Best Tool Boxes in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 14, 2024
Whether you are a professional tradesman, an aspiring handyman, or simply someone who would like to get his tools in order, get one ...Read more
PROS

Metal latches and hinges make the whole thing a lot more rugged and a really wide handle makes the box better suited for transportation. The latches can be used as side handles. They also allow for easy stacking. 

CONS

Some find the small side handles a tad inconvenient.

OUR VERDICT

DeWalt DWST1-71195 could be described as the best tool box for those who aren't looking for anything specific, just a reliable workbox with a classic design. The model is large and it has a lot of space inside for all kinds of tools.

detailed parameters
Type

Box with dividers

Volume

17 inches

Material

Plastic, metal

Size

440 x 176 x 314 mm

Features

Removable tray for small tools and accessories, side metal latches, built-In wide handle, metal hinges

Weight

2 kg

Warranty

3 years

PROS

The model features a front draw with a carousel design. It doesn't just provide a great storage unit for small tools and accessories but also a convenient access to these things. The road-tested wheels and the telescopic handle will allow you to easily manoeuvre around. 

CONS

Not the most rugged construction when fully assembled. 

OUR VERDICT

We would recommend this rolling tool box from Stanley to any mechanic who doesn't work alone. This thing has enough space to fit multiple people's instruments and it will be a perfect addition to your workshop.

detailed parameters
Type

Multifunctional box with wheels

Volume

N/A

Material

Plastic, metal

Size

470 x 265 x 620 mm

Features

Front draw with carousel design, removable tote tray, metal front and side latches, telescopic handle, road-tested wheels

Weight

4.31 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

You'll get 3 boxes for the price of one. Each one of them has a removable storage tray that is ideal for bolts, nuts, screws, and other smaller parts. Plus, the lid of each box features a removable storage compartment, a great place for your spanners, screwdrivers, and pliers. 

CONS

There are no metal reinforcements. 

OUR VERDICT

There are a lot of different people who could find some use for this 3-piece box set. But we would say that this is probably the best fit for carpenters and joiners as these are the people who often rely on a lot of different tools for all kinds of tasks.

detailed parameters
Type

3-piece box set

Volume

10, 13, and 16.5 inches

Material

Plastic

Size

229 x 282 x 424 mm

Features

Each box has removable storage trays, double-locking clips, carry handle, clear plastic removable storage

Weight

2.48 kg

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The soft-grip handle relieves some of the pain and fatigue from your hands that you often get after hours of carrying a box full of tools. The handle folds flat into the lid, making it easier to store the unit. The lid features 2 organisers that you can access without opening the box.

CONS

The padlock seems a bit flimsy. 

OUR VERDICT

Stanley STA194858 is one of the better options on the market from the mobility and transportation standpoints. It may not seem that large but the tool box boasts 20 inches of volume and weighs less than 1.8 kilos. A great choice for plumbers and anyone who has to carry his tools on a daily basis.

detailed parameters
Type

Box with dividers

Volume

20 inches

Material

Plastic, metal

Size

510 x 260 x 224 mm

Features

Metal latches, soft-grip handle, 2 organisers which are accessible without opening the toolbox, a built-in padlock eye, removable tote tray inside

Weight

1.8 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The cantilever design of the model incorporates 5 separate trays. They don't just add a lot more organisation options but also conveniently display the contents when open. The tubular steel carry handle opens and closes the box as it is lifted and lowered. 

CONS

The padlock is not part of the package. 

OUR VERDICT

If you work in a busy workshop or any place that you could describe as a relatively tough environment, this metal tool box from Faithfull will prove to be right up your alley. It is one of the few options that will keep your tools safe in those types of scenarios.

detailed parameters
Type

5-tray tool box

Volume

17 inches

Material

Metal

Size

405 x 205 x 19.5 mm

Features

Tubular steel carry handle, lid with a padlock eye

Weight

3.24 kg

Warranty

5 years

Better Version of the Usual Deal

With the DWST1-71195, DeWalt clearly didn't want to reinvent the wheel. What we have here is a deep workbox, plain and simple. There are no gimmicks here. With about 17 inches of space inside (or 23 litres of volume), you will have plenty of room for large hand tools and sizable power tools. But, of course, they didn't forget to include the usual removable tray for smaller tools and other instruments and accessories.

Featuring a plastic foundation, the model comes equipped with metal latches and hinges. They make the whole thing a lot more rugged and tough enough to handle the figurative (as well as the literal) bumps in the road.

Speaking of handling, this deep tool storage box incorporates a really wide handle, a nice little touch that makes the box better suited for transportation. The aforementioned metal latches don't just keep the instruments safe and secure but also allow for easy stacking. They can also serve as side handles if need be.

But despite the metal parts and the rather respectable size of 440 x 176 x 314 millimetres in overall dimensions, the whole thing weighs just 2 kilograms. So, again, carrying it around won't be much of an issue.

Rephrasing our earlier point, the DeWalt DWST1-71195 could be described as the best tool box for those who aren't looking for anything specific, just a reliable workbox with a classic design. The model is large and it has a lot of space inside for all kinds of tools.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £44.69
Stock In stock
ASIN B00CCFY5B6

It's All in the Name

With this product, Stanley decided to go with a bit of a different approach. Instead of the usual rectangular box, they designed what they refer to as a mobile work centre. And we would say that it is a fitting name for an item like that. It consists of two units that you can put and attach on top of each other or separate at will.

The first unit is more or less your standard workbox, albeit a particularly large one. There's quite a lot of space there for all kinds of tools. There's also the standard removable tote tray for smaller instruments. But, in addition to the tray, the model features a front draw with a carousel design. It doesn't just provide a perfect personalised storage unit for small tools and accessories but also a convenient access to these things.

The box comes with tough front and side metal latches. Both can withstand some serious heavy-duty usage. The former will keep your instruments in check. And the side latches can be shut with or without the second unit.

Speaking of which, the second unit is essentially a giant bin that will be able to fit a multitude of power tools and a number of other bulky items. The bin includes road-tested wheels that will definitely come in handy since both units combined take quite a lot of space and weigh a tad more than your typical workbox. But, with a telescopic handle, manoeuvring this thing around should be but a breeze.

All in all, we would recommend this rolling tool box from Stanley to any mechanic who doesn't work alone. This thing has enough space to fit multiple people's instruments and it will be a perfect addition to your workshop.

Last updated price £38.69
Stock In stock
ASIN B001IBFEZQ

Three is Better Than One

Sometimes, just one toolkit isn't enough. And that is when you go with the VonHaus 15/009. Right now, the whole thing will cost you about 18 pounds. And since the offer consists of 3 boxes, we would say that 6 pounds per workbox is one hell of a bargain.

Of course, not one of those boxes is what we would describe as innovative or cutting-edge, but they include everything you would want out of a toolkit. Each one of them has a removable storage tray that is ideal for bolts, nuts, screws, and other smaller accessories.

On top of that, the lid of each box features a removable storage compartment, a great place for your spanners, screwdrivers, and pliers. And, as the "removable" part suggests, you can always take those compartments out and use the space for any other item that doesn't properly fit within the compartment.

Though they all differ in size and volume, with the smallest one featuring 10 inches, the middle box offering 13, and the largest one boasting 16.5 inches of volume, all of the boxes are equally convenient and safe. You'll find a carry handle on top of each model and the double-locking clips make them perfectly suitable for domestic DIY and commercial and trade use.

All things considered, there are a lot of different people who could find some use for this 3-piece box set. But we would say that this is probably the best fit for carpenters and joiners as these are the people who often have to carry a lot of different tools for all kinds of tasks.

Last updated price £29.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00KTBAXK2

A Durable Associate

The Stanley STA194858 looks like your typical rectangular workbox. Neither too big nor too small, and you wouldn't say that it necessarily differs that much from the rest of these boxes. But there's actually quite a lot to it.

First is the soft-grip handle. It's not a game changer but it does relieve some of the pain and fatigue from your hands that you often get after hours of carrying a box full of tools. Plus, the handle folds flat into the lid, making it easier to stack the model or to store it somewhere.

Speaking of the lid, it features 2 organisers that you can access without actually opening the tool box. Again, it might not sound like much, but we find this design solution to be rather convenient.

As per usual, the main compartment includes a removable tote tray. Anything from bolts and nuts to screws and other smaller parts usually goes there.

A workbox isn't one of those items that you want to update every couple of years. You want a durable associate and this model will be just that. The rugged plastic won't deform after a few years and the robust metal latches will ensure secure fastening for years to come.

There's also a built-in padlock eye and a padlock that comes with the package. That said, the latter looks a bit flimsy, so you may be better off purchasing a separate replacement.

In short, the Stanley STA194858 is one of the better options on the market from the mobility and transportation standpoint. It may not seem that large but the tool box boasts 20 inches of volume and weighs less than 1.8 kilos. A great choice for plumbers and anyone who has to carry his tools on a daily basis.

Last updated price £19.34
Stock In stock
ASIN B002SHBXHC

A Tougher Box

Tough environments call for tough tool boxes and the Faithfull TBC517 is here to respond! Alright, that was a bit dramatic, but you get the point. Unlike most of these boxes, the model is made entirely of metal. And while it does have certain disadvantages compared to plastic, like a little bit extra weight, the metal construction also makes it a lot more robust.

But the rigid construction is not the only good aspect of this product. The cantilever design of the model incorporates 5 separate trays. They don't just add a lot more organisation options but also conveniently display the contents when open. And when you close these trays, the whole thing adds up to just 405 x 205 x 19.5 millimetres in overall dimensions, making a pretty compact box all things considered.

We particularly liked the tubular steel carry handle. Naturally, as any handle, it makes the transportation part a lot easier. But it also opens and closes the box as it is lifted and lowered, a rather practical design solution that will save you some time and effort.

If you'd like to secure the contents of the workbox, there's a padlock eye on the lid. But you will have to purchase that padlock separately as the manufacturers do not supply it with the box.

To sum it all up, If you work in a busy workshop or any place that you could describe as a relatively tough environment, this metal tool box from Faithfull will prove to be right up your alley. It is one of the few options that will keep your tools safe in those types of environments.

Last updated price £35.60
Stock In stock
ASIN B000Y8HUOW

What Is a Tool Box?

The name's a bit of a giveaway, isn't it? Any box or a chest that will allow you to organise, protect, and carry your instruments can be considered a tool box. That said, not every tool chest is created equal. Some of them are made of plastic, while others are mostly comprised of steel or other types of metal. The contents of any particular workbox depend on the craft of the owner.

Nevertheless, the manufacturers do tend to make certain changes in design. Some like to include drawers. But most usually go with a simple box and add a number of dividers to help you organise your tools. There's always a difference in weight and size. The latter generally determine the amount of space (the capacity, the volume, whatever floats your boat) that you will have at your disposal. If you're going with a portable tool box, then you should definitely keep in mind the handle since it might be difficult to travel with an impractical handle. The number, the shape, and the form of the dividers also play a certain role in the whole thing, so do not forget to check those out too.

It goes without saying that a toolkit wouldn't do you any good without the tools to store. Fortunately, we have an assortment of those. So while you're at it, check out our reviews of wire cutters, rivet guns, soldering irons, and a number of other tools.

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