For those of you, who are in a hurry: Here are my top picks, the SONGMICS Pet Playpen for diy cages and the Pawaboo Playpen as a playpen.
Playpens are great to offer your hedgehog more room to explore outside its cage. Some can even be used to create a flexible DIY cage. In this review, I’m going through the best hedgehog playpen options available.
Curios which hedgehog playpens I’ve picked? Here they are:
- SONGMICS Pet Playpen
- Pawaboo Small Animals Playpen
- VavoPaw Small Animals Playpen
- Amakunft Small Animals C&C Cage Tent
- SONGMICS Pet Playpen Metall Wire
Best Hedgehog Playpen
Here comes my list of hedgehog approved playpens.
SONGMICS Pet Playpen
Contains:
- 8 pcs 13.8” * 13.8” for the bottom
- 12 pcs 17” * 13.8” for escape proof sides
- Rubber mallet, cable ties and connectors
This hedgehog playpen by SONGMICS is actually my favorite pick for building an individual cage. It is sturdy, easy to clean and has a waterproof bottom which makes it good for long-term use. If you are in search of a solution that can be assembled quickly and moved around for some occasional fun, this option might not be the best fit.
That said, the playpen has more to offer than mentioned above. Steel frames and cable ties are making it durable and ensure an extra portion of safeness for your hedgie. There are no gaps, sharp edges and possibilities to escape.
The bottom is fully covered through the panels. You can place the playpen on carpet and don’t have to worry about drippings that may seep through.
Compared to wire cages, an advantage is transparent plastic. There is literally nothing that disturbs you watching your pet.
Apart from all the great characteristics already mentioned, the playpen is fully customizable. You can build multiple levels or combine more than one with each other if you have space.
Last but not least the plastic is completely odorless. For me, this is one of the most important factors. Not only that I hate to smell plastic odors, I think it really isn’t good for hedgehogs sensitive respiratory systems.
Pros:
- Fully customizable
- Transparent
- Waterproof bottom
- Completely safe for your pet
- Sturdy
- Odorless plastic
Cons:
- Takes some time to assemble
Pawaboo Small Animals Playpen
Dimensions:
- 52.4” diameter
- 15.0” hight
Pawaboo manufactures a playpen which is my favorite pick when it comes to portability and the quickness of assembling. You can take this hedgehog playpen wherever you go very easily and it unfolds in seconds. That said, folding it again takes a bit more time but I’m talking about less than a minute here.
With a diameter of more than 50” there is lots of room to run and play inside the pen. The tent design makes it escape-proof and you get easy access through the big opening (which you can close with a zipper) at the top.
The sides are of wired mesh and you can observe your pet through them all the time. Additionally, they ensure that there’s always enough fresh air.
The bottom and all parts that aren’t of wire mesh are waterproof. While that means that rain can get through the top opening when you use it outside, it also says that urine won’t get through the bottom and into your carpets.
Pros:
- Roomy
- Good ventilation
- Access through top
- Easy to fold and unfold
- Light and handy
- Waterproof bottom
Cons:
- Rain can get through top
VavoPaw Small Animals Playpen
Dimensions:
- 52.4” diameter
- 15.0” hight
This Playpen by VavoPaw is very similar to the one from Pawaboo I reviewed above. I don’t go into a very detailed description here, as most of the characteristics will be the same. Instead, I will focus on the two differences.
First, the sides are not fully made of wire mesh. While this means that it’s, even more, escape-proof than the other – is more even possible? – it also makes it nearly impossible for your friend to look outside the pen. Vice versa you won’t be able to see what he does in every corner.
Second, this playpen comes with three bolds which you can use to hold it place when you use it outside your house.
While these are features, at first sight, I must say that I want to see my pet all the time. I also think that it’s more interesting for your hedgie if he can see what’s going on outside of his playground.
Coming to the bolds I have to commit, that I just don’t use them. Perhaps they are super useful if you plan to have the playpen outside at a place with a lot of downgrades.
Pros:
- Roomy
- Good ventilation
- Access through top
- Easy to fold and unfold
- Light and handy
- Waterproof bottom
Cons:
- Rain can get through the top
- Sides not fully transparent
Amakunft Small Animals C&C Cage Tent
Dimensions:
- 47” diameter
- 15” height
Amakunfts’ Cage Tent seems to be quite roomy as well, even though it’s slightly smaller than the Pawaboo Playpen. The price is usually a bit lower as well, but you will get why I like the Pawaboo more while reading the review.
Of course, most of the features are quite similar. It is breathable, the sides are of transparent wire mesh, it’s durable and easy to clean, not forgetting the process of easy unfolding. But one thing is missing: the closed top. While the openness makes accessing your pet easy like a breeze – in fact, you can literally go inside the playpen together with your hedgehog – it’s far away from escape-proof.
Maybe this isn’t such a big deal while hedgehogs are bad climbers, but I don’t want to take any risks when it comes to the security of my pets.
Pros:
- Roomy
- Good ventilation
- Access through top
- Easy to fold and unfold
- Light and handy
- Waterproof bottom
Cons:
- Not secure and escape proof
SONGMICS Pet Playpen
Contains:
- 36 pcs 13.8” * 13.8”
- Cable ties
- Rubber mallet
This is the second playpen by SONGMICS I review. To be honest I would definitely recommend going with the top pic but of course, this one has some advantages too. You are completely free to customize this playpen as well and you can even build it up into a two-story habitat.
It is stable and secure through its connectors and cable ties. Edges are round so that your hedgie can’t get hurt. The bar-spacing of one inch should be escape-proof for hedgehogs and ensures enough ventilation at any time. Last but not least the nonslip mats at the connectors prevent your floor from scratches.
However, the playpen doesn’t have a bottom which is the reason I wouldn’t buy it for my pets. It is just too effortful to install bedding or cage liners and of course, you don’t want urine seeping through into your floor.
Pros:
- Stable and secure
- Good ventilation
- Customizable
Cons:
- No bottom
- Pricey
Conclusion
Depending on the use case of the playpen I would decide if I rather take the SONGMICS Playpen or the one by Pawaboo.
The SONGMICS might be very good if you want to build a fully customizable DIY cage. The feature that convinced me most is the water and seeping-proof bottom. You don’t want to get any mess onto your floor no matter if you have carpet or any other kind. Besides that, you will get a quality product that is safe and sturdy.
If you are just in search of a simple playpen the Pawaboo might be a perfect fit. It comes with a lot of features that are making use very easy. Additionally, it is safe and offers a lot of room and comfort for your hedgehog.
You might also be interested in the following articles:
- 8 Best Hedgehog Carrier Bags That Are Safe & Comfy (Review & Guide)
- 10 Best Hedgehog Food For A Healthy Diet (Review & Guide)
- 5 Best Hedgehog Wheels That Really Run (Review & Guide)
- 8 Best Hedgehog Cages That Really Suit (Review And Guide)
- 5 Best Cat Foods For Hedgehogs (Review & Guide)
- 5 Best Beddings For Hedgehogs (Review & Guide)
- 5 Best Hedgehog Cage Liners (Review & Guide)
- 3 Best Hedgehog Sleeping Bags & Snuggle Sacks
- How Much Does A Hedgehog Cost?
- Is A Hedgehog A Good Pet?
