Once you’ve entered the front door of your home, you’re faced with a question: What’s the best way to store my shoes to ensure they last that extra mile? The answer can be found in a shoe rack, though finding the best one for your household can be a task in itself.

To help you choose the right shoe rack for your home, we tested 31 products from big-name retailers, such as Amazon, Target and West Elm. We used the shoe racks for up to six months and recorded our insights on performance and longevity.

For this article, we also spoke with professional organizers Melissa Adams, owner of Happy Organized, and Bohne Leah, owner of Be Organized Method.

Top Picks

BEST OVERALL:

Brightroom 4 Tier Shoe Rack at Target $45

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BEST FOR APARTMENTS:

The Container Store Stackable Shoe Shelf at Container Store $22

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BEST MIDCENTURY:

West Elm Mid-Century Shoe Rack at West Elm $229

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BEST LARGE:

SALE Vasagle 5-Tier Shoe Rack at Amazon $35 $30

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BEST WITH BENCH:

Vasagle Shoe Bench at Amazon $76

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BEST FOR BOOTS:

The Container Store 4-Pair Natural Boot Rack at Container Store $45

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What We Tested

We ranked the best shoe racks based on the following categories: setup time, design, stability, ease of cleaning, capacity, and value. For more information on how we tested shoe racks, check out our testing process below.

BEST OVERALL

Brightroom 4 Tier Shoe Rack

Credit: Courtesy of Target

$45 at Target

Why You Should Get It

• A versatile and reasonably priced shoe rack that can be stacked to store your entire footwear collection.

Keep in Mind

• Taller boots—even children’s—can only fit on top

This pick fits up to 12 pairs of shoes in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes (but tall boots, including kids’ rain boots, can only fit on the top). If you like the rack, you can buy more and stack them on top of each other for additional storage.

We assembled the shoe rack in about 30 minutes. The package includes screws, a small screw driver, and an allen wrench; we preferred using our own full-size screwdriver, but the other tools seemed high quality. The rack is stable, though somewhat lightweight.

We didn’t notice any sagging of the shelves from heavier shoes over the six-month testing period, and the rack stayed in place when we knocked into it with the vacuum

Overall, we applaud its reasonable price tag and versatility. After several months, the rack still stood sturdy with no visible changes or damage. We also love that the top can double as an entryway table, making it more attractive and useful than many other picks.

Product Details: Dimensions: 24.8 x 25 x 11.81 in. | Material: Metal | Number of Shoes: 12

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BEST FOR APARTMENTS

The Container Store Stackable Shoe Shelf

Credit: The Container Store

$22 at Container Store

Why You Should Get It

• The rack fits up to eight pairs of shoes if you utilize the space underneath.

Keep in Mind

• It could sag under too much weight.

This option from The Container Store works well in a small space like a mud room or an apartment entrance. It arrived fully assembled, and we appreciated its clean design and ability to push it flush against the wall. We found it relatively stable, though it did wiggle when bumped.

While each shelf only has the capacity for three to four pairs, you can place pairs underneath the rack as well, and it’s possible to stack multiple units. Although we did not experience this during our testing period, some users say the shelf can sag under heavier shoes. 

Product Details: Dimensions: 31 x 8 x 10 in. | Material: Steel | Number of Shoes: 3-4

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BEST MIDCENTURY

West Elm Mid-Century Shoe Rack

Credit: West Elm

$229 at West Elm

Why You Should Get It

• It’s labeled contract grade (commercial grade) so you know this shelf is built to last.

Keep in Mind

• The legs didn’t seem perfectly aligned.

This shoe rack suits those with classic mid-century modern tastes. The quality rises above other options, with solid wood construction and a contract grade rating. That means it’s meant to withstand traffic in commercial areas, so it will last a long time in your home. 

West Elm lists a weight capacity of 50 pounds, and we found that it holds six to eight pairs of shoes. It’s well-constructed, with clear instructions and labeled parts for easy assembly. The straightforward design doesn’t have any extra features, but it performs as it should.

During initial testing, we were able to rock the rack back and forth because it seemed like the legs weren’t perfectly aligned. But after six months of testing it at home, we had no issues with overall stability or performance.

Product Details: Dimensions: 27 x 16 x 13 in. | Material: Wood | Number of Shoes: 6-8

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BEST LARGE

Vasagle 5-Tier Shoe Rack

Credit: Amazon

$35

$30 at Amazon

$78

$60 at Walmart

Why You Should Get It

• It fits up to 16 pairs of shoes to accommodate larger households.

Keep in Mind

• Large shoes hang over the edge of the shelf.

This shoe organizer has capacity for 12 to 16 pairs, making it a great choice for larger households. It’s a bit trickier to assemble, with about 30 parts included and mediocre instructions, but we found the fabric shelves more stable than similar options we tried.

The rack is stable—though it slid on concrete floors, it didn’t move as easily as some other shoe racks we tested. We also found the materials overall more attractive than many similarly priced pieces. But it is a little narrower than we’d like, and larger shoes can hang off the side.

Product Details: Dimensions: 29.5 x 35.8 x 11.8 in. | Material: Particleboard, steel, polyester fabric | Number of Shoes: 12-16

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BEST WITH BENCH

Vasagle Shoe Bench

Credit: Amazon

$76

$70 at Amazon

Why You Should Get It

• It holds even more shoes than advertised since the cubbies are large enough for multiple pairs.

Keep in Mind

• Setup is more involved than other options—it took close to an hour and required two people.

The Vasagle Shoe Bench is said to hold nine pairs of shoes, but we were able to squeeze in more. We liked that we could store rain or snow boots, or even fit multiple pairs of smaller shoes like flip flops into one cubby. 

It took us close to an hour to put together, and some steps required two people. The flimsy particle board on the bottom caused challenges during setup, as it didn’t have pre-drilled holes. But it didn’t seem to impact overall stability, as the rack remained in good condition over time.

The bench at the top is a nice touch that makes the piece multifunctional for small spaces or busy entryways. It’s an excellent height for sitting and tying shoes, and kids can use it easily. After several months, we remain pleased with the shoe rack and think it’s a good value.

Product Details: Dimensions: 30.9 x 18.9 x 11.9 in. | Material: Particle board, foam, fabric | Number of Shoes: 9

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BEST FOR BOOTS

The Container Store 4-Pair Natural Boot Rack

Credit: The Container Store

$45 at Container Store

Why You Should Get It

• It saves space in your closet while maintaining the integrity of your boots.

Keep in Mind

• The design could be improved upon.

The Container Store boot rack saves space in your closet. It’s particularly well-suited for tall boots, though it can also hold shorter hiking boots. The rack is designed to hold boots upside down without squishing them together, helping them keep their shape.

It arrives in one piece, with eight pegs to hold four pairs of shoes. With no extra features, the design is minimalistic, which could actually be a positive for saving space. We found it somewhat wobbly, though none of the boots fell over when we bumped it.

One downside is that dirt or debris on the boots can easily fall onto the ground as there’s not much of a base. You may need to vacuum or sweep the area around the rack regularly to keep things neat.

Product Details: Dimensions: 37.38 x 19 x 9.63 in.|Material: Wood, steel | Number of Shoes: 4

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The Bottom Line

The Brightroom 4 Tier Shoe Rack stole the show as the best shoe rack overall because of its versatility, easy assembly, capacity and reasonable price tag. Meanwhile, the West Elm Mid-Century Shoe Rack is a pricier furniture investment that’s built to last.

Our Testing Process

In order to sort through 31 different products and select the best shoe racks, we used a set methodology, ranking the products on a scale of one (lowest) through five (highest) to determine how they stacked up. We compared the average ratings to determine the top performers.

To start, we recorded how long it took to assemble each shoe rack, taking note of whether the instructions were helpful. Then, we determined its capacity and whether it aligned with the manufacturer’s claims. 

We tested the stability of each rack by bumping them while vacuuming, sliding them across the floor, sitting on the shoe racks that doubled as benches, and opening and shutting the doors holding over-the-door racks.

To figure out how easy each rack was to clean, we sprinkled damp soil on the products before wiping them down.

At the end of the process, we considered whether we’d recommend the respective shoe racks to other people. And to determine the products’ longevity, we reported back with insights after two and six months.

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What to Know About Shoe Racks Before Shopping

Type

When it comes to shoe racks, there are many types available to suit your tastes. Freestanding racks are considered the traditional choice, though over-the-door racks, benches, and wall-mounted racks are also options. 

“The key is accessibility: your most-used shoes should be the easiest to access, while less-used pairs stay out of the way to maintain clear space and daily flow,” Leah says.

For example, benches work well next to entrances because you can conveniently sit while tying your shoes, then quickly store your shoes when you remove them later. Over-the-door racks are often hidden away, and they save floor space. 

Adams recommends using an over-the-door organizer to hold your summertime sandals. She personally uses a stackable shoe rack in her closet. 

Dimensions and Number of Shoes

Adams says the first step in the process of determining the right storage for your footwear is to sort through your shoes and figure out how many you have. She advises shoppers to ask themselves: “What is everyday use? What is once in a blue moon? What is sometimes?”

You’ll ultimately need the dimensions for both the shoe rack and the area it occupies. On top of figuring out the number of shoes you need to store, you’ll also need to know what space is available, according to Leah.

“Then, we measure the height, depth, and length of your storage area to ensure the remaining items actually fit,” she says. “This approach ensures you’re buying solutions that fit your life—not forcing your life to fit into the product.”

Adams recommends putting your shoe rack in the easiest place for you to reach your footwear. For example, if you’re used to leaving your shoes by the front door, then place a shoe rack there, Adams says. 

Leah says specialty shoes like rain boots and indoor slippers should be assigned their own “logical homes” based on their specific function. To Adams, that means putting winter boots on a tray to prevent floor damage and placing heels on display at the top of the closet.

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Material

“The best material for a shoe rack depends on both the type and function of the shoes,” Leah says. On this list, the shoe racks are largely made of metal, wood or particleboard. Both metal and wood are stronger materials than particleboard, so opt for the one that best suits your needs.

Your Questions, Answered

Is it better to keep shoes in boxes or on a rack?

For footwear enthusiasts, this can be a controversial question. Keeping shoes stored in their original cardboard box packaging might seem like common sense to some, but there are pros and cons. 

Boxes can take up more space than a shoe rack. They look less organized, and can hinder easy access, plus they don’t offer the same airflow as shoe racks, so boxes can trap smells. But boxes are stackable, and can temporarily shield from substances like dirt and dust.

“Nicer or less frequently worn shoes are often best kept in boxes—though many clients like to display them as functional decor,” Leah says. “For everyday shoes, a rack or open shelving keeps things accessible and supports your daily flow.”

Who We Are

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton is a writer for Better Homes & Gardens specializing in decor and home goods. She also reports on the immigration beat for The Denver Post, and previously covered prominent Colorado industries as a business reporter. For this story, she interviewed professional organizers Melissa Adams of Happy Organized and Bohne Leah of Be Organized Method.