Investing into a heavy duty tool chest will allow you to organize and store all your tools or garage equipment. They are constructed to withstand tough environments and available in multiple designs to best suit your requirements.
The best tool chest is the Milwaukee Heavy Duty 16 Drawer Set, which has a 20 gauge steel construction and provides up to 27,223 cubic inch of storage space.
Tool chests are built to last and you may not ever need to buy another one in your lifetime. Therefore, investing into the best currently available that ticks every box is highly recommended as it will improve your efficiency and keep your tools safe.
Table of Contents
Tool Chest Comparison
| Tool Chest | Cubic Inch Capacity | Drawers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Heavy Duty | 27,223 | 16 |
| Husky Rolling Set | 37,795 | 23 |
| Viper VXXL86UBBL | 41,700 | 22 |
| BCP Two Piece | 9,300 | 10 |
| Craftsman Portable | 1,539 | 3 |
| Husky Drawer Chest | 5,113 | 5 |
| Seville Classics UltraHD | 3,000 | 6 |
| Viper V218MCWH | 904 | 2 |
| TANKSTORM TZ37-BK | 5,000 | 7 |
| Keter 240762 | 600 | 5 |
Garage tool chests are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and weights. Some people may only use a tool chest in their garage but others may require a portable tool chest for tasks outside of the garage. However, many brands offer two piece designs that allow you to have the best of both worlds.
You will only ever buy a tool chest once or twice in your lifetime due to their heavy duty design. For this reason, it’s worthwhile investing slightly more for the best available.
Below is a list of the best tool chests that will securely store all your tools and garage equipment within multiple drawers.
The Best Tool Chest
1. Milwaukee Heavy Duty Garage Tool Chest
Milwaukee are a highly reputable brand that are known for their superior quality. This tool chest follows that great reputation and is constructed of a 20 gauge steel with ball bearing slides that can handle a weight capacity of 100 LBS each.
In terms of the capacity of this tool chest, it provides up to 27,223 cubic inch of storage space, which is more than enough for most mechanics.
Other features of the Milwaukee Drawer include:
- 16 drawers
- Weight capacity of 1,800 LBS
- Lined drawers for protection
- Soft close drawers
- Lid with a gas strut mechanism
- 3 rounded tubular handles
- Separate lock
Compared with similar sized tool chests, the Milwaukee 16 drawer chest offers excellent value for the money. It’s been built to last with a solid 20 gauge steel construction that is designed to withstand even the toughest of garage environments.
Check it Out2. Husky 23 Drawer Garage Tool Chest
Husky are a brand that produce a variety of tool chests and their flag ship model is the 23 drawer option. It comes at a premium price but it’s built to high standards and designed specifically for mechanics with a large amount of tools.
In terms of the loading capacity, it provides up to 37,795 cubic inch of space with a weight capacity of 2,500 LBS.
Other features of the Husky 23 Drawer Chest include:
- Each drawer is rated to 100 LBS
- Ball bearing slides and soft closing
- Matte black textured finish
- 56 x 20 x 64.9 inches (W x D x H) in size
- Extra deep bottom drawers
- Six heavy duty caster wheels
- Built-in power strip with 8 outlets and 2 USB ports
- Includes a magnetic mechanics work light
Depending if you can afford the price of this Husky tool chest, it’s one of the best examples available. It’s their new and more advanced design that even includes an integrated power strip for powering up any power tools or other appliances.
If you are looking for a long lasting tool chest built by a reputable brand, the Husky 23 Drawer model will not disappoint.
Check it Out3. Viper Ultimate Tool Chest For Garage
If you are on a tight budget, this mechanics tool chest is certainly not advisable. The Viper VXXL86UBBL is the ULTIMATE tool chest that is 86 inches wide and contains a total of 22 drawers for storing all of your tools. It’s one of the largest rolling options available and is suited to professionals.
To maximize usability, the center drawer can be used as a flat work surface, which is very desirable for mechanics.
Other features of the Viper VXXL86UBBL include:
- 41,700 cubic inch of storage space
- Each drawer can handle 250 LBS
- 2 vertical peg board drawers
- 2 large lid compartments with gas struts
- 8 rolling casters
- Weighs 1,473 LBS
- Lifetime warranty
Although it weighs 1,473 LBS, it’s a rolling tool chest that uses 8 swivel casters, which makes it highly portable for moving around the garage.
The Viper XXL is the best tool chest for professionals and you will struggle to completely fill it because its so big. Viper also offer other smaller tool chests for those that cannot fit this 86 inch wide construction in their garage.
Check it Out4. Best Choice Products Rolling Tool Chest
An affordable option that offers plenty of storage space and is a rolling tool chest is by the Best Choice Products brand. It’s constructed of a durable steel and is made portable by the four omni-directional swivel casters.
The tool chest offers a total of 10 drawers and is 23. 5 L x 13.0 W x 42.5 H in size, which is the ideal size for most garages.
Other features of the Best Choice Products Cabinet include:
- 9,300 cubic inch of storage space
- Drawers and tray are lined with a foam mat
- Versatile two piece design
- Weight capacity of 295 LBS
- Side handle for easy rolling motion
- 30 LBS drawer weight capacity
- Red powder coated finish
It’s an affordable and large tool chest, which would be a great choice for mechanics on a budget. Compared to the premium options, it does lack storage space but it’s a fraction of the cost and is able to easily roll or be used as a portable tool chest.
Check it Out5. Craftsman Portable Tool Chest
Not everyone has the space in their garage for a large tool chest and may need to bring their tools with them on a job. The Craftsman 3-Drawer is a high quality garage tool chest that offers great portability and storage in limited space.
A unique feature of the Craftsman box is that the drawers will only open if the top lid is open, which prevents any tools from falling out.
Other features of the Craftsman Tool Chest include:
- 3 heavy duty drawers
- Draws lock automatically when top lid is shut
- Ergonomic top handle
- Hasp and stable for padlocks
- Design for mechanics on the move
- Weighs just 19.4 LBS
- Made in the USA
Craftsman have done an excellent job with this portable tool chest, which has been designed for mechanics on the move. It’s the best cheap tool chest and you will not be disappointed with the quality compared to other cheaper alternatives.
Check it Out6. Husky Limited Edition Tool Chest
A more affordable option by the popular Husky brand is their 5 drawer tool chest, which they state is a “limited edition” model. It provides up to 5,113 cubic inch of storage space for all your tools and each drawer can support up to 100 LBS.
In order to maximize durability, it’s made entirely from a high grade all welded steel construction, which will be very long lasting.
Other features of the Husky Limited Edition Chest include:
- Textured black power coating
- Recessed aluminum side handles
- Internal keyed locking system with 2 keys
- Smooth moving ball bearing slides
- Chrome gas struts
- Weight capacity of 500 LBS
As this tool chest is made by reputable Husky brand, it does come with a more expensive price tag. However, it features many premium options that are not found in cheaper alternatives and it also comes with a 3 year limited warranty.
Check it Out7. Seville Classics Rolling Tool Chest
The Seville Classic UltraHD is a rolling tool chest that has a stainless steel construction with a hardwood top. Unlike other tool chests, it’s by far the most aesthetically pleasing and can be used elsewhere other than the garage.
It has a 6 drawer construction with the bottom drawer providing a 10 inch deep space, which is ideal for storing bulky items.
Other features of the Seville Classic UltraHD include:
- Dimensions are 28 x 24 x 34.5 inches
- Heavy duty 5 inch casters
- Two casters are lockable
- Stainless steel construction
- Solid hardwood top
- Includes drawer mats and black bumpers
- Loading capacity of 300 LBS
The Seville Classic UltraHD is the best rolling tool chest that is intuitively designed and is heavy duty to withstand the tough garage environment. It’s important to note that the manufacturer doesn’t assemble this tool chest but it’s fairly straightforward to do so yourself.
Check it Out8. Viper V218MCWH Mini Tool Chest
If you wish to remain with the reputable Viper brand, they offer a much smaller 2 drawer alternative, which is far more popular. Each drawer uses a smooth ball bearing slider with hold-in detents, which can withstand up to 50 LBS.
Unlike other small tool chests that are cheaply made, the V218MCWH has a 18 gauge steel frame and includes a lifetime warranty.
Other features of the Viper V218MCWH include:
- Two side handles for portability
- Extruded aluminum drawer pulls
- Tubular am lock with matching keys
- Powder coated finish for durability
- 904 cubic inches of storage space
- Available in multiple colors
The Viper V218MCWH is a premium tool chest that offers a high quality portable option that is built to last. Although it comes with a premium price tag, the brand provide a lifetime warranty for peace of mind.
Check it Out9. TANKSTORM TZ37-BK Tool Chest
The TZ37-BK tool chest by TANKSTORM is a high quality example that is available in multiple configurations. The brand offers a 2, 4, 5 and 7 drawer option where each uses four swivel casters for portability and can be locked in place to prevent movement.
A unique feature of this tool chest is the rubber mat at the top, which allows you to place items onto it without the worry of them slipping off.
Other features of the TANKSTORM TZ37-BK include:
- 350 LBS loading capacity
- EVA mats in each drawer
- Ball bearing slide
- Black matte powder coating finish
- 24.25 x 13 x 34.3 inches in size
- Locking mechanism to keep drawer content secure
- Gross weight of 62.5 LBS
Overall, it’s an excellent all-round tool chest with plenty of options to best suit your requirements. The only main drawback is that compared to some of the alternatives, it’s fairly pricey and it doesn’t have a reputable brand backing it.
Check it Out10. Keter 240762 Modular Tool Chest
The Keter 240762 is a unique tool chest with 5 drawers, which include 16 removable bins and dividers that can be easily rearranged. Although it’s not made from metal, it instead uses a durable polypropylene resin construction that can withstand up to 154 LBS of weight.
To make it as versatile as possible, Keter have included a deep bottom drawer that can easily store bulky tools and equipment.
Other features of the Keter 240762 include:
- Each drawer can support 22 LBS
- 22.1 x 11.3 x 23.5 inches in size (W x D x H)
- Central locking system
- Integrated carrying handles
- Worktop space on the top of the chest
- 4 durable swivel caster for movement
Although it isn’t suitable for lots of heavy tools or equipment, it’s a great option for storing fasteners, small tools and other supplies. It’s a premium plastic option that is a better investment than a metal alternative that is cheaply made.
Check it OutTool Chest Buying Guide
Investing in a quality tool chest for your garage can transform the looks of your garage and improve your work rate. Not only does it provide excellent organization for your tools but it’s something that you only buy once or twice in your lifetime.
Many people see garage tool chests as an expensive storage solution but that is not the case. They allow you to keep all your tools organized and secure via a locking drawers.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding tool chests.
Tool Chest Size
Choosing the size that best suits your requirements depends on whether you require it to be portable and the amount of tools you own. Large tool chests are not designed to be portable and will mostly stay inside the garage the majority of the time.
If you work remotely or travel from job to job, a portable tool chest is the best option. Some brands include a clever 2 piece design that allows you to have the best of both worlds.
A big mistake would be buying a tool storage chest and running out of space. Check how many tools you own and ensure the longest tool is less than the length of the drawer.
For example, a torque wrench will require additional length compared to a screwdriver. Another issue that may arise is the depth of each drawer because some tools may be fairly bulky and not fit into the drawer. For example a cordless impact wrench will have a chunky battery, which will require additional space inside the drawer.
Loading Capacity Weight
To avoid damaging the sliding drawers, you will want to avoid overloading them. Each manufacturer will provide a loading capacity of each drawer, which usually range from 50 to 100 LBS. By placing too much weight into the drawer, you risk bending the mechanism, which will make closing the drawer virtually impossible.
The best tool chest recommendations can withstand plenty of weight and you have the peace of mind that the mechanism won’t become damaged.
Static or Rolling
Large tool chests can weigh over 2,000 LBS when fully loaded and will remain in a single location for many years. However, many come with casters that allow you to push the unit around the garage with very little effort.
The benefit of a rolling tool chest is that you are able to bring it as close as you can in the garage. However, this may be a drawback in some circumstances as it can move and damage something inside the garage. Therefore, it’s highly advised that you choose one that has brakes on each caster.
Lockable Draws
Not only is the tool chest expensive to purchase, so are all the tools and garage equipment that you store in them. Many modern examples come with a lockable mechanisms on a certain drawers, which you can store the most expensive items. This will prevent anyone attempting to steal tools whilst they are alone in your garage.
In terms of the locking mechanism, you may notice that the premium examples will use a tubular lock and the budget tool chests using a standard padlock and key lock. Both will do the job of locking the draws but the tubular will be robust in case someone tries breaking the lock.
Maintenance
As with any garage equipment, overtime you should be prepared to spend a little time maintaining the tool chest. Lubricating the sliders and casters is highly recommended as they can become ceased if they are not used as much.
Some people wash their tool chests on a regular basis and even apply wax on to the metal surfaces to increase the shine.
Conclusion
A tool chest is a long term investment that should have a minimum life span of at least 10 years. Taking your time to research and see what is available is highly advised.
All of our recommendations are suitable to mechanics and various budgets. To avoid disappointment, we advise that you check for any warranties and ensure it has enough space to store all of your garage tools.
