Best Magnetic Tool Holders: Top Picks for Easy Tool Storage

The best magnetic tool holders that will serve your garage and home needs

byAustin Fracchia, Noelle Talmon|
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BYAustin Fracchia, Noelle Talmon/ LAST UPDATED ON October 14, 2021

Magnetic tool holders are great for having easy access to multiple instruments, such as screwdrivers, hammers, scissors, and other metal objects, within arm’s reach. You can mount tools to walls in the house, including the garage, office, kitchen, or craft room. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find the best magnetic tool holder on the market.

Best Overall
Ex Electronix Express 78MTH24EA Magnetic Tool Holder 24”

Ex Electronix Express 78MTH24EA Magnetic Tool Holder 24”

Summary
The best heavy-duty magnetic tool holder, 24 inches in length, that has the ability to hold large items, including a hedge trimmer.
Pros
The tool holder is easy to install, has a durable finish, and uses pre-centered holes for stud spacing.
Cons
The included screws are flatheads, making installation slow and a bit of a challenge.
Best Value

Capri Tools Magnetic Bar Holder Tool

Summary
A budget-friendly, 24-inch, magnetic bar that can safely secure large and small tools weighing up to 5 pounds each. It comes with ¼-inch mounting holes for easy installation.
Pros
The smooth, powder-coated finish keeps tools from getting scratched. A smaller 12-inch version is also available. It has a strong magnet that’s ideal for large tools.
Cons
It comes with poorly designed mounting screws. May have some dead spots.
Honorable Mention

Vanitek 4 Heavy-Duty 12” Magnetic Tool Holder Racks

Summary
This tool holder comes in a set that features multiple strips that can hold objects up to five pounds each.
Pros
The holder can be installed in just minutes. The set of multiple strips allows it to hold both thin and wider tools. 
Cons
Stickers on the holder are difficult to remove, and the end caps may not stay on.

Why Buy a Magnetic Tool Holder?

  • Keep common tools out of the toolbox. Have you ever worked on a project and found yourself wasting time digging around to find the correct tools? A magnet bar eliminates the clutter and puts everything you need in one spot.
  • Organize your workspace. When you’re finished with a project and don’t put your tools back, this can lead to a cluttered workspace and misplaced tools. A magnetic holder keeps tools out of the way. If you struggle with organizing your workspace, magnets are the perfect solution. 
  • Keep your tools within hand’s reach. Projects are easier to tackle if your tools are right by your side. Magnetic toolbars allow you to keep your gadgets within reach in one spot.
  • Stack the strips. Magnetic tool holders are easy to stack on top of each other. This means you can double the grip strength for heavier or larger tools.

Top Brands

Master Magnetics

Colorado-based Master Magnetics has been making high-quality magnetic devices since 1976. Their products are designed for commercial, industrial, and private use. With an inventory of over 15 million magnets in stock, their specialties include industrial and consumer-packaged magnets for home improvement, automotive, craft, and other activities. One of their best products is their 12-inch Double-Sided Magnet Strip

Capri Tools

Capri Tools has been around for over 30 years. The California company strives to make high-quality tools that perform well for their customers. Capri also stresses the importance of offering fair prices. One of their most popular products is the MT-24 24-Inch Magnetic Bar Holder Tool.

Grip

Grip offers over 1,300 products for consumers in need of hand tools for automotive maintenance, welding, camping, and more. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Grip prides itself on innovative products and a proven track record with its customers. One popular offering is its three-piece Magnetic Tool Holder Set.

Magnetic Tool Holder Pricing

  • Under $20: Holders in this price range tend to be smaller in size and are more suitable for lighter objects—scissors and screwdrivers versus hammers and hatchets.
  • $20-$30: Most magnetic tool holders fall into this price range. They come in a variety of sizes and weight capacities. Some also have the ability to connect multiple holders together.
  • Over $40: These tool holders generally consist of an entire storage rack, not just a single holder. If you want to store many tools together either side by side or on top of each other, these racks are your best bet.

Key Features

Magnet Placement

Some magnetic holders use a single, long magnet; others have multiple magnets lined up on a steel bar between the ends. Both types will hold small tools, but the positioning may affect where you can place items on the holder. 

Finish

Some magnet bars are covered in a plastic coating that may wear off in time. A few options have a black powder finish that is more resistant to scratches. To save money, the plastic coating should be enough. If durability is important, however, a powder finish is the better choice. 

Mounting Options

Installation is a key factor when using magnetic tool holders. Some use brackets to mount to a wall, while others are simply flush-mounted. A few magnetic bars can use either of these options for installation.

Other Considerations

  • Find the right size. Magnetic tool racks come in a variety of sizes, like 12 and 24 inches. If you use a lot of tools, you may want a longer magnet organizer. If space is limited, opt for a shorter bar.
  • Pay attention to weight capacity. Magnetic tool holders can hold as little as five pounds or as much as 30 pounds. It’s important to consider what types of tools you will be storing on the holder before purchasing one.

Best Magnetic Tool Holder Reviews & Recommendations 2020

The Ex Electronix Express magnetic tool holder is one of the stronger holders on the market, holding up to 20 pounds per inch. The heavy-duty, permanent magnetic bar securely holds both small and large tools. It’s perfect for securing wrenches, sockets, screws, and other heavy tools so they won’t slide off easily.


The surface of the tool holder is durable, and several magnets are secured between two steel bars. The sticker is also easy to remove. The tool holder itself is simple to install, using 16-inch holes that match up with the normal stud spacing. The Ex Electronix Express easily mounts to walls, shelves, workbenches, and toolboxes.


The screws that come with the toolbar may be an issue since they require a flathead screwdriver. Higher-quality mounting screws may be required to better secure the product. It’s also meant to mount to a normal wall so other surfaces like metal may be difficult to use.

The Capri Tools Magnetic bar is one strong tool holder that can literally pull small tools out of your hands if you hold them close enough. The bar is 24 inches long, weighs 2.1 pounds, and has a sleek, powder-coated finish that keeps your tools from getting scratched on the bar. Such a lengthy design allows you to store large and small tools weighing up to 5 pounds each. 


This magnetic bar is made of a robust steel frame and comes with two, ¼-inch mounting holes and screwdrivers. The best thing about this tool is its flat design, which allows you to install it on almost any flat surface be it a wall or a shelf. Also, it only takes minutes to install, and you can hang about nine screwdrivers, two hammers, and three chisels with minimal issues.


The main drawback of the Capri Holder Tool is that it comes with weak mounting screws that may break during installation or after enduring heavy loads. In addition, the magnetic bar may have a few dead spots where there's minimal or zero magnetism. 

This magnetic toolbar rack has four 12-inch bars that hold items weighing up to about five pounds each. Each one of the strips can be connected to each other via adjustable mounting hardware. It also includes Phillip screws for mounting to make installation quick and painless with a simple screwdriver. It can be mounted with brackets or flush against the wall and takes just minutes to install.


Everything stays in place with this magnetic tool holder. It can even hold larger tools such as shovels, chisels, files, and wrenches. If you are looking for a good value, the four racks included in the package offer a lot of storage space.


Keep in mind that the magnets can pinch your skin if you’re not careful since they are strong. Also, the end caps may come off during installation. Finally, the stickers used in shipping the product may be difficult to remove.

This heavy duty magnetic tool holder comes in four lengths: 6, 13, 18, and 24 inches. You can also choose from a black powder-coated finish or a silver-colored nickel plate finish. You can use your tool holder to keep any tool made from ferrous material organized. The top of the holder has two steel tabs with holes. The holder measures 1.625 inches tall and 1.125 inches deep.


This tool holder is incredibly strong and can support up to 20 pounds per inch of pull force. It also comes with two screws and drywall anchors to make installing your holder easy.


Unfortunately, the screws that are sent with this holder are not strong or durable. They should not be used to mount this holder. The magnetic surface can become pitted and scratched, which degrades the look of your holder.

This set of three magnetic tool holder bars are made of solid steel with flat frames. They are constructed with powerful neodymium magnets. This enables them to hold several tools and can support a weight of up to 22 pounds. Each bar comes with pre-drilled mounting holes on each end. The bars are a bright red color with black mounting ends and yellow logo branding across the front.


What’s nice about these bars is that they come as a set. You can easily connect two bars by overlapping the ends and using a single screw to mount them on your wall. You can also combine the bars to be mounted one above the other so they work together to hold larger tools.


Unfortunately, the screws supplied with the bars don’t match. They can slip completely through the pre-drilled holes, which makes them useless. The magnet can also break off of the bar. This makes the bar difficult to use because it will stay stuck to whatever tool you were trying to grab.

This set of three black and orange magnetic tool holders come with connectors to make a single long bar. Each bar is 24 inches long, one inch wide, and 0.4 inches thick. The bars are constructed from solid steel to create a flat frame that’s finished with a glossy black coating.


What’s nice about this set of tool holder bars is that they come with the required screw hardware. You’ll get one-inch screws to give your bars a strong hold when mounted. Each bar is incredibly strong and can hold tools that weigh up to four pounds.


Unfortunately, the bars aren’t as strong as promised. You may find that you need two bars mounted parallel to each other for enough strength to hold hand tools. The magnets are glued on and aren’t very durable. The mounting brackets are plastic, which can also be a weak point on the bars.

You’ll get four magnetic bar holders that are each twelve inches in length. They are 0.95 inches wide and 0.5 inches thick. Each bar has a strong magnet that can hold up to 20 pounds. They’re constructed of tough and durable A3 carbon steel. They also come with connectors on the ends to make them versatile. You could hang all four separately, connect them all for a four-foot-long strip, or any other combination you can come up with.


You’ll like these bars because they come with eight mounting brackets and eight mounting screws that are 1.37 inches in length. This will make installation easy and secure. The four short bars make them easier to fit into any space.


Unfortunately, you may find the magnets aren’t strong enough to hold some of your hand tools. They also have bright blue tape on the front with pictures of the magnet bar in action. It’s difficult to peel off, and underneath is the bare unattractive magnet. The weight capacity claim is a bit unclear. The bars can hold a single tool that weighs up to five pounds and have a total weight capacity of 20 pounds.

This set of four magnetic tool holders is heavy duty, making them perfect for use in your garage. Each bar is 12 inches in length with a mounting bracket/connector on the end. In addition, the bars can hold up to five pounds each.


What’s nice about these bar holders is that the end caps are removable. This gives you more flexibility in how you mount the bars. If you use the end caps, you’ll have about a half-inch gap behind the bar. Without the caps, the bars will sit flush against the wall.


The downside of these bars is that they have bold white writing across the front of each one, which detracts from their looks. In addition, these bars are best used with only small hand tools.

You’ll get a total of three feet of organization with this set of magnetic tool holders. There are three bars that each measure twelve inches in length. You also have the option of buying just one bar or a set of five bars. Each magnet bar can hold up to 12 pounds. Included are two-inch mounting screws and mounting brackets that also double as connectors.


You’ll like this set of magnet bars because it comes with strong and durable hardware. This holds the bars steady in rugged environments and through tough use. These bars also stand out because they are sleek and beautiful. The logo and other branding are limited to a single blue and white print in the bar’s middle. The rest of it is solid black, which will help it to look discrete in your garage.


Unfortunately, the plastic can be brittle, which can cause it to crack and break. The bars can also demagnetize, which will reduce their overall holding power.

This bar set comes with three bars that are three different lengths. You’ll get one 8-inch, one 12-inch, and one 18-inch bar. The magnets are constructed from carbon steel.


This set is nice because it comes with six mounting screws. This makes installation easier. The manufacturer’s claimed holding power for the bars is incredibly strong. It’s stated that the 8-inch bar can hold up to 44 pounds, the 12-inch bar can hold up to 66 pounds, and the 18-inch bar can hold up to 110 pounds.


Unfortunately, the size influences the magnets’ strength, so the longer bar is stronger than the shorter one. The magnets are only strong enough to hold smaller tools. They also lack in looks with a white tape that covers the magnet and has a repeating logo printed throughout the length of the bars. The maximum holding capacity of the bars may be overstated.

Tips and Advice

  • Predrill holes in the wall before you mount a holder.
  • If the tool holder comes with stickers on it, consider using Goo Gone, WD-40, or another product to remove the adhesive before you install it.
  • Most magnetic toolbar holders only have magnets on one side. Be sure you buy one with magnets on both sides if you want to attach it to a metal surface like a toolbox or refrigerator.
  • You may have trouble attaching metal tools with plastic handles to the surface magnet. Little adhesive magnetic strips on the handle are a simple solution to this problem.

FAQs

Q: What size holder do I need?

A: First, you need to determine what you will attach to the toolbar and where you want to place the holder. Smaller tool holders hold fewer items and are better for smaller spaces. Bigger tool holders may be necessary for a shed or garage. You may want to use a 12- or 18-inch tool holder to hang small tools, while a 24-inch holder may be more appropriate for larger items like hammers and hatchets.

Q: How much weight can magnetic tool strips hold?

A: It depends on the size, but some can carry as much as 25 pounds of weight. Read the description of the product to make sure it’s strong enough to hold the tools you want to secure.

Q: How do I install a magnetic tool holder?

A: Magnetic tool organizers that mount to a wall, workbench, or another flat surface will require screws, a stud finder, and some hand tools. With a double-sided magnetic toolbar, just stick it to a metal surface. Make sure to read the directions thoroughly before installation.

Final Thoughts

Our top pick for the best magnetic tool holder is the Ex Electronix Express 78MTH24EA Magnetic Tool Holder 24”. It’s strong with a good size for holding a variety of big and heavy-duty tools.

If you’re looking for something less expensive, consider the Capri Tools Magnetic Bar Holder Tool. It can hold a variety of tools of different sizes.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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