Highly-Reviewed Harbor Freight Storage Essentials For A More Organized Garage

Garages are notorious for getting crammed full of stuff. It's an easy trap to fall into. Don't have space for something in the house? Why not shove it in the garage? Without an organizational system and a plan, however, things can get out of hand quickly. Nothing is worse than a garage full of clutter when you're running late, and that tiny object you needed isn't perched atop the pile you thought you'd set it on.

Fortunately, there are plenty of products on the market that can help you get your storage under control. After you have decluttered the garage and tossed what you don't need, it is time to organize everything that's left. Harbor Freight is known for its high-quality, budget-friendly options, making it the perfect choice for a garage overhaul. We dug through the reviews and selected 15 of Harbor Freight's top-rated organization products. Each product on this list was highly rated by consumers on Harbor Freight's website, and you can learn more about our selection process at the end.

The Magnetic Tool Holder by U.S. General is a popular organizational product at Harbor Freight. It is an 18-inch-long, steel strip that can be mounted to a wall (or any flat surface) and holds tools using an embedded magnet that runs the length of it. The strip is great for organizing hand tools, keeping them in sight, out of the way, and making good use of often underutilized vertical storage space in your garage.

According to reviews, this magnetic tool holder is easy to install and use, and the magnet is impressively strong. "I'm not sure how these get any bad reviews," said one reviewer. "They install easily and hold hammers to screws with ease. You would be doing yourself a disservice to buy more expensive ones." The tool holder has been reviewed over 12,500 times and has an average rating of 4.8 stars. "Love this item," another reviewer commented. "[It] organizes everything."

Part of any good organization strategy is to store things in a place where they will be available when they are needed. This U.S. General Magnetic Paper Towel Holder uses powerful magnets to mount to any metal surface. That way, you can clean up spills in your garage the moment they happen.

The paper towel holder is easy to use and a good value for the price, according to reviews. "I like keeping my shop, cars, and tools clean," said one reviewer. "I attached this paper towel holder to my tool cart. Now, the paper towels are right where I'm working. Anything that saves you steps in the shop is worth having. This simple little holder does that!" The holder has been reviewed nearly 5,000 times and has an average rating of 4.9 stars. "The magnets on this paper towel holder keep it in place," said another customer. "You can actually rip a paper towel off the roll without the holder moving. Great colors and works as advertised."

The Mini Steel Toolbox by U.S. General comes in plenty of fun colors and can hold up to 10 pounds of tools and accessories. It has a top tray and two drawers, making it convenient for storing and organizing smaller items that might otherwise be easily misplaced. The drawers are lined with rubber mats to keep things from sliding around, and the compact size makes it perfect for sitting on top of a garage workstation or countertop.

"I like the convenience of tool separation it gives me," said one reviewer. The mini toolbox has over 3,500 reviews and an average of 4.9 stars. "This is one of the most useful mini toolbox[es] I have ever used," another reviewer said. "Build quality with roller bearing drawers and a durable, well [built] box frame makes it ideal for small tools or storage close at hand. Exceptional value for the money."

This Yukon 9-drawer Storage Cart can store up to 1,200 pounds of tools. It has a solid wood top with plenty of surface area, giving you somewhere to work as well as store your supplies, and it can be easily moved to wherever is most convenient thanks to the rolling cart design. The nine heavy-duty drawers are perfect for separating and organizing tools.

Customers like that it is sturdy, easy to set up, a great value for the price, and that it has spacious drawers that are perfect for storing oversized tools. "I've had this cart for several years and in a very humid environment," one customer said. "Still works great and no rust anywhere. Also love that it has two large, deep drawers. One of the few rolling tool cabinets with the larger drawers for bigger tools." It has almost 10,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars.

This U.S. General Spray Can and Screwdriver Holder uses a magnet to mount to metal surfaces, like a toolbox or workstation, and has slots to hold spray cans and screwdrivers. Each holder can store two spray cans and five screwdrivers, keeping them organized and accessible. The magnets are coated with rubber so they won't scratch the surface they are mounted to, and the holder is constructed out of heavy-duty steel.

Customers love how handy they are, and several have even stated that they ended up purchasing more than one. "The [m]agnets are very strong, so it stays put and provides a place to keep frequently used cans like WD-40 etc., handy and out of the way, helping to keep your benchtop uncluttered," said a reviewer. It has over 1,200 reviews, with an average rating of 4.9 stars. "Great extra storage; amazed at how much I use it," said another customer. "I keep 'go to' screwdrivers and lube sprays on it; no drawers to open."

One easy and affordable trick for maximizing garage space is to use wall-mounted hooks. These are always a great choice for any organization project because they make great use of the vertical space, which frees up floor space for bulkier items. This Magnetic Hook Set uses magnets to attach to any metal surface, making them easy to install and super handy. Each hook can hold just under five pounds, perfect for small items that are used often and easily misplaced. They come in a pack of four, with reviewers noting that they ended up purchasing even more.

Reviewers say they have used the hooks to hold keys, brooms, gloves, cleaning brushes, and bungee cords, among other things. "I am using these as hooks on the side of my Yukon 9-drawer tool chest," a reviewer said. "Able to add a ton of storage to the rolling cart. These are very strong magnets too so can hold seemingly a lot of weight. For the price, excellent!" The hook set has over 5,000 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars. "The magnets are strong enough to hold most anything you would typically hang on these hooks," another reviewer said.

Floor racks are a great, budget-friendly idea to organize your garage. This multi-colored, freestanding Storehouse Floor Bin Rack contains 15 large bins and 32 small bins that are meant for storing parts, but can really be used to store anything. The bins hang on a steel frame and can be easily removed and rearranged. Customers have used them to store nuts and bolts, nails, screws, wire, tools, and other odds-and-ends. Some reviewers have even used it to sort and store toys.

"I would definitely recommend this for anyone who's looking to organize their garage," said one customer in their review. Another reviewer noted, "I like these bins for storing my plumbing fittings. I can see everything in each bin, and they are on a steel rack. You can take them off, and fill them, and then return them to the rack. Also, they are color-coded so you can put the same size fittings in one color and another in a different color." The rack has around 600 reviews and an average of 4.6 stars.

No matter what you are trying to organize, whether it be tools or off-season decorations, Yukon's 5-Tier Shelf can help you make use of vertical space. Shelves are one of the easiest ways to keep your garage storage organized. Freestanding shelves, in particular, are great for holding things that are too heavy to place on a wall-mounted shelf. This storage rack can hold up to 150 pounds per shelf and is 6 feet tall.

"I would buy ten of these if I had somewhere to put them," said one customer. They have over 3,500 reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars. According to reviews, this shelf is sturdy and easy to put together. "I've had it for a while," another customer said. "It was easy to put together. It was stronger than I thought. It is stable. The shelves are wide. Use it a lot and worth more than I paid for it."

Bikes can be a nuisance to store. They are large, awkwardly shaped, and get knocked over easily. One garage storage solution experts swear by to maximize space is to use overhead areas. This simple Bicycle Lift hoists your bike to the ceiling, keeping it out of the way and freeing up the floor for more storage. The lift is simple to install and uses a locking pulley system with a 46-foot nylon rope.

"The price is excellent," said a customer. "The product is sufficient for the task. Measure the bike. Take time to understand how it works before [planning] the location, especially in a smaller space." The lift currently has over 1,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 stars. It works well for storing other items on the ceiling as well. "Over the last year, I've used these to help store [ladders] up off the floor and up on the ceiling," said another reviewer. Some reviews do note that they wish the rope were of better quality, but most agree that it is adequate for the price.

This workstation Series 3 End Locker is part of a modular system and can be used with other U.S. General items. Inside, it has four shelves (three adjustable and one fixed), a drawer, and a power port that's useful for charging your tools even when the door is closed. The end locker holds up to 720 pounds and provides 24,600 cubic inches of storage space.

According to several reviewers, the locker can be used on its own and doesn't need to be bolted to the roll cab. "The color is amazing, [and] you can tell right away it is well built," said a customer in their review. "I chose to leave it free-standing rather than bolt it to the toolbox, but the door opens and closes with ease. And when it's closed, it stays closed! The shelves are easy to adjust and very sturdy. I really like this locker and would definitely recommend it." The locker currently has over 600 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars.

This Series 3 Work Center Hutch works well with the U.S. General's Series 2 and 3 modular systems. It has a slotted back wall that works like a pegboard, as well as a screwdriver rack and spray can holder. Adding this hutch to your work area gives you 19,900 cubic inches of extra storage space.

Customers say that the hutch fits their toolbox well, feels durable, and provides plenty of space for storage. "To be honest," said one reviewer, "I have several of these around my shop. They work great and allow me to keep my many tools and [parts] sorted and easy to reach. Still need a few more, though. You can never be [too] organized, right?!!!!" Some reviewers note that they wish there were more accessories available for the slotted back wall and that the hutch was a bit taller. The hutch currently has 200 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars.

Cabinets are a classic storage solution for a reason. This Yukon Garage Cabinet has locking, diamond plate steel doors, giving you a place to mount any magnetic mount organizers you might be using. The 4 adjustable shelves can hold 90 pounds each. The doors feature full-length handles for easy opening and magnetic closures to keep them securely shut.

According to reviews, the cabinet is surprisingly easy to assemble, sturdy, and versatile. One customer said in their review, "Great product, easy to assemble, [and] exceptional quality [compared] to other storage cabinets costing more than double the Harbor Freight price!! Worried it was going to be a big chore to assemble, but some great engineering design went into this product, making assembly quick!! Could not speak more highly on how satisfied I have been with this purchase!!" The cabinet currently has over 250 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars.

Buyers note that the Icon Magnetic Tool Mat is surprisingly useful for organizing the garage. It is a flat mat with powerful internal magnets that can hold any metal item you put on it. The mat can be set on top of a workstation or toolbox, but it can also be mounted vertically to metal surfaces in your garage. Because it is a mat and not a specialized holder, it is incredibly versatile. Use it to store and organize items like wrenches, pliers, nails, bolts, or sockets.

It is the "handiest tool I've bought in the last ten years," said one reviewer. The mat currently has over 175 reviews and a 5-star rating. In their reviews, customers praise the mat for its powerful magnets and its ability to hold just about anything you stick to it. Unfortunately, many customers say that the mat can be difficult to find, thanks to its popularity, with one reviewer stating he had to drive to a Harbor Freight 89 miles away in order to track one down. "This thing is very versatile," another reviewer said, "The magnets are ridiculously strong, this thing will hold tools vertically [on] the side of my large, heavy job box. Unreal, very pleased!"

Keeping small items organized is an important step in eliminating clutter. Pittsburgh's 4-inch Magnetic Parts Tray is magnetic — meaning nails, bolts, pins, and any other metal items stay stuck even when mounted sideways or upside down. The dish can hold up to four pounds, and the base is made from rubber to keep it from scratching the surface you mount it to. If you get several, you can use them to organize similar items together.

The holder has over 12,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.9 stars. "This makes my 5th purchase of these magnetic trays," said a reviewer. "Great for tiny bits and burrs for carving, awesome catchall for fasteners and washers, any ferrous items that would otherwise disappear when accidentally brushed off the work bench. This will not let go when dropped, making it easy to pick up for those accidents. [Resilient] too, as I had a tray fall to a place I could not reach, and items that were in it stayed put even after a year in the elements. That's staying power. Next time I'm in town, I'll get a few more to have on hand."

Cables and extension cords can get out of control fast. Using cable clips to keep them up and out of the way keeps them organized and stops them from being unsightly — and becoming a tripping hazard. These Storehouse Nail-in Cable Clips come in a 390-piece kit with multiple sizes to hold most types of cables or wires.

"This works perfectly for my small project [tidying] up my wiring in the garage," a reviewer said. The clips currently have 240 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 stars. They do what they are advertised to do, according to reviewers, and there are plenty of sizes for various types of jobs. "For a very reasonable price, you get a good assortment of clips to meet a number of different wire and cable widths," another customer said. "Saves a lot of time as you have what you need right at hand in a handy, clear case."

Each product on this list was chosen based on several criteria. First, we narrowed down the top-rated products and chose the items with the highest number of reviews. To determine which products were worth checking out, we only selected those with a minimum of 100 reviews and at least a 4.5-star rating.

We prioritized the products with the highest volume of reviews, meaning that there were some highly-rated items with only a few reviews that didn't make the cut. Most of the products we chose had a 4.8 or 4.9 star rating, though one topped the charts with a 5-out-of-5 star rating. A couple items were in the 4.5 to 4.7 star range, but the favorable reviews and low prices made it worth giving them a spot on this list.