Home Depot has been promoting new Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 tool boxes with drawers on social media.
Ridgid added a 3-drawer tool box to their modular tool storage line last year, and after a lengthy delay and period of scarce availability, it can now be found online and at many Home Depot stores nationwide.
Tool users have expressed a lot of interest in the 3-drawer tool box, and so it comes as no surprise to see Home Depot and Ridgid launch 2 new sizes.
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There is a new 2-drawer tool box, and a 4-drawer tool box.
As I showed off with the 3-drawer tool box, Ridgid’s drawer units are fully compatible with their rolling tool box cart component. This means that you can add wheels to ANY of the drawer tool boxes, and at any time.
There is a catch, however. At this time, I can only find the all terrain rolling cart bundled with an XL tool box. That is, you can buy the XL tool box with or without the cart component, but the cart is only available with the XL tool box.
I finally found the 3-drawer tool box in-stores. Readers provided news of sightings, and it seems that Home Depot finally rolled it out to most if not all stores.
I tested the drawer unit, and it’s pretty good, although I recently passed it and my purchased and provided Ridgid modular tool boxes to a new tester. Of course Home Depot debuted the two new sizes of drawers a few days later.
My only complaint about the 3-drawer unit is that I would have preferred for 3 equal-depth drawers, rather than 2 shallow and 1 deep. My complaint about the system in general is that Home Depot and Ridgid haven’t brought a lot of useful-to-me accessories to market, such as a 4-wheel dolly or work top.
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Other than that, everything has been solid. The ability to swap the XL tool box – or drawer tool box – that’s attached to the 2-wheel rolling cart is an incredibly convenient feature that’s unique to Ridgid. I can talk more about this in another post – let me know if you have any questions about my experiences with the Ridgid system.
Users have demanded “drawers on the bottom,” and Ridgid is so far the only brand to listen.
ToughBuilt is soon coming out with rolling drawers as well, but I feel that Ridgid’s ability to pair any drawer tool box to the rolling cart provides for more flexibility. ToughBuilt already has more mobility options, with more on the way.
Speaking about what’s on the way, Milwaukee Tool is working on rolling drawers for their Packout system, and Dewalt recently announced a supersized ToughSystem DXL system.
See Also: Dewalt ToughSystem DXL is a New Supersized Modular Tool Box System
The new Ridgid tool boxes are pretty similar in construction to the existing 3-drawer unit.
The 3-drawer tool box has 1 deep and 2 shallow drawers. Shown here is the new 2-drawer tool box, with both being deep drawers.
The other new tool box has 4 shallow drawers.
While this isn’t a huge product expansion, it’s definitely welcome.
Some of Ridgid’s tool boxes come with wall-mounting brackets, and so I would hope other shop-friendly components and accessories are in the works, such as a 4-wheel cart.
Ridgid Drawer Tool Box Prices
- 2-drawer tool box – $109, on sale for $99.98
- 3-drawer tool box – $119
- 4-drawer tool box – $129
The 2- and 4-drawer tool boxes are only available online right now. If you want to get a feel for them in person, check out the 3-drawer tool box that’s now in stores.
The 3-drawer tool box did not have dividers for every drawer. It’s unclear whether the same is true for the new models. From the product images, some of the drawers appear to lack dividers.
Seth Goodson
Still shocking Milwaukee has not done this yet.
Stuart
I spoke with a different brand, and they told me that there are additional engineering challenges involved, such as with drawers binding when placed on wheels.
I wouldn’t think things would be different, but apparently putting wheels on drawers can impact the user experience. Additional design and engineering work is necessary to avoid this.
With respect to Milwaukee Packout, I’m not shocked that they haven’t done this yet. Drawer tool boxes are pricey, and rolling tool boxes will be even more expensive. I don’t think any brand projected that there would be such a demand for rolling drawers, and it still remains to be seen how much users are willing to spend for them.
At this time, there are how many different brands and lines of modular tool boxes? And how many have drawers on the bottom of a rolling tool box stack? Just one so far – Ridgid – and their initial offering has only been on shelves for a few months.
blocky
It’s not frequently discussed, but Milwaukee sort of has provided a functionally very similar solution already with their 20in 2 wheel folding utility cart – which is rated for 400lbs and has hand-truck sleds to assist with stairs.
If I were dead set on Packout drawers top to bottom, and on 2 wheels, not 4, I think this is the way to go.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-20-in-2-Wheel-Utility-Cart-48-22-8415/314012811#overlay
Skylar
Don’t do this! The cart/hand truck is hot garbage!
I did it already- purchased the cart and a 2-drawer packout in hopes that I could create a drawer-base stack but also use the cart as a hand truck for the odd appliance or bunch of flooring cases. The cart/hand truck is extremely unstable with weight on it (likely due to the inboard wheels and almost completely plastic construction) and I have all but stopped using it. Packout products have generally been well thought out and well made, but this one is a huge whiff.
I’ve entertained the idea of buying a folding hand truck from a real manufacturer and making a packout base for it that can easily attach/detach- obviously you can use a Milwaukee-made mount or buy any of the multitude of aftermarket options from Etsy.
Just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
TomD
The Milwaukee rolling base 48-22-8410 is the way to go; the only downside is the wheels are meant for smoother surfaces and you’ll need something else to get the stack there if the ground is bumpy.
Mike
This guy came up with an ingenious alternative to the Packout hand truck and dolly system. I’m not sure which actually came first.
Basically you buy the Packout mounting plate and attach it to 2 pieces of plywood with spacers between around the edges to create a slot. You can design around any hand truck, which is much more useful around the job site.
It’s not off the shelf, and takes some time to build, but is durable, versatile and effective.
You can use larger casters if you wish, you’ll just have to tip the hand truck back a bit further.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v5tkdEGmiyg&pp
Ace S
If all goes well, FLEX packstack and HUSKY buildout will have their drawer rolling cases soon. They are very “sensitive” to the market.
Brian
For the money you can’t beat the Ridgid boxes. I still wish tools came in their own blow molded cases but oh well. Milwaukee ‘s boxes are great but expensive and Toughbuilt is even a little bit more expensive. I wish Ridgid would come out with a 4 wheeled dolly just to roll around the shop instead of the two wheeled with a handle. As someone else mentioned a worktop that attaches to their boxes would be awesome. I have a Packout system that’s about 7 foot tall but I’m done buying those. My Milwaukee, Ridgid, Ryobi and other tools fit just fine in Ridgid boxes. Harbor Freight with their Baurer line has a decent deal on modular toolboxes too but I’ll keep buying Ridgid. ,
Joe
I have the same configuration with the rigid toolboxes. I am using the furniture dollies ar Harbor Freight. I can stack them tall all locked together and they roll around very easily.
MFC
Milwaukee has the hand truck so that’s what I do. I have two hand trucks and two cabinets along with four drawer units. I don’t think I would buy a drawer mounted to wheels because I like the ability to only take certain drawers. Ridgid’s system sems to be good for that too.
Frank D
100% agreed. They need to have the cart separate and create a bottom plate and top plate. Of course the powers that be may decide that that would be a no can do / will not compete thing, as they want to reserve that for the flagship $$$ Milwaukee.
Dustin Lewis
I think they might have finally listed the cart separately: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-0-Pro-Gear-System-25-in-All-Terrain-Rolling-Tool-Cart-254065/320483537
The primary picture shows the cart with the toolbox but I believe it is just the cart.
Dustin Lewis
Never mind – I see you cannot unselect the toolbox. 🙁
Stuart
I bought that SKU in August 2022, it’s the tool box plus rolling cart.
The XL tool box is available separately at a lower price.
They call it a rolling tool cart, but it’s both.
Dan
I bought just the cart here:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-0-Pro-Gear-System-All-Terrain-Rolling-Tool-Cart-9-in-Wheel-Attachment-255230/326963040
It goes in and out of stock often, you gotta keep an eye on it. I signed up for the email stock alert, but I never got the alert when it was back in stock.
J
Still looking like rigid is the way to go for bottom rolling drawer. Had high hopes Toughbuilt would do that I like there catalog. But it’s just the rolling mega drawer.
DXE
It is posted here but doesn’t look available yet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-0-Pro-Gear-System-All-Terrain-Rolling-Tool-Cart-9-in-Wheel-Attachment-255230/326963040
JoeR.
I have come close to buying the 3 drawer configuration twice now (after the long inventory delay here in SoCal). But one thing has left me wondering after seeing a display model with the locking nubs broken off (smaller Signal Hill store). How durable are these units?
I am a DIYer, so not like these are going to a job site. I had hoped that the drawer models, like the rest of my Ridgid toolboxes, would be very durable. If somebody goofing around in the store was able to break off 2 nubs (as I recall there are only 4 holding the latch to keep the drawers securely closed), how good is the production of these units? Ridgid’s customer service is very good so that is a plus.
Anyone who them – have you accidentally broken off the locking nubs?
Stuart
Ridgid boxes are pretty durable, and these are no different.
One of my samples had a damaged latching hook, and it still held securely. It’s not easy to break them off.
A direct hit might deform the drawer retention latches. Mine held perfectly and didn’t show any signs of wear with use.
I don’t know how goofing off might break them, but shipping damage potentially could. I’ve seen this happen to most brands’ modular tool boxes, no matter how strong.
JoeR.
Thank you Stuart. Appreciate the honest review & feedback.
Jon
I ordered the 3 drawer last week (delivery) and it came with a 3 inch hole punched in the top, like a hammer was taken to it. Got a discount to drive 40 miles to a local store for return and exchange. Anyway, they are definitely not super indestructible based on whoever got to the box before it arrived on my doorstep. Ordered the 4 drawer today with the cart. Hope they arrive with fewer holes.
Noticed on the box, these come from Israel. Maybe my box got caught in the action before shipping out to the states? Or just angry employee locally.
TimL
I just sprung for the 2 drawer. I like the 3 drawer already. People have been swapping drawers already to make their own 2 and 4 drawer combos. I have been in the Ridgid system for over 3 years now and as just a DIY guy they have been able to fit everything I need. There are aftermarket bases and tops available so caster bases or worktops can be had fairly simply. The only thing I do not like about the 2.0 cart is that the handle hits the floor when it is lowered.
DXE
Where do you find these aftermarket bases and tops?
TimL
https://www.stacksmarter.com/s/search?q=Ridgid
I haven’t used them, but posts I’ve seen look pretty solid.
Rich Shew
The Ridgid/Keter user group (Keter markets these boxes under several brand names elsewhere in the world) has figured out how to take a pair of three-drawer boxes and make a two-drawer and a four-drawer box. The deep drawers are exactly the size of two of the shallow drawers. The drawer box shell already came with nubs cast on the inside for a fourth set of drawer slides. Ridgid was pretty clever to plan this modularity in. I’m hoping they offer a “garage door” style with the existing shell too.
Jimmie
Stuart, have you heard whether the other manufacturers are planning to introduce extra-wide modular boxes similar to the Dewalt DXL stuff you posted about a few months back?
Stuart
No, but I also didn’t ask.
Dewalt’s DXL system is going to be pricey. I don’t expect other brands to follow. In my opinion, Milwaukee might eventually offer something similar for the Packout system , but there hasn’t been so much as a hint about this.
Milwaukee showed off some Packout designs when we toured their facility in mid-2022, and none of those products launched yet.
I spoke to them in mid-2023 about products that at the time were expected to launch around early 2025.
I didn’t ask about DXL-like systems because they wouldn’t be able to share such info at this time. And if they did, I wouldn’t be able to share about it.
I might ask Milwaukee what they think about the Dewalt DXL system, but any commentary would likely be off the record.
I am familiar with some new products coming out, but nothing big like the DXL system.
Tucker
Has Dewalt provided any updates on DXL availability other than “soon”?
Stuart
There’s no ETA yet, but I expect to see it within the next 4-5 months.
Big Richard
It’s available for pre-order in the UK, expected by the end of July. Doesn’t mean NA availability will be the same time but it should be somewhat soon. I would hope/expect by fall.
UK pricing:
Deep drawer – £240.99
Shallow drawers – £262.99
Dolly – £156.99
Worktop – £81.99
Sorta gives you an idea of what to expect for NA pricing as well.
Brad
The 2-wheel cart by itself was on the website for a short bit, though listed as out of stock. I clicked the “notify me” when back in stock, but then it was pulled from the site the next day.
I think they’re missing a bunch more sales not packaging the drawer units with the cart, or having the cart available by itself. Hopefully it’s just a supply issue currently and they’ll offer in the future.
Nathan
Does any other system have the removable lidded parts bins line the hart system. Also made by keter. Something like that would be nice here.
But I also haven’t bought into any system yet wither
Saulac
I was watching for Ridgid to come out with drawers to jump on their system. But I recently jumped into Toughbuilt Stack Tech instead. There some odd mismatch in Ridgid system that turned me off. I believe the drawer boxes are slightly bigger than other boxes. The color and material are not the same between the boxes.
Frank D
The drawer box stuff is indeed differently sized and bigger. In my cargo van, I have a fairly exact space between the “ garage platform “ and the rear doors; where an original ridgid stack will fit perfectly with a bit of room to spare. With a drawer unit, on the base; it does not fit. I have not decided yet how much I want to deal with it … but at least it is cheaper than Milwaukee.
Adam
So Milwaukee doesn’t want to do drawers on the bottom, ok. But how is Ridgid turns this out in no time, and Milwaukee can’t release their updated collapsible handle they promised over half a year ago?
The framing nailer I understood being delayed for further refinement, but a handle? Probably could have saved that announcement for this years.
James
That handle has been coming with all the new rolling stacks for several months. Not sure exactly when they launched it but I believe it was in 2023.
Mike
This looks like a clever design which leverages the wall hanging feature most systems now seem to have. The weight seems to bear on a narrow shelf of plastic and the whole thing is retained from falling forward by some thin ears.
This is probably just like the wall hanging mounts, but you aren’t banging them around.
Curious how durable it will be.
I don’t see why other brands can’t use this approach.
Jon Lutz
Finally got an undamaged 3 drawer. I like them and ordered the 4 drawer today with the cart. I hate that each drawer costs as much as I paid for my whole 3 piece cart a few years back. But, everything seems to have tripled in value. The only flaw is my socket rails are 17″ and the drawers are 16″.
And while it might matter to some. I noticed I got more dividers in the shipped box. But when it came with a hole and I exchanged it in store. The store model had fewer dividers, but included the wall hangers the first one didn’t have. Definitely keep an eye out for what’s in your box when it arrives or check a few in store to see what options are actually in the drawers.
Ryan
Anybody know how to get more drawer dividers? It’s disappointing they don’t come with enough dividers.
PW
Very nice! Rigid accidentally became my mod tool box choice when HD blew out the 1.0 models two years ago.
These seem like really additions. This is basically what I felt was missing from the system. Might tempt me to buy more boxes I don’t need 😬
Paul Ricciatti
I love these Ridgid product reviews but I find them extremely frustrating because although these products are available at Home Depot in the US, in Canada we wait for months and sometimes years to get these products, Sometimes there are products that are not sold as they are in the US. For example, you cannot buy the pro 2.0 cart by itself, it only is available in combination with the most useless large tool box. I would love to buy 2 carts and multiple drawer units, but I have no use for large and inaccessible large boxes that only have a removable lid.