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The Best Truck Tool Boxes

Updated on Nov 6, 2025

On the hunt for a new tool box for your truck? With so many options available, narrowing your search to just one selection can present some challenges. Our experts have compiled a list of questions to ask before making the big purchase.

We also have a list of our staff’s picks for the best truck tool boxes this year, so you can find one that best meets your needs.

Table of Contents:

How To Choose the Right Tool Box for You

Types of Truck Tool Boxes

Best Overall Truck Bed Tool Box

Best Budget Truck Tool Box

Best Low Profile Truck Tool Box

Best Composite Truck Tool Box

Best Side Mount Tool Box

Best Tonneau-Cover-Compatible Tool Box

How to Choose the Right Tool Box for You

Finding the correct truck tool box depends on several factors, including utility, aesthetics, fit, and durability. Here is a quick list of the factors you should consider before pulling the trigger on a new truck tool box.

Material

What is your preferred material for a truck tool box?

Do you prefer the lightweight nature of composite plastic or the rugged strength of steel? Your choice of materials significantly impacts your expectations and usage. For example, a composite or aluminum truck tool box may be perfect for storing simple hand tools, recovery equipment, or a roadside emergency kit. On the other hand, storing heavy-duty power tools may warrant switching to a durable steel truck tool box.

Your climate and bed protection may also influence your material preference. For instance, a composite truck tool box may be ideal if your truck is equipped with a weather-resistant tonneau cover. However, if your truck's bed is constantly subjected to harsh weather conditions without any additional protection, then a steel or aluminum toolbox is better suited for your needs.

Storage Space

Depending on the amount of cargo, tools, or equipment you plan to carry regularly, you'll need to consider the storage capacity of your next truck toolbox. Additionally, depending on your average load, you'll have to be open to different truck toolbox styles.

For instance, most side-rail or swing boxes are limited in space, whereas chest-style and saddle-style tool boxes typically feature a much larger internal volume. Assessing your available storage space against your desired storage space can help you narrow down your choices.

Security

Are you planning to carry valuables in your truck’s tool box? If so, you'll need to consider the security features of your next truck tool box, ensuring your expensive tools and equipment are safe from would-be thieves.

Luckily, most new truck tool boxes feature integrated locks and keys, preventing passersby from quickly gaining access to your valuables.

Style

Aesthetics are important. You want a truck tool box that looks the part, whether rugged and utilitarian or stylish. Some people may enjoy the classic look of a polished, diamond-plate, saddle-style tool box, while others may prefer a subtle, black composite swing-style box. So choose something you’ll enjoy looking at every time you hop into your truck.

Types of Truck Tool Boxes

When shopping for the right tool box for your truck, you’ll notice several standout styles, each offering different aesthetics and functionality. Check out some of the most popular styles below.

Crossover: These do-it-all tool boxes are like a Swiss Army knife. Your standard crossover truck tool boxes will feature classic and timeless styling, resting atop each bed rail. Due to their vast storage space, saddle tool boxes are a popular choice among contractors and other trades workers.

Side Mount: Another common choice among trades workers is the side-mount toolbox, which mounts above the bed rail and wheel well. These truck tool boxes are handy due to their compact form factor, ease of accessibility, and moderate storage space.

Utility Chest: A low-profile tool box offering considerable cargo space without extending above the bed rails. These boxes are ideal for those who love the convenience of a tool box, but prefer a stealthier, unobtrusive appearance.

Wheel Well: These small, composite or aluminum boxes are convenient for storing recovery gear, trailer hitches, and other regularly-accessed supplies. Mounting to your truck’s inner bedside, between the tailgate and wheel well, wheel well tool boxes take up previously unused space in the bed and minimally encroach on the bed, retaining most of your truck’s cargo space.

Under Tonneau Mount: These tool boxes and chests are explicitly designed to complement truck beds equipped with tonneau covers, sitting just below the bed rails for maximum clearance.

Portable: Don’t leave your tools in your truck. With a portable tool box, simply unhook the box, bring it to the job site, and enjoy the convenience of all your gear without having to run back and forth to the parking lot. Most portable tool boxes have integrated wheels and handles to make transporting a heavy box to and from your truck a breeze.

Trailer Tongue: While every pickup driver needs towing accessories to utilize their truck’s hitch receiver, storing oversized accessories like ball mounts and towing mirrors can significantly reduce available space. Why not set aside these items in a dedicated trailer toolbox affixed to your trailer’s tongue?

Best Overall Truck Bed Tool Box: UWS Crossover Toolbox

Person securing a toolbox in the truck bed of a red vehicle.

Pros	Cons
Timeless crossover styling Spacious interior Durable diamond-plate aluminum construction MicroSeal gasket for superior water resistance Sits above the bed floor to retain full bed length Made in the USA	Protrudes into bed, reducing usable footprint Not compatible with tonneau covers

For the best overall truck bed tool box, we picked a product that would satisfy the most consumers with excellent quality, superior styling, and supreme utility—all for a price that won’t break the bank.

The UWS Crossover tool box is one such product. This traditional crossover/crossbody tool box provides classic diamond-plate styling and ample storage for all your tools and supplies. With multiple built-in storage trays, the UWS tool box will keep your equipment tidy and organized, while an integrated MicroSeal gasket keeps dirt, moisture, and contaminants at bay.

The Crossover tool box is offered in various sizes, allowing for a flawless fit in any pickup, whether mid- or full-size. It also features pre-drilled mounting slots and all hardware for a straightforward installation.

Features:

Available in various sizes
Heavy-duty .058" aluminum plate construction
Built-in tool trays and screwdriver holders
Key-lockable
Made in the USA
Limited lifetime warranty

Best Budget Truck Tool Box: Dee Zee Red Label Single Lid Crossover Tool Boxes

Pros	Cons
Durable aluminum construction Traditional crossover design Budget-friendly price point Sits above the bed floor to retain full bed length Made in the USA	Protrudes into bed, reducing usable footprint Not compatible with tonneau covers

If you prioritize quality but don’t want to spend a fortune, consider upgrading your truck with a Dee Zee Red Label single-lid crossover tool box.

At a budget-friendly entry price of just over $400, the Dee Zee has a lot to offer. Features like traditional crossover styling, robust diamond-plate aluminum construction, and USA-made quality make the Dee Zee Red Label a solid option for any truck owner, not just those on a budget.

Choose between black powder coat and Brite Tread finishes for the one that best suits your truck’s style.

Features:

Brite or black diamond plate aluminum
Narrow, standard, low profile, extra wide, and deep boxes
Locking paddle handles or push button options
Close cell foam to keep elements out
Dampened gas shocks for easy opening and closing
Crown lid for looks and strength
Made in the USA
Limited lifetime warranty (Brite)
Limited 3-year warranty (Black)

Best Low Profile Truck Tool Box: UWS Truck Bed Utility Chest

Pros	Cons
Durable aluminum construction Low-profile design for sleek appearance MicroSeal gasket for superior water resistance Simple installation Made in the USA	Protrudes into bed, reducing usable footprint

If you’re like me, you’d rather your truck’s toolbox be hidden from view in most instances. Rather than installing a visible crossover tool box, consider installing a chest-style box that sits below the bed rails, hidden from view.

The UWS truck bed utility chest is our top-selling chest-style tool box, featuring classic UWS alloy construction and durability in a sleek, stealthy form factor. Designed to fit inside your truck’s bed against the bulkhead, the UWS truck bed utility chest tucks neatly out of the way below your truck’s bed rails. However, since this box mounts on the bed floor, keep in mind that you’re essentially shortening your truck’s usable bed space by the width of the tool box.

Features:

Durable 0.058" diamond-plate aluminum construction
Designed to sit inside the truck bed against the back of the cab
MicroSeal gasket helps seal out moisture, dust, and dirt
Easy to install with pre-drilled mounting slots and included hardware
Multiple box sizes available
Limited lifetime warranty (1-year parts, 1-year finish)
Made in the USA

Best Plastic Tool Box: RealTruck UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox

Installing a black REAELTRUCK storage box in a truck bed.

Pros	Cons
Corrosion-resistant composite construction Weather-resistant design keeps cargo dry Easily removed and reinstalled Key-lockable lid Compatible with tonneau covers	Small cargo capacity compared to other tool box styles

The UnderCover Swing Case is the next generation of truck bed tool boxes. This innovative, composite tool box is engineered to fit between your truck’s wheel well and tailgate, utilizing previously unused space in the bed. Its unique design allows the UnderCover Swing Case to pivot 180 degrees out and over the tailgate, enabling easy access to tools, gear, and other small cargo.

With its robust plastic construction, locking lid, and weatherproof seal, this tool box protects your valuables from thieves and inclement weather. Due to the tool boxes' compact size and unique mounting location, the UnderCover Swing Case minimally intrudes on your truck’s bed, retaining maximum cargo space. If additional cargo space is needed, the Swing Case can be removed in seconds to make way for oversized items.

Features:

Rugged composite construction
Weather-resistant lid seal
Key-lockable rotary handle
Creates storage space in a frequently unused part of the bed
Keep clutter and small items out of your bed
Easy to remove and reinstall when extra bed space is needed
1-year warranty

Best Side Mount Tool Box: UWS Side Mount Truck Toolbox

Pros	Cons
Durable aluminum construction Easy cargo access without climbing into the bed MicroSeal gasket for superior water resistance Retains full use of your truck’s bed	Designed for functionality, not style Not compatible with tonneau covers

If functionality takes priority over style, such as with a work truck, a side-mount tool box is the right choice for your pickup. Side mount tool boxes mount to your pickup’s bed rails and feature an outward-facing door, allowing you to access your tools outside your truck’s bed.

One of the most popular side-mount tool boxes is the UWS side mount—a premium, all-aluminum truck tool box featuring rigid construction, a rugged diamond plate finish, and ample storage for your tools and supplies.

This tool box mounts to the side of your pickup's bed rail, leaving the entire length of your truck bed untouched, allowing you to carry full boards, sheets of plywood, sheetrock, or other oversized cargo without issue.

Features:

Available in various sizes
Heavy-duty .058" aluminum construction
MicroSeal door gasket
Key-lockable
Limited lifetime warranty

Best Tonneau-Cover-Compatible Tool Box: UWS Secure Lock Under-Tonneau Chest Box

Pros	Cons
Durable aluminum construction Compatible with tonneau covers MicroSeal gasket for superior water resistance	Protrudes into bed, reducing usable footprint

Trying to find a tool box that fits under a tonneau cover can be a challenge. Fortunately, UWS has you covered with their Secure Lock Under-Tonneau chest box, designed exclusively for use beneath a truck bed cover. The ultra-low-profile chest is made from robust diamond-plate aluminum for superior strength and durability. A MicroSeal gasket provides exceptional water resistance, while integrated locks safeguard your valuables against theft.

Use this tool box alongside a tonneau cover that offers 100-percent bed access, like the BAKFlip MX4 or TruXedo Lo Pro, to reap the benefits of both comprehensive bed protection and secure tool and gear storage.

Features:

A secure way to store your tools, equipment, or personal items
RidgeCore foam-filled lid to maximize strength
Heavy-duty .058" aluminum construction
MicroSeal door gasket
Limited lifetime warranty
Assembled in the USA

A new truck tool box can be a practical purchase for every truck. Make the right choice by reviewing each truck tool box and determining which one best fits your needs and budget.

For more help, browse our wide selection of tool boxes on our website.