Overview
Because paper documents are becoming less common in the modern workplace, those that do remain are usually of high priority and relevance. Filing cabinets give not just storage but also protection for these critical documents. Although many people now store data online, it is still vital to have a hard copy version of paper documents in a secure location.
But, with dozens of options to choose from, how can you know which one is perfect for you?
To assist you in selecting the best filing cabinets for your needs, we test and assess dozens of them as they become available. Our top picks are from brands we adore, offer unique features, and have garnered high ratings from our panel. Continue reading to discover more about various couch styles and materials and how to choose the finest one for your office.
Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Lorell 14341 18 File Cabinet
2. Best Budget: Space Solutions File Cabinet
3. Best Premium: Black Lateral File Cabinet
4. Best Vertical: Lorell SOHO File Cabinet
5. Best Rolling: DEVAISE File Cabinet
6. Best Under-Desk: DEVAISE File Cabinet
7. Best Pedestal: DEVAISE File Cabinet
8. Best Lateral: Bush Furniture Key West File Cabinet
Buying Guide
When looking for the finest filing cabinets, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Filing cabinets come in all sizes, shapes, and styles, which makes finding the perfect pairing a bit tricky. With so many options to choose from, picking one is a difficult choice. However, you do not need to waste time deciding which one to purchase. Take a look at our checklist of things to look for top filing cabinets. They'll make choosing the ideal one for your office a lot easier.
1. Types of Cabinets
File cabinets are available in a variety of styles to meet a variety of storage requirements. Learn about the most common types of file cabinets and how to organize your files effectively.
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Vertical: The most common and widely used type of file cabinet. This sort of file cabinet is perfect for smaller places due to its vertical configuration, which takes up less space. Vertical file cabinets are available in a range of materials. Wood, veneer, metal, and so on.
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Pedestals: Mobile or fixed pedestal file cabinets are available. The best part about pedestal file cabinets is that they come in a variety of file storage configurations. You may effortlessly pull out or suspend the files or documents you want from the pedestal office file cabinets.
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Mobile: With wheels, mobile file cabinets can easily be moved from room to room or into a closet. They often have a vertical orientation and one to two drawers, making them small enough to fit beneath a desk.
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Lateral: In lateral file cabinets, you can keep your files and documents in horizontal drawers. In comparison to their vertical equivalent, they are shorter and wider. Lateral file cabinets are perfect for firms that deal with a lot of paperwork and documentation.
2. Size
One of your first concerns while shopping for a file cabinet should be the cabinet's size. The height, width, and depth of file cabinets vary. Different file cabinets can hold documents of various sizes. Consider how much space you'll need and the size of your papers before making a purchase. Most file cabinets can hold typical letter-size documents measuring 8,5 by 11 inches. If you operate with legal-size documents, you'll need a file cabinet that can accept these dimensions.
3. Material
Metal, laminate, and wood are all common materials for file cabinets.
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Galvanized steel is used to make the metal file cabinets because it is both sturdy and powerful. Metal filing cabinets have the capacity to hold a lot of information. As a result, they're prevalent in the accounting industry and other fields where physical documents are retained for a long time.
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Although laminate file cabinets look like wood, they are made of low-cost particle boards.
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Solid wood file cabinets are of exceptional quality, but due to the high cost of wood finishing, they are prohibitively expensive and require special cleaning and maintenance. Solid wood filing cabinets are extremely unusual in offices because of this.
4. Security
Choose a file cabinet with a locking system to keep crucial and secret information safe. A key is accommodated by the most common form of lock. While plastic file cabinets are less expensive, they lack effective locking mechanisms, so if you're keeping critical data, wooden or metal file cabinets are a better choice.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between vertical and lateral file cabinets?
Folders are arranged perpendicular to the front of the drawer in lateral storage systems. A lateral storage cabinet's depth is roughly equal to the length of a normal storage folder. The folders are arranged on the same plane as the drawer front in vertical storage systems.
2. What metal would be used to make a filing cabinet?
Different materials are used in different file cabinets. However, the majority of file cabinets are composed of galvanized steel, metal, or aluminum.
3. How file cabinet locks work?
Keyed locking systems, push button locks, locking bars, and even keypad choices are used in file cabinets. A tumbler is used in each filing cabinet lock, exactly as it is in a door lock. The teeth of the key push and roll the tumblers into place when you insert it into the filing cabinet lock.
Final Thoughts
This guide goes over the top filing cabinets on the market right now. A file cabinet is an essential tool that you need to keep yourself organized. The most difficult process will always be selecting the best one among them.
Hopefully, the knowledge you've received will assist you in visualizing how you want your final configuration to work. Please feel free to add your helpful comments if you believe I missed one that is relevant.
