Do wire crates have any drawbacks I am not thinking of?

That is the same wire crate that I have. As you have stated, it is pretty much chew proof, although I did have on dog that yanked on it until it collapsed and she got out. So I got those spring hooks that are on the end of a leash and put them at the top as reinforcement. Worked like a charm. I like the wire so my dog can see out and see what is going on in the room. I no longer use it to keep her in, but she feels it is her safe house and goes in there to sleep when she feels like it.

I have used both to good purpose. The plastic ones are appropriate for a cozier den atmosphere for your dog, the plastic muffles harsh sounds better and gives a better sheltered cave-like effect. They are a bit warmer in winter in a cold house. The down side is that they are more difficult to take apart for stowing and transporting.
The wire ones are (obviously) more open, and better for a warmer climate. The animal doesn’t feel as protected, and lying up against the side is less comfortable. They collapse much more easily, so are better for hauling around.
I usually have both on hand.

I had a wire one – that one exactly – for Frodo and it worked well. When I wanted him to have less stimulation or distraction, my trainer taught me to put a blanket over it on three sides. And of course, a nice soft pad and blanket on the bottom. He seemed comfortable in it.

(I miss having a dog.)

I’d go with the wire so he can see in all directions and he won’t feel so closed in.

I like the wire cage better and you have more options with it as it is bigger than a plastic crate. There is room for a bed, food/water and you can always cover part of it with a blanket for more privacy. You can also use it outdoors if you want the puppy confined but in the fresh air.
I have a similar one for my 2 cats and a twin size fitted sheet works well as a cover.

Go wire and get a pillow/pad for part of the bottom.

I am not sure this could happen in a crate but…once, an old dog of mine was lying on my deck and after about an hour I noticed she hadn’t moved at all. Her head was down between her paws and when I checked her turns out one of her tags had gone down between the cracks in the boards, turned sideways, and she was stuck with her head pinned to the deck!
She didn’t make a sound, just lay there. Good thing I was home or she could have been stuck like that for hours!

Maybe do not leave a collar or tags on the dog while it is crated just in case some weird accident happens and it gets caught somehow.

Thanks, all, this has been helpful! I’m going with the wire crate, but it will be set up in a corner of the room. If it seems like Wilson needs less stimulation, I’ll cover three sides. I will definitely be covering the floor with blankets or pads (What do you take me for? Yesterday, I fed my old dog banana pancakes for her birthday). I will also add an old pillow, so sleeping against the side is still possible.

@Coloma My dogs wear plastic tags which are fastened very close to the collar, so they can’t get caught. Thanks, though, a good reminder!

@Dutchess_III Don’t worry. He goes into his crate when he is either falling asleep, or overtired. In both cases, he flops down with a grateful sigh. He has about a thousand stuffed Kongs to entertain himself with, and I don’t leave him alone at all. Don’t think of it as a cage….think of it as a toddler’s cot.

Because you helped, here are some pics as a reward. Hope they cheer you up, @janbb.

SO CUTE! Lab?

@longgone Awww

@Dutchess_III Yep.

@janbb Well, yes :]

Oh good grief. If that was my dog, it would get away with anything it wanted to get away with. Pic number 3 is precious.

@chyna That’s a slippery slope. I told that to Frodo and look how he ran with it – the cute little terror, err, terrier!

^ I know, but they can be so adorable!

@chyna and @janbb Oh, I know the dilemma!

Update: Very happy with the crate in general, but there is one drawback: Wilson manages to get his paws caught in the openings. I’m threading sheets through the lower parts, but thought I’d leave this information here for others to find.