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If you’re like most construction pros and many DIYers, you have a collection of hand tools and power tools you need to store. Good tools are pricey, so you naturally want to protect them. As part of a larger hands-on test to determine some of the best tool boxes, I tried out three stackable components from DeWalt’s ToughSystem 2.0 line.
I loaded them up with tools and accessories, stacked them, sprayed them with water, and pulled them over flat and bumpy ground. Then, for good measure, I dropped them a short distance because that’s what happens on a typical workday.
Ahead, find out what I liked best about these ToughSystem 2.0 components, and see what I think DeWalt could do to make the system even better.
DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Stackable Tool Box: At a Glance
Rating: 4.8/5
SPECS
- Material: Durable plastic
- Locking mechanism: Steel-reinforced padlock eye
- Load capacity: Small box (110 pounds), medium box (110 pounds), mobile base (250 pounds)
WHAT WE LIKE
- IP65 rated for dust and water resistance
- Durable construction that withstands drops
- One-handed latching operation
- Backward compatible with older ToughSystem components
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- When stacked, the lid on the upper box bumps into the handle and won’t remain open by itself
Get the 3-piece DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 at The Home Depot for $279.
What is the DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 stackable tool box?
DeWalt is known for producing high-quality tools and storage solutions for DIYers and pros. The DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 is one of the brand’s flagship interchangeable tool box lines. The 2.0 system is an improvement on DeWalt’s original ToughSystem, and it’s more weather- and damage-resistant. It’s also backward compatible with the older ToughSystem components, so users don’t have to worry about 2.0 components not fitting their older components.
The three-piece system I tested, which can be purchased from The Home Depot, includes the 22-inch small tool box (DWST08165), the 22-inch large tool box (DWST08300), and the mobile storage box (DWST08450). It also comes with a removable tray that fits in the small box. Each component in my set came with auto-connect side latches I could open and close with one hand and steel latches in the front for added security. With the small and large boxes mounted on the mobile storage box (with wheels), I could easily tip and roll the three stacked boxes.
Key Features
The ToughSystem 2.0 feature I liked the best was the auto-connect latches on the sides of the boxes that allowed me to snap them into position using just one hand. If you’re holding something else, you don’t have to set it down just to latch the boxes—that’s a handy feature.
Some of my other favorite perks include:
- Ample storage capacity: DeWalt says the 2.0 system offers up to 20 percent more storage space. While I don’t have comparison specs, the boxes are large and roomy.
- Dust and water resistance: These boxes are rated IP65, which means they’re sealed well enough to keep out dust and water. I sprayed the closed boxes for 10 minutes with the nozzle on my garden hose. Afterward, I inspected the interiors, and all were bone-dry.
- Customizable storage: Inner trays are removable, and two trays can be stacked inside either of the larger boxes.
Portability
The large wheels on the mobile storage box can support up to 250 pounds, although the tools I packed in the boxes probably weighed closer to 150 pounds. When the boxes were latched in place, I used the telescoping handle to roll the tool boxes over flat concrete, loose gravel, and a lawn with tall grass that badly needed mowing. The most challenging place to pull the stacked boxes was over the tall grass; I could still do it, but it took more effort.
Being able to unstack the boxes to lift each one to the back of a pickup truck is a crucial factor for moving these boxes to different jobsites. I just unlatched each box, then lifted them one at a time to the truck bed. When I reached my destination, I unloaded them the same way and restacked them for pulling. Being able to unstack and restack the boxes quickly and easily makes them some of the more portable tool boxes I’ve used.
Build Quality and Tool Security
Each DeWalt tool box is made from plastic, but that word doesn’t accurately represent how well built and robust these boxes are: These are very sturdy boxes. As I mentioned before, I actually dropped each of these boxes from a low height—the tailgate of my truck—and none of them suffered any damage other than just some superficial scuff marks. I was impressed because I’ve had tool boxes break open before if dropped from a similar height.
DeWalt adds another little feature for helping keep tools from walking away as well. Each of the boxes in the set I tested came with a steel-reinforced padlock eye. When I closed the lid, I was able to insert a padlock shackle to secure the tools against theft. High-quality tools are always at risk of theft on a jobsite, so this offers another measure of protection that I really like.
Cost Considerations
The three-box DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 set I tested currently sells at The Home Depot for just under $280. That’s $100 more than a similar Ridgid Stackable Tool Box Set. I didn’t test the Ridgid set, so I can’t do a side-by-side comparison, but I’ve had good results with many of Ridgid’s products.
A significant benefit of purchasing this DeWalt rolling tool box set is its compatibility with a wide range of ToughSystem 2.0 and earlier ToughSystem components. I like the idea of having multiple options for expanding the DeWalt system. I also like the idea of changing tool box configurations to carry along just the tools I’ll need for a specific job.
For my money, the DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 is a good investment in protecting and transporting my tools.
Is the DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 right for you?
For pros or serious DIYers looking to store and transport their tools, the DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 is tough to beat. The three-piece set I tested has ample storage for several hand tools and power tools, and it’s made to withstand harsh weather conditions. The ability to latch the boxes together with just one hand is a handy benefit. And the reinforced padlock eye on each box offers a measure of added security and peace of mind.
However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you may want to explore other brands that manufacture stackable tool boxes at lower prices. I can only speak for the quality of the ToughSystem 2.0, and I’m sold on this line of DeWalt storage solutions. The only thing I’d do differently is include various adjustable tray options for each box.
Where to Buy the DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Components
Get the small box (DWST08165) at:
Get the large box (DWST08300) at:
Get the mobile storage box (DWST08450) at:
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.