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When it comes to streamlining workflow in the garage or at the jobsite, a good tool box organizer makes a huge difference. Proper organization improves the function of any tool box by ensuring that the right tool is always within reach. There’s no more hunting through piles of hammers, wrenches, and pliers—now it’s just a question of rapid identification, selection, and getting on with the task at hand. For this guide, we identified 8 handy tool organizing solutions and tested 6 of them, from low-cost plastic trays to complete modular systems.
We liked the GearWrench 3-Drawer Tool Box best of all because it is well built, reasonably priced, and comes with multiple shallow compartments that minimize clutter. Even without adding compartment organizers, this tool box offers a good way to keep track of things. But if you’re working with a large tool chest or a bigger tool collection, one of the other solutions we tested may be a better option. Read on to discover the best tool box organizers for any purpose or project.
- BEST OVERALL: GearWrench 3-Drawer Tool Box
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: KeFanta 42-Pack Tool Box Organizer
↓ Jump to Review - MOST VERSATILE: Bucket Boss 56 5-Gallon Canvas Tool Holder
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR WRENCHES: Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Pro Modular Wrench Organizer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SOCKETS: Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Craftsman 18-Inch Cantilever Tool Box
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOAM: Onreva Tool Box Foam Organizer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR POWER TOOLS: Milwaukee PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box
↓ Jump to Review
Tool Box Organizers Comparison Chart
| Type | Dimensions (in inches) | Material | |
| GearWrench 3-Drawer Tool Box – $63 | Tool box | 20 x 8.5 x 12 | Steel |
| KeFanta 42-Pack Tool Box Organizer – $20 | Drawer inserts | Small: 2.9 x 2.9 x 1.9 ; medium: 9 x 2.9 x 1.9; large: 9 x 6 1.9 | Polypropylene |
| Bucket Boss 56 5-Gallon Canvas Tool Holder – $39 | Bucket organizer | 11 x 12 | 600D poly ripstop |
| Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Pro Modular Wrench Organizer – $16 | Wrench organizer | 8.5 x 4.75 x 2.12 | Plastic |
| Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer – $44 | Socket organizer | 17.25 x 6 x 1 | Steel and composite |
| Craftsman 18-Inch Cantilever Tool Box – $56 | Tool box | 18 x 9.4 x 12.2 | Structural foam |
| Onreva Tool Box Foam Organizer – $52 | Tool tray liner | 22 x 18 x 2 (3 pieces) | Kaizen foam |
| Milwaukee PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box – $139 | Tool box | 18.6 x 22.1x 25.6 | Impact-resistant polymer, metal corners |
Our Top Picks
We tested a variety of tool organization ideas that promise to maximize convenience at home or at the jobsite. The following designs and accessories can help you create an organized tool box for any project.
Best Overall
GearWrench 3-Drawer Tool Box
What We Like
- Compact size and top handle for easy transport
- 4 storage compartments
- Keyed lock for security
- Durable powder-coated steel
What We Don’t Like
- Drawers do not lock for transport
Product Specs
- Type: Tool box
- Dimensions: 20 inches long by 8.5 inches wide by 12 inches high
- Material: Steel
Our Ratings: Design 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
An organized tool box starts with the box itself. This portable 3-Drawer Toolbox from GearWrench features four compartments to give all your tools a place of their own. Each drawer is 2 inches high and moves smoothly on ball-bearing slides. The hinged top compartment measures 2.5 inches deep and closes securely with a pair of steel latches, and a keyed lock secures the lid.
We were impressed with the build quality of this tool box. The powder-coated steel is not super heavy, but it feels sturdy. The drawer slides and top hinge moved smoothly and felt strong. The handle, lock, and latches, which bear the full weight of the tool box, showed no signs of strain under a 40-pound load of sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and other assorted tools.
It’s hard to beat this tool box for organizing basic hand tools. The overall size and volume was about right for our DIYer tool kit. The drawers seem shallow at first, but they are perfect for storing a single layer of common tools like wrenches, ratchets, and pliers. The shallow depth eliminates the temptation to toss in more and more stuff. The top compartment has space for smaller things, like drill and driver bits, but you may want to add accessories to keep track of those items.
What our tester says: “It’s hard to organize tools without a well-structured tool box. The GearWrench tool box doesn’t make a revolutionary design statement, but it checks all the boxes: efficient layout, durable construction, and value price.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the GearWrench toolbox organizer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Fastenal.
Best Bang for the Buck
KeFanta 42-Pack Tool Box Organizer
What We Like
- Keeps small tools and accessories organized
- Kit includes 24 small, 12 medium, and 6 large organizers
- 1.9-inch depth fits into most tool box drawers
- Durable polypropylene material supports up to 100 pounds
What We Don’t Like
- May not work with certain tool shapes and sizes
Product Specs
- Type: Drawer inserts
- Dimensions: Small: 2.9 inches by 2.9 inches; medium: 9 inches by 2.9 inches; large: 9 inches by 6 inches (all 1.9 inches deep)
- Material: Polypropylene
Our Ratings: Design 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Organizing small tools and components can be challenging, and it’s easy for them to end up in a confused jumble. KeFanta’s 42-tray set can be used to create an effective tool drawer organizer for screwdrivers, drill bits, pliers, Allen wrenches, and so on, all at an affordable price.
The polypropylene trays come in three sizes, allowing them to accommodate a wide range of items, from nuts and bolts to nails and other hardware. They are also surprisingly tough; the set can support up to 100 pounds before deforming. Moreover, the trays have an anti-slip design and can hook together, so combinations can be customized to suit tool boxes or drawers.
These tool box drawer organizers felt much sturdier than we had anticipated, and they integrate with most tool storage systems. We used the smallest tray size to sort our collection of driver bits. The midsize ones were the right size for screwdrivers, as well as detailing tools like craft knives, precision screwdrivers, hooks, and picks. The organizers fit perfectly into our tool box drawers and seemed to withstand oil and grease. The KeFanta 42-pack tray set is available in four colors, and it can also be used to organize home supplies or to hold art, craft, and hobby supplies.
Get the KeFanta tool box organizer at Amazon.
Most Versatile
Bucket Boss 5-Gallon Canvas 56-Tool Holder
What We Like
- Converts a 5 gallon bucket into an organized tool box
- Great for bulky building tools
- 56 pockets to organize tools, fasteners, and other equipment
- Easy access to anything in the bucket
What We Don’t Like
- Bucket also accumulates jobsite debris
- May become top heavy with large loads
Product Specs
- Type: Bucket organizer
- Dimensions: 11 inches in diameter, 12 inches deep
- Material: 600D poly ripstop
Our Ratings: Design 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Strictly speaking, it may not be a tool “box” organizer, but the Bucket Boss is a versatile and affordable tool sorter that could be an ideal solution for many DIYers and professionals. It is made of hard-wearing 600D poly ripstop (a material that won’t tear if cut or punctured), and it fits snugly over almost any empty 5-gallon bucket.
There are a total of 56 pockets in assorted sizes that can hold a vast range of tools and hardware, from drill bits and screwdrivers to pliers and wrenches. Three internal loops can hold hammers and power tools, or they can be used to carry the organizer when it’s not sitting over a bucket. Even when attached, extra space can be left inside the bucket to carry additional items. Like many of the best tool organizers for tool boxes, it has the versatility to adapt to numerous trades and home uses.
We especially liked the Bucket Boss for backyard construction. It allowed us to load almost all of the hand tools, power tools, and fasteners we needed for a deck extension we were working on. All of the hand tools fit into the pockets, and we put the cordless circular saw, drill/driver, and extra batteries inside the bucket itself. Throughout the day, we had easy access to our tape measures, pencils, drill bits, and other small stuff that can get jumbled in a toolbag. At the end of the day, the bucket had accumulated an assortment of cut ends, loose screws, and sawdust.
What our tester says: “I’ve used a bucket to carry my tools for years, but never with an organizer. The Bucket Boss was much more durable than I expected and had more than enough pockets for all my stuff. It’s a major upgrade.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Bucket Boss tool box organizer at The Home Depot, Acme Tools, or MSC.
Best for Wrenches
Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Pro Modular Wrench Organizer
What We Like
- Interlocking modular design for custom layouts
- Holds up to 20 wrenches
- Works with various wrench types and sizes
What We Don’t Like
- Needs tool drawer liner to prevent sliding
- Price is somewhat high
Product Specs
- Type: Wrench organizer
- Dimensions: 8.5 inches long by 4.75 inches wide by 2.12 inches high
- Material: Plastic
Our Ratings: Design 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Wrenches can get mixed up in an open drawer, but this wrench organizer keeps them in check. The Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Pro modular organizer is designed to work with most wrenches, separating and aligning them so that you can quickly find and pick out the one you need. The set includes interlocking pieces that hold up to 20 wrenches (when assembled in a single long row), and peel-and-stick labels for common wrench sizes from 6 mm to 38 mm, or ¼ inch to 1 ½ inches.
The compact design fits in most tool box trays and drawers, with a clearance height of 1 ⅞ inches. The stepped shape works with offset, combination, open end, stubby, adjustable, and ratcheting wrenches. The base of the system features slip-resistant grip spikes to minimize movement inside a lined drawer.
The Ernst Manufacturing wrench organizers made a huge difference in our tool drawer. The interlocking mechanism worked as intended. But our unlined drawer had nothing for the grip spikes to grip, so the assemblies slid around during transport. Even so, the organizers held together perfectly and we were able to immediately find the right wrench, and easily see when one was missing. It’s a simple system that simply works.
Get the Ernst Manufacturing tool box organizer at Amazon or JB Tools.
Best for Sockets
Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer
What We Like
- 4 adjoining rails hold 80 sockets
- Spring-loaded ball-bearing retainer clips
- Keeps sockets organized in the drawer
- Easy to remove from the drawer and carry
What We Don’t Like
- May not work with deep sockets in shallow drawers
- Socket size labels not included
Product Specs
- Type: Socket organizer
- Dimensions: 17.25 inches long, 6 inches wide, 1 inch high
- Material: Steel and composite
Our Ratings: Design 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Few tools cause as much aggravation as a collection of loose sockets, but the Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer eliminates the frustration. It comes equipped with ball bearing clips that hold 20 ¼-inch sockets, 30 ⅜-inch sockets, and 30 ½-inch sockets. The socket rails are mounted on a steel baseplate with a fold-out handle for easy removal and transport from the tool box.
The Olsa Tools socket organizer was very easy to load. The spring-loaded ball-bearing retainer clips allowed the sockets to slip on and off with minimal force but still held them securely. Reconfiguring the socket clips to consolidate sizes and types required simply squeezing a rail lock release to slip the clip off one rail, and then slipping it onto another. Deep well sockets fit on the clips, but they may prevent the tray from fitting into shallow drawers. We stored it in the deeper top compartment of our tool box, which also left a little extra room to keep ratchets, extensions, and other related accessories.
This setup was easy to work with, and it made it easy to see when a socket was missing. The 80 clips in the kit didn’t match up with the numbers and drive sizes in our collection, but the good news is that Olsa Tools sells extra clips in any drive size in packs of 10 or 24.
Get the Olsa Tools tool box organizer at Amazon or Olsa Tools.
More Great Options
If the tool organizing systems we tested are not quite right for your situation, we have a few more suggestions. We discovered the following products during our research and found that they each offer specific features and benefits that also make them worth considering.
Best Portable
Craftsman 18-Inch Cantilever Tool Box
What We Like
- Lightweight but rugged tool box
- 2 cantilever trays with removable dividers
- IP54-rated water- and dust-resistant
What We Don’t Like
- Hinge and latch may be weak points
Product Specs
- Type: Tool box
- Dimensions: 18 inches long by 9.4 inches wide by 12.2 inches high
- Material: Structural foam
The Craftsman 18-inch tool box is an example of where we think tool boxes and tool box organizers overlap. Unlike some portable tool boxes that offer a tray but little else to help organize tools, the Craftsman has numerous dividers that can be removed and rearranged to meet individual requirements. The cantilever design opens fully to allow easy access to the two drawers and the spacious lower section.
Additionally, the Craftsman 18-inch tool box is made from structural foam that is strong, durable, and lightweight, so despite its impressive size and capacity it is very portable. It is also water- and dust-resistant to the international IP54 standard. Rust-resistant metal catches ensure it stays firmly shut while being transported.
Get the Craftsman tool box organizer at Amazon or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Best Foam
Onreva Tool Box Foam Organizer
What We Like
- Kaizen foam provides protection and cushioning
- Outline and cut to create custom tool box organizers
- Multiple layers peel back to facilitate different depths
What We Don’t Like
- High-quality foam at a relatively high price
Product Specs
- Type: Tool tray liner
- Dimensions: 22 inches long by 18 inches wide by 2 inches high (3 pieces)
- Material: Kaizen foam
Using foam is a great way to create your own DIY tool box organizer. Foam can be customized to fit existing tool boxes and tool organization drawers, then cut to suit all types of tools, from sockets, wrenches, and pliers to drills and other power tools. However, it’s important to choose the right type of foam, as some tear easily or wear quickly.
Onreva uses Kaizen foam, which is a laminated, closed-cell polyethylene that is strong, durable, shock-absorbing, and vibration-dampening. It is also easy to cut with a sharp craft knife or box cutter. This organizer set includes three sheets of 18-inch by 12-inch by 2.2-inch foam in a pack.
Get the Onreva tool box organizer at Amazon.
Best for Power Tools
Milwaukee PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box
What We Like
- High-capacity storage
- Impact-resistant box with reinforced corners
- IP65-rated weatherproof seal
- Part of the modular PACKOUT expandable system
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price for rugged storage
Product Specs
- Type: Tool box
- Dimensions: 18.6 inches long by 22.1 inches wide by 25.6 inches high
- Material: Impact-resistant polymer, metal corners
Power tools can be bulky, especially when they require a spare battery or two plus a charger. Therefore, a suitable tool box organizer for them needs to be fairly large. The Milwaukee PACKOUT rolling tool box certainly meets that requirement, and it has many more attractive features, too.
The impact-resistant case has metal reinforcement at the corners for jobsite toughness. Carrying capacity is 250 pounds, so it’s certainly strong. The cart has 9-inch all-terrain wheels and an extending handle. There’s a lift-out tray for smaller tools and accessories, and valuable tools are protected by a weatherproof seal rated at IP65.
This modular tool storage system also offers outstanding expandability, with a wide range of matching tool boxes and organizers that lock together with this one to form a complete modular storage system.
Get the Milwaukee tool box organizer at The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Northern Tool & Equipment.
Or, DIY Your Own Tool Box Organizer
If you already own a tool box (or maybe more than one), then one of the easiest ways of making an organizer for it is to use tool box foam. It is available in a variety of thicknesses, and even comes in several different colors. The foam needs to be relatively dense so it will keep its shape, so be wary of cheap alternatives.
The key to success when DIY-ing your own foam tool organizers is planning. For convenience, try to group similar tools together. Lay them out on an ordinary sheet of paper, and see how you can arrange them to make best use of space. Make sure gaps between tools aren’t too small, or the foam might break.
Once you’re happy with the layout, you can trace around the tools and use the traced layout as a template to cut the foam. Don’t forget to include indents for your fingers so that you can lift the tools out. Special heated foam-cutting knives are available, but a craft knife with a sharp blade should be sufficient. Offcuts can also be used as tool box dividers, ensuring almost nothing goes to waste.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Tool Box Organizers
| Testing Stats | |
|---|---|
| Products tested | 5 |
| Time spent testing | 3 weeks |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $16 to $63 |
As serial DIYers and home improvement product testers, we use all sorts of tools on a daily basis. For this guide we selected the tool organizing solutions that we would have wanted from the start: a tool box with plenty of compartments, but not one too specialized, and organizers to keep the most difficult tools separated in an orderly manner. We considered products from popular brands and less well known companies, and selected a complementary assortment of models for testing.
As a test, we assembled a sample home tool kit from the equipment that we use most frequently, including sockets, wrenches, bits, and cutters, then loaded them into the tool box organizers and worked with the newly organized set for a few weeks.
| OUR RATINGS | Design | Durability | Value |
| GearWrench 3-Drawer Tool Box – $63 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| KeFanta 42-Pack Tool Box Organizer – $20 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Bucket Boss 56 5-Gallon Canvas Tool Holder – $39 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Pro Modular Wrench Organizer – $16 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer – $44 | 5 | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
What to Consider When Choosing a Tool Box Organizer
When shoppers are choosing a tool box organizer, a lot will depend on the tools currently owned, but it’s also worth bearing in mind that most tool collections grow. In addition, many organizers are great all-purpose products, but some are specific to a particular hobby or occupation. The following section offers some top tool box organization tips to help refine your search.
Type
Tool box organizers come in a vast array of styles and sizes. One of the most important issues to consider is the type of tools that will be kept in the organizer. Many organizers have multiple purposes, which most DIYers will find practical. Others are more specific to particular tools.
Organizers that hold wrenches and sockets are usually aimed at home or professional mechanics, for example. Others may be designed to fulfill the needs of plumbers, electricians, roofers, and so on. There are also those that have lots of small compartments for screws, nails, and hardware. Modular systems may combine everything in a stackable set.
Capacity and Portability
Capacity (or size) and portability need to be considered carefully. If the tool storage is fixed (like a cabinet), or doesn’t move far (like a rolling tool box), then capacity can be as great as there is physical space, and organizational trays and foam make it easy to customize how the tools are organized.
If portability is necessary, then compromises on number or size of tools may be required. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of versatility available. In addition to the many small and medium-size tool box organizers, there are those that come with their own wheeled carts. Systems from DeVilbiss and Milwaukee, for example, offer high capacity while still retaining reasonable mobility.
It’s also important to consider weight. Something that appears to be portable might not be so easy to move when it is full of tools. Overloading isn’t just awkward; it can lead to injuries.
Material
A variety of materials are used in tool box organizers, and much depends on their purpose. Steel is common and offers strength and durability. However, it is heavy, so it usually is best used for stationary cabinets or rolling tool chests. Aluminum is lighter and corrosion-resistant, though it’s mostly found in truck bed tool boxes.
Plastic, typically polypropylene or polycarbonate, is also popular. It is often lighter than metal alternatives, more easily forms into a variety of shapes, won’t rust, and can have good impact resistance.
Fabrics such as leather, nylon, and polyester are used for flexibility. Strictly speaking, they might not fit in a “box,” but in a bucket, tool bags, or a tool belt. They are popular and provide a variety of organization options. Once again, it’s a question of deciding what best suits the tools a DIYer or pro owns and the way they work.
The Advantages of Owning a Tool Box Organizer
Although there are one or two exceptions, most tool box organizers are quite affordable, particularly compared to the price of the tools they contain. However, economy is only one reason to acquire an organization system; here are some others.
- With a tool box organizer, it’s possible to work more efficiently because it’s quick and simple to identify the tool needed. That’s a plus for anyone needing tools, and for pros, the time saved can positively impact earnings.
- When tools are properly organized, it’s often possible to fit more in the same space.
- There’s less chance of expensive tools getting damaged by banging around against each other.
- Users are less likely to scuff knuckles or bruise fingers when searching for a tool that’s buried at the bottom of the tool box if each is stored in its own space.
FAQs
We covered many of the main ideas for storing tools in the article above, and we hope it will have answered most questions. However, you may still be wondering how to organize tool box equipment, so we’ve answered some common questions here.
To some extent, the terms “tool box” and “tool chest” are interchangeable. If there’s a difference, then it’s perhaps that a tool chest is often seen as a large container, with perhaps a lift-out tray but little more. As a result, the contents are often something of a jumble. The best tool box will frequently be portable, and it may have numerous drawers or dividers to allow for better tool organization.
There are so many choices in our tool organizer picks above that there should be one to suit just about every need. That said, there are lots of tool storage ideas that may be more appropriate to specific needs. Floor-standing cabinets and rolling tool boxes are among the other options worth considering.
There are several ways to store power tools in a tool organizer, and much will depend on the size and number of power tools you own. A variety of dividers are available for those who already own a tool box, or foam can be cut to suit. Alternatively, modular systems like the one we feature from Milwaukee can adapt to larger power tool sets.
Steel remains one of the most popular materials for tool boxes because it is strong, tough, durable and affordable.
While individual tool needs vary based on project and work habit variables, every tool box needs a few basics. Be sure to include a multi-bit screwdriver, socket wrench set, adjustable wrench, measuring tape, hammer, hand saw, level, utility knife, and pliers.
To start organizing tools in a workshop, designate a “home” for every tool. The space may be organized with pegboards, cabinetry, open shelving, drawers, and/or permanent workstations. The precise arrangement will vary, and may change over time, depending on need.
Meet the Tester
As a former landscaping professional, Mark Wolfe kept his tool box well stocked in order to build or repair fences, walls, irrigation systems, and equipment. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest tools and lawn and garden products.
Additional research provided by Bob Beacham.
