You wouldn’t expect a deck box or a large storage bin to make for a solid review on a tech site like Techigar, but, surprisingly, the opposite is true. To understand why, we first need to establish how many deck boxes I’ve been through over the years.

From cheap, flimsy varieties with no hydraulic mechanics to more expensive hard plastic options with easy-open lids, let’s just say I’ve had a ton of boxes. They have all lasted for quite some time, I might add. I’ve even given my cheap bin away to a neighbor — and he still uses it proudly. So, when it comes to durability, none of the boxes I’ve owned are in question. They all last and all pretty much do as advertised. East Oak’s bin is definitely among them.

But what makes the biggest difference between them all is something that might raise a few eyebrows. They’re meant to be used outdoors and in inclement weather of all types. That much is true, but the East Oak box is far superior to the others. And the design that makes this possible is so simple, so ingenious, that it’s encouraged me to order more boxes. I’ve also recommended these deck boxes to family and friends openly.

What is the East Oak 150-Gallon Deck Box?

The name says it all, really. It’s an outdoor storage bin for toys, supplies, or whatever you need with a 150-gallon capacity. If you don’t need anything that large, East Oak also offers 31, 60, and 90 gallon options. If you want to go even bigger, there are 180 and 250 gallon options as well. You can mix and match to create an entire outdoor storage setup. Moreover, you can find precisely the right storage size to meet your capacity needs. 

The 150-gallon bin is already huge, especially compared to the smaller bins I have, and it can hold a ton. It comes with a divider, so it can be separated into two compartments.

It comes in a solid grey color with a wood-panel style. It’s not actually wood, obviously, it just looks like wood. Well, plasticky-wood, anyway. In my opinion, it’s nicely done.

The 150-gallon bin is also large enough that it doubles as a bench. As long as you’re not too, too heavy, you can sit on top. Kids can definitely relax on it without ruining or bending the plastic. East Oak says it supports up to 880 pounds. No, I did not load 880 pounds on top to test it out. I’ll take their word for it. It is pretty darn sturdy, though.

As it’s meant for the outdoors, the bin is also waterproof, as long as the lid is closed properly, and fade-resistant — UV-resistant.

It’s pretty easy to set up and install

Source: Briley Kenney / Techigar

When you first get the box, it comes in pieces. Individual hard plastic pieces, including the floor, sides, top, easy-open mechanics, and the divider. So, you have to put it all together. While it does take a few minutes, it’s fairly easy, the instructions are straightforward, and I was able to do it all myself — I imagine most people could. You don’t need any tools, but I used an electric screwdriver. It sped things up a little.

But let me tell you, I wasn’t ready for the size. When assembled, it was so big that I was able to sit down inside on a single side of the divider. I’m about 5’10” and weigh close to 200 pounds. I’m not a huge guy, but I’m not tiny either, and there was plenty of room to move about inside. That should also tell you there’s plenty of room to stow your gear and knick-knacks.

The divider or partition is movable, so you can adjust how much room you have on either side. I installed mine directly in the middle to create two equal compartments. On one side, I have pool cleaning and maintenance supplies. On the other side, my kids have their diving toys, goggles, and various outdoor gear. Don’t worry, there are no toxic chemicals in there.

Why is the East Oak bin superior to others?

When you first open the box and begin to assemble the bin, the individual plastic segments do it no justice. It seems like it’s going to be a relatively cheap, makeshift bin like any other. However, when assembled, it’s clear just how sturdy and solid this bin really is. The 880 pounds of support should clue you in, at least a little.

When it rains, puddles tend to accumulate on top of my other storage bins. It doesn’t get inside, mind you, but it’s still annoying to have to go flip the lids after a good rain. Here in Florida, it’s rainy season, and it rains every midday to afternoon. That’s a lot of water flicking. Also, the reason this happens is that the covers on the other bins aren’t as sturdy. The water presses down and is able to make a sort of divot and then accumulates.

That does not happen with the East Oak bin. In fact, when it’s sunny after a rain, there’s barely any moisture on it. It does an excellent job of fending off the rain and puddles, and both the design and the finish ensure that what little water is there evaporates after. If water does make its way inside — it won’t — there’s a drain plug at the bottom to let it out.

More importantly, as long as the center latch is in the correct position, it seals up well and keeps all that rain and moisture out. This would be a fantastic bin to store outdoor cushions, pillows, blankets, and any materials you want to keep dry.

The hydraulics make the lid easy to open. You just start lifting, and it does most of the work. But here’s the great part, and the biggest benefit of those hinges, it stays open. The mechanics keep the lid up so you can dig around inside and get whatever you need without it flopping back down on your head and back. Those flimsy, non-mechanical bins don’t offer that.

UV-resistant design

I’m sure there are plenty of other places, but it’s hard to imagine a better, more sunny location for testing the UV-resistance on these bins. 

I have mine outside, by the pool, in full view of the sky. It gets tons of rain, dirt, debris, and sun. It’s been out there for months, nearly half a year, actually, and has yet to show any signs of wear or tear. The paint isn’t fading it still looks brand new, and the company logo is bright as ever. The metal locking latch on the outside has become a little rusty, which you can see in the pictures. But that’s it. The internal components haven’t rusted at all.

It does get a little warm on top when in direct sunlight, but that’s an easy fix. You can just throw a cushion or blanket on top if you want to sit there when it’s hot. And if you’re hopping on after getting out of the pool or some water fun, well, you’re golden.

What’s the price, and the verdict?

I don’t like to name shame other brands unless I had a really bad experience. That’s not the case with any of the storage bins I’ve owned, even the no-name generic options. But so many of those alternatives are extra cheap compared to the East Oak, which helps justify the price.

At full price, the 150-gallon bin is $330, which is about $2.20 per gallon of storage space. Most of the time, you can find East Oak’s products on sale for much less — I’ve seen this one as low as $193. An Amazon Basics or generic bin of the same size is about $163 at full price, which is like $1.08 per gallon. While that seems like a lot less, it doesn’t feature the automatic open lid with mechanical elements (no hydraulics), there’s no divider, and it’s a lot less sturdy.

If I had to go back to the beginning and start my research into deck boxes, knowing what I do now, I’d spring for the East Oak bins first. It’s one of those situations where, sure, you can get by with cheaper, but once you experience what the better models have to offer, there’s no going back. Plus, trust me, those non-hydraulic lids are a pain in the ass to contend with when you’re trying to retrieve gear from the bins, especially if you need the lid to stay open.

• Recommended Buy: If you need outdoor storage, yes.
• For Who: Anyone who needs to store yard gear, pool supplies, outdoor toys, tools, and more.
• Alternative: 230 Gallon Waterproof Deck Box
• MSRP: From $46 (31 gallon) | $330 (150 gallon)