Here’s a little scenario that fully explains why a tool chest makes so much sense:
‘Let’s say you’ve read our guide to swapping out your car’s headlight bulbs and you’re wanting to do it yourself. You’ve ordered a swanky new pair of bulbs and you’ve read in your car’s handbook how to remove your headlight housing.
‘You settle down in the garage to swap out the bulbs when… your screwdriver set has vanished from where you left it last time. What ensues is a couple of frantic minutes searching every nook and crevice of your garage to find the blasted thing before you lose the will to change the bulbs and go off and sulk.’
The key to avoiding an annoying scenario like this is to get a tool chest, the perfect way to organise your garage and keep your tools together for when you need them.
How we selected our favourite tool chests
Across the Parkers team, we probably own more tools than a branch of Kwik Fit and to save the world from garage-based anarchy some proper storage is required.
In choosing the best tool chests we balanced cost against quality as a primary concern (what’s the point in buying one that falls apart in 20 minutes).
We also prioritised storage space and versatility. There’s little point in a tool chest that can only hold a pair of scissors or one so large that it comes with its own postcode. A happy medium had to be reached.
We also looked at security. Tools are expensive and units that offered better protection against sticky fingers were highly regarded.
Finally, we chose tool chests based on specific needs. Want a tool chest full of tools, a massive unit or one that also works as a toolbox? We have you covered on all counts.
The best tool chests for your garage
Sealey 7 Drawer Rollcab
Editor’s pick
Price: RRP £264.35| VIEW OFFER
Looking like your typical wheeled tool chest, we’ve chosen this model from Sealey to be our top tool chest because of its quality, storage space and security provisions. We like its tough steel construction and the use of ball bearing runners (perfect for tool chests) and previous products we’ve tested from Sealey have been of excellent quality.
The 36.5 x 64.5 x 80.5 cm dimensions and seven drawers mean that it’ll easily hold a lot of tools and the security provisions are excellent. Aside from the quality cylinder lock, this tool chest comes with rare locking bars to keep the drawers secure.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Weight | 26.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 64.5 x 80.5 x 36.5 cm |
| Features | Seven drawers, wheels, cylinder lock, locking bars |
Draper 2 Drawer Roller Tool Cabinet
Best value wheeled tool chest
Price: RRP £192.39 | VIEW OFFER
Larger than the unit above (38.35 x 71.12 x 67.31 cm) and cheaper, this unit from Draper is another solid option for a tool chest. Quality is still outstanding (we’ve tested a Draper toolbox and it was very good) and this tool chest comes with ball bearing slides and even a tool cabinet underneath perfect for larger tools.
In fact the only place this tool chest falls down in comparison to the Sealey unit is the lack of security features. Only the top drawers come with a lock, something that won’t offer much peace of mind for security-minded individuals.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Weight | 29 kg |
| Dimensions | 38.35 x 71.12 x 67.31 cm |
| Features | Five drawer chest, two drawer cabinet, wheels, lock |
Sealey Portable Tool Chest 3 Drawer
Best tool chest with tools
Price: RRP £172.95 | VIEW OFFER
Containing all the basic tools you could need (93 in total), this tabletop tool chest is the ideal beginners kit. Comparatively smaller than the other tool chests on this list (and lacking wheels) it still offers good storage space.
It’s ideal as a car tool kit you keep in your garage. If you already have some tools you’ll find this kit will be mainly duplicates but it’s a great option for a first time homeowner.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Weight | N/A |
| Dimensions | 51 x 22.5 x 30 cm |
| Features | Three drawer chest, opening top, 93 piece tool kit |
Trueshopping 3-IN-1 Trolley With 4 Draws
Multipurpose tool chest
Price: RRP £172.95 | VIEW OFFER
A rather unusual tool chest at first glance (it looks like a tool chest cosplaying a suitcase) but this unit is actually very clever. A modular construction allows it to be three separate tool chests; a traditional toolbox, drawered toolbox and a bin-type unit.
It may not offer the most storage here or be the toughest construction, but we like how clever this tool chest is. It is the most portable unit here and genuinely versatile.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel and plastic |
| Weight | 14.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 52 x 31 x 72 cm |
| Features | Four drawers, configurable design, wheels, handle |
Sealey American Pro 16 Drawer Roller Cabinet
Best large tool chest
Price: RRP £172.95 | VIEW OFFER
The big daddy of the wheeled tool chest world, the American Pro offers a stunning 16 drawers (with ball bearing runners) of storage and should swallow up even the largest tool kit.
Made with a double skin for extra strength (every other tool chest here is single-skinned), it’s also designed to be resistant to scratches, oil, dirt and even some solvents. It’s the ultimate wheeled tool chest for a garage and wouldn’t look out of place in a mechanics garage.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Weight | N/A |
| Dimensions | 68 x 33 x 163 cm |
| Features | 16 drawers, Extra strength construction, wheels (two of which lock), handle, lock |
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Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections – read why you should trust us
Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
