ZEUKMXOO 5-Tier Garage Storage Shelves, Heavy Duty Adjustable Shelving Unit, 60"H Garage Rack with 2400lbs Capacity, Metal Utility Shelves for Warehouse, Basement, Pantry, Tool Room, Home Organization

Why I picked this rack

In my garage, floor space is always at a premium, and I wanted something narrow enough to live between a door and a tool cabinet without blocking walkways. The ZEUK 5-tier rack, at 12 inches deep and 28 inches wide, looked like a good fit: small footprint, adjustable shelves, and a claimed 2,400-pound total capacity. After a few weeks of use in a mixed garage/pantry setting, I’ve got a clear view of where it shines and where it asks for a little DIY help.

Build and materials

The frame is classic boltless shelving: steel uprights, horizontal beams that lock into keyholes, and support ribs under each shelf. The columns are 0.9 mm thick steel. That’s not industrial gauge, but it’s solid for home and light commercial use, especially combined with the widened frame and ribs. The finish is a spray-painted black. It’s smoother than budget enamel but not as tough as a powder coat; it resists corrosion fine in dry spaces but will chip if you knock it around with tools.

The shelf decks in my unit are particle board (MDF-like), not metal. Functionally, a solid deck is great for small parts, paint cans, and pantry goods that fall through wire racks. The tradeoff is moisture sensitivity: spills or damp basements can cause swelling or sagging over time. If you work with fluids, it’s worth planning some protection (more on that below).

Overall fit and finish were better than I expected for the price tier. The tabs seated cleanly in the uprights, the beams were straight, and the ribbing adds real stiffness. Edges on my unit were decently deburred, but I still wore gloves during assembly, which I’d recommend.

Assembly experience

This is a hammer-together design, and ZEUK includes a mallet, which is a nice touch. I still used a rubber mallet from my own kit to minimize marring on the paint, but the included hammer works in a pinch.

A few tips from my build:

• Set the uprights on a flat surface, and start with the bottom shelf at knee height. Build the frame upside down for the first two tiers so gravity helps seat the tabs.
• Light taps are better than heavy swings. If a beam won’t seat, check alignment instead of forcing it.
• Once you have two shelves in, flip the frame upright to square everything, then continue up.
• Confirm every beam is fully locked into the keyholes. A beam that’s only halfway engaged is the number one cause of wobble.
• Plan your shelf spacing with your tallest items in mind; the adjustability is quick, but it’s easier to do it right once.

Assembly took me about 30 minutes solo, with another 10 minutes to set shelf heights for my bins. No bolts, no drama.

Capacity and stability

ZEUK rates the rack at 2,400 pounds total, roughly 485 per shelf with even distribution. In practice, these ratings assume a perfectly seated, square build and evenly spread loads. I tested with what I actually store: boxes of fasteners, a car battery, paint gallons, and a couple of 40-pound salt bags. I pushed a single shelf to roughly 320–360 pounds evenly distributed—no visible deflection and no creaking from the ribs. The frame stayed square, and sway under load was modest.

A few stability notes from use:

• Keep the heavy stuff on the bottom two shelves. It noticeably reduces side-to-side flex.
• At only 12 inches deep and 60 inches tall, this is a slim rack; it’s reasonably stable, but if kids are around or you’re near the capacity limit, add a wall anchor. Even a simple L-bracket into a stud makes a big difference.
• There are no adjustable leveling feet, so plan to shim if your floor is uneven.

Given the footprint, the rack holds more weight than I’d expect. I wouldn’t use it for dynamic loads (e.g., heavy tool cases being slammed down), but for static storage, it’s stout.

Adjustability and real-world capacity

Shelf spacing is fully adjustable along the uprights. I set mine to accommodate paint gallons on the bottom, then 10.5 inches for bins and pantry overflow above. The flexibility is the big win here: you’re not stuck with pre-set heights, so you can dial in the spacing to avoid wasted vertical inches.

Even distribution matters. If you stack all the weight in the center of a shelf, you’ll feel the deck flex. Spread heavy items, and you’ll get much better performance. For everyday use, I’d treat 250–350 pounds per shelf as a practical comfort zone unless you’re anchoring the rack and loading meticulously.

The MDF deck tradeoff

The only part that requires extra thought is the shelf material. Particle board is flat and supportive, but it doesn’t love moisture. Here’s how I mitigate that:

• Seal the decks with two coats of oil-based polyurethane or spar urethane, including the edges. It takes an evening and goes a long way to blocking moisture.
• If you handle liquids, place inexpensive oil-drain pans or boot trays on the shelves. They catch drips and protect the wood.
• For heavy-duty or damp environments, swap the decks for 1/2-inch plywood or cut-to-size galvanized sheet on top of the wood. Rubber shelf liners also help items grip and protect the surface.

With even a basic seal, these shelves hold up well in a typical garage or basement.

Footprint and use cases

At 12 by 28 inches, this rack slides into spaces where a standard 18 x 36 shelf won’t. It’s excellent for:

• Paints, solvents, and automotive consumables (with spill protection)
• Small hardware organizers and tool cases
• Pantry overflow—paper goods, canned food, small appliances
• Cleaning supplies and household bins

It’s less ideal for large totes. Most 18-gallon bins overhang a 12-inch depth. If totes are your priority, consider a deeper rack. But for small-to-medium items, the slim profile is a real advantage.

Finish and longevity

The spray-painted finish looks clean out of the box and provides reasonable corrosion resistance. It’s not as hard as powder coat; expect occasional chips if you drag metal across it. In my space, a quick touch-up with black enamel kept it tidy. The steel components themselves feel robust for their class, and the widened beams and ribs are doing the heavy lifting to keep the unit square.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Slim footprint fits tight spaces without feeling flimsy
- Strong frame with support ribs; confidently holds substantial loads when evenly distributed
- Fully adjustable shelves let you tailor heights precisely
- Simple, fast, no-bolt assembly; mallet included
- Solid-surface shelves are great for small items that fall through wire racks

Cons:
- Particle board decks are vulnerable to moisture unless you seal or protect them
- Spray paint finish chips more easily than powder coat
- No adjustable leveling feet; shimming may be required on uneven floors
- Depth is limiting for large storage totes

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and renters who need sturdy, small-footprint storage in a garage, pantry, tool room, or basement
• People who prefer solid shelves for small parts, cans, and supplies
• Users willing to do a light DIY upgrade (seal the decks or add liners) for better moisture resistance

Who should look elsewhere:
- Anyone storing heavy liquids in a damp environment without plans to protect the shelves
- Users needing to stack large totes—consider a deeper rack

The bottom line

The ZEUK 5-tier rack hits a sweet spot for compact, adjustable storage that still feels legitimately sturdy. The frame and rib structure inspire confidence, the setup is quick, and the size works in places where bulkier shelving won’t. The main caveat is the particle board decking; it’s practical and strong in dry use but asks for a bit of preventative care if you work with liquids or your space is humid.

Recommendation: I recommend this rack for most home and light shop users who value a narrow footprint and adjustable solid shelves. It’s a reliable, stable option once built and squared, and with minimal attention to the deck surfaces—sealing, liners, or trays—it becomes a durable, low-maintenance part of a garage or pantry setup. If large totes or wet environments are your norm, choose a deeper, wire or metal-deck alternative; otherwise, this is a smart, space-efficient buy.