Best Steel Shelving Unit Reviews 2018

A steel shelving unit is essential for any organized home or office, but there are many units on the market with different features and price points. To help you decide on the best steel shelving units for you, we reviewed the five top brands and provided you with information on one product from each. Though we have only featured one product per brand, these brands offer many other shelving units for you to check out, if our choices don’t meet your requirements.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Shelves

Size/Weight

Finish

Capacity

Convenience

Our Top Choice

Whitmor Steel 5-Tier Shelves

Whitmor has been bringing organization to many homes and offices around the world for over 70 years.

It’s high-quality, very sturdy and easy to assemble.

The instructions that come with the shelves are a bit hard to comprehend.

14 × 36 × 72 inches; 41 lbs

Chrome plating

350 lbs per shelf

Adjustable leveling feet

Best Value

PayLessHere Black Shelving Unit

PayLessHere is dedicated to producing top-quality shelving units and other storage systems.

This shelving unit is a great product with a great price. It is very easy to assemble and is very sturdy.

However, it can’t carry up to 600 pounds like heavy-duty units.

14 × 36 × 72 inches; 40 lbs

Black and chrome powder coat

250 lbs per shelf

Adjustable feet levelers

Muscle Rack 5-Shelf Steel Shelving

Muscle Rack makes top-notch, durable and stylishly designed shelving units and storage systems, making it easier to organize your space.

It’s good-looking, adjustable in 1.5-inch increments, very sturdy, rigid, has a lot of storage space and can be set up horizontally or vertically.

However, it is not very easy to assemble and requires some tools to do so.

18 × 48 × 72 inches; 54 lbs

Powder-coated red finish

800 lbs per shelf

Easy assembly

Seville Classics UltraZinc Wire Shelving System

Seville Classics has been a leading inventor of home organization and top storage solutions for more than 35 years.

It’s sturdy, affordable, and is very easy to assemble.

It has poor packaging

14 × 36 × 54 inches; 40 lbs

UltraZinc coating

350 lbs per shelf

Easy, no-tool assembly

World Pride 5 Tier Storage Rack

World Pride is a top manufacturer of storage furniture. Its products are highly durable and of the best quality.

It’s durable, stylish, has a lot of space, can be used to store a variety of things and is also very affordable.

It’s hard to assemble

27.6 × 11.8 × 59.6 inches; 30 lbs

Powder-coated, rust proof

330.69 lbs per shelf

Adjustable in 4 cm increments

(Updated November 2, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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Watch Our Steel Shelving Unit Review

How Do I Choose the Best Steel Shelving Unit?

Keeping up appearances is as old as time itself. That’s why we strive to make a lasting impression when we invite someone into our home for the first time. Whether we are burning the midnight oil at work or only taking pictures of our “good side,” we face so much pressure to be perfect. But the truth is that life is messy sometimes, whether we like it or not.

This applies to our homes as well. We often only let our guests into the beautiful parts of the house, the living area with its plush furniture we don’t let the pets climb on and the ginormous curved TV and, of course, the kitchen with its gleaming refrigerator and counters we’ve just hastily wiped down. But don’t you wish this artificial cleanness prepared just for company could extend to the rest of the house – and the rest of the year? Many books and seminars hammer in the importance of decluttering and organizing your space, but we have a more long-term solution. With the right shelving unit for your unique situation, you can get rid of the clutter once and for all and give that room or office the much-needed facelift.

Our featured steel shelving units are multifunctional, sturdy, and ideal for both domestic and commercial use. Their aesthetically pleasing finishes blend nicely with your home and office décor. Easy to assemble and maintain, these shelves have adjustable wire shelves which can hold between 250 pounds and 800 pounds. We feature shelving units made of heavy-duty steel, usually coated with anti-rust – perfect to line a garage wall with so you can easily separate your toolbox from your bike helmets.

With our reviews, you shouldn’t have any problem finding the steel shelving unit that is just right for you. Read on to discover which it is.

Price

The prices of steel shelving units vary with their features. Keep in mind that the most expensive ones typically fall into the industrial-use category. Generally, the price of steel shelving units falls between $40 and $80. We came across some cheap steel shelving units during our research but we left them out of our review because they sadly lacked the important features. We only reviewed shelving units you wouldn’t regret buying.

Features

You no longer need to fear the clutter in that hallway closet or the junk that makes parking in your garage so tricky. But how do you know how to decide which steel shelving unit is right for you? First, you need to understand what purpose your new shelving units will serve. When you have done that, consider these features when searching for shelves that will get the job done and give the area an altogether pristine and organized update:

Number of shelves
Type
Size and weight
Finish and coating
Balance
Wheels
Mobility
Adjustments
Capacity
Assembly
Convenience

Getting the maximum benefit out of your preferred shelving unit is our priority, so let’s begin the analysis.

Construction and Design

Our featured steel shelving units are made of heavy-duty steel and, together with their feet levelers, keep the shelving units level and balanced. Some units have additional coatings to prevent corrosion, whether they are made of zinc-plated steel or powder-coated rust-proof galvanized steel. Some steel shelving units are stationary, but other models are lightweight or fitted with wheels. Steel shelving units usually consist of four or five shelves, and their soft, soothing colors make them blend nicely with home and office décor.

All the shelves we highlight are adjustable, typically by about four centimeters (1.5 inches) up or down. Their weight capacities also vary from 250 or 350 pounds up to 800 pounds. The designs of the shelves themselves also differ: there are grid wire shelves, black wire shelves, wire decking shelves, ultra zinc wire shelves, and clipboard shelves. Shelves can be made of chrome-plated wire, epoxy-coated wire, and or solid materials like steel.

The chrome-plated wire shelves are intended for increased visibility and aeration. They work better for dry storage and heated environments as they are prone to dust. Epoxy-coated wire shelves are corrosion-resistant and are good for storage in humid or moist areas. The flat surfaces solid shelves provide allow you to store all kinds of items with zero risk of slipping through, unlike with wire shelving. Solid shelves, like chrome-plated wire shelves, work well in dry areas.

Performance and Ease of Use

Sturdy frames make steel shelving units reliable, but different units have different carrying capacities. Obviously, the higher a shelving unit’s capacity, the heavier the weight it can support. Although a higher capacity may be reassuring that a shelving unit won’t cave under pressure, low-capacity steel shelving units are more popular in homes, while their high-capacity counterparts are preferred for industrial use.

Stationary shelving units are preferred in households and offices where there is ample space and little or no need to ever move the shelves around. If you move around a lot or are cramped for space, then the flexibility a mobile shelving unit offers may just be what you are looking for.

Adjustable shelves offer added convenience, because you can easily modify the unit to store large items without requiring more space or a new shelving unit. For ladies that have run out of wardrobe space for their shoes, shelves with the iron mesh design can accommodate your heels and stilettos.

All of our featured steel shelving units are easy to assemble, needing no tools whatsoever and are easy to maintain thanks to their rust-resistant coatings!

What is the Best Steel Shelving Unit?

After reading through our buying guide, you are one step closer to identifying the best steel shelving unit for you. To help make your choice easier, we have listed the features of each product in our reviews. When you find one that meets all your shelving needs, go ahead and place your order to start organizing your space.

Our Top Choice

The Whitmor Steel 5-Tier Shelves is a heavy-duty shelving unit with five tiers. It is a multi-functional storage unit that fits most spaces in homes and offices. If you want a shelving unit that costs less and has three tiers, we recommend the Whitmor Supreme 3-Tier Shelving.

Whitmor 5-Tier Industrial Grade Steel Storage Shelves – Available in 2 Colors & 2 Sizes

Whitmor Steel Shelving Unit 6060-267 – Chrome – 5 TIER (Supreme)

Features

Since 1946, Whitmor has been producing top-quality products, including garment and shoe racks, totes and baskets, carts and stands, freestanding closets and laundry centers. It has a very diverse range of furniture that will organize the home and the workplace. It continues to create many opportunities for itself by manufacturing products that other companies haven’t even thought of, so as to retain its position as an industry leader. Its employees are a fundamental part of its success, as they are able to rise to any challenge.

The Whitmor Steel 5-Tier Shelves ($62.99 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a five-tier steel shelving unit that is very sturdy and well designed. It is an all-purpose shelving unit for industry and residential use. It is made with heavy-duty steel and has grid wire shelves that adjust in one-inch increments. This shelving unit is also a great addition to any room because of its soothing chrome color. It has a 350-pound shelf capacity and weighs 41 pounds itself! This means it can be moved easily from one place to another, as it is not very bulky.

Whitmor has many other shelving units. Below are a few more:

Whitmor 6070-5264 Supreme 5-Tier Shelving Unit -- Made of durable and stylish black epoxy-coated steel; great for office, garage, kitchen, etc.
Whitmor 6060-322 Supreme 4-Tier Shelving Unit -- Made of durable chrome and comes with adjustable leveling feet
Whitmor 6060-3437 Supreme 3-Tier Shelving -- Made of heavy-duty chromed steel and has a 350-pound shelf capacity
Whitmor Supreme 3-Shelf Steel Rolling Cart -- Versatile, portable shelving unit for storing and organizing various household items; great for kitchens with little counter space, offices or college dorms

Not the features you want? Whitmor has many other shelving units of different types. Check them out.

Best Value

The PayLessHere Black Shelving Unit has shelves that are adjustable in one-inch increments. It's a sturdy unit, with weight evenly distributed on feet levers. If you want a shelving unit that has wheels so you don’t have to disassemble it when you change the location, you should try the PayLessHere Chrome 6 Shelf Commercial Adjustable Steel Shelving Systems.

PayLessHere Black 5 Shelf Adjustable Steel Shelving Systems Wire Shelves Garage Shelving Storage Racks

PayLessHere Steel Shelving Unit W-76-Black

Features

PayLessHere makes top-quality shelving units and storage systems. Its products are uniquely designed to fit most people’s needs, and they are designed with the best quality materials.

The PayLessHere Black Shelving Unit ($57.90 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) can be used in most rooms and offices. It measures 36 x 14 x 72 inches, which gives it a lot of space for items. It is made with heavy-duty steel, and its weight capacity is evenly distributed on its feet levers. Its shelves are adjustable in one-inch increments and made with commercial grade black wire – one of the reasons they are durable. This unit is NSF certified.

This company has other great shelving units you can check out, including:

PayLessHere Black Supreme 4-Tier Shelving Unit -- Adjustable leveling feet and shelves that hold up to 350 pounds
PayLessHere 5 Shelf Steel Wire Tier Layer Shelving 72” X 36” X 14” -- Each shelf's capacity of 250 pounds is evenly distributed on feet feelers
PayLessHere 36” X 14” X 54” 4 Tier Layer Shelf Adjustable Steel -- Four-shelf unit that can be used anywhere

Look at PayLessHere's other shelving units if you want more options.

The Muscle Rack 5-Shelf Steel Shelving unit is a very strong shelf with a capacity of 4000 pounds. It is perfect for industrial use, though it can also be used in the home. If you prefer a shelving unit that costs less but is still as stylish, you should check out the Muscle Rack Silver Vein Steel Storage Rack.

Muscle Rack Red 5-Shelf Steel Shelving Unit – Also Available as 2 Pack

Muscle Rack Steel Shelving Unit UR184872-R

Features

Muscle Rack strives to produce high-quality products so it can stay at the top. Its products are made of the best materials, and are also designed to be very durable and stylish. The featured product is an example of what to expect from this brand.

The Muscle Rack 5-Shelf Steel Shelving unit ($77.94 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a very strong, stylish and durable rack. Its bars have a post coupler that makes it less difficult to assemble and also improves its rigidity. Its other features include the following:

Its shelves can be adjusted at every 1.5 inches
The shelves are made with wire decking, which makes it very sturdy
Each shelf can hold up to 800 pounds, and the total weight the shelving unit can hold is 4000 pounds
It is covered with a durable, long-lasting red finish
It can be assembled either vertically or horizontally

View Muscle Rack's many other shelving units if you haven’t made your choice yet.

The Seville Classics UltraZinc Wire Shelving System is an affordable unit with shelves that hold up to 350 pounds on leveling feet. This unit also comes with wheels that help in its movement. If you want a shelving unit that costs less and is just as durable, you should check out the Seville Classics 4-Tier Mesh Square Tower Shelving.

Seville Classics 4-Shelf NSF Steel Wire Shelving System – Available in 2 Colors & 3 Shelf Capacities

Seville Classics Steel Shelving Unit SHE15363Z - UltraZinc / 350 lbs. Shelf Weight Capacity

Features

Seville Classics is surely a brand to be reckoned with. For more than 30 years, it has been the leading company in the manufacture of home organization equipment and garage storage tools. Its team consists of professional designers and engineers who work hard to produce reasonably priced products of the best quality. Its eco-friendly solutions to problems continue to set the pace, and have been paving the way for other manufacturers to change their outlook and approach.

The Seville Classics UltraZinc Wire Shelving System ($59.99 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a four-tier shelving rack that is sturdy and easy to use and maintain. Its iron mesh shelves are just right for storing high heels and stilettos if you want to use it as a shoe rack, but it can also be used to store other things. Here are some of its other features:

It is covered in a Satin Pewter epoxy coat, which provides corrosion resistance, especially in dry places
It can be assembled very easily in a short amount of time
Its tower footprint measures a little over one square foot
It has interlocking shelving, which allows you to expand your storage with extra units
It comes with wheels so it can be easily moved

Consider one of Seville Classics' other shelving units if you don't like this one.

The World Pride 5 Tier Storage Rack is a heavy-duty shelving unit that has been coated with a rust-proof powder. Each shelf has a load capacity of 330.96 pounds. If you want a higher-end option, you can check out the World Pride Heavy Duty Black Commercial 6 Tier shelving rack.

World Pride 5 Tier Storage Rack Heavy Duty Shelf Steel Shelving Unit – Available in 4 Pack Sizes

World Pride Steel Shelving Unit WP201603 - 1

Features

World Pride is a leading innovator in home organization and other storage solutions. Its products improve the look and feel of any area or room while maximizing your space. Customer satisfaction is one area in which World Pride excels.

The World Pride 5 Tier Storage Rack ($42.99 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is a heavy-duty shelving rack that is made of very fine material. It has a steel frame, and the shelves are designed to give it an extra-special stylish, refined look. Each shelf has a load capacity of 330.96 pounds, which combines for a total of 1653.45 pounds for the whole shelving unit. It also has adjustable shelf levels at every four centimeters, so it can hold a large variety of items of different lengths. This shelving unit is much more affordable than most units, even though it has features that are just as good, if not better.

Other shelving units by World Pride include:

World Pride Sturdy 5 Tiers Shelving Racks & Stands Carbon Steel with Rolling Wheel Silver -- Versatile, adjustable and movable five-tier steel storage shelf with a large capacity and stable frame to hold most items
World Pride 4-Shelf Narrow Shelving Closet Storage Organizer Unit -- Comes in contemporary, versatile style with coated metal frame and heavy-duty resin end connectors
World Pride Heavy Duty Black Commercial 6 Tier Shelf Adjustable Steel Wire Metal Shelving Rack -- Holds up to 500 pounds and has adjustable height non-rolling/stationary feet
World Pride Versatile 5-Tier Carbon Steel Storage Shelf Rolling Wheel Rack, 29.5" x 13.8" x 59.1"(W & D & Max. H) -- High-quality, versatile unit with large capacity and stable frame to hold most items

Don’t like this one? World Pride has many other shelving tools of different sizes and shapes you can check out.

Get the Best Steel Shelving Unit of 2018!

Now that you have gone through our reviews, we trust you have chosen the best steel shelving unit for you. Choose any of the shelving units below and place your order.

Our Top Choice

Whitmor Steel 5-Tier Shelves

Best Value

PayLessHere Black Shelving Unit

Muscle Rack 5-Shelf Steel Shelving

Seville Classics UltraZinc Wire Shelving System

World Pride 5 Tier Storage Rack