Keep Your Tools Tidy with the Best Garage Toolboxes You Can Buy

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When it comes to building out your dream garage, getting a high-quality toolbox is an absolute must. It's the same story whether you're a weekend DIYer who occasionally changes their own oil or a seasoned car enthusiast who's comfortable swapping out wheel bearings; having a dedicated place for all your wrenches, sockets, and power tools can save you both time and frustration.

A well-built toolbox not only helps you keep everything in its place but also allows you to maximize your garage space while ensuring your gear is easy to find when needed. From heavy-duty, professional-grade rolling toolboxes to compact, portable toolboxes designed for on-the-go work, we've put together a list of the best garage toolboxes to help you streamline your workspace and keep your tools in top shape. Let's dive into the best options available so you can spend less time searching and more time wrenching.

Thanks to a garage overhaul in early 2024, the Gear Team needed to kit out a new space with the best products to aid testing efforts. In the process, we got our hands on some of the top brands and styles currently available and evaluated them all based on their benefits and drawbacks for the typical DIY homeowner. To date, we've reviewed various types of garage gear, including shelving, workbenches, cabinets, and now, toolboxes.

Because there are so many toolboxes on the market, we felt it would be unfair to do a traditional comparison to determine "the best." So, as in most of our other garage-gear tests, we took a look at the pros and cons of each type of toolbox. For this test, we ordered a few top contenders and assembled them in our garage.

Because we couldn't feasibly purchase every type, style, and brand of garage toolbox on the market, we also took a field trip to a few local big-box tool stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight to check out the various offerings and get additional notes on all sorts of toolboxes. We spent days poring over details, features, and usability on garage toolboxes of all shapes and sizes, narrowing it down to the most notable, which we have included in this test.

Types of Garage Toolboxes

Not everyone's toolbox needs are the same. Some of us just need a place for a budding tool collection, while others need space for decades of acquired sockets, wrenches, and other doohickeys. It would be unfair for us to pit different individual toolboxes against each other, so for this test, we decided to compare and contrast the various types. We hope this information helps you make an informed purchase based on your needs and budget.

There are four main toolbox categories:

Workbench Toolboxes: These large toolboxes are incredibly useful for providing a place to both store and use your tools. Often featuring a wood-topped workbench and tons of drawers, a workbench toolbox is a great choice for folks who find themselves always tinkering on something in the garage. While useful, these behemoths take up quite a bit of valuable horizontal space, so if you're tight on that, look for something more compact.

Tool Chest Combos: If you need some serious tool storage while utilizing a more vertical approach, a tool chest combo might be the toolbox for you. These combos are usually two separate pieces: a bottom rolling box and a top chest with drawers and a hutch, though this can vary. The downside to these is a lack of a good-size workspace, but the increased storage capacity is great if you already have an extensive collection.

Toolbox Carts: If you find yourself walking back and forth to your toolbox more than necessary (although it's a good way to get your step count up), a toolbox cart can save the day. Featuring enough drawers to hold the essential tools, this wheeled toolbox is perfect for rolling to a convenient location to work on a project. While they lack the storage space of other types of toolboxes, carts are best for moving around wherever you need them.

Portable Toolboxes: Sometimes your tools need to explore the world with you, and the best way to do this is with a portable toolbox. Sizing varies with this type of box, ranging from tiny toolboxes for kids to large modular systems like Dewalt's Toughsystem or Milwaukee's Packout. If you need tools to go, a portable toolbox is really the only option.

Things to Consider When Buying a Garage Toolbox

Weight Capacity

If you have a boatload of tools, you're probably going to want a stronger, sturdier toolbox. Note the maximum load for each drawer and the entire box. Always better to play it safe than to overload your unit.

Material

Most garage-oriented toolboxes will be made of steel. Some smaller, portable examples will be made from reinforced plastic. They're not as strong, but they are lighter and good for transporting a variety of tools.

Storage

Lots of tools means lots of space to store them. Pay attention to the total storage capacity, usually listed in cubic inches, to ensure you'll have room for everything. Accessories and optional features and components can provide extra space and versatility if you need to optimize a little more.

Size and Mobility

The size of your toolbox can vary greatly depending on your needs. If you're looking for something easy to maneuver around your garage, a medium-size toolbox is the best option, especially if it has casters. There are monstrous toolboxes if you have room for a large, permanent tool-storage solution, and small, portable ones for tighter spaces and traveling.

Accessories

Modern garage toolboxes can come with all types of extra features, including power strips, pegboards, organization trays, and even charging drawers with integrated plugs. These can be useful, but they can also add to the cost. Focus on what is necessary first; you can always add options later.

Ease of Assembly

There are many different types of toolboxes to choose from, but assembly is something to think about. Some larger ones will come preassembled, but others might take a good hour or two. Unless you have three arms, it definitely helps to have more than one person to help.

Cost

You'll want to find a toolbox with the right balance of everything, but even then, there may be multiple options to choose from. Less expensive brands might offer similar levels of quality to premium ones, so you should go with a brand you trust at a price you can afford.

Our Garage Toolbox Recommendations

Tool Chest Combos

For the ultimate tool-storage system, you'll want to look into a tool chest combo. Usually consisting of two pieces, tool chest combos include a bottom rolling box and a top chest with a hutch and some additional drawers. Better yet, they stack vertically, so if you're short on space, they're a solid choice.

36-inch Tool Chest Combo

We were really quite impressed with this Kobalt Tool Chest Combo, noting things like soft-close drawers, robust handles on the side for rolling it around, and solid build quality. To keep your electric tools charged, a four-port power strip with two additional USB ports is included.

The blue might be a bit jarring for some, but thankfully, there are color options to choose from online. Lowe's also offers a limited three-year warranty on the combo, which could come in handy. Overall, this tool chest combo is among the best you'll find in terms of features, quality, and affordability.

42-Inch Standard Duty Tool Chest Combo

Somehow larger yet less pricey than the Kobalt, this Husky Tool Chest Combo does the trick. The box also features soft-close drawers (something we've really grown to like) and a power strip, featuring six 120-volt outlets and two USB ports.

So why a close second? We felt the sturdiness of the Husky was slightly less, and the handles on the drawers are a bit uncomfortable. But for total storage space at a better price, there's nothing wrong with picking up this combo.

Six-Drawer Tool Chest

To see if an Amazon special could hold a candle to store brands, we called in this tool chest combo from Goplus to see what's up. First impression: Assembly was easier than we expected. However, the good things trickled off there, as we found the construction to be flimsy, the handle locks finicky, and the weight capacity pitiful. Additionally, the top drawers are so shallow they'll hardly hold anything larger than a set of flat wrenches.

However, the relatively affordable price is worth noting. If you're looking for an inexpensive and relatively large rolling toolbox combo, this one does the job without breaking the bank. Just don't expect too much security or decades of durability.

Workbench Toolboxes

For the perfect balance of storage capacity and a built-in workspace, it's tough to beat a workbench toolbox. The purpose-built tops feature enough space to work on projects, while the drawers are numerous enough to hold the tools you need.

46-Inch Mobile Workbench Toolbox

Husky's wood-topped workbench toolbox caught our eye on the Home Depot floor, so we spent some time going over the box's details. Right off the bat, we noticed the wood top is beautiful and looks nice with the black color scheme. The drawers felt smooth, and they close magnetically, which we appreciated.

If you fall into the category of someone who is simply looking for a dependable toolbox that won't break the bank, this is our pick. Aside from a small wobble from the casters, it's a good-looking box; and even better at that price point.

Professional Roll Cab

The ICON series is Harbor Freight's top dog when it comes to tool storage. We called in this roller cab workbench toolbox to compare against more budget-friendly options, even though we feel this box is a deal on its own.

Harbor Freight is targeting premium professional-grade brands like Snap-on and MAC Tools with this box, and it's easy to see similarities. The lifetime warranty is nothing to sneeze at, and the box looks and feels well built. We loved the various 120-volt plugs, integrated power bar, and USB connections for all the electronics. In the bottom right drawer, there's a rack to contain all of your driver-style tools, such as drills and impact wrenches. Our one complaint is a lack of soft-close drawers, which even some cheaper brands feature.

In the end, though, this Harbor Freight toolbox holds up impressively for a garage toolbox and can even make a case to be featured in professional shops—for about one-fourth the cost of a big-brand professional-grade workbench toolbox.

2000 Series Workbench Toolbox

If you don't need a ton of tool storage but still want a sort of mobile work surface, this compact box from Craftsman might do the trick. Featuring five soft-close drawers with included liners, a pegboard on the side for additional storage, and four sleek casters, this workbench toolbox should fit nicely in your garage while taking up minimal space. If you prefer the traditional Craftsman red, it's available here.

Series 3 Workbench Toolbox

U.S. General's Series 3 workbench toolbox is a step below the ICON, but it is by no means a bad box. In fact, there is quite a discourse online about the two Harbor Freight subbrands, with many actually preferring the price point of the Series 3 over the ICON. We checked it out for ourselves.

Indeed, the ICON's price is hefty compared to the Series 3, especially considering you could add a top hutch and still get it for less. However, the quality of the construction in the Series 3 is notably flimsier, especially in the drawers. But a charging drawer, various color options, and the price make this an intelligent toolbox purchase.

Toolbox Carts

Perfect for wheeling around the garage, toolbox carts perfectly mate portability and storage. With enough drawers to hold essential tools, these carts are great for rolling right over to where your project is, so you don't need to walk back and forth endlessly.

4-Drawer Mechanics Toolbox Cart

Adding a toolbox cart to your garage can be invaluable, and we liked this one from Husky the best. We appreciated the inclusion of pegboards for more storage, and a reinforced handle gave us a sense of heightened build quality.

With tons of storage space, this toolbox cart is our pick for the best—and the three-year limited warranty is the cherry on top.

Heavy-Duty Toolbox Cart

JEGS is a staple in the automotive world, especially in aftermarket parts, so we had to include their cart in this list. This one features an interesting workbench top that splits sideways, rather than lifting up. This way, you're able to utilize it as a work surface while still gaining access to the contents within. Pretty neat.

30-Inch Four-Drawer Tech Cart

The Harbor Freight cart is a staple in garages all over, so we wanted to give this U.S. General tool cart a try. Fair warning—assembly was a bear with this thing. Bolts struggled to line up, fitment was wonky, and it took us longer than expected. However, once assembled, the cart felt quite substantial and robust.

Weight capacity and storage space are impressive for a cart, and the wide range of color options is nice. If you can trudge through the assembly process, the result is a solid cart for your tool needs.

Portable Toolboxes

If you need to bring your tools along with you, a portable toolbox is essential. Some are large, some are small, but all of them are meant to be moved around with ease. Some are stand-alone boxes, while others, like Milwaukee's Packout system, are totally modular and customizable.

DeWalt TSTAK Rolling Mobile Toolbox

Perhaps the ultimate portable toolbox, this DeWalt TSTAK option is perfect for tools on the go. The handle extends for easy rolling around without breaking your back, and the box is designed to be stacked for total modular use. TSTAK isn't quite as fleshed out as Milwaukee's Packout system, but it's expanding rapidly, and since you can typically get these DeWalt boxes for a bit less, we included this one.

Three-Drawer Toolbox

We already love GearWrench's wrenches, so we figured we'd try out their portable toolbox. This one feels like it could take a beating and keep on kicking, as the solid steel construction translates well to build quality. The drawers slide out smoothly, and something about those classic metal clasps feels so cool. If you need something small yet durable, this toolbox is perfect.

Mini Two-Drawer Pink Steel Toolbox

While roaming through the Lowe's toolbox showroom, we stumbled upon this little toolbox from Kobalt and had to pick it up. It's a perfect size for kids, hobbies, or just holding knickknacks. The two drawers were a bit sticky upon initial use but smoothed out afterward.

If pink isn't your thing, Kobalt has a plethora of different colors to choose from. If a child in your life is showing interest in tools, this might be the perfect choice.

How We Tested Garage Toolboxes

Testing toolboxes turned out to be more of a challenge than expected. While each box boasts distinctive features, we found they share more similarities than differences (not a huge surprise, right?). Space in our garage was limited, so having a dozen toolboxes wasn't ideal—especially when we barely have enough tools to fill one.

We learned that the best way to choose the right toolbox is often just visiting a store (or three) and testing the drawers and features yourself. Plus, shipping costs for these hefty boxes can add up, making in-store pickup the more practical option.

For this reason, we tested a few in our garage and then headed out to our local stores for the rest. We visited our usual Midwest big-box trifecta: Harbor Freight, Home Depot, and Lowe's. In the garage, we unboxed and set up the toolboxes on hand, evaluating features like drawer closures, built-in power sources, caster wheels, locks, and even the sound they made when closing.

For the second part of our testing, we headed to the stores to check out the toolboxes we couldn't fit in the garage. We evaluated them using the same criteria, getting our hands on each to compare how they felt.

Prepared with notebooks and cameras, we probably confused a few employees as we opened and slammed drawers, taking detailed notes on the differences between each brand and model. By the end, we felt confident we had a solid understanding of what makes each toolbox stand out.

FAQs

How do I choose a toolbox?

Look for high-quality, durable materials that can withstand repeated abuse. Make sure everything feels smooth and easy to operate. We found a midrange price point usually offers the best overall value for most people.

How should I organize my tools in a toolbox?

That's entirely up to you! However, some common ways are to put lighter tools in the top drawers and heavier stuff in the bottom. Another way is to put the things you use most frequently at the top.

How long will a toolbox last?

If properly taken care of, high-quality toolboxes can last many years or even decades. Just don't go slammin' those drawers!

What tools go in a toolbox?

Anything you have room for is one answer. Typically people store wrenches, pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, sockets, and other things of that nature, but you can fill yours with whatever fits your habits.

How should you clean a toolbox?

You can wipe them down with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar using a sponge or soft cloth. This can remove grease and grime to keep your toolbox looking good as new.

Why Trust Us

This test was conducted in an environment that provided equal testing procedures for each product: the Gear Team garage. Upon tallying our findings, we agreed that our test provided enough information to recommend picks to our readers.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as car covers, dash cams, and portable tire inflators.

We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most products are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers. We don't need to game search-engine algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products solely to make a sale. We're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.

Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.

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