Whether you've got, or you're looking to get, a Syrian, Golden, Chinese or Roborovski dwarf, hamsters make great pets for animal lovers old and young. These cuddly little rodents quickly become one of the family, so they must be treated like it too, with a comfortable abode that they can call home.
But, finding the perfect haven for your hamster can be difficult. Different breeds of hamsters need different sized cages as well as levels. To help you out, we've created a buying guide and ranked the 10 best cages, from cheap picks for the budget-conscious to large glass models for big hammies. Plus, they're all available to order from Amazon, eBay and Argos.
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of hamster cages available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Little Friends | 2 ![]() Rosewood | 3 ![]() Little Friends | 4 ![]() Rosewood | 5 ![]() Ferplast | 6 ![]() Savic | 7 ![]() PawHut | 8 ![]() Ferplast | 9 ![]() Habitrail OVO | 10 ![]() Ferplast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Savoy Gerbilarium Cage | Pico Hamster Cage | Langham Tall Cage | Adobe Dwarf Hamster Home | Favola Hamster Cage | Hamster Heaven | Hamster Cage | Combi 1 | Habitat Cage | Criceti 9 Hamster Cage |
Features | Large Hamster Cage With Three Levels and Burrow Box | Bargain Cage With Plenty of Entertainment | Contemporary Design With Two Hamster Wheels | An Extra-Deep Base for Burrowing | A Spacious 2-Tiered Cage With a Large Burrowing Area | A 4000 cm² Home for Larger Breeds | A Huge Wooden Enclosure for Hamsters | Hamster Cage With Tunnels for Play and Exploration | Innovative Tube Design for Dwarf Hamsters | A Basic Starter Cage With Accessories |
Price | £80.83 | £45.49 | £74.99 | £49.75 | £64.94 | £75.00 | £103.99 | £44.05 | £69.95 | £25.75 |
Cage Dimensions | 58.5 x 38 x 47.5 cm | 47 x 50 x 36 cm | 77 x 47 x 58 cm | 55 x 39 x 26.5 cm | 60 x 36.5 x 30 cm | 80 x 50 x 80 cm | 115 x 60 x 55 cm | 40.5 x 29.5 x 22.5 cm | 30.5 x 35.6 x 30.5 cm | 46 x 29.5 x 23 cm |
Floor Space | 2223 cm² | 2350 cm² | 3619 cm² | 2145 cm² | 2190 cm² | 4000 cm² | 6900 cm² | 1194.7 cm² | 1085.8 cm² | 1334 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire and covered - glass | Wire | Wire | Covered - plastic | Wire | Wire | Covered - wood, glass | Wire and covered - plastic | Covered - plastic | Wire |
Levels | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Burrow Box | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 1 x bowl | 1 x bowl, 1 x water bottle, 1 x wheel, 4 x slides | 2 x homes, 2 x wheels, 2 x bowls | 1 x wheel, 1 x bowl, 1 x water bottle | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 1 x bowl, 1 x water bottle | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 2 x bowls, 1 x bottle, 1 x slide | 1 x bowl, 1 x seesaw | 1 x home, 1 x water bottle, 1 x bowl, 1 x wheel | 1 x home, 1 x water bottle, 1 x bowl | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 1 x water bottle, 1 x bowl |
Best For | Climbing, home without other pets, burrowing | Single pet, dwarf hamsters, Syrian hamsters, climbing, enrichment | Contemporary design, enrichment, multiple sizing options | Small homes, dwarf hamsters, escape proof, multi-pet household, burrowing | Burrowing, enrichment, single pet households, multiple hamsters | Burrowing, enrichment, single pet household, larger breeds | Large breeds, multi-pet household, large homes, enrichment, multiple hamsters | Exploration, small homes, multi-pet household, dwarf hamster, small breeds | Small breeds, multi-pet households, small homes, exploration, dwarf hamsters | Temporary cage, great starter kit |
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When thinking about the size of the cage, you have to consider the breed of hamster you have. For instance, larger breeds such as Syrian or Golden are going to require more floor space than smaller hamsters.
The specific measurements recommended can vary from company to company, however, the UK National Hamster Council states that large hamsters should have no less than 1000 square cm and a height of 19 cm.
Smaller dwarf breeds, on the other hand, should have no less than 750 square cm with a height of 18 cm. However, generally speaking, the bigger the better and providing them with as much space as possible is the way to go. After all, we want the little fellas to be happy!
Wired cages are great as they offer superior ventilation for your hamster, as well as making their entire home into a playground; check for a deep tray too so you can add plenty of bedding for burrowing. Another benefit is that due to the material, they can’t be chewed and destroyed easily, no matter how much they try!
Nonetheless, there are some slight pitfalls to consider. Mainly, be prepared to clean around the cage often, as hamsters tend to kick their bedding out of the sides. Also, the design can leave your hammy exposed to any other pets in your home, which could be quite traumatising.
Covered cages can come in many forms, but they’re usually plastic, glass or wood. They're generally easier to clean and provide greater visibility for viewing your little pal and keeps your ham safer from other pets. Some even come with the option of extending or expanding them, making the housing possibilities endless.
However, covered cages are often poorly ventilated so they could become smelly if not cleaned out frequently. They can also limit your ham’s ability to climb for exercise, but you can combat this by buying extra accessories, such as a wheel. At least having no bars means less chewing, making them a lot quieter.
You shouldn't undervalue the importance of levels or balconies in your hamster cage. They add variety and adventure to their daily activities. There are many cages out there with varying amounts of levels, some even boasting up to five (hamster hotel, anyone?).
However, multiple levels can often mean a compromise on floor space, so they’re not necessarily always the best option. In our research, we found that up to three levels are ample. Just be careful your little ham doesn't fall off of them.
There is a huge number of accessories that one can get to entertain their hamster, which can be a big part of the fun! Below we’ll touch on those that we think would be most helpful:
Take a look at some of our favourite hamster foods and treats too!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£80.83
Cage Dimensions | 58.5 x 38 x 47.5 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 2223 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire and covered - glass |
Levels | 3 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 1 x bowl |
Best For | Climbing, home without other pets, burrowing |
£45.49
Cage Dimensions | 47 x 50 x 36 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 2350 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire |
Levels | 3 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x bowl, 1 x water bottle, 1 x wheel, 4 x slides |
Best For | Single pet, dwarf hamsters, Syrian hamsters, climbing, enrichment |
£74.99
Cage Dimensions | 77 x 47 x 58 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 3619 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire |
Levels | 2 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 2 x homes, 2 x wheels, 2 x bowls |
Best For | Contemporary design, enrichment, multiple sizing options |
£49.75
Cage Dimensions | 55 x 39 x 26.5 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 2145 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Covered - plastic |
Levels | 3 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x wheel, 1 x bowl, 1 x water bottle |
Best For | Small homes, dwarf hamsters, escape proof, multi-pet household, burrowing |
£64.94
Cage Dimensions | 60 x 36.5 x 30 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 2190 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire |
Levels | 2 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 1 x bowl, 1 x water bottle |
Best For | Burrowing, enrichment, single pet households, multiple hamsters |
£75.00
Cage Dimensions | 80 x 50 x 80 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 4000 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire |
Levels | 3 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 2 x bowls, 1 x bottle, 1 x slide |
Best For | Burrowing, enrichment, single pet household, larger breeds |
£103.99
Cage Dimensions | 115 x 60 x 55 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 6900 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Covered - wood, glass |
Levels | 3 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x bowl, 1 x seesaw |
Best For | Large breeds, multi-pet household, large homes, enrichment, multiple hamsters |
£44.05
Cage Dimensions | 40.5 x 29.5 x 22.5 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 1194.7 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire and covered - plastic |
Levels | 1 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x water bottle, 1 x bowl, 1 x wheel |
Best For | Exploration, small homes, multi-pet household, dwarf hamster, small breeds |
£69.95
Cage Dimensions | 30.5 x 35.6 x 30.5 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 1085.8 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Covered - plastic |
Levels | 2 |
Burrow Box | No |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x water bottle, 1 x bowl |
Best For | Small breeds, multi-pet households, small homes, exploration, dwarf hamsters |
£25.75
Cage Dimensions | 46 x 29.5 x 23 cm |
---|---|
Floor Space | 1334 cm² |
Wired / Covered | Wire |
Levels | 1 |
Burrow Box | Yes |
Accessories Included | 1 x home, 1 x wheel, 1 x water bottle, 1 x bowl |
Best For | Temporary cage, great starter kit |
Feeling creative and looking to save a few pounds? Not all of us have the time (or, let's face it, the skills) to get crafty, but if you fancy making your very own hamster home from a simple plastic storage box and a few tools, stay tuned! This YouTube video reveals everything you need to know.
To build the bin cage without any power tools you'll need:
Skip to the end of the video to learn how to make a bin cage, or watch the whole thing to learn the pros and cons of using a bin cage for your hammy.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
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