We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Getting a car’s trunk organized is a bit different from getting organized in the home. Often, people keep and transport a variety of things in their vehicles, and without the proper trunk organizer, items often end up toppled over or strewn about the trunk space. Fortunately, with the right trunk organizer for your vehicle, you can keep items neatly and securely stored while traveling. Whether you need to transport sports equipment or groceries, this guide includes some of the best trunk organizer options available today.
- BEST OVERALL: Trunkcratepro Collapsible Portable Trunk Organizer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: EPAuto 3-Compartment Cargo Trunk Storage Organizer
- BEST HANGING: SURDOCA Car Trunk Organizer
- BEST LARGE CAPACITY: Tuff Viking Convertible Large Trunk Organizer
- BEST FOR GROCERIES: MIU COLOR Car Trunk Organizer
- BEST FOR EASY CARRY: Oasser Trunk Organizer
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Trunk Organizer
These are the essential considerations to bear in mind when looking for the best trunk organizer to suit your needs and budget.
Stored Items
The size and number of items to be stored are two important factors when looking for a trunk organizer to suit your needs. It helps to have a good idea of what items you plan to store as this determines the size and material needed. It may turn out that you don’t need the largest or most robust organizer available. If you consistently transport large or bulky items such as sports equipment, your new trunk organizer must be able to accommodate that gear.
Size
It’s important to consider not only what you’ll be storing or transporting, but also the size of the trunk in your car. Larger vehicles will obviously be able to accommodate larger organizers that can hold more items. If you have a compact vehicle, make sure the organizer can fit in the trunk while holding all of your things. Trunk organizers vary in size, with many measuring between two and three feet in length. It’s also important to make sure the organizer is easy enough to move in and out of your trunk.
Material
The construction of a trunk organizer matters for a few reasons. First, should you need to frequently remove your organizer from the car, it’s important that it can withstand being moved when it’s completely full. In that case, it’s best to go with a more robust, woven material with solid construction. The second reason trunk organizer construction matters is that waterproofing may be important when storing or transporting things like wet sports equipment or beach accessories. The third reason construction matters is that it usually affects how well the organizer holds up over time, with thicker materials generally lasting longer than thinner materials.
Compartments
You may need your trunk organizer to have compartments if you’d like to keep your stored items separated, perhaps to help keep them safe during transport. Many trunk organizers are compartmentalized, making it easy to safely store different types of items separately or to organize items in a particular way. Some of the best trunk organizers also come with removable or adjustable compartments, allowing you to customize the storage spaces or completely remove the compartments if necessary.
Lids and Straps
Many car trunk organizers come with straps, but not all have lids. Straps are important for moving the organizer in and out of the trunk, making it easier to move, especially when full. Lids can help keep out light or provide extra security. If you plan to store heavy items in your car’s trunk organizer, be sure the handles on the organizer can accommodate the weight. Straps may also function as part of a system that helps secure the organizer in place during transport.
Portability
Some people use car trunk organizers to store an emergency kit or other items that are meant to stay in the car permanently. However, others may want or need to move their organizers in and out of the trunk regularly, which makes portability important. Consider how much weight the organizer can handle and whether it has handles strong enough to support that weight, especially when being moved frequently. If you need to transport the organizer or don’t need to use it in your trunk all the time, it may be a good idea to consider collapsible or foldable organizers, as they can free up space in the car when not using the organizer.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Trunkcratepro Collapsible Portable Trunk Organizer
This collapsible trunk organizer has two sets of removable dividers so you can create a larger, single storage area when needed. It has 11 pockets to store both large and small items, helping you to stay organized. You can also reduce the size of the container by half to use for seat storage when you need your items next to you and not in the trunk.
This trunk organizer measures 23.6 by 14.6 by 12.5 inches. The bottom layer is waterproof, which helps prevent damage to the organizer when transporting damp or wet items. This trunk organizer has buckles to secure it when collapsed, and comes with tie straps and a non-skid bottom to keep it from sliding around in your trunk.
Best Bang For the Buck
EPAuto 3-Compartment Cargo Trunk Storage Organizer
This affordable trunk storage organizer features three compartments with a removable divider, pockets on the side for extra storage (including 10 small and one large), and securing straps to keep the organizer from moving around in the trunk.
It’s also fully collapsible with securing buckles, making it easy to conserve space and store the organizer when it’s not in use. It also folds in half for convenient seat storage.
Measuring 22 by 15 by 10.5 inches when fully expanded, this trunk organizer is both versatile and affordable. One downside is that the bottom isn’t reinforced, meaning that transporting the organizer by its handles when it’s full can be a bit of a challenge.
Best Hanging
SURDOCA Car Trunk Organizer
For those who need hanging storage for the back of the car, this organizer fits many car types, is waterproof, and has eight pockets for storage, including four net pockets. Measuring 35.43 by 18.11 by 1.65 inches, this hanging organizer not only helps get items off the floor of the car and trunk, but also keeps them secure for the ride.
Perfect for storing emergency items as well as organizing other items you need to carry with you, this organizer is easy to use and remove and doesn’t move about while driving. When you need to keep the floor of your trunk clear, this trunk organizer offers a solution.
Best Large Capacity
Tuff Viking Convertible Large Trunk Organizer
If you need to store as much as possible in your trunk, consider this large organizer. It measures 34 by 14 by 13 inches when fully extended and even has a built-in cooler section. There are three compartments, and the organizer can be fully or partially collapsed. You can collapse two sides only, so the cooler remains available for use, or you can collapse the cooler to access two standard storage compartments.
This organizer also comes with straps to keep the organizer secure in the trunk, and provides several exterior pockets for smaller items. The base is waterproof and non-slip. Designed to be ultra-sturdy, this organizer can hold up to 80 pounds, and the handles, sides, and bottom make it easy to transport even when fully weighed down.
Best For Groceries
MIU COLOR Car Trunk Organizer
This large storage organizer has a 70-liter capacity and two removable dividers, providing the option of one large section for your groceries or three separate sections. Measuring 31.5 by 13.78 by 9.84 inches, this organizer is also collapsible for easy storage when not in use.
Velcro on the bottom secures the organizer to the trunk and prevents groceries from moving around. It also has outside mesh pockets for smaller items. Many people with bagged groceries choose to remove the dividers, but if you have non-bagged grocery items—such as from a bulk warehouse store—the dividers can add extra protection against the groceries falling over and sliding around.
Best For Easy Carry
Oasser Trunk Organizer
If you plan to load your trunk organizer with heavy items and carry it around, this trunk organizer has aluminum alloy handles that make it comfortable, easy, and secure to move. Measuring 23.62 by 13.78 by 11.81 inches, this waterproof organizer comes with a detachable cover to keep stored items private or protected from the sun, and it’s also collapsible when not in use.
With three compartments and two removable dividers, this organizer also has five exterior pockets for smaller items. A slip-proof bottom and customizable storage sections make this trunk organizer a great choice for consistently transporting along with your stored items.
FAQs About Your New Trunk Organizer
A car’s trunk is a place to store important items, especially if there’s an emergency. How can you keep your trunk organized, and what should you absolutely keep in your car? Below are answers to some your most frequently asked questions about your new trunk organizer.
Q. How do I keep my trunk organized?
Regularly go through the items in your trunk organizer to toss old or expired items and replenish any that may be empty. It’s also important to use any reinforcing devices that come with your trunk organizer to prevent it from sliding around or tipping over, which also helps to keep your car clean.
Q. How do I prevent groceries from rolling in a car?
The best trunk organizer for you can help keep your groceries upright and contained. The MIU COLOR Car Trunk Organizer has customizable storage compartments so you can keep all your groceries secure during the journey home.
Q. What should I keep in my car trunk?
It’s a good idea to keep the following items in the trunk of your car:
- A spare tire
- Jumper cables
- First-aid kit
- Emergency kit (with extra clothes, food, bedding)
- Jack and lug wrench
- Flashlight
You can also keep other handy items, such as wipes, a handheld vacuum, an ice scraper, and a tire inflator and sealer.
Q. What should you not keep in your car?
Never leave anything valuable in plain sight in your car, and it’s best to avoid keeping bottled water (the plastic can leach dangerous chemicals into the water in extreme temperatures, and the plastic can get dangerously hot), canned food (for the same reason), and aerosol cans (they can explode in hot temperatures). Also avoid keeping gas in your trunk, as the fumes and the gas itself can be major hazards.