If you use your garage for storage, you probably need to organize plenty of items and equipment. Aside from having different shapes and sizes, these items can vary in weight. This means your garage storage setup should be strong enough to support heavy stuff for a long time. Metal shelves for garages can handle that job.
This article narrowed down all the market options into the best products. These are all tried and tested by many users and reviewed by our team to ensure quality. By reading this article, you’ll learn more about the top picks in the market. This will help you make better decisions in choosing the perfect unit for your needs.
7 Best Metal Garage Shelving Picks for 2024
1. Best Overall: DeWalt 3-Shelf Wire Industrial Storage Rack
This industrial storage rack from DeWalt is one of the best metal shelving units. It has a high weight capacity, which means it can hold even heavy objects without giving out or wobbling. The DeWalt storage rack has three large adjustable metal shelves made of powder-coated steel.
It’s easy to assemble, and the shelves are easily modified to accommodate larger objects. Your garage floor stays safe from harm because it has special feet of tough fiberglass-reinforced nylon. These feet make sure they won't scratch or damage the floor.
Specifications:
- Style: Freestanding
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 50 x 18 x 48 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 4,500 lbs (1,500 lbs each shelf)
Pros
- 2.35″ adjustability between shelves
- High weight capacity on each shelf
- Fiberglass-reinforced nylon feet
- Durable construction
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Assembly instructions may be hard to follow for some
- Can be a bit short in height
2. Best Portable: Seville Classics WEB690 5-Tier NSF Steel Shelving
Regarding metal shelves, Seville Classics always has some of the best. The 5-tier NSF Steel Shelving can come in different sizes, but the 36” x 18” model is the most popular. This metal wire shelving is both lightweight and sturdy. It's the best option if you're looking for the perfect metal shelving unit for storing items used in making food.
It has wheels, so it’s easy to move from one side of your garage to another. The wheels even come with locks so they would stay in place. Regarding load capacity, its steel-wire shelves can hold up to about 4,000 lbs in total.
Specifications:
- Style: Freestanding
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 36 x 18 x 72 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 4,000 lbs (800 lbs each shelf)
Pros
- Available in wider sizes
- Made from durable steel-wire construction
- Portable because of its wheels
- High weight capacity for each shelf
- Adjustable shelves
Cons
- Some customers mentioned how the wheels can affect the weight capacity
3. Best Wall-Mounted: SafeRacks Heavy-Duty Garage Wall Shelves 18" x 36"
Metal shelving units can also come as garage wall shelves. This SafeRacks Garage Wall Shelves is designed to use your wall space to hold items, from heavy tools to bulky items. Since it uses your wall space, you can also free up your floor space for more room for movement.
The two shelves feature a 4-degree rear tilt so your items don’t fall off the shelves when in use. But, aside from the shelves, this also comes with versatile deck hooks. You get four versatile deck hooks that you can use to hang other items, like tools, accessories, and small bags for extra organization.
Specifications:
- Style: Wall-Mounted
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 18 x 36 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 500 lbs (250 lbs each shelf)
Pros
- Good weight capacity for each shelf
- 4-degree tilt for items not to fall off
- Available in two color options
- It comes with versatile deck hooks for more storage
- Makes use of wall space, freeing up floor space
Cons
- It comes with two shelves only
4. Best Overhead: Fleximounts Overhead Garage Storage Rack
If you're tight on floor and wall spaces, you can maximize your garage space with an overhead shelf. The Fleximounts Overhead Storage Rack is your best option. It has a heavy-duty steel construction that allows it to support and hold up to 600 lbs.
With this, you can store seasonal items you rarely use, like holiday decorations or snow blowers. Additionally, it has an adjustable height to store awkwardly shaped items.
Specifications:
- Style: Ceiling-mounted, Overhead
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 96 x 48 x 22-40 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 600 lbs
Pros
- Good weight capacity
- Uses free overhead space, freeing up floor and wall space
- It has an adjustable height
- It offers a lot of storage space
Cons
- Installation can be challenging
5. Best Adjustable: SafeRacks 24" x 48" x 84" Adjustable Garage Shelving Wire Grid Rack
If you’re looking for a good adjustable shelving unit with many shelves for storage, the SafeRacks Adjustable Garage Shelving Rack is a good option. It’s made with powder-coated steel and has four shelves, each with a weight capacity of about 300 lbs.
The shelves are riveted, so the rack is easy and quick to assemble and clean. The wire grid design allows ventilation. It prevents dust accumulation in your items, keeping everything clean and protected. It’s also an all-steel rack, so its stability and durability is ensured.
Specifications:
- Style: Freestanding
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 24 x 48 x 84 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 1,200 lbs (300 lbs each shelf)
Pros
- Good weight capacity
- Easy-to-clean wire grid design
- Easy to assemble and adjust
- Available in two colors
- Industrial-strength steel construction
Cons
- Feet may scratch the garage floor
6. Best Heavy-Duty: Gladiator Heavy Duty Rack
This Gladiator Heavy-Duty Rack is the best option if you need a shelving unit for your most heavy items in the garage. This rack is made of four steel shelves, each with a weight capacity of 2,000 lbs. This means it can hold heavy and bulky items, not just simple tools and supplies.
It’s also easy to assemble since it has a tool-free snap and lock assembly. Although you can get this in a number of sizes, we’ll focus on the 60-inch long one. For more stability, metal support is added in the middle of each shelf.
Specifications:
- Style: Freestanding
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 60 x 18 x 72 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 8,000 lbs (2,000 lbs each shelf)
Pros
- Extremely high weight capacity
- Tool-free snap and lock assembly
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- NSF Certified safe for food storage
Cons
- Feet may scratch the garage floor
7. Best Modular: SafeRacks 18" x 48" x 72" Garage Storage Modular Shelves
For a more modular shelving unit, the best option is the SafeRacks Garage Storage Modular Shelves. It’s a heavy-duty unit as well that’s designed to maximize your storage space in the garage. It comprises five shelves with a weight capacity of 300 lbs each.
It’s made from durable steel construction with a 1/4" MDF deck board, so it’s extremely durable and long-lasting. You can also adjust the shelf height for a more flexible storage space. If you plan to add more units, you can change and organize these shelves into a more comprehensive storage system.
Specifications:
- Style: Freestanding
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 48 x 18 x 72 inches
- Total Weight Capacity: 1,500 lbs (300 lbs each shelf)
Pros
- Good weight capacity
- Modular design
- Adjustable shelf heights
- Easy to assemble
- Durable construction
Cons
- Wood-based shelving is not recommended for high-moisture environments
Conclusion
Metal garage shelving units are a durable storage system option, especially if you have bulky and heavy items in your garage. Designed with industry-grade materials, they’re made to support heavy loads and last long. Depending on your available space, you can get units for your floor, wall, and ceiling.
If you want to look at other shelving units, check out our garage shelving collection. We have different kinds of shelving systems you can choose from!