IRIS USA 19 Quart WEATHERPRO Plastic Storage Box with Durable Lid and Seal and Secure Latching Buckles, Weathertight, Clear with Black Buckles, 6 Pack

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Not every bin needs to withstand heavy abuse, so we also considered some that were less durable but highly practical for storage. The bins have stayed watertight when I’ve left some outside in the rain for weeks here in the Pacific Northwest, and even after they’ve lost a latch or two (which happens a lot), the seal still keeps moisture out. For this guide I spoke to professional organizer Beth Penn, owner of Bneato Bar and author of The Little Book of Tidying: Decluttering Your Home and Your Life. In addition, one Wirecutter staffer says that at her previous job people used these bins to haul AV equipment back and forth to various locations, and they were durable and comfortable to carry.

We’ve dropped them and tossed them down flights of stairs (which, we’ve found, is relaxing and pretty good for stress relief). They were also the tightest-sealing clear bins we tested, thanks to a foam gasket in the lid and extra latches around the edges (most bins have only two on each end). If a container survived those tests, we filled it with household goods to see how much it held, if it closed when overstuffed, if it stacked securely, and how comfortable it was to carry. We tested three cloth storage containers and the iWill’s zippered top and structured sides made it the easiest to use.The ActionPacker’s deep, rounded handles make it easier on the hands than the Brute, Roughneck, and HDX bins we tested, and the 24-gallon size is much easier to haul around than its big sibling, the 35-gallon ActionPacker. But if you live in a mild climate or aren’t worried about years-long durability we recommend them for garages and basements. It’s usually sold in a two-pack (Sterilite told us that it sells the bins to retailers in pairs), which may be more storage than many people need. Why it’s great: Take the Rubbermaid 24 Gallon ActionPacker camping or throw it in the back of your truck—it’s the best storage container we found for outdoor use. IRIS Weathertight Storage Container, 30 Quarts, 7 3/4" x 15 3/4" x 19 3/4", Clear - When you have items that you absolutely need to keep dry, consider storing them inside this container, which features a WEATHERTIGHT seal.

These inexpensive, breathable boxes are better than plastic bins for clothes storage and they were the easiest to load and unload. It’s the only bin we’ve found with wheels and a big, comfortable handle that folds down when it’s not in use. Holds a lot: We considered bins that would neatly and securely hold a variety of items and stack without wobbling.quart boxes securely on top of the 19 quart Iris tote, or stack two 19 quart totes on top of the 41, 62, 74, or 103 quart totes to create a customized storage solution. This bin is bigger than most people probably need (and more than most wirecutter staffers we asked actually want), but if you have the space, it’ll save some backaches. Why it’s great: If you want bins for your garage, attic, or basement that can take a lot of abuse, we recommend the Rubbermaid Brute Totes.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Brute’s lid was tricky to open when the bin is empty but it was much easier once the bin was full of heavy books. The latch still works perfectly, and if I had padlocked the bin (the lock was purchased but sitting in the house forgotten), I’m pretty confident the bear would have failed in its quest for food.I also dug into several technical papers and articles to learn about the durability of different plastics. This jumbo-sized, wheeled bin is the easiest for transporting large loads or storing long, oddly shaped items that won’t fit in other bins. One note: I noticed that while the bin was in storage over the 2020 holiday season, with only empty ornament boxes inside, a critter got in and chewed up a small box.