It wasn’t until this past week that I realized how many different modular tool box systems are available at just Home Depot and Lowe’s.
At the start of 2024, the major home improvement retailers together have 12 different modular tool box systems, combined.
Home Depot Modular Tool Box Systems
- Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0
- Husky Connect
- Husky Build-Out
- Milwaukee Packout
- Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0
- Ryobi Link
Lowe’s Modular Tool Box Systems
- Craftsman TradeStack
- Craftsman VersaStack
- Flex StackPack
- Klein ModBox
- Kobalt CaseStack
- ToughBuilt StackTech
Is it Good to Have so Many Choices?
Choices are good, and most of these brands and tool box lines offer something different.
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But, 12 different systems seems like a lot, and it remains to be seen what the landscape will look like when the post-holiday clouds clear up.
Home Depot has permanent portable tool box displays at my local stores. My Lowe’s store has just a single bay in the middle of an aisle, and I have yet to see what their post-holiday reset looks like.
What about the tool box system Makita filed patent applications for? I don’t think I have ever seen Makita MakPac tool boxes in stores. Will there be room for a new system?
See Also: Makita Might not Launch this Packout-Like Tool Box System
SK recently launched new modular tool boxes on Amazon. Is there the potential for Lowe’s to bring them to stores?
Tekton recently launched new modular mechanics tool kits and an L-Boxx-based storage system.
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See Also: New Tekton Modular Mechanics Tool Kits and Storage System
While I don’t expect for Tekton to partner with Home Depot or Lowe’s, what about Gearwrench? Could Gearwrench follow SK and Tekton’s leads and launch a modular tool box system of similar size or form factor?
If SK and Tekton have modular tool storge systems, Gearwrench should be working on their own line of products. What about Crescent, Gearwrench’s sibling brand? All of Crescent’s competitors in the construction tool space have modular tool box systems.
Let’s say Crescent follows their competitors’ lead. Where would their modular tool box system be sold?
I would argue that the modular tool box system landscape is not yet saturated. But Home Depot and Lowe’s definitely seem a bit full to the brim.
How will that affect modular tool box system expansion over the next couple of years?
There’s benefit in “good, better, best” tiering, but having 12 different systems at 2 retailers creates a lot of overlap.
It will be wonderful if each retailer and their brand partners pour energy into the 12 different modular tool box systems. Will that happen?
I think that we’re going to start seeing a divide between all of the different systems. Some will expand and branch out into new directions, while others might only be brought out for holiday season promotions and sales.
There’s also a chance we might see broader expansion if retail stores find the space to properly showcase all of their modular tool box systems. Home Depot is already doing a decent job of this. If Lowe’s manages to do the same, the competition will heat up further.
This product category is still growing, and there’s the potential for even greater in-store presence.
Which ones would I buy into today? My top 3 picks would be Milwaukee Packout, Dewalt ToughSystem, and Craftsman VersaStack. What about you?
See Also: 5 Best Modular Tool Box and Storage Systems (early 2024)
Rich
I’ve been invested in the Ridgid boxes since they were introduced. If I were to start over, I’d probably go with the ToughBuilt boxes, but there’s no way I’m ditching 20-odd Ridgid boxes and starting over. They’re just plastic tool boxes after all.
SamR
I am making the switch to ToughBuilt StackTech from Packout. I am keeping the Packout as a fixed storage in my garage.
Steve
There must be big profit margins in them and everyone’s market research most be showing this as a big area for growth.
SamR
Given that many people rent rather than own homes, tool storage systems may be more practical. Sales are likely to remain strong until more people can afford to buy homes. While the profit margins seem high, they’re notably offset by the costs of transportation and handling.
Another Bob
I think it’s a combination of market trends and high profitability.
Pretty good ROI if market forces support a $200ish price point on a couple pounds of injection molded plastic.
I agree shipping air (bulky not product dense shipments) is not generally profitable. Yeah we keep seeing new competitors enter the market. And old competitors renew their offerings.
I realize consultants influence the C-suite guys into doing what is trending but it’s got to have a pretty decent profit potential attached to it otherwise they would never sign on. Except maybe SAP. That one I’ll never ever wrap my head around hahaha
PS I think you’re onto something with the rentals. storage units are at an all-time high too.
Philip+Proctor
I don’t think the market can support all these.
Scott K
It seems like there are too many at similar price points for them all to succeed. These also require a large amount of real estate to display and stock. I wonder if stores are waiting to see who garners the most sales before a culling the under performers.
Jronman
Yeah I think a 123 approach is the best. Option 1 for the homeowner, Option 3 for the professional, and option 2 for something in between. As much as I would have like companies to partner together like we see with Tanos and Sortimo, it is unlikely.
Jared
I don’t know that the number of different options is the problem so much as how large these systems are and how much real estate they consume for a retailer to stock.
E.g. if Home Depot stocked a half-dozen different 20oz milled-face framing hammers, and kept a dozen of each on the shelf, that’s still just one row in a single bay.
The same number for modular tool boxes… probably each brand would need it’s own bay and that might take up one side of an entire aisle – especially if they need to stock 3-pc “towers” and individual pieces too.
I guess my thought is just that these are bulky products too.
H
ToughBuilt looked good until Lowes raised the prices above Packout prices. Was excited to see the new products showing up in stores, but then just a few days later, prices jumped 10-25%
Jim Felt
I’ve Packout and Ridgid but still haven’t found the ideal use model for them. I mostly maintain or upgrade vs. remodel or new build in this era and rather prefer to bag and/or bucket approach with what I need to take with. Which I load up from my way overstocked shop building.
All these boat anchors seem commercially acceptable but not the “be all end all” they’d like us to think. Am I alone on this?
James
Mine don’t serve me everyday nor are they perfect, but when they serve, they serve well.
Jronman
I am more of a drawer guy when it comes to modular storage. Everything can still be organized but at the same time has quick access. I have used tool bags before and wasn’t a fan. They lacked the organization I desired. I have never used a bucket as tool storage before but I have seen them. I think they would really only be useful if you got a bucket organizer. I think I would like a bucket better than a bag but I think drawers would still be my preferred option.
tojen1981
Same here. I’d love to see a half width 2 and 3 drawer offering from someone. Sadly, nobody has went there.
Saulac
I like and own MTBS, but I think they could be overhyped due to tool influencers. Which tend to focus a lot more on look than real trades. I have seen too many tool mongers online. Don’t get me wrong I like tools. I just noticed that the trades use tools differently.
Travis
I was at sherwin Williams and found out that Purdy also had a line of tool boxes. Looks like a lot of the other generic type boxes
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/purdy-painters-storage-box-system/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Travis
Sorry Stuart. Forgot you reported on these
Jronman
I just looked at these. They almost look like a rebranded Ridgid system with the metal side latches.
Nate
If they’d all intermix, like all the Lego knockoffs making the same size studs so you could have a box of cheap bricks and build stuff with ’em all together, that would be one thing. A proliferation of options would be good for the consumer.
But they don’t, as far as I can tell, and that’s bad.
Worse, Craftsman has two different-named systems, are they mutually incompatible? Bad AND stupid!
Frank
There’s an adapter for trade stack to versa stack. Versastack is the same thing as tstak. There’s an adapter for tough system to either tstak or pro organizer. The new toughsystem dxl will let you put a toughsystem 2.0 on top. It’s not ideal but it’s better than zero compatibly.
Jronman
There are a few that are compatible like Systainers and the various Systainer spinoffs like Metabox and MakPac. Tstak and Versastak are compatible but those are more recolors of the same design. you also have backwards compatibility between multiple generations within the same brand like with Tanos, DeWALT, Sortimo, and Ridgid.
ITCD
Even within the Craftsman system sometimes there’s incompatibility. Like those tool sets in the Versastack boxes that only connect to like 2 or 3 other things.
Bobcat
The craftsman are compatible it has plate that attaches on the tradestack so you can put versastack same goes for dewalt
Coach James
My son bought a couple modular boxes at Sams Club. They were a brand I’ve never heard of, but they have held up okay for his limited use.
Norse
My top 3 would be ToughBuilt, Milwaukee, Packout, and the Klein boxes. I am a late adopter and just recently bought a batch of the ToughBuilt boxes. So far they are meeting my expectation and I look forward to the new stuff they have coming later this year. To really go all in, I am guessing that I would have to spend like $5000. Maybe more. I have seen some really nice tool trailer and sprinter van setups built around Packout boxes and drawers. They looked really well organized and pretty efficient in how they used space. Mostly I am excited to ditch the bazillion odd sized tool cases they I have toted around for far too long. As far as market saturation, I can’t help but see some of the cheaper brands giving up on innovation and fading away. I hope ToughBuilt survives as I feel that they are jumping in on the trail already blazed by Milwaukee and going right for what people want. Only time will tell.
Jronman
ToughBuilt StackTech seems to be the one to beat right now. I watched a video comparing how easy it is to latch boxes together on a few of the modular systems, and ToughBuilt looked like the clear winner. It just connected super easily. The guy struggled a bit with Packout. He even rated it lower than TS 2.0 in terms of ease of connecting. I was super surprised. I haven’t heard of Packout being hard to connect.
TonyT
Looking at captive brands, 4 of HD’s 6 systems are captive (Ryobi, Ridgid, and the 2 Husky systems), while I’ll say 2 of Lowe’s are (Kobalt, and TradeStack, which is SBD Craftsman, but isn’t readily available elsewhere). Maybe HD will drop one of the Husky systems, and limit how much Ryobi is stocked in stores.
There’s definitely room for a good number of systems; e.g. cheaper, less durable, less wasted space (VersaStak, Tstak, Hart, etc) and tougher, larger systems (Packout, TS, Ridgid, etc).
mattd
I am surprised lowes didn’t pickup something like l-boxx since they sell bosch tools. Lbox to me is the OG high quality modular toolbox. Maybe they are just bigger in European markets since you can get them branded from several tool brands like hazett and knipex. With the tekton partnership you will might see them at places like ace hardware.
Jronman
L-boxx could be sold at Menards considering how lacking the storage section has been the past number of years. While Lowes and HD are increasing modular storage, Menards has less than it used to have. You have the single in house Masterforce brand which has your basic 3 box rolling combo that basically every major modular storage competitor has (Except the Systainer and Systainer spinoffs for some reason) and thats about it. There is a Keter system which is equally as lacking on options (maybe even less options than the Masterforce). Most storage from Menards is one off boxes that have basically no compatibility with anything else. Menards used to sell Tstak under Stanley branding and moved to Craftsman Versastak. I think Menards has abandoned Craftsman. You can’t hardly find anything Craftsman at Menards anymore.
Kevin C Davis
SBDs agreement with Lowes, meant that Craftsman was no longer available to Menards
John E
Some Lowe’s did sell L-Boxx for a while, maybe seven or eight years ago. They were poorly marketed – like most Bosch tools here in the States – and went on clearance within a year or two. People weren’t that familiar with modular boxes back then either and the L-Boxxes can’t take much abuse.
James
Yeah I picked up a bunch of mine on liquidation up here at a Canadian Tire. They were only at one location but they had a bunch of them so I bought them all.
….1 year later Packout was launched…….
John E
I did the same. Ended up with a couple of dozen L-3s and 4s. Gave about a third of them away. The rest are used to keep shop supplies organized and dust free.
The best thing I got during their clearout were a couple of L-Boxx dollys for about $25 each. Whish I had a couple more at that price.
William Adams
If you search for “Systainer” at Home Depot you get Makita Makpacs:
https://www.homedepot.com/s/systainer?NCNI-5
(but no supporting accessories such as the Tanos MW 1000 Mobile Workstation)
Stuart
I’m talking about in-store.
Both Home Depot and Lowe’s websites have tons of products that they’d never give store space to, and are sometimes drop-shipped.
Jronman
I noticed you put Tough System StackTech. It should be ToughBuilt StackTech right? If you include Menards you could add the Masterforce modular system, and some Keter. Menards just doesn’t put much effort into modular systems like the other two. They used to sell some Tstak when it was Stanley and then when it switched to Craftsman but I am not seeing those anymore. I think Menards abandoned Craftsman. I wish Menards would offer StackTech since they already offer other ToughBuilt products like ClipTech.
Jronman
I kinda feel like Menards storage is worse than it used to be.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
Perry
I’m a little concerned about the lack of additions to versastack/tstak the last few years. Especially with all the newer, bigger boxes that have come out, it seems like the smaller size systems are on their way out. I personally prefer the versatility of the smaller boxes, but I do wish they made a dual deep drawer box instead of just the tstak single
Vards Uzvards
Speaking about newer, bigger boxes – how about this one?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-VERSASTACK-30-4-in-Black-Wheels-Lockable-Tool-Box/5014539631
John
I have had that in my shopping cart. I would have bought it by now if it was for the toughsystem instead of tstak. Come on Dewalt….
Perry
That one’s been available for awhile through other outlets. There’s also a “caddy” that’s made for holding all the small bit boxes.
Another Bob
Oh that is super cool. And like John I would buy one if Dewalt tough system made one.
A big bottom box like that would allow you to put the larger tools that don’t typically fit in a tough system box like the porta band, worm drive saw, large sawzall etc.
Jerry
I know its too late but I wish way back when the manufacturers would have settled on a coup!e standard sizes so we would have cross compatibility kind of li!e how any egg carton will stack on any other. Could have settled on a size then had full size, half size, 1/4 size that would all stack. As it is now you either want all or none made by a certain manufacturer.
William Adams
Apparently Systainers were based on a standard European box size, which in some instances are referred to as KLT, from Wikipedia:
>A Euro container, also called Eurobox, Euro crate or KLT box (from German: Kleinladungsträger, “small load carrier”), is an industrial stacking container conforming to the VDA 4500 standard.
Was a compatible set of dimensions used by some other manufacturer?
Stuart
On one hand, yes. On the other hand, dissimilar systems are what allows for innovation. Competition is solely responsible for driving the industry forward.
Jerry
I get that, but I have boxes by a couple different manufacturers that I got because one that looked a lot like what I already had was on clearance. I can understand that they each have their own lock system, divider system and all that, but one is about an inch and a half bigger than the other, so it won’t quite fit in a slot I had made for the other one so it wouldn’t even fit on my shelf without re-arranging things. Just a standard length X width for a standard full size box would have made things a lot easier IMO.
The way it is now, if company A comes up with some new innovation, if I don’t have boxes from company A I might not be able to use them without redoing the space I have for my existing boxes.
Greg
Maybe Lego should get in the tool box game.
William Adams
Ouch. I once tried to make storage for Lego bricks using Lego bricks — it is _not_ an economically sound option.
That said, they have added some cool storage options, including some desk/office oriented drawers and so forth.
Mark M.
Maybe I’m a picky consumer, but I’d be far more inclined to consider different systems if the actual shopping experience was easier. Meaning: At both HD and Lowes, the boxes and accessories aren’t particularly easy to pull down, stack, unstack, roll around, etc. If they had a bigger area like a bullpen that I could easily go hands-on with their different boxes and carts it would be way more compelling. But I’m simply not going to fight a big box in a narrow aisle. But I also get that devoting floor space is problematic given all the competing items and displays so this is me complaining without a solution 🙂
Chris
I think that is very store location dependent. Most stores around me have them on the floor/lowest point and you can play with it all. But I have seen a few stores (in more urban areas) that put everything behind cages, up high, or use flexible steel cables.
Wesley Penn
I feel like there are too many of these things already, but if you are looking for a place that could use a few Menards just has the underwhelming Masterforce thing… https://www.menards.com/main/tools/tool-storage/tool-boxes/masterforce-reg-22-rolling-tool-box-3-piece/2907528mml/p-12148367795320793-c-1526043700147.htm
Peter
Is funny to think about just a few years ago plastic boxes from SystainerTanos etc. were considered by many as overpriced plastic and metal was the only way to go.
Chris
I think you’ve answered your own question with that Klein picture full of clearance stickers.
John E
I think those say “New Lower Price”. Lowe’s do that all the time to get your attention, like with “Clearance” stickers. They raise and lower prices constantly based on some algorithm or other. If they don’t sell well over the next few quarters they’ll probably dump the lot.
Chris S
I went to lowes a few hours ago and they had clearance stickers at my store. The large 3 piece set is the best price off and was all gone.
DC
I was looking for a system last November and settled on DeWalt’s Tough System 2 since HD had a sale but they sold out quickly. I went with Milwaukee Packout since they we in stock and on sale as well. I saw the Tough System at Lowes this past Saturday and they look decent and if I didn’t need it right away last November, I would consider the Tough System Stack Techs.
Joe E.
We need a spin off site called ModularGuyd lol.
Peter
😂
AP
I think we’re in a better place because of it. Beats a bunch of random toolboxes you have to carry individually. I have some Packout, TSTAK and those brittle Makita and Bosch boxes. They’re especially nice when dealing with stairs.
JimM
At some point someone will have an epiphany and realize that you can design a “system” where the boxes shipped nested one inside the other and then can be stacked and locked together for use. That guy will have a big price advantage plus he’ll sell several boxes in one transaction.
As has been pointed out here, shipping costs are significant as is retail floor space.
William Adams
That results in a major space/capacity hit — the geometry of nesting doesn’t play well to the stacking aspect (for an example of why, look at how European A and B paper size systems interact)
Harbor Freight does this for their:
VOYAGER Toolbox Set, 4 Piece
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-nesting-toolbox-set-3721.html
(which seems a bit improved since I bought it)
It’s okay for light usage, maybe long-term storage, but overall, I would have been better served saving and buying 4 separate toolboxes which were better suited for my needs rather than my budget.
Zane
As a professional, that items these stores carry and don’t carry is appalling and embarrassing. They’ll carry 12 lines of giant empty plastic boxes, laundry detergent, seasonal decor that end up on clearance for 75 percent off, but not have super basic dimensional lumber sizes, basic concrete anchors, a giant portion of Simpson Strong Ties, various sizes and types of collated nails and on and on.
William Adams
Has anyone published a list of all the systems and their overall dimensions?
Stuart
Not that I have seen.
I typically lump them into two categories – smaller (Systainers, VersaStack, TStak), and larger (Packout, ToughSystem, StackTech).