3 Best 450 Square Inch Hamster Cages (Buying Guide)

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450-square-inch hamster cage options have risen in popularity among pet owners. However, this recent surge has made me wonder what makes these cages special.

According to experts, this popularity comes from 450 square inches being the absolute minimum cage size needed to meet a hamster’s needs (1).

So I decided to save everyone some time and create a guide showcasing the best hamster cage options with 450 square inches.

Read on, and learn everything I found about these cages!

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Don’t have time? Check this comparison table of our top faves!

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3 Best 450 Square Inch Hamster Cages – Top Picks

I narrowed my choices down to 3 top 450 square inch hamster cages. Of course, there’s a little wiggle as the square inches aren’t precisely 450 for each one.

But all of them are nearly 450 sq in and marketed as dwarf or roborovski hamster cages. So they fall into what you’re looking for in these products.

As for my selection process, I evaluated each one on several crucial factors. Here’s a quick look at the research metrics I used during my search:

• Size
• Value of cost
• Durability
• Metal bar spacing
• Cage depth
• Ease of cleaning
• Provided accessories

I’ll dive more into these metrics in the later buying guide. But now, let’s take a more in-depth look at these high-quality hamster cages!

#1 Winner: Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Hamster Cage

Prevue Pet Products’ Universal Small Hamster Cage starts this list with a bang. Its stellar 2-tier design offers an ideal space for your fuzzball to live and adventure.

Aside from its design, I was thrilled by its durable construction quality. It’ll have no problem being your hamster’s home for several years.

Security is also an area where this model will impress hamster owners. It’s fitted with two lockable doors and ⅜” wire spacing to stop your hammy’s escape plans.

This cage is convenient for owners, too, with its access points. It provides a choice of going through the top or side to remove or set up accessories.

Speaking of the accessories, this cage’s included base (ideal for nesting) and platform are sturdy. Both will be comfortable and encourage your hammy to climb over them.

One last notable benefit is the easy assembly process. The manufacturer does a solid job keeping its instructions simple to make everyone’s lives easier.

Sadly, cleaning it doesn’t offer effortlessness. A few customers mentioned that it could become tricky with all the moving parts.

Features & Attributes

• 2-tier cage design
• Made from premium metal, steel, and plastic materials
• 3/8″ wire spacing
• Snap-on mesh held onto by six clips
• Deep 6/14″ base
• One platform with a climbing ramp
• Two lockable doors (top and side)

Measurements

• 32 ½’’ L x 19’’ W x 17 ½’’ H (30” L x 16 W“ interior)

Pros of the Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Hamster Cage

• Durable construction made from high-quality materials
• Excellent security with ⅜ bars
• Convenient access points
• Sturdy base and platforms
• Ideal for nesting with a deep base
• Easy to assemble

Cons of the Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Hamster Cage

• Challenging to clean with included platform

How it Compares to Others

Hamster cages are rarely built with this much care and consideration. Its well-crafted construction with security features gives it a leg up on most 450-square-inch models.

Expert Tips

The design has spots for a water nozzle where the bottle doesn’t need to be in the cage. It represents another way to maximize this product’s 450-square inches.

What influencers say about this:

Check this video where an experienced YouTube reviewer expresses admiration for how easy this option is to assemble!

Where to Buy:

#2 Easiest to Assemble: Living World Deluxe Hamster Habitat

Assembling hamster cages is a known nightmare for pet owners. But the Living World Deluxe Hamster Habitat has detailed directions to make it effortless.

Honestly, it’s an area where almost no other 450 sq inch hamster cage can compete.

Features & Attributes

• Wireframe habitat construction
• Red/white color scheme
• Plastic bottom base
• Four plastic clips for the assembly process
• Accessories: a balcony platform, food bowl, water bottle, and hay guard

Measurements

• 30.5″L x 18.8″W x 19.7″H
• 9.79 Pounds

Pros of the Living World Deluxe Hamster Habitat

• Easy, no-tool-required assembly process
• All-inclusion cage
• Reliable construction with solid security
• Suitable for various small animals (hamsters, mice, etc.)
• Promotes comfortable living with outstanding ventilation

Cons of the Living World Deluxe Hamster Habitat

• Some customers mentioned packaging issues
• A higher-priced option
• The ramp is a little flimsy

How it Compares to Others

As I mentioned, it separates itself with an easy assembly process. But it’ll also stand out from the pack with its impressive ventilation and included accessories.

It’s a cage that has a quick turnaround time from unpackaging. So your hammy will be able to enjoy all its benefits almost immediately.

Expert Tips

There are two other sizes for anyone who wants more room. You can either choose the large or X-large choice.

It’s easy to see how a Syrian hamster would enjoy either of these larger sizes. You also could spoil a Robo or Dwarf hamster with them.

What influencers say about this:

This Amazon reviewer couldn’t get enough of the product’s liftable top access door. I can’t blame them, as it seems to be a hassle-free way of getting into the cage.

Where to Buy:

#3 Best for Traveling: Little Friends Grosvenor Rat and Hamster Cage

The Little Friends Grosvenor Rat and Hamster Cage is a convenient, owner-friendly option. It even makes transporting it effortlessly with its collapsible design.

Features & Attributes

• 2-tier plastic construction
• Modern design with a black color scheme
• Wire bars with tight 1 cm spacing (about 3/8″)
• Shelf platform constructed from high-quality wood
• 5″ base depth
• Top access door
• Accessories: hide house, food bowl, ladder, and exercise wheel

Measurements

• 30.71″L x 18.9″W x 14.17″H
• 11 pounds

Pros of the Little Friends Grosvenor Rat and Hamster Cage

• Easy to store and move with a collapsible design
• Simple assembly process
• Offers plenty of space with a roomy, well-crafted interior
• Promotes climbing and exercise with wood shelf
• Usable for various small animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, etc.)

Cons of the Little Friends Grosvenor Rat and Hamster Cage

• Low-quality exercise wheel (noisy and small)
• No side door
• Ships from outside the United States

How it Compares to Others

The convenience level is off the charts with this one. It makes an owner’s life much easier with a straightforward assembly and easy-to-move collapsible design.

Expert Tips

Assembly goes much smoother when attaching the wooden level before this cage’s top. Several other customers noted it.

Meanwhile, if you need help replacing the included wheel, check out this video. It’ll walk you through everything needed to know about replacing one.

Where to Buy:

How To Select The Best 450 Square Inch Hamster Cages?

Selecting a 450-square-inch hamster cage is a bit more detailed than people realize. But this buying guide will break it down by offering overviews of the crucial buying factors:

#1 Size

It’d be good to start by explaining why 450 square inches. Well, many available hamster cages offer this amount of interior space within their space.

It’s a sought-after design because it’s the minimum cage size for Dwarfs and Robos. So owners of these hamster types often look for a cage with 450-square inches.

After all, it’ll just have enough space for all necessary accessories without being too cramped. Your hammy will then have some left over to roam to burrow and explore.

However, Syrians should never live in a 450-square-inch cage. It simply needs to be bigger for their needs: they need a pen with at least 650 square inches.

#2 Price

450-square-inch hamster cage enclosures may be around the exact sizes. However, their price tags can vary significantly based on accessories.

So I’d recommend building a budget around your preferred included accessories. For instance, an owner who wants a fully-equipped cage will have to pay more.

You can then use this info to cultivate a realistic budget. From there, the number of options shrinks to a more manageable number.

#3 Durability

Any worthwhile hamster cage will offer a durable construction. In short, owners will want something capable of lasting their hammy’s entire life.

Basically, you don’t want a cage where a hamster can chew through it or break down quickly. So I’d recommend only looking at options made from high-quality materials.

These high-quality choices will usually consist of thick plastic or metal. Wood is another solid option for base material.

You can also locate these options by reading through several customer reviews. Your fellow owners will provide  insight into how well these plastic cages manages regular use.

#4 Metal Bar Spaces

Only choose a hamster cage with suitable metal bar spacing. Otherwise, your hammy will take advantage and pull a Houdini.

You’ll then be left scrambling around your home, trying to find them. So let’s avoid this situation by choosing cages with ⅜” wire spacing or less.

#5 Depth

Wild hamsters are known for being natural “diggers and burrowers” (2). Your pet won’t be any different, so prepare for this behavior by purchasing a cage with interior depth.

You should place about 2 or 3 inches of deep bedding on the cage’s bottom. This setup will encourage their burrowing behavior and create very happy hammies.

#6 Ease of Cleaning

Cleaning out a hamster cage is an essential part of owning one. You must maintain their living space, or they’ll become victims of various health issues (3).

As a result, it’d make everyone’s life easier if you chose an easy-to-clean cage. It’ll ensure you are comfortable cleaning it out every time.

I’ve found cages with multiple access points and removable pieces helpful. These aspects will help you safely control everything when attempting to clean.

Knowing the correct procedure is another crucial step. If anyone needs some tips, this article about how to clean your hamster cage would be a valuable resource.

FAQs

Conclusion

Choosing the best 450-square-inch hamster cage isn’t too tricky. It’s an exercise of ensuring it has proper bar spacing, valuable accessories, and durable construction.

But if you want to skip the search, my recommendation would be Prevue’s Pet Products Universal Small Hamster Cage. It offers everything you’d want in a cage for pet hamsters.

Remember to let me know about your final decision in the comment section. I’d love to hear what you ended up choosing!

Resources

• 1. Sign the Petition [Internet]. Change.org. Available from: https://www.change.org/p/petsmart-make-petsmart-develop-humane-safe-cages-for-small-animals
• 2. Waring O. Where do hamsters live in the wild? [Internet]. Metro. 2018. Available from: https://metro.co.uk/2018/03/01/hamsters-live-wild-7353101/
• 3. Disorders and Diseases of Hamsters – All Other Pets [Internet]. Merck Veterinary Manual. Available from: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/hamsters/disorders-and-diseases-of-hamsters