9 Best Metal File Cabinets (November 2026)
The best metal file cabinets include the Yizosh Metal Garage Storage Cabinet for mixed office and supply storage, the Letaya Lateral 3 Drawer File Cabinets for everyday lateral filing, and the Letaya File Cabinets for high-capacity lateral filing.
On this page (7 sections)
- Which metal file cabinet fits your filing needs?
- How do you choose between vertical and lateral metal file cabinets?
- What should you check on a locking metal file cabinet?
- What folder sizes fit a metal file cabinet?
- How do you measure for a metal filing cabinet?
- How do you keep a metal file cabinet organized?
- Which metal file cabinet should you choose?
The best metal file cabinets depend on what you need to store: choose Letaya's three-drawer lateral cabinet for hanging files, or Yizosh for lockable shelves that can hold papers and office supplies. For a compact setup, the SISESOL vertical cabinet is 15 in wide, while the DEVAISE model adds three drawers and wheels.
Metal storage spans more than one layout. Lateral drawers give you wide filing space, vertical drawers use a narrower footprint, and a tall cabinet with shelves can store boxes or supplies alongside paperwork.
For a wood finish, compare wood lateral file cabinets.
For a broader office setup, compare our Best File Cabinet For Home Office guide. If you already have an old steel cabinet to clear out, see How to Recycle Metal File Cabinets: A Guide.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for mixed office and supply storageYizosh Metal Garage Storage Cabinet
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for everyday lateral filingLetaya Lateral 3 Drawer File Cabinets
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Check itLetaya Mobile File Cabinet with Lock
Best for moving files around a desk - 5
Check itSISESOL 2 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock
Best for narrow vertical storage - 6
Check itMIIIKO 4 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock
Best for compact four-drawer filing - 7
Check itLetaya 2 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock
Best for low lateral filing - 8
Check itDEVAISE 3 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock
Best for an assembled mobile cabinet - 9
Check itAobabo 4-Drawer Metal File Cabinet
Best for vertical letter and legal files
Which metal file cabinet fits your filing needs?
The Letaya three-drawer lateral cabinet is the most balanced choice for everyday hanging files, while the other picks fit specific storage needs. We compared drawer layouts, locks, folder compatibility, dimensions and mobility to match each cabinet with a clear use.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
| Product | Best for | Storage | Size (D x W x H) | Lock | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yizosh Metal Garage Storage Cabinet | mixed office and supply storage | Five adjustable shelves behind two doors | 15.7 x 31.5 x 71 in | Key lock; two keys included | 9.7 |
| Letaya Lateral 3 Drawer File Cabinets | everyday lateral filing | 16 x 36 x 40 in | Key lock secures all drawers | 9.6 | |
| Letaya File Cabinets | high-capacity lateral filing | 16 x 36 x 52 in | Key lock secures all drawers | 9.5 | |
| Letaya Mobile File Cabinet with Lock | moving files around a desk | 17.32 x 14.57 x 26.18 in | One key locks all drawers | 9.4 | |
| SISESOL 2 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock | narrow vertical storage | 17.7 x 15 x 25.4 in | Key lock; two keys included | 9.4 | |
| MIIIKO 4 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock | compact four-drawer filing | 17.71 x 15 x 50.11 in | Top key lock secures all drawers | 9.3 | |
| Letaya 2 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock | low lateral filing | 15.74 x 28.35 x 27.95 in | Single key lock secures drawers | 9.2 | |
| DEVAISE 3 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock | an assembled mobile cabinet | 17 x 15 x 24 in | Key lock secures all three drawers | 9.1 | |
| Aobabo 4-Drawer Metal File Cabinet | vertical letter and legal files | 17.7 x 15 x 52 in | Single key lock secures all drawers | 8.2 |
Yizosh Metal Garage Storage Cabinet: Best for mixed office and supply storage
- Two doors
- Five adjustable shelves
- Key lock
- Each shelf supports up to 180 lb
A tall lockable cabinet separates office files from tools and other supplies. Adjustable shelves let you set the interior for different items.
Pros
- Five adjustable shelves
- Key lock and two keys
- Tall storage for mixed items
Cons
- Requires assembly
- Shelves are not filing drawers
The Yizosh cabinet is the most flexible pick when paper files share space with office supplies or equipment. Behind its two doors are five adjustable shelves, so you can change the shelf spacing for binders, boxes or tools instead of relying on file drawers.
Each shelf is rated for up to 180 lb, and the key lock comes with two keys. If you need a spare later, see replacement keys for file cabinets.
The cabinet measures 31.5 in wide, 15.7 in deep and 71 in tall, so measure the route into the room and ceiling clearance before choosing a tall unit.
This cabinet has a powder-coated steel frame and needs assembly. It is not a hanging-file cabinet, so choose a drawer model if you want rails that hold letter, legal or A4 folders upright.
Pick it for mixed storage that benefits from adjustable shelves behind lockable doors. For a dedicated two-drawer layout, compare our guide to the best 2 drawer file cabinet.
Letaya Lateral 3 Drawer File Cabinets: Best for everyday lateral filing
- Three drawers
- Key lock with interlock system
- Adjustable hanging bars
- Letter, legal, F4 and A4 folders
Three wide drawers organize common hanging folder sizes, and the interlock system secures all drawers. Its 40 in height may fit under some desks.
Pros
- Adjustable hanging bars for several folder sizes
- Interlocking drawers
- Full suspension ball-bearing drawers
Cons
- Requires assembly
- 36 in width needs floor space
The Letaya three-drawer lateral cabinet is a practical fit for active paper filing. Its adjustable hanging bars accommodate A4, letter and legal folders, while the interlock system secures all drawers with a folding key lock.
At 36 in wide and 40 in tall, it is broader than a vertical cabinet but shorter than many tall drawer units. The brand describes it as a height that can fit under a desk; check your own desk opening before planning that placement.
Full-suspension ball-bearing drawers are designed to open and close quietly. Assembly is required, and the 16 in depth also needs to fit the space behind or beside your desk.
Choose it when you want several file categories in wide drawers and have room for its footprint. If you'd rather keep papers out of sight in a smaller room, our Best File Cabinet For Small Spaces guide compares compact layouts.
Letaya File Cabinets: Best for high-capacity lateral filing
- Four lateral drawers
- Key lock with interlock system
- Adjustable hanging bars
- Letter, legal, F4 and A4 folders
Four wide drawers create more filing sections than the three-drawer Letaya option. It has the same 36 in width and a taller 52 in profile.
Pros
- Four filing drawers
- Adjustable bars for several folder sizes
- Interlocking drawers
Cons
- Requires assembly
- Tall profile needs clearance
The four-drawer Letaya adds another filing section while keeping the same 36 in width as the three-drawer model. Its 52 in height makes it a better fit for buyers who can use vertical room and want letter, legal, F4 or A4 files on adjustable hanging bars.
A key lock and interlock system secure the drawers, and full-suspension ball-bearing slides help them open and close quietly. The cabinet is 16 in deep and weighs 110 lb, so decide where it will go before assembly.
This is a useful step up when three drawers would leave papers crowded together. Skip it if you need a low cabinet or cannot accommodate its height.
Letaya Mobile File Cabinet with Lock: Best for moving files around a desk
- Two drawers
- Wheels, including one universal wheel
- Key lock and interlock system
- Fully assembled except wheels
This compact cabinet rolls beside a desk, with locking wheels and an interlock system. It arrives assembled, though you need to install the wheels.
Pros
- Wheeled design
- Arrives assembled
- Drawers fit several folder sizes
Cons
- Wheels need installation
- 17.32 in depth may exceed desk clearance
The Letaya mobile cabinet keeps frequently used files close to your chair and can roll when you rearrange the workspace. It has two drawers, locking wheels and an interlock system, with room for A4, F4, letter and legal files.
It measures about 14.6 in wide and 26.2 in tall, a shape intended to fit under some desks. The cabinet arrives assembled, but the wheels need to be installed separately; allow about 17.3 in of depth.
A single key locks all drawers, and the ball slides are designed for quieter operation. Choose it for paper you access at the desk, rather than bulk records that need more drawer capacity.
SISESOL 2 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock: Best for narrow vertical storage
- Two vertical drawers
- Key lock and two foldable keys
- Fits letter, A4 and legal files
- All-metal construction
A 15 in width makes this a compact vertical option for paper files. It locks and supports letter, A4 and legal folders.
Pros
- Narrow 15 in width
- Two keys included
- Fits common file sizes
Cons
- Requires simple assembly
- Dimensions differ slightly across the product details
The SISESOL cabinet offers a narrow vertical footprint with two lockable drawers. It fits letter, A4 and legal files, and the two foldable keys help keep the lock keys together when not in use.
The cabinet is about 15 in wide and 25.4 in tall. The dimensions shown across its details differ slightly, so confirm the current measurements before you buy if clearance is tight.
Its all-metal construction has an electrostatic epoxy coating described as resistant to corrosion and rust. Assembly is required, making it a reasonable option for a small office where you want vertical drawers and a key lock.
MIIIKO 4 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock: Best for compact four-drawer filing
- Four vertical drawers
- Top lock secures all drawers
- Adjustable rails for letter, legal and A4 folders
- Anti-tip mechanism
Four drawers provide separate sections in a 15 in wide cabinet. Adjustable hanging rails fit letter, legal and A4 files.
Pros
- Four drawers in a 15 in width
- Adjustable hanging rails
- Anti-tip mechanism
Cons
- Requires assembly
- 50.11 in height needs clearance
MIIIKO's four-drawer cabinet suits a narrow floor area where you still want separate filing sections. Its 15 in width leaves a smaller side-to-side footprint than the wide lateral models, while the four high-side drawers accommodate letter, legal and A4 folders on adjustable rails.
The top lock secures all four drawers, and an anti-tip mechanism is fitted to each drawer side. At 50.11 in tall and 17.71 in deep, it needs more vertical and front-to-back clearance than a low under-desk cabinet.
It requires assembly, with parts and tools included. Choose it when four vertical drawers matter more than a short profile.
Letaya 2 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock: Best for low lateral filing
- Two lateral drawers
- Key lock with interlock system
- Adjustable hanging bars
- Letter, legal and A4 folders
This low lateral cabinet fits under some work surfaces and organizes hanging files across two drawers. Confirm the 28.35 in width and 15.74 in depth against your space.
Pros
- Low profile
- Adjustable hanging bars
- Interlock limits opening to one drawer at a time
Cons
- Requires assembly
- Wide footprint for its height
This Letaya two-drawer lateral cabinet is a low option for buyers who want wide file drawers under a work surface. It measures 27.95 in tall and has adjustable bars for letter, legal and A4 hanging folders.
Its interlock system allows only one drawer to open at a time, and a single key secures the drawers. The cabinet is 28.35 in wide and 15.74 in deep, so check your desk opening and walkway space before assembly.
The maker describes four deep drawers, while the title identifies the cabinet as a two-drawer model. To avoid confusion, confirm the drawer configuration when checking the current model information.
DEVAISE 3 Drawer File Cabinet with Lock: Best for an assembled mobile cabinet
- Three drawers
- Five wheels, including a central anti-tip caster
- Interlock system with two keys
- No assembly required
A mobile three-drawer cabinet arrives assembled and has five wheels, including a central caster to help prevent tipping. Its bottom drawer has a removable bar for letter, A4 and legal hanging folders.
Pros
- No assembly required
- Five wheels
- Full-extension drawer slides
Cons
- 17 in depth needs clearance
- Hanging-file bar is in the bottom drawer
The DEVAISE cabinet is the pick for buyers who want a mobile drawer unit that arrives assembled. It has three drawers and five wheels, including a central caster intended to help prevent tipping.
The interlock system secures all three drawers, and two keys are included. Its bottom drawer has a removable hanging bar for letter, legal and A4 folders, while the full-extension slides open completely for access.
At 15 in wide, 17 in deep and 24 in tall, it can fit beside or under some desks. Check the clearance first, and consider the 17 in depth when positioning it near a chair.
Aobabo 4-Drawer Metal File Cabinet: Best for vertical letter and legal files
- Four vertical drawers
- Top key lock secures all drawers
- Interlock allows one open drawer at a time
- Adjustable leveling feet
Four deep drawers hold letter and legal folders, with a top lock and interlocking system. Adjustable feet help level it on uneven floors.
Pros
- Four vertical drawers
- Adjustable leveling feet
- Wall attachment hardware included
Cons
- Requires assembly
- 52 in height needs clearance
Aobabo's four-drawer cabinet is a tall vertical option for letter and legal hanging folders. Its single top lock secures all four drawers, and the interlock system allows only one drawer to open at a time.
The cabinet stands 52 in tall, with adjustable leveling feet to help balance it on an uneven floor. Wall attachment hardware is included, so follow the setup instructions for the anti-tip hardware.
This is a useful choice for buyers who need four vertical filing sections and can accommodate the height. At 15 in wide, it takes less side-to-side floor space than the lateral cabinets, but still needs about 17.7 in of depth.
How do you choose between vertical and lateral metal file cabinets?
Choose vertical drawers when you want a narrower cabinet, and lateral drawers when you have room for wider drawers and easier side-to-side sorting. Measure the whole footprint, including space to stand and open the drawers.
Vertical models here range from about 15 in wide to 52 in tall. The SISESOL and MIIIKO cabinets show how a similar width can serve either two-drawer or four-drawer storage, while the taller Letaya and Aobabo models add more vertical sections.
Lateral cabinets need more width. The Letaya three-drawer model is 36 in wide, while its two-drawer option is about 28 in wide and under 28 in tall.
What should you check on a locking metal file cabinet?
Check whether the lock secures one drawer or all drawers, and whether the cabinet uses an interlock system. Several options here use one key to secure all drawers, while interlocks limit how many drawers can open at once.
A lock helps restrict access to stored papers, but it does not replace careful handling of keys or safe storage of sensitive records. If you need a lockable cabinet for a home office, compare these picks with our Best Locking File Cabinet For Home Office guide.
For a tighter room, the Best Locking File Cabinet For Small Spaces guide can help you compare secure storage with a compact footprint.
What folder sizes fit a metal file cabinet?
Folder fit depends on the drawer's hanging rails, so confirm that the cabinet supports your paper size before buying. Several picks here accommodate letter, legal and A4 folders, and some also support F4.
Letaya's lateral cabinets and the SISESOL vertical cabinet list letter, legal and A4 compatibility. The MIIIKO four-drawer cabinet also supports those sizes, while Aobabo names letter and legal folders.
The Yizosh cabinet uses shelves rather than hanging rails. It can store supplies and files in boxes, but it is not designed to suspend folders in drawers.
How do you measure for a metal filing cabinet?
Measure the cabinet's width, depth and height against its intended spot, then check the path through doorways and around corners. Leave room for drawers to extend and for you to stand in front of them.
Under-desk placement needs special care. Compare the full cabinet height with the desk opening and allow for any crossbars, cables or drawers beneath the desktop.
For a rolling model, measure the depth with space for movement and check that wheels can travel without catching on cords or rugs. A tall cabinet should also have adequate clearance above it and be set up according to its stability instructions.
How do you keep a metal file cabinet organized?
Group papers by a system you can keep using, such as project, household or tax records, then label each drawer or hanging folder. Put frequently used files in the easiest-to-reach drawer and less-used records in the remaining space.
For a multi-drawer cabinet, avoid filling every drawer with the heaviest items at the top. Follow the cabinet's safety instructions and use any included anti-tip or wall attachment features as directed.
Which metal file cabinet should you choose?
Choose the Letaya three-drawer lateral cabinet for everyday hanging files, the Yizosh cabinet for adjustable shelf storage, or the DEVAISE for a compact mobile unit that arrives assembled. For narrow vertical filing, compare SISESOL's two drawers with MIIIKO's four-drawer layout, and measure your room before choosing a taller cabinet.
To match your space and filing volume, start with our best 2 drawer file cabinet guide or compare the Best File Cabinet For Small Spaces.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for mixed office and supply storage
Yizosh Metal Garage Storage Cabinet
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for everyday lateral filing
Letaya Lateral 3 Drawer File Cabinets
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
Are metal file cabinets better than wood?
Metal cabinets can suit buyers who want a steel filing unit with a key lock, and many options here include powder-coated or all-steel construction. Wood cabinets may suit rooms where matching furniture matters more.
Compare the cabinet's dimensions, drawer layout and lock features with how you plan to file.
What should I check before buying a metal file cabinet?
Measure the floor area, doorway and any desk clearance, then compare those measurements with the cabinet's width, depth and height. Check whether it holds your folder sizes and whether drawers or shelves match your filing habits.
For confidential papers, confirm what the lock secures and whether the drawers interlock.
Do metal file cabinets need assembly?
Some metal cabinets require assembly, while the Letaya mobile two-drawer model arrives assembled with wheels to install, and the DEVAISE three-drawer model requires no assembly. Read the setup instructions for your chosen cabinet and allow room to work.
Tall cabinets may also include wall attachment hardware or anti-tip features.
Can a locking metal file cabinet secure every drawer?
Some designs use one key lock to secure all drawers, such as the Letaya lateral cabinets and the MIIIKO four-drawer cabinet. Check the lock arrangement for your chosen model, since a lock on one drawer does not always describe the full cabinet.
Store only items suited to a file cabinet.
