If you’re any kind of tinkerer and you don’t have a tool chest in your garage, then what are you even doing? They’re offered in a wide range of shapes, sizes and prices, these storage units can hold your entire slate of tools and more. Sure, you could just throw your tools in a plastic tub or any of your tool bags, but that’s not a great solution. A tool chest makes sure all your tools are in the right place, so they’re easy to find and access when you need them. It also helps protect your tools, which can get damaged if carelessly thrown around.
Helping eliminate these issues, tool chests give you a secure place to store all your pricey tools. They help you keep everything neat and organized, too, which makes the next project just a little easier since you don’t have to spend half an hour tracking down your 10-millimeter deep-well socket.
There is a dizzying array of different tool chests out there, tall ones and long ones, examples with integrated workbenches and others that have pop-up lids. Helping demystify the world of tool chests, below are some of our best tool chest recommendations, which are based on personal experience and user reviews, so you know they’re solid choices. Quality tool chests do cost a bit of money, but the good news is they’re totally reasonable, so you shouldn’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford one.
Amazon
If you want a super-nice tool-storage unit complete with a roller cabinet and workbench, this offering from OEM Tools is tough to top, plus it looks great since it’s made of gleaming stainless steel. A sizable unit, this assembly checks out at 78 inches long, nearly 20 inches deep and just shy of 72 inches tall, so budget garage floor space accordingly. It has four handy storage cabinets and 11 drawers, each of which has full-extension slides and can support 100 pounds (200 for the larger drawers) for your bulky tools. The pegboard backer also allows you to hang more things or items that don’t necessarily need to be stashed away. Casters permit you to roll this bad boy cabinet around wherever you need it.
If there is a downside to this tool chest, it’s the price. This thing goes for $3,000, which sounds like a lot (and it is!) but that’s nothing compared to ultra-high-end boxes that go for tens of thousands of dollars. Customers that have purchased this tool-storage system are pleased, as it has a 4.7-star rating.
Home Depot
This premium tool chest from Husky is the real deal. Aside from just storing your tools, it also features a solid-wood surface on top, so it functions as a small workbench, too. This tool chest’s nine drawers feature fancy soft-close mechanisms and roll on smooth ball-bearing slides for a premium feel. Those drawers can each support 100 pounds, though the larger two on the bottom are rated to handle twice that much, such as your power tool collection. For added versatility, this storage box also features integrated power outlets.
Dimensionally, this rolling toolbox measures 46 inches in length, 24.5 inches wide and it stands 37 inches tall. It also clocks in at a certifiably chunky 221 pounds, a figure that speaks to this tool chest’s sturdy construction. Five-inch-by-2-inch casters allow you to effortlessly move this unit, even when it’s loaded. Similar tool chests are also available. Husky offers 56-, 61- and 66-inch lengths, so if you want something a little bigger, there are options.
Priced at $449, this tool chest isn’t cheap, but it is of high quality and Home Depot customers love it. A whopping 96% of buyers recommend it and it has a 4.8-star rating after more than 2,100 reviews.
Home Depot
Whether it’s power tools, outdoor equipment or vises, Milwaukee makes great stuff. The famous brand’s tool chests are excellent options as well. This two-part, 46-inch unit is an excellent premium tool-storage option. It’s made of hefty 20-gauge steel and sports a textured powder-coat finish that looks great and is made to last. As for storage space, it boasts 16 soft-close drawers that roll on slick ball-bearing slides. Each tool chest drawer can support 100 pounds. It also has a pullout work surface, so you can fill out forms or type on a computer. This toolbox also features study, 5-inch swivel casters and the whole thing can hold up to 1,800 pounds of stuff, so don’t be afraid to fill ‘er up.
Dimensionally, this rolling tool chest is 49.3 inches long, 18.2 inches wide and, with the roof-like top open, about 78.3 inches tall. Customers love this unit’s fetching looks and capacious storage cubbies. In fact, 95% of owners recommend it and the toolbox has a 4.8-star rating.
Amazon
If you are shopping for reasonably spacious tool chests and don’t want to spend one red cent more than is absolutely necessary, this unit from Big Red is for you. It has storage space to hold your screwdrivers and sockets, hammers, plyers, wrenches and ratchets (whatever it takes to work on cars) just as well as a super-pricey box. Our bargain-basement pick, this toolbox is as basic as they come, so don’t expect fancy soft-close drawers, ball-bearing drawer slides or any other amenities. At just $89 with a black finish, this setup on wheels provides a secure place to stash your tools and that’s about it.
OK, with your expectations properly calibrated, here’s what you need to know about this tool chest. It consists of two parts, a removable upper box and a lower section with a cabinet. Overall, this unit measures 40.4 inches high, is 20.3 inches wide and checks out at 11 inches deep. Caster wheels are included, so you can easily roll this sucker around in your garage or workshop. Customers have given this Big Red tool chest a 3.5-star rating, which isn’t the greatest, however, it’s still pretty impressive for something at this price.