cat Carriers

1) Mr Peanut’s Gold Series Pet Carrier

2) Elitefield Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Cat Carrier Bag

3) Sleepypod Air Pet Carrier

4) Sherpa Original Deluxe Large Pet Carrier

5) Petmate See and Extend Pet Carrier

What Is a Soft Sided Cat Carrier?

Soft-sided cat carriers are made primarily from non-rigid materials, usually a mix of synthetic fabric (e.g. nylon canvas) and mesh. The frame may have some semi-rigid components to give the carrier more structure, but generally they are lightweight and flexible and resemble regular bags for human use rather than hard kennels. This makes them especially useful for air travel because the soft body of the carrier can fit under airplane seats. 

Benefits of Soft Sided Cat Carriers

Cat Comfort

One of the primary advantages of soft sided cat carriers is the comfort they provide to our cats. Most have soft padded interiors which create a cozy environment and help reduce stress (think of it like a portable cat bed). The gentle cushioning can make a significant difference, especially for cats who are elderly or sensitive to bumps and jolts when traveling.

Credit: James Yarema on Unsplash

Lightweight & Portable

Soft-sided cat carriers are lighter in weight and easier to carry than hard-sided carriers. They often have multiple carrying options (e.g. tote handles + shoulder strap) which allows for better maneuverability and minimizes the strain on your arms and shoulders when traveling with your cat.

Airline Travel

If you travel by plane and want to bring your cat with you as a carry-on, soft-side carriers are the way to go. Their flexible construction allows them to fit under airplane seats and in spaces that hard-side carriers cannot. Some soft-sided carriers are even made in collaboration with specific airlines to match their carry-on size regulations. When traveling by plane, always double check your airline’s specific luggage guidelines to ensure you and your cat won’t be turned away. 

Note: If you travel frequently with your cat, check out our lists of the best airline approved cat carriers or the best cat carriers for car travel. 

Easy to Store

Soft-sided carriers are typically easier to store than bulky hard-sided carriers. Their flexible construction enables them to fit into tight spaces, such as closets or under beds, and many are fully collapsible. This feature is especially beneficial for cat parents with smaller living spaces where optimizing storage is essential.

Drawbacks of Soft Sided Cat Carriers

Less Protective

While soft sided cat carriers offer comfort and convenience, they provide less protection compared to hard-sided carriers. The flexible materials used in soft-sided carriers don’t offer the same level of physical protection in case of impact, accidents, or falling objects. If you anticipate situations where your cat may be exposed to potential hazards, a hard-sided carrier may be a more suitable choice.

Can Be Hard to Clean

Soft sided cat carriers can pose challenges when it comes to cleaning. Their fabric and padding absorb odors and stains more readily than the rigid materials of hard-sided carriers. Look for soft-sided carriers with removable liners, machine washable components, and water-resistant materials to make cleaning a little easier. 

Less Secure

Soft-sided carriers are easier for cats to escape from than hard-sided carriers due to the thinner materials and less secure closures. A determined cat can loosen zippers and damage mesh and fabric with their claws. If your cat tends to fight the carrier, then a hard-sided option will be more secure and durable. 

Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Soft-Sided Cat Carriers

• Soft-sided — All carriers on this list are made primarily from non-rigid materials. 
• Build quality — A good carrier should be sturdy, made from durable materials, and able to comfortably hold a large cat.
• Cat comfort — A comfortable carrier should have soft interior surfaces, a stable structure, and enough room for a cat to stand and turn around in. 
• Ease of use —  This includes the carrier’s strap design, entryways (top and/or front entry), carrying comfort, and method of carrying (e.g. backpack vs shoulder bag)
• Ease of cleaning — Easily cleaned carriers are made from water resistant materials and have removable bedding/liners. 
• Ease of storage — Is the carrier collapsible to save storage space? 
• Ventilation + visibility — Includes how much mesh is incorporated into the carrier and whether there is a privacy flap. 
• Airplane compatibility — Includes the carrier’s dimensions and whether it can be attached to luggage. 
• Car compatibility — Includes the carrier’s seat belt compatibility and whether it has been crash tested. 
• Safety features — Includes internal safety tethers, zipper buckles, etc. 
• Other features — Anything else that improves the carrier’s functionality, like pockets or an ID card.
• Style — Cats don’t care much, but a stylish carrier is nice for humans. 
• Price point

Deep Dive: The 5 Best Soft-Sided Cat Carriers

1) Mr Peanut’s Gold Series Pet Carrier

Credit: Mr Peanut's

Price: $89
Rating: 4.7/5 with 2,700 Amazon reviews
Size: 18"L x 10.5"W x 11"H
Weight Limit: 15 lbs
Materials: Nylon, metal hardware

Our pick for the best soft-sided cat carrier is Mr. Peanut’s Gold Series Pet Carrier. This brand has established a reputation for making versatile, high-quality carriers, and we think this particular model provides almost everything a cat parent needs. For under $100, you get a carrier with a durable water-resistant nylon fabric, metal hardware, and top and front entryways. For cat comfort there’s a removable bed, structured plywood base, and plenty of mesh for ventilation and visibility. If your cat is easily stressed, the privacy flap can be unrolled to cover up the mesh windows. Cat parents will appreciate the seat-belt and luggage compatibility, as well as the option to carry with tote handles or the padded shoulder strap. We also like the attention paid to safety features—the interior safety tether and self-locking zippers are a nice touch. Mr Peanuts recommends hand washing the removable bed, but some reviewers have machine-washed it without trouble. 

On the cons side, some reviews mention quality issues related to the stitching, mesh durability, and strap attachments. These concerns could reflect some minor quality control issues in the manufacturing process. Additionally, the vegan leather trim has a tendency to flake over time, which is a cosmetic issue that should not affect the carrier’s structural integrity. 

Note: We also considered the expandable version of this carrier, but did not pick it due to the higher price point and durability concerns regarding the expandable mesh sections. 

2) EliteField Soft-Sided Airline-Approved Cat Carrier Bag

Credit: Chewy

Price: $32 on sale ($50 full price)
Rating: 4.4/5 with 6,400 Amazon reviews
Size: 19"L x 10"W x 13"H (large)
Weight Limit: 18 lbs
Materials: Polyester canvas, mesh, and fleece bed

The EliteField Soft-Sided Pet Carrier is our favorite cat carrier for those on a budget. While not glamorous, it has almost all the essentials for a very reasonable price. It’s comfortable for cats thanks to the ample ventilation and fleece bed (which is removable and machine washable). The padded shoulder strap and tote handles make it easy to carry, and the seat-belt and luggage compatibility make transport easier on car rides and at the airport. Other human-friendly features include folding flat for storage, multiple color options, and two exterior pockets. There are also two size options, both of which can frequently be found on sale.

As with most budget products, the main concern is the materials and build quality. Most reviews found this carrier to be suitably durable, but it degrades faster than the higher-end options on this list. Our other main gripe is that it has no top entryway, so your cat must enter through the front of the carrier. This makes loading resistant cats a lot more difficult. 

3) Sleepypod Air Pet Carrier

Credit: Amazon

Price: $200
Rating: 4.5/5 with 850 Amazon reviews
Size: 22"L x 10.5"W x 10.5"H (max size)
Weight Limit: 18 lbs
Materials: Nylon outer, polyester fleece interior, metal zips

The Sleepypod Air is a great option for cat parents who fly frequently and want to spend a little more on a stylish, high-quality cat carrier. The ends of this airline-approved carrier can fold up to fit under different sized airline seats—a feature which provides peace of mind for cat parents fearful of having their cat carriers turned away at the airport. It can also be securely attached to luggage handles and car seatbelts, and has been crash-tested by the Center for Pet Safety. In terms of cat comfort, the bedding is soft and cushioned, and can be removed for machine washing. The entire top section of the carrier is mesh, which provides great airflow and visibility. If your cat gets overwhelmed easily, a privacy insert can be used to reduce visibility. 

The main drawback of this cat carrier is the price tag of $200, which is inaccessible for many cat parents. Structurally, the Sleepypod Air relies on one continuous zipper to open and close, so any problems with this one zipper would render the whole carrier useless. The zipper is fairly sturdy, but this is still something to keep in mind when paying top dollar for a cat carrier. 

4) Sherpa Original Deluxe Large Pet Carrier

Credit: Chewy

Price: $39 on sale ($79 full price)
Rating: 4.6/5 with 11,200 Amazon reviews
Size: 19"L x 11.75"W x 11.5"H
Weight Limit: 22 lbs
Materials: Polyester, plastic, metal

Sherpa’s Original Deluxe Carrier is a pillar of the pet carrier market, and for good reason—it has most of the features cat parents look for at an attainable price. As all carriers on this list, it’s made from a water-resistant material, features plenty of mesh for ventilation, and its fleece bedding is removable and machine washable. The body of the carrier is flexible yet structured thanks to the spring-wire frame and solid base panel, which allows it to fit into tight spaces (e.g. under airplane seats) without squishing its furry occupant. This carrier also has the highest weight limit on this list at 22 lbs. 

Perhaps most impressive of all is Sherpa’s Guaranteed-On-Board Program, which will reimburse the cost of a cat parent’s flight if they are denied entry because of the pet carrier’s size. However, this program only applies for the small and medium sizes of this carrier, not the large size we’ve included here. 

Of course, this Sherpa carrier has some drawbacks too. Some recent reviews have mentioned the worse quality of this carrier compared to older versions, while others have found the shoulder strap uncomfortable and the luggage strap insecure. There’s also no interior safety tether—an important feature that prevents your cat from running away if the carrier opens unexpectedly. 

5) Petmate See and Extend Pet Carrier

Credit: Chewy

Price: $28 on sale ($96 full price)
Rating: 4.6/5 with 54 Chewy reviews
Size: 18" L x 11" W x 11" H
Weight Limit: 15 lbs
Materials: Synthetic canvas and mesh

Our favorite expandable cat carrier is the Petmate See and Extend, which we think strikes a good balance between durability and price. Cheap expandable carriers often suffer from quality issues due to the thin mesh walls, while high-end expandable carriers can get very pricey—Petmate’s See and Extend sits comfortably in the middle. When used as a traditional carrier, it comes with top and front entry, removable machine-washable bedding, and both tote handles and shoulder strap. When you want to give your cat more room to stretch, the side panel extends into a mesh-enclosed nook which nearly doubles the interior space of the carrier. Other features include a safety tether, seat-belt loops, and an exterior pocket.

The drawbacks of this carrier are mostly found in the small details. Some users found the bottom panel to be a little flimsy, while others thought the unpadded shoulder strap made it uncomfortable to carry. There’s no luggage strap either, which makes this carrier less convenient for air travel. At the time of writing, this carrier was on sale at both Chewy and Amazon, but the full retail price of $96 may be out of budget for some cat parents. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right soft-sided cat carrier can be a real chore for cat parents, but hopefully this list has provided some clarity on what to look for and which carrier might be right for you and your cat. Our choice for the best soft-sided cat carrier is Mr Peanut’s Gold Series Carrier because it offers all the features we look for at a moderate price point. If you’re on a budget, we think the EliteField Soft-Sided Carrier or Sherpa Original Deluxe is a good bet, though many of the carriers on this list can be found on sale from time to time. If you’re on the market for an expandable carrier, Petmate’s See and Extend will do the trick, while the Sleepypod Air is a great luxury option for cat parents who travel frequently and appreciate clean design. Whichever carrier you choose, just remember to get the proper size and prioritize your cat’s safety and comfort. Good luck and happy travels!