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Be honest. It’s time to get your car organized.
By Chris Chin
Published
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Trunk space is one of the most cherished features of modern automobile design. But having all that backyard real estate isn’t without its shortcomings, mainly when the agenda doesn’t involve hauling large items. One wrong turn or hard-braking maneuver after a grocery run, and you could be cleaning up a messy smorgasbord of deconstructed meals.
That’s where a trunk organizer comes in handy.
These handy-dandy organizers are compartmentalized storage bins universally designed to fit in the trunks and frunks of all kinds of vehicles. But rather than just being plain bins with lids, trunk organizers feature mounting gear compatible with nearly all car interiors. Most are also made of easy-to-clean and durable materials, so there’s no need to reuse those dirty cardboard Amazon Prime delivery boxes.
Not only do these organizers keep your car’s cargo area nice and tidy; unsecured items can present a significant safety risk. Should a collision occur, they could become hazardous projectiles when Newton’s first law comes into play. Trunk organizers help prevent this by keeping things buttoned down. But as you’d expect, there are many to choose from, so we sifted through the dizzying selection and created a handy buyer’s guide on the best trunk organizers for the keenest of neat freaks.
How to find the measurements of your car trunk
Before buying a trunk organizer for your car, it’s a good idea to know how big your trunk is. These specifications are often found on the manufacturer’s website, in your owner’s manual — or even just via Google search.
Alternatively, you can do it with a smartphone equipped with measuring software and LiDAR sensors — such as the iPhone 12 and newer with the Measure app — or with an old-fashioned tape measurer. Just remember to measure the length of the trunk, the width of the trunk, and the height.
AmazonPros
- Fancy looking
- Can be folded flat when not in use
Cons
- Not as rigid as other organizers
Don’t want a utilitarian organizer making for an ugly interior in your fancy ride? The Owleys Foldable Trunk Organizer Bin is a classy and no-frills way to keep things organized in your trunk. It’s void of any exterior pockets or fancy coolers and is instead festooned in a two-tone patterned polyurethane faux-leather exterior for a simple, upscale look.
Offered in two sizes — 17-inch and 21.6-inch — all models come with an integrated flip-top cover with Velcro strips and dividers for the interior. Despite rigid constructions, both can still be broken down and folded flat when not in use.
BackcountryPros
- Storage pods are color-coded
- Can be used as 3-in-1 or individually
- Rugged 600d polyester
Cons
- Color coding can be hard to see from outside the case
Kelty’s Car-Go-Box offers the ultimate flexibility whether you’re planning an elaborate adventure or just keeping your kid’s sports equipment organized. The Car-Go-Box has three color-coded storage pods with easy-access zip-top closures that fit within a folding case.
You can remove the pods and use them individually or use the case as its own haul bag for all three. Straps on the case are adjustable for more comfortable carrying. Pods and case are made from a rugged 600d polyester that should give them a long shelf life.
AmazonPros
- Built from robust and durable nylon
- Can collapse and expand compartments
- Velcro secured lid
Cons
- Only partially waterproof
Practicality and versatility often pair well with each other, and that’s what the Fortem car trunk organizer is all about. We like its robust and durable build made of ultra-durable water-repellent 1680D nylon and its array of strap-down and buckle-based mounting gear. But more so, we appreciate the Fortem’s ability to collapse into a smaller organizer should the need for bin space vary. Should the organizer not be needed, it and its dividers can be folded completely flat and stowed away.
Want a little privacy? It also comes with a sturdy detachable lid, which is secured by Velcro. The dividers in the storage bin are also reconfigurable—again, thanks to the use of Velcro. But to top it all off, the Fortem offers all this flexibility for just $34.99 for the two-compartment model and $49.99 for the three-compartment version, which is about the above-average price for a high-quality trunk organizer.
AmazonPros
- Compartments are configurable
- Includes a detachable cooler
Cons
- Can be a bit wide for carrying items out of trunk in
Want all the bells and whistles? The Orient Famulay trunk organizer is about as feature-packed as organizers get. Off the bat, it’s offered in three-compartment form and is made of water-repellent 600D water-repellent polyester. But for the same price as the Fortem’s three-way offering, Orient Famulay includes a detachable medium-sized cooler to keep perishables fresh, which slots into the trunk organizer.
Like the Fortem, it can be reconfigured to accommodate a variety of items and parcels and can be reduced to two compartments or one single compartment. Additional storage comes in the form of extra pockets and patches on the side and mounting straps.
AmazonThe Best Trunk Organizer for SUVs and Wagons
Snuopfy Car Trunk Organizer
$27.00(30% off)
Pros
- Super affordable
- Multiple configurations
- Can fit in small trunks
Cons
- Less storage volume for large, bulky items
Have an SUV, wagon, van, or hatchback with an open trunk space, rear exposed bench seating, and don’t want a clunky organizer sliding around and taking up precious trunk floor space? Snuopfy has the perfect solution. It hangs on the back of the second or third rows by way of straps that wrap around the seats’ headrests, offering a far neater and more organized look. The Snuopfy also features Velcro pads designed to attach to the fabric on most bench seatbacks, securing it from the swinging motions incurred by acceleration and deceleration.
The Snuopfy is designed to fit in most vehicles and is offered in several pocket and pouch configurations, which can be chosen according to your likings and needs. But its unique proportions compromise overall storage volume. So don’t expect it to hold very many large and bulky items. However, with a starting price under $20 and a max price of $25 for the fanciest of the range, this everyday solution is hard to beat.
AmazonPros
- Durable 600d polyester construction
- Metal handles for easy carrying
Cons
- Not as configurable as pricier options
Just need something super simple and basic? High Road CargoCube offers a set of individual leakproof organizers that work not just in the trunk but anywhere you need some extra storage organization. Presented in a range of colors, these CargoCubes are made of the usual 600D polyester and feature metal handles for easy carrying as well as leakproof interior linings, meaning they can handle just about anything you can fit inside them.
WalmartPros
- High build quality
- Compartments are configurable
Cons
- Doesn't fold flat
While the Lasfit trunk organizer doesn’t look that much different from many similar organizers, the Lasfit’s value comes from its attention to detail, making it the Mercedes-Benz of trunk organizers. On the surface, at just under $50, it seems like a pricey two-compartment offering, but start looking at how it’s built, and you’ll see where that value comes from.
It features the same 1680D polyester nylon material on the outside as the Fortem but is woven in a tougher Oxford weave. Softer 420D Oxford fabric lines the interior to avoid damaging the organizer’s contents, 2.5mm high-density fiberboard inserts help maintain the compartments’ rigidity, sturdy aluminum handles make for easy pickup, and the detachable Velcro covers maintain privacy. Collapse the Lasfit, and it stores away neatly in the included carrying storage bag along with extra dividers.
WalmartBest Mesh Car Trunk Organizer
Zento Deals Heavy Duty Stretchable Black Mesh Net Cargo Trunk Storage Organizer
Pros
- Very low price point
- Durable polyester netting
Cons
- Not as protective or feature rich as other options
Most family vehicles came with these mesh trunk organizers as an “included throw-in dealer accessory.” Though often, they typically ended up misplaced or mistaken as trash. Should that have occurred and you’re a fan of these simple organizers but don’t want to pay crazy dealership markups for the factory ones, Zento Deals makes it easy with its universal heavy-duty mesh trunk organizer.
Like ones included with cars, the Zento Deals mesh trunk organizer hooks up with the car’s preexisting trunk mounts and hooks, making for an easy way to store the basics. The best part, it’s under $20.
Macy’sPros
- Golf specific storage
- Water-resistant
- Made from durable rip stop polyester
Cons
- Pricier than other options on the list
- Not ideal for non-golfers
If there’s one demographic that cherishes trunks more than families with multiple children, it’s golfers. With much to carry for a day out on the fairway, trunk space is a golfer’s own personal mobile country club locker room. To keep all the golf balls, tees, and other important smaller bits from getting loose is Samsonites Travel Golf Trunk Organizer.
Straight from the brand’s renowned line of golf gear, the Travel Golf Trunk organizer has all the workings to keep anyone ready for tee-time. From a two-level space—the lower one reserved for golf shoes and other more oversized items, the upper for gloves, extra sets of clothes, and other accessories—to a water- and stain-resistant interior and exterior. It’s everything you’d expect from the reputed brand, and then some. Thus, it’s reflected in its price premium.
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