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Oct 14, 2024

The Best Filing Cabinets Buying Guide

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. These are great options to store business files or organize your personal

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

These are great options to store business files or organize your personal documents.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Alli Waataja

If you’ve ever searched for a missing document, you know the stress this can bring. While you may have a system of folders and stacks on your desk, a filing cabinet can be the unsung hero of your home.

“In addition to papers, you can keep a small lock box of important items, small gifts you want to hide away as a surprise, keepsake boxes with family photos and mementos. They are also a fantastic way to tuck away office supplies that you like to keep handy but don't necessarily like seeing on your workstation,” says Andrea Smalley, a home organizer.

To find the best filing cabinets we researched a variety of options, keeping in mind their size, storage capacity, material, and other features. We also consulted Smalley for additional insight on what to look for in a filing cabinet.

We evaluated several filing cabinets on their size, storage capacity, material, assembly, and additional features.

The drawers can accommodate letter or legal-sized files.

It’s not as stylish as some other options.

The two-drawer iron and steel Devaise Mobile Filing Cabinet is the ideal addition to most homes. This filing cabinet weighs 40 pounds and comes fully assembled.

If you choose to make this a rolling filing cabinet, the piece comes with casters that are easy to attach. Once in place, you can unlock the casters so the cabinet can roll or lock them in place, so the cabinet remains stationary.

Two drawers mean plenty of storage space and this pick is no exception. The cabinet can hold up to 330 pounds of documents and other items. Unlike many other file cabinets, this one can accommodate either letter or legal-sized files in both the top and bottom drawers.

When not in use, the cabinet can easily fit under most home office desks. Plus, it’s lockable and includes two keys, each of which can lock both drawers. The only drawback is that this top pick is only available in black or white and it’s not the most stylish option, so it may not work in every space.

Product Details: Size: 17.1 x 14.6 x 26.6 inches | Material: Iron and steel | Number of Drawers: Two

It’s made of sturdy metal with handles, and you can purchase a caster base separately so it’s easy to move around.

It is see-through, so files are not totally out of view.

The Graphite Mesh Stackable File Crate is a sturdy, cube-shaped filing solution with interior side rods that make hanging file folders easy. The metal cube also boasts handles, making this an ideal option for moving files to and from a business, car, or anywhere else.

These metal cubes can also stack on top of each other, and you can purchase a caster base separately that allows the file crates to be wheeled around easily. One base can support two file crates, and each crate can support up to 25 pounds.

While these are less expensive than other cabinets and made for portability, they cannot accommodate legal-sized documents. The metal mesh is not opaque–while it’s unlikely you can read any document through the mesh, your files will not be totally out of view.

Product Details: Size:14.5 x 13.25 x 10.75 inches | Material: Epoxy coated steel | Number of Drawers: None

It’s a decorative way of storing your documents, and the large drawers can hold legal or letter-sized files.

Some simple assembly is required.

For a more stylish option, consider the Pottery Barn Pacific 2-Drawer File Cabinet. This wooden file cabinet will look striking on its own or as part of the modular furniture collection from the brand.

The planked wood piece features two oversized drawers accommodating legal or letter-sized files. Recessed finger grooves across each drawer's front allow them to move smoothly, and the drawers open and close easily on side-mounted metal glides.

This pick is an investment, and some simple assembly is required. However, the cabinets are available in two colorways (warm black and fog) and we think the assembly is worth the elegant look.

It’s worth noting that this file cabinet is on the larger side, and it doesn’t have wheels. However, it comes with adjustable levelers on the bottom of the base to stabilize the piece on any uneven surface.

Product Details: Size: 34 x 20 x 20 inches | Material: Poplar wood, MDF, and oak veneer | Number of Drawers: Two

The file cabinet looks like a beautiful piece of furniture.

Assembly is required.

If you plan on keeping your filing cabinet in an area that others might see, the Ebern Designs Derrin Wide File Cabinet is an elegant solution.

Smalley recommends “a filing cabinet that is functional but masquerades as a beautiful piece of furniture. There are so many unique options that would get all that paper clutter off your surfaces and be a standout piece in your home.”

Made of solid and manufactured wood, the two-drawer piece has moveable stainless steel hanging rods in both drawers. The frames can be positioned to fit legal or letter-sized files. Thanks to the oversized scale, the top of the cabinet has plenty of room to hold a printer, scanner, office supplies, or decorative elements.

Some assembly is required, but the cabinet comes with detailed instructions and all the necessary tools. Available in three colorways, the furniture comes with a 12-month warranty.

Product Details: Size: 31.5 x 31.9 x 15.75 inches | Material: Solid and manufactured wood | Number of Drawers: Two

It’s decorative enough to place in any room.

There’s no way to stack or add extra storage to this piece.

Small but mighty, the Birdrock Home Rolling File Cabinet, is a beautiful addition to any home. This compact rolling file cabinet is made of handwoven seagrass for a neutral addition to any decor. The cabinet comes fully assembled with a lift-off lid and rolling steel wheels. Inside the cabinet, you can fit either legal or letter-sized files.

We love that the small size still holds plenty of papers, and thanks to the woven seagrass and lid, all your paperwork is neatly hidden out of sight. There’s no way to stack or add more drawers to this pick–it’s a small size for a reason. If you don’t need to store papers anymore, this doubles as an attractive storage container for pillows, shoes, or anything else.

Product Details: Size: 17.5 x 13 x 14.5 inches | Material: Seagrass and alloy steel | Number of Drawers: None

It has lots of flexible storage space.

It only has one area dedicated to files.

The Devaise 3-Drawer Wood File Cabinet is a piece of furniture that creates a home office in a snap. Stylish and functional, the wooden piece features three drawers–two for storage, and the bottom one holds files.

Two open shelves beside the drawers provide ample room for books, printer paper, or other supplies. The top of the cabinet is large enough to house a scanner, printer, or other items, completing your home office setup.

We love the flexibility and modern style of this affordable option. The only drawbacks are there’s no lock and only one file drawer, so if you have a lot of sensitive documents, you may prefer a more secure pick.

Product Details: Size: 15.7 x 31.3 x 24.7 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Number of Drawers: Three

This heavy-duty cabinet provides extra security for important documents.

The cabinet weighs over 220 pounds when empty.

Made in the USA, the FireKing Insulated Turtle File Cabinet is heavy-duty and heavy. Empty, it weighs over 220 pounds. While it is a significant investment, this fireproof cabinet can withstand high temperatures and extreme conditions.

According to the manufacturer, this cabinet went through rigorous testing before being labeled as fireproof. It was exposed to a 1700°F fire for an hour and faced a 2000°F explosion test. Plus, it passed a 30-foot drop test as well.

Like a fireproof safe, this file cabinet provides extra security for your most important documents and small items. It comes with two drawers that can hold legal or letter-sized files and paper. It also comes with one key lock that secures both drawers and includes a limited lifetime warranty. Since it’s so heavy, make sure you have a space for this in your home so you leave it in place.

Product Details: Size: 22.1 x 17.75 x 27.75 inches | Material: Metal with fireproof insulation | Number of Drawers: Two

The cabinet is available in 10 colorways.

It has a unique curved design that might not appeal to everyone.

Small, sleek, and modern, the Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve 2-Drawer File Cabinet is a great addition to any office. The cabinet is made of steel and features wheels for easy transport. While it’s a bit more expensive than other options, we also like that the cabinet features smooth drawer pulls.

The cabinet glides around very easily on the wheels but if you ever want to remove the wheels, you’ll appreciate that stationary feet are included. This pick is available in 10 colors, and the steel material is magnetic, so adding magnets is an option.

The two drawers can hold legal or letter-size- files and papers and glide easily on smooth ball bearings. Two keys are included, and they lock both drawers at once. The curved design, while attractive, might not appeal to everyone, but if you’re in search of a sturdy file cabinet that rolls smoothly, this is an excellent choice.

Product Details: Size: 20 x 15.75 x 25 inches | Material: Steel | Number of Drawers: Two

The cabinet comes in nine vibrant colors, including purple and teal.

The lock only secures the top two drawers.

A three-drawer file cabinet runs the risk of looking like it belongs in a corporate office space–not so with the Hirsch Industries 3 Drawer Vertical File Cabinet that’s available in nine vibrant colorways, including purple, teal, and goldfinch yellow. The file cabinet has three drawers–two are letter file-sized, and the top drawer is smaller to organize supplies or other items.

This steel pick comes fully assembled, so you’ll just need to secure the drawer’s handles. There are no wheels, so place this 24-pound cabinet in the spot where you plan to keep it. Once it’s full of papers, it’ll be cumbersome to move.

There’s a lock and key, but it only secures the top two drawers, so if you have a lot of sensitive paperwork, you might choose a different filing cabinet. Only letter-sized files fit in this piece, so if you need legal documents stored, you’ll need to fold them or store them elsewhere.

Product Details: Size: 27.3 x 14.25 x 18 | Material: Steel | Number of Drawers: Three

All of the drawers lock with one key.

This cabinet does not fit legal-size documents.

If you’ve got a lot of household paperwork or run a small business, you’ll need to file many documents. Thanks to the Staples 4 File Drawers Vertical Filing Cabinet, you’ll have plenty of room.

While this piece of furniture is not masquerading as anything but a file cabinet, the metal piece is sturdy and well-made. Each of the four drawers features ball-bearing runners, so opening and closing each drawer is smooth and easy.

The 26.5-inch drawers are deep, and there is a spot on the outside of each drawer for a label, making it a cinch to organize each drawer for a different need or aspect of your life. All four drawers lock, and the set comes with two keys. This is an everyday workhorse for all your filing needs, available in three colorways and three depths.

Product Details: Size: 52 x 15 x 26.5 inches | Material: Metal | Number of Drawers: Four

Whether big or small, adding a filing cabinet to your home provides a central location for necessary documents. The Devaise 2-Drawer Mobile Filing Cabinet is small, attractive, less expensive than other options. Plus, it can be moved from room to room.

Consider your lifestyle, space, and filing needs when shopping for a filing cabinet. If you work from home, Smalley shares that “mobile filing cabinets are a fantastic option because sometimes the room you are working from can change daily. Being able to easily wheel work documents, office supplies, and the like from room to room makes things much more convenient.”

Consider the cabinet's weight when empty, and know that moving a file cabinet can be heavy and unwieldy once it’s full of paper. Double-check that file drawers can accommodate the document size you use most frequently (letter or legal).

Choose a material that blends with your decor and provides the security you need. Wood and seagrass filing and storage cabinets, like the Pottery Barn Pacific 2-Drawer File Cabinet, are more decorative and can blend into any space.

Iron, steel, and other metal file cabinets look more business-like, but they also often come with additional features like locks and fire resistance and are often opaque, so the contents don’t show. Our favorite filing cabinet, the Devaise Mobile Filing Cabinet, is made of iron and steel.

If security is essential, choose a file cabinet with locks and store the keys somewhere safe. The FireKing Insulated Turtle File Cabinet and the Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve 2-Drawer File Cabinet both features locks for added security.

Other features some file cabinets have are wheels to move them around easier, feet, or the option to swap between the two. For a style that’s versatile, consider the Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve 2-Drawer File Cabinet.

Fireproof filing cabinets can weigh hundreds of pounds, with the weight increasing with the size of the cabinet. The extreme weight is due to the materials used to make the cabinet fireproof—they are lined with heavy fireproof insulation. The FireKing Insulated Turtle File Cabinet, our favorite fireproof pick, weighs over 220 pounds when it’s empty.

While shopping for file cabinets, you may have to choose between a vertical and a mobile filing cabinet. “Mobile filing cabinets are typically small, vertical cabinets on wheels,” says Smalley, while a vertical filing cabinet can have multiple drawers and is usually meant to stay in one place.

Filing cabinets can range in cost from under $30 to upwards of hundreds of dollars, depending on size, style, and materials. Our best budget pick, the Graphite Mesh Stackable File Crate, is up to $24 per piece. The Pottery Barn Pacific 2-Drawer File Cabinet, our best splurge option, is over $800. However,

Maya Polton is an experienced freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens who has written for various publications. Maya keeps one file cabinet at her kitchen desk and another at her home office—it’s probably time to clean through both. In addition to research, Maya spoke with Andrea Smalley, home organization expert and founder of Lighten Up Andrea, a home organization service.