Staples File Cabinet Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Staples file cabinet with 3 drawers suits letter-size files and everyday office supplies in a small workspace. Choose it for the separate accessory drawer; choose a 2-drawer model if you only need hanging-file storage.
On this page (9 sections)
- What does the Staples 3-drawer file cabinet offer?
- Which Staples 2-drawer alternative suits your routine?
- How much filing space do you actually need?
- Will the cabinet fit beside or under your desk?
- Is the keyed lock enough for your documents?
- How should you set up and load the cabinet?
- How should you organize files and office supplies?
- What care habits prevent common drawer problems?
- Which Staples file cabinet should you choose?
The Staples file cabinet with 3 drawers is a good fit for letter-size paperwork and small desk supplies in one narrow unit. Its main advantage is the separate accessory drawer, which keeps pens and office tools out of your hanging folders.
Choose it for a home office where bills, household records and everyday supplies need a shared home. Skip it if you need 3 full file drawers, legal-size storage or protection against fire and water.
The 2 Staples alternatives below suit file-only storage. Your choice comes down to drawer layout, lock coverage and how you want to separate your records.
What does the Staples 3-drawer file cabinet offer?
The Staples cabinet gives you 2 file drawers and 1 accessory drawer, so its 3-drawer count doesn't mean 3 drawers of paperwork capacity. That layout suits a desk area where supplies otherwise collect beside the keyboard or on top of folders.
Staples 3-Drawer Vertical Lockable File Cabinet: Best for files and supplies
- Letter-size hanging files
- 2 file drawers and 1 accessory drawer
- Keyed lock
- 18.9 x 14.3 x 26.8 in
Choose this charcoal cabinet when you want hanging folders and small desk supplies in separate drawers within one narrow unit.
Pros
- Separate accessory drawer for pens and office tools
- Keyed lock
- Ball-bearing drawer glides
- Compact 14.3 in width
Cons
- Letter-size file storage does not suit legal-size filing needs
- Arrives partially assembled
The charcoal cabinet has an alloy-steel frame and measures 18.9 inches deep, 14.3 inches wide and 26.8 inches high. Its file drawers accept letter-size hanging folders, and ball-bearing glides guide the drawers as they open and close.
The separate supply space is the reason to choose this model over a basic filing unit. You can keep a stapler, pens and small office tools close to your records without mixing loose objects into the filing drawers.
Don't buy it simply because it has more drawers than the alternatives. All 3 models have 2 file drawers, and the drawer count alone doesn't tell you how many folders each cabinet can hold.
Who should buy the Staples file cabinet with 3 drawers?
Buy it if your files and supplies currently compete for desk space. It makes sense for household paperwork, a small work-from-home setup or a shared desk with a modest collection of letter-size records.
Skip it if you already have a desk drawer for supplies and only want to store papers. A file-only model may fit your routine better, though you should compare usable drawer space rather than assuming equal capacity.
Also skip it for a collection dominated by oversized documents. Folding important papers to force them into the wrong folder size makes them harder to sort and read later.
Which Staples 2-drawer alternative suits your routine?
Choose B07FLT9Y5W for one lock that secures both drawers, or B0106CCN7O for built-in drawer labels. Both serve readers who want separate filing categories without a dedicated supply drawer.
| Model | Drawer layout | Material | Main reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staples 3-Drawer Vertical Lockable File Cabinet | 2 file drawers and 1 accessory drawer | Alloy steel | Keep files and desk supplies together |
| Staples 2-Drawer Lockable File Cabinet | 2 file drawers | Metal | Secure both file drawers with one lock |
| Staples 2-Drawer Letter File Cabinet (Lockable) | 2 file drawers | Aluminum | Identify drawer contents with label frames |
Choose B07FLT9Y5W for records kept under one lock
The black metal Staples 2-Drawer Lockable File Cabinet suits shared household records or office paperwork that needs the same access rules. A single key lock secures both drawers, so you don't need separate locking steps for each one.
Use one drawer for active records and the other for papers you keep but rarely need. That division can keep frequent filing from turning into a search through old documents.
Assembly is required, and Staples backs the cabinet with a 7-year manufacturer limited warranty. Read the warranty terms for coverage and exclusions rather than treating the warranty length as a promise about every part.
Skip this model if you need a separate place for stationery. It also won't provide different access permissions for people who should reach only one of the drawers.
Choose B0106CCN7O for clearly separated filing groups
The Staples 2-Drawer Letter File Cabinet (Lockable) suits a system built around visible drawer labels. Its built-in label frames help distinguish categories such as household records and business records before you open a drawer.
This black aluminum model has ball-bearing drawer glides and weighs 47 lb before you add paperwork. Plan its placement before filling it, especially if moving furniture is difficult in your office.
Skip it if you only have a few folders and don't need distinct drawer groups. Label frames are useful for an organized filing system, but they aren't a reason to buy more cabinet than your papers require.
Confirm the exact dimensions of either 2-drawer model before ordering, since their measurements conflict. Our file cabinet dimensions guide explains the measurements to check and how to allow for open drawers.
How much filing space do you actually need?
Choose capacity around your current folders plus room to file comfortably, rather than the number of drawers in the product name. A drawer packed so tightly that you can't separate folders will slow down every filing task.
Gather the paperwork you intend to keep before choosing a cabinet. Separate loose papers from filled folders, then remove duplicates and records you no longer need under your retention rules.
Next, sort the remaining folders into groups you expect to use together. A cabinet should support those groups without making you split one common task across several drawers.
Leave enough room to lift folders out without bending tabs or dragging neighboring files with them. If your collection already fills 2 file drawers, the accessory drawer in the 3-drawer model won't solve that capacity problem.
Think about how papers arrive, too. A household that receives a few documents each month needs a different filing plan from a home business that adds folders for every new client.
Will the cabinet fit beside or under your desk?
A cabinet fits only when its body, open drawers and your movement space all fit. A narrow footprint helps beside a desk, but width alone won't tell you whether the cabinet works in that spot.
Measure from the nearest obstruction, including baseboards, desk legs and wall trim. Then mark the cabinet footprint on the floor with removable tape to see how much chair and walking space remains.
Leave room to stand in front and remove a folder with the drawer open. Avoid a position where filing blocks the room's doorway or traps your chair between furniture.
For an under-desk position, measure to the lowest obstruction rather than the desktop surface. Aprons, braces and cable trays can reduce usable height, and the cabinet must also leave enough space for your legs.
Check the route into the room before assembly. Tight corners and stairs matter even when the final floor space is large enough.
Our guide to file cabinets for a home office covers other room layouts. If front clearance is the main problem, compare the space trade-offs in our lateral vs. vertical file cabinet guide.
Is the keyed lock enough for your documents?
A keyed lock is useful for limiting everyday access, but it isn't a substitute for storage chosen around the risks to your records. None of these cabinets should be chosen on the assumption that a lock also provides fire or water protection.
For the 3-drawer model, confirm which drawers the lock secures if restricted papers will go in more than one compartment. That detail matters more than the presence of a keyhole.
Decide who needs access before assigning keys. Keep any spare in a separate secure place, and avoid leaving the working key in the lock after filing.
For workplace records, follow your organization's storage and retention rules. Passports, original certificates and other hard-to-replace papers may need a different storage plan from routine bills or printed reference material.
If locked storage is your main priority, our guide to locking file cabinets explains the features to compare across cabinet types.
How should you set up and load the cabinet?
Complete assembly and check stability before adding paperwork. The 3-drawer cabinet arrives partially assembled, so leave time to follow its instructions rather than filling drawers as soon as you unpack it.
Place the empty cabinet in its intended spot and check for rocking. Follow its directions for leveling and securing it, and resolve an unstable base before loading the drawers.
Open and close each empty drawer to check for packing material, loose parts or obstructions. Don't force a drawer that catches, and don't add lubricant unless the care instructions allow it.
Put heavier records in the lower drawer and open only one drawer at a time. Never use an open drawer as a step, shelf or support while standing up.
Our guide to keeping a file cabinet from tipping explains placement and loading habits in more detail. This matters especially where children may reach the handles.
How should you organize files and office supplies?
Use broad folder groups and consistent labels so you can put papers away as easily as you retrieve them. A cabinet works better when each drawer has a clear job.
Start with categories you already recognize, such as taxes, insurance, home records and work projects. Add narrower folders only when a broad category becomes difficult to search.
Keep active papers within easy reach and place less-used records in the other file drawer. Separate completed years or closed projects so they don't crowd current work.
In the accessory drawer, group small items by task. A removable tray can keep pens and clips from spreading out, provided it fits without catching the drawer above.
Avoid storing loose papers on top of hanging folders. Those sheets can slip behind the drawer or hide the labels you need to read.
Choose a regular time to clear incoming papers and review crowded folders. Our home filing system guide walks through a practical way to build and maintain those categories.
What care habits prevent common drawer problems?
Keep drawers free of loose objects and excess paper, and clean the cabinet with gentle methods suited to its finish. Most daily care is about preventing obstructions rather than adding products to the drawer mechanism.
Dust the exterior with a soft cloth, then use a lightly damp cloth for marks and dry the surface afterward. Follow the cabinet's care instructions before using cleaners, abrasives or solvents.
Check folder tabs and hanging hooks when a drawer starts to resist closing. A bent folder, protruding document or fallen pen can block travel even when the cabinet itself is level.
Don't push harder against a drawer that suddenly catches. Reduce the load, look for a visible obstruction and check alignment before continuing.
Empty the cabinet before moving it, and follow its moving instructions. Paper adds weight quickly, and shifting a filled cabinet makes both the load and the drawers harder to control.
Which Staples file cabinet should you choose?
Choose the 3-drawer Staples file cabinet for combined filing and supply storage. Its separate accessory drawer is useful when you want small desk tools near your papers and don't already have another drawer for them.
Pick B07FLT9Y5W if your priority is securing both file drawers with one lock. Pick B0106CCN7O if visible drawer labels help you manage separate groups of records and you can accommodate its weight.
Choose a different format if your files are legal-size, your records already exceed 2 drawers or your documents need specialized protection. For help matching cabinet shape and capacity to your papers, use our complete file cabinet buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Staples 3-drawer file cabinet lockable?
Yes, the Staples 3-drawer vertical cabinet has a built-in keyed lock. Confirm which drawers it secures before using it for restricted records, since lock coverage matters when papers sit in more than one drawer; keep keys away from the cabinet and limit access to people who need them.
What size files fit the Staples 3-drawer cabinet?
The two file drawers accommodate letter-size hanging files, while the accessory drawer holds small office supplies. Choose a cabinet designed for legal-size hanging folders if your records need that format; our guide to letter vs. legal file cabinets explains how to match the cabinet to your paperwork.
How wide is the Staples 3-drawer file cabinet?
The cabinet measures 14.3 inches wide, 18.9 inches deep and 26.8 inches high. Measure the space at floor level, including baseboards and nearby furniture, before buying; also leave room for drawer travel, your standing position and a clear walkway while you retrieve folders.
Does the Staples 3-drawer file cabinet need assembly?
Yes, it arrives partially assembled and includes assembly instructions for the remaining setup. Finish those steps before adding folders, then check that the cabinet sits level and each drawer closes properly; follow the cabinet's instructions for placement and any required securing steps before putting it into daily use.
