Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit

A sturdy, industrial-look wire shelving unit. Chances are good you’ve come across these racks before, but if not: they’re popular because they’re easy to assemble tools-free, very minimalist, and designed to transfer load into the floor so can hold a lot more weight than you’d expect.

This one is very similar to older ones I’ve used, but the fit & finish is a little better, the directions clearer, and the parts better labeled. Nice smooth finish, no flaws or rough spots.
It has self-leveling feet and the tops are smooth cap. Not much to improve here.

Very simple assembly. The larger versions would benefit from two people to lower the shelves onto the poles exactly level, but for the size I got (36-inch wide), it’s an easy solo job. Just follow the directions and make sure the plastic pieces are seated and not sliding on the legs.

No tools are necessary other than a mallet to fully lock down the shelves onto the plastic brackets. Similarly, you’ll want a mallet if you want to take them apart.

Other thoughts: Like almost all metal shelving, these can be loud if something bangs into a shelf. Dragging the shelving unit through an empty room is a whole lot of noise. There is a pleasing lack of excess packaging (no foam inserts or similar wastefulness). The last step with the mallet is really optional but does ensure you pushed the shelves down all the way on the plastic brackets.

Only real drawback is that small items have to go into a bin or box, and items without a smooth bottom won’t slide cleanly over the wire shelving.

Well made, well-priced, and if it’s like the ones I’ve had before, nearly indestructible. Very useful and thus Highly Recommended.

So far I have ordered several sets of Amazon basics metal shelves. They are easy to put together, and the delivery has been excellent, without issues. The shelves are sturdy, and the design is ingenious. I really appreciate the fact that these shelves have the sleeves, which hold the shelves in place, clearly marked in order to place them with the top end up. I recently ordered Whitmar sets, which are basically the same design idea, except the sleeves are not marked as to which way is up. On the first set, I put some of them on upside down, and there was no stability to the shelves at all. I had take them apart, and then close and measure each sleeve, as there is only a small difference in diameter at each end. But clearly it is very important to get them the right way up. Having them marked is a very good feature. Plus the Amazon basic shelves do not have separate caps for the tops of the poles, so you don’t have to deal with missing parts like you do with Whitmar shelves. In the future I am sticking with Amazon basics shelves. In my experience so far, they are much better. I have ordered several sets so far, without any issues at all.

I may have an addiction to these ‘Amazon Basics’ shelving units, I just bought my 6th one! I started with the butcher’s block/microwave cart unit and was thrilled with it. Then I discovered the tall 5-shelf unit and bought one. I liked that so much I bought 2 more of the tall ones. Then I bought this short 3-shelf unit on Prime Day and got so excited about it that I went back and ordered a second before the sale was over.

So let’s get the assembly “controversy” out of the way. I won’t attempt detailed directions here, but I hope you’ll trust me when I say these really are incredibly easy to assemble. And they’re perfectly stable and sturdy once assembled. Any review that says these are crazy difficult, or “won’t stay together” or that they “wobble” etc have all assembled them incorrectly. Please consider that I have bought SIX of these now, I’m a pro. I can assemble these small ones in about 8-10 minutes leisurely, and the tall 5-shelf ones in about 15 minutes each – and that includes time for me to ponder ideal shelf placement! That’s at a relaxed pace and there is zero frustration. Now, I will admit that I was initially perplexed on my very first unit for a few minutes as I fumbled around with the black connectors trying to make sense of them. I too thought “this thing is junk” until I realized I was not realizing how they work. Once I understood the simplicity of it, the rest all flew together with ease and are actually fun to assemble. I could quite literally assemble these with my eyes closed at this point.

Watch the videos which should help. But generally: the connectors come in 2 halves that fit together around the pole. Be sure to look for the arrow pointing up so you have them upright. Also look INSIDE for the little ridge lines, this is super helpful. Those lines line up with the single lines on the chrome pole. I actually place them just above the chrome pole line and slide them down until I hear/feel them click into place. The two halves fit together but with a slight GAP. Meaning that they do not close together entirely. They stay in place but will look slightly separated – this is normal! Do not try to force them to fit together tightly, they aren’t intended to. When you push the shelf (lightly, there’s no need to force it) down over the black connectors, it wedges them closed a bit more. This is by design so that the shelves aren’t loose and popping up; they stay in place nicely.

Also keep in mind that the black coin-like caps in the box are packing scrap and can be tossed out or repurposed but are not parts for the unit. Lastly, the edging on the shelf goes DOWN. They are NOT lips to hold things on the shelf. You might be able to make it work that way, but it’s not meant to be that way. Just know that if you’re having a hard time with any part of putting these together, you’re doing it wrong. I can assure you, I live alone and have no one around to give me a hand, so I would never buy SIX of these units unless they were super easy to assemble, because I am not a very patient person.

These are stable, strong, hold a ton of weight and are extremely versatile, which is why I love them so much. They go with just about any decor style. I have two of the tall units as pantry shelving and a third tall unit in my art studio. I came up with a creative way to use these small 3-shelf ones by putting a 6 foot x 18″ piece of plywood over two of them (one at each end with a space in the center) which serves as a sideboard/counter and/or deskpace area in my rustic kitchen where I can roll out bread dough or sit down to pull up recipes on my laptop, etc with baking supplies on the shelves underneath. The leveling feet are handy too. My ONLY complaint is that the prices on these fluctuates dramatically, so I tend to wait and snag one when I see them on sale. I’m considering getting one for the bathroom (towels etc) and maybe even one for off-season clothes storage. They look so classy and nice and the storage and organization they offer is fantastic. These units are some of the best things I’ve ever purchased on Amazon actually.

I liked that the shelves are sturdy and can be easily set at different heights for shelving containers and totes. The locking casters make moving heavy storage easier when set upon the shelves. They are sturdy and there is no sagging. I like it! Don’t hesitate to make this purchase if you need shelving it’s a Great product for the price.