What Real Reviews Of Costco's Highest-Rated Tool Chest Are Saying

When you begin collecting tools that every homeowner should have, you need somewhere safe to store them. Although you could just throw them in a junk drawer, the better option for the serious DIY-er is finding a workbench. Although DIY folding workbenches for the garage are popular, you might want a permanent workbench with plenty of tool storage and a sturdy top surface for working on projects.

One popular option for this type of tool chest is available at Costco: the Trinity 72" Stainless Steel Rolling Workbench ($900). This is significantly cheaper than very similar workbenches from Trinity that retailers like Home Depot, Amazon, and Trinity itself also carry. Those other retailers charge prices ranging from about $1,300 to $1,550 for the tool chest.

Just because it may be available for a bargain price at Costco, it doesn't mean the Trinity tool chest is the right choice for you. It does have a 4.7-star customer review rating on the Costco website, which represents a high level of customer satisfaction. Is it really worth the price, though? Does it stand up to rough treatment and can it hold large amounts of weight? We sampled customer reviews from the Costco website, as well as those from other retailers that offer the Trinity-branded tool chest and YouTube, to find out what real reviews of Costco's highest-rated tool chest are saying. 

If durability is your primary concern with a workbench and tool chest combination, customer reviewers list durability as one of the primary strengths of the Trinity model. The unit uses 20-gauge stainless steel in the construction and has what the manufacturer calls a commercial-grade design. "I don't regret this buy for one second," says Costco reviewer Mikebate, adding, "Out of the box, I immediately noticed how heavy duty this was. The [casters] were extremely heavy and able to withstand the weight of the cabinet and roll very easily." 

The wheels measure 5-by-2 inches and can support the full weight of the Trinity workbench while simplifying maneuverability of the unit. Even though the unit weighs 258 pounds empty, the casters are able to support the full weight of the tools and workbench, Costco reviewer Bill4177 says. "The two front casters are locking wheels that use a positive on/off mechanical latch mechanism ... It rolls smoothly and looks better than the photo," they add.

Each drawer can hold up to 100 pounds of materials, yet customers report that the loaded drawers slide easily. "I love the durability and ease of opening the drawers. Solid construction," Amazon reviewer Robin Hensiek says. YouTube reviewer The 5 Best Ones places the Trinity model on its list of the five best rolling workbenches, thanks in large part to its durability: "It has a combined weight capacity of 2,200 pounds. ... [The adjustable shelves] allow you to organize your tools properly."

Several reviewers mentioned using the versatile Trinity workbench for things other than storing tools. YouTube reviewer Sterling W considered placing the Trinity piece in the kitchen, but it didn't have National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification for storing water and food. The working surface for the Trinity workbench consists of 1.5-inch solid rubberwood butcher's block. The best countertop material for a garage workbench is generally considered to be butcher's block, which is a thick wood surface that often has a patchwork appearance. Rubberwood butcher's block is sturdy and stable, although it's only a medium-density hardwood. YouTube's Sterling W likes the look of the stainless steel, but wasn't as big of a fan of the butcher's block top. The stainless steel "is easy to clean as well and looks super modern. We would like to probably switch out the top with quartz or something, which would be cool."

Rubberwood does work well for butcher's block countertops, which makes the Trinity a natural fit for storage in a kitchen that has other stainless steel appliances or a modern industrial kitchen design. "Well built [and] very nice looking. So nice that I'm using it as a buffet," Costco reviewer Anne says. Costco reviewer Somedudeinflorida appreciates the way the Trinity's materials look: "[I] was pleasantly surprised that this cabinet is mostly made with non-magnetic 304 stainless steel."

The most common complaint from customers was that the workbench sometimes arrives with damage from shipping. This model is only available from Costco as an online order, so you cannot visit a local store and pick it up yourself. At the time of this writing, the Trinity workbench is not a product that you can have shipped to your local warehouse store for pickup, either, like some Costco online-only products.

"Received [the] workbench in a damaged condition, which illuminated what I consider flimsy construction. The stainless steel is prone to denting," Costco reviewer Keith Horstman says. The unit's 20-gauge stainless steel is one of the thinner gauges available. One reviewer said this was a disappointment. "The doors felt a bit flimsy for me, and a small dent was already showing up due to the reflective color and [20] gauge. Returning it was no easy task, as I had to rent a trailer with a ramp to get it to Costco," reviewer No Thanks says.

Several reviewers recommend that you fully inspect the packaging before accepting the delivery of the Trinity tool chest. "The outside packing looked fine, but when we opened it up, we found the workbench was smashed on two sides," Costco reviewer D Sawyer says. Costco reviewer Smalltowns had a similar experience: "I couldn't believe how damaged it was. ... Quality control measures should be instituted. Stronger shopping crates should be used." Ultimately, the tool chest seems great for durability and versatility, but be wary of potential damage upon delivery.