How big should a hamster cage be?

Most hamster experts agree that the minimum area of a hamster cage should be 450 square inches, but Ramsey recommends looking for a cage that’s 600 square inches or larger on one level. Putting a hamster in a cage that’s too small can result in stress behaviors such as bar chewing or biting. Additionally, a large hamster cage will give you ample room to place accessories, toys, and deep bedding.

How do you clean a hamster cage?

You’ll need to clean your hamster’s cage at least once a week, which involves changing its bedding. To do this, you’ll want to put your hamster in a safe place, such as a pet carrier or hamster ball. Start by taking everything out of the cage and disposing of the used bedding, then wash the enclosure with a cage cleaning solution or mild soap and water. You’ll also want to wash all the cage accessories and let everything dry before putting new bedding in. Once this is done, you can return your hamster to its home.

What does a hamster need in its cage?

Once you have the right cage, you need to furnish it appropriately for your pet. Start with a substrate of wood shavings. Aspen is one of the best choices, as it has no odor and is hypoallergenic. The substrate should be at least six inches thick. You'll also need a water bottle for your pet, preferably one that clips to the cage wires, rather than a bowl sitting on the cage floor where it can easily be soiled. A food dish is another must-have item. Hamsters enjoy hiding spots, so provide your pet with a little house or cave that it can call its own. This might be a prefabricated house or a homemade hiding spot. Toys are also welcome. Your hamster needs to chew to keep its teeth under control, so help by providing some chew toys to entertain your pet and keep its teeth healthy. In the wild, hamsters are quite athletic, so a hamster wheel is another necessity to provide opportunities for exercise. Be sure to choose a wheel that is large enough for your pet.

The 7 Best Hamster Cages of 2024

Two hamster cages outlined in white and displayed on a blue to green gradient patterned background — The Spruce Pets / Sabrina Jiang

The ideal cage for a hamster is escape-proof, easy to clean, and, most importantly, provides your little furry pet enough living space for eating, sleeping, playing, and exercising.

“Hamsters need the most space you can possibly give them,” shared Erin Ramsey, an ethical breeder of Syrian hamsters, with The Spruce Pets. “Numerous studies have shown that hamsters thrive when in extra-large cages, and the bare minimum should be 600 square inches (30 x 20 inches) of unbroken space—this means that the second level does not count towards this number.”

Ramsey also recommends looking for a cage that has bar spacing of a half-inch or less, can hold four inches of bedding, and is tall enough for a full-size hamster wheel. Our favorite is the Prevue Pet Products 528 Universal Small Animal Home, which is spacious, has tight wiring, and includes two separate entry doors. But we also have recommendations that may work better for you and your hamster.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Prevue Pet Products 528 Universal Small Animal Home at Amazon ($86)

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Best Budget:

Ferplast Favola Hamster Cage at Amazon ($49)

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Best Large:

AmazonBasics Indoor-Outdoor Small Pet Habitat Cage at Amazon ($66)

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Best With Accessories:

Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage at Amazon ($110)

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Best Acrylic:

Mcage Deluxe Palace House at Amazon ($55)

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Best Cabinet:

GDLF Hamster Cage with Storage Cabinet at Amazon ($190)

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Best With Wheels:

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation at Amazon ($189)

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Best Overall

Prevue Pet Products 528 Universal Small Animal Home

PHOTO:

Amazon

$86 At Amazon $89 At Chewy $101 At Walmart

What We Like

Extremely spacious
Tight 0.375-inch wire spacing
Tall enough for a large wheel
Easy to clean
Two entry doors

What We Don't Like

No accessories included

Ramsey recommends the Prevue Pet Products 528 cage as one of the best hamster cages you can buy. The extra-large cage offers your furry friend roughly 617.5 square inches of space to play in the extra-deep tubby base, as well as a spacious raised platform and a wide plastic ramp. The cage is topped with tight 0.375-inch wire spacing that will prevent hamsters from escaping, and the plastic base is 6.25 inches deep, allowing you to offer a generous amount of bedding.

This cage has two large entry doors—one on the top and one on the side—giving you easy access to your pet, and its 17.5-inch height gives you plenty of space to arrange accessories and toys. The snap-on mesh top is held securely in place by six clips, but it comes off easily to make cleaning a simple task.

_{Dimensions: 32.5 x 19 x 17.5 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Wiring Spacing: 0.375 inches | What’s Included: Raised platform and ramp}

Best Budget

Ferplast Favola Hamster Cage

PHOTO:

Amazon

$49 At Amazon $80 At Walmart $80 At PETCO

What We Like

Affordable price
Includes essential accessories
Comes with connection port to attach another cage

What We Don't Like

Smaller than recommended 600 square inches

Not only is the Ferplast Favola Hamster Cage an affordable option for new owners, but it also comes with a number of key accessories, including a food dish, water bottle, hideaway, and exercise wheel. This cage features two levels—a 4.75-inch plastic base that’s topped with a wire mesh level. The wire spacing is 0.25 inches, and the two levels are connected by a solid plastic ramp.

With an area of roughly 340 square inches, this cage is smaller than Ramsey recommends, but it comes with a connection port that allows you to connect it to another enclosure via a play tube. The cage has a small door on the top to access your hamster, and when it’s time to clean the cage, you can undo the latch clips on each side to separate the base from the top.

_{Dimensions: 23.6 x 14.4 x 11.8 inches | Weight: 6.28 pounds | Wiring Spacing: 0.25 inches | What’s Included: Food dish, water bottle, hideaway, 5.5-inch exercise wheel, connecting port for play tube}

The 9 Best Guinea Pig Cages of 2024

Best Large

AmazonBasics Indoor-Outdoor Small Pet Habitat Cage

PHOTO:

Amazon

$66 At Amazon

What We Like

Over 1,000 square inches of continuous space
Door at each end for easy access
Includes divider to create two habitats
Leak-resistant canvas bottom

What We Don't Like

No accessories included
Disassembly required for thorough cleaning

With over 1,000 square inches of space, your hamster will feel like it’s living in the lap of luxury in this Indoor-Outdoor Small Pet Habitat Cage from Amazon Basics. The wireframe cage provides ample space for a hamster to run around, and if needed, the cage includes a divider so you can separate it into two sectioned off habitats.

The pet cage for hamsters is equipped with a leak-resistant polyester canvas tray custom fit securely around the bottom. The protective layer keeps liquids inside and it's gentle on a hamster's sensitive feet. There are two side doors on opposite ends, and the wire walls make it easy to hang a water bottle. The cage can fit a hamster wheel up to nine inches tall, and you can customize it yourself with whatever accessories you desire, including a food bowl and a hutch where your hamster can hide and sleep.

_{Dimensions: 47.6 x 24.2 x 14 inches | Weight: Not listed | Wiring Spacing: Not listed | What’s Included: No extras}

Best With Accessories

Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage

PHOTO:

Amazon

$110 At Amazon $110 At Chewy

What We Like

Includes a variety of accessories
Fun, colorful design
Has large carrying handles

What We Don't Like

Complicated to assemble

Your hamster will never get bored in the Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage, which comes with a wide range of fun accessories. This colorful cage offers around 630 square inches of space for your pet, and it has a deep plastic base that’s ideal for burrowing. Plus, the cage comes with tunnels, an exercise wheel, two hideaways, a water bottle, two feeding bowls, and more—everything new hamster owners need to get started.

The cage is topped with mesh wire where you can hang its accessories, and there’s even a clear tunnel that sits on top of the cage, allowing hamsters to explore their surroundings. The base detaches from the wire portion for quick and easy cleaning, and there are two handles on either side of the cage, allowing you to easily move it around as needed.

_{Dimensions: 31.5 x 20 x 20 inches | Weight: 12.17 pounds | Wiring Spacing: 0.4 inches | What’s Included: Tunnels, exercise wheels, 2 houses, a toilet, water bottle, 2 feeding bowls and more}

Best Acrylic

Mcage Deluxe Palace House

Mcage Large 2-Tiers Acrylic Clear Hamster Mouse Deluxe Palace House Habitat

PHOTO:

Amazon

$55 At Amazon $60 At Walmart

What We Like

Two different play levels
Nice assortment of accessories included
Tube entrances to add play value

What We Don't Like

Assembly required

Your hamster will enjoy frolicking and playing in the Mcage Deluxe Palace House. The acrylic cage is durable and equipped with many essentials, including a hidey house on the second level, an adjustable five-inch running wheel, a water bottle, and two food bowls. Plus, the see-through hamster home has a built-in tube so your hamster can run between the two levels.

For cleaning, the top detaches from the bottom, and there are two doors, a wire one at the top and a large acrylic one at the front. The cage can also be connected to another Deluxe Palace House with the addition of acrylic tubes (sold separately).

Assembly is required, but the hamster cage comes together quickly. We recommend the cage that will give your hamster the most amount of space (at least 600 square inches), but this cage from Mcage comes in four sizes.

^{Dimensions: 24.5 x 18 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Wiring Spacing: 0.375 inches (top) | What’s Included: Wheel, water bottle tower with mini food dish, 3-inch food bowl, water bottle, hidey house}

Best Cabinet

GDLF Hamster Cage with Storage Cabinet

PHOTO:

Amazon

$190 At Amazon $189 At Walmart

What We Like

730 square inches of space
Has a storage cabinet underneath
Acrylic panels

What We Don't Like

No accessories included
Assembly required

Stash your hamster's essentials—food, cleaning supplies, and any additional accessories—right underneath their home with this cage and cabinet combination. The GDLF Hamster Cage with Storage Cabinet offers 730 square inches of space on top of a double-door cabinet made out of engineered wood. The acrylic sides of the cage where your hamster will reside have ventilation slots throughout for proper airflow, and the top can be easily removed for cleaning.

While this cage doesn't have any accessories included, you can set it up however you like, from placing the play area where you want it to adding long tunnels for them to play in, a wheel for them to run on, and, of course, a food bowl and water bowl.

^{Dimensions: 39.5 x 19.7 x 43.7 inches | Weight: Not listed | Wiring Spacing: Not applicable | What’s Included: Storage cabinet with doors}

Best With Wheels

MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation

PHOTO:

Amazon

$189 At Amazon $189 At Chewy $189 At Walmart

What We Like

Spacious design
Mounted on locking caster wheels
Lower shelf for storage
Expandable system

What We Don't Like

Expensive

If you want to be able to move your hamster’s home easily or expand it to accommodate additional animals, the Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation cage is a worthwhile splurge. This large cage is mounted on four locking caster wheels that let you move it easily, and the brand sells add-on cages that can be stacked on top of the setup.

This cage offers more than 800 square inches of room for your pet, and it comes with an adjustable shelf and ramp, as well as a ramp cover to protect your hamster’s toes. A leak-proof pan and full-width double doors make the cage easy to clean, and there’s a built-in lower shelf where you can stash food and other supplies.

_{Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 39 inches | Weight: 59 pounds | Wiring Spacing: 0.5 inches | What’s Included: Adjustable shelf, plastic ramp, ramp cover}

Final Verdict

The Prevue Pet Products 528 Universal Small Animal Home is our top recommendation for housing hamsters, offering a deep and spacious base where they can burrow and explore. If you’re planning on getting multiple hamsters, consider the Midwest Deluxe Critter Nation, which is mounted on locking caster wheels and can be expanded with additional cages on top.

What to Look for in a Hamster Cage

Size

Many widely available hamster cages are actually far too small for these active little creatures, so it’s important to look at the area of a cage before buying. “Hamster owners should look for a cage that is over 600 square inches and tall enough to fit the proper wheel and at least four inches of bedding,” says Erin Ramsey, owner of Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters and an ethical breeder of Syrian hamsters. To figure out the area of a cage, multiply the length by the width—this will give you the measurement in square inches.

Wire Spacing

Hamsters can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces, so you'll want to make sure the gaps in wire cages are small enough to contain them. Dwarf hamsters require gaps to be smaller than a quarter-inch, while Syrian hamsters can live in cages where the wire bars are up to half an inch apart. When in doubt, opt for a cage where the wires are closer together.

Material

“Hamsters are chewers by nature, so if you get an extra chewy hamster, you will want to provide a cage that isn't wood or plastic,” says Ramsey. You'll also want to make sure you pick a cage with a removable liner or a plastic bottom to make your cage easier to clean thoroughly.

FAQ

How big should a hamster cage be?

Most hamster experts agree that the minimum area of a hamster cage should be 450 square inches, but Ramsey recommends looking for a cage that’s 600 square inches or larger on one level. Putting a hamster in a cage that’s too small can result in stress behaviors such as bar chewing or biting. Additionally, a large hamster cage will give you ample room to place accessories, toys, and deep bedding.
How do you clean a hamster cage?

You’ll need to clean your hamster’s cage at least once a week, which involves changing its bedding. To do this, you’ll want to put your hamster in a safe place, such as a pet carrier or hamster ball.
Start by taking everything out of the cage and disposing of the used bedding, then wash the enclosure with a cage cleaning solution or mild soap and water. You’ll also want to wash all the cage accessories and let everything dry before putting new bedding in. Once this is done, you can return your hamster to its home.
What does a hamster need in its cage?

Once you have the right cage, you need to furnish it appropriately for your pet. Start with a substrate of wood shavings. Aspen is one of the best choices, as it has no odor and is hypoallergenic. The substrate should be at least six inches thick.
You'll also need a water bottle for your pet, preferably one that clips to the cage wires, rather than a bowl sitting on the cage floor where it can easily be soiled. A food dish is another must-have item.
Hamsters enjoy hiding spots, so provide your pet with a little house or cave that it can call its own. This might be a prefabricated house or a homemade hiding spot.
Toys are also welcome. Your hamster needs to chew to keep its teeth under control, so help by providing some chew toys to entertain your pet and keep its teeth healthy.
In the wild, hamsters are quite athletic, so a hamster wheel is another necessity to provide opportunities for exercise. Be sure to choose a wheel that is large enough for your pet.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover. To get more information about what makes a good hamster cage, she spoke with Erin Ramsey, owner of Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters and an ethical breeder of Syrian hamsters. While selecting products for this list, she looked for cages that offered at least 600 square inches of space and had wire spacing of a half-inch or less. She also considered the material of each cage and whether it came with any accessories.