The 4 Best Garage Storage Systems, Tested by Editors (2024)

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Updated: Apr. 29, 2024

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Family Handyman’s shopping editor, Mary Henn, tested the Gladiator Flex cabinet system to see how it stacks up against the rest. “Actually, I gifted the Gladiator Flex cabinet system to my mother who, being quite the handywoman herself, was in desperate need of a storage system to hold tools, paint and supplies that aren’t in use,” Henn says.

The Gladiator Flex cabinet system is an adjustable storage solution made of welded steel. The Flex cabinet system IV holds an impressive 2,350 pounds of weight and includes seven fully adjustable shelves that fit within the cabinets. “There’s also a locking system on all of the cabinets, which is great for keeping items safe and out of reach in homes with young children,” Henn says. That’s right, this pick is useful for stowing away nail guns, hand saws and other potentially dangerous tools. You’ll just want to remember where you keep the key.

“My mother loves the sleek, modern design of the metal cabinets with their powder-coat finish and recessed handles,” Henn says. “She also loves that the doors on the cabinets stay quiet while opening and closing.” Thanks to the soft-close doors, you don’t have to worry about waking anyone up while tinkering around in your garage or workshop late at night.

“All in all, the cabinets took us about three and a half hours to assemble and mount,” Henn explains. “We scheduled a specific date and time for the Gladiator Flex cabinet system to be delivered, and the unit was delivered by a professional on time. While we did assemble the system ourselves—and without much difficulty, I might add—the system did not come with mounting hardware. So, we had to acquire that after we had the cabinets assembled and ready to mount.”

In addition to the convenient locking feature, we love that the Gladiator brand offers a wide range of products when it comes to garage storage. You can shop compatible gear tracks, as well as other matching accessories and storage units with wheels, drawers and built-in workspaces from the brand for a customizable feel.

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At the top of our list, ranked as the best overall garage storage system, is the Husky garage storage system. It’s an extra-wide, four-piece steel set available in black and red. Our senior shopping editor, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, had the system installed in her own garage to see what it’s like in person.

“I never realized how much stuff had accumulated in my double-car garage until my husband and I want to park our cars in there in preparation for a snowstorm,” Fitzpatrick says. “To make room, I happily tested the Husky welded steel storage system, which features one locker, two wall cabinets and one one-drawer two-door base cabinet. With all the different types of storage in one unit, it’s tough to find something that doesn’tproperly find a home in this system.”

From outdoor furniture cushions to cleaning supplies to garden tools, Fitzpatrick says she uses the Husky storage system to store a range of things and clear up floor space in her garage. Each shelf holds up to 350 pounds, each drawer holds up to 120 pounds and the top cabinet holds 200 pounds.

While you can order this garage system and install it yourself, The Home Depot offers a garage storage installation service where professionals come to your home (twice, for accuracy) to measure your space, ensure any questions you have are answered and install it for you. “Keep in mind that this process takes a bit more time, but the results feel more custom,” Fitzpatrick says. “Plus, that’s why my husband and I felt confident in our decision on where to place the Husky—and yes, we’re both still able to park our cars in the garage.”

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If you don’t have a grand or more to shell out on a custom garage storage system, don’t sweat it. Family Handyman’s in-house product tester, Sheri Kaz, loves this budget Amazon option. In fact, she says it’s better than a lot of storage cabinets for double the price. “At such a reasonable price point, I didn’t have high expectations, but after the cabinet was assembled, I was amazed at how sturdy and solid it is,” Kaz says. “I’ve owned other metal cabinets that warped when filled and had problems with the doors lining up after just a short period of use. The Yizosh cabinet is as stable as the day it was assembled.”

The Yizosh garage storage cabinet arrives from Amazon in a hefty package. Kaz used a dolly to move it into her garage until she had time to assemble it. “Assembly was simple because the directions and parts are clearly labeled. I was glad I had a helper to assemble it, and it took about an hour to put the whole thing together,” Kaz says. “The cabinet arrived in pristine condition because they added additional metal pieces to protect it from shipping mishaps. Once it was unpacked, I was relieved that the dented pieces weren’t part of the cabinet but included to take the brunt of the bangs during transport.”

The shelves on this budget cabinet hold an impressive 150 pounds and the height can be adjusted using strong metal supports. Kaz ended up only using three of the shelves to store taller items, like garden and lawn tools. The cabinet is sealed to keep items dust free and protected from pests and insects, too. “The doors stay open when needed and have a magnetic close,” Kaz adds. “Another convenient feature is the ability to level the cabinet from the inside. Just slip a screwdriver in the hole and adjust the leveling feet as needed.”

“The Yizosh garage storage cabinet turned out to be a wonderful space saver for my disorganized one-car garage,” Kaz says. “As an avid gardener, I have a host of small items that needed a home. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this cabinet for home, office or garage use—it’s very sleek and well-made.”

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Caroline Lubinsky, senior editor at Family Handyman, loves to stay organized, but until recently she didn’t have a practical or efficient way of organizing her garage. Dumbbells, golf clubs, power tools, you name it—her garage was cluttered and chaotic, and she needed a solution. That’s when she discovered these NewAge garage cabinets, customizable storage cabinets for your garage, basem*nt or shed.

Lubinsky recommends taking detailed measurements of your garage space first, then use those measurements (of where you want to place the cabinets) to choose the best configuration for your needs. “For reference, we chose the six-piece set, which measures 108 inches by 77-1/4 inches,” Lubinsky says. “You can pick and choose the extras/add-ons you’re willing to pay for. Some of the configurations have worktops made of bamboo while others have a more expensive stainless-steel finish. Some of the cabinets have built-in LED lighting, ideal for late-night projects. And if you have tons of tools to store, consider adding on the slatwall, rollable tool drawer or the pull-out cabinets to your set.”

It took Lubinsky about four hours to unbox and put her custom, six-piece NewAge garage cabinets together with the help of her boyfriend. (You can read more about her experience with delivery and assembly in her NewAge garage cabinet review.) Putting the storage system together does require a bit of time and more than one person. However, assembly is relatively easy, Lubinsky says and adds, “NewAge provides a QR code to scan to view the directions (or watch assembly videos if you’re a visual learner). Most of the process is self-explanatory.”

“You may feel hesitant to spend a few thousand bucks ongarage cabinets, but there’s one big reason why I think it’s worth it: NewAge provides a limited lifetime warranty,” Lubinsky says. “Additionally, all their cabinets are made with 18- or 24-gauge steel, which are heavy-duty materials that resist corrosion. Translation? You’ll have these cabinets for years to come without the threat of rust.”

Originally Published: January 12, 2024