Harbor Freight’s Viral $15 Toolbox Is Actually Way More Useful Than It Looks

Laughably small but ridiculously useful, this tiny tool chest turned out to be the EDC catchall I never knew I needed.

Small gray U.S. General metal toolbox with open top and drawer containing tools, pencils, and sunglasses on a concrete floor.

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I remember hearing about Harbor Freight’s mini toolbox when it first broke cover. I also remember thinking it was a joke.

Designed to match the retailer’s beloved lineup of U.S. General workbenches, roll cabs and top chests, the Mini Steel Toolbox is Harbor Freight’s take on a head-scratching trend also infiltrating Kobalt and Husky: comically small metal storage boxes with drawers and a top compartment, rather than a handle.

Gray U.S. General metal tool chest with two closed drawers on a concrete floor. — The Mini Steel Toolbox is Harbor Freight’s take on the tiny tool chest trend also taking over Kobalt and Husky at Lowe’s and Home Depot.

“Surely this is just some hair-brained scheme devised by Harbor Freight’s marketing department,” I thought when the Mini Steel Toolbox started to go viral in late 2024.

I was wrong.

Having come to face to face with the item on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Harbor Freight, I couldn’t resist the temptation to pick one up. Unlike countless other tools in my collection, it was $19 well-spent.

Gray U.S. General metal toolbox with open lid showing a two-dollar bill and yellow safety glasses. — Powder-coated steel? Check.

Out of pocket

For starters, the thing is laughably well-made for both its price and size. Like the broader U.S. General lineup, the Mini Steel Toolbox boasts a powder-coated steel exterior, with smooth ball-bearing drawers that snap shut with a magnetic locking mechanism.

There are precut liners to prevent stuff from sliding around.

Open drawer with a red Bic lighter, brass Zippo lighter, black binder clip, yellow and black tape measure, and Bosch digital device. — Like the larger U.S. General chests, the Mini Steel Toolbox features precut non-slip liners.

Importantly, though, it’s just downright useful, even though the lack of handle means it’s really not portable (unless placed on a mobile workstation).

Upon arrival in my garage, it instantly became a catchall for small objects that didn’t have a good home: knives, lighters, writing utensils or anything else that tends to pile up where it shouldn’t. It’d be an excellent solution for organizing nails and screws or small electronics in the office.

Drawer with a black Leatherman pouch, red Victorinox folding knife, red Milwaukee Fastback utility knife, and an orange multi-tool. — The Mini Steel Toolbox has become an excellent catchall for various odds and ends.

Gray U.S. General metal toolbox with open lid holding sunglasses, pencils, pens, and a drawer with multitools. — The box comes in half a dozen colors. Pictured: Slate Gray.

I got one in “Slate Gray” to match my full-sized U.S. General Roll Cab, but it also comes in red, blue and black, along with green and purple (new for 2025). Some of those are even on sale for $15 ahead of Black Friday.

It would be nice if it had a lock, maybe even a third drawer. But at that price, it’s hard to be disappointed.

I’m thinking about grabbing another. It might not be the last.

Harbor Freight

Harbor Freight U.S. General Mini Steel Toolbox

Starts at $15

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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