Best File Cabinets 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Oct 14, 2024

If your important documents are scattered around your house, consider investing in one of the best file cabinets. This will streamline organization, reduce clutter and keep your documents safe and easily retrievable when needed. Our top recommendation is the Poppin Stow 2-Drawer Rolling File Cabinet—a stylish and contemporary option that offers ample storage space, durability and easy mobility.

The best file cabinets make it easier to locate specific documents when needed and help maximize ... [+] space by allowing vertical storage.

“They makes it easier to locate specific files when needed and also help maximize space by allowing vertical storage of documents,” says New York City-based professional organizer Sarit Weiss. When it comes to choosing a file cabinet for your space, consider factors like dimensions, weight, number of drawers and document size compatibility. If mobility is a concern, look for cabinets with wheels, as they can be quite heavy when filled with paper.

Whether you prefer a compact desktop filing system or a spacious vertical cabinet, we rounded up the best file cabinets that can help you organize your important paperwork effectively.

Amazon

Dimensions: 15.75 x 20 x 24 inches | Weight: 65 pounds | Material: Powder-coated steel | File size: Letter or legal | Locking: Yes | Wheels: Yes

Many file cabinets have a utilitarian design, but the Poppin Stow stands out as a more contemporary option with rounded edges and a sleek look. It features two full-size drawers that can accommodate letter- or legal-size hanging folders (the latter must be hung front-to-back) and is crafted from durable powder-coated steel capable of withstanding minor impacts.

The cabinet has a lock that secures both drawers and comes with two keys, providing a backup in case one is misplaced. It also offers optional caster wheels for enhanced mobility. Overall, it's an attractive and functional solution for both home and office use. The only drawback is that this model is available in only a few neutral colors, unlike the brand's three-drawer filing cabinet, which comes in more than 10 color options.

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Staples

Dimensions: 24.1 x 14.3 x 18.9 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Material: Metal | File size: Letter | Locking: Yes | Wheels: No

If you're looking for an affordable file cabinet for home use, this two-drawer model from Staples offers great value. Constructed from partially recycled materials and weighing just 21 pounds, it is notably easier to move compared to many alternatives. Available in three neutral colors, its vertical design is suitable for placement underneath most standard-height desks. The bottom drawer is equipped with a lock to ensure the security of your important documents. While it may not be the most durable or stylish option, it proves more than sufficient for everyday home use.

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The Container Store

Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 13 inches | Weight: 17.8 pounds | Material: Powder-coated steel | File size: Letter or legal | Locking: No | Wheels: No

If space is limited in your home and a full-size file cabinet isn't feasible, this tabletop organizer offers a more compact alternative. Crafted from durable powder-coated steel, it comes in a dozen vibrant colors and features five smooth-sliding drawers capable of holding both legal- and letter-sized documents. Each drawer has label holders on the front to help you create an organizational system.

Moreover, if you intend to use one of the drawers for items other than papers—such as office supplies—the brand offers a variety of drawer inserts to help maintain a neat and tidy arrangement.

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Staples

Dimensions: 27.75 x 15 x 19.88 inches | Weight: 67.8 pounds | Material: Metal | File size: Letter | Locking: Yes | Wheels: Yes

You can organize a variety of office supplies in this three-drawer vertical file cabinet. The top two drawers are both half-sized, ideal for storing items like staplers, rolls of tape, boxes of pens or pencils and even empty files. The lower compartment is a full-sized drawer, suitable for arranging hanging letter-size folders containing important paperwork.

Featuring recessed handles and a lock for securing contents, this three-drawer file cabinet is available in four colors. Plus, it comes equipped with hidden caster wheels, enhancing its mobility around your home as needed. Despite its relatively low price, the brand backs the cabinet with a limited lifetime warranty against defects.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 20 x 15.75 x 25 inches | Weight: 60 pounds | Material: Powder-coated steel | File size: Letter or legal | Locking: Yes | Wheels: Yes

Consider choosing a wheeled cabinet, like this stylish option from Laura Davidson, if you anticipate moving it around often. In addition to caster wheels, it includes two lockable drawers that accommodate both letter- and legal-size hanging files. Plus, it boasts an overall contemporary look and is available in a range of color options with thoughtful details like bright accent handles, making it easy on the eyes. As an added bonus, it arrives fully assembled, allowing you to start loading it with documents right away.

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Amazon

Dimensions: 13.5 x 15.5 x 14.3 inches | Weight: 39 pounds | Material: Steel with fire insulation | File size: Letter | Locking: Yes | Wheels: No

For crucial documents such as birth certificates, social security cards and house/car titles, consider investing in a fireproof storage solution like the Sentry Safe document box. Designed to accommodate up to 40 letter-size hanging file folders, this box is both fireproof and waterproof. It can endure temperatures as high as 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 30 minutes and remain submerged in water for up to 72 hours.

Beyond safeguarding important paperwork, the safe box features a pocket for storing passports and other small valuables. Equipped with two keys that securely seal the lid, it's compact enough to be conveniently stashed in a closet cabinet.

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Office Depot

Dimensions: 26.5 x 15 x 52 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | File size: Letter | Locking: Yes | Wheels: No

This WorkPro four-drawer vertical file cabinet is as an excellent choice for storing a substantial volume of documents, making it ideal for small businesses or other professional applications. Each drawer can support up to 52 pounds, offering ample storage capacity. Plus, the front of each drawer has label holders for organization, and it comes with a single lock for all drawers to enhance security.

Crafted partially from recycled materials, this file cabinet is also Greenguard Gold certified, ensuring it emits no chemical fumes. Furthermore, the product is backed by a limited lifetime warranty from the brand.

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Staples.com

Dimensions: 28.11 x 36 x 18.62 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | File size: Letter or legal | Locking: Yes | Wheels: No

If you don't mind your filing cabinet taking up a bit more floor space, this lateral design can accommodate a large number of files without the worry of tipping over. Available in widths of 30, 36 and 42 inches, all options are designed to hold both legal and letter-size files, with adjustable hang rails for different file sizes.

This lateral file cabinet features two drawers using ball-bearing slide suspension to ensure smooth sliding in and out. It includes one removable lock for security and comes with a limited lifetime warranty against defects.

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FireKing

Dimensions: 31.6 x 20.75 x 27.75 inches | Weight: 287 pounds | Material: Fire-insulated steel | File size: Letter or legal | Locking: Yes | Wheels: No

For maximum security of your important belongings in both letter- and legal-size documents, consider the FireKing Patriot file cabinet. This two-drawer file cabinet features a high-security key, and its heavy-duty, fire-insulated steel construction is both fireproof and impact-resistant. It holds a UL Class 350 rating, ensuring it can withstand fires for up to 60 minutes and be dropped up to 30 feet without compromising integrity. However, it's essential to note its considerable weight—287 pounds when empty—and the absence of wheels, making it challenging to move around.

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As a remote team, numerous Forbes Vetted editors have established home office setups, and have conducted thorough research and authored content covering a wide range of office supplies, including the best office chairs, best desks and more.

Camryn Rabideau, who wrote this article, personally owns the Poppin Stow 2-Drawer Rolling File Cabinet and highly recommends it for at-home use. In addition to drawing insights from our team's experiences with file cabinets, we invested substantial time in researching various brands and models. Furthermore, we sought advice from Sarit Weiss, the founder of Neat & Orderly, a professional home organization service to offer valuable tips on selecting a suitable file cabinet for your home office.

While comparing various file cabinets, we took into account a range of features. Our evaluation criteria included dimensions and capacity for each model, the types of documents it can accommodate, construction materials used and special features such as caster wheels and locks. Our priority was to focus on file cabinets that are user-friendly, require minimal assembly and are supported by robust manufacturer warranties. We aimed to present options across different price points and offer choices in both classic and contemporary designs.

Choosing the appropriate size for your file cabinet can be challenging. Factors such as the cabinet's depth, number of drawers and the sizes of the documents you plan to store should be carefully considered. (Note that letter-size documents are 11 inches wide, while legal-size papers are 14 inches wide.) As a general guideline, a standard 20-inch deep drawer has the capacity to hold between 3,000-4,000 sheets of paper.

Sarit Weiss advises, "Decide on the number of drawers based on the volume of documents you need to store. More drawers offer better organization." She also recommends planning for the future and ensuring that you allocate enough space to grow into.

If you intend to store crucial paperwork containing sensitive information, opt for a model equipped with a lock. Locking file cabinets are especially recommended for households with small children.

For enhanced security measures, you may want to explore fireproof options like the Sentry Safe Fireproof Document Safe that’s designed to withstand high temperatures for up to 30 minutes. Additionally, some file cabinets are waterproof, offering protection against potential flooding issues, while others are impact-resistant to mitigate damage from falls.

Empty two-drawer file cabinets typically weigh approximately 50 to 60 pounds, with larger models carrying a significantly higher weight. Once filled with documents, the cabinet becomes even heavier. If you foresee the need to move it around your home, it's advisable to seek a model equipped with caster wheels for enhanced mobility.

Numerous reputable brands specialize in crafting high-quality file cabinets suitable for both home and professional use. Bisley and WorkPro provide basic file cabinets with a diverse array of sizes and configurations. Staples, a renowned office supply store, also offers its own line of file cabinets.

For those looking for a more contemporary design, Poppin and Laura Davidson offer aesthetically pleasing products available in a variety of colors. If fireproof features are a priority, brands such as Sentry Safe or FireKing are worth considering.