Let Us Help You Choose the Best Tool Chest On the Market

Tools can be heavy, and the last thing you want to do is keep running to the basement while trying to fix your transmission. Forgetting the right tools and having to lug them from a tool cabinet a long distance away isn’t fun.

A roll cart or tool cart will do the trick.

Olympia Tools 85-188 Collapsible Service Cart	Our favorite for 2017
Olympia Tools 85-184	A great value option
Excel TC301C-Red 36-Inch Steel Tool Cart	A great steel tool cart

And the best part is that these “tool” carts can be used for more than screwdrivers and wrenches. Bring in groceries with these carts, transport tools or place food on them and wheel them outside.

These are versatile carts that have a place in every home – many even fold up for easy storage.

We’ve had the pleasure of reviewing five models for you, but you need to know how to compare them to make the best purchasing decision for you. A few of the main points to keep in mind are:

• Folding: If you need to transport a cart, a folding option is a necessity. Carts can be large, and they’ll often require a very large trunk or SUV to carry, but folding carts will fit fine in a small trunk or even a backseat.
• Locking Wheels: Nothing is worse than a cart that starts to roll away while you’re working on the car or outside. Locking wheels will keep the cart in place and act as an extra layer of safety that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
• Lips: The lip of a shelf will keep items from rolling or falling out. If you plan on having any items that roll on your cart, a high lip will keep them from falling on the floor.

Reviews of Our Top 5 Tool Cart Picks

Olympia Tools 85-188 Collapsible Service Cart – If you need a compact service cart, this model will fold up to a small 8” in width, allowing you to store it in a utility closest or shed. Three levels that securely lock in place allow you to hold tools, food or any other items you want on them while rolling it around.

Shelf spacing allows for 12” of height from the bottom of each shelf to the inside of the bottom shelf. A lip is present to block tools or items from slipping off of the shelf and falling (perfect for hills and curb cuts).

The dimensions of the shelves are 23.5” x 14.5” The height of the unit is around 30”. A 1.5” lip is present and two of the four wheels lock in place.

Excel TC301C-Red 36-Inch Steel Tool Cart – The TC310C is 36” in size and is a mid-range item. The great thing about this model is that it’s scratch- and chemical-resistant, so it’ll keep its beautiful red exterior. Two trays and one drawer are present.

If you have a lot of smaller items that can easily get lost, the drawer option is a must-have.

A lock is present on the drawer for added safety, and the rubber work surface acts as a table. Two of the wheels will lock into play, too. Three levels in total (including the drawer) are present to allow you to carry all of your tools at one time.

Olympia Tools 85-184 – Solid in size, this model is all steel, allowing it to be one of the sturdiest and durable models on the list. Two shelves are present, and the bottom shelf has ample height clearance for larger items and power tools.

This cart has large, heavy-duty wheels and is rated to hold a staggering 600 pounds of weight.

If you’re going to use a cart for everyday use and need to hold heavy items and parts, you really can’t beat the 85-184. This item weighs 31 pounds and has dimensions of 32” x 18” x 5.5”.

Two wheels are stationary and two swivel for easy maneuvering.

Luxor 32″ x 18″ Tub Storage Cart – Luxor’s 32” cart is made of molded plastic, so it’s not as durable as the all-steel model we just talked about, but, you can’t go wrong with this model. The shelves span 32” in width and 18” in depth, while the shelves themselves have a 2.5” depth.

Three shelves in total are present, and the cart can hold a combined weight of 400 pounds.

All four wheels offer swivel motion so that you can easily turn the cart. The handles are ergonomic to allow for easy pulling.

And two of the four wheels lock in place, which is an extra bonus.

Luxor STC111 40.5″ Automotive Utility Cart – The STC111 is a utility cart that offers retaining lips on all sides for flat shelves, includes four total wheels with two wheels having brakes for easy placement. Molded black plastic is used – great for hiding grease stains – and the cart’s shelves are 24” wide and 18” deep. The shelves have a 2.75” depth.

A push handle is included, and this model is a sturdy mid-range option.

The great thing is that this model is a little smaller in size, so anyone with a small space will be able to use it. This unit’s maximum rated weight is 300 evenly-distributed pounds.

Buyer’s Guide –  How to Choose the Right Tool Cart for You

Choosing the right tool cart for you is difficult – I don’t know your needs. But I do know what you need to think about when making a purchase so that you can enjoy a robust cart that will be able to hold enough weight and reduce your trips to the tool cabinet.

The good news is that all of the models listed above are in the same relative price range.

When trying to choose a model for you, think about the following:

• Size: The size of the unit is important. Garages may require a smaller size if they’re tight on space, while a mechanic shop will often have enough space for a taller unit with more shelves. If you’ll be using your cart daily, you may also want to choose a deep model that can hold cans and rolling items and has a large enough lip to prevent items from falling out of the cart.
• Weight Capacity: The maximum weight capacity of a unit must be considered. If you need to hold heavy power tools, you’ll need to ensure your cart is rated at a high enough maximum weight not to break in the process.
• Drawers: The drawer option is not a necessity, but if you have a lot of items that roll around, you may want to choose a cart that features drawers.
• Shelf Count: The number of shelves will be 2 – 3 in most cases. Three shelves provide less height clearance, so keep this in mind if you plan on wheeling around “taller” items in your cart.