5 Best Board Game Storage Cabinets Recommended by Reddit Users

Kallax Ikea

Advantages

Affordability:

Kallax consistently earns high praise and recommendations from Reddit users for its affordability. Priced at just $79.99 for the 30 1/8" × 57 5/8" shelf unit, it’s an incredibly budget-friendly option for board gamers. It’s hard to find a cheaper board game storage cabinet that works as well for storing board games.

Sturdiness:

Despite its low price, Kallax offers excellent quality. Each shelf can support up to 29 pounds, while the top shelf holds up to 55 pounds. Early user feedback highlights that the shelves are sturdy, resist bending, and can easily accommodate heavy game boxes (typically weighing 6–12 pounds). Board gamers can therefore have full confidence in Kallax’s durability.

Flexibility:

Kallax is thoughtfully designed to adapt to different space requirements. Its modular structure allows for a variety of configurations, with sizes including 30 1/8" × 16 1/8" and 16 3/8" × 57 5/8". This makes it easy for gamers to make the most efficient use of their available space.

Disadvantages

Inefficient space utilization:

Each Kallax compartment is relatively large. To make full use of the space, board gamers often stack their game boxes. Accessories such as LAX RAX can help improve organization and space efficiency. Each Kallax cube measures 13 1/4" × 13 1/4" × 15 3/8", which easily fits large box games (e.g., Scythe, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic Legacy, etc., typically sized 12" × 12" × 3" to 13" × 13" × 4").

However, storing small-box games can leave a lot of wasted space. Even for larger games, stacking is often necessary to maximize capacity — but stacking boxes directly can make them difficult to remove and may cause the upper boxes to topple. For this reason, accessories like the LAX RAX system are highly recommended, as they help separate stacked games and make access much easier.

Simple appearance:

The Kallax’s minimalist design may not appeal to everyone’s aesthetic preferences.

Besta Ikea

Advantages

Flexibility:

Almost every aspect of the Besta system is adjustable and customizable. You can choose from enclosed storage options, furniture-like designs, custom layouts, and various load-bearing configurations. This versatility allows for countless setup possibilities. It’s also the most widely praised feature among Reddit users — most people who prefer Besta over Kallax do so for this reason.

Affordability:

Compared to other board game storage cabinets (except the Kallax IKEA and Kallax Target models), Besta remains relatively affordable. A 47 ¼" x 15 ¾" x 25 ¼" shelf unit costs just $75.00.

Dustproof and Aesthetic:

Besta effectively protects your game boxes from dust. Its doors and drawers create enclosed storage, offering a cleaner and more organized appearance than open shelving.

Furniture-Like Appearance:

Besta can make your game room look more like a living room than a dedicated game space. Its interchangeable doors, handles, legs, and top surfaces give it a highly customizable and polished appearance. This “home furniture” aesthetic is a Reddit favorite — many users even share photos showcasing their setups.

High Configurability:

Besta accommodates almost any layout. Its modular design allows individual units to be placed horizontally or vertically, stacked, built into walls, or even combined with furniture such as TV stands. A popular Reddit trend is to mix Besta with Kallax — combining open display storage with enclosed storage for both practicality and visual appeal.

Sturdiness:

With proper configuration (heavy boxes on the lower shelves and reinforced panels), Besta can safely support most board game collections. While not industrial-grade, its load capacity is sufficient for typical use, and many gamers find Besta sturdier and longer-lasting than cheaper Target alternatives.

Disadvantages

Low Space Utilization:

Without careful configuration, Besta suffers from the same space inefficiency issues as Kallax — sometimes even more so. Besta’s compartments are deeper (15 ¾") compared to Kallax’s (15 ⅜"), which can lead to wasted space. Choosing the right inserts and add-ons is therefore essential.

Higher Price:

Besta costs roughly three times more than Kallax, which makes it less appealing to budget-conscious gamers who often opt for Kallax instead.

BoxThrone BoxKing

Advantages

Professional Design:

BoxThrone is specifically engineered for tabletop game storage. Unlike general-purpose storage systems like Kallax and Besta, BoxThrone was designed from the ground up with board gamers in mind. For example, to maximize space utilization, BoxThrone not only separates each game box with individual shelves to prevent compression but also features adjustable shelving to accommodate boxes of various sizes.

Each game box is stored horizontally, which helps keep game components neatly organized inside the box instead of shifting around during storage. This means your game pieces stay in place and are ready for your next session—reducing setup time and ensuring better protection.

Additionally, BoxThrone includes slide-out drawer inserts for easier access. Thanks to this professional, game-focused design, BoxThrone has received much higher praise from Reddit users than general storage systems like Kallax.

Flexible Combination and Expansion:

BoxThrone supports both vertical stacking and horizontal expansion, thanks to its modular design. You can stack two BoxThrones vertically (as long as you have sufficient height clearance) or connect multiple units horizontally by adding shelves.

This flexibility allows board gamers to expand their storage as their collections grow. Reddit users particularly appreciate this scalability and the efficient use of space it provides.

High Load Capacity:

When properly arranged, BoxThrone can store up to 20 game boxes of varying sizes. Its standard and extra-wide shelves each have a 10 kg (22 lbs) weight limit, while the entire system can support up to 180 kg (400 lbs) in total.

Constructed almost entirely from powder-coated metal, BoxThrone is built to last. The base is made of high-grade furniture-quality ABS plastic with brass screw inserts, making assembly easier and more secure. This ABS base is tested to withstand loads exceeding 200 kg (440 lbs).

Given that heavy board games typically weigh between 6–12 lbs, BoxThrone’s weight capacity is more than sufficient for most collections.

Modern Aesthetic:

With its sleek steel frame and minimalist lines, BoxThrone adds a touch of modern style to any game room. It’s not only functional but also visually appealing—perfect for gamers who want their setup to look as good as it performs.

Disadvantages

Pricey:

The cheapest model in the BoxThrone lineup—the BoxDuke with 24 shelves—costs $299.99. While it can store up to 60 games, this price point is still considered steep for many gamers. For comparison, you could purchase several IKEA Besta units for the same cost, making BoxThrone a premium option.

Complex Assembly:

Due to its modular structure, BoxThrone can be somewhat challenging to assemble compared to simpler storage systems. However, BOXKING provides clear assembly instructions, and most users report that the process becomes straightforward once they start following the guide.

GamePillar BoxKing

Advantages

Efficient Space Utilization:

Each GamePillar shelf is fully adjustable, with holes spaced 4 cm apart, perfectly accommodating games measuring approximately 7.5 cm, 11.5 cm, or 16 cm (and taller). You can adjust the shelves to match the height of your game boxes, ensuring each game has its own dedicated space. Reddit users have highly praised GamePillar for its adaptable shelf heights and modular design.

High Load Capacity:

GamePillar is built from heavy-duty, powder-coated steel and features a warehouse-style steel frame. With a load capacity of 8 kg (17.6 lbs) per shelf, it’s more than capable of supporting even the heaviest board games.

Modern Aesthetics:

GamePillar’s minimalist design, crafted from sleek modern steel, makes it a stylish addition to any gaming or living space. It serves as both a functional storage unit and a piece of contemporary furniture.

Disadvantages

Limited Capacity:

GamePillar offers less overall storage than other board game cabinets, such as the BoxThrone. The shorter version includes only seven shelves, limiting how many games it can hold.

Relatively High Price:

The short 79 cm GamePillar is priced at $219.00, while the tall 155 cm version costs $299.00. Although this is slightly cheaper than the BoxThrone, it remains significantly more expensive than budget-friendly alternatives like the IKEA Kallax.

Kallax Target

Advantages

Affordability:

The Kallax Target and Kallax IKEA units are priced similarly. Target’s 8-compartment storage unit costs $80.00, while IKEA’s is $79.99. Both measure approximately 57.8 inches (H) × 30 inches (W) × 14.6 inches (D), making them affordable options for board game storage.

High Weight Capacity:

The Kallax Target shelves have a maximum weight capacity of 30 pounds per shelf, slightly higher than IKEA’s 29 pounds per shelf.

Easy Availability in the US:

Target is more accessible for in-person shopping across the United States and offers online delivery as well. Target stores are found in almost every city or suburb, often more numerous than IKEA stores in smaller cities and rural areas. This consistent availability ensures you don’t need to worry about restocking. A Reddit user even recommended Target for board gamers who don’t have an IKEA nearby.

Disadvantages

Average Quality:

While Kallax Target shelves have a slightly higher weight capacity, some users report that the lightweight materials don’t hold up as well over time.

Simple Design:

Like the IKEA Kallax, the minimalist design may not appeal to everyone.