The old saying, “A place for everything and everything in its place,” applies just as much to outdoor living spaces as it does inside the house. For gardening tools, pool supplies, kids’ yard toys, and similar items, that place is often a deck box. Water-resistant and weather-resistant, these boxes keep your outdoor gear protected from the elements and close at hand.
When choosing a deck box, Noah James, professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance, says, “Always measure your space and consider your storage needs before buying.” He also recommends looking for a box with enough ventilation to ward off mildew growth inside, an attractive appearance to enhance your outdoor decor, and a lockable lid in case you need extra security.
We tested nine different deck boxes at our homes across the country for several weeks. During that time, we really put the boxes’ durability to the test—we collectively experienced more than 35 storms, as well as heatwaves, humidity, and high winds.
We also evaluated their sturdiness, how easy—or difficult—they were to assemble, the number of items we could store inside, their appearance, and how smoothly the lid opened and closed.
There’s not much outdoor gear you can’t stash in this 120-gallon box from Keter: We used it to store several outdoor pillows, a chaise lounge, and even an entire smokeless fire pit in its box without trouble. This is a great choice for anyone who wants a handy spot to hold pool toys and pool maintenance supplies, sports gear, and more.
However, as the box is one large open area without any dividers, we don’t think it’s ideal for holding small things (unless you put them inside a small storage container), such as gardening hand tools, which could easily become buried beneath larger items (but that is the case for every large box we tested).
The resin box has an attractive faux wood design. We love the hinge, which holds the box open while retrieving items from within and provides just enough resistance when closing the lid to prevent slams. If desired, the box can be locked for security, but you’ll have to purchase a padlock separately.
While it’s best to have two people working together to assemble the deck box because of its size (as we found with all of the larger deck boxes we tested), it wasn’t especially challenging, and we had it put together and ready to go in just half an hour. We then gave it a go as a bench; The manufacturer claims it can support up to 804 pounds and two adults sitting on the closed lid. While we didn’t meet that level of weight, the box supported us without any issues.
There was quite a bit of rain during our testing period, but the water just beaded up on the outside of the box—the contents of the box remained dry, and the box itself looked just as good as before. However, we did find that when we opened the lid with rainwater still puddled on top, the moisture ran down inside the deck box. That is our one complaint with the box, but easily remedied by either wiping the water away before opening it or letting it dry naturally.
All in all, we recommend this deck box highly for anyone who has the space for it—at almost 5 feet in length and more than 2 feet deep, it does take up quite a bit of room—and wants a secure spot to stash plenty of outdoor gear safely away from the elements.
Dimensions: 57 x 27.5 x 23.7 inches | Material: Resin | Storage Capacity: 120 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
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Very sturdy construction
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Can be used as a bench
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Lockable
This sturdy deck box from Lifetime has a double-wall construction that provides extra strength and helps ward off damage from impacts. We found it sturdy in our tests without feeling wobbly or flimsy. Plus, it’s made from strong HDPE plastic that’s weather-resistant, UV-resistant, and stain-resistant. It was easy to clean with a hose or damp towel when necessary.
While this large deck box is not as stylish as our best overall pick, we did like the neutral color, which let the box blend into the background rather than demand attention. Plus, with a weight limit of 600 pounds, it can be used for extra outdoor seating in a pinch.
Of course, the main concern with a deck box is how much it holds, and after testing it, we can say that it holds a lot. We stashed four outdoor couch cushions, a tabletop fan with a box, a large watering can, eight beach towels, and 12 couch cushion covers inside, and there was still plenty of room for more. Because this is one large box without inner dividers, smaller items might drop to the bottom and be hard to find. However, that’s easy to solve by keeping a bucket or two inside the deck box for corralling smaller gardening tools and similar items.
Our only two criticisms of this sturdy box are that it was somewhat difficult to assemble and that, while we do appreciate the hinges on the lid that prevents slamming, we found that the lid needed a little extra nudge to be sure it closed fully. We neglected to do this one time, and some rainwater ran inside, but other than that, the box was watertight and held up very well to frequent use. It can be locked for extra security if desired, but you’ll have to provide the padlock yourself.
Dimensions: 50.3 x 25.2 x 26 inches | Material: Plastic | Storage Capacity: 116 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
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Attractive appearance
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Soft-close hinges
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Very weather-resistant
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Easy to assemble
Our pick for the best waterproof option, this large deck box from East Oak, was exposed to several thunderstorms during our testing period without any water leaking inside or marring the box’s exterior. Made from strong resin, it’s waterproof, fade-proof, and highly resistant to damage from UV radiation. That means it can withstand hot summers and rainy winters equally without losing its good looks or sturdiness.
Plus, we appreciate its neutral color and faux wicker design, which look good but don’t distract from nearby garden beds. You can add your padlock to secure it if desired. We tested the 100-gallon size of this attractive deck box, but it’s also available in 31- and 180-gallon sizes.
It’s an open box inside—we would have liked a few dividers—but that gave us plenty of room to store various pool toys and gardening supplies with room to spare. For smaller items, we recommend a divider of some sort, perhaps a bucket or box to keep garden hand tools and similar items from becoming lost. It has a soft-close hinged lid that prevents slams, but we found that it needs to be lowered with both hands to ensure it’s completely closed.
On the downside, while the manufacturer claims that the box can support up to 660 pounds for use as an outdoor bench when we sat on it during our testing, we heard a popping sound and felt the box might not support our weight, although there was no visible sign of damage. Because of that, we don’t recommend using it for seating, but it’s a great choice for storing lots of outdoor gear, including patio furniture cushions and covers, pool supplies, and sports equipment that you want well-protected from the elements.
Dimensions: 48 x 21.5 x 25.7 inches | Material: Resin | Storage Capacity: 100 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
If you want a gorgeous wooden deck box that adds style and function to your outdoor decor, we love this option we tested from West Elm. We used this deck box to store gardening supplies, but it could easily hold outdoor furniture cushions and covers, grilling supplies, or just about any other item that needs a secure storage spot. This mahogany and eucalyptus deck box is made with FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests, and the wire-brushed finish gives the box a slightly weathered appearance.
We found the box sturdy, with very smooth hinges that stay up without support and close slowly to avoid slams or pinched fingers. It did not rain while we were testing, but the deck box should have no trouble shedding water without damage, and it can easily be wiped or hosed clean if necessary. The hardwoods have natural oils that help keep the wood nourished and protected from the elements, but the box also has a polyurethane topcoat for extra protection.
There is no need to assemble this beautiful deck box. It arrives ready to go, and with West Elm’s white-glove service, the delivery people will carry it in for you and set it where you want it. We found that extremely helpful, as at 165 pounds, this box is heavy, and we would have had a tough time moving it ourselves.
Although West Elm doesn’t specify that the box can be used for seating, we gave it a try and found the box to be very steady. While West Elm doesn’t specify the deck box’s capacity, it measures a whopping 62.2 x 29 x 24.6 inches. If that’s too large, there’s also a smaller, 47-inch-wide version.
Dimensions: 62.2 x 29 x 24.6 inches | Material: Wood | Storage Capacity: Not specified | Assembly Required: No
Why have a separate patio bench and deck box when you can combine the two with this sturdy option from Keter? With the lid down, it’s a comfortable bench that can hold up to 551 pounds of weight and comfortably fit up to three people. We gave it a whirl, and the box supported our weight without bowing, creaking, or cracking.
Open the lid, and inside, this 70-gallon deck box has plenty of storage space. We filled it with pet supplies, a leaf blower, a basketball and two soccer balls, gardening tools, and an extension cord.
The box is styled in a traditional bench appearance and looks like real wood from a distance, although up close, you can tell that it’s resin. While we found that the dark color showed off pollen and dust very easily and would have preferred a lighter color, that’s mostly a matter of personal preference. We found it very easy to hose the box off to keep it clean.
Although it didn’t rain during our testing period, we aren’t sure the box would be completely water-resistant in a downpour, so it may be best to use it for storing items that wouldn’t be harmed by a little bit of moisture.
Assembly was fairly easy, but it’s best to have a helper to hold the larger pieces in place while you screw them together. Still, we had it ready to go in less than 40 minutes. The box is available in brown or dark gray.
Dimensions: 55.1 x 23.6 x 33 inches︱Material: Resin︱Interior Capacity: 70 gallons︱Wheels: No︱Lockable? Yes
If you really want to optimize your outdoor storage space without adding an outdoor shed, this extra-large option from Rubbermaid can help. We put this 120-gallon whopper of a deck box to the test by stashing a grill and grilling supplies, extra folding chairs, and several cushions for patio furniture inside. Everything fit without effort, and we had room to spare. Since the box has no interior dividers, we used a few small bins to hold the grilling tools so they wouldn’t get buried at the bottom.
It was a bit tricky to assemble the box, but once put together, it handled hot and sunny weather, high UV index, rain, and wind without any water getting inside the box or any signs of fading or other damage. It has a very sturdy double-wall construction, but despite the manufacturer’s claims that it can seat three adults, in our tests, we found that it did indeed seat one adult without issue, but when two people sat on it, the front panel bowed out slightly. There was no cracking or damage, but we recommend using it as a bench for only one adult at a time.
The largest deck box on our list (slightly larger in size than our best overall, but with the same storage capacity), its size and shape also make it ideal to use as an extra table when entertaining outdoors.
While the box is fairly utilitarian in appearance, we do like the two-tone color scheme, which adds a bit of interest without drawing too much attention. Even after exposure to weather, water from nearby sprinklers, and frequent use, it remained clean and in good condition. It’s very easy to clean or wipe down with a damp towel when necessary. You can add a padlock for security if necessary.
Dimensions: 60 x 26 x 28 inches | Material: Resin | Storage Capacity: 120 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
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Can be used for seating
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Easy to assemble
Perfect for a small patio, this 22-gallon plastic deck box is just the right size to hold gardening supplies, birdseed for wild birds, and kids’ toys during the summer and store some outdoor furniture cushions during the off-season. While testing, we found the box to be easy to assemble and quite sturdy.
While the box doesn’t have soft-close hinges, we found that the lid closed easily and securely. We opened and closed it daily to access birdseed, and it showed no signs of wear and tear. It did not leak during heavy rainstorms and even a bit of flooding. Plus, we saw no signs of insects or other pests accessing the bird seed.
While the manufacturer does not list a weight limit, the deck box is advertised as suitable for use as an extra seat, so we gave it a try. It comfortably held one small-to-average adult with no bowing, creaking, or other signs of stress. It could even be used as a small side table for outdoor dining or entertaining.
The design is attractive, and the dark gray box looks like wood from a distance. While you won’t be able to store an entire set of outdoor cushions in the box or stash many bulky items, this is a great way to keep your garden hose out of sight, keep small garden tools at hand, or corral a few poolside toys.
Dimensions: 17 x 22 x 20.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Storage Capacity: 22 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
A fully loaded deck box can be heavy, meaning it’s best set in the spot where you plan to keep it. But thanks to the wheels on this attractive resin option from Keter, we could easily maneuver it to where we needed it. This is an 80-gallon deck box, which is an ideal intermediate size. It’s not too big for smaller yards but not too small to store many items. In fact, we stashed a set of four patio seat cushions, a 6-foot patio table umbrella, some grilling and gardening accessories, and children’s toys inside it, and we still had room to spare.
The box was easy to assemble but required an assistant to hold the pieces in place while they were screwed together. Shortly after loading the box, it began to rain and continued raining for nearly two weeks. Despite almost constant downpours, everything inside the box remained clean and dry. The box even suffered no damage when a patio umbrella fell on it during the storm.
Although we didn’t test it as a bench, the manufacturer does claim that the deck box can support up to 551 pounds and seat two adults, making it a versatile addition to the patio or deck. It has a very attractive faux wicker design, as well, although the dark brown might show pollen or dust easily. You can easily hose it off, though, if necessary.
Dimensions: 48.4 x 21 x 22.4 inches | Material: Resin | Storage Capacity: 80 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
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Beautiful appearance
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Can be used for seating
If you love the rustic good looks of a wooden deck box, but your budget won’t stretch enough for the West Elm Portside Outdoor Storage Trunk, then we recommend this acacia wood alternative. With a 47-gallon capacity, this is a handy deck box for a small-to-medium deck or patio. We stashed some patio cushions, pool cleaning chemicals, and a watering can inside, and everything fit well.
As a bonus, this deck box can also be used as a bench with a weight capacity of 355 pounds. We were a little skeptical because the wood seemed somewhat thin, but we sat on it several times without any creaking, bowing, or other signs of stress. We even topped it with a cushion for a more comfortable seating experience.
It has a coating of teak oil to help protect it from moisture, but the manufacturer recommends protecting it from heavy rain or snow. However, during our testing, it sat outside through very hot and humid weather broken by extreme rain and wind spells, and we saw no signs of cracking, fading, or other damage. Due to the slatted design, the box contents did get wet during the rainstorms but also dried quickly. Still, it’s best to only store items that won’t be damaged by moisture inside the box.
The box was fairly easy to assemble and light enough when empty for us to easily carry it. It has heavy-duty hinges that open and close smoothly and a small pull ring to make it easy to open the lid. We love that this deck box looks like a piece of furniture, not just a utilitarian storage box, and felt that it added a real touch of style to our patio.
Dimensions: 47.5 x 17.5 x 17.5 inches | Material: Wood | Storage Capacity: 47 gallons | Assembly Required: Yes
Final Verdict
If you need somewhere to store your gardening supplies, outdoor cushions, and other backyard gear, then it’s hard to go wrong with the Keter Brightwood 120-Gallon Weatherproof Deck Box. This sturdy box held up very well in our tests, and it can be used for extra seating on your deck or patio. But if you need something smaller, then we recommend the Suncast 22-Gallon Deck Box, which doesn’t take up much space but can still hold a couple of patio cushions or lots of weeding and gardening tools.
The Spruce / Kevin Schmitz
How We Tested the Deck Boxes
We tested nine different deck boxes at our own homes across the country for several weeks.
To start the testing process, we unboxed and assembled each deck box, noting how difficult it was and whether the procedure required an assistant or could be handled by one person alone. Once the boxes were ready to go, we loaded them up with the typical things stored in a deck box, such as outdoor cushions, gardening tools, pool toys, cleaning supplies, small backyard furniture, and sports equipment.
Over several weeks, we used the deck boxes regularly, paying attention to how easy it was to close and open the lid and how the box held up to weather conditions. If the manufacturer claimed the deck box could be used as a bench, we sat on it and noted any bowing, bending, creaking, or other signs of stress.
We particularly paid attention to how well the deck boxes kept out water from rain or nearby sprinklers. We also noted if the box got dirty easily and how easy it was to clean. We will continue to test the winners for six months or more to see if they continue to hold up over time.
What to Look for in a Deck Box
Material Quality and Durability
The three most common materials used to make deck boxes are resin, plastic, and wood. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Resin is a type of plastic derived from a plant source rather than a petrochemical or gas-based source like traditional plastic. Generally, resin holds up better to weather conditions without fading than plastic and can be molded to look more like wood, wicker, or other natural materials than plastic. However, you’ll often pay a little more for a deck box made of resin. Our top pick, the Keter Brightwood Deck Box, is a resin box with an attractive faux wood design.
Plastic deck boxes like the Lifetime Heavy-Duty Deck Box are generally high-density polyethylene (HDPE). James says that plastic is lightweight, low maintenance, and resistant to rot. However, it might not be as durable under extreme conditions as wood or resin. Generally, plastic deck boxes are the least expensive option.
Wood deck boxes are beautiful but generally pricey. However, the Tangkula Acacia Wood Deck Box is a reasonably priced exception to the rule. James says, “Wood ages beautifully and can withstand the test of time if treated properly (the treatment is important). However, a wood deck box requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and weather damage.”
The Spruce / Ivy Ford
Size and Storage Capacity
Most deck boxes list their storage capacity in gallons. But don’t automatically assume that the bigger, the better; You’ll first want to consider how much space you have available on your deck or patio, as well as the type and amount of items you plan on storing inside the box.
There are small deck boxes with capacities of 20 gallons or so, like the Suncast 22-gallon Storage Deck Box, and behemoths that hold more than 150 gallons, but most people’s needs probably fall somewhere between those numbers.
The Spruce / Dwyer Frame
As a rough guideline:
- Deck boxes with less than a 50-gallon capacity are good for holding a garden hose, corralling your small weeding or hand gardening tools, stashing a couple of cushions, or keeping your kids’ yard toys under control.
- Deck boxes with 50-gallon to 100-gallon capacities let you stash any or all of the above, but in larger quantities. This is a good size for a medium-sized deck or patio that has a hot tub, pool, or garden nearby. The Keter Capri 80-Gallon Resin Deck Box takes it one step further with the addition of small wheels so you can easily maneuver the box to where you want it.
- Large deck boxes with up to 150-gallon capacities can hold a full set of outdoor cushions, keep a fairly large collection of garden tools nearby and ready for duty, hold a few bags of fertilizer or garden soil, or keep your pool cleaning supplies out of the elements. One that we especially like in this size range is the Rubbermaid Extra-Large Deck Box, which has a 120-gallon capacity.
The Spruce / Jenica Currie
Weather and Moisture Resistance
Since the typical deck box sits outdoors through all types of weather, most are treated for resistance to damage caused by moisture and UV radiation. But note that most deck boxes don’t claim to be entirely waterproof; they are water resistant. Still, as long as you close the lid securely, these boxes generally protect their contents from water, even during a downpour. The East Oak Outdoor Storage Box remained dry during our testing sessions, even during heavy storms and flooding.
Regarding wintertime, Noah James says that while most deck boxes should handle some snow and cold weather, if your box isn’t up to the challenge, consider adding a weatherproof cover or tucking it in a sheltered spot to extend its lifespan. This can especially be true for plastic boxes that might become brittle during extended freezes or wooden boxes that can be damaged by lengthy wet spells.
Ease of Assembly and Maintenance
Almost all resin and plastic deck boxes, and some wooden boxes, require you to assemble them yourself. Generally, this isn’t an especially difficult task—many small deck boxes have panels designed to slide together without needing a tool—but large deck boxes are best assembled by two people working together—one person to hold the pieces in place while the other screws them together.
As for maintenance, you should periodically hose or wipe away any accumulated mud or other grunge from the box’s exterior, as well as remove spider webs, bird droppings, fallen leaves, and other debris. This helps not only to keep the box looking good, but also helps prevent damage or mildew growth. At least once a season, it’s a good idea to remove all of the box’s contents and inspect the inside for any signs of water damage, insect pests, debris, or mildew. Wipe the inside clean with a damp rag and let it dry before replacing the stored items.
Color and Design
Most deck boxes are rectangular, though some small boxes are square. Most plastic and resin boxes are fairly simple in design, perhaps with a faux wood or faux wicker exterior. On the other hand, wood deck boxes can be much more stylish; some work as “A handcrafted piece of furniture that adds charm to your green space,” according to James. That’s especially true of the gorgeous West Elm Portside Outdoor Storage Trunk, made of mahogany and eucalyptus woods.
Some deck boxes are designed for both storage and seating. Many simply have a sturdy lid that can be used as a seat, but some, including the Keter Solana Storage Bench, have a traditional bench design that includes a back for more comfort.
As for color, most deck boxes are a shade of brown, tan, or gray. Some combine two hues with a different colored lid and base, but the majority are solid, neutral colors that blend well with most decorating schemes and exterior house paint colors.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullman has been writing about all things home-related since 2011. She keeps her pruning shears and other small gardening tools in the 31-gallon size of the East Oak 31-Gallon Outdoor Storage Box, which is a perfect fit for her small patio and garden. The deck box has remained in excellent condition through a winter of record-breaking rainfall and a summer of record-breaking heat waves at her Santa Clarita home.
For this article, she relied on our testers’ results, as well as customer feedback, both positive and negative, to compile this list of the best deck boxes.
Our experts:
- Noah James, professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance