For many craftsman or hobbyists, tools will begin to pile up as your passion and love for your craft grows.
Since it’s important to make sure you always have the right tool close at hand, it’s also important to make sure that your tools are kept somewhere safe and secure, and that your workspace is clean and organized.
However, tool chests are not a one size fits all type of purchase. Different people will have different organizational needs, as well as aesthetic requirements. It’s important when you make a purchase like this to consider all of your options.
This buyers guide will cover the top ten best tool chests, as well as giving you a brief overview of each one.
Best Tool Chest of 2019
| Image | Name | Dimensions | Special Features | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Excel TB2105X (Editors' Choice) | 16 x 26 x 12 in | Lock with two keys, Drawers Support Up To 50 Lbs | $$ | |
 | WEN 74706 | 12.5 x 26 x 14.75 in | 1,832 cubic inches of storage space | $$ | |
 | Viper Tool Storage V218MCBL | 18 x 10 x 11.5 in | Each drawer offers 50-pound capacity, Locking detents keep the drawers closed until you open them | $$ | |
 | Seville Classics UltraHD | 34.5 x 24 x 28 in | 5 Inch heavy-duty wheels (2 locking). Loading Capacity: 300 lbs | $$$ | |
 | Craftsman 3-Drawer Toolbox | 23 x 14 x 11 inches | Drawers lock automatically when lid is closed | $ | |
 | Viper Tool Storage V4109WHR | 41 x 44.12 x 18.25 in | Built tough from 18G steel, Limited lifetime warranty | $$$$ | |
 | Goplus 22-Inch Steel Chest | 12 x 22 x 33.5 in | Sturdy steel construction | $$ | |
 | OEMTOOLS 24629 | 72.09 x 22.44 x 60.7 in | 1.0 mm Steel Shell, 26 Drawers with Full Extension 100 Lbs | $$$$$ | |
 | Viper Tool Storage V1804BLR | 16 x 18.1 x 36.5 in | Internal keyed locking system deters prying and theft | $$$ | |
 | Excel TB2040BBSA | 26 x 12.7 x 15 in | Double Wall Steel Chest, Lock with two keys | $$ |
Excel TB2105X Blue – An Affordable Tool Chest for Beginners Under $200
The Excel TB2105X is a five drawer tool chest, with ball bearing slides.
The chest is sixteen inches tall, twelve inches deep, and twenty-six inches long. The total weight is fifty-one pounds. The drawers themselves support up to 50 pounds and come with liners. There is also a storage space at the top, with a flip up section.
The Excel comes with a lock, for those who are worried about being able to secure valuable tools. The exterior is powder coated paint to protect against the elements. The chest itself features a steel body. The chest also features handles built into the side for easy movement and transport.
The Excel is a sturdy box, and it’s lower height makes it harder to tip over, a useful feature if it resides in the back of a truck or some other less stable surface. The drawers function well, though there can be some difficulties with locking and unlocking the toolbox if the top is down, or the drawers are slightly crooked.
Some customers have reported issues with rusting in the interior of the toolbox, especially the bottom corners. Others have expressed some frustration with the packaging and initial delivery. The toolchest can come with some dents, which mar the finish and in some cases the functionality of the device.
- The toolbox features a great amount of storage room and can support quite a lot of tools
- For a mid-size tool chest, this one has quite a bit of storage, including an extra top section. Storage has been optimized here.
- Attention has been shown to the long-term usage of this chest, with a powder coated outside. This should prevent rust and help the steel box to last longer.
- There have been issues with packaging and handling resulting in dents and damages.
- The powder coating is only on the outside, leaving the inside of the box vulnerable to rust
- There can be some issues with the locking mechanisms.
WEN 74706 – Best Tool Chest for Home
The WEN 74706 is a six drawer tool box, with a storage space in the top of the chest. Each drawer can support one hundred pounds of weight.
The WEN is twelve and a half inches deep, twenty-six inches long, and fourteen and three/fourths inches tall. It weighs just shy of fifty-four pounds. All told, it includes 1,832 cubic inches of storage.
The drawers also come equipped with locks, to be able to secure tools. It comes with two handles for easy transport and movement. The outside is a finished, textured metal.
The WEN 74706 is generally highly rated by the users. The unit is well built and solid. The drawers can sometimes be a little “sticky” for some people’s tastes, but you can adjust them from a spring release to a standard push and pull system. Some people express issues with the locking mechanisms, which is something to consider if security is an important factor. Overall, this box is well built and dependable.
- Textured metal finish to resist rust
- Drawers have two different “settings”, spring loaded or easy open
- Locking mechanism can be tricky or nonfunctional.
Viper Tool Storage V218MCBL – Best Small Portable Tool Chest
The Viper V218MCBL actually comes in a variety of colors, the first on this list to have an ability to customise according to your color preferences.
This tool chest has two drawers and is eighteen inches wide, ten inches deep, and eleven and a half inches tall. It weighs twenty-three and a half pounds. Each drawer can take fifty pounds of weight, with an extra space on top for more storage.
The Viper also comes with two side handles for easy transport. The Viper also features a powder coated finish to protect against all manners of environments.
The V218MCBL is an excellent toolbox for small tools. The box is well built and sturdy. Its small size means that it’s easy to tote around and use for a variety of purposes. The viper is highly rated, with customers using it for both indoor and outdoor uses, like portable toolboxes and modeling kits.
The drawers are easy to open and close, and they come with liners. The locking system ensures simple, easy security, as well as making sure that nothing will move around in transport.
- Multiple uses
- Different color options
- Powder coated finish
- Only two drawers
Seville Classics UltraHD – Good Rolling Cabinet for the Money
The Seville measures twenty-four inches deep, thirty-five inches tall, and twenty-eight inches long. This model also boasts a wooden worktop, as well as wheels that mean it can be moved around for your convenience.
Tool cabinet is capable of supporting up to three hundred pounds, and the weight of the unit clocks in at one hundred and fifteen pounds. The bottom portion of the unit is comprised of stainless steel outside, with five small drawers, and another deeper one on the bottom.
The unit’s outside is powder coated to increase durability and lend a more finished air to the final product.
Seville UltraHD is generally highly rated. Customers appreciate the deep bottom drawer to store things that might not fit in a standard sized tool drawer. The drawers also lock, adding extra security to the chest.
The wheels and wooden worktop make it a convenient wheel along tool chest and the quality of the unit is very good. Complaints mainly seem to focus on the fact that the unit comes disassembled, and the instructions can sometimes be confusing or hard to follow, or not present at all. The other issue is that only the outside of the unit is powder coated, which means that the inner part of the unit can be vulnerable to rust and the elements.
- Wheeled assembly
- Powder Coated exterior
- Worktop for projects and easy assembly
- Deep bottom drawer for extra storage
- Self assembly
- No coating on interior
Craftsman 3-Drawer Metal Portable Chest Toolbox – Best Under $50
This craftsman toolbox is twenty-three inches long, fourteen inches deep, and eleven inches high. The unit weighs a little over nineteen pounds and is featured in the classic craftsman red.
The tools chest features three drawers, as well as a top storage area. The top latches shut, and the entire unit can lock. The chest locks as well, giving added security to the unit.
Craftsman has a reputation for quality and in this toolbox, that’s proven again. The unit is durable and well made, with the drawers and hinges operating smoothly. It can be used for a variety of projects, and the drawers feature an inside coating as well.
Many people prefer to gift craftsman because of their sterling reputation and focus on high quality, and this unit is no exception. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who might be new to tools or is just looking for another unit to expand their collection with.
- Quality materials and build
- Coated interior and exterior for durability
- Craftsman brand quality
- Locks and latches for extra security
- Only three drawers
- Shorter than some buyers may prefer
Viper Tool Storage V4109WHR – Professional Quality for Under $1000
This Viper V4109WHR is another model to come in multiple colors, so there’s sure to be one to suit everyone’s needs. The V4109WHR is a rolling tool chest, with high-quality wheels, two of which lock for safety reasons.
The unit is built from eighteen gauge steel, and the powder coated exterior comes in a variety of colors. There are nine drawers, each capable of holding up to one hundred pounds of weight.
The viper is forty-one inches tall, forty-four inches wide, and eighteen inches deep. The unit weighs two hundred and forty-eight pounds and comes equipped with a cam locking system as well.
The V4109WHR is also equipped with a limited lifetime warranty, and the unit performs fairly well. The unit comes disassembled, but assembly is fairly easy with the included instructions. The drawers experience a few separate issues, with some customers experiencing warping, meaning the drawers do not open fully. The unit overall is a high-quality piece for a fairly low price tag.
- Powder coated exterior
- Wheels for easy transport
- Variety of drawer sizes
- Locking system
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Top Quality for Under $ 1000
- Drawers can be a little hard to open
- Assembly required
Goplus 22-Inch Steel Rolling Tool Chest – Choice for garage with wheels
The Goplus is twenty-two inches wide, twelve inches deep, and thirty-three and a half inches tall, with the wheels on. It does come with wheels, though you’ll have to put those on yourself once the unit is delivered.
The Goplus is capable of holding up to one hundred and seventy-six pounds, with the small drawers holding thirty-three pounds, and the larger drawers holding forty-four pounds.
There are four drawers in total, and they boast a ball bearing slide for easy open. The Goplus also has a top storage section as well. The unit has a powder coated finish for durability.
The Goplus does not have a locking mechanism, which puts it at a disadvantage to some of the other units on our list. Additionally, while the chest boasts a steel construction, the metal is quite thin, and the unit is not recommended for professional or contractor use.
The drawers open and shut well, and they lock. They also come in a variety of sizes, which is always useful to store more things than just wrenches and screwdrivers.
- Four drawers and a top storage section
- Powder coated
- Wheels included
- Flimsy metal
- No locking mechanism
OEMTOOLS 24629 – An Expensive Tool Chest Combo
The OEMtools 24629 comes with three different color options and three separate build options as well. The combo version comes with twenty-six separate drawers of varying sizes, as well as a top storage section and wheels for easy portability.
The unit measures seventy-two inches wide, nineteen and seven/tenths inches deep, and a little over twenty-two inches wide. It weighs in at six hundred and forty pounds.
The 24629 has a one-millimeter steel shell, as well as a latching system for each individual drawer to keep them secure. The drawers on the 24629 come with liners, and each is capable of holding up to one hundred pounds. The unit also comes with two sturdy handles on either side, for easy transport.
- Three different color and layout options
- Individual drawer latches
- Wheels for easy portability
- Price
Viper Tool Storage V1804BLR – An Excellent Solution for Small Spaces (Under $500)
This Viper V1804BLR comes with eight different color options. It also features five drawers, each capable of holding a hundred pounds, and a powder coated finish.
This chest stands thirty-six inches tall, sixteen inches wide, and eighteen inches deep. There’s also an optional side handle that will increase the width to eighteen and a half inches.
The Viper comes with wheels, to make this chest easier to move around with you. The chest also comes with a cam lock with security. There’s also a limited lifetime warranty. The unit is fairly highly reviewed, with the only customer complaints being some damage in shipping and the very bottom drawer not being on bearings.
- Variety of colors
- Deep drawers
- Compact width for tight spaces
- Bottom drawer does not have bearings
Excel TB2040BBSA – Perfect Solution For Beginner
This tool-chest comes with two color options. It boasts six drawers with ball bearing slides, and a top storage section.
The TB2040BBSA also comes with two steel handles and a double steel wall. The outside of the unit is powder coated, and the unit locks for added security.
The Excel is twenty-six inches long, almost thirteen inches deep and fifteen inches high. The unit weighs a total fifty-one pounds. Excel is rated well, with the aesthetics and durability being high on it’s better qualities. Chest also recommended for beginners and home craftsman who might not have very much to stores.
- Double steel wall
- Powder coated exterior
- Durable and compact storage solution
- Not quite durable enough for professional use
- A little low on space for professional users
Best Tool Chest for the Money – Buyer’s Guide
When looking for a tool chest, it’s important to first identify your specific needs and desires. Below is a list of common qualities buyers find important in toolboxes, with specific qualities and brands to focus on for each.
It’s important to consider how you’ll be using the box. Is it for at home use? In that case, the Goplus or Excel models are excellent values for the price. Professional contractors and mechanics might need something with more heft to it, like the Craftsman or Viper models.
The list below will help you narrow down more specific qualities to focus on, with leaders in each category listed below.
Aesthetics
- Powder coating
- Variety of colors
- Slim or compact designs
- Brands to look for include the Viper series for color options and compact storage, as well as Craftsman for that classic look. The Seville also scores highly as well, with the wooden worktop lending an extra element of class.
Durability
- Steel body or shell
- Coated interior and exterior
- Well built or assembled units
- Most units scored fairly high, with Craftsman, Seville and Viper models earning the top slots.
Maximum storage
- Lots of drawers
- Variety of sizes and depths to fulfill more storage needs
- Top contenders would be OEMtools, the Viper V1804BLR and V218MCBL leading the pack.
Conclusion
This list of toolboxes will help you narrow down which chest would be best for you, according to your specific needs. There’s something on the list for everyone, from budding craftsman to heavy duty professional.
Tool chests at their core haven’t changed much in the last years, with powder coating, steel bodies, and locking drawers. However, more and more brands are beginning to focus on aesthetics, with sleeker designs and smaller footprints.
As brands figure out more and more how to meld customized exteriors with quality interiors, consumers are left with more and more options. As consumers are beginning to use tool chests for more than just outside or garage use, meaning that the variety of sizes and colors are becoming more and more important to buyers.
This increase in options is wonderful, as long as the quality stays the same because it means there will always be an offering for everyone.
Great info, but i’m wondering, what chest will be better for a small garage? Excel TB2040BBSA looks good, but WEN 74706 seem to be great too. I’m confused a little bit.
It’s good article to tell about the advantage of the chest. It’s useful guide for craftsman. Thanks for sharing.
different tool chests are shown safe and easy for keeping tools.several drawers are there in the chest.very useful when we have several tools .durability since steel doors nice article with details of several chests
Awesome post on best chests,what would be the essence of having valuable tools with no place to store them.I will recommend the excel chest for beginners because it pocket friendly.
These look like quality tool chests that are easy to carry and maneuver. I think the Craftsman 3-Drawer Metal Portable Chest Toolbox was especially intriguing with the weight it can hold and its portability. The Excel TB2105X Blue also looked impressive for a mid-size tool box that has premium storage space. Thank for sharing!
Nice piece of information. I still think about the type of chest which will prove good for a garage.
I will like to buy a good tool chest for storing tools at home, it very important which will help secure my tools, maybe WEN 74706 will be a good option for me.
This is great! I’m doing a renovation at home, and one thing that I would really want to organize are my tools. I really don’t have that much, so I was looking at the Excel and Viper Tool chest variants. Surprised to see them here in your list! What made it more great are your personal reviews too. Thanks for this, you made it easier for me to decide which one to purchase.
This is a great article. Thanks for sharing.
The WEN 74706 looks great to me. It has good pros though the rest are also somehow pleasing.
The pricey ones are always the good ones and that hurts me. Just kidding but really though, I really want one! Hope I can get one soon. Thank you for the informative review!
These are great for keeping the tools. I would like to have one later,keeps the tools organize but not sure which one to buy they are all great.
All of these tool chests look amazing! Just in time because I badly need a new one.
Oh wow, was thinking of getting one for my dad’s birthday. He’s a nut about tools, he likes tools, he lives and breathes tools! And yes, he needs a new tool chest to store all his tools in. He only keeps them in a random crate. Thanks for this very informative article! I’ll definitely share it with him.