The REIBII 2020LBS Adjustable Metal Shelving Unit won out as our overall best pick, thanks to its sturdy and thoughtful design. We love that the five spacious shelves can each hold up to 400 pounds of items, so even your bulkiest items have a place to live. The reinforced frame, supported by thickened columns and shelf ribs, also stood out to us—ensuring that the unit remains durable over time.

We like the rolled edges of the shelves and columns, which prevent scratches on the floor and protect your hands as you take items in and out. Of course, the adjustable shelves also make this pick a winner, as you can optimize the unit for the specific height of the items you’re stowing.

This structure is made from a combination of metal and wood, though the type of each is not specified. In general, it has a sturdy design with a convenient boltless assembly. However, if your basement is prone to moisture and water seepage, you’ll want to keep in mind that the wood portions could be compromised and more prone to rot.   

_{Dimensions: 16 x 35.5 x 72 inches | Material: Wood, metal | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 404 pounds | Number of Shelves: 5}

The Best Office Store 4 Tier Shelving Unit has many of the same benefits as the REIBII 2020LBS Adjustable Metal Shelving Unit (our overall best pick) with a few key differences. For one, it has an all-steel construction which makes it better suited to handle humid or moisture-prone basements. We also like that the shelves have an open wire design, which encourages airflow to prevent wear—and it’s easier to clean.

We love that the tiers are height-adjustable to match with the size of your items. There are even levelers on the legs to ensure the unit stays sturdy and is never at risk of tipping over. You can opt to include wheels, too.

This unit also has plenty of dimensions to choose from rather than one fixed size. This makes it optimal for small basements and sprawling spaces alike. Plus, it has a quick and simple assembly, even for those who aren’t the most handy. Just be aware that the weight capacity is less than that of the REIBII unit, but it can still hold up to 250 pounds per shelf.

_{Dimensions: Size-dependent | Material: Stainless steel | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 250 pounds | Number of Shelves: 4 or more, depending on size}

If you’d rather not lug items from one end of your basement to the other, a storage shelf on wheels could help ease your burden. It’s also helpful if your shelf will be in front of a door or a tight space. We like the Rebrilliant Maxden Height Adjustable Shelving Unit with Wheels for this purpose. Similar to the Best Office Store 4 Tier Shelving Unit (our best value pick), the unit has a solid steel wire design. The shelves are height-adjustable, too.

We love that the casters have a 360-degree swivel for easy, seamless maneuvering. Plus, you can always swap out the wheels for feet—which have levelers—if you end up needing a fixed unit. Though, the wheels also lock when not in use.

There’s plenty of room to store items on these shelves, with wide bases and six layers to accommodate a variety of items. However, when mobile, the shelves have a lower weight capacity—to prevent heavy items from tumbling down—so it’s best suited for transporting lighter items.

_{Dimensions: 81.9 x 46 x 17.7 inches | Material: Steel | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 150 pounds | Number of Shelves: 6}

Need a unit that can store heavy-duty tools and supplies? The Gladiator 4-Tier Welded Steel Storage Shelving Unit is a solid, reliable option. With an impressive 2,000 pound weight capacity (literally, a ton!), this piece is ideal for stowing your heaviest items.

We love that the storage shelf is made from welded steel for ultimate durability and reinforcement. The assembly is also straightforward, with a simple snap and lock design that comes together in just 10 minutes—no extra hands needed.

The shelves are adjustable based on the height of your items. Our only note is that this unit is specifically designed for large items, and smaller tools or supplies can slip through the grid surface since the wires are widely spaced apart.

_{Dimensions: 77 x 72 x 24 inches | Material: Welded steel | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 2,000 pounds | Number of Shelves: 4}

There’s a difference between storing heavy items and storing a lot of items—but the PrimeZone Heavy Duty Storage Shelves accommodate both. For bulk storage, we like this option since it comes with five roomy shelves, and you can easily add on additional units (to get 10, 15, or more shelves). You can also choose from various sizes.

When adding on units, we like that each fits neatly next to the other so that your basement looks streamlined. It’s seamless to assemble, so even with bulk storage and multiple units, the shelves come together quickly since no tools are needed.

We like that the metal portion of the structure is powder-coated to help prevent it from corroding or chipping. However, the bases are made from MDF boards (a type of engineered wood), which is more prone to wear with exposure to moisture. Also, the shelves only adjust 1.2 inches up or down—so there isn’t much opportunity for customization.

_{Dimensions: Size-dependent | Material: Powder-coated metal, MDF boards | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 600 pounds | Number of Shelves: 5 per unit}

If your basement is used for a variety of purposes—whether as a guest room, food storage area, or supply shed—you need a shelf that’s versatile enough to handle it all. The CX Black & Yellow 5-Tier Storage Shelving Unit is our favorite for multi-use purposes with its simple yet effective system.

We like that the unit can be used indoors or outdoors. It’s made from plastic, which is more prone to wear than metal options like the Gladiator 4-Tier Welded Steel Storage Shelving Unit (our best for heavy items pick). However, the ventilated design ensures proper airflow to keep messes and moisture at bay.

The shelf can be used for a variety of items, including packaged food, laundry supplies, tools, and more. The tiers are, of course, height-adjustable to fit your exact size of items. We also appreciate that they are modular, so you can separate the tiers into multiple units of three and two shelves, for example.

_{Dimensions: 72 x 48 x 20 inches | Material: Plastic | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 200 pounds | Number of Shelves: 5}

If you’re looking to free up ground space in our basement, wall-mounted shelving is a great option to keep things stored vertically. The Fleximounts 2-Pack Wall Shelf Storage Rack stands out in this category, thanks to its roomy 6 feet of length and 800 pounds of weight capacity per shelf.

The powder-coated design ensures the integrity of the structure is sustained. Plus, the open wire base keeps things clean and dry. We love that you can choose multiple configurations with these shelves, whether you want to install it in a corner, staggered, or in one line. The shelves come with all the hardware you need, which makes assembly a breeze.

The holes in the brackets are another handy bonus, as you can use hooks to hang items like backpacks, boards, or other tools underneath the shelves. We just wish that more tiers came with each order, as the rest in our roundup come with at least four (rather than two) for around the same price point. 

_{Dimensions: 2 x 6 feet | Material: Powder-coated metal | Weight Capacity (Per Shelf): 800 pounds | Number of Shelves: 2}