There isn’t a shortage of storage products out there, but if you’re picky like me, you want something that isn’t just functional but looks good at the same time.
There are tons of options for colorful crates on the market, but they are limited in size and don’t have a lot of ways to organize items inside of each.
I was looking for something larger with separators and was super happy to have discovered Sidio Crates after a friend recommended them.
I went ahead and purchased 3 of their compact options (which are still larger than the competition), and here’s my review of them after using them for the last month or so.
The design
Typically you’ll find two kinds of storage crate designs: some with a solid wall that don’t allow you to see inside, and others that you can (think of a milk crate).
I know what kind of mess can end up in these things, so I like how Sidio went with the solid wall—I don’t really need to be able to see through the sides.
I purchased the “Half Size” basic pack because it seemed to hit the right balance for my needs.
It came in a package of 3 which easily stack on top of each other, and I went for one of their more subtle options — tan.
If you’re looking for something a little more punchy, they do offer their creates in a pretty big range of colors, starting with more of a minimalist palette of tan, white and black, all the way up to purple and red (or a combination of a few)
Material
Each crate is made in the USA with a recycled “PP Block Copolymer” which is said to resist cracks, dents and extreme temperatures.
The material is pretty thick, so I’m not going to be afraid to throw these things around a little bit without the risk of damage.
The designer in me hates that “patent pending” text on the exterior of the crate, though. Is that really the best location they could have picked?
Functionality
Sidio has an interesting modular design that allows you to expand the functionality of the crate to meet your specific needs.
Each crate comes with 3 plastic dividers, which can be added (or removed) as you see fit.
To make this process easier, they’ve added these small rails for the divider to easily slide in and out of.
Each side is marked with matching numbers, so you can quickly understand where to insert them to line up straight.
Many add-on options
If you’re looking for some extras, Sidio offers a wide variety of products that extend the functionality of these crates.
These include lids, handles, caster wheels, and nameplates that you can easily label with a marker.
I figured those dry-erase plates would come in handy, so I picked up one for each crate.
They were straightforward to install, each screwing into 2 pre-drilled holes at either the front or back of the crate.
I have a fair bit of camera gear at this point, so organizing all of the various types, cables and lenses with a corresponding label, makes it great for when I need to quickly access something.
Price & Value
The 3 pack of half-size crates in this review came in at $90. I added on the dry-erase plates, which were $7 each.
Sure, you could probably find something cheaper, but I don’t mind this price point at all. I can already tell they are built to last, and the modular add-ons extend the functionality into the future.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely sturdy
- Modular add-ons are excellent
- Stackable
Cons
- Shipping to Canada was expensive
- Might be too expensive for some
Where to purchase
Right now, the only place to buy Sidio crates is directly from their website.
Sidio promo code
I looked around for some promo codes but couldn’t find any at the time of publishing this article.
Keep your eye out for Black Friday or holiday sales to save a few bucks.
Summary
Overall, I’m pleased with these crates.
It’s helping me organize a mess of cables that I’ve been meaning to address for years, and they look good enough that I’m happy to have them out on display.
If you’re looking for a sturdy storage solution with lots of modular add-ons, I think this is the best choice on the market.
