Start from the cat: strong, athletic and mechanically gifted
A Bengal is not a passenger who settles quietly into any box. This is a muscular, intelligent cat who paws at fastenings, leans his full weight against doors, and treats a zip as a puzzle set for his entertainment. Your carrier choice starts there: choose a rigid, hard-sided carrier with proper locking latches rather than fabric and zips, because a determined Bengal can work a zip open from inside and can flex a flimsy door until the gap looks promising. Metal grilles, clipped or screwed construction, and a door that locks at more than one point are the features that matter most for this breed.
Size for standing, turning and stretching out
Bengals are long, tall cats, so measure yours standing and stretched, then choose a carrier he can stand in without ducking, turn around in, and lie fully extended in, with a little room beyond that. A carrier that is too small turns a vocal, active cat frantic, while one with sensible space lets him change position on a longer journey. Check the stated weight limit against his actual weight with margin to spare, and test the handle and any shoulder strap under load at home, because a Bengal shifting his weight suddenly mid-carry will find any weakness in the carrying hardware.
Ventilation and visibility for a cat who watches everything
Generous ventilation on several sides matters for a high-energy breed who runs warm when excited, and a Bengal also wants to see what is happening; a carrier that is all dark enclosure tends to raise the volume of his commentary considerably. Mesh or barred panels that let him watch you, paired with a light cover you can drape over part of the carrier if the environment gets overwhelming, give you both options. Avoid soft mesh panels as the main barrier, since Bengal claws and teeth treat fine mesh as a challenge rather than a boundary worth respecting for long.
Loading design that ends the wrestling match
A top-opening hard carrier, or one that splits into two halves, transforms vet visits with a Bengal: he can be lowered in calmly at home and lifted out, or examined in the base, without being dragged through a front door he has braced against. Practise at home with the carrier left out as furniture, fed treats inside, so it never only appears on vet day. Line it with a non-slip mat and familiar bedding, and secure it in the car with a seatbelt through the handle so braking does not slide his whole world across the seat.
Small details that decide whether it lasts
Look for a leak-proof, easy-wash base, because a stressed Bengal may toilet or tip water; fastenings you can operate one-handed while the other hand steadies the cat; and an interior with no sharp moulding edges his paws will find. A clip-on water dish suits longer trips, and a pocket or document sleeve for his vet details is genuinely useful rather than decorative. Keeping his vaccination record and health notes in his KinsLe Pet Passport means the paperwork a carrier pocket holds is always current when you travel.