Black Friday 2022 is almost here, and this is going to be a great time to buy into a tool box system at a discount.
Home Depot and Lowe’s have many competing tool box deals right now. Here, we’re going to focus on the medium-price-point deals from Ryobi, Ridgid, and Kobalt.
To start off, Home Depot has the Ryobi Link 3pc tool box combo stack for $149. It comes with a rolling tool box, a large tool box, and an open tote.
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I looked it over briefly, and it seemed… alright.
You can buy the Ryobi Link system components separately, or as a 3pc tool box combo.
Home Depot also has the new Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 tool box system.
I bought a couple of the next-gen Ridgid tool boxes in order to test them by Black Friday. I don’t have a review up yet, but I’ve seen enough to be able to say this is my favorite tool box deal of the season.
You get the rolling tool box for $70, the large tool box for $40, or the smaller tool box for $30. You can buy all 3 for just $140, compared to the $180 I spent in August and September when I tracked down all 3 pieces at separate stores.
Basically, if you get all 3 pieces, it’s like you’re buying the rolling tool box and large middle tool box and getting the small tool box for free. But with this year’s promo, everything is discounted by a bit, which is nice.
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I LOVE the Ridgid Gen 2 rolling tool box, where the rolling hand cart part is completely detachable!
What’s completely surprising is that you can get the Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 tool box combo for $139.91, while the Ryobi system is $149.
I feel that the Ridgid tool box combo is much better than what the Ryobi Link special offers – and it’s less expensive too!
If you want a more comparable tool box combo from Ryobi link, it’s $209.91 at the time of this posting, which is more than the Ridgid Pro Gear combo at full price!
You can buy all of the Ridgid components via Home Depot’s website, even with free shipping! The Ryobi Link system looks to be an online-only special.
I would buy the Ridgid Gen 2 tool boxes. The first generation were a great value, and the newest Pro Gear tool boxes offer additional features, while also being backwards compatible.
My local store put out a display of the new Ridgid 2.0 compact organizer this week.
It’s a bit pricey, but felt solid and versatile. I picked up a pair for review.
My only niggle is that the handle is optimized for connection to other Ridgid modular tool box products, and so it’s not as comfortable to carry as standalone organizers which have full-size handles.
At the time of this posting, the Ridgid Gen 2 compact organizer is $25, and only available in stores.
I finally found the Kobalt CaseStack tool boxes at my local Lowe’s store!
I pulled a Kobalt CaseStack out of the bay to check out its features. While everything seems pretty standard, there was nothing special.
Ryobi’s Link system can be mounted to their special hex-cleat wall panels. Ridgid’s new tool boxes come with wall-mountable hooks.
The Kobalt CaseStack tool boxes seemed okay, but I wasn’t very impressed for the money. Why choose Lowe’s Kobalt tool box system over other brands?
This is combo is $199 at the moment, and will be $159 for Black Friday 2022 as per Lowe’s latest sales ad.
I only pulled one Kobalt tool box stack out for inspection, nd found a broken wheel.
I would say that this doesn’t leave me with much confidence for the brand’s quality, but it can happen to any brand. Maybe the box fell off the truck? Maybe the entire stack fell off racking?
Which Would I Buy?
Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0.
Why should anyone spend more for Ryobi Link? Why should anyone spend more for Kobalt CaseStack? The Ridgid tool boxes feel as sturdy as their predecessors.
I won’t be hanging the Ridgid system on my wall, but I suppose it’s good to have that option. The rolling tool box is the star of the show for me, since you can remove its dolly for easier transport or storage.
If you’re in the market for a new value-priced modular tool box system, try to check them out at your local store. Connect a couple of tool boxes together, roll it around the aisle, and test how easy it is to latch or disconnect tool boxes from each other.
The Ridgid Pro Gear 2.0 system is NOT my favorite – I’m more a fan of Milwaukee Packout and even Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0, but it’s a great system at a good value.
Surprisingly, the Ridgid set up is also the Least expensive of all three, at just under $140 for the 3pc combo, vs. $149 for Ryobi Link, or $159 for the Kobalt CaseStack system (starting on Thanksgiving).
Black Friday 2022 Deal Guides
If you’re looking for more Black Friday 2022 tool deals, these links will take you to our other deal guides and alerts.
Acme Tools Black Friday 2022 Deals
Amazon Black Friday 2022 Tool Deals
Home Depot Black Friday 2022 Tool Deals
Lowe’s Black Friday 2022 Tool Deals
Dewalt Tool Deals for Black Friday 2022
Milwaukee Tool Deals for Black Friday 2022
Makita Tool Deals for Black Friday 2022
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fred
I’ve noticed a few local contractors who seem to have adopted Ridgid toolboxes. I don’t know if that is an endorsement or not – but the current OEM (Keter Plastics) has a long history of making decent products.
Brennan Frazier
Im a ridgid guy but i like the husky system. I have the 15 gallon box. Its low and wide so very stable. No need to worry about it tipping over in the back of the truck. It holds everything. Theres even a bigger one. It makes a great worksite table also.
Ball_bearing
The way that kobalt has the broken wheel, is similar to the Hart toolboxes at Walmart. I have also seen them with missing latches. Maybe an employee just threw them around, or as you said, maybe they fell while on the storage area.
The problem is that they are expensive, and seeing them broken like that just kills any interest someone might have.
MM
The situations you & Stuart described about obviously defective merchandise remaining on the sales floor really rubs me the wrong way.
Obviously things happen, merchandise can be damaged in shipping. But the real question is why is the damaged merchandise still out on display. Did the employees not notice the wheels (or whatever else) were broken? Or did they notice but not care? Honestly either option is a bit mindboggling.
Aaron SD
Any thoughts on the Husky system? I’m looking at just the bin boxes since I don’t need the rolling carts. How does it compare to the Rigid? Thanks!
Stuart
Husky looks decent, but Ridgid should be more robust.
This is the kind of question that can be answered with 10 minutes in the tool box area, no matter what kinds of funny stares you draw!
I’d say the Husky system is more competitive against T-Stak/VersaStack. Ridgid is the next tier up.
Saulac
Agree with your assessment 100%. I am currently on the Husky. I like to think they are the modern interpretation of the traditional “Craftman portable red too box”. But I always like the build/value of the Ridgid system and would switch as soon as Ridgid comes out with drawers.
Brennan Frazier
Have it and love. It holds more wont tip over in the trailer/ back of the truck if not anchored like all the others. Rolls better and doubles as a jobsite work bench
Brennan Frazier
Ive had my husky 15 gallon box for over two years without issue and i regularly stand on it.
PW
I have the Gen 1 Rigid stack, I got it at clearance pricing over the summer while they were making way for the Gen 2.
I’ve been pleased so far for my non-pro uses. I did accidentally back over the middle box, and it survived. I had to bend a latch tab back in place, but it still works fine.
I paid less than this holiday special for my G1 stack, but I have to say the features in the new revision really seem like a step up. I particularly like that the less useful trays are now closing organizer compartments. Also the revisions to the inside of the small box make it way more useful.
I agree with Stuart, I think the Rigid boxes are hard to beat in this lineup given their price and robust construction.
Mike
Ah yes, maybe my favorite article of the season. Thank you!
Steve
I completely agree. The Ridgid is a super solid offering at a great price. The Ryobi has been over priced from the beginning and it’s flimsy, the only thing they have going for it is it’s a little larger. The Kobalt is like the Ridgid just priced higher.
I still haven’t seen any reason to go with the Ryobi and very few home users (Ryobi’s target market as its not Pro durable) are going to wall mount. I would either spend significantly less and go with Craftsman Versastak and get the most options outside Milwaukee Packout, spend a little less and get a superior product from Ridgid or spend more and step up to Dewalt ToughSystem or Milwaukee Packout. Same goes for Kobalt.
AlexK
How is the rolling hand cart detachable? I was looking at it the past week and thought it won’t fit in the back space of my extended cab ranger. I also don’t want buyers regret. If the Milwaukee is much more likely to last longer, the extra $80 for a 3 stack might be better in the long run. I was impressed with the Ridgid quality, and to my surprise, the horrible smell of past Ridgid cases was gone. Unless I have covid and lost my sense of smell. Nope, just checked, and my boots smell!
blocky
haha. came to ask about this. thanks.
fred
Maybe HD changed the OEM – and hence got rid of the odor. The current #2.0 boxes look like they are being made by Keter Plastics (UPC’s starting with 731161). I’m not sure which Keter factory (I believe they have ones in Israel and USA) makes these. But. I believe that some of the older Ridgid-branded boxes were made in Costa Rica (UPCs starting with744503)- so probably not Keter.
Stuart
I posted some pics form when I bought it, at https://www.instagram.com/p/ClMDsr0rzRU/
The rolling cart is basically an XL tool box plus hand cart attachment. They connect via locking cleats of sorts.
I want to do a better showing of this, but am not sure I can do it before Thanksgiving. Hopefully the IG will suffice.
I took a few pics in-store against the Ridgid 1.0 and ToughSystem. I oohed and aahed and then brought it home.
All molded tool boxes stink stink a bit at first, and it’s worse with the weather-sealed ones.
fred
The stink fading would probably make sense particularly if it is the molding release agent that is the culprit. Not storing clothing or comestibles in one of these. and mostly keeping toolboxes in a garage or shed, I can usually live with some initial odor. What bothers my nose are some old plastic screwdriver handles. Some seem to degenerate off-gassing what smells like rancid butter (perhaps butyrate). You also notice them more when stored in sealed toolboxes.
Stuart
Yeah – acetate plastic off-gassing build-up is definitely an unforgettable smell. That’s different from what’s going on with new plastic tool boxes and totes.
https://toolguyd.com/why-hard-plastic-screwdriver-handles-smell-like-vomit/
Mike
After HD rolled out the Gen 2 system, I picked up the three Gen1 boxes for $90 (although did have to return the first rolling box due to defective telescopic handle). Solid boxes, no complaints
Josh
I am into the packout system and also have a of the Ridgid 1st generation 3 stack. Originally the rigid was too small for what I wanted and I acquired packout stuff randomly on sales. Now I’ve been looking at less expensive packout alternatives for some modular boxes for stuff not related to work. Can’t beat the price or quality for the price of the 2.0 stuff. I looked at the Ryobi, Kobalt and Flex and either the quality, sizes, or price don’t work for me when compared to the rigid.
Frank D
I have some stuff from various brands. (Husky, Keter, Ridgid, Milwaukee). Missed out on the v1 clearance, because they’d been out of stock already … Checked out the new Ridgids a few weeks ago when I first saw them in store. On a few of them there was not a proper seal / immediate mating between the lid and the box. Lids seemed ok. Bodies seemed slightly off front left of center. So make sure to check them before purchase.
Mateo
I was surprised the craftsman trade stack didn’t make the list, I believe lowes is gonna drop it to $119 at some point this week for the three stack with crate. I don’t know if I’ll be able to resist.