First flat or a gift
You want a light case for small household jobs, with your eyes open about trays that spill. The Sundpey case is 4.94 kg at about £49.99. It is the wrong kit for daily trade use or for tools that must stay in their slots.
Tool chest with tools comparison 2026
The best tool chests with tools, compared.
Top pick: Sealey 16-drawer combination Best value: Sundpey 281-piece case – About £49.99 at 4.94 kg, with 4.3 from 1,086 reviews, for light household jobs, with tools falling out of the slots kept in the score. Updated October 2026.
A tool chest with tools means storage and a hand-tool kit sold together. Empty cabinets from the same amazon.co.uk search are not in this set. Four listings remain: 16-drawer combination, aluminium case, plastic case, and a trolley box. A top chest sits on a bench, a rollcab is a floor cabinet on castors, a combination stacks those parts, and a carry case is not a chest. Judge a row by the named sockets and spanners, whether the tools stay seated, and whether the weight fits the space. Screws, bits, and cable ties inflate a headline number. The [garage or carry-case guide](/hub/tool-accessories/tool-chest-with-tools/sub/tool-chest-with-tools-garage-or-carry-case) sets out when a floor stack is the right object and when a case you can lift is enough. Sealey is the workshop combination: a five-drawer top chest, a three-drawer mid-box and an eight-drawer rollcab, 16 drawers on ball-bearing slides, drawers, double-skin walls, a key lock and two locking castors.
A tool chest with tools means storage and a hand-tool kit sold together. Empty cabinets from the same amazon.co.uk search are not in this set.
14 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
4 of 4: Best tool chests with tools compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 4Best overall
Best value
6.0/10
8.2/10
7.0/10
6.6/10
∼ £1,181
∼ £226
∼ £50
∼ £100
5.0(1)
4.6(926)
4.3(1,086)
4.3(776)
Personal buying guide
Which tool chest with tools fits?
Question 1 of 2
Where will the tools live?
The best tool chests with tools in detail
Our view
The Sealey AP35TBCOMBO is a fixed workshop system: 16 ball-bearing drawers, a key lock and two locking castors hold a stated 398-piece tray kit in a cabinet 163 cm high. At 96.4 kg, with assembly required, it needs a measured floor position and planned handling. The listing also conflicts with itself by naming 420 pieces in one line, so confirm the supplied trays before ordering. The material table says metal, polycarbonate and rubberwood, while the bullets say double-skin enamel walls. Its 5.0 Amazon rating comes from only one review and there is no stored review text, which is not a crowd verdict. At about £1,180.92 it suits a permanent garage where the dimensions and the lock matter more than portability.
Pros
- 16 drawers on ball-bearing slides
- Key lock and two locking castors
- Stated 398-piece kit in Siegen-sized trays
Cons
- 96.4 kg and 163 cm, assembly required
- Listing conflicts between 398 and 420 pieces
- 5.0 from one review, with no review text
Best for: A fixed garage with room for a 163 cm, 96.4 kg lockable drawer stack.
Less suitable: Carrying between jobs, small homes, or buyers who need a large review sample.
Specifications
- Model
- Sealey 16-drawer combination
- Brand
- Sealey
- Price
- ∼£1,181
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(1)
- Object type
- 16-drawer combination
- Piece count
- 398; one line says 420
- Fasteners
- Sizes not listed
- Lock
- Key lock
- Wheels
- 2 locking castors
- Drawers
- 16 ball-bearing
- Weight
- 96.4 kg
- Warranty
- 2 years
- Case size
- 33 × 68 × 163 cm
- Material
- Enamel; polycarbonate too
Common questions
Does it come with a lock?
Yes. The special feature is lockable and the lock type is key. Two of the four castors also lock.
Is it made of steel?
The material attribute says metal, polycarbonate and rubberwood. The bullets say double-skin walls and a hi-gloss triple baked enamel. No steel grade or gauge is printed.
Can the drawers be removed?
The listing does not say. The slides are ball-bearing, and the drawers are sized for Siegen tool trays. Assembly is required.
Our view
The Stanley case provides a clearly named 142-piece metric kit, including 8–19 mm combination spanners and two 72-tooth ratchets, for home and garage maintenance. Its aluminium case and recessed tool positions make the set easier to inspect than listings that publish only a headline piece count. A 4.6 rating from 926 reviews gives the comments on coverage and build a large owner base. At 12.4 kg, with no wheels stated, it is heavy to carry any distance. Reviews also identify weaker items such as the plastic snap-off knife and screwdrivers, alongside isolated reports of rust, a hinge failure, and imperial hex keys arriving against the metric list. It is the strongest match here when you want disclosed fastener sizes and can accept the weight.
Pros
- Named sockets and spanners for everyday jobs
- Aluminium case, lid stays open
- Recessed slots, tools easier to lift
- 926 reviews for house and workshop use
Cons
- Heavy to carry any distance
- Snap-off knife and screwdrivers called cheap
- One set arrived with imperial hex keys
Best for: Home and garage maintenance where you can lift 12.4 kg and want named metric sizes.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs wheels, or a case light enough to carry far.
Specifications
- Model
- Stanley 142-piece case
- Brand
- Stanley
- Price
- ∼£226
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(926)
- Object type
- Aluminium carry case
- Piece count
- 142
- Fasteners
- Spanners 8–19 mm
- Lock
- Latches
- Wheels
- None stated
- Drawers
- Four layers
- Weight
- 12.4 kg
- Warranty
- 2 years
- Case size
- 47.5 × 37.5 × 17.5 cm
- Material
- Aluminium case
Common questions
What tools are included?
The bullets name pliers, a 250 mm adjustable wrench, a 229 mm level, a 5 m tape, hex keys from 1.5 mm to 10 mm, screwdrivers, a 300 mm hacksaw, a 300 g hammer, half-inch sockets from 10 mm to 32 mm with gaps, combination spanners from 8 mm to 19 mm, two 72-tooth ratchets, extensions and a 61-piece bit set.
Is it easy to carry?
The bullets say a lightweight aluminium case with a folding handle. The item weight is 12.4 kg, and the maximum weight recommendation is 11 kg. Reviews call it heavy to carry any distance. No wheels are stated.
Can it be used for DIY projects?
The bullets say garage projects, construction tasks and home repairs. The electrician screwdriver has no voltage rating in the listing. Do not treat it as rated for live UK mains.
Our view
At 4.94 kg, the Sundpey case is easy to store and move for small household jobs, a first flat or an occasional repair. Its 281-piece headline needs context because 134 of those pieces are wood screws, while the socket and spanner sizes are not listed. Reviewers often describe the set as useful for beginners and good value at £49.99. The recurring weakness is the moulded case: tools can fall from their slots, and some buyers report weak handles, a cheap hammer or level, missing pieces and a case that would not close. That makes it a practical low-cost starter rather than a dependable daily work kit.
Pros
- Fine for small household jobs
- About £49.99, called good value
- 4.94 kg, bought as a gift
- 1,086 reviews for occasional repairs
Cons
- Tools fall out of the moulded slots
- Quality called too light for work use
- Missing hex key; a case would not close
Best for: Light household jobs and a first kit you can carry at 4.94 kg.
Less suitable: Daily trade use, or anyone who needs tools to stay in the slots.
Specifications
- Model
- Sundpey 281-piece case
- Brand
- Sundpey
- Price
- ∼£50
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(1,086)
- Object type
- Plastic carry case
- Piece count
- 281, incl. 134 screws
- Fasteners
- Sizes not listed
- Wheels
- None stated
- Drawers
- Moulded slots
- Weight
- 4.94 kg
- Warranty
- 12 months
- Case size
- 41 × 9.5 × 33.5 cm
- Material
- Alloy steel tools
Common questions
What tools are included?
The included-components line names a claw hammer, level, tape measure, hex keys, wire stripper, screwdrivers, water-pump pliers, a ratchet, an adjustable wrench, five combination wrenches, further pliers, bits, a 134-piece wood-screw assortment and cable ties. Socket sizes in millimetres are not listed.
Is it portable?
Yes. The title says portable and the bullets say the case is easy to carry. The listed weight is 4.94 kg. No wheels are stated.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A plastic case with moulded compartments, 41 × 9.5 × 33.5 cm. Stored reviews often say the tools fall out of those slots.
Our view
The Amazing Tour trolley puts a wide household assortment into a wheeled, four-compartment case, which reviewers find handy for light jobs and starter use. Its listed weight is inconsistent at 12.5 kg in one field and 14.6 kg in the bullets, so the wheels matter more than the word portable. The larger problem is that the title claims 810 pieces while the item count says 718, and the socket and spanner sizes are not stated. Neither figure is a count of spanners. Reviews mention useful variety and value, but also weak or marked cases, missing pieces and a handle failure. Some stored reviews describe a different kit, which limits how far the 4.3-star average can be applied to this trolley.
Pros
- Wide selection for household DIY
- Wheeled case, handy to pull
- Called adequate for light occasional jobs
Cons
- Case called weak, scratched or already used
- Missing pieces, including an adjustable spanner
- Title says 810; item count says 718
Best for: Occasional home and garage jobs if you can accept the 810 versus 718 clash.
Less suitable: Professional daily use, or anyone who needs the case to survive a hard lift.
Specifications
- Model
- Amazing Tour trolley box
- Brand
- Amazing Tour
- Price
- ∼£100
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(776)
- Object type
- Trolley tool box
- Piece count
- 810 title; 718 items
- Fasteners
- Sizes not listed
- Wheels
- Castors
- Drawers
- 4 compartments
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
- Warranty
- No term stated
- Case size
- 45 × 36 × 17 cm
- Material
- Carbon steel
Common questions
What materials is this made of?
The attribute and the bullet say carbon steel, and the colour is black. The case material is not named in the attributes.
Is it portable?
The title and the highlight say a portable tool case with wheels. Item weight is 12.5 kg and the bullet weight is 14.6 kg. The maximum weight recommendation is 13 kg.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A trolley tool box, 45 × 36 × 17 cm, with four compartments. A key lock is not in the attributes.
How we compared
Shelf prices, stars, and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures stored for these four filled listings. Empty cabinets from the same search were left out. The editorial score is a 0–100 figure from those stars, damped by faults in the stored reviews and by a review count of one. Price does not set the score. It is not a laboratory test and not a British Standard.
1
Object type
15%A top chest, a rollcab, a combination, and a carry case are different objects. A row is scored for saying which one it is, not for using chest in the title.
2
Named contents
25%Sockets and spanners that are named score higher than a piece count padded with screws, bits, and cable ties.
3
Fastener sizes
20%Metric combination spanners through 19 mm, and a half-inch socket that includes 17 mm and 19 mm, matter more here than an extra bit set.
4
Weight and brakes
15%Footprint, listed weight, and whether castors lock. A 96.4 kg stack is not scored as if it were a case you can carry.
5
Review pattern
25%Stars are damped when the same fault repeats, when the listing disagrees with itself, and when the count is one review with no text.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Tool chest with tools buying guide
Start with the object, then the named contents, then the fasteners you actually turn, then the weight. A star rating does not tell you those four. The four listings below are amazon.co.uk pages, with the prices and review counts stored for this comparison. A carry case, a trolley box, and a 163 cm combination are not the same purchase. Treat 810, 420, and a single 5.0 star as clashes to check, not as proof.
What is a tool chest with tools?
A tool chest with tools is storage sold with the hand tools already in it. This comparison keeps only filled listings. Sealey AP35TBCOMBO is the workshop combination: a five-drawer top chest, a three-drawer mid-box and an eight-drawer rollcab, 16 drawers on ball-bearing slides, Siegen-sized drawers, double-skin walls, a key lock and two locking castors. The amazon.co.uk price is about £1,180.92. Sealey’s own page showed £1,199.94 including VAT.
Best for
- A first flat or a gift, if a light case is enough and spilling trays are acceptable
- Home and garage maintenance when you can lift about 12 kg and want named metric sizes
- A fixed workshop with floor space and height for a lockable drawer stack
Not ideal for
- Daily trade use that needs tools to stay seated in a cheap moulded case
- Anyone who must solo-lift a 96.4 kg, 163 cm combination
- Live UK mains work. No screwdriver here has a stated voltage rating
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Reading 810 as 810 spanners
The Amazing Tour title says 810 pieces and the item count says 718. Neither figure is a spanner count, and socket sizes are not listed. Sundpey’s 281 includes 134 wood screws. Stanley’s 142 is the row that prints sockets, spanners, and two ratchet drives.
- 2
Assuming every result is a rollcab
Only the Sealey combination is a 16-drawer floor stack, 33 × 68 × 163 cm. Stanley and Sundpey are carry cases. Amazing Tour is a trolley box. Skipping the height is how a 96.4 kg cabinet gets ordered for a flat.
- 3
Judging Sealey by one star
The amazon.co.uk line is 5.0 from one review, with no review text in this file. That is not a crowd verdict. One model line says 420 pieces against 398 in the title. Confirm the trays, and do not use any screwdriver in these kits on live mains.
What to weigh up
Object type and named contents
HighSay which object the row is before you compare piece counts. A top chest sits on a bench. A rollcab is a floor cabinet on castors. A combination stacks them. A carry case is not a chest. In this set the Sealey AP35TBCOMBO is the combination: five-drawer top, three-drawer mid-box, eight-drawer rollcab, Siegen-sized drawers, double-skin walls and ball-bearing slides. Stanley STMT98109-1 and Sundpey UK-281-R are carry cases. Amazing Tour TL186 is a trolley box with four compartments.
Fasteners, weight and the review sample
HighFor UK cars and furniture, metric combination spanners through 19 mm and a half-inch socket that includes 17 mm and 19 mm matter more than an extra bit set. Stanley is the only listing here that prints that spanner range. The other three name a kit and leave the millimetre steps off the page. Weight and brakes decide whether you can live with the object. Sundpey is 4.94 kg. Stanley is 12.4 kg, with a listed maximum recommendation of 11 kg and no wheels.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Home mechanic
You can park a box in the garage and carry about 12 kg, and you want the listing with the clearest contents. The Stanley case names spanners 8–19 mm and two 72-tooth ratchets, with 926 reviews. Skip it if you need wheels.
Fixed workshop
You want drawers and a kit on day one, and you have the floor and the height. The Sealey combination is 163 cm and 96.4 kg, with a key lock. Buy it on the specification. The amazon.co.uk review count is one.
Common questions about tool chests with tools
Which tool chest with tools is the top pick in this set?
The top pick is the Stanley 142-piece aluminium case for home and garage maintenance you can carry. It lists combination spanners from 8–19 mm, half-inch sockets from 10–32 mm with gaps, and two 72-tooth ratchets, at about £226.49, with 4.6 from 926 amazon.co.uk reviews. It weighs 12.4 kg and has no wheels. UK reviews also report a hinge failure, rust on lightly used pliers, and one set of imperial hex keys against a metric list. The score is not a workshop trial.
How much does a tool chest with tools cost on amazon.co.uk?
In this set the Sundpey plastic case is about £49.99, the Amazing Tour trolley box is about £99.99, and the Stanley aluminium case is about £226.49. The Sealey 16-drawer combination is about £1,180.92 on amazon.co.uk. Sealey’s own page showed £1,199.94 including VAT for the same filled combination. DJM Direct and Tooled-Up describe a short filled chest versus a large combination. They do not publish a measured UK average, and shelf prices move.
Is a carry case the same thing as a tool chest?
No. A top chest sits on a bench, a rollcab is a floor cabinet on castors, and a combination stacks those parts. Only the Sealey row here is a 16-drawer combination, 163 cm high. Stanley and Sundpey are carry cases, and Amazing Tour is a trolley box. If you already own the tools and want an empty lockable cabinet, use the tool cabinet comparison. Empty cabinets were removed from this set.
Which fastener sizes matter for a UK car or flat?
For UK cars and furniture, metric combination spanners through 19 mm matter, and a half-inch socket that includes 17 mm and 19 mm matters more than another bit set. Stanley is the only row here that prints those spanner sizes and a half-inch socket run, and that run has gaps. Sundpey names five combination wrenches and does not list the millimetre steps. Amazing Tour and Sealey name a kit and do not list the socket sizes. Read the contents line, not the piece count.
How heavy a filled tool chest can you lift on your own?
HSE’s manual-handling filter treats under about 25 kg as lower risk only when the hold is easy and the floor is good. It is not a legal maximum, and an awkward lift sits lower. Sundpey is 4.94 kg. Stanley is 12.4 kg, and reviews call it heavy to carry any distance. Amazing Tour lists 12.5 kg as the item weight and 14.6 kg in the bullets. Sealey is 96.4 kg. Do not solo-lift that stack. Lock the castor brakes before you pull a drawer.
Does Sealey’s 5.0 from one review make it the top pick?
No. The amazon.co.uk line is 5.0 from one review, and this file has no review text, so that star is not a crowd verdict. Buy the Sealey on the specification if you have floor space for 33 × 68 × 163 cm, can handle 96.4 kg with help, and want 16 lockable drawers with a stated 398-piece kit. One model line says 420 pieces. Confirm the trays before you order. The material table also says polycarbonate, while the bullets say enamel.
What should you do if the hinge fails or pieces are missing?
Stop using the case and speak to the seller. At home, section 22 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives 30 days to reject goods that are not satisfactory, fit for purpose, or as described. The 30 days start the day after delivery. A manufacturer guarantee is extra. A Stanley review reports a hinge repair that was refused. Sundpey reviews include a missing hex key and a case that would not close. If one retailer repair does not fix it, reject or escalate rather than forcing the case shut.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Stanley 142-piece case, an aluminium carry case at about £226.49, with combination spanners from 8–19 mm, two 72-tooth ratchets, and 4.6 from 926 amazon.co.uk reviews. The score keeps the hinge failure, rust on lightly used pliers, and the plastic knife. The best value is the Sundpey 281-piece case at about £49.99 and 4.94 kg, with 4.3 from 1,086 reviews, for light household jobs, with tools falling out of the slots kept in the score. The Sealey 16-drawer combination is the only full cabinet-and-kit stack, at about £1,180.92 and 96.4 kg, bought on specification because the Amazon review count is one. The Amazing Tour trolley stays in the set only if you can live with a title that says 810 pieces and an item count of 718.
Best value
View offer
Sundpey 281-piece case
About £49.99 at 4.94 kg, with 4.3 from 1,086 reviews, for light household jobs, with tools falling out of the slots kept in the score.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsTool storageamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to tool chests with tools
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Tool chest with tools buying guideObject, named contents, fasteners, then weight, before the star line.Best tool chests with toolsWho each kept listing is for, and who should skip it.How to organise a tool chestLoad drawers or a case so the tools stay put after you buy.Garage stack or carry caseWhen the tools live in a rollcab stack, and when a carry case is enough.First home tool kitA first house, flat, or gift kit, with workshop stacks left on the comparison.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources for manual handling, work equipment, and the 30-day right to reject. Listings checked 17 October 2026. Prices on amazon.co.uk move.
- Sealey, AP35TBCOMBO 16-drawer combination (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- DJM Direct, tool chests and rollcabs (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Tooled-Up, roller cabinet tool kits (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Halfords, tool chests buyer's guide (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- HSE, PUWER overview (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- HSE, manual handling in agriculture (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- HSE, manual handling risk filters (retrieved 17 October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars, and review counts come from those listings. We did not run a workshop trial. The scores rank a listing inside this set only.