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We assembled a list of the best overhead garage storage racks, preferring industrial-grade steel racks with a minimum storage surface of 3.75’ x 3.75’ and capable of supporting a minimum weight of 250 pounds. We also preferred them to be height-adjustable from no less than 28” and designed with heavy-duty long brackets made to attach to ceiling studs or joists. Finally, we favored those models with a mesh storage surface to prevent dust and moisture buildup and discourage pests.
Of the models we put through rigorous testing, the Fleximount 4×8 Overhead Garage Storage Rack is the best overhead garage storage rack that you can buy today. This is because of its excellent value, cold-rolled heavy-duty steel construction, 600lb maximum load rating, extra ceiling mount brackets, and overall storage flexibility. Keep reading to see the rest of the models that made our list. But first things first. Go over our guide on how to get the best prices on appliances.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: It’s an extremely solidly built, heavy-duty unit that features an extremely high weight limit, great adjustability for a variety of storage needs, and is easy to install using detailed, but clear instructions.
The Fleximount is constructed out of heavy-duty cold-rolled steel with a large 4×8” storage surface area and an adjustable height of 22” to 40”, allowing for 105 cubic feet of storage. It has a maximum loading rating of 600lbs, an integrated grid design in which the storage surface’s frame and wire are fused for maximum sturdiness, and the six long ceiling mounts allow for attachment to more ceiling joists than most models, with more surface area per mount.
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Although the Fleximount is the heaviest and bulkiest on our list, clocking in at over 60 pounds, its extremely high weight limit, extra features that improve security and sturdiness, an impressive range of adjustability, and relative ease of installation using the excellent and detailed instructions included make it the strongest all-around rack we tested. It is definitely among the best racks for your garage shelving.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A well-built, ultra-secure, versatile unit that’s a great option for people with smaller garages or smaller storage needs, with a lightweight and an easy installation procedure.
The Hyloft is constructed from heavy-duty steel with a white gloss finish and features a surface area of 45 x 45”, a maximum load rating of 250 lbs, 4 heavy-duty ceiling mounts, a wire mesh storage surface design, and an adjustable height from 17-28”. This will give you flexibility in your space, to still be able to fit the best carport.
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It’s a strong, nice-looking rack with good adjustability options, but its maximum weight rating is lower than others on our list, as is the maximum storage capacity of 30 cubic feet. But its high adjustability, ease of installation, and excellent construction make it a great choice for people with smaller storage needs who appreciate a good value. With new storage space in the garage, you’ll want to read our guide on the best garage lighting.
Award: EASIEST TO INSTALL
WHY WE LIKE IT: It’s a sturdy unit that will handle a heavy load (max 600 lb) and has design features that make it easy to install and disassemble.
The Monsterax is constructed with high-quality 14-gauge steel- the standard for industrial steel- and has a surface area of 4×8’ and a maximum load limit of 600lbs. It has an adjustable height of 24-45”, a wire and frame with an easy-to-put together “waterfall” design that locks in for a more secure fit, and four ceiling mount brackets.
The lack of a center set of ceiling mounts makes it a little less secure than our top pick and the unit’s lighter weight, along with its two-piece design, make it a slightly less robust rack, but both the lighter weight and “waterfall” snap-on design of the frame and wire also make it extremely easy to install and disassemble, making it a good choice if your storage needs are likely to change frequently but you still need a unit capable of holding a lot of weight. Get your best shop cloth ready, because this storage space will be perfect to house the tools for your DIY projects.
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Award: BEST FOR SMALL LOADS
WHY WE LIKE IT: It offers very secure storage for smaller loads with extra features for added versatility, including 2 drop hooks to provide even more storage.
The SafeRacks is constructed out of heavy-duty steel and has a surface area of 4×4”, adjustable height from 24” to 45”, and a maximum weight load rating of 250lbs. It also includes a two-piece frame and wire design, 4 steel ceiling mount brackets, and s two medium-duty hooks for hanging more items.
With a significantly lower weight limit and surface area than two of the units on our list, it offers less storage capacity, but it’s a high-quality storage rack that’s a great choice for people with less demanding storage needs that offers more ceiling clearance than similar-sized models, and the included hooks are great for hanging tools, dry cleaning bags, or other medium-weight items that won’t fit in the rack itself. If you use your garage as a space to work on your car, you may also want to look into the best car battery charger. While you’re at it, you’ll want to read our review on the best car jack too.
In our rigorous testing process, we preferred highly affordable models made of the finest industrial-grade steel, had wire-mesh storage surface designs to help prevent dust and moisture buildup, and were rated for a maximum weight of no less than 250 pounds. We also preferred garage storage racks that featured adjustable height options.
We liked racks that offered a good ratio between the weight of the unit and the maximum weight it’s rated to hold (aka capacity), keeping in mind that ceilings often have safe maximum load limits that are lower than the maximum load ratings of many larger rack units. Fortunately, many units today are made with steel formulated to pass industrial-strength standards while still being relatively lightweight.
Though motorized overhead garage storage racks are popular, they tend to be much less of a value than standard units, so we avoided them for the purposes of this list.
We also favored racks with storage surfaces of no less than 3.75 x 3.75’, minimum heights of no less than 28”, and those with extra-long mounting brackets designed specifically to attach to ceiling joists.
Because overhead garage storage installation can be frustrating, we also preferred racks that were easy to install without the purchase of additional tools.
