10 Best Budget Tool Chests Under $500 of 2023 – Top Picks & Reviews
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Tool chests are a great way to keep your tools organized, but they can be unnecessarily expensive. In fact, tool chests can cost upwards of $50,000. Yes, you read that right! With that in mind, finding a tool chest for under $500 can be challenging.
Luckily, we have done the work for you and found the 10 best budget tool chests under $500. In this article, we have reviews of 10 budget tool chests and a buyer’s guide to help you make a more informed decision. Let’s get started!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (updated in 2023)
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest |
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Best Value
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WEN 73015 Garage Glider Rolling Tool Chest |
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CHECK PRICE |
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On Shine 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Keter Rolling Tool Chest |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Stalwart Oversized Portable Tool Chest |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Budget Tool Chests under $500
1. Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest – Best Overall
The Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest is durable, easy to transport, made from high-quality materials, and comes in three attractive colors. In fact, there is little to say about this tool chest that is negative.
To begin with, the Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest is incredibly durable. It is made from solid and durable steel, ensuring it will last many years and protect the contents. Meanwhile, the wheels are made from synthetic rubber-plastic material that is also durable and resistant.
This chest has a detachable tool chest, which is extremely useful for taking tools on the go. The chest contains five drawers, two trays, one bottom cabinet, and one top box drawer. The set can be detached into two separate boxes.
Finally, the Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest comes with padding protection. This padding protection keeps the inside protected from damage in the case that tools should roll around. It also features a drawer lock rod that prevents any drawers from sliding out. Overall, we think this is the best budget tool chest you can buy.
- Made from highly durable materials
- Easy to transport and maneuver
- Detachable box for on-the-go use
- Includes interior padding protection
- Smaller than other models
2. WEN 73015 Garage Glider Rolling Tool Chest – Best Value
If you are looking for the best budget tool chest under $500 for the money, you will be interested in the WEN 73015 Garage Glider Rolling Tool Chest. This tool chest is affordable and provides high-quality, durable, and valuable features for organizing your tools.
The WEN 73015 is made from durable metal and lined with thick, absorbent vinyl-protected multi-layer padding. Together, these materials allow the contents to stay protected and dry. One notable feature is its magnetic storage trays. These magnetic trays are foldable, and they will allow you to organize screws and bolts very easily.
The only reason that the WEN 73015 Garage Glider Rolling Tool Chest is ranked number two on our list, as opposed to number one, is that it has less storage space than the Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest.
- Made from highly durable materials
- Features magnetic trays
- Includes 4 ball-bearing swivel casters
- Holds up to 350 lb of evenly distributed weight
- Less spacious
- Doors do not close evenly
3. On Shine 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest
The On Shine 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest is another good tool chest under $500. This model is made of durable materials and has ample capacity storage, but it is still easy to move around and useful in many scenarios.
Notably, this tool chest is made from high-quality cold-rolled steel. This material makes the toolbox rustproof and even includes an anti-corrosive coating. These features allow it to be used indoors or outdoors.
Additionally, it has large-capacity storage. It contains eight drawers and two cabinets, which allows it to store several tools and is suitable for a variety of purposes. At the same time, this chest is still easy to move and transport. The bottom of this tool chest contains four wheels, making it convenient for moving and transporting.
The wheels can also be locked and disassembled, which will be helpful if you want the tool chest to remain in place. On the downside, the setup was a bit counterintuitive, and the drawers had trouble sliding. Other than that, this is a solid model.
- Made from durable materials
- Large capacity storage
- Easy to transport
- Multiple color options
- Padded interior for additional protection
- Awkward setup
- Drawers do not slide easily
4. Keter Rolling Tool Chest
The Keter Rolling Tool Chest is an ultra-durable and protective tool chest for under $500. Despite its affordable price, this tool chest is durable, locking, portable, and versatile. The Keter chest is very sturdy because of its materials. It is made from a resistant polypropylene resin construction, which prevents rusting, peeling, and denting.
Not only does this model give tools a proper home, but the Keter Rolling Tool Chest also prevents theft because of its locking feature. This locking feature has a central design that allows all drawers to stay secure before, during, and after use. The Keter chest is very versatile and maneuverable. It has drawers of various sizes, allowing you to store different tools. The model also comes with caster wheels that allow you to easily move this tool chest whenever needed.
This chest suffers from one of the same pitfalls as our last model: the drawers don’t slide very easily. This can impact your work if you need to reach for a tool quickly. Additionally, it’s a bit small.
- Made from durable materials
- Include a central locking system
- Easily maneuverable due to caster wheels
- Includes additional features for further organization
- Smaller capacity than other models
- Drawer slides are plastic
- Drawers do not slide easily
5. Stalwart Oversized Portable Tool Chest
The Stalwart Oversized Portable Tool Chest has three toolboxes in one. Its unique design makes it a great choice if you frequently move the chest around. Depending on how you use this chest, you can attach or separate all three pieces. This is extremely useful if you need to transport specific tools regularly.
Even if you want to use the entire tool chest, the Stalwart Oversized Portable Tool Chest is easy to transport thanks to its adjustable carrying handle and glide wheels. These features allow you to transport the entire chest or all three parts easily.
Finally, the Stalwart Oversized Portable Tool Chest is durable because it is made from sturdy steel construction with a reinforced injection-molded polymer. However, it’s not very portable—especially on stairs—and the lower cabinets of this model lack a built-in latch.
- Portable and versatile design
- Made from durable steel
- Large storage capacity
- Not easy to use on stairs
- Lower cabinets lack a built-in latch
6. CRAFTSMAN CMST82769RB Tool Cabinet
If you are looking for the most durable tool chest under $500, you will be interested in the CRAFTSMAN CMST82769RB Tool Cabinet. This tool chest is highly resilient, contains several additions to ensure the durability and protectiveness of the chest, and features several additional items.
It’s made from metal, so it’s built to last. The CRAFTSMAN cabinet has features to further the durability and protectiveness of the tools inside. For example, drawers feature 100-pound ball bearings that prevent the drawers from slamming. More so, the chest comes with a lid stiffener for added stability.
However, all that durable metal weighs a lot, which lowers its level of portability. Moreover, buyers reported receiving dented products due to poor shipping procedures.
- Made from highly durable materials
- Features 100-lb ball-bearing drawers with soft-close latches
- Comes with additional features
- 1,500 lb maximum capacity
- Heavy
- Often comes dented upon arrival
7. Gerstner International GI-T24 Top Chest
The Gerstner International GI-T24 Top Chest is another good tool chest for under $500. Unlike the other tool chests made from metal and plastic, this tool chest is primarily made with hardwood, which protects the insides from moisture and gives the box a sophisticated look.
Unfortunately, the Gerstner International GI-T24 Top Chest comes with downsides. Most notably, this tool chest is much smaller than the other models. If you choose this chest, you can only store precision hand tools.
Additionally, the name of this chest is slightly misleading. It is not a true Gerstner chest. Instead, it is a modern remake of the memorable classic. Because of that, expect the quality to be much lower than traditional Gerstner chests.
- Made from beautiful red oak
- Inside is lined with green felt
- Useful for storing more than tools
- Not suitable for large toolsets
- Misleading name
- Poor quality in comparison to true Gerstner chests
8. Rubbermaid Commercial Trademaster 5 Drawer
Another tool chest under $500 to check out is the Rubbermaid Commercial Trademaster 5 Drawer. It is affordable, features a locking mechanism, and offers additional storage features besides the five drawers.
The Rubbermaid chest includes five drawers for storing small and precision hand tools. It also comes with a convenient locking bar that locks all drawers for added safety and security. Additionally, the model contains pegboard side panels, cord wrap, and molded pocket compartments for further organization.
At the same time, this Rubbermaid product has several pitfalls. Most notably, it’s too small. You will only be able to fit small hand tools inside. Additionally, the Rubbermaid Commercial Trademaster 5 Drawer falls apart easily, The drawers are especially prone to breaking, making them unsuitable for holding, storing, and protecting most tools.
- Features a locking function
- Includes additional storage features on the outside of the chest
- Small storage capacity
- Prone to breaking
- Made from cheap materials
9. TANKSTORM Portable Steel Tool Chest
If you are a businessman by day and a DIY home improver by night, you will love the TANKSTORM Portable Steel Tool Chest. This affordable steel chest has a unique, briefcase-looking design that makes it durable and portable.
It is made of steel, ensuring lightweight durability. The outside of the box is coated with a black powder finish that resists scratches and chemicals. Additionally, it comes with a central locking mechanism and a double latch system.
Unfortunately, the TANKSTORM Portable Steel Tool Chest comes with many downsides. For example, it is incredibly small and unsuitable for storing bulky tools. If you have several tools, you are better off with a different model.
Also, the latches on the TANKSTORM Portable Steel Tool Chest are easy to bend, making the model less durable and protective than other options on this list.
- Unique design that resembles a briefcase
- Exterior is scratch and chemical-resistant
- Small storage capacity
- Latches prone to bending
- Handle prone to falling off after extended use
10. Husky H4CH1R 5-Drawer Roller Cabinet Tool Chest
Finally, the last tool chest on our list is the Husky H4CH1R 5-Drawer Cabinet Tool Chest. It is scratch-resistant, rolls easily, and offers medium-sized storage abilities. More so, it is made from heavy-duty alloy steel.
However, the Husky chest has several drawbacks. First, it is very expensive. In fact, it is one of the most expensive models on our list, even though it is smaller and comes with fewer features than other models on this list.
Additionally, this chest does not come with keys for the locks. This makes protecting and storing your tools more difficult, and you will need to pay for an additional locking mechanism if you want to lock your chest. This chest also often arrives damaged or with some dents. That is not a big deal, but for the price, you expect a chest to arrive in perfect condition.
- Durable construction
- More expensive than other models
- Comes with fewer features
- Lacks locking mechanism
- Often comes dented
Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Budget Tool Chest for Under $500
So far, we have looked at 10 great tool chests for under $500, but you still may be unsure which model is best for you. If that is the case, you need to know how to assess the quality and features of a tool chest. The best way to assess individual tool chests is by considering the material, wheels, and storage capacity.
Material
The first factor to consider when purchasing a tool chest is the material. The reason for this is that your tool chest is probably going to experience a lot of wear and tear. For this reason, it is essential to choose a durable and protective material.
Most tool chests are made either of steel or aluminum. Stainless steel is very durable and will handle the wear and tear well. At the same time, steel can rust if not properly treated, and it is often pricier than aluminum. In contrast, aluminum is lightweight and affordable. It is less likely to degrade against the elements but is more prone to scratches and dents than steel.
Another material to consider is oak or hardwood. Wood is much more expensive than metal, and it will require more upkeep. However, hardwood boxes are more attractive, making them a great option if you want a visually appealing toolbox.
Storage Capacity
Another factor to consider is the storage capacity. The storage capacity will tell you how much weight the chest can contain and the size of the tools that can fit inside. Before selecting a tool chest, see how many tools you want to store and their size. Once you know that, you can select a tool chest with the proper weight and size capacity for your collection.
Portability
The last factor to consider when selecting a tool chest is the portability. Since your tool chest will host a lot of tools, it will be very heavy, making it difficult to transport. If you anticipate moving your toolbox around, ensure it has wheels. If not, it can be a hassle to move.
Conclusion
As we have seen, there are several tool chests to choose from, which can make the selection process more stressful. We hope our comprehensive reviews have provided insight into how to best select a tool chest for your needs and preferences.
We recommend the Goplus 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest because it is durable, has a large storage capacity, and has additional features. If our top pick is too expensive for your taste, we recommend the WEN 73015 Garage Glider Rolling Tool Chest, which is also durable, transportable, and stretches your dollar.
No matter which model you choose, it is essential to remember the three factors that we mentioned earlier. Notably, you must consider your tool chest’s material, storage capacity, and portability. Considering these factors, you will find the best tool chest for you.
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