The 7 Best Outdoor Storage Sheds Under $500 for Tools and Bikes, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: The biggest footprint here, in galvanized steel with a built-in floor.

The Aoxun is a 7.3 by 5.3 foot galvanized steel shed that includes a floor. Typical outlay: $200 to $500.

It wins because it offers the most floor area, about 39 square feet, and a steel build that resists rot and insects. A built-in floor keeps tools off wet ground and means you can put it on a prepared patch without pouring concrete. Steel is stronger than resin for a given thickness, but it can dent and, if scratched, may rust at the cut edge, so touch up any chips.

Buy it if you need room for a mower, bikes and tools. Skip it if you want the dent-proof feel of resin.

Size

7.3 x 5.3 ft

Material

Galvanized steel

Floor

Included

Price bucket

$200 to $500

Our verdict: A 6 by 4 ft resin shed with a floor and a light gray finish.

The Patiowell is a 6 by 4 foot resin shed with a floor, in light gray. Typical outlay: $200 to $500.

It ranks second because resin does not rust or need painting, and a floor is included. At 24 square feet it handles a set of long tools, a small mower or a couple of bikes. A light colour reflects heat, which helps keep the interior from baking in summer. The listing says little about door lock style or ventilation.

Choose it if you want a low-maintenance mid-size shed. Skip it if you need more than a mower and a few tools.

Size

6 x 4 ft

Material

Resin

Floor

Included

Colour

Light gray

Our verdict: A 6 by 4.4 ft resin shed with a floor, slightly deeper than the Patiowell.

The Gizoon is a 6 by 4.4 foot resin shed with a floor, in grey. Typical outlay: $200 to $500.

It ranks third because it is a near twin of the Patiowell, with a little extra depth, about two additional square feet. That extra depth matters when you store items with long handles or a bulky bin. The listing gives little else, so door and venting design are unknown.

Buy it if the extra depth suits your items. Skip it if you want a verified lock.

Size

6 x 4.4 ft

Material

Resin plastic

Floor

Included

Colour

Grey

Our verdict: A 4 by 6 ft resin shed marketed as all-weather, in dark gray.

The Aoxun is a 4 by 6 foot all-weather resin shed, in dark gray. Typical outlay: $200 to $500.

It ranks fourth because the all-weather label is the main selling point. Resin handles rain, humidity and sun without rusting, and a darker colour absorbs heat, so site it where it will not bake. It gives the same 24 square feet as the Patiowell, and the listing does not mention a floor.

Choose it if you want a dark resin finish. Skip it if a built-in floor is a must.

Size

4 x 6 ft

Material

Resin

Rating

All-weather

Colour

Dark gray

Our verdict: A 6.2 by 4 ft brown shed in the lower price range.

The Aoxun 6.2x4 is a brown outdoor storage shed in the $100 to $200 range. The listing gives no material or floor detail.

It ranks fifth because it offers a decent footprint at a low cost but with little verification. Brown suits most gardens, and 6.2 by 4 feet is comparable with the resin sheds above. Without a stated material, you cannot judge durability.

Buy it if you need a low-cost mid-size shed. Skip it if you need to know the material.

Size

6.2 x 4 ft

Colour

Brown

Material

Not listed

Price bucket

$100 to $200

Our verdict: A 5 by 3 ft metal shed with a window and a lockable double door.

The JY QAQA is a 5 by 3 foot weather-resistant steel shed with a window and a lockable double door. Typical outlay: $100 to $200.

It ranks sixth because the lockable doors are a real security point, and the window lets in light. At 15 square feet it suits tools and a few bags of soil, not a mower. Compared with the larger steel Aoxun, it trades space for a lock and a lower price.

Buy it if you want a small, lockable tool store. Skip it if you need to store a mower.

Size

5 x 3 ft

Material

Weather-resistant steel

Doors

Lockable double door

Window

Yes

Our verdict: A small 5 by 3 ft brown shed for a couple of tools and bags.

The Patiowell 5x3 is a small brown outdoor shed in the $100 to $200 range. The listing gives no material or floor information.

It ranks last because it offers the least space and little detail. The 15 square feet would hold a few tools, a spade and a couple of planters, and it fits into a tight corner. For most buyers the 6x4 sheds give far more for a small step up in cost.

Buy it if space is very tight. Skip it if you can fit a larger shed.

Size

5 x 3 ft

Colour

Brown

Material

Not listed

Price bucket

$100 to $200