Whether you are a professional or a DIYer looking to set up your tools appropriately, you need a tool chest. There are varying options, and this article reviews the best tool chests available in Australia.
These tool chests have been carefully selected based on their storage space, mobility, security, and versatility. Find the best tool chest for keeping your accessories safe today.
Our Top Picks
Here are the top three tool chests available in Australia to store your tools:
Sp 11 Drawer Tool Chest
Best overall tool chest with 236 pieces of tools, extra storage with a side cabinet, and a stainless and chrome vanadium steel build.
Giantz 17 Drawer Tool Chest
Best tool chest with 17 drawers and upgraded cam locks, made with high-tensile powder-coated steel for security and durability.
888 Rolling Tool Chest
Best portable tool chest with three drawers for holding tools, stool stops, can holders, and a padded seat creeper to use as a stool.
Top 6 Tool Chests for Aussies
Our review and evaluation of the best tool chests in Australia considered each tool chest's durability, storage capacity, design, price, and customer reviews to provide a comprehensive overview.
1. Sp 11 Drawer Tool Chest
Best Overall Tool Chest With Tools
The Sp 11-Drawer Tool Chest offers plenty of storage space, with an extra side cabinet for more room. Its trolley makes it easy to move around, whether in the garage or garden. The drawers are made from strong stainless steel, and the tools are made of durable chrome vanadium steel. The chest has heavy-duty wheels and ball-bearing drawers for smooth sliding.
The tool chest is coated with a double layer of powder to prevent scratches and has a high-polish finish that makes it easy to wipe clean. Inside, it has sockets and accessories, all stored safely in high-density foam. It ships with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sockets, a wrench, spanners, a screwdriver, pliers, hex keys, torx keys, cutters, a hammer, a tape measure, and more.
Pros
- Side cabinet
- High polished finish
- High-density form tool storage
- Stainless steel drawers
- Clicklock drawer
Cons
- Pricey
2. Giantz 17 Drawer Tool Chest
Best for Storage Space
The Giantz 17-Drawer Tool Chest is best for storage space. It's sturdy and durable, made of high-tensile powder-coated steel, and has 10 top-drawer chests and seven bottom-drawer trolleys. The sectioning into the top chest and bottom drawer allows versatility and mobility.
The drawers slide easily on effective ball rollers. The top chest holds heavy tools up to 75kg, and all the drawers are heavy-duty. You get four castor wheels for easy mobility, lined drawers that keep the tools in place, and upgraded cam locks that ensure smooth drawer locking.
Pros
- Heavy-duty tool chest
- Secured cam locks with keys
- High-tensile powder-coated material
- Large storage space
- Smooth drawer runners
Cons
- Can be heavy to move as a unit
3. Rolling Tool Storage Box
Best Transportable Tool Chest
Are you travelling with your tools? Or do you want your garage tools well organised? The rolling tool storage box offers ample space in a three-case compartment. It is made of polypropylene, which is highly thermal—and corrosion-resistant. Each of the three drawers has inner compartments for tool organisation and classification.
The movement of this Rolling Tool Storage Box is facilitated by a drop-down handle, just like that of a suitcase. The handle has a comfortable grip for smooth handling and convenience. Its three compartments are easily collapsible, making it possible to carry just the top box.
Pros
- Not heavy to move
- 3-case storage with inner compartments
- Adaptable for traveling
- Fold-down handle
Cons
- No locks for some compartments
4. Bullet 8 Drawer Cabinet Chest
Best Value Tool Chest
The Bullet 8-drawer cabinet is our best-value tool chest. It has a split design with the lower unit ideal for storing bulky tools. The upper chest is lockable and features drawers of different sizes. Four caster wheels support the cabinet, and two of them have locks to keep it stationary when not in use. A tubular cam lock system is used to secure the cabinet.
The tool chest is made with high-tensile powder-coated steel for durability. Its side carry handle makes transportation easy. The tool chest's drawers slide in and out smoothly with ball bearings. Each is fitted with mesh grip liners to keep the tools in place while moving the chest. You also get pegboard side panels with hangers—extra accessories are available upon purchase.
Pros
- 4 caster wheels with locks
- Storage cabinet for heavy tools
- Tubular cam-lock security
- Mesh grip liners
Cons
- Not for compartmentalising tools
- Not very portable
5. Giantz 15 Drawer Tool Chest
Most Versatile Tool Chest
The Giantz 15-Drawer is a versatile 2-unit tool chest with 15 drawers. This includes 9-drawer chests and 6-drawer trolleys, which can be conveniently split into two units. The drawers slide smoothly over ball bearings, and the tools are protected with gripped EVA pads.
The tool is made from strong, high-tensile powder-coated steel. It's easy to move thanks to four caster wheels, two of which have brakes to keep it in place when needed. It's secured with upgraded cam locks and keys, and the top is impact-resistant with sturdy, convenient handles.
Pros
- 2-in-1 split unit
- EVA pad tool protection
- Secure upgrade cam locks with key
- Large storage space
- Smooth ball bearing
Cons
- Not for large tools
6. 888 Rolling Tool Chest
Best Portable Tool Chest
The best portable tool chest for Aussies is the 888 Rolling Tool Chest Stool. It has three drawers for holding tools, stool stops, can holders, and a padded seat creeper that can be used as a working stool.
SP Tools' tool chest has a heavy-duty frame for durability. The three drawers glide smoothly on ball bearings with four swivel caster wheels for easy mobility and secure positioning.
Pros
- Foam-padded stool top
- 3 drawers with ball bearings
- Movable on swivel castor wheels
- Heavy-duty frame
Cons
- Low storage space
How to Maintain Your Tool Chest
Tool chests are essential to maintaining and keeping your tools in good condition. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your tool chest is in good condition. If you have a tool chest for your tools, keep these strategies in mind to maintain them.
1. Organise your tools
Organising the tools inside your tool chests is essential. Most tool chests have compartments that are ideal for some tools. When arranging your toolset, keep this in mind. This is one way to protect your tool chest's shape and use case while keeping it organised.
2. Learn how to clean your tool chest
Not all tool chests are the same. Some tool chests are built with materials that oxidise and begin to rust after interaction with some elements. Learn about these to ensure you’re not unintentionally exposing your tool chest to rust using inappropriate cleaning materials. You’ll find cleaning instructions for your tool chest in the instructions manual.
3. Use your tool chest efficiently
Regardless of the build material, a poorly maintained tool chest will not last past its designated lifetime. Be sure to use your tool chest appropriately to avoid wearing it out. If you’re unsure whether a use case for your tool chest would have adverse effects, it probably would. Also, develop a routine of intermittently polishing and cleaning your tool chests.
How to Clean Your Tool Chest?
Here’s a step-by-step approach to cleaning your tool chest thoroughly. Ensure you have the right tools and cleaning agents before beginning the process.
- Take your tools out from the tool chest. This is important to not miss out on any tools while cleaning, allowing you to gather your tool sets in an ideal space before you begin work.
- Remove the drawers. Do not clean your tool chests with drawers in place. You will miss out on cleaning your tool chest thoroughly. Disassembling the drawers from the tool chests also allows you to wash them separately.
- Start cleaning from the exteriors. Begin to clean the tool chest after you have removed all the drawers. Start from the shell and work your way to the interiors of your tool chest. If you have a rolling tool chest, grease the castor wheels after cleaning them to keep them running smoothly. Again, ensure you use the suitable agents and appropriate solutions in your cleaning process.
- Reassemble the drawers. After a thorough clean of the interior and exterior of your tool chest, fix back the drawers and pack back your tools. Remember to do this gently and tighten any screws to prevent them from falling out. We recommend cleaning your tools anytime you clean your tool chests to maintain the freshly cleaned tool chest.
Laura Kemp
Wrapping Up
The best tool chest is the one that meets your specific needs.
If you want a tool chest with a complete set of new tools, the SP Tool Box SP50628 is our top choice. It has 11 drawers and over 200 tools. There are also five options available if you already own tools but storage.
For instance, the Giantz 17-Drawer Tool Chest offers the most storage space for small tools, while the Rolling Tool Storage Box is perfect for travelling. We hope you find a tool chest for your needs.
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