The 5 Best Garage Shelving Units

Though they might not be the most glamorous items on our shopping lists, shelving units can provide a tremendously useful service to those with a lot of junk and nowhere to put it. Getting the right shelving unit will help turn a maze of a garage into a well-organized storage space. There are a lot of different options on the market, so it can be hard to find the perfect pick. That's why we've scoured the world of garage shelving units and found the best of the best. Here, we list our top five favorites, from the best space savers to the most heavy-duty pick.

Muscle Rack UR184872-R 5-Shelf Steel Shelving Unit, 48″ Width x 72″ Height x 18″ Length, Red

Let the shelves do the Muscle work

Strong, sturdy, and easy to install, Muscle Rack's option offers the best in garage shelving units and for a great price.

Best Overall

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The Muscle Rack has everything we look for in a shelving unit and more. How much more, you ask? Well, for one, it comes in red. But cool colors aside, the Muscle Rack outshines the competition with its super-strong construction and customizability of its design. For example, if you don’t have the headroom to utilize the full 72-inches of height, the unit can actually be split in half to place two shelves next to one another. And if you buy two or more units, you can combine them to add strength and increase storage space. Even better, assembly takes only minutes and requires no extra parts. Those looking for wide, sturdy shelves that will last a lifetime, here they are.

Pros

Adjustable shelf heights
Weight capacity of 4,000 pounds
Industrial-strength steel construction

Cons

Wire, not solid shelves

Topeakmart 5 Tier Storage Rack Heavy Duty Adjustable Garage Shelf Steel Shelving Unit

Store it all in this wall-to-wall

Those looking for some longer shelves should consider this sturdy 5-shelf unit from Topeakmart that combines for a total length of 142 inches.

Best Extra Long

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At almost twelve feet in length, this option from Topeakmart will help you store all those random tools you’ve collected through the years, and with room to spare. That’s because not only is it extra-long, it also has a depth of 15.7 inches. It’s the best option for wall-to-wall free-standing shelving, and this bad boy features a bolt-less design that’s easily customized. In fact, with one rubber mallet and a can-do attitude, you can arrange these shelves to fit any tight corners or oddly-shaped floor plans. Each bay can hold up to 386 pounds, and each of the five shelves consists of four bays. Thus, the entire unit can hold over 7,500 pounds. Though it may not sport the strength of the Muscle Rack, Topeakmart’s shelves won’t crack under pressure.

Pros

Rubber feet
Affordable price
Can be used as a workbench

Cons

Not the highest weight capacity

HyLoft 00651 45-Inch by 15-Inch Garage Wall Shelf Storage, Hammertone, 2-Pack

Stop. Hammertone.

If you're in the market for some shelves that screw right into the wall, you should consider this super-strong steel option from HyLoft.

Best Wall Shelving

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If you’ve got the studs to mount them, these wall shelves from HyLoft are the perfect space-saver. Each shelf can hold an incredible max weight of 200 pounds, and it comes as a two-pack. That means a total of 400 pounds of wall-mounted tidiness. And though the price may be a bit high, these shelves are built to last an eternity, so it’s a worthwhile investment. The powder-coated finish is both scratch-resistant and rust-resistant. Even the brackets are extra-strong and feature a low-profile design that results in a sleek and spacious look once everything’s been installed. With HyLoft’s high weight capacity, durable construction, and space-saving design, you really can’t go wrong.

Pros

Space-saving
Super-sturdy
Scratch- and rust-resistant

Cons

Pricey

Fleximounts 4×8 Overhead Garage Storage Rack, Adjustable Ceiling Rack, Black

Need space? Look up!

The ceiling opens up a world of possibilities for storage. If you're looking in the upwards direction, these overhead shelves from Fleximount do the best job.

Best Overhead Shelves

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Although it may be a bit tougher to install, overhead shelving offers a slew of advantages over traditional shelves. For one, it’s the ideal storage solution for items that might be threatened by water damage. That’s why if your garage is prone to flooding and you’ve got precious cargo, overhead shelving is a strategic investment that can actually save money in the long run. It can also be a major space-saver as well. This particular option from Fleximount can store up to 105 cubic feet of goods. We chose Fleximount because not only do they offer their heavy-duty option for a fair price, they also boast a reputation for high quality control. When you have a couple hundred pounds of goods hanging over your head, you’re going to want to choose a trusted company like Fleximounts.

Pros

Supports up to 600 pounds
Heavy-duty steel construction
Can be mounted to concrete ceilings

Cons

DIY installation requires some homework

Seville Classics Mega Rack UltraDurable Commercial-Grade 5-tier NSF-Certified Steel Wire Shelving with Wheels

Everything's better with wheels

Shelving just got portable. This 5-tier shelving unit from Seville Classics is the smoothest-roller in the market, with its heavy-duty, lockable wheels.

Best Wheeled Shelves

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These shelves from Seville Classics feature everything we look for in garage shelving units, from their ultra-sturdy construction to their easy installation. And, with the ability to hold a max weight of 4,000 pounds, the carrying capacity is comparable to that of the most heavy-duty option on our list. Best of all, Seville Classics’ Mega Rack sports smooth, durable caster wheels. It’s a popular pick for all sorts of work environments, and Seville Classic’s classic option can be found in restaurant kitchens and artisanal shops all over the world. Once the shelves are in place, it’s easy to lock the wheels with the flick of the foot. These convenient, sturdy, and smooth-rollin’ wheels help earn the Mega Rack its commercial-grade distinction.

Pros

4,000 Pound carrying capacity
Caster wheels are smooth and strong

Cons

Pricey

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does weight capacity matter?

Many of the units on our list can hold several thousands of pounds, so you’ll probably never be able to hit that maximum weight, right? Wrong. Owners of new garage shelving units should pay careful attention to the weight distribution of their goods. That’s because these weight ratings are based on the absolute maximum mass that each shelf can hold when the weight is evenly distributed. Thus, if you have extra-heavy items, like table saws, metal hardware, or beer kegs, you’ll want to ensure that their weight is not concentrated on the center of the shelf. You can also preserve the life of your new shelving unit by placing heavy items down slowly, rather than letting them drop onto the shelves.

How long does it take to install my new shelving unit?

This obviously depends on the individual product, but most units on our list can be installed within an hour. Some, such as the Muscle Rack, may take as little as fifteen minutes before they’re ready to go. The longest installation time is probably Fleximounts’ overhead garage rack, since it requires some homework and preparation. And although these shelves come with all the necessary hardware, we do recommend wearing thick gloves when working with metal parts.