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Tool chests, similar to tool bags or toolboxes, allow you to store all of your tools in one place. They often look like a cabinet with drawers and have wheels so that you can easily push them around. The biggest advantage of choosing a tool chest over other storage options is that you get more storage space, making it ideal for homeowners with a large collection of tools.
To learn about the best tool chest options on Amazon and what features to look for in each, read our review below, and check out our tools buying guide for more smart tips to remember when shopping for tools in your garage.
Top 4 Tool Chests
- Best Worktop: Seville Classics 6-Drawer Rolling Cabinet
- Most Storage Space: Husky Extra Deep 46-Inch 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench
- Best for Immobilizing Tools: Craftsman Tool Chest Combo
- Most Versatile: Goplus 6-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest
Best Worktop
Seville Classics 6-Drawer Rolling Cabinet
- $927.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 28 inches long x 18 inches deep x 34.5 inches tall
- Loading capacity of 300 pounds
- Steel body and wood worktop
- Six drawers and four wheels
- Front handle
- Lock and key
What Customers Are Saying
While this toolbox costs more than the other ones in this review, customers felt like the price was worth it because the tool chest is durable and made of stainless steel. One common complaint was that the tool chest was difficult to assemble.
Most Storage
Husky Extra Deep 46-Inch 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench
- $1
- $784
- 0% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 50.5 inches long x 28.8 inches deep x 34.3 inches tall
- Loading capacity of 1,100 pounds
- Steel body and wood worktop
- Nine drawers and four wheels
- Side handle
- Power strip with four outlets
- Lock and key
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this tool chest was big enough to fit all of their home improvement tools, including hand tools, power tools, and fasteners. They also said that the drawers opened and closed easily. However, a few customers said that it took longer than expected for their tool chest to arrive.
Best for Immobilizing
CRAFTSMAN Tool Chest Combo
- $269
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 31 inches long x 18 inches deep x 32 inches tall
- Load capacity of 300 pounds
- Made of alloy steel
- Five drawers and four wheels
- Roll of drawer liner
- Lock and key
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this toolbox had a large capacity, and was made from durable materials. However, others claimed it had difficult assembly, and others claimed it had overly sharp edges.
Most Versatile
Goplus 6-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest
- $220.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 13 inches long x 24.5 inches deep x 43.5 inches tall
- Load capacity of 242 pounds
- Available in red or black
- Made of steel
- Two drawers and open space on the bottom chest
- Four drawers and an open top on the detachable box
- Four wheels
- Side handle on the bottom chest and two side handles on the detachable box
- Lock and key
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews stated that this tool chest was sturdy, durable, and relatively compact, fitting comfortably into tight spaces. However, more than one customer received the product without its key, and if they completely closed the top portion of the tool chest, they weren’t able to access it.
Buying Guide
Tool chests are meant to hold a variety of tools, but some offer more storage and versatility than others. From mobility to security, here are a few factors to consider before purchasing a tool chest.
Mobility
Tool chests are large and can weigh a couple hundred pounds, so they may not be the best option if you’re planning on carrying your tools from place to place. However, if you’re working on a stationary project, having a chest with wheels allows you to move the chest over to the project instead of carrying individual tools back and forth from your workspace to the chest.
Storage
Most tool chests offer storage in the form of drawers. There are two characteristics to consider with these drawers: size and number. A tool chest with a combination of both small and large drawers will allow you to store tools of all sizes. You’ll also want to assess how many tools you have to determine how many drawers you need in your tool chest.
Steel thickness
Most tool chests are made of steel, but the steel’s thickness will vary from chest to chest. If you have a lot of heavy tools to store, you’ll want a thicker, more durable steel gauge of about 15. If you have fewer tools, 18- or 19-gauge steel should be enough. Keep in mind that the thicker the steel, the heavier the tool chest will be.
Versatility
Standard tool chests have a few drawers for storage. However, you can also get a versatile chest that has a wooden worktop or a detachable top half that acts as a toolbox. For example, the Seville Classics and Husky chests in this review are examples of tool chests with worktops, and the Goplus 6-Drawer is an example of a chest with a detachable top.
Security
Most tool chests will have a lock and key to unlock and lock its drawers. This added layer of protection can prevent theft of your tools. If your lock stops working, read the owner’s manual that comes with your tool chest to learn how to replace it.
Slide type
There are two types of slides used to open and close tool chest drawers: ball-bearing and non-bearing. Ball-bearing slides have ball or roller bearings that allow for a smooth, easy, and quiet open. The downside to these slides is that they’re more expensive than non-bearing, or friction slides. Non-bearing slides work on friction alone and are less efficient than ball-bearing slides, but they decrease the overall cost of the chest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tool chest and toolbox?
Tool chests are steel cabinets that hold all of your tools. Oftentimes, they come with wheels to allow for some movement. Toolboxes are small boxes composed of metal, composite, or plastic that are primarily used to carry your tools from place to place. They typically open at the top and have a handle or wheels for easy portability.
How do I protect my tools from hitting each other in the drawers?
Some tool chests, like the one from Craftsman, have lining in the drawers to prevent your tools from moving around. If your tool chest doesn’t have a lining, you can purchase a separate roll and cut it to fit each drawer. Another option is to purchase organizers that split the drawers into small compartments.
What is the maximum product weight?
This refers to the weight of the tool chest and the maximum loading capacity. If your tool chest has a maximum product weight of 2,000 pounds, and the tool chest itself weighs 200 pounds, that leaves 1,800 pounds for storing tools.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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