Testing 2024’s Best Pool Toy Storage Options for a Clutter-Free Pool Deck
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Keep your swimming area neat and tidy with these pool toy storage ideas for outdoor floats and inflatables.
Nothing beats a sunny day by the pool, but a cluttered pool deck can quickly ruin the fun. That’s why I tested eight different pool toy storage solutions that simplify pool cleanup. They’ll keep your floats, kickboards, goggles, and swim rings neatly organized.
From stylish and practical deck boxes to versatile mesh organizers, these pool toy storage options can help reduce clutter and ensure all your pool essentials stay in one place. Among the products tested, the Keter Eastwood 150-Gallon Deck Box emerged as a top choice because of its combination of style and practicality. Made with a durable, weather-resistant resin, it’s both attractive and functional. The box is also easy to assemble, spacious, lockable, and includes built-in handles for easy portability, with the added benefit of a sturdy lid that doubles as a bench.
Whether you need a durable solution for large inflatables or a compact option for smaller toys, this guide will help you navigate the key features to consider when choosing pool storage for toys. I provide detailed reviews and recommendations to help you find the ideal organizer to meet your needs, ensuring you get the best pool toy storage solutions for a more enjoyable pool experience.
- BEST OVERALL: Keter Eastwood 150-Gallon Deck Box
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Suncast 73-Gallon Medium Deck Box With Seat
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Keter Java 230-Gallon Deck Box
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE POOL TOYS: Step2 Vero Poolside Organizer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL POOL TOYS: Suncast 22-Gallon Small Deck Box With Storage Seat
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR DIYERS: Seven Sparta 5-by-7-Foot Bungee Cargo Net
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LOCKABLE: Lifetime 116-Gallon Outdoor Storage Deck Box
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | 1 month |
| Tests performed | 7 to 8 |
| Price range | $36 to $350 |
Our Top Picks
Here are some of the top pool toy storage options I tested firsthand. These recommendations feature a variety of organizers made from different materials and in various sizes, designed to help you find the best solution for your outdoor pool storage needs.
Best Overall
Keter Eastwood 150-Gallon Deck Box
Photo: Wayfair
Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Design 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 25.35 inches tall by 61 inches wide by 28.5 inches deep
- Capacity: 150 gallons
- Material: Resin
What We Like
- Simple assembly with predrilled holes and minimal tools required
- Holds small to medium-size pool toys
- Built-in handles for easy moving
- Lockable lid provides additional security
What We Don’t Like
- Box is heavy and requires 2 people to move
- Dark-colored lid doubles as a bench but gets hot in direct sunlight
The Keter Eastwood 150-gallon deck box offers a durable storage solution with a wood-look finish that is actually made from weather-resistant resin. For a box this large, assembly is straightforward, and it took me about 30 minutes using just a screwdriver. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to assemble this container incorrectly since the pieces are designed with predrilled holes that help prevent assembly errors. However, a rubber mallet would make the setup go a lot more smoothly.
Despite the claim of a soft-close lid mechanism, my unit’s lid slams shut, but this might have just been a flaw with my hydraulic lifts. On the positive side, the lid stays open securely, and the ample box holds various small to medium-size pool toys, including floats, pool noodles, boogie boards, squirt guns, and more. The lid is lockable, which isn’t a must when storing inflatables but is a nice feature if you want to keep small kids from getting into your pool accessories.
The box is heavy (a little over 41 pounds), so moving it requires two people, but it includes built-in handles that make portability easier. Although the sturdy lid can be used as a bench, the dark faux wood top becomes uncomfortably hot under direct sunlight. You will want some extra cushions if you plan to use this for seating.
Get the Keter Eastwood pool toy storage at Wayfair, Walmart, or Keter.
Best Bang for Your Buck
Suncast 73-Gallon Medium Deck Box With Seat
Photo: The Home Depot
Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Design 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 25.5 inches tall by 46 inches wide by 23.75 inches deep
- Capacity: 73 gallons
- Material: Resin
What We Like
- Easy assembly with no tools required
- Durable lid doubles as a bench for extra seating
- Integrated wheels and pull handles provide easy portability
What We Don’t Like
- Will not store large inflatables
The Suncast 73-gallon deck box is a great way to add some extra seating and storage space to your pool deck. Assembly is simple, taking about 15 minutes with no tools required. Because of the basic design, all pieces snap together easily, with no small parts to worry about.
The sturdy lid also doubles as a bench that’s capable of holding up to 300 pounds. That gives you seating for one or even two more people. Even after sitting on the lid for an extended period, it still felt comfortable and secure, though it would be nicer with a cushion added.
One of the best features is the integrated wheels and pull handles, which make it very easy to move the box around. The container weighs about 27 pounds but was pretty simple to move from place to place because of the wheels—making me wish all the boxes I tested came with wheels!
With a 73-gallon capacity, the deck box is perfect for storing small toys and a couple of medium-size inflatables, such as smaller swim rings, pool noodles, life jackets, flippers, and beach balls. This would be an excellent option for families with small kids, offering a practical outdoor toy storage solution while also providing extra seating.
Get the Suncast 73-gallon pool toy storage at The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Suncast.
Upgrade Pick
Keter Java 230-Gallon Deck Box
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Assembly 4/5; Design 4/5; Durability 5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 33.8 inches tall by 57.8 inches wide by 32.6 inches deep
- Capacity: 230 gallons
- Material: Resin
What We Like
- Massive capacity easily accommodates small and large pool toys
- Durable, weather-resistant resin mimics the look of wicker
- Assembly is straightforward and requires limited tools
- Lockable lid provides additional security
What We Don’t Like
- Box arrived with missing parts, a commonly noted issue
- Heavy storage container can be challenging to move
- Lid collected water after heavy rain
- Small toys may be difficult to retrieve at the bottom
The Keter extra-large deck box offers a substantial 230-gallon capacity and can hold an impressive amount of pool items. The box is made of weather-resistant resin that resembles a classic wicker or rattan texture.
Assembly was pretty straightforward, taking me about 45 minutes with just a screwdriver. The process was mostly smooth, though I encountered an issue—one piece was missing, so I had to call the manufacturer for a replacement. While the missing piece was sent within a few days, the color was slightly off when it arrived. I noticed several online reviewers had similar issues with missing pieces and instructions, meaning this is a recurring problem for Keter.
It’s a shame because the box’s functionality is excellent. It features an easy-lift lid with a soft-close mechanism that works well. The box also features a lockable lid for added security and built-in handles for easier maneuverability.
On the downside, this box is huge—almost too big for pool toy storage. While it fits many pool toys, from small beach balls to large floats, everything is scattered inside. If you’re of average height, like me, reaching small toys that fall to the bottom of the box may be difficult.
The dark-colored box gets very hot under direct sunlight. The lid also collects water after heavy rain, though the inside stays dry. Weighing a little over 43 pounds, the box itself is very heavy, and I had a tough time moving it even with two people while empty. It would be extremely hard to lift while filled with pool supplies.
Get the Keter Java pool toy storage at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Keter.
Best for Large Pool Toys
Step2 Vero Poolside Organizer
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Design 4/5; Durability 5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 37 inches tall by 28 inches wide by 46 inches deep
- Capacity: 12 cubic feet
- Material: Resin and stainless steel
What We Like
- Made from stylish, durable plastic
- Holds both small and large pool toys
- Open design allows wet items to air-dry quickly
- Organizer can be weighted down with sand in the bottom
What We Don’t Like
- Smaller toys may get lost or blow away if not secure
- Lacked predrilled holes during assembly
The Vero poolside storage organizer can hold an impressive array of pool toys. I was able to fit almost all my pool floats—both small and large—in this organizer. The stainless steel bars are a good place to clip life jackets or hang towels. The side notches are also convenient for drying goggles. I had a few small inflatables blow out of this organizer on a windy day, but it was because they weren’t fully secure.
While some reviewers noted assembly times as short as 10 minutes, it took me about 25 minutes with a screwdriver. That’s because there were no predrilled holes, and I had to puncture them myself. Despite this small challenge, the structure is sturdy and reliable and has the feel of Step2’s other high-quality outdoor toys. It weighs about 29 pounds and is easy for one person to move, though you may need two people if it’s filled with floats and you’re moving the organizer a long distance.
I loved the open design, which allows for excellent airflow and will help wet inflatables dry quickly. If you’re worried about the organizer blowing away, you can add sand in the bottom to weigh it down. However, I didn’t notice any issues with the unweighted organizer moving around the pool area, even in windy conditions.
Get the Step2 pool toy storage at Amazon or Wayfair.
Best for Small Pool Toys
Suncast 22-Gallon Small Deck Box With Storage Seat
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Assembly 5/5; Design 5/5; Durability 5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 20.5 inches tall by 22 inches wide by 17 inches deep
- Capacity: 22 gallons
- Material: Resin
What We Like
- Easy assembly in less than 10 minutes
- Adds extra seating around the pool
- Sturdy construction will last many summers
- Lightweight and easy to move around the pool area
What We Don’t Like
- Will only fit very small pool toys
The Suncast 22-gallon deck box had the easiest assembly of all the outdoor toy storage boxes I tested. It took me about 7 minutes to click together the pieces of the Lego-like bin, following the simple instructions and using no extra tools. The durable resin box doubles as a bench, which can hold up to 200 pounds, providing extra poolside seating.
The biggest con of this storage option is that the inside of the box is so tiny it only fits small pool toys such as dive rings, goggles, squirt guns, or small life jackets. You probably won’t be able to fit an inflatable in here unless it’s around the size of a beach ball. If you have young kids with many little items scattered around, you might consider purchasing one or more of these boxes to keep toys tidy. Because these containers are lightweight (about 11 pounds), they’re easy to move, which makes them a great way to add extra seating and storage around your pool.
Get the Suncast 22-gallon pool toy storage at Amazon or