DeWalt 23 in. Water Sealed Toolbox

My first week with this 23-inch DeWalt toolbox involved rain, drywall dust, and a trunk packed tighter than it should be. That’s a pretty good proving ground for any portable box, and this one handled it well—if not perfectly.

What it is and how it’s built

This is a straightforward, tub-style toolbox made from structural foam with a wraparound rubber gasket in the lid. It’s not a modular “system” box and it doesn’t have drawers or organizers; think of it as a tough, weather-resistant storage bin with a lid that locks down tight.

Key build notes:
- Structural foam shell that’s rigid and scuff-resistant
- All-around water seal; not submersible, but very good against rain and jobsite spray
- Rust-proof metal latches with a padlock eye
- A single carry handle on the lid plus molded hand recesses at both ends
- A removable 3/4-length tray
- Integrated V‑groove on the lid for holding pipe or a 2x during cuts
- Stackable/nestable footprint for storing multiple boxes

At 7.5 lb empty, it’s light enough to sling in and out of a vehicle repeatedly without fatigue. The external size is 10.5 in × 12 in × 23 in; inside, I measured roughly 21.5 in × 10 in × 9.5 in. That 1306 cubic inches (about 5.7 gallons) is a useful middle ground—big enough for a small kit of power and hand tools, small enough to stash in a closet or the back seat.

Weather resistance and durability

I left the box in a truck bed through an afternoon storm, then opened it to find dry contents and a clean gasket line. The seal bites firmly when you latch down the lid, and it keeps out blowing rain and rinse water from a hose. I wouldn’t trust it for long-term exterior storage through freeze-thaw cycles, and it’s not airtight, but as a jobsite shield against the elements, it’s excellent.

The structural foam shell shrugs off common abuse—concrete dust, tossed lumber, and the occasional boot scuff. I’ve sat on the closed lid during breaks and knelt on it to reach a junction box. There’s minimal flex. I’m not recommending it as a step ladder, but the top feels stout. The 1-year limited warranty is on the short side compared to some premium lines, though the materials themselves inspire confidence.

Capacity and layout

This is where the box’s personality shows. The interior is clean and unobstructed, with a single 3/4-length tray that slides and lifts out. The partial-length tray is a mixed bag:
- Pro: Leaving a long, open channel down one side makes room for longer items—levels, pry bars, a reciprocating saw, a 24-inch pipe wrench—without having to remove the tray.
- Con: The tray itself is on the small side and fairly shallow. It’s great for fasteners, bits, a tape, and a few hand tools, but it won’t swallow a lot of bulk.

In practice, I could pack:
- A drill/driver set with two batteries and a charger
- An oscillating tool with a small blade kit
- Hand tools: hammer, two pliers, two screwdrivers, utility knife, stud finder
- Boxes of screws/anchors in the tray, plus a chalk line and small bottle of glue
- Still had space along the long channel for a 16-inch pry bar

A 7-1/4 inch circular saw will fit only if you’re willing to nest it just right and sacrifice a lot of space; I don’t recommend this box as a home for your circular saw. Recip saws, compact planers, grinders, nailers, and most corded drills are easier fits.

The stated weight capacity is 66 lb. Fully loaded with a mix of hand tools and one or two compact power tools, I stayed well under that. If you routinely need to haul a heavy kit, your forearms will feel it—there are no wheels.

Latches, locking, and ergonomics

The twin metal latches are corrosion-resistant and have a padlock eye. They do their job, but they’re a little thin and springy in feel compared to the chunkier hardware you see on bigger jobsite boxes. The flip side is that they clamp down hard on the gasket. Out of the box, they were stiff; they loosened up slightly after a few cycles. With gloves, I could open them, but you do need to be deliberate.

The carry handle is comfortable and centered, and the molded hand recesses at both ends are genuinely helpful when you’re lifting the box up to a truck bed or shelf. Balance is good up to about 40 lb; past that, you’ll want two hands and the end recesses. There’s a single padlock position; I used a small shackle lock, which fits fine. Like most portable boxes, it’s more of a deterrent than real security—think keeping honest people honest.

On the lid: the V‑groove

The V‑groove on the lid is a nice everyday convenience. It’s not a replacement for sawhorses, but for quick, clean cuts on PVC conduit or a short piece of 2x, it’s handy. I clamp the workpiece to the lid and make the cut with a handsaw or oscillating tool. It saves a trip back to the sawhorses for small jobs.

Storage, stacking, and transport

This box stacks neatly with others of the same model, and it nests for storage when empty. It does not interlock with DeWalt’s modular ToughSystem or TSTAK lines, so if you’re building a rolling, interlocking stack for a cart or van rack, look elsewhere. For shelves, truck beds, and closets, the straight sides make it easy to line up multiples.

The black/yellow color is classic and easy to spot in a crowded garage. The footprint is compact enough to ride behind a truck seat, and at 23 inches long it fits across most car trunks without odd angles.

Day-to-day use

For service calls, this became my “weather kit”—the box I could leave in the truck with spare PPE, extension cords, a headlamp, and a basic tool set, confident it would stay dry. On light carpentry jobs, it carried trimming tools and fasteners. For electrical service work, I appreciated the long channel for fish tapes and a small level.

The lack of built-in organizers means your small parts need containers. I dropped in two slim parts boxes beneath the tray and that made a big difference. A strip of tool foam in the bottom also helps cut rattle. If you crave compartments and dividers, this box will feel too open.

What I’d change

• Latches: They’re weatherproof and secure, but the action is stiff and the thin-lever feel doesn’t inspire as much confidence as the shell does. Slightly heavier latch arms or a smoother cam would be welcome.
• Tray: A deeper, modular tray would extend utility. The 3/4-length idea is good; the execution is a bit too small for anything beyond the basics.
• Modularity: Even a simple interlock lip to prevent sliding when stacked would be helpful. As is, it stacks fine on a shelf but won’t “click” to a second box.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re refinements that would move the user experience from good to great.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople who want a rugged, weather-resistant catch-all for a specific kit (electrical, plumbing repairs, trim carpentry)
• DIYers who need a durable trunk/garage box that can handle occasional exposure to rain and dusty jobs
• Anyone who prefers a simple, open interior over a highly compartmentalized organizer

Who should look elsewhere:
- Users who need wheels or larger capacity for full-size saws and routers
- Folks building an interlocking modular stack (choose a modular system instead)
- Organization-first users who want multiple trays, bins, and dividers built in

Practical tips

• Add desiccant packs to control moisture if you’re moving between temperature extremes.
• Use shallow parts organizers under the tray to manage fasteners and bits.
• If you plan to clamp to the V‑groove, protect the lid with a scrap to avoid clamp marks.
• Label the ends; when stacked, you’ll appreciate quick identification.

Recommendation

I recommend this toolbox as a durable, weather-resistant, no-drama storage option for small to mid-size kits. The shell and seal are its strengths, and they matter more than cosmetics on wet or dusty jobs. The compromises—stiff, thin-feeling latches and a modest tray—are noticeable but not disqualifying. If you value an open interior, need reliable protection from the elements, and don’t require wheels or modular interlocking, this box earns a spot in the truck. If your priorities are maximum organization, large-tool storage, or modular stacking, you’ll be happier with a different style.