Are These Amazon Rolling Tool Boxes Worth Buying? Here's What Reviews Are Saying

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Although tool collections usually start off small, they soon grow. Expert lists of must-have tools for homeowners run anywhere from 20 to 50 items, so toolboxes and storage soon become a necessity. There are some great garage storage ideas that will inspire you, but for DIY tasks around the home and yard, you need at least one portable toolbox.

Choosing can be tricky though. You might start off with something small but soon outgrow it. On the other hand, large tool boxes can be unwieldy when full. In the last few years, modular rolling toolboxes have become available. These are stacking systems, often enabling you to start with a base toolbox and buy further compatible units as your needs expand. They would seem to be the best of all worlds, but even some popular tool boxes aren't worth buying, based on reviews.

To find some top-rated solutions, we chose three rolling toolboxes from well-known brands: the budget-friendly Craftsman 3-in-1 Rolling Toolbox, the mid-range Stanley Quicklink Modular Rolling Tool Box, and the high-end Milwaukee Packout Modular Rolling Tool Box System. Are these toolboxes from Amazon worth buying? Let's take a closer look at what you get for your money and what reviews are saying.

The Craftsman 3-in-1 Rolling Toolbox is currently just $49.98 on Amazon. It is 18-½ inches wide, by 11 inches deep, by 24-¾ inches tall, not including the pull-up handle when extended. There is a large bin at the bottom with a lift-out tray, an organizer for small parts in the middle, and a general-purpose toolbox at the top. When empty, it weighs 10-½ pounds. It has a load capacity of 24 pounds. Although the main construction is described simply as plastic, there are lockable metal catches.

Craftsman is a brand that has long been popular with DIYers for its affordable tools and equipment, so it was no surprise that feedback was largely positive. Amazon customers gave it an average rating of 4.1 stars, with 77% at 4 stars or better. One buyer called it "a versatile bin for a bargain price," reflecting the opinion of many. Another said, "I am really satisfied, an excellent product." However, a small number of reviews did mention problems with the wheels breaking, and several thought the handle should extend further.

The Stanley Quicklink Modular Rolling Tool Box is currently $118.74 on Amazon. It is 19-3/4 inches wide, by 13 inches deep, by 28-½ inches tall with the handle extended. The three box configuration has a noticeably higher capacity than the Craftsman, at the expense of the small parts box. It weighs under 20 pounds when empty and has a load capacity of 99 pounds. Latches on the front of each box lock them together as they are stacked and can be released with one hand.

Stanley is one of the world's biggest tool brands with a reputation for high quality and durability. The average customer rating at Amazon is 4.6 stars, with an impressive 93% at 4 stars or higher. Numerous reviews focus on the set being good value for money and "well built, easy to move around." One review said, "well worth getting," which seems to be a common view. Complaints are rare, although one reviewer broke a wheel, and another thought the bottom box should have a lid (the Craftsman doesn't either).

Arranging the Milwaukee Packout Modular Rolling Tool Box System in a similar configuration as our other two top rolling tool boxes will cost $399.00 on Amazon. In this format it is 36 inches wide, by 23 inches deep, by 42 inches tall with the handle extended. It weighs 49 pounds and has a capacity of 250 pounds. Boxes are impact resistant and water resistant to the international IP65 standard. One of the key factors with the Milwaukee system is its interchangeability. There aren't just three toolboxes, but a host of compatible options so buyers can custom-build a rolling toolbox system that precisely meets their needs.

Milwaukee consistently ranks among the best power tool brands for quality, reliability, and durability. Its rolling toolboxes are built to the same exceptional standards. They have an average rating of 4.6 stars, of which 91% are at four or five. As expected, most reviews feature words like excellent, great, quality, and tough, but the general opinion is perhaps best summed up by the buyer who said simply "Great boxes, no down side." In fact, we didn't find a single review at Amazon that was critical of the way the Milwaukee rolling tool box is made. One buyer did complain that Harbor Freight's own brand was less than half the price, but that is not comparing like with like in terms of construction quality, nor does the Harbor Freight set (actually Bauer) offer anything like the versatility.