Sign in Pro
Best Filing Cabinets Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Whether you need to purchase a whole office space worth of cabinets for a new business or are just simply looking for a new addition to add style and functionality to your home office, our top ten list has something for everyone's budget, style, and needs.
From functional to luxurious, filing cabinets are anything but boring these days.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Ease of Use
The ease of use of the filing cabinet is the most important factor when it comes to your selection. Taking a small inventory of what exactly you have to organize, is your first step in selecting the best unit for your needs. There are so many options on the market with storage for files, office supplies and everything in between, so it is easy to find the perfect solution for your home or office.
Effectiveness
For people who will be accessing their files often, easy glide drawers or drawer suspension systems are a must. Nothing is more frustrating than struggling to open a sticky drawer, ten times a day! For people who may need to work in different rooms or move their files between offices frequently, checking out filing cabinets on wheels is a must.
Materials
Choosing the materials for your file cabinet will be based largely on two factors - where you plan to place the unit, and your personal preference. If you need to store files in a shop or industrial environment, then opt for hardy, rust and scratch resistant materials such as powder coated steel. If your filing cabinet is going to be placed in a room of your house, check out some of our choices made with natural materials such as wood or abaca. These options fit in nicely with your existing decor and do double duty as nightstands or side tables.
Style
Cabinets are often designed to comfortably match in with the style of an office or a room at home. For people who need to store sensitive or private information or documents, then a filing cabinet that locks is a must. Many of the choices on our list have some or all drawers that lock, giving you extra piece of mind that your private data is secure.
Capacity
Since you are buying a filing cabinet to obviously, store files, it would make sense that you want to ensure you have the correct amount of space. There are a variety of options in this list, some hold only files and some are multi-purpose storage units, that have separate drawers for files and general use. How much space you need will depend on what you have to organize, and what storage you already have in your home or office. Keep in mind that legal files will take up more space than letter files. Drawers with full high sides are a good option because they can also be used to stash general items without them falling out when you open it. Look out for cabinets with drawer dividers or pencil organizer trays if you have an equal amount of office supplies and knick-knacks to files that you need to keep sorted.
10 Best Filing Cabinets
1. Soges 3-Drawer
It’s easy to see why this sleek, minimalist, three drawer design made the top of our list - it features everything you need in a file cabinet, with a clean, modern design that can easily fit into any office or home environment, and a price tag that won’t break the bank, especially if you need to purchase more than one.
Lots of Space
This is a pretty standard filing cabinet as far as looks are concerned- a pearl white exterior and simple silver handles are clean and modern. There are three drawers- two of which are for letter-size hanging file folders and the third, smaller drawer at the top, which is for items such as office supplies or keys. One nice feature about this cabinet is that it has only full high-sided drawers, which means the drawers look like ones you would find in a dresser not a traditional filing cabinet. This means you can stash anything such as first aid supplies, books, or office items, without them falling out when you open the drawer.
Eco-Friendly Design
The top two drawers lock, giving you added security for sensitive documents or files. However the bottom drawer doesnt have a lock. Smooth glide-suspension means easy access to your files. Pearl white exterior is easy to keep clean with a damp cloth. Office Designs is proud to use up to 30% recycled materials, so your filing cabinet is not only functional, but eco-friendly.
Cost and Value
With two drawers for files, plus an additional drawer for small-item storage, and a lock, this product checks all our boxes. It is affordable enough that you can buy more than one, and we like that it uses recycled materials, as well.
2. Bush
Are you looking for a stylish way to organize files in your home without looking too industrial? This file cabinet is anything but officey and boring- it looks like more a side cabinet than a piece of file-storing equipment. With a rustic, industrial, and urban feel this is the perfect piece to add flare and style to your home office or workspace. The Bush Refinery collection also features desks and bookshelves in a matching finish and height that can be configured together to create a customized workspace based on your individual needs.
Urban Rustic Feel
Industrial steel, exposed bolts, and distressed wood make this file cabinet anything but boring. Full sized drawers can hold letter or legal files. The frame of this unit is open sided and made from industrial steel. The drawers are a durable, distressed wood look in weather grey and charred brown. The product resists scratching and stains.
Ball Bearing Sliding Drawers
Both drawers operate on full-extension ball bearing slides- meaning you can easily access files at the back, and will never have to yank to drawer open.
Cost and Value
This item is a great investment piece. It will look good in any room of your home, doubles as furniture, and is built to last. We think this offers excellent cost to value because it will fit into your home for many years to come and looks stylish enough that it can replace an outdated piece of furniture you were looking to get rid of. It’s a great way to update your style decor and stay organized at the same time.
3. Nexera Arobas
Available in two colors, this file cabinet is fully designed and manufactured in North America using eco-friendly materials. One letter or legal size drawer on the bottom is combined with two storage drawers on top for ample added storage capacity. This is a great cabinet to consider if you are looking to store a variety of items- not just files. We especially like that this design omits handles, making it a great choice for small spaces to minimize the risk of bumping your knee or shin.
Modern Design
Two medium sized drawers on top are for assorted storage, while the bottom drawer can accommodate letter or legal sized files. The sleek design features cutouts on the top of the drawers, so there's no handles to bump your shins on. Anti-tilt Safety technology means your unit will never topple over, no matter how many files you overload it with.
Easy to Maintain
Black or white melamine is easy to keep clean. If it gets dirty it can be easily wiped down with a damp cloth or rag. Nexera uses eco-friendly materials, so you can feel good about what your buying. Full extension slides on the bottom drawer mean you will never have a hard time accessing files deep in the back.
Cost and Value
WIth maximum storage possibilities, this unit offers maximum bang for buck. The unit is sturdy,durable, and built to last, and we like that is it designed and manufactured in North America, so you can feel good about buying.
4. Hirsh Industries
Hirsh has carved a name for itself as an office storage industry leader. Established in 1924, Hirsh has been making high quality, durable steel filing cabinets ever since then. If you are looking for reliable, affordable and built to last - the Hirsh cabinet is for you. This is the quintessential classic filing cabinet. The Hirsh has the standard, metal, filing cabinet look many of us are used to. Silver handles paired with a white finish make for a modern, elegant look that won’t be distracting or disruptive in a formal office environment. Plastic casters are included, so if you want the option of moving your filing cabinet around often, that is a plus.
Ease of Use Design
Full high-sided drawers make storing anything a breeze, and the smooth-glide suspension means opening and closing the drawers is also easily done.
The filing cabinet is made of steel, which is lightweight and durable. The white finish is easy to keep clean and won’t distract from the other items in your home or office.
Security
This filing cabinet does have a lock for keeping private documents and files extra secure. There is one lock at the bottom of the unit, and it works for both the drawers at the same time, so all your files will be protected.
Cost and Value
You can’t go wrong with this classic filing cabinet. Long lasting and simple, this is the only filing cabinet you will need. There are wheels and a lock, all with a very reasonable price tag that won’t break the bank.
5. BirdRock Seagrass
Straying away from the typical metal cabinet design, BirdRock Home has created this handwoven, rolling, filing basket. Great for small spaces or home offices that double as a guest room, this basket can also function as an end table beside a sofa or armchair, or an ottoman for propping your feet up on while reading. This is a great piece for the home and for someone who may only need to store files for a short period of time. Once you are done using it as a filing cabinet, simply use it as a storage basket for blankets, winter gear, knitting supplies, or whatever you need to keep organized and stowed away. The lid is hinged, for easy access to files inside. The lower height of this unit means you would have the bend down to look through and access your files.
Fits into Existing Decor
This unit is hand woven from a natural material called abaca - more about that later. It features a hinged lid and can accommodate legal or letter sized files. If you end up no longer needing to store files, this could simply be converted into a storage basket, making it a good investment for those on a budget. There are four wheels, so you can easily move this basket-filing cabinet between rooms.
Handmade
Hand-woven and made from abaca. Abaca is a natural material that is in the same family as the banana tree. It is native to the Philippines, and also known as Manilla Hemp. Abaca is renowned for its mechanical strength and its resistance to damage from salt water. The metal wheels have steel ball bearings, for a smooth, life-long rolling feel.
Cost and Value
If you are looking for a way to get organized while adding a new decorative, design element to your home this is a perfect solution. We especially like that this can be used to store anything, so even if you need to store files runs out, your uses for this product don’t. It’s also worth pointing out that this is handmade, another factor that adds value.
6. Aurora FC-103BL
Perfect for all your home or business organization needs. The Aurora file cabinet comes fully assembled and ready to use. It has a three drawer design, there are two smaller drawers on the top for storing items such as books and office supplies. The top drawer even features a removable pencil organizer tray. The bottom drawer is for letter-size files. The exterior of the unit is white and the front is a cheerful aqua color.
Drawer Organizers
A removable pencil tray in the top drawer makes it easier to keep all your items organized. This cabinet offers a high quality drawer glide suspension system, for easy opening and closing. There is also a interlocking feature, which allows only one drawer at a time to open. This will prevent your cabinet from tipping over accidentally. There are four easy-rolling casters, the front two include brakes, so you can easily move your unit around and secure it in place when you are happy with its location.
Anti-Rust Construction
This unit is made from solid metal that has also been treated with an anti-rust, anti-static coating. This is especially useful if you plan to use this unit in a room with carpet, as nobody enjoys being shocked by their office furniture in the winter.
Cost and Value
This is a great price for a unit that offers so many storage possibilities as well as extra features such as lock, wheels, removable organization trays, and anti-tip technology. This unit really checks all the boxes and is a good investment for home office and office alike.
7. Lorell Mesh
Perfect for a home office or for files that are used regularly. This rolling, perforated steel unit made by Lorel is a great solution for all your organization needs. This unit is easily accessible for your most used files. It features one large file storing area on top with built-in hang rails for letter sized files. There is also a shelf on the bottom, that adds an additional area to store office supplies, printer paper, binders etc. The height means it can easily fit under most desks, saving space in small areas.
Mobility
There is no lid or drawer to open, so everything is easy to grab. The wheels make this unit to easy to move from room to room, or as a lot of people stated, it’s great for wheeling your files right up beside your computer or desk while your working, but tucking them neatly away in a corner when not in use. The wheels make it easy to transport this unit from place to place, people say this is helpful for when they want to move their work into another room of the house.
Warranty
This filing cabinet is made from steel, the sides are a decorative perforated steel design. It fits nicely into a home office without being an eyesore. Steel is durable and will last longer than cheaper, plastic models offered. The company is so confident that this product is built to last, they offer a 5 year warranty.
Cost and Value
This is a great option for those on a budget. While it may not be loaded with additional storage like some of the other choices on this list, it won’t break the bank and will offer plenty of space for organizing a ton of files. Bonus points for the easy maneuverability of this rolling storage unit!
8. Hirsh SOHO
The Hirsh file cabinet comes fully assembled and ready to use. It has a three drawer design, there is one smaller drawer on the top for storing items such as books and office supplies. The top drawer even features a removable pencil organizer tray. The bottom two drawers have a ton of space for letter-size files. The exterior of the unit is a sleek, matte black.
Drawer Organizers
A removable pencil tray in the top drawer makes it easier to keep all your items organized. This cabinet offers a high quality drawer glide suspension system, for easy opening and closing. There is also a interlocking feature, which allows only one drawer at a time to open. This will prevent your cabinet from tipping over accidentally.
Anti-Rust Construction
This unit is made from solid metal that has also been treated with an anti-rust, anti-static coating. This is especially useful if you plan to use this unit in a room with carpet, as no body enjoys being shocked by their office furniture in the winter.
Cost to Value
This is a great price for a unit that offers so many storage possibilities as well as extra features such as lock, wheels, removable organization trays, and anti-tip technology. This unit really checks all the boxes and is a good investment for home office and office alike.
9. Forest Oak
This is another great option to consider if you need a piece that can do double duty as both functional office storage and furniture. The variety of wood finishes to chose from easily fit into any home decor, and the size and functionality make this a great investment piece. It can function as a bedside table in a spare room, or as an end table in a study or sitting room. This is a great option if you don’t have a designated ‘office’ at home, yet still need storage for multiple files and other items. This filing cabinet can easily blend into the rest of your decor and will work in any room of the house.
Lifetime Warranty
This is a high-quality piece that guarantees you many years of use and enjoyment. Forest Designs has been around since 1991, making all real wood furniture pieces that are built entirely in the USA! There's no particle board used on any of their products, only high-quality solid wood, and veneers. They even mill their own wood in the factory, to ensure that every item made exceeds customers expectations and will last a lifetime.
Variety of Finishes
There are a variety of wood options available, to suit everyone's personal tastes and decor. When investing in a great double-duty piece of furniture such as this, you would want to make sure that it fits your current home or office furnishings and also that it will be able to transition into any re-decorating you may do down the road. With a such a wide array of wood options to chose from, its easy to chose one you like. From bolder choices such as Cherry Oak to more subdued hues like Whitewash Alder, there truly is a finish to match anything.
Cost and Value
While this filing cabinet is on the pricier side, we think that the quality of the workmanship makes it worth every penny. Backed by a full lifetime warranty, you will never need to replace this cabinet again. Real wood pieces retain their value, so you could easily re-sell this item if you no longer need a filing cabinet down the road. Or, simply transition it into another room of your house and use it as a side table or bedside stand! With such a beautiful design and finish, no one would ever know this was for hiding files anyways.
10. Bush Furniture
The final cabinet on our list, and has a traditional design that best suits more conservative or rustic design tastes. Designed to look more like an end or side table, this piece will do double duty in a home office and would even look great at the cottage! With three drawers there is an abundance of storage, not just for files, but everyday items as well, so if you’re looking to invest in something that looks good but is also functional, this may be it.
Large Storage Capacity
The Winsome Wood collection is a whole series of furniture, not just made for the office, so it’s no surprise that this piece looks far from a traditional filing cabinet. Three small drawers on top are perfect for storing any household or office supplies. The bottom drawer is for storing files, although it is worth noting that this drawer does not have a bottom- so hanging files only in here! The honey pine color of this unit would look great at a cottage, cabin, or chalet!
Durability
This unit is made from solid wood. Wood is strong and long-lasting, but more prone to scratches than metal or steel. Another factor to consider about wood is weight. Wood will weigh more than plastic or steel, making it harder to move.
Cost and Value
Solid wood construction and the ability to do double duty as furniture make this filing cabinet worth its price tag. There’s a ton of additional storage as well. The drawers aren’t on any glide or suspension system in this unit, so they may need some working in the first couple times you use them. The handles are large, which will make pulling the drawers out simple.
Sources
- , 9 Business Software Options for Interior Designers, Articles
- , Home Office Furniture, Reviews
- , Home office, Buying Guide
- , The Home office, Home office furniture review guide
