Equipment Cases Price Comparison
Compare 207 equipment cases from Nanuk, Peli, SKB and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from compact organisers to heavy-duty hard-shell cases.
Equipment Cases price comparison UK
Equipment cases occupy a peculiar corner of the market: they range from a few pounds for a basic plastic organiser to well over 111 £ for a professional-grade hard-shell case built to survive a construction site or a film set. Our analysis of 207 products shows a market split fairly cleanly between two audiences — tradespeople and hobbyists who need reliable, affordable organisation, and professionals who require genuine impact resistance, weatherproofing and security.
Nanuk dominates the catalogue here, accounting for nearly a quarter of all listings, with an average price that sits comfortably in the mid-range. Peli and Pelican — effectively the same heritage brand — command significantly higher prices and are the go-to choice when the contents are genuinely irreplaceable. SKB sits at the premium end, with an average price north of 49 £, targeting audio-visual and broadcast professionals. At the opposite end, raaco's modular Boxxser and Assorter systems offer surprisingly capable organisation for small components at prices starting from 6 £ — they're the quiet overachievers of this category.
Hard-shell cases made from polypropylene or ABS plastic are the backbone of the range. What separates a decent case from a great one isn't always obvious from a product listing: look for rubber gaskets around the lid seal, metal-reinforced latching mechanisms, and whether the foam insert is pre-cut or customisable. Trolley cases — like the Stanley MOBILE Job Chest — solve the weight problem for anyone carrying heavy tool loads between a van and a job site, though they add bulk when empty.
Stackability is worth considering if you're buying more than one case. Modular systems from brands like raaco and Keter let you build a storage wall rather than a pile of mismatched boxes. For outdoor use or damp environments, an IP65 rating or higher is the threshold we'd recommend — anything below that is fine for a dry workshop but risky on a building site in November. Browse related categories such as Audio Equipment Cases if you need protection for instruments or AV gear, or Equipment Case Parts & Accessories for replacement foam inserts and dividers.
How to Choose the Right Equipment Case
The gap between a 6 £ plastic sorter and a 49 £+ hard-shell case isn't just about build quality — it's about what you're protecting and where you're taking it. Get the wrong case and you'll either be over-spending on protection you don't need, or under-protecting tools that cost ten times the case itself. Here's how to think it through.
Hard-shell vs. soft: which construction suits your use?
Hard-shell cases (polypropylene, ABS) are the right choice for anything that travels in the back of a van, gets stacked under other equipment, or works outdoors. They resist crushing, moisture and dust. Soft cases are lighter and easier to carry short distances, but offer minimal impact protection — fine for a studio, risky on a job site. If you're in any doubt, go hard-shell.
Compartment configuration: fixed grid or adjustable dividers?
Fixed-grid cases (like raaco's 4x4 or 5x10 Boxxser systems) are ideal when you have a consistent set of small components — screws, drill bits, electrical connectors. Adjustable dividers suit mixed tool sets where sizes vary. Foam inserts offer the best protection for delicate or high-value items but require custom cutting. Avoid cases where the dividers feel flimsy — they'll collapse under the weight of heavier tools.
Weather resistance: do you actually need an IP rating?
For a dry workshop or home garage, basic plastic latches and a snug-fitting lid are usually sufficient. For outdoor work, construction sites, or storage in unheated outbuildings, look for a rubber gasket seal and a case rated to at least IP54 (dust and splash protection). IP65 or IP67 is the standard for genuinely waterproof cases — Nanuk and Peli both publish these ratings clearly. Don't pay a premium for weatherproofing you'll never use, but don't skip it if you need it.
Portability: hand-carry, trolley, or modular stack?
Weight adds up fast. A case that feels manageable empty can become a problem when loaded with power tools. Cases under 2kg empty are genuinely hand-portable; anything heavier benefits from dual handles or a shoulder strap. For loads over 10kg, a trolley case with a telescopic handle (Stanley's MOBILE Job Chest is a solid example) is far more practical. Modular stacking systems — where individual cases clip together — are the best solution for workshops where you need to move multiple cases at once.
Locking and security: when does it actually matter?
Most cases use plastic snap latches, which are fine for organisation but offer no real security. If the case will be left unattended on a job site or in a shared vehicle, look for padlock-compatible hasps — a small padlock costs almost nothing and dramatically reduces opportunistic theft. Combination locks and key locks are built into some premium cases but add cost. For most tradespeople, padlock-compatible hasps on a mid-range case is the sweet spot.
Brand ecosystem: does compatibility matter for your workflow?
Some manufacturers design cases specifically for their own tool ranges — Makita's hard-shell cases are sized to fit Makita power tools, Wera's cases are built around their screwdriver sets. If you're already invested in a brand's ecosystem, a compatible case often provides a better fit and more efficient organisation. For mixed tool collections, universal cases from Nanuk, Keter or Stanley are more flexible. Avoid buying brand-specific cases if you're likely to switch tools — you'll end up with a case that doesn't quite fit anything.
- Entry-level organisers (From 6 £ to 12 £) : Mostly plastic compartment trays and small sorters — raaco Assorter and Boxxser systems dominate here. Excellent for screws, small components and hobby use. Don't expect weatherproofing or serious impact resistance. Ideal for a home workshop or craft room, less so for a job site.
- The practical mid-range (From 12 £ to 33 £) : Where most tradespeople should be looking. Einhell, Stanley and Makita hard-shell cases sit here, offering genuine impact resistance, decent latching and enough internal volume for a full tool set. Good value, widely available from Currys, Amazon.co.uk and Screwfix.
- Serious protection (From 33 £ to 49 £) : Nanuk and Gator Cases lead this segment. You get proper rubber gasket seals, metal-reinforced latches, customisable foam inserts and stackable designs. Worth the investment if the tools inside are worth significantly more than the case. Keter's modular systems also appear here.
- Professional-grade hard-shell (Over 49 £) : Peli, Pelican, SKB and Explorer Cases. These are built for broadcast, military, scientific and high-value instrument transport. IP67 ratings, lifetime guarantees, and prices that reflect it. Only justifiable when the contents genuinely demand it — don't buy a Peli case to store a cordless drill.
Top products
- raaco Assorter 4-15 equipment case Blue (raaco) : The most-offered product in the category and deservedly popular — a compact, well-made compartment tray for small components. Don't mistake it for a protective case; it's an organiser, not a hard-shell.
- Stanley MOBILE Job Chest equipment case Trolley case Black (Stanley) : The standout trolley case in the mid-range. Solid build, practical for job sites, and widely available from UK retailers. The wheel quality is better than most at this price — though it's bulky when empty.
- Einhell E-Case M equipment case Hard shell case Black, Red (Einhell) : A genuine hard-shell case at an accessible price. Best suited to Einhell tool owners given the internal dimensions, but works well as a universal mid-size case. Not waterproof, but impact-resistant and well-latched.
- raaco Boxxser 55 5x10-25 equipment case Blue (raaco) : The Boxxser 55 range is raaco's modular system at its most capable — 50 compartments in a stackable format. Excellent for anyone organising a large collection of small parts. Purely an organiser though; zero weather resistance.
- Makita 821551-8 equipment case Hard shell case Black, Turquoise (Makita) : A well-priced hard-shell case that fits neatly into Makita's tool ecosystem. The distinctive teal-and-black finish is recognisable on any job site. Sized specifically for Makita tools — less useful if you're mixing brands.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Peli case and a Nanuk case?
Both are premium hard-shell cases with rubber gasket seals and high IP ratings, but Peli (and its US counterpart Pelican) has a longer heritage and is more widely used in military and broadcast applications, whilst Nanuk is a newer Canadian brand that many users find offers comparable protection at a slightly lower price point. In practice, for most professional uses, either will do the job — the choice often comes down to internal dimensions and whether a specific foam insert is available for your equipment.
Do I need a waterproof equipment case for general tool storage?
No — for a dry workshop or home garage, a standard hard-shell case with plastic latches is perfectly adequate. Waterproof cases with rubber gaskets and IP ratings are worth the extra cost only if the case will be exposed to rain, stored in a damp outbuilding, or used on outdoor job sites. Paying for IP67 protection to store drill bits in a heated workshop is unnecessary.
Are cheap equipment cases from raaco actually any good?
Yes, for their intended purpose. raaco's Assorter and Boxxser systems are genuinely well-designed modular organisers for small components — screws, drill bits, electrical connectors, fishing tackle. They're not impact-resistant hard-shell cases and they offer no weatherproofing, but as compartment organisers they're among the best value options in the category. Don't expect them to protect a camera lens; do expect them to keep your M4 bolts sorted.
What should I look for in a trolley equipment case?
The telescopic handle and wheel quality matter more than most listings reveal. Look for a handle with at least two height settings, wheels with a diameter of 75mm or more (smaller wheels struggle on uneven surfaces), and a base that's reinforced to take the weight of a full load. The Stanley MOBILE Job Chest is a well-regarded option at a mid-range price. Avoid very cheap trolley cases — the handle mechanism is usually the first thing to fail.
Can I use a standard equipment case to transport camera or audio gear?
A hard-shell case with a customisable foam insert can work well for camera and audio equipment, but purpose-built audio equipment cases often offer better internal configurations for microphones, cables and mixers. If you're transporting high-value camera bodies or lenses, a Peli or Nanuk case with pick-and-pluck foam is the standard professional choice — the foam absorbs shock and prevents movement in transit.
What are the most common mistakes when buying an equipment case?
Buying on internal volume alone without checking compartment configuration is the most frequent error — a 20-litre case with fixed small compartments is useless for storing a power drill. The second mistake is ignoring the weight of the case itself: a heavy-duty hard-shell case can weigh 3–4kg empty, which matters when you're carrying it up scaffolding. Finally, many buyers overlook stackability — if you're buying multiple cases, check they're designed to stack securely before purchasing.
Which equipment case brands offer the best value in 2026?
For everyday trade use, Nanuk and Keter offer the best balance of protection, capacity and price in the mid-to-upper range. Stanley is consistently reliable for site-ready cases at accessible prices. For small-component organisation, raaco is hard to beat. SKB and Peli are the right answer only when the contents justify the premium — they're excellent cases, but you're paying for a level of protection that most users simply don't need.