The 10 Best Filing Cabinets of 2024 to Keep Your Papers Safe, Organized, and Handy

Best Overall

Devaise 2-Drawer Mobile File Cabinet with Lock

$130 at Amazon

The two-drawer iron and steel Devaise Mobile Filing Cabinet is the ideal addition to most homes. This filing cabinet weighs 40 pounds and comes fully assembled. 

If you choose to make this a rolling filing cabinet, the piece comes with casters that are easy to attach. Once in place, you can unlock the casters so the cabinet can roll or lock them in place, so the cabinet remains stationary. 

Two drawers mean plenty of storage space and this pick is no exception. The cabinet can hold up to 330 pounds of documents and other items. Unlike many other file cabinets, this one can accommodate either letter or legal-sized files in both the top and bottom drawers.

When not in use, the cabinet can easily fit under most home office desks. Plus, it’s lockable and includes two keys, each of which can lock both drawers. The only drawback is that this top pick is only available in black or white and it’s not the most stylish option, so it may not work in every space. 

Product Details: Size: 17.1 x 14.6 x 26.6 inches | Material: Iron and steel | Number of Drawers: Two

Best Budget

The Container Store Graphite Mesh Stackable File Crate

$23 at The Container Store

The Graphite Mesh Stackable File Crate is a sturdy, cube-shaped filing solution with interior side rods that make hanging file folders easy. The metal cube also boasts handles, making this an ideal option for moving files to and from a business, car, or anywhere else.

These metal cubes can also stack on top of each other, and you can purchase a caster base separately that allows the file crates to be wheeled around easily. One base can support two file crates, and each crate can support up to 25 pounds.

While these are less expensive than other cabinets and made for portability, they cannot accommodate legal-sized documents. The metal mesh is not opaque–while it’s unlikely you can read any document through the mesh, your files will not be totally out of view. 

Product Details: Size:14.5 x 13.25 x 10.75 inches | Material: Epoxy coated steel | Number of Drawers: None

Best Splurge

Pottery Barn Pacific 2-Drawer File Cabinet

$899 at Pottery Barn

For a more stylish option, consider the Pottery Barn Pacific 2-Drawer File Cabinet. This wooden file cabinet will look striking on its own or as part of the modular furniture collection from the brand. 

The planked wood piece features two oversized drawers accommodating legal or letter-sized files. Recessed finger grooves across each drawer's front allow them to move smoothly, and the drawers open and close easily on side-mounted metal glides. 

This pick is an investment, and some simple assembly is required. However, the cabinets are available in two colorways (warm black and fog) and we think the assembly is worth the elegant look. 

It’s worth noting that this file cabinet is on the larger side, and it doesn’t have wheels. However, it comes with adjustable levelers on the bottom of the base to stabilize the piece on any uneven surface. 

Product Details: Size: 34 x 20 x 20 inches | Material: Poplar wood, MDF, and oak veneer | Number of Drawers: Two

Best Large

Ebern Designs Derrin Wide File Cabinet

$160 at Wayfair

If you plan on keeping your filing cabinet in an area that others might see, the Ebern Designs Derrin Wide File Cabinet is an elegant solution.

Smalley recommends “a filing cabinet that is functional but masquerades as a beautiful piece of furniture. There are so many unique options that would get all that paper clutter off your surfaces and be a standout piece in your home.” 

Made of solid and manufactured wood, the two-drawer piece has moveable stainless steel hanging rods in both drawers. The frames can be positioned to fit legal or letter-sized files. Thanks to the oversized scale, the top of the cabinet has plenty of room to hold a printer, scanner, office supplies, or decorative elements. 

Some assembly is required, but the cabinet comes with detailed instructions and all the necessary tools. Available in three colorways, the furniture comes with a 12-month warranty. 

Product Details: Size: 31.5 x 31.9 x 15.75 inches | Material: Solid and manufactured wood | Number of Drawers: Two

Best Small

Birdrock Home Rolling File Cabinet

$102 at Amazon

Small but mighty, the Birdrock Home Rolling File Cabinet, is a beautiful addition to any home. This compact rolling file cabinet is made of handwoven seagrass for a neutral addition to any decor. The cabinet comes fully assembled with a lift-off lid and rolling steel wheels. Inside the cabinet, you can fit either legal or letter-sized files.

We love that the small size still holds plenty of papers, and thanks to the woven seagrass and lid, all your paperwork is neatly hidden out of sight. There’s no way to stack or add more drawers to this pick–it’s a small size for a reason. If you don’t need to store papers anymore, this doubles as an attractive storage container for pillows, shoes, or anything else. 

Product Details: Size: 17.5 x 13 x 14.5 inches | Material: Seagrass and alloy steel | Number of Drawers: None

Best Wooden

Devaise 3-Drawer Wood File Cabinet

$90 at Amazon $97 at Wayfair

The Devaise 3-Drawer Wood File Cabinet is a piece of furniture that creates a home office in a snap. Stylish and functional, the wooden piece features three drawers–two for storage, and the bottom one holds files. 

Two open shelves beside the drawers provide ample room for books, printer paper, or other supplies. The top of the cabinet is large enough to house a scanner, printer, or other items, completing your home office setup. 

We love the flexibility and modern style of this affordable option. The only drawbacks are there’s no lock and only one file drawer, so if you have a lot of sensitive documents, you may prefer a more secure pick. 

Product Details: Size: 15.7 x 31.3 x 24.7 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Number of Drawers: Three

Best Fireproof

FireKing Fireproof 2-Drawer Vertical File

$1,161 at Amazon $1,209 at Wayfair $1,400 at Tractor Supply Co.

Made in the USA, the FireKing Insulated Turtle File Cabinet is heavy-duty and heavy. Empty, it weighs over 220 pounds. While it is a significant investment, this fireproof cabinet can withstand high temperatures and extreme conditions. 

According to the manufacturer, this cabinet went through rigorous testing before being labeled as fireproof. It was exposed to a 1700°F fire for an hour and faced a 2000°F explosion test. Plus, it passed a 30-foot drop test as well. 

This file cabinet provides extra security for your most important documents and small items. It comes with two drawers that can hold legal or letter-sized files and paper. It also comes with one key lock that secures both drawers and includes a limited lifetime warranty. Since it’s so heavy, make sure you have a space for this in your home so you leave it in place.

Product Details: Size: 22.1 x 17.75 x 27.75 inches | Material: Metal with fireproof insulation | Number of Drawers: Two

Best With Wheels

Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve 2-Drawer File Cabinet

$220 at Amazon

Small, sleek, and modern, the Laura Davidson Stockpile Curve 2-Drawer File Cabinet is a great addition to any office. The cabinet is made of steel and features wheels for easy transport. While it’s a bit more expensive than other options, we also like that the cabinet features smooth drawer pulls.

The cabinet glides around very easily on the wheels but if you ever want to remove the wheels, you’ll appreciate that stationary feet are included. This pick is available in 10 colors, and the steel material is magnetic, so adding magnets is an option. 

The two drawers can hold legal or letter-size- files and papers and glide easily on smooth ball bearings. Two keys are included, and they lock both drawers at once. The curved design, while attractive, might not appeal to everyone, but if you’re in search of a sturdy file cabinet that rolls smoothly, this is an excellent choice.

Product Details: Size: 20 x 15.75 x 25 inches | Material: Steel | Number of Drawers: Two

Best Three-Drawer

Hirsch Industries 3 Drawer Vertical File Cabinet

$109 at Wayfair $140 at Best Buy View on Webstaurantstore.com

A three-drawer file cabinet runs the risk of looking like it belongs in a corporate office space–not so with the Hirsch Industries 3 Drawer Vertical File Cabinet that’s available in nine vibrant colorways, including purple, teal, and goldfinch yellow. The file cabinet has three drawers–two are letter file-sized, and the top drawer is smaller to organize supplies or other items. 

This steel pick comes fully assembled, so you’ll just need to secure the drawer’s handles. There are no wheels, so place this 24-pound cabinet in the spot where you plan to keep it. Once it’s full of papers, it’ll be cumbersome to move. 

There’s a lock and key, but it only secures the top two drawers, so if you have a lot of sensitive paperwork, you might choose a different filing cabinet. Only letter-sized files fit in this piece, so if you need legal documents stored, you’ll need to fold them or store them elsewhere. 

Product Details: Size: 27.3 x 14.25 x 18 | Material: Steel | Number of Drawers: Three

Best Vertical

Staples 4 File Drawers Vertical Filing Cabinet

$260 at Staples

If you’ve got a lot of household paperwork or run a small business, you’ll need to file many documents. Thanks to the Staples 4 File Drawers Vertical Filing Cabinet, you’ll have plenty of room. 

While this piece of furniture is not masquerading as anything but a file cabinet, the metal piece is sturdy and well-made. Each of the four drawers features ball-bearing runners, so opening and closing each drawer is smooth and easy. 

The 26.5-inch drawers are deep, and there is a spot on the outside of each drawer for a label, making it a cinch to organize each drawer for a different need or aspect of your life. All four drawers lock, and the set comes with two keys. This is an everyday workhorse for all your filing needs, available in three colorways and three depths. 

Product Details: Size: 52 x 15 x 26.5 inches | Material: Metal | Number of Drawers: Four