The 9 Best File Cabinets of 2023
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Bet you'll never guess which one came out on top
Amazon
Fact checked by Emily Estep
Ever spend hours searching for that one important document? It might be time to seriously invest in a file cabinet. You know, that old school organizational wonder that neatly keeps your papers in one place. As professional organizer Shaniece Jones tells us, "The most important features of a file cabinet are the design, size, and function."
As you select a file cabinet, you'll need to consider how much paperwork you have to store and where you plan to keep the cabinet itself. We researched a number of filing cabinets of various dimensions and styles with all kinds of standout features, such as design, portability, and quality.
Best Overall: Poppin Stow 2-Drawer Rolling File Cabinet
The Poppin Stow Rolling File Cabinet is made of powder-coated steel and available in your choice of several colors.
What We Like
High-quality construction
Both drawers lock
360-degree locking casters
Generous return policy
What We Don't Like
Pricey for the size
Too small for some uses
The Poppin Stow Rolling File Cabinet, our Best Overall pick, is made of powder-coated steel and available in your choice of white, black, gray, or teal. This compact two-drawer unit is set up for hanging files, and each drawer extends all the way out for easy access without tipping over.
If you're looking for a secure cabinet, you'll be glad to know that both drawers on this model are lockable, and you'll get a set of two keys. We also like that this file cabinet has four caster wheels that glide smoothly, spin 360 degrees for easy transport, and lock into place to prevent the cabinet from rolling away.
Good news: The Stow arrives fully assembled. And if you order it from Poppin, you can take advantage of the brand's white-glove delivery service and generous 120-day return policy. While the price is steep for the size, there's no denying the high-quality construction.
Price at time of publish: $379
Dimensions: 25 x 15.75 x 20 inches | Material: Powder-coated steel | Color: White, black, gray, teal | Drawers: 2 | Wheels: Yes | Lockable: Yes
Best Budget: Hirsh Space Solutions 2-Drawer Steel Filing Cabinet with Lock
If you're in need of something more wallet-friendly, consider the Hirsch Space Solutions Filing Cabinet.
What We Like
Both drawers lock
Anti-tip design
Available in several colors
What We Don't Like
Doesn't roll
If you're in need of something more wallet-friendly, consider the Hirsch Space Solutions Filing Cabinet, our Best Budget option. Made of steel, this cabinet is available in several color options, including black, green, purple, and yellow. It has two lockable drawers that accommodate letter-size hanging file folders. The drawers extend three-quarters of the way out to prevent tipping.
We wouldn't necessarily call this unit cheap, but you won't find many locking filing cabinets under $100 unless you're open to an open box-style filing system. And while rolling casters would be nice, the design features are about right for the price.
Price at time of publish: $99
Dimensions: 24.5 x 14.25 x 18 inches | Material: Painted steel | Color: Black, white, yellow, gray, green, purple | Drawers: 2 | Wheels: No | Lockable: Yes
Best with Wheels: Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve File Cabinet
If wheels are a must-have for your file cabinet, the Laura Stockpile Curve is an excellent option.
Buy at Lauradavidsondirect.com
What We Like
Available in 19 colors
Three lockable drawers
Arrives fully assembled
Sleek design
What We Don't Like
Only one hanging file drawer
Pricey for the size
If wheels are a must-have for your file cabinet, consider the Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve, our Best with Wheels pick. Available in over a dozen colorways, this file cabinet has smooth caster wheels, which make it easy to roll around your home, whether you place it in your office or under a desk. This model has a sleek look that would look great in any workspace, but when it comes to filing cabinet placement in general, "another option would be in a closet where it would be out of sight," says Jones.
This file cabinet features one large drawer for letter-size hanging folders, plus two smaller drawers for other important items you want to keep secure. This means that it might not have enough room for all your files if you need two drawers' worth of space. On the plus side, all three drawers are lockable. Laura Davidson offers a two-year warranty on the file cabinet, as well.
Price at time of publish: $230
Dimensions: 24 x 15.75 x 20 inches | Material: Powder-coated steel | Color: 19 colors available | Drawers: 3 | Wheels: Yes | Lockable: Yes
Best Extra-Large: Stani 4 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock
The Stani File Cabinet is a great option if you need more space to store your paperwork.
What We Like
Wide, lockable drawers
Drawers open and close smoothly
Anti-tip system
Recessed handles
What We Don't Like
Assembly required
Cumbersome to move
Need something bigger for storing your paper documents? The Stani File Cabinet might be your best bet. It's made of sturdy steel and features four wide drawers, each lockable with ball-bearing suspension for smooth, quiet opening and closing. Plus, when one drawer opens, the others lock to prevent tipping.
Recessed handles give this file cabinet a streamlined appearance, and it also features card slots on the front to add labels. We should note this unit has to be assembled at home. Also, it's 140 pounds when empty—so you'll want to set it up in the room where you plan to keep it, as it'll be more of a hassle to move than smaller models or ones with wheels.
Price at time of publish: $260
Dimensions: 35.4 x 17.7 x 51.9 inches | Material: Steel | Color: Black, white | Drawers: 4 | Wheels: No | Lockable: Yes
The 9 Best Desk Organizers of 2023
Best Vertical: Ebern Designs Cavitt 14.25-Inch-Wide 4-Drawer Steel Vertical Filing Cabinet
What We Like
Small footprint
Tip-resistant
Arrives fully assembled
Chic details
What We Don't Like
Only two drawers lock
Steel on thinner side
"Vertical file cabinets are a great way to store files without taking up too much floor space," says Pia Thompson, professional home organizer and founder of Sweet Digs. Luckily, we spotted the Ebern Designs Cavitt Cabinet, which packs a lot of storage space into a small footprint. Measuring just 14 inches wide, it features four drawers that accommodate letter-size hanging file folders. You can snag the file cabinet in one of two neutrals—black or ivory. Each drawer features a chic shaker-cabinet-style front with a metal pull handle.
Only two of the drawers lock, and they don't extend all the way out, but this is by design to prevent tipping. We read some reports that the steel is on the thinner side and might be more easily dented than heavy-duty file cabinets, so this might be most appropriate for light home use, rather than a busy office setting. However, the filing cabinet arrives fully assembled, and considering the size, it's a decent value for the $200 range.
Price at time of publish: $214
Dimensions: 46.38 x 14.25 x 18 inches | Material: Powder-coated steel | Color: Black, pearl white | Drawers: 4 | Wheels: No | Lockable: Yes
Best for Small Spaces: BirdRock Home Rolling File Cabinet with 1 Lateral Drawer
The BirdRock Home Rolling Cabinet is ideal if you're short on space and need something more compact.
What We Like
Compact
Stackable
Easy to move
Fits letter- or legal-size folders
What We Don't Like
Doesn't lock
Assembly required
Less durable
If you're short on space and need something more compact, the BirdRock Home Rolling Cabinet might be just the thing. It measures about 14 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 16.5 inches deep, with a single drawer for hanging letter- or legal-size file folders, depending on the direction you hang them.
Featuring a metal and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) frame and fabric-covered drawer, this unit comes in a dark driftwood gray or white with a gray drawer. The caster wheels make it easy to move around your space. Plus, if you ever need more storage, you can buy additional cabinets and stack them together—the divots on the top of the cabinet will keep them in place. Just keep in mind that the drawer won't be the most durable option available, and since it doesn't lock, it isn't the most secure either.
Price at time of publish: $50
Dimensions: 13.8 x 14.25 x 16.4 inches | Material: Metal, MDF, fabric | Color: Dark gray, white | Drawers: 1 | Wheels: Yes | Lockable: No
Best Under-Desk: Branch Small Filing Cabinet
Measuring just 20 x 20 x 12 inches, the compact Branch Small Filing Cabinet fits nicely under a desk.
What We Like
Compact
Caster wheels
Minimalist-modern design
What We Don't Like
Pricey for the size
Another option is to place your file cabinet under your desk for easy access while keeping it out of the way. Measuring just 12 inches wide, the compact Branch Small Filing Cabinet is perfect for this purpose. While small in size, the powder-coated steel cabinet packs a real design punch with curved edges and a minimalist-modern silhouette.
The larger of the two lockable drawers can fit letter- or legal-size file folders. This unit has caster wheels, allowing you to pull it out and move it around your space as needed. It's a little pricey for the size, but you can count on premium quality.
Price at time of publish: $239
Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 20 inches | Material: Powder-coated steel | Color: White, gray, black | Drawers: 2 | Wheels: Yes | Lockable: Yes
Best Three-Drawer: Inbox Zero 15'-Inch-Wide 3-Drawer Steel Vertical Filing Cabinet
What We Like
Ball-bearing suspension
Sturdy and durable
Arrives fully assembled
What We Don't Like
Basic design
Doesn't roll
If you're in the market for a three-drawer vertical cabinet, consider the Inbox Zero 3-Drawer Vertical Filing Cabinet. All three drawers can be locked simultaneously, and they each feature ball-bearing suspension, extending 80 percent of the way to prevent tipping. The drawers even feature follower wires, which you can adjust to ensure your files stay upright and don't bend.
This filing cabinet is constructed primarily from steel, and 28 percent of the materials used are recycled. It doesn't roll, and the design is relatively basic. But it's nice and sturdy, arrives fully assembled, and definitely gets the job done for those who need a mid-size unit.
Price at time of publish: $270
Dimensions: 40.19 x 15 x 22 inches | Material: Steel | Color: Black, gray, beige | Drawers: 3 | Wheels: No | Lockable: Yes
Best Fireproof: FireKing Turtle Series Fireproof 2-Drawer Vertical File
The FireKing Turtle Series Fireproof 2-Drawer Vertical File is UL-listed to withstand temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit for a full hour.
What We Like
UL-listed for fire protection
Resists crushing
Four-pin key lock
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Utilitarian look
"Fireproof file storage cabinets work as a solution for those who have documents that need extra protection, such as for historical documents," says Thompson. The FireKing Turtle Series Fireproof 2-Drawer Vertical File is UL-listed to withstand temperatures as hot as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit for a full hour.
It's also designed to resist crushing from a 30-foot drop or a collapsing ceiling. With two drawers and a four-pin key lock, it doubles as a fireproof safe. This file cabinet is one of the most expensive options we found, but it might be worth investing in for peace of mind in the event of an emergency, especially for storing irreplaceable or otherwise priceless items.
Price at time of publish: $872
Dimensions: 27.75 x 17.75 x 22.12 inches | Material: Steel | Color: Beige | Drawers: 2 | Wheels: No | Lockable: Yes
Read Next: The 8 Best Fireproof Safes of 2023
Final Verdict
Our Best Overall is the Poppin Stow 2-Drawer Rolling File Cabinet. It boasts high-quality construction, dual locking drawers, and 360-degree caster wheels. Plus, it arrives fully assembled with white-glove delivery. For our Best Budget, we recommend the Hirsh Space Solutions 2-Drawer Filing Cabinet, which has two lockable drawers and an anti-tip design.
What to Look for in a File Cabinet
Type, Size, and Organization Options
The different types of filing cabinets mainly vary in terms of size. "The dimensions/size of the cabinet is an important feature to consider because that will depend on the size files you plan to store in the cabinets," says professional organizer Shaniece Jones. You should also consider where you plan to store the file cabinet. There are compact one- and two-drawer units that can be tucked into a closet or beneath a work surface, like our Best Under-Desk pick, the Branch Small Filing Cabinet. If you have more space for a larger file cabinet, consider snagging a large lateral system with wide drawers or a vertical cabinet that's tall and narrow, like our Best Vertical choice, the Ebern Designs Cavitt Cabinet.
Material and Color
You'll also want to pay attention to the material. Most filing cabinets are made of steel, which is generally strong, water-resistant, and long-lasting. Many feature a powder coating, which makes for a smooth, nonporous surface while giving you more color options, as is the case with the Laura Stockpile Curve File Cabinet, our Best with Wheels pick. Jones explains that your file cabinet "shouldn't be an item that stands alone or places a sore thumb in your space."
Portability
According to professional home organizer and founder of Sweet Digs Pia Thompson, "Mobile file cabinets…serve as portable file systems because of the convenient wheels that allow you to easily transport them from room to room." Not all models have caster wheels, but this can be a great feature in our book because file cabinets can get heavy when full.
Locking and Security
"Having a cabinet with a lock or one that is fireproof can provide security around your important papers," says Thompson. When browsing lockable units, check how many of the drawers lock, as some are only partially lockable. For instance, both drawers on the Poppin Stow 2-Drawer File Cabinet, our Best Overall, lock with a single key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different filing cabinet styles?
Thompson says the main styles include horizontal, vertical, mobile, and fireproof. "Horizontal file cabinets provide a filing system wide enough to accommodate both letter- and legal-size papers," she notes. "They tend to have wide, deep drawers that don't extend very far." Vertical units, on the other hand, stand taller and narrower, with a smaller footprint on your floors.
"Also, consider a cabinet that comes in a variety of colors that fits in with your decor and feels good in your home," Thompson adds. "That will encourage you to use it without adding to your visual clutter."
What's the difference between legal- and letter-size file cabinets?
A letter-size file cabinet can fit letter-size hanging files, meaning the documents measure 8.5 by 11 inches, and the folders they go in measure roughly 9.5 by 12 inches. A legal-size filing cabinet accommodates legal-size hanging files. These documents are longer (8.5 by 14 inches), and the folders are bigger (about 9.5 by 15 inches), too.
Are metal file cabinets fireproof?
Metal file cabinets aren't necessarily fireproof. Steel has some inherent resistance to fire, meaning it'll hold up longer than other materials in flames and high temperatures. But to ensure full protection of your paperwork and other important items in the event of an emergency, you'll want to get a file cabinet that's UL-listed for fire resistance.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is an experienced commerce writer and product tester specializing in home improvement, remote work, and lifestyle topics. For this story, she interviewed Shaniece Jones, a professional organizer specializing in storage solutions, and home organizer Pia Thompson of Sweet Digs. With their expert insights in mind, Holland researched today's best filing cabinets, narrowing it down to units that stood out in terms of durability, versatility, portability, security, and aesthetic appeal.
