If you went off of the recommendations of large pet blogs and the products offered by major brands, you would have the impression that hamsters should live in tiny, plastic, colorful cages and enclosures. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. The best hamster cages and enclosures, and the only ones that are ethical and humane for these pets, are much larger and made of higher-quality materials.
Hamsters easily become depressed in small enclosures, as well as enclosures that don’t meet their basic needs. For example, hamsters need a lot of floor space to run and forage; they do not need tubes, tunnels, and multiple levels.
So what are the actual best enclosures and cages for hamsters in the United States? Here is our top list of enclosures that we would truly use for our own beloved pets.
Note: This is not just a list of the top-selling hamster cages on Amazon. Instead, we’ve done thorough research on what hamsters really need and want and matched this with products that are available in the US.
We’ll also discuss using tanks for hamsters, as well as some DIY hamster cage options and what to put inside your hamster cage.
Hamster Cage Requirements
First, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for in a good hamster cage or enclosure.
If you want to learn more about what hamsters need when it comes to their cages, visit our complete in-depth article about hamster cage size requirements around the world, including the US.
Here are the bare minimum requirements of a hamster cage that we recommend based on our research and personal experience:
- Minimum Floor Space (Syrian): 775 sq. in. / 5,000 sq. cm
- Minimum Floor Space (Dwarf): 615 sq. in. / 3,968 sq. cm
The floor space of a hamster cage isn’t the only factor. The cage also needs to have depth (front to back) and height. The minimum height we recommend for a hamster cage is 12 inches. This allows at least 6 inches of bedding for burrowing in part of the tank or enclosure, which is the minimum.
What Are the Best Hamster Cages in the US?
Unfortunately, when you walk into a pet store, almost all if not all of the cages you’ll see will be inappropriate and inhumane for hamsters. So if you’re reading this article, you’re on the right track when it comes to providing the right care for your hamsters.
Below, we’ll list the best hamster cages we’re aware of in the US. As usual, you’ll want to do your own additional research to make sure you’re choosing the best cage for your particular hamster.
Do you have a favorite hamster cage or enclosure that we haven’t listed here? Please let us know using either the comments or our contact form!
1. Niteangel Bigger World Hamster Cage
Dimensions: 48.8″L x 21.2″W x 25.2″H
Floor space: 1,035 square in.
Suitable for: Dwarf hamster or Syrian hamster
The Niteangel Bigger World Hamster Cage is the “gold standard” in many hamster owners’ minds. It’s large, open, and beautiful to look at, making it a great choice. This is more of a tank or terrarium-style cage, but unlike a glass tank, it’s easy to ship to your home and assemble.
The Niteangel Bigger World is suitable for either a dwarf or a Syrian hamster because of its large size.
Other offerings by Niteangel that are suitable for hamsters include the Niteangel Vista in small (for dwarf hamsters) and medium (for dwarf or Syrian hamsters), as well as the Stacker Series (ideal for dwarf hamsters but also suitable for Syrian hamsters).
2. MEWOOFUN Large Hamster Cage
Dimensions: 31.5″L x 19.7″W x 19.7″H
Floor space: 776 square in.
Suitable for: Dwarf hamster or Syrian hamster
The MEWOOFUN Large Hamster Cage is similar to the Niteangel and follows its style in many ways. This cage is newer to the market, but it has so far received relatively good reviews.
Again, this enclosure is a tank-style cage with a deep space for bedding and enrichment. This enclosure is smaller than the Niteangel Bigger World, but it still meets our minimum size recommendation for a Syrian hamster.
This cage would work well for a dwarf hamster as it exceeds the minimum space required for dwarfs.
3. PawHut Extra Large Wooden Hamster Cage
Dimensions: 45.25″L x 22.5″W x 21.75″H
Floor space: 1018 square in.
Suitable for: Dwarf hamster or Syrian hamster
The extra-large PawHut cage is a great choice for a Syrian hamster because it provides more than 1,000 square inches of floor space that’s distributed well between length and width. It also has almost two feet of height, which is great for burrowing.
We recommend removing at least the bottom shelf of this cage so that your hamster has more depth for burrowing. This cage and other wooden or MDF cages aren’t suitable for gerbils or for hamsters who like to chew anything and everything.
4. Prevue 528 Small Animal Home
Dimensions: 32.5″L x 19″W x 17.5″H
Floor space: 618 square in.
Suitable for: Dwarf hamster
The Prevue 528 is a favorite choice for dwarf hamster owners for good reason. It has a simple but practical design with a tubby base and wire sides and top. It doesn’t come with the unnecessary bells and whistles that many other cages come with; all it has is the cage itself and one large, plastic ledge.
This cage comes with one removable level and a relatively deep base that’s 6.5 inches deep.
5. Savic Hamster Metro
Dimensions: 31.5″L x 19.69″W x 19.69″H
Floor space: 620 square in.
Suitable for: Dwarf hamster
The Savic Hamster Metro is an acceptable choice for a dwarf hamster, but not for a Syrian. The bar gap size is 9.5 mm, which is small enough to prevent escapes by crafty dwarf hamsters. The cage has plenty of height and some accessories included.
The downsides of this cage include its plastic levels, tubes, and accessories. You won’t want to use these, for the most part, and you’ll need to block up the holes left by removing the tubes and tunnels if you choose to do so.
6. HOPERAN Wooden Hamster Cage
Dimensions: 39.4″L x 19.7″W x 19.7″H
Floor space: 776 square in.
Suitable for: Dwarf hamster or Syrian hamster
This cage is new to the market and hasn’t received much attention in the small pet world. However, it’s similar to the Niteangel Vista at a lower price point.
Many reviewers have stated that the instructions for assembly are difficult to follow and that the cage panels come with a plastic covering that’s hard to remove. However, other than those issues, this could be a lower-cost alternative to the Vista while keeping the same style.
Tanks or Terrariums for Hamsters
Another option you have for housing hamsters is a standard tank or a reptile terrarium.
Hamster tanks
A tank is an ideal enclosure for a hamster because it provides plenty of space and depth for burrowing. Without bars on the sides, tanks mean less mess from your hamster kicking around bedding, too. All in all, we recommend choosing a tank for your hamster.
A good starting place for a dwarf hamster is a 40-gallon breeder tank. For a Syrian hamster, you’ll want to consider a 55-gallon tank or a 75-gallon tank.
You can often find tanks on sale at big-box pet stores, as well as on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other secondhand selling sites. It’s best to purchase one in person so that you can ensure it gets to your home without damage to the glass.
Hamster terrariums
A terrarium is an option that can be great for hamsters because many of them have the security of a tank with some added ventilation at the sides.
These can, however, be quite expensive when purchased new, so we recommend looking for a used terrarium in your local area, first.
Here are some examples of terrariums that can work for a hamster:
- REPTI ZOO 85 Gallon Reptile Glass 48″ x 24″ x 18″
- REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Large Terrarium 48″ x 18″ x 18″
- Prolee Reptile Terrarium Tank Large 40″ x 16″ x 16″
- OIIBO 50 Gallon Reptile Terrarium 36″ x 18″ x 18″
DIY Cages for hamsters
One of the most popular methods of housing hamsters for experienced hamster owners is creating a DIY cage.
If you already have the necessary tools, this can be a money-saving option as well as an opportunity to create exactly what you want for your hamster. Below are the most common types of DIY cages for hamsters.
DIY bin cages for hamsters
Bin cages are great for hamsters, as they can be inexpensive and provide the right amount of space. The challenge can be finding a storage bin that is large enough and secure enough, as well as clear.
You’ll also need to measure the bin cage to make sure it offers the appropriate floor space for your type of hamster. Measure around the middle of the bin, where the top of the bedding will be.
Measuring at the top of the bin or using the measurements offered on the label will not be accurate because most bins slope toward the bottom, creating less space.
Once you have one of these, you’ll need to cut out the middle of the lid and fasten ¼-inch wire mesh over the opening. Drill holes around the perimeter and attach the wire mesh using zip ties.
You can also use the same method to cut out pieces of the sides and cover them with mesh for additional ventilation.
IKEA cages for hamsters
Many people use pieces of furniture to create hamster cages. However, a typical wooden cabinet isn’t suitable because it can’t stand up against urine. A popular choice is creating hamster cages out of IKEA furniture that lends itself to this project.
There are several pieces of IKEA furniture that you can turn into a hamster cage, listed below.
IKEA Detolf hamster cage
The Detolf is a tall glass cabinet that you turn on its side to create a long, narrow enclosure with over 1,000 square inches of floor space. Some hamster owners find this suitable, but many believe it doesn’t provide enough depth (front to back) or height for their hamster.
Although it offers more than 1,000 square inches of space, the IKEA Detolf is better suited to dwarf hamsters than Syrians because of its narrow footprint and low height.
The Detolf is usually only $99, but you’ll need to create a DIY mesh topper to secure the enclosure, which adds to the cost.
IKEA Linnmon hamster cage
Creating a Linnon hamster cage is a slightly more advanced project, and it requires more materials and tools. However, it creates a hamster cage with about 877 square inches of floor space and a good amount of height for climbing, burrowing, and enrichment.
This option would make a great enclosure for a dwarf or Syrian hamster.
Ikea Kallax hamster cage
Finally, some small pet owners create a cage plus storage unit using the IKEA Kallax cube shelving systems. This is a more complicated design and requires some ingenuity and creativity, but many pet owners find it worth it for the customizability and storage space it can provide.
The Kallax comes in various sizes, so you can choose which one you think is right for you, your home, and your pets.
Hamster Cages FAQ
If you’re wondering about a popular cage that you don’t see listed above or still have questions about hamster cage size, your question might be answered below.
Is the Kaytee CritterTrail Super Habitat good for hamsters?
While the Kaytee CritterTrail “SUPER Habitat” fits the size requirements for hamsters, we haven’t recommended it here because of the materials it’s made out of and its build.
The bars of this cage are more flexible than they should be, and a small hamster may be able to squeeze between them.
Additionally, the top door does not always fit snuggly into its frame, which gives additional escape opportunities. Finally, the habitat is currently too high-priced for what it provides. You can get the same (or larger) size and higher quality for less.
Is the Omlet Qute Cage good for hamsters?
Many people want a hamster cage that can look good in a living room or family area.
After all, we want to spend time with our small pets, and we don’t want an eyesore of a cage drawing our eye at all times of the day. One answer to this problem has been the Qute Cage by Omlet.
But even though this cage looks large enough at first glance, and it’s certainly modern enough to blend in with many people’s furniture style, it’s just not appropriate for small pets, including hamsters.
The Omlet Qute Cage offers only 8.6 gallons of burrowing space on the bottom, with a footprint of just 15.6 x 12.2 inches (39.5 x 31 cm). That’s a little over 190 square inches (1,228 cm squared) of floor space.
This is barely above the established minimum for one hamster of 120 inches, and below the recommended minimum for two hamsters of 290 inches.
Read our complete review of the Omlet Qute cage for gerbils, hamsters, and mice here: Is the Omlet Qute a Good Cage for Gerbils and Hamsters?
Do hamsters need a tall cage?
Despite what many cage manufacturers might want you to believe, hamsters do not need an enclosure with multiple levels. In fact, levels can be dangerous for hamsters since they do not have good climbing abilities or depth perception and can easily fall.
If you have two levels above the bedding, for example, a hamster could fall from the highest level onto the middle level and injure itself very easily. This happens often, and it can cause neurological problems and other health issues in hamsters.
Rather than adding levels vertically, it’s more essential to create horizontal space. It’s also important to provide deep bedding so that your hamster can dig and burrow, which is its natural instinct.
Do hamsters need to burrow?
Yes! Hamsters are naturally burrowing creatures, and it’s important to support that instinct.
Provide at least 6 inches of bedding or substrate for your hamster, and ideally 8 inches or more. You’ll find that, in time, they’ll start making burrows and tunnel systems in their bedding.
Hamster Care is an Evolution
If you started out your hamster-owning journey with a less-than-ideal hamster cage, you’re far from alone.
Many of the most informed and ethical hamster owners started with a hamster cage that was too small or not right for their pets. After all, large pet stores and pet blogs actively promote cages for hamsters and other small pets that aren’t actually suitable for those pets.
Hamster care is an ever-evolving process, and you’ll continue to improve upon the care you provide as you learn more about your pets.
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