The ActionPacker’s deep, rounded handles make it easier on the hands than the Brute, Roughneck, and HDX bins we tested, and the 24-gallon size is much easier to haul around than its big sibling, the 35-gallon ActionPacker. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like other polypropylene bins, they’ll become brittle in cold temperatures; we don’t recommend them for storage in a freezing garage or basement. The bins keep everything dry and secure, and they’ve made digging out the holiday decorations much more pleasant every year.

quart, 19 quart, 30 quart, 41 quart, 46 quart, 62 quart, 74 quart, and 103 quart WEATHERTIGHT heavy-duty storage totes. It’s perfect for garments that need airflow, like wool sweaters (just keep in mind that they aren’t moth-proof). In the quest to tidy, storage containers can make the difference between an organized home and one heaped with mismatched boxes in the closets and garage. In testing we consolidated three bins of holiday decorations into the Sterilite and wheeled it into storage—quick and easy.They were also the tightest-sealing clear bins we tested, thanks to a foam gasket in the lid and extra latches around the edges (most bins have only two on each end).

Over the years we’ve simulated flooding and water leaks by hosing the bins down, submerging them in a kiddie pool, and leaving them out in the rain overnight. The Brute’s molded handles also made them more comfortable to carry than the less expensive garage bins we recommend, the Home Depot HDX. One note: I noticed that while the bin was in storage over the 2020 holiday season, with only empty ornament boxes inside, a critter got in and chewed up a small box.Neither material should be affected by the hottest outdoor temperatures—weaker PP doesn’t break down until about 176 degrees Fahrenheit. And one of our three-year-old test samples survived a bear attack in 2020 and is still going strong. Both PP (PDF) and HDPE (PDF) will degrade eventually from exposure to oxygen and UV from sunshine—which can cause discoloration—but the bigger concern is cold. These containers are made with high-density polyethylene, a sturdier and more temperature-resistant plastic than the clear polypropylene containers we’ve tested, like the Iris Weathertight Totes. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).