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Best Small Tool Boxes – Complete Reviews With Comparison
If there’s one thing that every handyman needs to complete their tool kit, it’s a tool box. These storage items are essential for, well, storing your tools and DIY equipment so that you can easily find them each time you have a new project and also to protect them from damage.
However, finding a good tool box is certainly easier said than done, especially with so many models and makes out there. That’s why we’ve put together this collection of some of the best small tool boxes out there. Read on to find out more about these tool boxes and to find the perfect one for your needs.
Best Small Tool Box Reviews
Plano Molding 114-002 13-inch Compact Tool Box
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very compact
- Top-access storage
- Liftout tray
- Clear top compartment
- Secure latch
Cons
- Sides are not sturdy
Plano Storage has been in the business since 1952, so it’s safe to say that they know what they’re doing when it comes to creating quality DIY and construction equipment. This compact tool box is small enough to fit into most tight storage spaces while still having more than enough room to fit your tools in it.
Review
If you’re looking for a classic tool storage container with a compact form factor, then look no further than the Plano Molding 114-002 compact tool box. Measuring in at just 13 inches, it is one of the smallest tool boxes on the market, which makes it perfect for those that don’t have a lot of space in their garage or hobby areas.
The compact tool box offers a wide variety of organizational options without taking up too much space, which could be used to store more tools and other equipment. The box features top-access storage to make retrieving and packing away your tools as easy as possible, and there is also a clear lid under which you can keep various essentials, like screws and nails, organized and within reach.
The 11-002 tool box also comes with a lift-out tray, which provides you with even more storage space for your smaller tools, like screwdrivers and wrenches. Heavy-duty latches are used to close the tool box, and there is also a sturdy handle that allows for secure transport and carrying. The great thing about the top compartment being clear is that you don’t have to remove it and open up all of the compartments just to find the tool you are looking for.
You can look at the contents inside and find the right tool before opening up the box. The box itself is made from high-quality plastic, making it both sturdy and durable. The latch makes sure that all of the boxes inside are well-packed and secured and that none of your tools fall out.
Unfortunately, while most of the box is quite sturdy, the sides are not very rigid, and they tend to cave in when moving the box around, which can disrupt the tools inside.
Akro-Mils 12-inch ProBox Plastic Tool Box
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple design
- Durable plastic
- One-latch closure
- Suitable for more than just tools
- Available in red and clear colors
Cons
- No organizational components
If you are on the hunt for a super simple tool box that will get the job done without taking up too much space in your garage, then the Akro-Mils 12-inch tool box may just be the one for you. It comes in two varieties, with one being a stylish, bright red, and the other being made of clear plastic, allowing you to see all of your tools inside.
Review
The exterior dimensions of the Akro-Mils 12-inch ProBox are 12″ x 6″ x 4″, making this one of the most compact tool boxes on this list. It is perfect for home DIY enthusiasts who are looking to save as much space as possible in their garage or storage area, and its simple design makes it very easy to stack on top of other storage units.
The box itself is made from durable, high-quality industrial-grade plastic, featuring rounded edges for additional safety for you and your family. It comes with a simple one-latch closure at the front, which makes opening and closing the box extremely easy. The simple handle at the top makes carrying and transporting the ProBox quite straightforward as well.
The ProBox is perfect for transporting and storing supplies, like your tools, but also for items like nail polish, hobby paint, first aid supplies, kids toy tools, camping utensils, fishing and tackle box accessories, game pieces, sewing notions, and much more. Anything you can think of, you can store in the ProBox.
However, one of the major downsides that the ProBox suffers from is that it only has the main storage compartment and nothing else. You aren’t getting a secondary storage tray underneath the lid as you would with many other tool boxes, so there’s really no room for organization. You’ll just have to throw your toys in and fish for them each time.
What’s more, while the bright red version of the ProBox is quite nice to look at, it doesn’t come with any transparent components, which means you can’t see the tools inside. This is more of a minor inconvenience, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.
Big Red TB102 Torin 16″ Portable Steel Tool Box
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large storage capacity
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Visually pleasing
- Heavy plated metal latch
- Comfortable grip handle
Cons
- Lid does not swing past 90°
The Torin tool box from Big Red is perfect for DIY enthusiasts who are looking for a premium tool storage experience. It boasts a bright red finish and a retro handyman look, which will make you the envy of all of your handyman friends.
Review
The Big Red Torin 16″ tool box is the largest tool box on this list, but it is still compact enough to fit into the smallest spaces in your garage. It is quite long as well, which makes it great for storing some of your larger tools, like hammers, mallets, and more. The Torin features a hip roof style, with a small, portable design.
It makes for a fantastic accessory for professional mechanics and DIY home improvement enthusiasts alike. You can use it to store tools in your home, garage, workshop, car, or even at your job site. The box itself is made from heavy-duty gauge steel, with a powder coat finish that is resistant to corrosion and that delivers strong and solid construction for additional durability.
In our opinion, it is one of the most attractive compact tool boxes out there. Most tool boxes are quite square and blocky, and while they might come in bright colors, they’re not very nice to look at. The Big Red Torin tool box doesn’t suffer this problem, thanks to its cherry-red finish and hip roof style.
The Torin comes with a comfortable grip handle, which not only adds to its looks but also makes the tool box very easy to carry around. There is also a heavy plated metal latch that prevents the lid from accidentally popping open.
The only real gripe we have with this tool box has to do with its lid. The lid is not able to swing past 90°, and will therefore stand up completely straight when all the way open. What’s more, when you are closing the lid, you have to push it down slowly and deliberately so that the top and bottom parts of the clasp align correctly.
Tool Bench Hardware 12″ Tool Box
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very simple design
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry
- Secure closure
- Durable
Cons
- No transparent components
The 12″ tool box from Tool Bench Hardware is probably the simplest tool box on this list and likely resembles what you imagine when you think of a tool box. It features a very basic and straightforward design and does nothing more than what every tool box should do: store your tools.
Review
Not only is this 12″ tool box from Tool bench Hardware the most straightforward tool box on this list, but it is also the most budget-friendly. So if you are looking for a handy, reliable container to store your tools in, and want to save every penny you can, then this may just be the product for you.
It features a very simple black design that, while not the most visually pleasing to look at, adds to the box’s overall simplicity and utilitarian nature. There is no fancy branding or lettering, nor are there any extravagant patterns – it’s just a small crate that you put your tools into. At the top, attached to the lid, you’ll find a yellow carrying handle, which folds down when not in use.
This handle, of course, can be used when you’re transporting the box from one place to another. You might not want to hold the box by the handle for extended time periods, though, as it is made from solid plastic and is not the most comfortable thing in the world to hold onto. You’ll also find a plastic yellow latch at the front of the box, which acts as its closer.
It is quite secure and should not pop open when moving the box around, which is a nice bonus. In addition, the entire box is made from a durable plastic that is capable of withstanding quite a lot of wear and tear, making it great for more clumsy mechanics or DIY enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, this Tool Bench Hardware box suffers the same problem that the Akro-Mils tool box does, in that it does not have any transparent components that allow you to see into the compartment, nor does it have any organizational features. It’s essentially just a plastic tub with a latch and handle.
Trusco Trunk-Style T-320 Tool Box
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Made from durable metal
- Attractive blue finish
- Secure metal latch
- Comfortable carrying handle
- Spacious interior
Cons
- No organizational elements
Finally, to end off this list, we have the Trunk-Style T-320 tool box from Trusco, which is one of the more stylish options on our list. It comes in an attractive blue color that not only makes it visually appealing but also makes it easier to spot in cluttered environments.
Review
If you are tired of using your old, damaged, fragile plastic tool box, and are looking for a durable upgrade, then look no further than this tool box from Trusco. It is made from a durable metal, which means that it is capable of withstanding as much abuse as you can put it through without becoming damaged.
At the top of the lid, you’ll find a handle, which rests flat against the box when you aren’t using it, making the box much easier to store. The handle is also very comfortable to hold, which is something that you rarely see on metal tool boxes like this one.
There is a metal latch at the front of the box, which is very secure and is not prone to popping open randomly. Trusco also sells a cylinder lock separately, which you can install yourself to provide your tool box with an added layer of security. This is entirely optional, though.
The lid opens seamlessly, and unlike the Big Red tool box, it can open past 90°, so you don’t have to work at awkward angles to retrieve your tools from the main storage compartment. The main compartment is spacious enough to store your essential tools and equipment, but the overall box is still small enough to fit into tight storage spaces.
Once again, we would have liked to see some kind of organizational component in the Trusco tool box, like a storage tray that sits beneath the lid. Unfortunately, there is only the main chamber in this tool box, which means that your tools can quickly become cluttered and disorganized, especially when transporting the box from one location to the next.
Conclusion
Tool boxes are essential for anyone that does a lot of work with tools, whether you’re a professional handyman or mechanic or just a DIY home improvement enthusiast. We hope that we were able to help you find your next perfect tool box.