Our top choice, the Keter Masterloader Portable Tool Box, is a sturdy tool box that holds a lot, but is easy to transport thanks to its wheels. Here are our favorite portable tool boxes. The Keter Masterloader Portable Tool Box is about as close as you’ll come to having a tool workshop right at hand where you need it. This super-durable resin tool box won’t dent, peel, rust, or crack, even in harsh weather. And with two 7-inch rubber wheels, an extendable handle, and a central lock, it’s easy to tote it along with you while you work so you’ll have everything you need for your repair or project—no more dropping everything while you go and fetch a needed tool from the garage or workshop. The lower portion of the box has plenty of room for your larger tools, such as power drills, hammers, flashlights, and handsaws. The upper part of the box has multiple compartments for smaller tools, including six removable bins for nails, screws, tape measures, and other small items. But best of all, the upper portion of the box is divided, so you can slide the two halves apart for easy access to every part of the box without lifting off the top shelves. The tool box is 14.88 x 24.25 x 16.34 inches, and has a 66-pound weight capacity. The box itself weighs 13 pounds. Price at time of publish: $138 The box measures 16 x 9.5 x 7.5 inches, which is adequate to hold a hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, and the other basics needed for around-the-home tasks. A lift-out tray and clear plastic organizer hold smaller items, such as nails, hooks, and screws. This is also a great choice if you want an organizer to hold craft or art supplies, or even fishing tackle. Price at time of publish: $12 The exterior is made of a durable, 4-millimeter thick structural foam wall. A water seal is sandwiched in between the lid and box to keep out moisture. Additionally, the box is compatible with DEWALT’s Tough System metal carrier. Just latch it onto the carrier and secure it using the central locking mechanism. The Tough System allows you to expand your storage space with modular components to fit your exact needs. The toolbox measures 21.6 inches wide x 13.6 inches deep x 12.7 inches tall. Price at time of publish: $50 The tool box is made of heavy-duty gauge steel with a bright red corrosion resistant powder finish that gives it a retro look. The heavy metal latch keeps the box securely closed, so no need to fear your tools will scatter when you take a quick turn or stop, and the comfortable-to-hold handle makes it easy to fetch the box when needed. There are no inner compartments, so you can make full use of the space to hold larger tools. Price at time of publish: $16 Each storage space is easily accessible once everything is unfolded. The different tiers will allow you to organize different tools and parts while keeping everything in immediate reach as you work. When it’s closed up, the tool box is easy to transport and store. The heavy duty wheels are suitable for most common work terrains. Price at time of publish: $123 The system consists of three stackable sturdy plastic tool boxes: 19.5 x 9 x 7, 19.5 x 9 x 13 and 19 x 9 x 9 inches. The top two boxes have side handles so you can easily carry them when separated from the stack, while the bottom box is fixed into the steel rolling frame that supports the entire system. A double latch keeps the boxes securely shut when not in use, and a pull-up handle lets you comfortably roll the entire system on the two sturdy plastic wheels. The entire system weighs 33 pounds and has a total weight capacity of 150 pounds. Price at time of publish: $136 The Packout is basically a big box; there are no included trays or organizers, so you can pack in even large or oddly shaped tools with ease. It’s made of heavy-duty red impact-resistant plastic with metal-reinforced corners, and is weather-sealed to keep your tools safe from the elements. Two 9-inch, all-terrain wheels and an industrial-strength extension handle make it a breeze to wheel the box wherever you want it, and the reinforced hinges keep the box from falling apart even under rigorous conditions. Price at time of publish: $139 The chest has three drawers with smooth ball-bearing slides, plus a top storage compartment for a total of four compartments to organize your tools. The weight capacity of the whole box is 75 pounds. The box itself weighs 20 pounds. At 20 inches wide x 8 inches deep x 12 inches tall, there’s plenty of room for all the basics plus quite a few extras, making this a good choice for home, garage, or workshop. Price at time of publish: $87 This sturdy box is made of high-impact plastic. Two latches keep it secured when not in use, and the nonslip handle keeps it secure in your grip. The transparent lid lets you see the contents at a glance. It’s not only great for organizing nails and other small tools, it’s also useful to organize craft supplies, fishing gear, small toys, or even cake-decorating supplies. Price at time of publish: $16 You’ll want to keep the tool box on the smaller side if it’s going to be kept in your car for emergencies, stashed on a closet shelf and brought out infrequently for household tasks, or serve as the tool cache for a student in a dorm or renter in a small apartment. Go larger if you’ll mostly keep the tool box in your garage or a set worksite, you need to carry a big selection of tools with you on a regular basis, or it’s going to serve as tool storage for a work truck or van.
Storage Options
Some portable tool boxes are just that—a basic box with a handle. Others have multiple inner compartments, drawers, dividers, or even pullout bins. Many small or inexpensive options have one larger compartment and a lift-out tray with small compartments for screws, nuts, and bolts. The right configuration of storage options for you depends mostly on what you’ll be keeping in the tool box; lots of larger tools plus multiple smaller components calls for a box with drawers, trays, and perhaps a pullout bin, whereas a tool collection that’s not much more than hammer, screwdriver, pliers, and a box of nails only requires a simple box with a lift-out tray.
Material
There are two basic materials for portable tool boxes: plastic and steel. Plastic is lightweight and inexpensive, but not always very durable. Nor can plastic tool boxes hold as much weight as a steel box. Still, plastic is a good choice if budget is your main concern, you’re only buying a box to hold a small collection of tools for household tasks, or the box won’t be toted to rugged conditions. If, however, you need a portable tool box for outdoor worksites, busy shops, a large and heavy collection of tools, or professional use, steel is your best bet.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. Organize tools by type: screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. Separate metric tools from standard measurement tools. Place heavier tools at the bottom of the portable tool box, and alternate the handles on larger tools to make efficient use of the space. Use small tray compartments for nails, screws, and bolts. For this roundup, she considered dozens of portable tool boxes, evaluating each for basic features, durability, extras, and customer feedback, as well as input from Deane Biermeier, general contractor, carpenter, and member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
