Jackie Reeve is a bedding writer who has also covered towels, rugs, and chicken coops (with the help of her 20 backyard pets).
One of our favorites, the Iris Weathertight Tote, is now called the Iris WeatherPro Storage Box. You may still find them for sale under the old name, but they look exactly the same. We’ll be retesting soon to make sure there’s no change in quality.
In the pursuit of order, storage containers will help you maintain order in your home without cluttering your closets and garage with miscellaneous boxes.
To find the best, we threw 32 boxes and bags down the stairs, left them in the rain, and filled them with books and blankets.
We simulated flooding, water leaks and trash cans falling down stairs to see how they would withstand these tests.
We were looking for boxes that could neatly and securely store various items, preferably square in shape to make the most of the interior space.
We opted for trash cans with easy-to-use handles and lids so that when full, the trash can doesn’t pop out and press on your stomach.
We were looking for trash cans with lids that were easy to use, worked reliably, and were widely available.
All of the containers we recommend will keep your belongings secure and easy to carry (or roll). Our selection includes clear plastic storage bins for closets, sturdy garage bins, inexpensive boxes for big projects, large wheeled dumpsters, heavy-duty bins perfect for camping, easy-access boxes, and zippered fabric boxes for clothing.
I’m a regular textiles contributor to Wirecutter, contributing ideas for organizing closet space and guides to buying irons and ironing boards. I’m also a published quilt designer and former librarian. I’m a natural organizer. I have experience running entire school libraries, organizing hundreds of yards of fabric, and storing and sorting the many sheets and blankets I’ve tested for Wirecutter.
For this guide, I spoke with professional organizer Beth Penn, owner of Bneato Bar and author of The Little Book of Tidying Up: Declutter Your Home and Your Life. I also reviewed a few white papers and articles to get an idea of ​​the durability of different plastics.
For everyday home use, these securely locking clear containers are the most versatile we’ve found for storing clothes and other items. They’re also available at several retailers.
Best for: Checking what you have in stock and storing a variety of everyday items around the house, from pet supplies to bedding.
Pros: Any closet will benefit from adding a few Iris WeatherPro storage bins. They’re sturdy and easy to use, and they come in more sizes (12) than any other box we tested. They’re also the most leak-proof clear case we’ve ever tested, thanks to a foam gasket on the lid and extra latches along the edges (most cases only have two on each end). Iris also stacks more securely, with the base of each box fitting snugly into a groove in the lid of the box below. Iris cases also maximize interior space because their walls are straighter than several other cases we tested.
Iris makes WeatherPro for The Container Store and Home Depot in slightly different sizes and lid colors, but you can use them interchangeably. They come highly recommended by workers who have used these boxes over the years to move and store countless items. Our closet organization guide also includes recommended under-bed dimensions.
WeatherPro storage containers have received rave reviews from users, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on nearly 400 customer reviews on The Container Store. We especially noted that reviewers — from photo and document hoarders to tiny-apartment dwellers — rave about the water-resistant design and neat stackability.
A downside, but not a deal-breaker: Like other polypropylene trash cans, they become brittle in cold temperatures; we don’t recommend storing them in a cold garage or basement. If you live in a moderate climate, you can probably use these containers in a garage or unheated home. But we wouldn’t risk it in cold climates. In our drop test, they broke and lost their latches, so if you plan to handle them casually, go with our heavy-duty trash cans.
Long-Term Testing Notes: Over the past three years, I’ve used Iris test units for everything from storing my daughter’s art in a closet to raising chickens (with the lid broken for air circulation) until they were big enough to fit in our coop. Here in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve left a few cases out in the rain for weeks at a time and they’ve remained waterproof, and even if they’ve lost a latches or two (which happens often), the seals still keep moisture out. Several other Wirecutter staffers have been using these boxes for years, though several have noted that the boxes can have a foul odor when new. Because they’re so well sealed, the odor can transfer to the clothes and sheets inside, so one senior staffer suggested throwing in a few cedar blocks.
Sizes: 19, 30, 41, 46, 62, 74 quarts (The Container Store); 6½, 19, 30, 41, 62, 74, 103 quarts (Home Depot); 16, 26½, 44, 60 quarts (Ziploc)
These durable boxes offer superior cold weather protection, are easy to stack, and feature comfortable molded handles for easy carrying of heavy loads.
Pros: If you need a garage, attic, or basement trash can that can handle a heavy load, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brute Totes. These bins are made of high-density polyethylene, a plastic that’s stronger and more heat-resistant than the clear polypropylene bins we tested, like the Iris WeatherPro Storage Box. The Brute bins’ molded handles also make them more portable than the less expensive garage trash can we recommend, the Home Depot HDX. Like most of the bins we tested, the Brute bins are waterproof, though in our tests, the deep, slotted lids trapped a lot of water, which can attract bugs and bacteria.
The Brute comes in two sizes: 14 gallons and 20 gallons. We tested the larger size, which holds 59 books or eight blankets. In our drop test (falling down a flight of stairs), the Brute was one of the few products we selected that survived intact—the lid fell off, but the container itself remained intact.
Brute has over 4,200 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Reviewers love that this bag folds neatly, is durable, and has a tight-fitting lid.
Cons, but not cons: The Brute’s lid is difficult to open when the bin is empty, but much easier when the bin is full of thick books. If you want something more convenient, the Akro-Mils Trash Can Butterfly Lid, which we recommend, may be a better choice.
Long-term testing notes: In three years of long-term testing, we have had no issues with plastic degradation, although we have seen at least one reader comment that this happened to their bin. We store the bins in our unheated workshop year-round, and so far the bins look like new, and the contents remain dry and safe from rats and insects.
These are the cheapest boxes we found. They are not designed to withstand freezing temperatures, but they are fine for storing gear in moderate climates. They are also readily available at Home Depot.
Why it’s great: If you’re planning on decluttering your basement this year and want to stock up on storage space, consider the rugged HDX Rugged Storage Tote from Home Depot. They come in eight stackable sizes and are inexpensive—you can buy a dozen HDX totes for the price of one or two of our more expensive totes. Unlike the heavy-duty Brute totes, the HDX totes are made of polypropylene, so they’re not as durable in extreme cold temperatures and are more likely to break if dropped. But if you live in a mild climate or aren’t worried about durability, we recommend them for garages and basements. We even spotted them in a newly organized garage on Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up.
While they can technically be used for closet storage, they are much larger than the Iris Tote and won’t fit in most interior spaces. Even the smallest 12-gallon size is nearly three times the size of the smallest Iris. HDX totes are always in stock at Home Depot stores, and many of our other options are primarily sold online, so you can see them in person and determine the size you need.
The HDX suitcase has very high reviews on the Home Depot website, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on over 17,000 reviews. Common positive comments about these boxes include that they are easy to stack, durable, and reasonably priced.
A minor flaw, but not a fatal one: During our drop test, the HDX cracked and broke off a small piece of plastic. Unlike the Brute Totes, however, the lid remained intact. While the container may need to be replaced after a serious fall, your belongings will remain inside.
Long-Term Testing Notes: After three years of long-term testing in an unheated workshop, the test boxes are still holding up well and appear to be bug-proof: At my house, we used to keep bags of pet food on shelves, but after mice started eating them, we moved them into these HDX boxes and the mouse attacks stopped completely. Also, a Wirecutter employee told me that at her previous job, people used these boxes to transport audio-visual equipment from place to place, and they were sturdy and easy to carry. I bought a few more containers in 2021 to store extra gardening and chicken supplies, and they’ve been sitting outside (under our deck) all year without any signs of weather damage or animal wear.
This large wheeled trash can is perfect for hauling bulky items or storing long, oddly shaped items that won’t fit in other containers. Just make sure you have enough space.
Pros: The Sterilite 40-Gallon Large Industrial Rolling Bag is great for those who have trouble carrying heavy containers or who want to save money on multiple trips by filling one large box instead of several small ones. It’s the only case we found with wheels, a large, easy-to-use handle, and the ability to fold up when not in use. While our recommended HDX containers are available in a larger size (55 gallons), they don’t have wheels. In our test, we stuffed three boxes of holiday decorations into the Sterilite and rolled it into the pantry—quick and easy. The box is larger than most people need (and larger than most cord cutters we surveyed actually want), but if you have the space, it could save you a backache. It also didn’t leak when we hosed it down.
Sterilite has more than 200 customer reviews on Walmart, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviewers use it for everything from camping gear to holiday decorations.
Cons, but not cons: The Sterilite is too bulky to carry up and down stairs. The wheels fell off this trash can during testing (we attribute this to the weight and size of something that big rolling down stairs), but we reattached them easily. There was no damage to the container. They typically come in packs of two (Sterilite says it sells the containers in pairs to retailers), which may be more storage than many people need. If you do plan to fill it, be mindful of the weight (we recommend storing clothing and decor items over documents and dry goods).
Long-Term Test Notes: I have used these boxes to pack all of our home’s holiday decorations for four seasons, and the wheels, handles, and latches have held up to the increased load, as well as uphill, downhill, and gravel driveway testing (our storage shed is outside). These boxes will keep everything dry and safe, and they will make the process of taking out the holiday decorations that much more enjoyable each year. One note: I did notice that during the 2020 holiday season, while the boxes were in storage with only empty decorative boxes inside, a small animal got in and chewed through one of the smaller boxes. This is the only issue we have had, but over the past few years I have overfilled the box and the lid has curled up, leaving a gap where small items could squeeze through. So this was due to my own error in use, not a fault with the box itself.
Why it’s awesome: Take the Rubbermaid ActionPacker 24-gallon on a camping trip or toss it in the back of your truck—it’s the best storage container we’ve found for outdoor use. Every model we tested, including the smaller and larger ActionPackers, beat the 24-gallon model for durability, safety, and portability. In our drop tests, it performed better than any other we tried. A few corners were a little dented after we dropped it down the stairs, but the latch was intact and the lid closed tightly. It’s also our only lockable product.
The ActionPacker’s deep, rounded handles make it easier to maneuver than the Brute, Roughneck, and HDX containers we tested, and its 24-gallon capacity makes it easier to transport than its larger sibling, the 35-gallon ActionPacker.
We prefer it for long-term outdoor storage over the Brute and HDX boxes — those boxes have raised-edge lids that help with secure stacking, but can also collect water. If the ActionPacker is left outdoors for long periods of time, the water will drain away and the cover won’t turn into a pool of rot (where bacteria and insects can thrive). This box is made of durable HDPE, so it can withstand the elements better than many other boxes we tested.
On REI’s website, the ActionPacker has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 100 reviews. Many reviewers seem to use this box as a storage container. We’ve seen several reviewers say they’ve been using the ActionPacker for years and it holds up to all kinds of weather.
Disadvantages, but not critical: Due to the thick plastic and bulky design, the interior space is not used efficiently, so we do not recommend it for everyday storage in the garage.
Long-term testing notes: We know these trash cans can take a lot of abuse. Over the years, staff have kept them outside in all kinds of weather (one senior editor kept them outside in both Los Angeles and Maine). One of our three-year-old test units survived a bear attack in 2020 and is still unharmed. The bear stole the trash can from outside my chicken coop, threw it at the locked part until it opened, and then stole some chicken feed. The only major damage was a small hole punched by one of the bear’s claws. The latch was still intact, and if I had locked the trash can (the lock was purchased but forgotten at home), I’m pretty sure the bear would have been unsuccessful in its quest for food.
We like this suitcase because it’s easy to open, can withstand cold temperatures, and is cheaper than similar suitcases. But it won’t protect your belongings from water or pests.
Pros: For those with tight lids, the Akro-Mils KeepBox Lidded Bin is the most convenient trash can. The lid doesn’t have a latch to secure it in place—both halves simply lift up to open—so it’s easier to open than any other trash can we tested. The butterfly lid (also known as a flip lid) attaches to the bin, making it ideal for those who tend to lose bin lids. The KeepBox is just as sturdy as the other butterfly lid trash can we tested (the Quantum QDC2115-12), but it’s half the price and more widely available. We also like that the KeepBox is clear, so you can easily see what’s inside. We’ve seen the KeepBox used to store everything from Legos to home birth supplies.
This type of container is used in industrial shipping because it can withstand impact and stack neatly. It is made from a mix of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, making it stronger than the Iris WeatherPro clear polypropylene box. In a drop test, we found no damage to the plastic, but the lid did pop off. To ensure that the lid stays closed and that the items you want to store for a long time remain secure, these boxes have eyelets at the connection points that are perfect for attaching cable ties. One of our employees has owned several of these boxes over the years, so we know they are built to last.
KeepBox has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 user reviews on Amazon. One reviewer used them to store Lego, and we’ve seen mentions of people using the boxes to store craft supplies. We’ve seen a few complaints about cracks in the boxes, but they’re few and far between.
Cons, but minor: This is the only plastic container we recommend that leaks when hosed down. Water will leak in and bugs can crawl in. This is not a container for protecting your belongings from the elements.
Long-Term Testing Notes: We still think these are the best easy-access trash cans, and while they don’t close as tightly as some of the other trash cans we picked, I was surprised to see how dry, dust-free, and pest-free our Akro-Mils test bin remained after a year in my pantry. We then moved the bin indoors to store pelleted kitty litter for my 10-year-old daughter’s rabbit. She finds the lid easier to open than a latch-type bin, which helps prevent litter from spilling on the carpet.
These inexpensive, breathable boxes are better for storing clothes than plastic boxes and are the easiest to load and unload.