ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (New for 2019!)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Best Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
    • Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2015)
    • Best Cordless Circular Saws
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Cordless Oscillating Tools
    • Best EDC Gear
    • Best Multimeter
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Modular Tool Boxes
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee NPS19 Tools
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Made in USA > InstaCrate Collapsible Storage Bins

InstaCrate Collapsible Storage Bins

Feb 25, 2016 Benjamen 16 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Instacrate Product Shot

Earlier this month Stuart posted about the Akro Mils hinged lid storage totes going on sale. While lidded crates like that are great for transportation and storage, there are unplanned situations where you may want a solid tote, but don’t have the space to leave it in your vehicle. This is where a collapsible crate can come in handy, you can stuff it under the back seat of your vehicle and forget about it until you need it.

There are several types of collapsible crates, with this type of product being around for a while now. I’m going to talk about Greenmade’s InstaCrate because I own several of them, and you can pick them up for relatively cheap at Costco.

Advertisement

When open and set up, the crate fits in a space measuring 21.5″ x 14″ x 11.75″ and has an internal volume of 19.25″ x 12″ x 11.25″. The empty crate weighs 3 lbs 12 oz. and folds down to 21.5″ x 14″ x 2.75″.

Stacking InstaCratesInstaCrates stack neatly on top of one another, when expanded and also when collapsed . They also have file rails along the longer sides so you can use them as file boxes.

Unpacking the InstaCrate

To use the collapsed InstaCrate, you just lift up the top to bring the hinged sides to full height. Then you swing the ends down into place and they snap into the bottom. When you need to stow it away you just reverse the steps.

InstaCrate folding down the sides

I have purchased three InstaCrates so far. I let my wife have one for the cargo area of her SUV, and I keep two under the rear seat of my truck. We’ve used them for hauling groceries inside from the store, moving Girl Scout Cookies, packing for trips, and whenever we need a solid container to carry a bunch of loose stuff.

When I’m making trips to multiple stores for a project, I’ll setup one of the crates in my front seat and throw all the loose bags and bits of hardware in it so they won’t go rolling around all over my truck. Then I can carry it all to my shop in one trip.

InstaCrate at Costco

InstaCrates come in two colors: blue and green. You can buy them for $18 each at Amazon. But if you have a Costco membership or know someone who can take you, you’ll find them there for $8.

Greenmade InstaCrates are made in the USA.

Buy Now (via Amazon)
See Also(Similar CleverCrates via Amazon)

You can also find commercial and industrial collapsible crates, often with ventilated walls. You’ll sometimes see these at your grocery store, used to hold produce. Stuart uses reusable plastic crates by Polymer Logistics, but for some reason they’ve become harder to find recently.

Related posts:

Husky Latch and Stack ToteNew Husky Latch and Stack Tote Boxes Akro Mils Steel Frame Parts OrganizerThe Best Heavy Duty Steel Cabinet Parts Organizer for Under $100

Sections: Made in USA, Storage & Organization, Tool Reviews Tags: InstaCrate

« Why Won’t Power Tool Brands Standardize Their Battery Packs?
Keo Countersink Drill Bits »

About Benjamen

Benjamen Johnson grew up watching his dad work as a contractor and woodworker. He became an electrical engineer and took an interest in woodworking. Check out Ben's projects at Electronsmith's 3D Prints or Instagram.

16 Comments

  1. Craig says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 9:08 am

    I spotted the CleverCrate version at Sam’s Club last week. $12 and some change each. Same dimensions, holds 130lbs.

    Reply
    • Benjamen says

      Feb 25, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      CleverCrates appear almost identical: http://www.clevermade.com/collections/clevercrates/products/collapsible-crate-62-liter?variant=1599942273

      I don’t think I’d try 130lbs, though. I’d hurt myself and I think the crate would deform.

      Reply
      • Craig says

        Feb 26, 2016 at 9:10 am

        True, this is just going by what the paperwork on the crate says. 🙂 I might do 130lbs if it was nicely spread out over the whole of the bottom.

        Reply
  2. Drew M says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 9:33 am

    My mom has had crates like this in her trunk for what must be decades now. I think her’s were from Ikea but I can’t be certain. Her’s have more holes in them like milk crates but they fold up and flatten the same way.

    Reply
  3. Farid says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 10:34 am

    Thanks for the tip, Benjamin. These look like a winner. Justify a trip to Costco this weekend. Like you, said, it will be nice to keep one in the car.

    Reply
  4. Dennis says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 10:53 am

    I got these at Costco last year. I love them. Pack them when you need them and then fold out of the way when you’re done.

    It’s a great EDC thing for your car.

    Reply
    • Benjamen says

      Feb 25, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      I love the way you put that! EDC for the car.

      Hmmm, you got me thinking now.

      Reply
  5. Nathan says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    If only the had a lided version too. I do like the idea of keeping 2 or so in the car.

    8 dollars at costco you say.

    Reply
  6. Jerry says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    Ace Hardware had their store brand version of this on clearance, $10 for a 2 pack. They stack both folded and open and are USA made. They don’t seem like I’d want to put a lot of weight in it but it would be a nice convenient tote to tuck under the seat.

    Reply
  7. Andrew says

    Feb 25, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    These showed up at my Costco last week too. They looked handy, but I saw some reviews on Amazon that showed broken corners from shipping. That made me a little hesitant to buy them, but I also don’t think I’d be treating them as bad as the postal service.

    Reply
  8. Mike aka Fazzman says

    Mar 4, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Just saw these at Sams Club today, $12 for a 2 pack. Roseville,CA area

    Reply
  9. Althea Seepaul says

    Apr 7, 2016 at 12:35 am

    Purchased a instacrate at PRICESMART in Trinidad and Tobago .very useful

    Reply
  10. D.D. Arnold, Jr. says

    Apr 8, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    I have purchased 8 so far, but have a MAJOR PROBLEM with the design!!! I already have broken 2 of them: one by carrying 3 gallons of milk and other items (not exceeding 40 pounds total), and the other, sliding it out of my SUV. It would be worth more money if the tops were manufactured like the bottoms are. Where the tops meet the sides, they are held by paper thin plastic connectors. Where the bottoms meet the sides, they have metal inside plastic tabs (about 1/2 inch wide, each one), all the way around. Both broken ones were at the top. Please think about a manufacturing correction Green Made… it would be worth their weight in gold! And a previous mentioned idea was also right. Lids and removable casters would rock!

    Reply
  11. Chocolate M Jones says

    Sep 7, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    I have 6 and the colors bary buy store I have 3 red and 3 yellow. No blue or green were available. I love them and use them for everything. 1 is just for my craft supplies 1 for car stuff in my hubbies truck 2 for groceries 1 for soap ( I make hand crafted bars) 1 for misc so that there is always one available for use. They stack great and have not broken one yet.

    Reply
  12. sylvia parrish says

    Oct 25, 2017 at 12:47 am

    how about different sizes

    Reply
  13. Kennith Bruney says

    Jan 14, 2018 at 12:06 pm

    I must admit . For personnel /domestic use these are very good containers . However not good for attic or garage long term storage . The design has flaws which can’t keep out mold causing moisture . They also aren’t meant for commercial transport use . Due to the fact that they will collapse if strapped down with transport straps and incur some jolting and bouncing around on rough highways . We use these for inside Cab transport of small hand-carry parcels . No longer used on Flatbed or Box trucks due to the rigorous beatings that have to endure . They also have a large flaw in COLD /Freezing weather . They can shatter . Otherwise These are the Ideal container for short private transport of small items . Thanks for asking .

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Big Richard on New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector: “For sure, for the small fans I’d recommend something like a MERV 8 HVAC filter media, the blue stuff that…”
  • fred on New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector: “Some of the units aimed at DIY jewelry makers and for soldering seem to only be just fans with some…”
  • Plain grainy on New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector: “I guess it is variable speed with six fan motors!”
  • Stuart on Milwaukee Tool Flash Sale – Save $25 off $100+ (Ends 1/20/21): “Agreed! I appreciate that you were willing and able to chime in about this!”
  • Stuart on New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector: “Given the size, I interpret that to mean their are physically 6 separate fans inside the unit. 2x 8″ -…”
  • Stuart on New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector: “These small fans do not move much air at all. Put a filter in front of them, and airflow is…”

Recent Posts

  • New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector
  • Milwaukee Tool Flash Sale - Save $25 off $100+ (Ends 1/20/21)
  • Dewalt Tools FLASH SALE, Today Only 1/19/2021
  • Woodpeckers Auto-Line Drill Guide
  • New Metabo Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tool w/ Starlock Blade Change Interface
  • Bosch Profactor Cordless Power Tools: 2021 Launch Pricing
  • The Wildly Inappropriate Way a Tool Brand is Vying for Home Depot's Attention
  • New Dewalt 12V 5Ah Battery Signals that More Cordless Power Tools are Coming Soon
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Cordless Impact Drivers
  • Best Cordless Multi-Tools
  • Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Modular Tool Storage Systems
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure