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Keep your patio and garden gear organized and protected. Prefabricated Steel Plant
If you’ve noticed that your lawn care equipment is in disarray, it’s time to find a better way to organize and store them—namely, a sturdy metal shed. With your garage already packed to the brim and your car parked right next to your bike rack, a shed can help store extra essentials and keep them safe from damage (and that added value to your home isn’t a bad perk, either).
Finding a great shed can be a daunting task, as they vary in price, size, and functionality, but the investment is well worth it as it can prolong the life of your equipment and keep you organized and motivated to maintain your outdoor space. Outdoor tools are expensive, so it makes sense to protect your investment with a metal shed that can stave off critters, water damage, and disorganization.
If you’re primarily focused on keeping your outdoor furniture and some smaller items out of the rain, wind, snow, or sun, then a small- or medium-sized shed is your best bet. They don’t take up much space in your yard, with just enough storage for your essentials.
If you have a large collection of power tools and other outdoor equipment, you’ll need a larger shed—likely one with additional shelf space—so there’s a spot for everything to stay organized and off the ground.
While metal sheds tend to be durable outright, it’s still a good idea to check out what kind of metal they're made of before making your purchase. Alloy steel is typically more heat- and rust-resistant than galvanized steel, and the addition of a vinyl coating typically improves steel’s UV resistance and durability.
Our picks for the best metal sheds range in size and functionality for a variety of properties and outdoor spaces. We searched for products that are constructed from durable materials and checked for features like UV protection, lockable doors, and vents to prevent moisture build-up. We considered a variety of storage needs, as well as ease of assembly. We made sure to select attractive options that keep your shed from becoming an eye sore. To pare down our pool, we read reviews from verified buyers to ensure these sheds stand up to their promises of quality construction.
You can also check out our coverage of the best wood sheds and plastic sheds.
This best-selling metal shed is simple yet modern, so it can work with practically any home’s outdoor aesthetic. This shed offers 440 cubic feet of interior storage, with doors to match the size—the opening is large enough to fit snow blowers, lawn mowers, and more. Even better, the doors slide open and closed for easy access.
This shed is durable thanks to a UV-resistant coating on the outside to protect against sun damage, and its galvanized steel frame works well against rain, wind, and snow. Not only does this keep all your outdoor equipment be protected—the shed itself is protected, too.
This storage shed seamlessly blends into houses or garages with its lean-to design. It uses durable vinyl for the side panels, but the frame and wall columns are all metal.
The vinyl is weatherproof and won’t require repainting or retreating. You can place this shed on either side of your house or garage with the reversible door panel, and the door has a latch for a padlock to keep your belongings secure if you live in a busy neighborhood.
You can hang garden tools on the walls, but if you want to hang heavy power tools or large equipment, you should opt for a sturdier shed. Although it’s narrow, customers find it has enough room to maneuver tools in and out of and is spacious enough for a rack or shelving unit to fit inside.
Avid gardeners in search of a versatile place to store all their tools and products: This shed is for you.
At five feet tall and three feet wide, it’s just big enough for all of your gardening necessities and can hold larger step stools and rakes if needed. It’s built out of sturdy aluminum and has an extra coating of eco-friendly paint that endures rain, wind, snow, and sleet.
This shed has a heavy-duty hinge door that’s easy to open, and reviewers say the assembly process is relatively smooth.
This combo shed has space to cover items that can stand some wind and rain, with a fully closed-off shed space attached. Its galvanized steel panels and beams provide a sturdy structure to keep your equipment safe from rain, snow and dirt.
It would serve well as a hutch to store a smoker or grill, with the open side housing the wood you need for cooking. The shed door comes with a lock and key for securing expensive tools.
Customers say it’s relatively easy to assemble, but to use caution when handling the metal panels as they’re sharp enough to cut you. Most people add plywood on top of the slatted foundation for an even floor.
This premium storage shed is worth the big bucks if you’re looking for durability, space, and an attractive design. It’s made of galvanized steel and finished with a wrinkle paint, both of which offer protection against corrosion and a variety of weather conditions.
The contemporary design of this shed can fit just about any backyard aesthetic, but it’s also small enough to suit petite outdoor spaces. The double doors swing open, making it easy to roll in items like lawn mowers and snow blowers, as well as larger pieces of furniture.
This large metal shed has plenty of room to store a variety of outdoor tools, gardening supplies, appliances, and even some pieces of furniture. The shed offers protection from a wide range of weather conditions and has great airflow inside thanks to vents located at both the front and back.
Because this shed is a bit larger compared to other options, it’ll take up a good amount of space in your backyard. The 150-plus-pound weight means you’ll likely need more than one person to put it together.
This open-sided metal shed is perfect for folks whose ideal weekends include sitting around a bonfire with friends. It can store up to 55 cubic feet of firewood and is compact enough to fit in any corner of your outdoor space.
This shed is incredibly strong and durable as it’s made of a galvanized steel that can resist UV rays, rust, and water damage. You can even use it inside or on a deck, if you have the space for it.
While this shed is primarily designed for firewood, it can also be used to house outdoor tools and accessories that can withstand some exposure to the elements.
Kylee McGuigan is an associate commerce editor for Hearst Magazines’s Enthusiast Group. She works with content for brands such as Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Bicycling, and Runner’s World. Kylee graduated from Penn State in May 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in French. During her undergraduate career, she spent a majority of her time writing for, and eventually editing, VALLEY Magazine: Penn State’s only student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine. She has produced content ranging from beauty and health, to lifestyle and self-improvement. After spending four years in the happiest of valleys (State College, PA), she moved back home to South Jersey—otherwise known as the famous “outside of Philly” area. Kylee can be found working out of her local Starbucks with her best friend, an iced chai in hand, and endless hours of music playlists to get her through the day. When she’s not working, she is more than likely on her daily walk in her neighborhood, at Orangetheory, binging Sex and the City or Gossip Girl, checking out local coffee shops, or trying new bars and restaurants in the city with friends and family.
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
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