7 Best Shoe Racks, According to Our Testing

Capacity: 18 | Dimensions: 18 x 7 x 25-46 inches | Weight: 3.32 lbs. | Material: Natural wood, metal | Assembly required: No

Whether you have a small or large shoe collection, the Whitmor 3-Tier Expandable Shoe Rack is a great choice for storing them all. It has three metal tiers that extend to fit a larger shoe collection — up to 18 pairs in total. And if you need even more room? An additional unit can be attached to create a taller shoe rack with enough room for an impressive 36-pair collection.

The unit is easy to assemble — no tools required. And, in our tests, we found it to be surprisingly durable. The metal bars are appropriately spaced for various high-heeled shoe sizes without slippage. Flats and sneakers also fit well without sliding off the metal bars, but there's not much space for taller, bulkier options like winter boots.

Capacity: 12 | Dimensions: 25.13 x 8.75 x 24.13 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | Assembly required: Yes

This all-metal option from The Container Store is lightweight but very sturdy. And while boots and high-tops are relegated to the top level, we found it was generally a good option for both bulkier sneakers and more narrow flats. The product listing shows 16 pairs, but in tests, we were only able to comfortably fit three pairs on each level for a total of 12 pairs.

There's minimal assembly required — it comes with the screws, an Allen wrench and a one-pager that walks you through the simple process. Once built, you can easily transport the rack to another room, thanks to handles on either side of the unit.

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Capacity: 8 | Dimensions: 37 x 23 x 6 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Fabric, PVC | Assembly required: No

Boot storage poses a problem because of the height of these shoes, but this four-compartment box offers a unique solution that takes advantage of the often wasted space under the bed. While it does seem a bit flimsy at first (the box doesn't keep its shape without boots tucked inside), it does maintain its structure when filled. In tests, we found you can tuck one pair of tall boots or two pairs of short booties in each section.

Even when full, the organizer is lightweight and easy to pull — three out of four sides have handles for accessibility. The whole thing is also encased in a zippered plastic cover that helps prevent shoes from getting dusty while in storage. Ultimately, we found this to be a great solution for eliminating big, bulky boot boxes from a closet.

Capacity: 5 | Dimensions: 8.75 x 7 x 30.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Powder-coated steel | Assembly required: Yes

If you're short on square footage, we love how well this tall, slim shoe rack takes advantage of vertical space. It's easy to set up (though you will need a screwdriver), and despite its small footprint, it's very sturdy, stable and unobtrusive. It comes in both black and white, but you almost can't even see the metal rack when it's filled to its five-shoe capacity.

It does only hold a single pair on each tier, and it's best for shoes with heels or grippy soles that won't slide off. Boots don't fit — even low booties — but high-top sneakers just passed our fit tests. Overall, this metal organizer is ideal for organizing small entry areas or in a closet, though it's lightweight enough to move around to meet your needs.

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Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 13.78 x 41.34 x 28.93 inches | Weight: 50.5 lbs. | Material: Engineered wood | Assembly required: Yes

Contributing writer and analyst Jamie Ueda has this shoe rack and likes it because it looks more like a piece of furniture than an organizational system, thanks to closed storage and a seat for putting on shoes. "I like the bench to put on or take off shoes, although I mostly use it to throw my stuff on when I get home," she said, noting she also used the open shelf for items beyond shoes.

Assembly is required, but Ueda said the process was straightforward and the end result is a nice and sturdy 50-pound piece of furniture. It holds enough shoes for your average rotation, but compartments aren't roomy enough for boots — even ankle boots — unless you take out the shelves, which would significantly limit capacity.

Capacity: 24 | Dimensions: ‎4.5 x 19 x 64 inches | Weight: 9.9 oz. | Material: Olefin, polyester | Assembly required: No

The big advantage to an over-the-door shoe rack like this one is that it doesn't take up any floor space — great for small apartments and even dorm rooms. Still, this organizing system is sizable enough to fit up to 24 pairs of shoes. In tests, we had no trouble with flat shoes, sneakers and clogs, but found boots and booties to be too large, especially considering the pockets don't have much stretch. Our Lab pros did, however, appreciate the mesh material rather than plastic which tends to dry out and crack. The mesh also allows for airflow.

The unit holds an impressive 24 pairs of shoes, or 12 if you're storing bigger shoes that require two pockets — one for each in the pair. Just note: The top row of pockets could be difficult for short users to access, depending on the height of the door. On the upside, the hooks and top hole grommets seemed sturdy and the whole thing stayed in place when we opened and closed the closet door we tested this product on.

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Capacity: 8 | Dimensions: 28.38 x 10.63 x 25.25 inches | Weight: 8.6 lbs. | Material: Bamboo | Assembly required: Yes

Because this shoe rack is made of moisture-resistant bamboo, it's a great option for wetter, muddier spots like the garage or an entryway or mudroom. We like the attractive wood look for these higher-traffic spots too.

The unit, which has handles for portability, is multi-functional. Use the four tiers for shoe storage — each can technically fit three pairs but two pairs are a more comfortable fit, according to our tests. Boots and booties need to go on the top shelf, but we found most shoes stayed squarely in place. Stiletto heels were the exception, as we found they may slip through the cracks or tip over. The bonus side section is the ideal spot for umbrellas, yoga mats, other sports equipment and even tote bags.