Rolling Tool Chests for a Home Garage: 5 Top Picks
A rolling tool chest keeps sockets, wrenches and pliers organized and close at hand. Our picks for the best tool chests from Craftsman, Husky, Milwaukee and DeWalt, from a compact combo to a mobile workbench.
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Our top picks at a glance
1 Best overall
Craftsman 26-Inch 5-Drawer Tool Chest Combo
A compact top chest and rolling cabinet that held a 160-piece socket set, wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers with room for bulky tools. Read more
Pros
- Room for big and small tools
- Lockable top
- 300 lb rating
Cons
- Painted steel scratches and dents
2 Best for mechanics
Husky 10-Drawer Tool Chest and Cabinet Combo
Soft-close, padded drawers that stayed smooth even when overloaded, rated for 1,500 lb total. Read more
Pros
- Smooth soft-close drawers
- 100 lb per drawer
- Arrives nearly assembled
Cons
- Casters slid even with brakes on
3 Best with a workbench
Husky 52-Inch 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench
Nine drawers under a wood top with a built-in power strip with USB ports. Read more
Pros
- Wood work surface
- Built-in power strip
- Quick to assemble
Cons
- Very heavy when loaded
4 Best portable
Milwaukee Packout Rolling Tool Box Set
Three stacking boxes on 9-inch wheels that roll over gravel and roots. Read more
Pros
- Rolls over rough ground
- Tough build
- Easy to strap down
Cons
- Most expensive option
5 Best modular
DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Rolling Tower
Three boxes that latch together automatically and are rated for dust and water. Read more
Pros
- Auto-latching boxes
- IP65 rated
- Fits bulky power tools
Cons
- Wheels aren't solid rubber
Once your tools outgrow a toolbox and a few coffee cans, a rolling tool chest changes everything. You can see what you have, find it in seconds and roll it to the project.
The two main types are chest-and-cabinet combos, with shallow drawers for hand tools on top of a rolling base, and stacking or portable systems, which travel better but hold less.
The picks compared
| Tool chest | Size (L x W x H) | Drawers | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsman 26” 5-Drawer Combo | 26.5 x 14 x 44 in | 5 plus cabinet and top compartment | 300 lb |
| Husky 10-Drawer Combo | 27 x 18.1 x 58.3 in | 10 | 100 lb per drawer, 1,500 lb total |
| Husky 52” Mobile Workbench | 52 x 24.5 x 37.75 in | 9 | Check listing |
| Milwaukee Packout Set | 22 x 16.5 x 32.5 in | 3 boxes | 250 lb |
| DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Tower | 20 x 13.5 x 34.5 in | 3 boxes | 250 lb |
Test notes are from Bob Vila's rolling tool box testing, which loaded each unit to capacity and rolled it over concrete, gravel or grass. Testers paid $80 to $700.
How we picked
We relied on Bob Vila’s hands-on testing of nine rolling tool boxes, loaded to capacity and rolled over realistic surfaces, then scored for assembly and build quality. We focused on:
- Storage for different tool sizes
- Drawer quality
- Mobility and casters
- Build quality
- Price
We haven’t tested these tool chests ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.
1. Craftsman 26-Inch 5-Drawer Tool Chest Combo: Best overall
Best for: Most home garages and DIYers.
Bob Vila’s top pick held a 160-piece socket set, 32 wrenches, 19 pliers and 21 screwdrivers in testing, and its lower cabinet took bulky tools like a drill and saw. The top has a lockable lidded compartment, and it rolls on 3-inch casters. At 26.5 inches wide, it fits in a tight garage.
What bugs us: The painted steel scratches and dents.
Skip it if: you have a big mechanic’s tool collection. Go bigger.
2. Husky 10-Drawer Tool Chest and Cabinet Combo: Best for mechanics
Best for: Car and motorcycle DIYers with lots of sockets and wrenches.
This Husky arrived nearly assembled, and its soft-close, padded drawers stayed smooth even when testers loaded them past their 100-pound rating. The whole unit is rated for 1,500 pounds.
What bugs us: The hard plastic casters didn’t stop the chest from sliding, even with both brakes on. Chock the wheels or set it against a wall.
Skip it if: your garage floor slopes.
3. Husky 52-Inch 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench: Best with a workbench
Best for: People who want storage and a work surface in one.
Bob Vila’s testers found this quick to assemble and liked the solid wood top and built-in power strip with six outlets and two USB ports. Nine drawers hold plenty.
What bugs us: It weighs 267 pounds empty and close to 1,000 pounds loaded, so once it’s set, it stays.
Skip it if: you want to move it often.
4. Milwaukee Packout Rolling Tool Box Set: Best portable
Best for: People who take tools to job sites, sheds or the backyard.
This three-box stack held enough tools to build a shed in testing, and its 9-inch wheels rolled over gravel and roots. Metal corners make it easy to strap down in a truck, and the boxes work with Milwaukee’s larger Packout system.
What bugs us: It was the most expensive option tested.
Skip it if: your tools never leave the garage.
5. DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Rolling Tower: Best modular
Best for: Power tool owners who want rugged, stackable storage.
The three boxes latch together automatically when stacked, and the system is IP65 rated against dust and water. Two circular saws and a reciprocating saw fit in the largest box.
What bugs us: The wheels aren’t solid rubber, so they may not hold up to extreme use.
Skip it if: you mostly store small hand tools. Drawers work better.
Organizing tips
- Heaviest tools in the bottom drawers to keep the chest from tipping.
- Use drawer liners so tools don’t slide around.
- Group by task: sockets in one drawer, wrenches in another, electrical in another.
- Lock the casters when you’re working.
Still wondering?
What size tool chest do I need? A 26-inch combo suits most home garages. Mechanics with big socket sets often want 40 inches or more.
Are soft-close drawers worth it? They’re nice, but ball-bearing slides matter more for heavy tools.
Chest or workbench? If space is tight, a mobile workbench with drawers does both. See the best workbenches for a garage.