Most of us have fond memories of our parents rummaging through the family tool box whenever anything in the home needed fixing. It could be compared to Mary Poppins' magical bag with how much was stored away in there. That's what makes a tool box so necessary.
Whether you're big into home improvement or just like to fix things yourself, they're always stocked up with the tools you need to get the job done. Plus, carrying around the plethora of spanners, screwdrivers, sockets, and hammers you own is much easier.
The Best Tool Boxes At A Glance:
Best for overall value: Stanley STST1-75515 Low Essential Tool Box - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for beginners: Hi-Spec Red Home & Office Tool Kit Set - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for professional use: STANLEY Mobile Work Centre Toolbox - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for organisation: MAXPOWER 16-inch Plastic Toolbox - View offer on eBay
However, here at What's The Best DIY we know that deciding on the right tool box for the job can be quite the minefield. It totally depends on what's fit for purpose for you. You have a lot of factors to take into consideration - for example, whether you want a toolbox that rolls or what exactly you need to store in your tool box.
Looking for a handy tool box to take the weight of your DIY dilemmas? Take a look at our list of the best down below.
Best for overall value
DIY favourite, STANLEY, has truly nailed (pardon the pun) this compact and organised tool box design. This tool box can be described as innovative - and this is due to the two organiser compartments that are built within the top of the lid. These are especially handy as they can be used to store small parts along with other useful products.
Our Thoughts: Coming in a range of sizes, this fantastic padlock eye tool box is secure and lightweight compared to others. It's incredibly robust and includes different sections so you can easily keep your tools safe and organised.
Pros
- Durable metal latches
- Great capacity
Cons
- Only useful for people with their own tools - doesn't come with any tools
Best for beginners
If you're starting from scratch, this tool box from Hi-Spec, full of the DIY basics, will definitely serve you well. This 54-piece hand tool set will be essential for those everyday repairs - along with any kinds spontaneous maintenance and also long standing DIY projects. This tool box is extremely durable - it is made of sturdy steel, and the non-slip handles make this a comfortable tool box to hold.
Our Thoughts: Not only is this box strong and easy to carry around, but it also has a considerable selection of tools, including scissors, a hammer, tape measure, Allen Keys, and more, already set up inside, ready to go. Great for newbies!
Pros
- Includes high-quality tools
- Compact, portable design
Cons
- Unnecessary if you already have an established kit
Best for professional use
This Rolls Royce of tool boxes, with all the bells and whistles included - this is an excellent option for tradesmen. This is a more industrial tool box for the serious DIYers among us, this is an extra large tool box with a removable tote tray. This tool box also has a giant lower bin that is perfect for the storage of bulky items - so it is definitely more suited to those bigger projects where you feel like you could do with an extra pair of hands. This tool box will be your best friend in that instance.
Our Thoughts: With a telescopic handle for taking on the go, multiple large units, and a clever carousel design for smaller tools, this brilliant tool box trolley is more than impressive and well worth the reasonable price tag.
Pros
- Elevated 2-in-1 design
- Smooth manoeuvrability
Cons
- Might be overkill for some DIYers
Best for organisation
With a place for everything, this tool box from MAXPOWER is ideal for getting jobs done around the house. This tool box is lightweight for carrying and is perfect for household usage along with DIY work, craft and also hobby storage. This tool box is made of high-quality material and you are also able to lock this tool box so there is no doubt about it keeping your tools safe.
Our Thoughts: Made from a strong polypropylene resin construction, we think this red, easy-to-carry tool box is a must-have for any home. It makes organising your sockets and wrenches simple and won't break the bank either.
Pros
- Storage space for smaller parts
- Removable interior utility tray
Cons
- Limited selection of different sizes
Best for capacity
www.screwfix.com
Customise this incredible tool box from DEWALT easily to suit all you and your home improvement needs. This tool box is water-resistant and has a carrying handle. The load capacity per drawer is pretty impressive - 7.5kg is the maximum load capacity which makes this tool box perfect for the more advanced and accomplished DIYers.
Our Thoughts: With a great capacity and customisable units, this heavy-duty tool box is extremely versatile and easy to use. The Bi-material handle makes lifting even a heavy load comfortable, plus the metal latches are rust-resistant, so this was definitely made to last.
Pros
- Adjustable module design
- Rust-resistant metal latches
Cons
- Heavier than some other options
Best for security
Versatile and an organiser's dream, this tool box is sturdy and ready for whatever tough job comes your way. With this organiser tool box you will be able to sort and store your tools and accessories amongst the two removable side organisers and also the lift out tray. The side storage containers are divided into 12 compartments each - this is perfect for keeping your tools neat and tidy in your tool box. The toolbox also has a long metal handle that makes the tool box easy to carry.
Our Thoughts: Divided into 12 compartments for more efficient use, this tool box is made to be hard-wearing and to keep all your tools safe. It has a larger capacity too, so it can fit everything you need into it with room to spare.
Pros
- Secure steel latches
- Removable tray and containers
Cons
- A slightly pricier pick - but worth it!
What is the best brand of tool box?
The best brand of tool box is extremely subjective - and ultimately it is up to you to decide what is fit for purpose. If you are an accomplished DIYer then your requirements for your tool box will differ to a beginner. But, regardless of you level of knowledge and experience there will be a tool box on the market to suit you and your DIY needs.
How long should a tool box last?
A tool box is an investment purchase and should last you a lifetime. If you buy the right tool box then you will find that you don't have to replace it. This is why it is really important to take time to contemplate the key features of a tool box and this will ensure that you make the correct decision.
What size tool box is best?
If you are just starting out then it's recommended that you start with a standard 40" box of your choosing. You have to bear in mind that your tool box will be moved a lot from work, home etc so a 40 x 18 box is probably the biggest you'd want to go for moving from place to place.
What should you have in your DIY tool box?
If you're not sure you have everything or new to DIY, here are just a few tools every toolbox needs in it...
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Measuring Tape - Ideal for keeping your work accurate.
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Spanners & Sockets - Preferably in a range of sizes.
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Spirit Levels - Most DIY projects will need one of these.
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Hammers - At least one universal, high-quality choice.
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Screwdrivers - Again, a selection of sizes will be handy.
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Pliers - You'll be shocked at how useful these can be.
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A torch - For any odd jobs in darker spaces like the attic.
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Duct tape - Great for patching up any unwanted holes.
What is the most useful tool in a tool box?
Surprisingly, a utility knife or a bolt cutter will be the most used item in your tool box - this is mainly due to the fact that utility knives are used without a second thought. We recommend keeping one in your tool box and keep a second one in your kitchen drawer or somewhere that is easily accessible.
Caitlin Evans is a Content Optimisation Executive with a passion for finding the best products on the market. She specialises in identifying features that make a product stand out from the rest that will help people make informed buying decisions.