Another great benefit to picking the best outdoor storage box is that they can be used to store patio furniture cushions when not in use, preserving upholstery life spans potentially by years and keeping them clean and dry in between uses. After all, you don’t want your guests to sit on cushions that have been soiled by birds, rain, pollen, or other outdoor issues.
Best overall: Suncast Resin Wicker Patio Outdoor Storage ContainerBest storage bench: Keter Eden Storage Bench Deck BoxBest storage shed: Rubbermaid Storage ShedBest bike storage: The YardStash IV Outdoor Storage Shed TentBest budget: Keter Marvel Plus Resin Outdoor Storage Box
How we selected the best outdoor storage boxes
We sorted through 50 of the top-rated outdoor storage boxes to select these top five. Between all the products, we compared prices, materials, capacity, brand, and reviews to find those that stood out from the pack. Our picks range from functional storage boxes that double as benches to storage tents that fit tight spaces, as no two storage needs are the same. These final picks are built to last through any inclement weather and keep your goods safe and secure all year long.
Best overall: Suncast Resin Wicker Patio Outdoor Storage Container
Why it made the cut: This large capacity pick can hold any variety of yard toys, patio cushions, or gardening tools—and will outlast inclement weather. Specs:
Material: ResinDimensions: 50 x 25.2 x 25.2 inchesCapacity: 99 gallons
Pros
Durable to weatherLarge capacityWarp-resistant
Cons
Assembly can be challenging
This large deck storage box has a rounded top that’s less likely than others to warp in the heat (a common problem with outdoor storage boxes), so the cover stays put solidly and keeps contents dry. It has a hinged top and space for a lock (though the lock isn’t included) and measures 50 inches x 25.5 inches x 25.5 inches. The dark brown wicker design has many matching pieces, so you can also buy the brand’s outdoor garbage bin, dining chairs or benches, hose reel, or other variations of storage boxes if you want your decor to match.
Best storage bench: Keter Eden Storage Bench Deck Box
Why it made the cut: This pick allows you to save space while providing seating—and is durable enough to sit outside all year long. Specs:
Material: Resin, woodDimensions: 54.6 x 23.4 x 32.8 inchesCapacity: 70 gallon
Pros
Bench includedAffordable priceEasy assembly
Cons
No lateral supports on the middle of the bench
This outdoor storage bench is no slouch: It holds 70 gallons, which can translate to barbeque tools, gardening hand tools, cushions, sports equipment, or many other items. It’s made of resin with a wood-grain appearance and comes in three color combinations. You can add a cushion to the outdoor storage bench seat to make it more comfortable, and there’s a place for a lock.
Best storage shed: Rubbermaid Storage Shed
Why it made the cut: If you’re looking for a no-frills pick with great capacity, this shed-style option can store larger items year-round. Specs:
Material: Resin, plasticDimensions: 28 x 55 x 77 inchesCapacity:
Pros
Large capacityWeather resistantDouble-walled construction
Cons
May warp over time
Snow shovels, garden shovels, rakes, hoes, weed trimmers, and similar tools are generally too big to fit into deck boxes—not to mention that they don’t store well piled up horizontally. At 5 feet by two feet, this type of outdoor storage shed is tall enough to hang them on hooks underneath the sandalwood/onyx roof so they don’t get damaged or rusty and are always easy to reach. You can also add shelving.
Best bike storage: The YardStash IV Outdoor Storage Shed Tent
Why it made the cut: While this pick might be built like a tent, its heavyweight fabric seals out water and weather, making it a great place to store bikes or gardening supplies even in winter conditions. Specs:
Material: VinylDimensions: 74 x 32 x 68 inchesWeight: 18 pounds
Pros
Easy to moveAffordable optionSpace-saving
Cons
May require two people to set up
If you’re looking for outdoor bike storage you can set up, take down and move around easily, this heavy-duty vinyl tent may be your thing: it’s ready without tools in 10 minutes, and is made to hold two adult bikes with some room leftover. It’s meant to be fully waterproof and pest-proof, and you can use this outdoor bike storage all four seasons (the roof is made to deflect snow and rain).
Best budget: Keter Marvel Plus Resin Outdoor Storage Box
Why it made the cut: Great option for slimmer, lower storage. Specs:
Material: ResinDimensions: 17.4 x 45.9 x 22.2 inchesCapacity: 71 gallons
Pros
Affordable priceSleek designEasy assembly
Cons
Not as durable as other options
When you’re looking for a budget outdoor storage box, you’re not going to get some of the durability or special features of the higher-end ones: this one has no hydraulics or strap to help open and close the lid, and some reviewers describe it as more flimsy. But overall, it’s still a bargain for a large (71-gallon capacity) storage box that’s simple to assemble. Dark brown and plastic, it matches many other brands’ outdoor products and also provides limited seating.
What to consider when shopping for outdoor storage boxes
As great as an outdoor storage bin can be, it’s not always without problems. One common issue is in assembly: resin patio storage boxes often snap together in a certain way, and if you assemble the pieces incorrectly, it can be very difficult to separate them again without causing irreparable damage (this is also not generally covered under manufacturer warranties). If you have any doubts at all about any included assembly instructions, be sure you check the manufacturer’s website or YouTube for an instructional video or call the manufacturer for more specific advice. Trying to take apart pieces that have been snapped together can break connections or crack or weaken the plastic. Another concern is wind: If you don’t use some kind of lock or carabiner to keep a patio storage box closed, a heavy wind can not only lift the top and expose the contents to the weather, but it may even rip the top off its hinges, which can also be an irreparable problem. Be sure to choose a storage box that you can close securely so it won’t fall apart in the first storm of the season. A lock is also a necessity if you’re storing any kind of valuable equipment, like bikes or snowblowers, or you may become an easy target for thieves in the area. Some patio storage boxes and storage sheds have problems with roof warping. If a roof warps upwards at the ends, it can leave gaps that aren’t just unsightly, but also leave the items inside unprotected from moisture and bugs. Even without a warped roof, though, most outdoor storage bins are not entirely bugproof. Most are made to be waterproof or at least water-resistant, but any sort of ventilation or gap between the lid and bottom, or under or between the doors, could be enough for a variety of critters from carpenter ants to spiders. If this is an issue, you might want to use a deterrent, such as boric acid or diatomaceous earth sprinkled around the outdoor storage box, or move the box to a spot that’s away from foliage and less likely to attract bugs. With those considerations in mind, here are our selections for the best outdoor storage box for every situation.
The best outdoor storage box for larger items
Outdoor storage bins are great not only for typical backyard items, but also for other items that you might store in the front or side of your house: trash bins, recycling bins, bicycles, a snowblower, large tools (such as shovels and rakes), holiday lawn decorations, scooters, and so on. Storing trash and recycling bins is a bonus in many ways: it keeps your front property neater and adds curb appeal; it protects your bins from weathering and becoming projectiles in a storm; and it enables you to put your garbage or recycling outside a bit early so it doesn’t stink up your house, without worrying about creatures getting into it and strewing it all over your lawn. There are specialized outdoor storage sheds sized just right for all kinds of purposes—ones that are wide and mid-height meant specifically as outdoor bike storage and others that are tall and narrow for full-size tools. You can often attach tall storage units to the outside walls of your house. While most well-made storage boxes like this aren’t inexpensive, they can make your life easier and protect your investments. Bike storage sheds and trash storage sheds are meant to be easy to wheel in and out of, so the front doors swing open rather than just the tops opening like deck storage boxes. You may also use a storage tent with vinyl sides rather than traditional plastic or wood outdoor storage container. There are also outdoor storage benches designed with seating in mind.
The final word on the best outdoor storage boxes
You’ll have to assess your storage needs to figure out the best outdoor storage box (or boxes) for your yard: measure any cushions to make sure you’re getting a big enough outdoor storage bin, and put together anything else you’re looking to store so you can get a better idea of the dimensions you’ll need. From there, it’s a matter of deciding what kind of look you like, how handy you are in putting things together, and what kind of budget you have. The best outdoor storage box should last you many years.
