Best Cube Storage Unit
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A cube storage unit is a grid of open cubes that stacks or joins into a shelf, cabinet or room divider, and it suits clothes, toys, shoes and folded linens. The best unit depends on how big each cube is, how much weight each one can take, and whether the frame is plastic, wire or fabric. Five options from the product data for this keyword are compared below. Each entry gives the cube size, cube count, load and assembly that its listing states, so you can choose a cube storage unit that fits your room.
Quick answer
- Most cubes for a closet or playroom: the C&AHOME 16-cube units in white and black are each listed with 11.8-inch cubes.
- Heaviest stated load: the Amazon Basics 6-cube wire grid lists a 118.9-pound total, with 20 pounds per cube.
- Cube size for an 11-inch bin: the HOMIDEC stackable unit lists 11.8-inch cubes and says they suit fabric bins of 11 inches.
- Stackable plastic option for a child’s room: the C&AHOME plastic 16-cube unit is listed with 11 pounds per cube.
How to choose a cube storage unit
Start with what goes in each cube. Clothes and toys are light and fit well in a plastic or fabric-lined cube. Shoes and books are heavier, so the load per cube matters. The listings in this group state different limits. The Amazon Basics cube is rated at 20 pounds, the HOMIDEC cube at 15 pounds, and the C&AHOME cubes at 11 pounds. A unit that is rated at 11 pounds per cube is fine for a shoe or two, but it is not the right choice for a box of books.
Next, decide the layout. A 16-cube grid is tall and wide, while a six-cube unit is a smaller square. Both can be stacked, but check the connector type before you join more units. The listings describe connectors, panels and wire grids, and they vary in how easily the cubes come apart.
Sizing and fit
The cube sizes in this group are close, but the overall units differ. Each C&AHOME cube is listed at 11.8 inches on every side, and the full 16-cube unit is listed at 48.4 inches wide, 12.4 inches deep and 48 inches tall. The white and black models are both listed at 12.4 inches deep, 48.4 inches wide and 48.4 inches tall on their spec sheets. The Amazon Basics 6-cube unit is 26 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep and 38 inches tall. The HOMIDEC cube is 11.8 inches on each side, and the listing gives a capacity of 27 liters per cube. The C&AHOME plastic 16-cube shoe rack is 14.2 inches deep, 35.8 inches wide and 28 inches tall on its spec sheet.
A cube that is 11.8 inches on a side holds a standard 11-inch fabric bin with a little room to spare. Measure the bin you plan to use before buying, because a cube that is too small will not take the bin, and a cube that is much bigger wastes space.
Materials and build
The materials split the group into three types. The C&AHOME units use PP panels, ABS plastic connectors and a metal frame, and the listing says the material is high quality and sturdy. The Amazon Basics unit is black powder-coated steel wire with 24 black plastic corner connectors. The HOMIDEC cube is polyethylene plastic sheet, a metal frame and ABS connectors. The C&AHOME shoe rack is ABS connectors and PP plastic panels. Plastic cubes are easy to wipe, and wire cubes let you see through the shelf.
Assembly and setup
All five units are listed as easy to assemble. The Amazon Basics listing says no tools are required, and it includes 23 panels and 24 connectors for six cubes. The C&AHOME listings include a wooden mallet, and say to tap the connectors in until they lock. The HOMIDEC listing says to check that each sheet is locked in its connector after assembly. Work on a soft floor, and push each connector in fully, because a loose connector is the most common reason a cube unit wobbles.
Who each option suits
A closet with clothes and bins suits the C&AHOME white or black 16-cube unit, which the listings describe as useful for clothes and storage. A playroom or child’s room suits the C&AHOME plastic 16-cube unit or the milky model, since the listing says the cubes can hold toys and kids’ items. A garage or utility corner suits the Amazon Basics wire unit, because it is metal and the listing says it works for linens, toys, books and pantry items. A closet with fabric bins suits the HOMIDEC unit, because its listing says the 11.8-inch cubes fit 11-inch bins.
Mistakes to avoid
- Loading heavy items into a plastic cube. The C&AHOME listing gives 11 pounds per cube.
- Choosing a cube that is too small for the bin. Measure the bin first.
- Leaving a connector loose. Push each one in fully and check the frame.
- Assuming all cube units are the same depth. The C&AHOME milky listing shows a different depth from the black and white models.
- Stacking more units than the connectors support. Check the listing for the stacking method before adding a second unit.
Roundup: five cube storage units compared
1. C&AHOME 16 Cube Storage Organizer, White
The C&AHOME white unit has 16 cubes of 11.8 inches each, in a transparent white finish. The listing gives 48.4 inches wide, 12.4 inches deep and 48 inches tall, and says the unit weighs 11 pounds. Each cube holds up to 11 pounds. The material is PP panels, ABS connectors and a metal frame. The bullets say the unit can be used as a storage cabinet or assembled into several configurations. It suits a closet or a bedroom where you want open cubes that show what is inside.
2. C&AHOME 16 Cube Storage Organizer, Black
The C&AHOME black unit uses the same 16-cube design, with 11.8-inch cubes and an overall size of 12.4 inches deep, 48.4 inches wide and 48 inches tall. The listing gives a weight of 8.3 kilograms and a capacity of 11 pounds per cube. The material is polypropylene and ABS. The unit includes a wooden mallet for assembly. The black finish suits a living room or office where you want a bold look, and the listing names bedrooms, closets and offices as uses.
3. Amazon Basics 6-Cube Wire Grid Stackable Storage Organizer, Black
The Amazon Basics unit has six cubes made of black powder-coated steel wire. The listing gives 26 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep and 38 inches tall, and it weighs 5.2 kilograms. Each cube holds up to 20 pounds, and the spec sheet lists a total of 118.9 pounds. The package includes 23 panels and 24 black plastic corner connectors. The listing says it needs no tools and can be stacked vertically or horizontally, and that more units can be added. It suits a garage, a laundry room or a pantry where you want a wire grid.
4. HOMIDEC Stackable Cube Storage Organizer, Black
The HOMIDEC unit is a modular cube organizer in black. Each cube is 11.8 inches on each side and holds 27 liters, and the listing says the unit gives 162 liters of capacity across six cubes. The cube is made of polyethylene plastic sheet, a metal frame and ABS connectors. Each cube holds up to 15 pounds. The bullets say the cubes suit fabric storage bins of 11 inches, and that any cube can be removed and used to build a different shape. It suits a closet, a bedroom or a dorm where you want a stackable shelf.
5. C&AHOME Plastic 16-Cube Stackable Shoe Organizer, Black
The C&AHOME plastic unit is a 16-cube stackable organizer in black. The listing gives 14.2 inches deep, 35.8 inches wide and 28 inches tall on the spec sheet, and each cube is listed at 8.8 inches long, 6.8 inches high and 14.2 inches wide. Each cube holds a maximum of 11 pounds. The material is ABS connectors and PP plastic panels. The bullets say the cube can be used as a shoe rack, a toy cabinet or a closet cabinet, and the listing includes a wooden mallet. It suits a child’s room or a closet with shoes and light items.
Review: Amazon Basics 6-Cube Wire Grid Storage Organizer in depth
The Amazon Basics unit is the sturdiest cube option here, because it is metal and the listing gives the highest load per cube at 20 pounds. The black powder-coated steel wire is open, so you can see every item. The unit is 26 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep and 38 inches tall, which is a compact footprint for six cubes. The listing gives a total weight capacity of 118.9 pounds, and it weighs 5.2 kilograms.
Assembly is quick because the listing says no tools are needed. The package includes 23 panels and 24 black plastic corner connectors, so the frame is a set of panels joined at the corners. The listing says it is stackable in both directions, and you can add more units to expand the grid. Check the connectors as you build, and push each one fully into the corner.
The listing names linens, kids’ toys, books, shoes and pantry items as uses. The open wire design suits items you want to see, and the 12.6-inch depth fits a standard shelf or a closet floor. For a plastic option with closed panels, the HOMIDEC unit is the close alternative, with 11.8-inch cubes and a 15-pound limit per cube.
FAQ
How much weight can a cube storage unit hold?
It depends on the model. The Amazon Basics cubes hold 20 pounds each, the HOMIDEC cubes hold 15 pounds each, and the C&AHOME cubes hold 11 pounds each. Load the heavier items in the lower cubes and check the per-cube limit.
Do cube storage units need tools?
Most do not. The Amazon Basics listing says no tools are needed. The C&AHOME units include a wooden mallet to tap the connectors in, and the HOMIDEC listing says to check that each sheet locks into its connector.
Can I stack two cube units together?
The Amazon Basics listing says you can stack the cubes vertically and horizontally, and that more units can be added. The C&AHOME listings describe several layouts. Check the connector count before you buy extra units.
Will a cube unit fit a fabric bin?
Yes, for many. The HOMIDEC listing says its 11.8-inch cubes suit 11-inch fabric bins, and the C&AHOME listings describe cubes of the same size. Measure the bin and the cube opening before you buy.
Which cube unit is the easiest to see through?
The Amazon Basics wire unit is the most open, because the cubes are made of wire. The C&AHOME white model is described as transparent white, and the other C&AHOME models are opaque.
Can a cube unit be used in a closet?
Yes. The C&AHOME white and black units and the HOMIDEC unit are listed for closets, and the C&AHOME shoe unit is listed for closets as well. Use the cubes for folded clothes, shoes and bins, and keep heavy items on the lower shelves.
Bottom line
For a cube storage unit, choose the cube size and load per cube before the color. The Amazon Basics wire unit suits the heaviest loads, the HOMIDEC unit suits fabric bins, and the C&AHOME 16-cube units suit a closet or room where you want a tall, open grid.
Related guides
For a closer look at cube-style shelves, read the bookshelf cube storage comparison, and see the closet organizers compared by over-door, stackable, drawer and cube units if you are choosing for a closet.
