Last Updated on November 12, 2021
Are you looking for a way to keep your tools organized? Or, do you feel the need to replace your old tool chest? In any case, what you need right now is a new one.
There are tons of benefits to having a tool chest. For instance, you will always know where your tools are, so you can grab them whenever you need them.
On the other hand, you can use them to save space in your room. And it is no surprise that they will help you stay tidy. So, why miss out on this amazing equipment?
Hence, we are here to discuss the best tool chest under 500. Along with that, we have also provided a guide on how to choose a suitable one for yourself!
Best Tool Chest Under $500 – Comparison
5 Best Tool Chests Under 500 Reviews
When it comes to getting a tool chest, everyone has different needs and preferences. Therefore, we have provided a list of the best ones, which are unique and remarkable in their own ways.
1. Craftsman 5 Drawer Rolling Cabinet Chest
Key Features
- Storage Space: 8,202 cubic inches
- Dimensions: 32.4 x 29.2 x 20.8 inches
- Weight: 1 lbs
- Material: Steel
You will be astonished by how convenient this product is. For instance, you can easily move it around, thanks to the four wheels included. You will never have to go through the trouble of carrying it around.
On the other hand, this spacious cabinet will only make life easier for you. With 8 thousand square inches of storage space, you will be able to store a lot of materials into it. And with four drawers, you can even keep different contents in each of them.
Overall, the product has a weight capacity of 650 pounds. And you don’t have to worry about whether or not the tool can handle it. First of all, the cabinet will always remain stable, despite the weight it holds.
Second of all, its hard-wearing steel construction will always make sure it doesn’t break down. Hence, you can rely on the product for quite a long time without having to worry about replacing it anytime soon.
This tool does not falter even when it comes to securing your possessions. With its integrated lock feature, your materials will remain safe at all times. Therefore, you will have nothing to fret about.
If you are looking for something even more spacious, then this is not the one you should go for. Furthermore, the tool might rust if it is exposed to excessive moisture, so be careful.
- Can be moved around easily
- 8 thousand square inches of storage space
- Four drawers with 650 pounds of weight capacity overall
- Hard-wearing steel construction
- Integrated lock feature
- May not be spacious enough
- Can rust
2. Goplus 6 Drawer Rolling Tool Chest Cabinet
Key Features
- Storage: 6 drawers,2 trays & 1 big cabinet
- Dimensions: 13 x 24.5 x 43.5 inches
- Material: Steel
First of all, the product is remarkably durable, and here’s why. The material used to make it is cold rolled steel. On top of that, its body is coated with a glossy paint, which is both rust and corrosion-resistant.
With this tool, you will not face issues with storage ever again. Along with 4 small drawers, 2 large ones have been included. Furthermore, it also includes 2 trays and 1 big bottom cabinet. Hence, you can store objects of multiple shapes and sizes in it.
What makes the tool even better is that it is detachable. The entire unit can be detached into two boxes only. Therefore, giving you the option of using it separately if needed.
Are you worried about your possessions getting stolen? Well, that won’t be an issue with this equipment. It comes with lock features for the top two drawers, which will allow you to lock them if you deem it necessary externally.
With two handles on the side and 4 swivel wheels, moving this will always seem like a piece of cake to you. However, keeping it in place is just as simple, thanks to its dual brakes and extra stable construction.
Sadly, the wheels included are quite fragile. Therefore, they might break down after a few heavy uses. Moreover, the body of the tool itself is thin. Hence, it can be dented easily.
- Rust and corrosion-resistant
- Drawers and trays of multiple sizes
- Cabinet box can be detached
- The top drawers are lockable
- Easy to move
- Wheels are quite fragile
- Thin body
3. Viper Tool Storage V1804BLR Tool Chest
Key Features
- Storage Space: 5,825 cubic inches
- Dimensions: 18.1 x 16 x 36.5 inches
- Weight: 73 lbs
- Material: Aluminum, Steel
With around 6 thousand cubic inches of storage, you will never run out of space to store things. Starting from tools of any shapes and sizes, this product is apt to store absolutely anything.
On the other hand, each drawer is capable of accommodating 100 pounds of materials. And no matter how heavy they get, you can easily open and close them, thanks to their quick release ball bearing sides and stain-resistant pulls.
What makes it even better is that the body is coated with a high-quality powder. This helps the product resist rust and corrosion at all times. Therefore, you will not have to worry about replacing it anytime soon.
But that’s not all. You can blindly trust it to last long because the tool is made of 18 gauge steel. So, the product will not break down and remain stable for as long as it is used.
Moreover, the tool comes with a locking system to protect your belongings every now and then. For suitable portability, it even includes wheels, so you can move it around easily without any hassle whatsoever.
However, the tool only includes one handle, which makes it slightly difficult to move around. Furthermore, be careful when purchasing the product, because a lot of its users receive the package without any keys for the lock.
- Around 6 thousand cubic inches of storage
- Each drawer can hold up to 100 pounds
- Anti-rust powder coating
- Lock system
- Contains wheels for ease of movement
- Comes with one handle only
- Keys are missing at times from the shipped package
4. Craftsman 6 Drawer Heavy Duty Tool Chest
Speaking of storage, the product includes drawers that can be fully extended in 3 different sizes. As a result, it will let you maximize the space by allowing you to store the contents of the right sizes.
Other than that, you can also add extra storage at the bottom of the tool if you deem necessary. Generally, it includes six heavy-duty ball bearing drawers, which will help you to store sufficiently.
But that’s not all. The product includes a hinged top storage area, which will let you store bulky and large items on it. Hence, increasing your storage options significantly.
Moreover, each drawer is capable of accommodating up to 75 pounds of objects. But, despite the heavyweight, you can easily open and close the drawers, all thanks to its ball-bearing drawer slides.
The feature that sets it apart from most of its competitors is that the tool’s drawers are made of aluminum. This material provides sturdiness, along with stability and resistance to corrosion and rust for long term usage. Furthermore, the product comes with a lock feature, as well.
However, the feature does not work from time to time. Also, you cannot move this tool around conveniently, because it does not come with a rolling system.
- Drawers can be fully extended to 3 different sizes
- 6 drawers with an extra option on the bottom
- Includes a hinged top storage area
- Ball bearing drawer slides with 75 pounds of accommodation
- Made of aluminum
- Lock feature does not always work
- Does not include wheels
5. Craftsman 3 Drawer Ball Bearing Middle Chest
Key Features
- Storage: 1,830 square inches
- Dimensions: 28.7 x 14.8 x 14.5 inches
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Material: Aluminium
First and foremost, you don’t have to worry about creating a space to store this tool at all. Its small size doesn’t seem to be troublesome to any of its users. You can conveniently keep the product in any part of your room.
But that does not mean you won’t be able to store a lot of things into the chest itself. The tool has around 2 thousand square inches of storage space. Therefore, you can easily store anything that you want into it.
Furthermore, the product includes three drawers. Each of them is capable of holding up to 75 pounds of content. As long as all the materials fit the drawer, you will face no hassle whatsoever.
That is because ball-bearing drawer slides let you open the drawers quite comfortably. Other than that, weight isn’t an issue in this case, because the product is made of aluminum. So, you can be ensured that it will remain stable and last for a long time.
What makes it even better is that the tool comes with a lock feature. The lock is at the top drawer, which allows all three of them to be locked simultaneously. Hence, ensuring the safety of your possessions at all times.
However, the tool’s construction does not seem to be up to the mark, compared to its price. Furthermore, the product is not stable. It might rock back and forth when you open or close the drawers.
- Compact size
- Around 2 thousand square inches of storage space
- 3 drawers with 75 pounds of accommodation
- Long-lasting
- Lock feature ensures the safety
- Not up to the mark
- Unstable from time to time
Things to Consider Before Buying
Tool chests are handy in general, given they are quite useful in terms of storage or keeping things organized. However, if you want to get your hands on the best kind out there, then there are a few essentials that you should keep in mind.
We are here to discuss those key factors to give you a better insight.
Storage capacity
The sole purpose of a tool chest is to store, and that is what it should do best. Therefore, you should first determine how much storage space would be enough for you.
Without sufficient storage capacity, you might remain unsatisfied with the product. So, always check that in the specifications before purchasing one of these.
Sturdiness
If you are willing to spend 500 dollars on a tool chest, then it better last for at least a few years. Otherwise, you might end up feeling like you invested in the wrong product.
So, before purchasing one of these, do check the warranty that its company is willing to offer. A warranty for 2-5 years is good news.
Materials Used to Make It
The material determines how long the tool will last. While most of these are made using either aluminum or steel, both of which offer durability, there’s a catch.
Metals can easily rust. Therefore, you should make sure these tools are either coated or are rust and corrosion-resistant. You surely wouldn’t want it to corrode or rust when it’s heavily exposed to moisture. Hence, this trait is necessary.
Drawers Specification
You might think that once the storage capacity is covered, the number or size of the drawers shouldn’t matter. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tool chests often come with drawers of different sizes, and there’s quite a valid reason behind it.
For instance, a lot of drawers will let you have an organized tool chest, allowing you to store different types of tools in different spaces. Similarly, you can store tools of distinct sizes in drawers that can accommodate them. A small space will surely not be suitable enough to keep them.
This is why you should consider the sizes and number of drawers when selecting a tool chest.
Size
Some tool chests are huge, with insufficient storage space. On the other hand, some come with compact bodies and yet are capable of storing enough.
Hence, you should choose the one that saves you some room space while adequately storing your tools.
Other Features
A lot of tool chests come with wheels. The benefit of this feature is that you can move it around easily, like a trolley. If you feel like taking it from one worksite to another, then you will face no hassle whatsoever.
Within 500 dollars, you are sure to get such products with a lock system. This will keep your tools safe and secure at all times. You can easily lock your tool chest and go somewhere with the key, knowing that your materials are just fine.
Ball-bearing slides allow drawers to glide very easily. This significantly increases the ease of using them. So, if you do get a tool chest with this feature, you should consider purchasing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best material used to make tool chests under 500 dollars?
A: Tool chests in this price range are usually made from steel or aluminum. While both of these are commendable metals, they may end up rusting. Therefore, these materials need to be coated to get the best out of them. However, in terms of longevity, steel is better.
Q: How long do tool chests last in general?
A: If they don’t rust or break apart, then they can last for a lot of years. However, that depends on the product itself and how it is taken care of. With safe use, they will surely last for at least 5-10 years.
Q: Should I get a tool chest?
A: If you feel the need to keep your tools organized, while making sure that none of them go missing, then yes. They are very handy and can be used to store other contents as well, if necessary.
Q: Does every tool chest have a trolley system?
A: Not really. However, most of the big ones do.
Q: Do tool chests have a lock feature?
A: Yes. Most of them come with an external or internal lock at the top, which makes sure the lower drawers can’t be accessed either. Therefore, it keeps all parts of the chest safe.
Q: How many drawers do you need in your tool chest, and what size should they?
A: There are many drawer sizes for tool chests, and they can range from small, medium, or large. A smaller drawer would be needed for a screwdriver set while a medium one could hold a hammer and nails. Some people may need to store larger items like power drills in the large drawers.
So, What Should You Buy
No matter what kind of tool chest you end up purchasing, it will be handy to you nevertheless. However, a suitable one will keep you satisfied in the long run.
Hence, do have some patience and find the best tool chest under 500 for yourself!
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