Klein Tools Modbox - our review of features

We love to give you a review of all the tool systems we create foam inserts for, so now after our recent new arrivals, we thought it would be a good opportunity to offer you our Klein Tools Modbox review. As always we buy these cases ourselves so no one is paying us or influencing our opinions on the cases so you can rely on our take on what we find.

Who are Klein Tools?

At the moment, these Klein Tools Modbox containers are a lot easier to come across in the USA than they are at home here in the UK.  Klein are popular manufacturer of hand tools, primarily serving professionals in the electrical, construction, and telecommunications industries. They built an impressive "Builderverse" where you'll be greeted with seemingly no end of cases and accessories. The Modbox range is pretty new to us though, so here's an overview of what we've found.

Organisational potential of the Klein Tools Modbox system

This system, as with most modular solutions, is inherently crafted by design to help you on a journey to becoming more organised. They offer features which will organically enhance your tool organisation, helping you work more efficiently. Modular systems like this are great to allow you to configure exactly as you need, and to pick the size and type of storage to suit your own needs. But that's true of most modular toolbox systems, so what's new or different when it comes to the Modbox?

Review of features

Here's our top 5 favourite features about the system:

5. Quirky Details:

Sometimes the little details make all the difference. With our standard triple stack, there's a standard US measure on the lid of each case which could be really handy. Plus a slot to prevent what you're working on rolling away.

They've also built in some "outside the box" features we really like. So an integral long level or conduit storage built in is a great feature. This is something most other modular systems sell you rail attachments for, but it's part of the system here. There's also that handy steel plate in the lid of the middle box steel plate for attaching a light, though oddly you don't get the same feature in the big bottom box

4. Enhanced trolley features.

Not all modular systems have removable telescopic handles on their systems as this does. Some do, like ToughBuilt for example, but of the brands we've seen that do this we've found this the best. Klein seem to have come up with a really simple mechanism for removing and re-fixing their handle that we really like.

Another excellent feature on the trolley or base unit is the wheels. At 10" these are the biggest we've seen and they seem to be super rugged and durable. 

3. Construction.

As you'd expect from a brand like Klein Tools, these are real quality. They're made from an impact resistant polymer. They're really heavy duty and most of the features are integral or moulded in which gives you an assurance of durability. Also they all seem to be IP rated too with the exception of the drawers, with reinforced locking mechanisms and sturdy latches. We've found nothing flimsy about this system.

2. Colour. 

The Klein Modbox is an eye-catching toolbox, and that's not least down to it's stand-out Orange colour. It's really unusual over here in the UK to get bright colours of box, this is one of the very few exceptions, and it works for us! Perhaps this is less of a feature in the USA where you've got, for example the bright red of the Milwaukee box, but given that the UK versions are black, it's nice to have a brighter option out there.

1. The Drawers.

Right now we just have the single deep drawer ourselves. That in itself is a pretty stand-out thing though as not many brands have that single deep drawer right now. It's sturdy and has a really good locking mechanism. They state it's a one-handed locking mechanism, and while we wouldn't quite agree with that, it's definitely really good.

And the flip side....?

It wouldn't be a fair and impartial review if we didn't also flag the few negatives, or less useful features that we found. For one, the connecting mechanism is pretty faffy to re-connect. Though it disconnects really nicely.

Also one of the positive features of the system is the side attachment rails. However the positioning of them means that the cases don't have side handles as such. This isn't a deal breaker as there are "sills" on the sides where you can grip, but if the cases get weighty the omission of physical handles on the sides make it less easy to carry.

The biggest negative though is availability. Right now the Klein Tools Modbox system isn't presently available in the UK. So getting one could be costly if you're outside of the USA.

In summary:

We really like this system, in our opinion it's a pretty underrated one. Not least because of the bright colour and rugged construction, this has a lot going for it. Also since many features seem geared towards electricians, that suits Jonathan to a tee.

Now, with the addition of our custom fit inserts for the Modbox rage, you're able to really elevate your system to become more organised than you ever imagined!