Are you looking for tool chest but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars? Well, you don’t have to if you know what the best tool chest under 500 are.
There was a time when you had to spend a lot of money to get a serviceable chest, but that’s no longer true.
I have a lot of experience with tool storage solutions, and I put that to good use in choosing these products.
While there are a lot of tool chests available, I settled on these five based on their features, durability and storage capacity.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Tool Chest Under 500: Comparison
Before we take a look at the individual reviews, here is a quick comparison of each one.
|Name||Construction||Weight||Dimensions||View on Amazon|
|Viper Tool Storage V1804BLR||18G Steel||89.8 pounds||18.1 x 16 x 36.5 inches||Check Price|
|Craftsman 6 Drawer Heavy Duty Top Tool Chest||Steel||45.2 pounds||26″ Wide x 12″ Deep x 15.25″ Tall||Check Price|
|Rubbermaid 773488 5-Drawer Mobile Work Center||Heavy duty plastic||67.4 pounds||32-5/8 L x 19-15/16 W x 33-1/2″ H.||Check Price|
|Seville Classics UltraHD 6-Drawer Rolling Cabinet||Stainless steel||105 pounds||28 x 24 x 34.5 Inches||Check Price|
|HOMCOM Rolling Tool Cabinet with 5 Drawer||Plastic and steel||30 pounds||22″W x 13″D x 31″H||Check Price|
Best Picks of Tool Chest Under 500[p_box] [p_title] 1. Viper Tool Storage V1804BLR[/p_title] [p_content] [image_align align=”left”][/image_align]
The Viper Storage V1804BLR is a versatile storage solution for the DIY buff. It makes my list of the best tool chest for the money for its excellent feature set, capacity and durable built.
Made from heavy-duty 18G steel, the V1804BLR has 4 drawers and a total storage capacity of 5,825 cubic inches. Each of the four drawers has a weight capacity of 100 lbs so you can put a lot of stuff there.
Not only is the chest made from 18 gauge steel, but it also has a lifetime warranty so you’re assured it has no defects. All four drawers also have a quick release ball bearing slide so it opens and closes smoothly.
The V1804BLR also has a non-slip liner, and the pulls are stain resistant. A close look also reveals that the chest has an internal keyed lock mechanism. This is built in to keep theft and prying at bay.
The Viper V1804BLR is rather bulky, but that’s to be expected since due to its capacity. The chest is available in black, orange, green, pink, purple, stainless steel and other colors. While the colors vary, all are powder coated, providing extra durability.
The V1804BLR is resistant to wear and corrosion, which makes it ideal for long term use. Its compartments are also oversized so you’ll be able to put a lot of stuff here.[su_row] [su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”What I Like” radius=”0″ class=”pros”][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#7bc542″]
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Made of heavy duty materials
- Lots of drawers
- Excellent storage
- Drawers slide smoothly
- Some of the color options are rather too bright
The Viper Storage V1804BLR is an excellent storage solution, ideal for tools and other stuff that may be lying around your garage. If your workplace needs some organizing, the V1804BLR can get it done.
[p_btn url=”http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CM2XVW”] [/p_content] [/p_box] [p_box] [p_title] 2. Craftsman 6 Drawer Heavy Duty Top Tool Chest [/p_title] [p_content] [image_align align=”right”][/image_align]
The Craftsman is a versatile chest that can be used for an assortment of tools and various items. It has 6 drawers, all made of heavy duty materials that can withstand long term use without wearing down.
The Craftsman is spacious so it’s easy to store hammers, drills, drill bits, screws, wrenches and other tools you have. The ball bearings on the drawers however, ensure they slide easily even when full.
The Craftsman has a key locking system built in to ensure they’re properly secured. The maximum weight capacity is 450 lbs so you will be able to fill it up without worry it’s going to tip over.
The total capacity is 3292 cubic inches so there’s plenty of room for your stuff. The split drawer design is a nice touch, making it easier to store small tools and equipment. Even if the Craftsman is filed, the DynaGlide keeps them sliding smoothly.
Craftsman manufactures a lot of quality tool chests, and this is one of the better ones available. The construction is solid, and its generous capacity means its suitable for a lot of users.
The Craftsman capacity makes up for the fact that it is quite heavy. That should not be a surprise given how large it is, and its durability is comparable to more expensive chests.
Lastly, the locking mechanism on the Craftsman keeps the content secure and safe from prying.[su_row] [su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”What I Like” radius=”0″ class=”pros”][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#7bc542″]
- Durable built
- Drawers glide smoothly
- Good storage capacity
- Wear resistant
- Well designed
- Packaging could be better
The Craftsman is an excellent chest, providing a lot of storage for tools and other items. When it comes to durability, this chest delivers as well.
[p_btn url=”http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FL2SROS”] [/p_content] [/p_box] [p_box] [p_title] 3. Rubbermaid 773488 5-Drawer Mobile Work Center [/p_title] [p_content] [image_align align=”left”][/image_align]
The 773488 is built with durability, capacity and versatility in mind. It has 5 drawers so you’ll be able to store a lot of tools and keep them separate and well organized.
The Rubbermaid drawers are well designed so you don’t have to struggle opening and closing it is easy. There is also a locking bar so your tools are well secured.
The drawers give you a lot of options when it comes to organizing content. Rather than a couple of large drawers, it is better to have five drawers so it’s easier to separate the items inside.
The maximum support is 250 lbs so you don’t have to worry about the chest collapsing under too much weight.
The Rubbermaid tool chest also has a locking casters that make it easy to move the chest around. Using the casters you’ll have an easier time rolling the chest on rough floors, but you’ll want to position the 773488 over a smooth surface.
The side panels are well designed, and its compartments are ideal for organizing a lot of tools. This is then complemented by the smooth gliding drawers that make tool management easy.
The chest is made of heavy duty materials, allowing you to use it as a workbench. There is also a cord wrap so your power tools don’t get entangled during storage.[su_row] [su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”What I Like” radius=”0″ class=”pros”][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#7bc542″]
- Smooth drawers
- Heavy duty construction
- Easy to move around
- Drawers open smoothly
- 250 lb weight capacity
- Some assembly required
- End panels are plastic
The Rubbermaid 773488 is a good chest for storing various kinds of tools, essential if you’re into DIY. There is some assembly needed, but it’s easy and makes your life easier.
[p_btn url=”http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009DV7Y6″] [/p_content] [/p_box] [p_box] [p_title] 4. Seville Classics UltraHD 6-Drawer Rolling Cabinet [/p_title] [p_content] [image_align align=”right”][/image_align]
The UltraHD comes with 6 drawers so you’ll have a simpler time arranging tools. The versatile design also makes the UltraHD good for work centers, in the garage, mail room and warehouse.
The chest is supported by 5 inch wheels. Made from heavy duty materials, the wheels allows you to move the unit easily over different surfaces.
The UltraHD weighs 100 lbs, at par with most other tool chests. Its 300 pound loading capacity is excellent and should match the needs of DIY buffs and those who collect a lot of tools.
The UltraHD work surface is 0.75 inch hardwood, and its shelf is adjustable for greater flexibility. The doors are stainless steel and open smoothly, plus there is a key lock to the content.
The bottom drawer is approximately 10 inches deep, which makes this ideal storage for drills and other power tools. It is also the appropriate place to store light, chargers and more.
Its caster wheels are among the most durable I have seen. Overall quality is good and its drawers are especially suited for storing a wide range of tools.
Some assembly is needed, with more pieces to put together compared to other chests. However the user manual is detailed and helps you through the process.[su_row] [su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”What I Like” radius=”0″ class=”pros”][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#7bc542″]
- Heavy duty construction
- Drawers have good capacity
- Casters move smoothly
- Can be used to store various tools
- Powder coated for extra durability
- Assembly takes a bit of time
- You need to read the full assembly instructions
Seville Classics has made a lot of good chests and the UltraHD belongs on that list. If you’re looking for a reliable storage solution for your tools, the UltraHD is an excellent choice.
[p_btn url=”http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0072IFCCO”] [/p_content] [/p_box] [p_box] [p_title] 5. HOMCOM Rolling Tool Cabinet with 5 Drawer [/p_title] [p_content] [image_align align=”left”][/image_align]
The HOMCOM is a good candidate for the best tool chest under 1000 for its quality and built. It isn’t as large as those of other tool chests but offers excellent capacity for small and medium size tools.
There are five drawers are well designed and provide a lot of room for your tools. There is good depth so there is space for power tools. I also like the powder coating paint as it keeps the chest resistant to rust and corrosion.
The chest has four caster wheels, and they move very smoothly. Even if you need to move the chest, it’s easy to do thanks to the caster wheels.
All the drawers and trays are well made and keeps your tools organized. Once your tools are stored, the locking mechanism keeps the items safe and secure.
Two of the four casters are fixed while the others are multi-directional, giving you greater flexibility when moving the chest.
The HOMCOM chest itself is made of various metal components, steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Its heavy duty construction should satisfy those who need a dependable chest for tools and other valuable items.
The HOMCOM also gets high marks for making the drawers easy to pull out. Each one can be extended by quite a bit so it’s very flexible.
This chest is noting fancy but it gets the job done as far as tool storage is concerned, and that’s enough for most people.[su_row] [su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”What I Like” radius=”0″ class=”pros”][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#7bc542″]
- Tool chest moves around easily
- Smooth gliding drawers
- Heavy duty built
- Casters are well designed
- Superb powder coating
- Needs proper care to avoid damage
- Not suitable for very heavy objects
The HOMCOM is more than adequate if you need a good tool chest. It is durable, convenient to use and versatile, which should suit a lot of people.
[p_btn url=”http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQMD7M6″] [/p_content] [/p_box]
How to Choose the Best Tool Chest
Cost is always a factor, but don’t let that be the only one as you need to look at the various tool chests and what they offer. Here are some guidelines and tips.[su_list icon=”icon: arrow-right” icon_color=”#329d40″]
- Number of Drawers: how many drawers does the tool chest have? How many do you need?
- Product Dimensions: do you have enough space for that large chest? Keep in mind that the larger the chest, the more space is required and the heavier it will be.
- Internal Dimensions: will you store power tools in the drawers? Make sure the drawers are deep enough to hold them in.
- Casters: smooth rolling casters help maneuver large tool chests, so they’re essential if you expect to move the chest around a lot.
- Durability: look for tool chests made of steel or with powder coating as they’re more durable.
Just as gun safes are essential for the gun owner, so is a tool chest necessary if you own a lot of tools. I hope this review guide was able to provide the essential information a buyer needs. While all five-tool chests here are of good quality, the Viper Tool Storage V1804BLR is top dog.
I chose the V1804BLR for several reasons, chief among them is its generous capacity. I also like that each drawer has support for 100 lbs, underscoring its quality. Add the lifetime warranty and it’s a no-brainer to pick the Viper Storage V1804BLR as the best tool chest under 500.