After more than 14 hours of research and testing, the best garage shelving you can buy today is the STERILITE 01553V01 5 shelf unit. This all-around dynamo is customized with a modular 5-shelf design, generous weight capacity, and ventilated shelves for moisture-resistance.
Choosing the best garage shelving could mean the difference between well-supported storage and a flimsy construction with warped shelves ready to break at a moment’s notice. Our evaluation focused on wall-mounted vs. freestanding shelves, ease of assembly, durability, weight capacity, and capacity. We also keyed in on auxiliary features such as wheels, wall brackets for safety, and NSF/ANSI certification for safe food storage. Keep reading to learn more about the STERILITE 01553V01 5 Shelf Unit Garage Shelving and six others that made the grade. If you are in the market for some cool accessories for your car, our list of some of the best car accessories is a great starting point.
Top 7 Best Garage Shelvings
#1 STERILITE 01553V01 Garage Shelving
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best garage storage system, with a five shelf modular system for people who prefer a quick assembly and varying shelf heights to accommodate items of all shapes and sizes.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Adjustable shelf heights
- Durable polypropylene construction
- Well ventilated shelves for odor/mildew-resistance
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Heavy items not recommended for top shelves
- Small things may occasionally fall through small holes
- May not be wide enough for some plastic bins
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This 75.13 x 36 x 18 garage shelf is the tallest with the second most cubic feet of storage on our list (26 cubic feet). It is really well built, made using polypropylene, which is a very durable plastic. Its modular design offers room for up to 5 shelves, with a simple popping mechanism needed to pop them in place without tools. While testing, we estimated it took no more than 20 minutes from box to final assembly, making it a winner in our book. If you like gadgets or accessories that are easy to assemble, check out our best headrest DVD player list.
This garage shelf can accommodate 25 or 50-quart shelf totes, which can organize different items by theme. For example, several color-coded totes could carry your art project tools and a second set of color-coded totes can stow away your tools. Kudos for its ventilated shelves which offer odor and mildew-resistance. With all new shelving, you’ll want to look at the best garage heaters guide to decide which garage heater is best for your home.
#2 Sandusky Lee PS361856-4B Plastic Garage Shelving
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This heavy duty garage shelving is made from super durable, ventilated resin with a 150-pound per shelf weight capacity, making it very good for moisture-heavy places like laundry rooms, pantries, and the outdoors.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Best on a budget
- Very durable & easy to assemble
- BPA free & well ventilated shelves
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Non-adjustable height shelves
- Need rubber mallet for proper pole seating
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This 56 in. x 36 in. x 18 in. garage shelving is very durable thanks to its hard resin construction, which does not dent or chip when heavy items are placed on it. It is also mildew and odor-resistant shelves with good ventilation, making them a breeze to use outdoors. We like this garage shelf for storing garden or patio items with heavy exposure to drainage as it will not rust.
Related: Also take a look at our best de icer car spray review.
Like our #1 pick STERILITE 01553V01 5 Shelf Unit, this best heavy duty plastic shelving is very quick to assemble (less than 10 minutes) and requires no tools. Each shelf has a 150-pound weight capacity and offers a snap mechanism, making it easy to assemble and disassemble to achieve the desired shelf height. Kudos for being BPA free, which is a common industrial chemical found in plastics that has been known to cause health defects. Once you’ve got this shelf in place, all you’ll need is the best garage lighting for the perfect garage.
#3 FLEXIMOUNTS 4×8 Overhead Garage Shelving
Award: BEST OVERHEAD
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best overhead garage shelving, featuring a generously-sized 96” by 48” by 22” overheadrack that mounts to your garage ceiling, perfect for people that want to save floor space.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Great for bike storage
- Very durable & easy to assemble
- Durable cold-rolled steel construction
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- High cost
- Not as easy to install as first two picks
- Best for unused or seasonal items
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This overhead shelf offers the most cubic feet of storage (58 cubic feet) on our lst, good for storing up to 18 standard size storage bins. It is also very durable, constructed using cold-rolled steel with a 600-pound weight capacity. Its place is ideal for people who want to preserve storage space for high hurricane areas where flood damage is a seasonal concern (hello South Florida).
We like the fact this garage shelving is height adjustable from 22″ to 40″, which makes it work for different-sized storage bins and items such as wider Christmas trees. It can even accommodate hooks on the frame to store bicycles upside down. Note, installation is a little harder, as it goes overhead, so professional installation is recommended. There is a lot of versatility with this unit in the number of ways we can store things. If you want to make your car look brand new, you may want to also consider the best ceramic coating for cars.
#4 Muscle Rack UR184872-R 5-Shelf Steel Garage Shelving
Award: HIGHEST TOTAL WEIGHT CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best heavy-duty garage shelving, with a shelf capacity of 800 pounds (2nd highest on our list) for each shelf and a 4000-pound total weight capacity, making it great for heavier items.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Best heavy duty
- 4000lb total capacity
- Can be converted to horizontal workbench
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Fitting side rails could be more intuitive
- Needs to be secured to wall for safety
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This 48″ by 72″ by 18″ is very well supported with a steel frame and Z-beam design that offers greater strength and rigidity. Each shelf locks into post slots to help for a tight wobble-free fit and sturdy couplers also create greater rigidity between posts. This makes it a winner in our book.
We like the fact this industrial garage shelving is adjustable in 1.5″ increments, which means you can use all five shelves or create extra space for taller items with two or three. Kudos for its flexibility, as it can also be converted to a 2-piece horizontal workbench – something our first three picks do not offer. We find this especially useful for garages with very low ceilings or to double as a working area. If you’re using your garage to work on your car, you might want to pick up the best car jack too.
#5 DEWALT 4-Foot Tall, 3 Shelf Industrial Garage Shelving
Award: HIGHEST WEIGHT CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This industrial garage shelving comes with a 1,500-pound shelf capacity, which is the highest on our list, making it great for heavy duty tool storage.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Best for heavy duty tools
- 2.35″ adjustability between shelves
- Fiberglass nylon feet protects floors from scratches
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- 4 feet limits capacity
- Assembly instructions are hard to read
- Bolts and hex keys could be better quality
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This 49″ by 18″ by 47″ garage shelving is very durable, made using rust and dent-resistant powder-coated steel. Support straps and shelf clips also help prevent sagging under heavy loads. Like our #4 pick Muscle Rack UR184872-R 5-Shelf Steel Garage Shelving, each shelf is adjustable in 2.35-inch increments allowing you to create as much space in between shelves as you would like for taller bins.
Kudos for this garage shelving’s focus on safety, which includes wall brackets to prevent it from tipping over. This is especially critical in households with young children. Fiberglass nylon feet also protect more sensitive garage tile floors from scratches and dings. If you want to be prepared for anything, it may also be smart to have the best car battery charger on hand too.
#6 Seville Classics UltraDurable Garage Shelving
Award: BEST FOR RESTAURANTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to this shelving’s NSF/ANSI food certification and wheels, this is the best shelving for people looking to store food and that need to move locations frequently.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Can be moved easily
- NSF/ANSI certified
- 800-pound weight capacity for each shelf
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Small items could fall through shelf holes
- Plastic brackets could be less flimsy
- Takes a bit longer to assemble (30+ minutes)
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
We really like this 24″ by 48″ by 72” garage shelf for food storage, as it is NSF/ANSI certified. NSF/ANSI certification ensures it adheres to restrict requirements in being safe around water and food processing. Wire shelves also provide some ventilation and its chrome shelving does not rust, which is good in the event of drainage.
This garage shelving is built solid with 5 steel wire shelves, each carrying an up to 800-pound weight capacity. This one is also much easier to move around than our previous picks with 4″ inch wheels that make it easy to slide across garages and kitchens. No more having to remove bins from shelves to move the whole thing around.
#7 SafeRacks Garage Wall Shelving
Award: BEST WALL MOUNTING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best wall mount garage shelving thanks to two 18″ by 48″ shelves and 500-pound total capacity, perfect for people who want to save floor space.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Excellent for small garages
- Very sturdy and durable
- Saves floor space
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Lower than average capacity per shelf (250 pounds)
- Edges could be smoother
- Nike hooks could be more sturdy
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This 18″ by 48″ garage shelving is very versatile, with two wall shelves and four bottom deck hooks that are great for hanging bicycles, chairs, and other furniture on. In addition to a 500-pound total capacity and steel construction, each shelf is powder-coated for rust resistance, making it great for use in humid, open-air garages.
This garage shelving comes with a pair of bike hooks, helping to free up even more space. Though we found them durable, we feel they work best for smaller children’s bikes, as larger wheels may not provide enough clearance. Installation is also on the easy side, taking no more than 10 minutes to hang using a drill.
How We Decided
In determining the best garage shelving to buy, we explored wall-mounted vs. freestanding shelves, weight capacity, and storage capacity. Wall-mounted shelves free up a bit more floor space than freestanding shelves at the expense of weight capacity. If you have lots of items, opt for freestanding shelves over the ceiling and wall-mounted shelves, provided space is not an issue.
Note, free standing shelves like the Seville Classics UltraDurable come with wheels, so they offered more location flexibility than wall-mounted shelves which required drilling to disassemble and reassemble.
Weight capacity is very important. We aim for a minimum weight capacity of 250 pounds per shelf, which should be more than enough to accommodate two standard size bins full to the brim with items light enough to carry comfortably with one hand. Our # 4 pick Muscle Rack UR184872-R 5-Shelf Steel Garage Shelving offered the highest weight capacity on our list (400 pounds), with each shelf rated at 800 pounds.
Storage capacity is a key consideration. For storing a lot of items, we recommend the FLEXIMOUNTS 4×8 Overhead Garage Shelving, which has a monstrous 58 cubic feet of space while saving floor space. Others, like the Seville Classics UltraDurable Garage Shelving, comes with less cubic feet (48 cubic feet) but makes up for it with portability. We also like garage shelving that is at least four inches tall, which should be enough to accommodate two shelves. However, size is affected by modular designs with shelving adjustable in as little as 1.5-inch increments, which provided greater flexibility for accommodating taller items.
Best Garage Shelvings Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Wall-mounted vs. Freestanding shelves
Wall-mounted shelves provide greater flexibility with floor space at the expense of weight capacity. For example, the #7 pick SafeRacks | Garage Wall Shelving Two-Pack features two wall shelves with a max 500-pound weight capacity, which pales in comparison to freestanding shelves like the 800-pound rated Muscle Rack Garage Shelving. - Weight Capacity
We recommend a minimum weight capacity for 150 pounds per shelf for non-industrial items such as clothes, knick-knacks, and unused Christmas ornaments. For industrial tools and heavier items, we’re big fans of the 800-pound rated Muscle Rack Garage Shelving which also doubles as a horizontal workbench. - Size
Sizing (width, height, and depth) for garage shelving varies widely. Aim for a minimum height of 4 feet which should be enough to accommodate 2 shelves.
