We know that buying a hamster cage can be confusing, especially when it comes to working out how much space your little friend needs. Whether it's a wire cage or a plastic tank, it needs to be a roomy, safe haven for your hammy to roam, sleep and enjoy their hamster food in peace. We’ve put together a list of the best hamster cages, all of which are excellent sizes for the various breeds.
Hamsters come in all different shapes and sizes, including Chinese, Russian dwarf, Winter white, Syrian, Roborovoski, and more, so it can be hard to know what’s the best. Generally speaking, hamsters are solitary animals so they need a home of their own. Dwarf hamsters are considered more sociable and can be housed together, but be wary - if they begin to show aggression, you will need to split them up into separate hamster cages (speaking from experience!)
Best hamster cages at a glance:
The biggest concern when it comes to choosing your hamster cage is the size. Recommendations really vary, with some sources saying that your hamster ideally needs a minimum of 100cm x 50cm, with the cage being at least 50cm tall. But, the RSPCA suggests it should be "as large as possible". It's important to provide wide floor space for your hamster to run around in. Whilst levels provide fun areas to explore, it's the size of the floor space, not the height size, that matters.
There are four main types of cages; Alaska hamster cages, glass hamster cages, wooden hamster cages and hamster bin cages. We've explained these in more detail further below but for most hamsters, we recommend Alaska hamster cages as they're the most common and easiest to get your hands on. Budget and breed could also impact your cage size decisions; Syrian hamsters need double the space of dwarf hamsters. If it’s still a bit overwhelming, we recommend reading our hamster care tips guide on how to look after your pet hamster.
The best hamster cages in detail
Editor's pick
Amazon/ Little FriendsAvailable in black or grey, the Little Friends Langham XL Small Animal Cage ticks all the boxes for size, budget, and quality, with over 2,000 Amazon reviews giving it an average of 4.2 stars. Suitable for all hamsters with narrow bar spacing to prevent any escapees, it is easy to assemble and comes with some basics; a wooden shelf, ladder and plastic bowl. This two-storey option gives added height, but you can also find 100cm length options in one-storey all the way up to four-storey cages.
Customer review: "I looked at soo many cages before I chose this one. I am really happy with it for Egon my Syrian hamster. It is a great size for him, plenty of floor space and general space galore. I was attracted to the fact it was nice and neutral looking and not a garish colour like some. Super easy to put together and once together nice and sturdy."
Pros
- Excellent size
- Easy to assemble
- Great value
Cons
- The accessories provided may be too small for your hamster
| For: | Hamsters, rats and chinchilla |
| Size: | 100 x 54 x 61cm |
| Materials: | Wood, plastic, metal |
Best hamster cage tried and tested
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
This fully equipped hamster cage from Pets at Home has two doors for easy access for petting and feeding, with each component of the cage easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance. It's available in grey, purple, and blue, and while slightly smaller than recommended, it's proved to be a happy home for Syrians and Dwarf hamsters.
Our review: "My Syrian hamster, Nova, has lived in the Pets at Home wire cage ever since she was a baby with plenty of space to run around and no issues with escaping either! The deep plastic tub allows plenty of space to fill with bedding for her to burrow in and is easy to clean, whilst the added platform is simple to install (though in her old age, I have removed it to convert her home into a 'bungalow' now she's less active). There's ample space for her to roam around, and while she has knawed on the plastic in the past, it has stood the test of time.
"The cage comes with a bowl, wheel, bottle, feeding dish, and plastic home, but I chose to buy my own pieces to suit my hammie's personality. I also found the wheel to be quite noisy against the bars, so if you're a light sleeper, I'd recommend getting a different 'silent spin' wheel to keep your hamster's activity from keeping you up at night.
"All-in-all it's served as a wonderful home for my hamster throughout her life, and I'd definitely recommend as a good-sized cage that's easy to buy when getting your other hamster essentials at Pets at Home."
Pros
- Suitable for all hamster breeds
- Durable and long-lasting
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Slightly on the small side
| For: | Syrian hamsters but also suitable for smaller hammies |
| Size: | L69.5 x D46 x H41cm |
| Materials: | Plastic and metal |
Best large hamster cage on a budget
Pets At Home/ Savicwww.petsathome.com
Measuring 100 x 50cm, the Savic Plaza Rat and Syrian Hamster Cage is suitable for all hamsters. Even though the shelf platform is slightly smaller, the ladder is extended, and there are lots of spaces for hamsters to run in and out of. Whereas many hamster cages have their door on the top, this one is on the side, so make sure to keep an eye on it as you won't want a hamster escaping. This cage includes a feeding bowl, drinking bottle, wheel and shelter.
Customer review: "Two people are needed to put it together, but my wife and I managed it without any problems. The cage is deep and is ideal for a hamster. The accessories provided where also good and fitted well. There is plenty of room to add your own accessories if wanted. All in all, this is an excellent product and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to purchase a hamster cage."
Pros
- Larger space than others on this list
- Well built
Cons
- Shelf is quite small for slightly larger hamsters
| For: | Syrian hamster |
| Size: | L100 x W50 x H50cm |
| Materials: | Plastic and metal |
Best wooden hamster cage
Amazon/ PawHutThe PawHut Wooden Large Hamster Cage is not only spacious for your hamster but looks good too! With a sturdy frame and robust wire net, it has three storeys of play area, including platforms, ladders, and a hut. It also features a pull-out tray that's waterproof and easy to clean, and the lid opens up from 30-60 degrees so you can easily clean the cage and reach your hamster without the risk of them escaping.
Customer review: "This enclosure is amazing! As I hope the pictures show there is more than the required space for my hamster to fully run around in and enough depth to give her plenty of bedding for her to burrow into. My hamster is truly loving her new home! If you are a new hamster carer or you are thinking of getting a Syrian hamster look no further than this beautiful enclosure."
Pros
- Spacious
- Top lid opening
- Attractive in the home
Cons
- There's always a gnaw risk with wood!
| For: | Hamster and mice |
| Size: | L115 x W57 x H55cm |
| Materials: | Fir, Polyvinyl Chloride, Plastic, Wire |
Best glass hamster cage
Amazon/ BucatstateGlass cages are great for three reasons; you can watch all your hammy's movements, they're easy to clean, and escape-proof. The Bucatstate Hamster Cage is another good-looking cage with a modern minimalist design that's both easy to use and assemble. There's plenty of ventilation on the sides and a large door at the front for easy access. And, if you want to buy multiple for different hamsters, these cages can be stacked!
Customer review: "This is the only hamster cage I will ever use, I can’t recommend it enough! There is nothing else better. I had been wanting a hamster for a while but struggled to find the right cage that met all the hamster requirements and my personal aesthetic. I wanted a clear and metal cage but felt an aquarium was too heavy, too expensive and lacked the right ventilation. Wooden cages also get soiled easily and hamsters can chew through! I also wanted to avoid bar biting and bar climbing with a wired cage and not being able to add deep enough bedding without it causing a mess. Well… this cage meets ALL NEEDS!"
Pros
- Stylish design
- Stable and escape-proof
- Easy to use, clean and assemble
Cons
- Some found parts arrived with low quality, but the brand says it will replace parts
| For: | Hamsters, gerbils and reptiles |
| Size: | L100 x W50 x H53cm |
| Material: | Metal and glass |
Best hamster cage with accessories
Amazon/ FerplastA unique entry on our list, the Ferplast Large Hamster Cage is actually modular, so it can be assembled in different ways or customised with the option to buy and add extensions. With a transparent, recycled plastic base and cage top, this large cage comes with a water bottle, bowl, house, wheel, shelves with ladders and tubes so you can little critter has all the bare necessities in their new home.
Customer review: "A good size cage with enough space to include loads on fun things for your hamster. We got our hamster yesterday and she loved running around and exploring her new enclosure. Did take a little bit to put together, but definitely worth it! The bottom part is big enough to put lots of nesting and burrowing materials in. Pip (hamster) seems to approve :)"
Pros
- Comes with accessories
- Large cage with the option to expand
- Easy access roof opening
Cons
- Some found it tricky to build
| For: | Hamsters and mice |
| Size: | 107.5 x 37.5 x 42cm |
| Materials: | Plastic, metal |
Best 2-in-1 hamster cage
Amazon/ FerplastCan't decide between a glass cage or a metal one? The KARAT 100 Ferplast Cage combines the two in this premium option. With a two-level structure and wide space for your hammy to roam, no doubt they'll love digging in the deep tempered glass base. The wire mesh upper structure can be easily unhooked for cleaning and this cage comes complete with accessories such as a food bowl, wheel, ladders and more. This is a more expensive option, so we'd recommend it if you plan to keep hamsters for years to come.
Customer review: "Hamster had been much happier in this cage. Loads of room and the levels. Hamster loves to climb up to the top of the cage then perform monkey bars to the middle and drop to the bottom. Then rinse and repeat. Very happy hamster. Oh and no nibbling. The cage had fixed the escape tactics used on the previous more plastic model. Plus the visibility the bottom construction affords makes it more pleasant to watch the hamster and it's tricks. No issues with nibbling and others have commented this hadn't been our experience. The cage is very well constructed."
Pros
- Easy access with three doors and removable wire mesh
- Excellent quality
- Clear base for monitoring your hammy
Cons
- The wheel may need replacing - some found it too small for a Syrian
| For: | Hamsters and mice |
| Size: | L99 x W51 x H62cm |
| Material: | Tempered glass and metal |
Best value 2-in-1 hamster cage
Amazon/ PawHutIf you like the style of the KARAT 100 Ferplast Cage but don't have the budget, the PawHut 3 Tiers Hamster Cage makes for a great alternative. Admittedly it is on the smaller side, but it features the same glass base, cage top, and two additional tiers with ladders and accessories included. It's chew-proof with a top and front door for access, and again the cage top can be unclipped to make cleaning that bit easier.
Customer review: "I got this cage as it was on offer and I couldn’t believe the size it was and it was a tiny bit hard to put together especially the platforms but got there in the end it’s seems very strong as well it’s good value for money deffo would buy again."
Pros
- Clear base for monitoring your hammy
- Easy access with two doors and removable wire mesh
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Slightly on the small side
| For: | Hamsters, mice and gerbils |
| Size: | L78.5 x W48.5 x H57cm |
| Material: | Glass and metal |
Best hamster cage for burrowing
Pets at Home/ Savicwww.petsathome.com
While again, a little short in length, the Savic Gerbilarium Gerbil and Syrian Hamster Cage is still exciting and spacious, with lots of space for burrowing and climbing and a deep bottom to fill with shavings. With its size and depth, your hamsters will get the most out of their cage running around. It comes with a wire dual-level roof, ladder, feeding bowl, water bottle and play tube.
Customer review: "We've had this cage for over a year and it's absolutely perfect. The large lower area is perfect for filling with bedding, to allow our hamster to burrow. The deep lower space alone is what makes it so much better than any others on the website, as hamsters need to burrow as they would naturally in the wild, therefore making them feel significantly happier and less stressed."
Pros
- Deep for burrowing
- Lots of elements
Cons
- Slightly on the small side
| For: | Syrian hamsters / multiple hamsters |
| Size: | H51 x W70 x D37cm |
| Materials: | Plastic |
Best hamster cage FAQs
What types of hamster cages are there?
It might be difficult to work out which hamster cage is best for you, but actually, it’s pretty simple. There are four main types of cages you can get, and we’ve broken them down below.
Alaska hamster cage: You’re likely to have seen this hamster cage in the top pet shops and online, known as a wire-top cage with a plastic base. These often have a wire mesh top to fix water feeders and toys to the sides. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are most likely to be the hamster cage you purchase.
Glass hamster cage: Glass cages can be a super fun way to keep an eye on your hamster. Also known as aquarium cages, as they look similar to the glass tanks you’d keep fish in, these can be heavier and costlier because of their material. It's great for smaller hamsters, so they can't slip out any wires.
Wooden hamster cage: If you’re looking to get your DIY on and want to make your own hamster cage, you can easily make one out of wood. Make sure your wood is untreated, as the hamster is likely to chew on it. Similarly, use no glue, as this can be poisonous.
Hamster bin cage: Not so common, a hamster bin cage is really simple - it’s just a plastic storage bin with a lid and the most affordable type of hamster cage you can get. As long as you drill holes for ventilation this DIY type of cage will suit any type of hamster.
What do hamsters need from a cage?
Location
Your hamster cage should always be placed in a draught-free, quiet location with a stable temperature. It should not be in direct sunlight. If you want to double-check what's best for your pet before you commit to a cage, make sure to consult a professional such as your vet or the RSPCA.
Material
There are a variety of cages you can choose from. These include your generic plastic and metal or even wood and glass. We'd recommend choosing a cage with materials that is easy to clean, especially plastic and metal. If you're using wood, be aware that it's absorbent. Meaning it will be hard to clean with surfaces becoming quickly unsanitary and smelly.
Size
As mentioned, your hamster cage needs to be a minimum of 60cm x 30cm, with the cage being at least 30cm tall, but really, the bigger, the better.
It's important to provide wide floor space for your hamster to run around in. Whilst levels provide fun areas to explore, it's the size of the floor space, not the height size, that matters.
Budget and breed could impact your cage size decisions; Syrian hamsters need double the space of dwarf hamsters. If you have more than one hamster you should definitely be investing in a bigger cage.
However, while it may be tempting to grab a cage for a gerbil or rabbit to make as much space as possible, you just need to make sure the gaps between cage bars are small enough. Larger cages often mean larger bars and you don't want your hamster escaping!
Activities
Necessary accessories in your cage must include a water bottle and bowl for food. Hamster activities, though, can come in all shapes and sizes.
Some cages already have lots of attachments included. Other cages leave space for you to add your own.
In general, you will need a nesting box shelter for hamsters to hide in privacy. Engaging activities like wheels and gnawing items are great too, to keep your hamster stimulated and exercising.
What are the most common breeds of hamsters?
Syrian hamster: Known commonly as the Golden hamster, they like to be alone and are typically larger. These are a popular breed for any hamster lover, and they are easy to handle.
Winter white hamster: This is a smaller hamster, meaning they are quick. They're smaller because they're a breed of dwarf hamster, so we'd recommend a glass cage so they can't slip through the wires.
Russian dwarf hamster: Again, another breed of dwarf hamster but not so easy to handle because of their size. They have a life span of around two years, so they'll make great pets.
Chinese hamsters: These hamsters are recognized for their striped fur, being good-natured, and mostly nocturnal.
Roborovski hamsters: A very sociable breed, Robrovskii hamsters are nocturnal but very sweet-natured.
Make your own hamster bin cage
If you're looking to save money whilst still providing your hamster with a spacious home, you can make your own using a plastic tub.
Victoria Raechel is a YouTuber with a passion for small pets and animal care, and shares her guide to making your own DIY bin cage in the video below:
Make your own wooden hamster cage
If you're more DIY savvy, you can try your hand at making a wooden hamster cage for your pet using spare wood or by adapting/ upcycling some old furniture pieces.
If you'd like a little inspiration, you can see how Victoria made her new wooden hamster cage here:
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Take A Break Pets, specialising in small pets. Having been a pet-parent to bunnies and hamsters, she knows just how to care for these little fluffs. She's currently mum to Dora, a sociable, knaw-happy Syrian hammy.