Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters
  • Home
  • About Cheeks
    • Breeding Ethics
    • Meet The Girls
    • Why choose Cheeks?
  • Our Hamsters
    • Adoption Info
    • Breeding Hamsters
    • Litters
  • Suitable Cages & more
    • Hamster Cage 101
    • Niteangel
    • Prevue 528: Walkthrough
    • Bin Cages
    • Ikea Detolf
    • Bar Cages
    • Tank Cages
  • Accessories
    • New Hamster Shopping List
    • Our Fave Products
    • Wheel Info
    • Sand
    • Playpen
  • Hamster Food
    • Food
  • Vet Care and Resources
    • Veterinary Care
    • More Resources
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's
  • More
    • Home
    • About Cheeks
      • Breeding Ethics
      • Meet The Girls
      • Why choose Cheeks?
    • Our Hamsters
      • Adoption Info
      • Breeding Hamsters
      • Litters
    • Suitable Cages & more
      • Hamster Cage 101
      • Niteangel
      • Prevue 528: Walkthrough
      • Bin Cages
      • Ikea Detolf
      • Bar Cages
      • Tank Cages
    • Accessories
      • New Hamster Shopping List
      • Our Fave Products
      • Wheel Info
      • Sand
      • Playpen
    • Hamster Food
      • Food
    • Vet Care and Resources
      • Veterinary Care
      • More Resources
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ's
Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters
  • Home
  • About Cheeks
  • Our Hamsters
  • Suitable Cages & more
  • Accessories
  • Hamster Food
  • Vet Care and Resources
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's

Bar Cages

What Is A Bar Cage?

Bar cages are what most people think of when the term "hamster cage" comes to mind. If you want a classic style that's customizable and needs no modifications, look no further.


There are some bar cages we recommend more than others, so consider this an offical ranking. 

Top Pick: Prevue 528

Our Thoughts

The Prevue 528 is an amazing option for hamster owners on a budget. It's a lovely and sturdy cage with a more grown-up feel to it over other barred cages. The platform is a nice touch as well and adds additional floor space.​ The bar spacing is the appropriate 1/2 inch or less. 


The Prevue 528 offers about 600 square inches of floor space--super roomy and functional. It has plenty of headroom for a 12" wheel, making this cage great for Syrian hamsters. Most wheels easily attach to the bars, freeing up even more floor space because a stand is not needed. 


The Prevue 528 is exceptionally sturdy. The top connects to the base with 6 strong, yet easy to remove, clips. The cage also offers both a large front and top door, giving you easy access to your hamster. However, note that the closing on these doors is not super secure. We do recommend a back-up clip.


Criticism

The only downside of the cage is that it does not come with any necessary accessories. You will need to purchase a wheel, house, toys, dishes, and bottle separately. However, given the price difference between the Prevue and other barred cages, AND the fact that most of the accessories with those cages are junk, we think the Prevue more than makes up for it.

The Prevue is available here* on amazon.


Our more detailed set up suggestions for the Prevue are here

Pros

  • Cheapest barred cage available (and worth the price!)
  • Large, with plenty of room for a suitable wheel.
  • Large doors on front and top for easy access
  • Removable base for easy cleaning
  • Deep basin for nesting.

Cons

  • No additional accessories
  • Not always available on Amazon

Find out more*

Luxe: Savic Plaza

Our Thoughts

It looks a lot like the Prevue, but it's even BIGGER! Indeed, this is the largest bar cage we know of! It boasts floorspace of  700+ square inches, which is quite impressive. The bar spacing is 1/2" or less. The grey colour helps it blend into your home, but the colorful accessories bring back a pop of fun. 


You will likely need to replace some of the accessories, however. The wheel is noisy and not large enough for Syrian hamsters.. The water bottle and food dish aren't great quality either, and we recommend replacing them.


Criticism

Check out the great review from our friend, Munchie's Place!

Pros

  • Largest bar cage available
  • All accessories are fully removable to customize
  • Large door for easy access
  • Removable base for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Wheel needs replacing--loud and too small for Syrians
  • Expensive!

Find out more*

Versatility: Savic Mickey XL

Our Thoughts

The Mickey XL is a great cage for hamster owners that may want to try out other species in the future. This cage is identical to the Hamster Heaven, but with smaller bar spacing. This means it is suitable for mice and dwarf hamsters too!


It comes with a wire platform that we recommend taking out for Syrian hamsters. If you want to use it for other species in the future, you can simply cover it with a placemat. Instead, we recommend hanging lots of hammocks and baskets around the cage! This cage also has the appropriate bar spacing of 1/2" or less.


There is a large door on top, identical to the Heaven. However, there is no smaller door on top--but we find this really doesn't matter. Again, the corners do tend to arrived broken from Amazon, so inspect your cage immediately upon arrival. 


And again, close the door on the second bar!


Criticism

The main criticism of this cage is that the accessories will need to be replaced. Much like the Hamster Heaven, you are really buying this cage for the bare bones. 

Pros

  • Similar fun colours to the Heaven (same brand and mold)
  • Accessories are fully removable
  • Comes with fun "space" house!
  • Available on Amazon

Cons

  • Wheel will have to be replaced--it's loud and too small
  • Platform and ramp will need to be covered.
  • Escapable if door is not correctly closed
  • Requires extra accessories (house, wheel, etc.)

Find out more*

Links marked with an * are affiliate links, from which we earn a small commission.

Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters

Copyright © 2022 Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters - All Rights Reserved.

Thanks for Considering Cheeks!

Please note that our minimum wait time is at least 10-12 months.


Submit your application to join our waitlist! 

That will start the process for you. 


Xoxo, Cheeks