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The 7 Best File Cabinets to Buy in 2018
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    Small Business Office Setup

    The 7 Best File Cabinets to Buy in 2018

    Keep your papers organized and easily accessible

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    By Camryn Rabideau
    Updated April 18, 2018

    Every home office has paperwork that needs to be saved, from important receipts to appliance manuals and bills. If you’re currently keeping these papers in a drawer somewhere, it’s time you invested in a filing cabinet.

    Believe it or not, file cabinets don't have to be unsightly or expensive. You can find an attractive, efficient filing system that fits any budget, and there are many different styles available, from plain black metal cabinets to rustic wicker baskets.

    If you’ve been wanting to tidy up your home office or streamline your family’s paperwork, here are some of the best filing cabinets available right now, all of which will help you get organized.

  • Best Overall: Lorell 14341 18 Deep Two-Drawer File Cabinet
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    For a basic two-drawer vertical file cabinet that’s budget-friendly, you can’t go wrong with the Lorell 14341 2-Drawer File Cabinet. While it may not be the most stylish piece of furniture, this cabinet is spacious enough to house all your files and each drawer locks to keep sensitive information secure.

    This simple black filing cabinet is just over 24 inches tall, 14.5 inches wide and 18 inches deep. It features two drawers that are easy to open, thanks to their glide suspension. The Lorell cabinet has a handle on each drawer, as well as a lock, and there are tracks inside so you can use hanging files to easily sort paperwork.

    Reviewers have plenty of good things to say about this file cabinet, including that it’s lightweight, sturdy and efficient. Most users agree that this is a great purchase for a home office, and you can’t beat its reasonable price.

  • Best Stationery Drawers: DEVAISE Three-Drawer Mobile File Cabinet with Lock
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    While many file cabinets are designed to solely house paperwork, the DEVAISE Three-Drawer Mobile File Cabinet has additional storage where you can stash office supplies, stationery and more. This three-drawer unit is on the pricey side, but its solid metal construction and ample storage space make it a good investment for serious home offices.

    The DEVAISE File Cabinet is 24.6 inches tall, 15.7 inches wide and 19.7 inches deep. It comes fully assembled, save for its five wheels, which you have to install. The unit’s unique center wheel is designed to prevent the unit from tipping over, and reviewers say it is easy to move around.

    The cabinet has three drawers: one large file drawer that can hold letter-size hanging files, as well as two stationery drawers on top that include an organization tray and divider. All three drawers can be locked, making this filing cabinet a safe place to store sensitive paperwork.

  • 03
    Best Design: Threshold™ Avington File Cabinet

    Threshold™ Avington File Cabinet
    ••• Courtesy of Target

    If you’re looking for a file cabinet that’s as stylish as it is functional, you need the Threshold Avington File Cabinet from Target. The cute storage system has a beautiful dark wood finish that will make it look right at home in your office, and it boasts ample storage for paperwork, to boot.

    The Avington File Cabinet is 24.5 inches tall, 23.6 inches wide and 18 inches deep, and it’s made of a wood composite and finished in the color “dark tobacco.” The design looks more like a side table than a filing cabinet, as it features an open shelf over a spacious lower drawer. The metal-finished knob allows you to easily access the filing drawer, which fits standard letter-sized folders.

    Reviewers love the polished look of this filing cabinet, writing that it blends in nicely with their other decor. Many people do note, however, that the assembly for this unit is a bit time consuming, often taking more than an hour.

  • 04
    Best Budget: Two-Drawer Steel File Cabinet with Lock

    2-Drawer Steel File Cabinet with Lock, Black
    ••• Courtesy of Walmart

    Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for a low-quality file cabinet. The Two-Drawer Steel File Cabinet from Walmart is a wallet-friendly option that’s easy to operate and will get the job done if all you want to do is sort papers.

    This model is a standard two-drawer file cabinet that measures 26.5 inches tall, just over 16 inches wide and 20 inches deep. It’s made of metal and has a simple black finish, and each of its drawers has a built-in handle and lock. There are tracks inside the drawers to support hanging files, making it easy to keep your paperwork in order.

    According to reviews, this file cabinet is a very basic model, and while users love the affordable price, many note that it’s not the most sturdy piece of furniture. Several users also note that the locks are easy to pry open, so if you’re looking for a highly secure cabinet, this isn’t the best product for you.

  • 05
    Best High-End: Home Decorators Collection Oxford Chestnut File Cabinet

    Home Decorators Collection Oxford Chestnut File Cabinet
    ••• Courtesy of Home Depot

    The Home Decorators Collection Oxford Chestnut File Cabinet costs more than many other models, but this unit is a beautiful piece of furniture that you’ll be able to use for years to come. The wood cabinet boasts three drawers to accommodate all your files, as well as a lower shelf where you can stack books or baskets for additional storage.

    Once the Oxford Chestnut File Cabinet is fully assembled, it measures 30 inches high, 14 inches deep and 56 inches long. The credenza-style cabinet has three side-by-side drawers that fit both legal and letter size files, and each has a metal pull in a pewter finish. Below the drawers is a sturdy wooden shelf that allows for additional office storage.

    While this filing cabinet is more pricey, it makes up for its cost in a classic, luxe design and sturdy construction. Users note that the unit is easy to assemble and is a much more aesthetically pleasing option than traditional filing cabinets.

  • Best on Wheels: Lorell 17427 Three-Drawer Mobile File Cabinet
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    If you anticipate needing to move your filing cabinet at any point in time, it’s best to invest in a wheeled model, as they can get extremely heavy once filled. For an easy-to-move unit, you should look into the Lorell 17427 3-Drawer Mobile File Cabinet, a reasonably-priced model that has built-in wheels.

    As its name suggests, this black metal unit has three drawers, two for files and a top drawer for miscellaneous office supplies. The Lorell 17427 is almost 30 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 18 inches deep. The drawers have built-in handles and tracks to accommodate hanging files, and the top two drawers can be secured with the included key. As mentioned, this file cabinet has four wheels that are easy to roll, making it simple to transport this unit.

    Reviewers note that this product is lightweight and sturdy and that the wheels do a good job moving the cabinet around, even on carpet. Many people also say that the quality of the Lorell cabinet is great, especially considering the reasonable price.

  • Best Basket: BirdRock Home Seagrass Rolling File Cabinet
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    Those with more rustic tastes will appreciate this highly-rated basket-style file cabinet. The BirdRock Home Seagrass Rolling File Cabinet has a compact design and a woven exterior that makes it a nice addition to any home office.

    This unique file system is just 14 inches tall, 18 inches wide and 15 inches deep. It has four wheels attached to the bottom for easy transport, and the exterior is made to resemble a woven basket. The file cabinet features a hinged lid that allows easy access to all your files, which can hang on the built-in tracks inside the basket. This unit can accommodate both letter and legal-size files, making it a versatile option for your storage needs.

    Reviewers are impressed with how spacious and attractive the BirdRock Home Seagrass Rolling File Cabinet is, and many note that it’s an ideal storage solution for smaller spaces, since it doesn’t take up as much room as a vertical file cabinet.

  • Disclosure

    At The Balance SMB, our expert writers are committed to researching and writing thoughtful and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your life and your business. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn more about our review process.
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