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The Spruce / Zackary Angeline
If you are a mechanic, carpenter, or someone who is always working on a DIY project, you've probably accumulated several tools—and those tools need a home. Eamon Lynch, director of warranty service at Power Home Remodeling, comments, “The best organization and storage system will depend on your space and the amount of tools in your collection. But the most important thing you can do for organization is to store your tools in one place and put them back after each use. There’s nothing worse than wanting to start a new project and not being able to find any of the tools you need.”
We've researched and tested tool chests from the top brands, evaluating durability, quality, storage capacity, and value.
Here are the best tool chests available online.
Best Overall
Husky 52-Inch Heavy-Duty Rolling Combination Tool Chest
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Homedepot
Overall storage capacity of 2,500 pounds
Large power strip
Powerful built-in work light
Lift-up wood shelf for laptop
Heavy
Relatively expensive
The Husky 52-Inch Heavy-Duty Rolling Combination Tool Chest is your best option if you need serious tool storage. This 18-gauge-steel-framed master of organization has 15 drawers, each with a heavy-duty soft-close drawer slide that can support up to 120 pounds. One of the drawers even has a wooden pull-out shelf to hold your laptop while you work. And the whole tool chest is built to last, so you'll be using this matte-black beauty for many years to come.
The chest consists of a lower cabinet with nine drawers and an upper chest with six drawers and a lift-up lid that exposes a large work area, a 500-lumen LED work light, and a power strip with eight outlets and four USB ports. While technically you can separate the lower cabinet and upper chest to use the pieces separately, be aware that the top of the lower cabinet is just a steel surface; it is not topped with wood. All of the drawers have liners to protect your tools from scratches, as well as to help keep them from sliding around should you move the tool chest.
There are three locks to keep your tools safe. Four 7.5-inch sturdy casters let you maneuver the tool chest right where you need it and then lock the wheels to keep the chest from moving while you work. A handle on one side of the cabinet, as well as hand grips on the upper chest, make it fairly easy to move this admittedly heavy—555 pounds—beast of a tool chest to wherever you need it.
The overall size of the Husky Heavy-Duty Rolling Combination Tool Chest is 52 inches wide, 56.8 inches tall, and 21.5 inches deep. Other than attaching the casters, handle, and bottle opener, there is no assembly required.
Price at time of publish: $1,198
Drawers: 15 | Width: 52 inches | Height: 56.8 inches | Depth: 21.5 inches | Power Strip: Yes
Best for Tight Spaces
Goplus 6-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest
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Amazon
Lined drawers
Reasonable price
No power strip
Most tool chests with reasonable storage capacities are quite wide, meaning you need a fairly large garage or worksite to hold them. But if space is an issue, you’ll appreciate the upright configuration of the Goplus 6-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest. Instead of the typical 41-or-more inches in width, this tool chest measures just 23.5 inches across, so it’ll slip into a fairly narrow spot with ease.
The sturdy, cold-rolled steel tool chest has a large cabinet with a door, providing the perfect spot to stash your larger tools and supplies. The top of the upper portion lifts up so you can access the inner tray. In between, there are six drawers, two of which are deeper for larger tools. Each lined drawer can hold up to 22 pounds. Four hooks on the exterior are perfect for holding wrenches or other small tools.
The tool chest has a lock to keep your tools safe. Four casters, two with brakes, let you maneuver the chest to wherever you need it. If desired, you can separate the upper chest from the lower cabinet. The tool chest measures 23.5 inches wide, 52 inches tall, and 13 inches deep.
Price at time of publish: $250
Drawers: 6 | Width: 23.5 inches | Height: 52 inches | Depth: 13 inches | Power Strip: No
Best Value
WORKPRO 24.5-Inch 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest
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Amazon
Can be separated into tool box and cabinet
Lined drawers
Low total weight limit
Fairly small
Tool chests tend to be undeniably expensive. But you don’t need to spend a bundle to keep your tool collection organized and at hand with the WORKPRO 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest. This reasonably priced steel tool chest is just the right size to store a small-to-medium selection of tools, but best of all, it won't break your budget to do so. While not the most robust or large tool chest out there, it’s more than adequate for a home collection of tools used in various DIY projects.
The tool chest consists of two parts: an upper tool box with three drawers, and a lower chest with two drawers and a large storage cabinet. You can separate the two sections if desired, or use them stacked as shown. All drawers have ball-bearing slides. Four smooth-rolling 3-1/8-inch casters let you move the tool chest to where you need it, although this tool chest lacks a side handle for easy maneuvering.
The overall dimensions of the tool chest without including the wheels are 24.5 inches wide, 39.3 inches tall, and 13 inches deep. The total weight capacity is 110 pounds, and the tool chest itself weighs 68 pounds.
Price at time of publish: $226
Drawers: 5 | Width: 24.5 inches | Height: 39.3 inches | Depth: 13 inches | Power Strip: No
Best With Pegboard
Milwaukee 11-Drawer 61-Inch Mobile Workbench
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The Home Depot
Versatile storage options
Sturdy construction
Heavy and can be hard to move
When creating the ideal workshop, you can’t go wrong with a wall organizer or peg board. And with the Milwaukee 61-Inch 11-Drawer Mobile Workbench, you get not only a large steel tool chest topped with a wooden workbench, you also get an attached metal peg board, just waiting for you to hang storage bins, tools, and oddly shaped items. That adds up to storage options galore.
There are a total of 11 lockable drawers in the tool chest, each with a 100-pound capacity. There’s also an open cabinet with a shelf for more large tools or other items, a power strip with six outlets on the side for recharging your power tools, and an exterior shelf for other small items.
The tool chest has six 5-inch, locking casters. The tool chest measures 37.8 inches tall, 61 inches wide, and 23.9 inches deep. The peg board is 61 inches wide, 22.1 inches tall, and 1.5 inches deep.
Price at time of publish: $1,318
Drawers: 11 | Width: 61 inches | Height: 37.8 inches | Depth: 23.9 inches | Power Strip: Yes
Best Small
Craftsman 2000 Series 5-Drawer 26-Inch Rolling Tool Chest
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Amazon
18-gauge steel construction
Can be used as the base with a tool box set on top
Handful of complaints about caster quality
Relatively small as compared to many tool chests, but just as mighty, the Craftsman 2000-Series 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet is a heavy-duty tool chest that's perfect for a smaller tool collection, or as an additional storage spot if you have a larger tool collection. This steel, sturdy rolling tool cabinet has five drawers, each gliding smoothly on soft-close slides, lined inside to protect your tools from damage, and capable of supporting up to 100 pounds.
The four 4-1/2-inch casters and side handle make it easy to maneuver the chest right where you need it, and the lock keeps your tools safe after hours. You also get a mat for the top of the chest, which provides a nonslip surface for setting tools, your laptop, or other items you don't want to be scratched or damaged. The cabinet measures 26.5 inches wide, 34 inches tall, and 18 inches deep. The total weight capacity for the entire tool chest is 650 pounds, and the chest itself weighs 96 pounds.
Price at time of publish: $350
Best With Workbench
Husky 46-Inch Tool Chest with Hardwood Top
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Amazon
Very durable construction
Lined drawers
Heavy and can be hard to move
If you’d love to tackle bigger projects in your workshop or garage, but lack the space for a separate workbench and tool chest, the Husky 46-Inch Tool Chest with Hardwood Top is the answer to your prayers. This super-sturdy tool chest is all-steel construction, other than the hardwood top, which serves as a workbench.
There are nine lockable drawers total: one extra long, six regular, and two extra-deep. The bottom drawers each have a 200-pound weight capacity, while the other seven drawers each hold up to 100 pounds of tool weight. All drawers are lined to protect your tools and prevent scratches. There’s even an integrated charging bar on the side of the chest with four outlets and two USB ports so you can power up your tools’ batteries as needed.
The workbench measures 46 inches in width, 24.5 inches deep, and 37 inches in height, including the 5-inch casters.
Price at time of publish: $498
Drawers: 9 | Width: 46 inches | Height: 37 inches | Depth: 24.5 inches | Power Strip: Yes
Best Wall-Mounted
Craftsman 2000-Series 28-Inch Wall-Mounted Cabinet CMST22800RB
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Amazon
Perfect for extra storage or for small tool collection
Keeps floor space open
Few complaints that assembly instructions aren't clear enough
If you don’t have much available floor space in your garage or workshop, then you’ll love the Craftsman 2000-Series Wall-Mounted Cabinet. You’ll need to assemble this handy cabinet and then mount it to your wall, but once in place, you have a spot to stash tools, drills, and other supplies. The heavy-duty steel cabinet has one interior shelf for a total of two shelves, a magnetic catch to keep the doors securely closed, and a lock for extra security.
The cabinet measures 28 inches wide, 28 inches tall, and 12 inches deep. Each shelf can support up to 100 pounds, for a total of 200 pounds capacity. The cabinet itself weighs 34 pounds and must be securely mounted to studs. All hanging hardware and instructions are included. This is a great way to add extra storage space when a floor-standing tool chest isn’t quite enough, or to hold a small collection of tools while keeping floors clear.
Price at time of publish: $169
Drawers: None | Width: 28 inches | Height: 28 inches | Depth: 12 inches | Power Strip: No
Best Oversize
Seville Classics UltraHD 12-Drawer Rolling Workbench
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Amazon
Very attractive
Lots of storage space and options
Low total weight capacity
If you need a lot of storage space, but not necessarily for the heaviest tools, then you’ll like the Seville Classics Ultra-HD 12-Drawer Mega Workbench, which is not only larger than most other tool cabinets, but also far more sleek and stylish. That makes it a good choice not only for a garage workshop, but also in a kitchen or art studio. This rolling steel tool chest is topped with a 1.5-inch-thick solid wood top that serves as a large workbench.
There are 12 drawers total: eight small, three medium, and one large. The drawers glide smoothly on ball-bearing slides and are padded. There’s also a cabinet with a height-adjustable shelf for storing larger items. Four 5-inch heavy-duty casters, along with a side handle, make it fairly easy to move the tool chest when needed. There’s a lock for extra security. However, it must be noted that the weight capacity is rather low at 30 pounds per drawer, for a total weight capacity of 500 pounds for the entire tool chest.
The Seville Classics Ultra-HD Mega Workbench is 72 inches wide, 37.5 inches tall including the casters, and 20 inches deep.
Price at time of publish: $530
Drawers: 12 | Width: 72 inches | Height: 37.5 inches | Depth: 20 inches | Power Strip: No
Best Portable
Gearwrench 20-Inch 3-Drawer Tool Box
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Amazon
Very sturdy
Perfect for small hand tools
Can be tricky to lock drawers
While typically tool chests are large, bulky items intended for equally large tool collections, there are times you need something a little—or a lot—smaller. For those occasions, the Gearwrench 20-Inch Steel Tool Box is the solution. This sturdy steel tool chest is a great choice for storing extra tools, using as an emergency tool box in your truck, toting the essentials to a job site away from home, or just corralling your basic household tools.
The three drawers have ball-bearing slides for smooth performance. Each drawer is 2 inches high. The top of the box lifts up, revealing a further 2.5-inch storage area. There’s a handle atop the box for easy portability. A lock lets you secure your tools when not in use.
The Gearwrench tool box measures 20 inches wide, 8 inches deep, and 12 inches tall.
Price at time of publish: $90
Drawers: 3 | Width: 20 inches | Height: 12 inches | Depth: 8 inches | Power Strip: No
Best for DIY Mechanics
Performance Tool 3-Drawer Roller Seat
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Amazon
Padded seat
Magnetic fold-down trays
Few complaints about casters not rolling smoothly
When doing work that requires crouching down low, which is often the case while working on your car, your legs and back can really get tired. That’s when the Performance Tool 3-Drawer Roller Seat really comes in handy. This ingenious product basically shrinks a typical tool chest down to the size of a stool. In fact, with the comfortable top pad, you can actually sit on this chest.
The chest has three small drawers and 16 exterior storage slots to hold your tools as you work. There are also two fold-down, magnetic storage trays to hold nuts, bolts, or other small items. With the drawers directly underneath you as you sit, all you have to do is reach down to find and switch out tools. The four 2-inch ball-bearing casters provide a stable base to glide around hard surfaces like the garage floor, while the thick, vinyl-covered padded top will keep you comfortable for long periods.
The chest's overall dimensions are 27 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 18 inches high.
Price at time of publish: $141
Drawers: 3 | Width: 27 inches | Height: 18 inches | Depth: 14 inches | Power Strip: No
If you need a large tool chest loaded with storage options, as well as handy features like a built-in work light and a powerstrip, then our top choice, the Husky 52-Inch Heavy-Duty Rolling Combination Tool Chest, is your best option. But if budget is a concern, and you don’t need a cabinet that’s as large or robust, consider the WORKPRO 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest.
What to Look for in a Tool Chest
Size
Tool chests, as a general rule, are large. You’ll find options as big as 6 feet in width, although of course there are also smaller choices—there are tool chests under 2 feet in width, as well as 3 to 4 feet across. The size that’s right for you depends on both the size of your tool collection and the amount of space you have in your garage or workshop. Measure carefully before buying; you don’t want to get your tool chest home only to discover that it doesn’t fit where you had planned on putting it. If horizontal space is in short supply, consider a tool chest that is tall but narrow, or a wall-mounted unit. While these options generally don't hold quite as much as wider chests, many still hold a significant amount of tools.
Drawers
Small tool chests might only have three or four drawers, while large chests could have as many as 16. There’s no right or wrong number here, just what works best for you in terms of space and organization needs. Along with the number of drawers total, you should consider the drawer size; typically, there will be a couple of deep drawers toward the bottom for large power tools, and several shallower drawers for smaller hand tools.
Another important consideration is the drawer weight capacity. Large, sturdy tool chests can often support as much as 100 pounds per drawer, but smaller chests usually hold less weight. Finally, the best tool chests have ball-bearing, slow-close drawer slides for smooth operation without a slam.
Casters
Just about all large tool chests have casters so you can maneuver the chest to where you need it, and then easily push it back into its storage spot. Casters should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the chest plus your tools, which can add up to hundreds of pounds. You’ll also want casters that lock to prevent the tool chest from drifting out of place or moving when you open a drawer. Commonly, tool chests also have a handle on the side so you can easily pull or push the chest into position.
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How do you organize a tool chest?
An organized tool chest will save you time and increase your efficiency by making it easy to access what you need. Start organizing your tool chest by emptying it out and laying out your tools on a flat surface. Group tools by type: heavy-duty tools such as drills, smaller tools such as screwdrivers and hammers, measuring tools such as levels and measuring tape, and supplies such as duct tape or sandpaper. Discard any broken tools, give away duplicates, and make note of anything you need.
Clean your toolbox before adding items back. While there is no one method for achieving an organized tool chest, and you should do what works best for you, in general store heavier tools at the bottom, medium-sized tools in the middle, and smaller supplies at the top. It also makes sense to sort and label small supplies such as nails and screws so you won’t waste time rooting around for the right size in the middle of a project or job.
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How do you move a tool chest?
Moving a tool chest is a big issue for people whose work requires transporting a lot of tools, and it can be a challenge depending on how heavy your tool chest is and how far you need to move it. Most tool chests have wheels to help you move them between locations and around a workspace. You can make moving a heavy tool chest a little less painful by removing drawers before transporting. For a smaller tool chest, try removing heavy items to lighten the load.
Keep in mind that if you are driving long distances, the contents are bound to shift, so secure it properly with furniture straps. An extra pair of hands always helps, but you may also need a car jack and a dolly to move the chest between your workspace and the transport vehicle, and from there to the job site and back again, so plan accordingly.
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Can I keep my tool chest outdoors?
If space is limited inside your garage or workshop, you might be tempted to keep your tool chest in the yard or by the side of the garage. However, unless the tool chest is specifically made for outdoor use, this isn’t a good idea. Most tool chests are made of steel and will quickly rust if exposed to the elements, leading to damage to the tools stored inside.
If you really don’t have room for a full tool chest, consider a wall-mounted option, or look for a plastic storage chest that can withstand rain without wetting the tools stored inside.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs.
For this roundup, she considered dozens of tool chests, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and customer feedback, as well as input from Eamon Lynch, director of warranty service at Power Home Remodeling.
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