DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 Deep Compact Toolbox

Why this compact box earned a spot in my daily stack

I like storage that works as hard as I do, and the Deep Compact box hits a useful middle ground between a full-size modular chest and a small organizer. It’s tall and narrow with a modest footprint, which makes it easy to slot onto a cart or into a van without eating up floor space. After a few weeks in rotation—jobsite, shop, and truck bed—it has proven to be a thoughtfully designed, durable, and genuinely handy module in the ToughSystem 2.0 lineup.

Size, capacity, and what fits

At 15.25 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 13.8 inches tall, this is very much a “deep” compact. The internal volume is about 5.3 gallons (20 liters), and that vertical space is its strength. I can stand a drill/driver and an impact upright with room to spare, or lay a compact router body with base and still keep a charger and a few batteries alongside. An angle grinder with discs also tucks in cleanly. It’s not for long-handled tools or circular saws, but it shines for power-tool kits and bulkier hand tools you want kept together.

Inside, DeWalt includes a lidded small-parts organizer and four removable dividers. The organizer is great for bits, drivers, screws, and small fasteners that would otherwise end up swimming at the bottom. The dividers are simple but useful for creating lanes—batteries down one side, charger across the back, and a few hand tools up front. If you need highly customized foam cutouts, you’ll have to add your own inserts, but for most day-to-day loading, the included pieces are enough to keep things from rattling around.

The official weight capacity is 77 pounds. I dumped in two drills, four batteries, a charger, a router, and a box of fasteners—about 45 pounds total—and the box felt composed, with no flex in the base or lid.

Build quality and protection

The shell is polypropylene, thick enough to shrug off the usual knocks. The hinges are stout and track smoothly without binding. The front latch is a one-touch metal/plastic design that snaps shut with a positive click you can feel through gloves. I prefer metal-wire latches for long-term abuse, but this hybrid latch hasn’t given me a reason to doubt it. There’s also a lock port for a padlock, which is helpful when I have to leave the stack unattended.

Sealing is very good. It carries an IP65 rating, and in my own “hose test”—a few minutes of direct spray—the gasket kept the interior dry. I’ve also had it in a dusty renovation for a day; the telltale fine dust that creeps into gaps didn’t make it past the seal. For sites with a lot of cutting, sanding, or unpredictable weather, that protection matters. It also means batteries and chargers stay cleaner and last longer.

As for handling, the bi‑material flip-up handle is comfortable, with enough length to clear knuckles from the lid. Side handles are molded in and feel solid when you’re lifting the box off a stack. Empty, it weighs 8.75 pounds—on the heavier side for its size—but the trade-off is rigidity and that IP-rated lid.

Smart details that add up

A couple of design touches make this box more useful than a generic tote:

• Auto-connect side latches. These are the hallmark of ToughSystem 2.0. They’re quick to engage and more forgiving than earlier generation clips. I can clip this box onto a cart or another module one-handed without fiddling.
• Side slots. Both side handles have integrated slots that accept a belt hook. I routinely hang a drill or impact off the side while I’m working, and it keeps the top clear while still keeping the tool within reach.
• Label plate. It’s a small thing, but the customizable content plate means I can mark it as “Grinders + Discs” or “Trim Router Kit” and stop opening boxes to find what I need.
• Lidded small-parts organizer. Not only does it tame bits and accessories, it latches closed, so you can lift it out without scattering contents.

In use: stacking, rolling, and day-to-day workflow

This box earns its keep as a “middle” module in a ToughSystem 2.0 stack. It’s compact enough to live under a larger case or above a wheeled base and not imbalance the cart. The 10-inch depth makes it easy to navigate narrow hallways and stairs without clipping door frames. On a dolly, two deep compacts side by side under a larger toolbox makes for a very stable stack.

I also like it as a single grab-and-go box. The tall form factor means I can carry a real kit—driver, impact, charger, three batteries, and a breadth of bits—in one hand, leaving the other for a ladder or material. The front latch opens and closes easily with gloves, and the lid stays open at a sensible angle without flopping shut.

I’ve even used it as a temporary perch during layout. It’s sturdy enough to sit on briefly, though to be clear, it’s not a rated seat and I wouldn’t make a habit of it.

Durability check

I’ve dropped it off a tailgate onto compacted gravel—loaded to about 40 pounds—and it came away with cosmetic scuffs but no structural complaints. Corners are well braced, and the lid lip didn’t deform. The gasket remained seated and intact. In colder temps, the plastic didn’t turn brittle. I’ll keep an eye on the front latch over the long term, but so far it’s been dependable.

What could be better

• Weight for its size. At nearly nine pounds empty, you feel it when the box is loaded. If you’re carrying it long distances, plan your load accordingly.
• Limited internal customization. The included dividers are helpful, but there are no rail systems or tie-down points inside for more complex layouts. If you want Kaizen foam-level organization, you’ll need to DIY.
• Height can be a pro or a con. The tall profile is great for vertical storage, but it won’t slide under low shelves, and it’s overkill if you only need a shallow organizer.
• Not cross-compatible with TSTAK. If your ecosystem is TSTAK, this won’t clip in. That’s not a flaw, just a reality of DeWalt’s two systems, but worth calling out.

Who it suits best

• Trades who want a compact power-tool kit: carpenters with a trim router setup, electricians with driver/impact plus bits, HVAC techs with an angle grinder and accessories.
• Mobile crews that need weather and dust protection: remodelers, outdoor installers, and anyone who works in mixed environments.
• Users invested in ToughSystem 2.0 who need a smaller module to round out a stack without going to a full-size deep box.

Value and positioning

As a ToughSystem 2.0 module, you’re paying for compatibility, durability, and the IP rating. Within that context, this deep compact makes sense: it fills a niche that a standard organizer can’t (too shallow) and a full-size box doesn’t handle efficiently (too bulky for smaller kits). If your work demands modular, protected storage, the price feels justified. If you don’t need the stackability or weather sealing, a basic tote will be cheaper—but also far less capable.

The bottom line

The Deep Compact box is a well-built, thoughtfully laid-out module that slots neatly into a ToughSystem 2.0 workflow. It protects what’s inside, carries more than its footprint suggests, and adds genuinely useful touches like side hanging slots and a lidded small-parts organizer. It’s not featherweight, and customization is limited without add-ons, but as a durable, weather-resistant, compact workhorse, it delivers.

Recommendation: I recommend it. If you’re already in ToughSystem 2.0—or you need a compact, IP65-rated box that can haul a two-tool power kit plus accessories—it’s a smart addition. The balance of size, protection, and stackability makes it one of those pieces you end up reaching for more than you expected.