Best Cheap Tool Boxes for Occasional DIYers

If you're shopping on a budget, our best advice for DIYers is to spend the bulk on a good drill and other tools and save cash on your tool box—as long as it's from a reputable brand. You don't need to shell out more than $50 for toolbox from Stanley, Craftsman, or Dewalt, and you can typically get away with much less.

The cheap tool boxes we cover are far from bare bones, with features such as removable tray inserts, separate compartments for organizing small items, and eyes for padlocks. There are also options with wheels and a handle if you'd rather skip hauling your heavy tools around. Plus, if you're loyal to a particular brand, some tool boxes are compatible with larger collections of stackable components so you can build your own storage system.

Keep scrolling for our recommendations for the best tool boxes out there, along with important points to mull over while you shop.

Best Cheap Tool Boxes

What to Consider

First up, think about the size and capacity that best suits your needs for the types of projects you work on most. If you tend to use a lot of handheld power tools, your best bet is to get a deep tool box. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are tool boxes with shallow organizational draws for small parts like Allen wrenches and screws. The majority of what’s on the market offers a bit of both, and most hardshell options include a removable inner tray.

Some tool boxes have small compartments integrated into the lid, sort of like a tackle box for fishing, to maximize space in the main compartment. There are even tool boxes with wheels and telescoping handles, and several brands make tool boxes that are compatible with a collection of stackable components to customize storage.

Almost all of tool boxes we cover have an eye for a padlock to keep your stuff safe (or to keep your kids safe from your stuff). If a lot of your DIY projects are outside, you may want to think about a waterproof model, too.

How We Selected

We drew from our own deep knowledge of top brands like Dewalt, Stanley, and Craftsman to inform our selection, and considered other expert advice from Wirecutter and This Old House. We aimed to include options in various sizes and styles and looked for the most important features as mentioned above. Within our cap of roughly $50, we also tried to find tool boxes in a range of price points, starting at as little as $10, so anyone can keep their tools organized.

Looking for other types of tool boxes? Check out our stories on the best rolling tool boxes and tool chests.