We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Organizing The 8 Best Shoe Racks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed For organized entryways and closets. By Quinn Gawronski Quinn Gawronski Quinn Gawronski is the Associate Commerce Editor for Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 15, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process More to Consider How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Photo: Real Simple / Henry Wortock Whether in your closet, entryway, or mudroom, a shoe rack will keep your floors clutter-free and make it easy to quickly find your favorite pairs when you’re rushing out the door. While functionality is essential, shoe organizers come in a wide range of designs and styles to suit any household’s needs. “Having a shoe rack provides a designated spot so that hopefully you don't have shoes strewn all around the house,” says Brittani Allen, owner of Pinch of Help, a professional home organization service. “If it is by the entry and promotes the habit of removing shoes when you enter the home, it will also lead to a cleaner, more sanitary house by not dragging everything from the bottom of your shoes all around your living spaces.” To find the best shoe racks, we tested 31 models in our Des Moines lab and in real-world conditions, including benches that double as shoe storage and over-the-door options that maximize every square foot. We evaluated each rack on its setup, design, stability, ease of cleaning, capacity, and value. Our Top Picks Best Overall Shoe Rack: Open Spaces Entryway Rack at Getopenspaces.com $184 Jump to Review Best Budget Shoe Rack: The Container Store Stackable Shoe Shelf at The Container Store $20 Jump to Review Best Large Shoe Rack: Vasagle 5-Tier Shoe Rack at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Small Shoe Rack: Rebrilliant 2-Tier 8-Pair Shoe Rack at Wayfair $32 Jump to Review Best Bench Shoe Rack: Vasagle Shoe Bench at Amazon $86 Jump to Review Best Over-Door Shoe Rack: Whitmor Over-the-Door Shoe Rack at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Best Shoe Rack for Boots: The Container Store Natural Boot Rack at The Container Store $40 Jump to Review Best Wooden Shoe Rack: The Container Store Bamboo Shoe Shelf at The Container Store $40 Jump to Review Best Overall Shoe Rack Open Spaces Entryway Rack PHOTO: Open Spaces $184 at Getopenspaces.com $184 at Saks Fifth Avenue $184 at Verishop.com Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Stability 4.5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Capacity 5/5 What Stands Out It comes in a variety of colors and will last for years. What Could Be Improved It's on the heavy side. This three-shelf organizer from Open Spaces is much more than just a stylish shoe rack. Its chic design makes it super versatile, as it can be used in an entryway or hall for storage and decor purposes. We found it extremely easy to set up this shoe rack, noting that no extra tools were required and that it was very user-friendly for any skill level. Although the manufacturer doesn’t outright list the capacity of this shoe rack, we were able to fit 12 pairs without a problem. We also found the steel shelves to be exceedingly durable after six months of use—the quality and appearance remained consistent throughout, and we were fond of how the elegant design complemented our home. This rack is also easy to wipe down, which makes long-term maintenance hassle-free. Though the light color shows dirt more quickly, it took very little effort to clean (plus, you can always opt for navy, black, or green instead). The arched overhanging handle allows you to move the unit from room to room (although the unit is pretty heavy at 30 pounds). Overall, we think this pick is an elevated shoe rack offering high-quality construction and a minimalist look perfect for any space. Dimensions: 33.8 x 12.5 x 26.1 inches | Capacity: 12 pairs | Material: Steel Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Budget Shoe Rack The Container Store Stackable Shoe Shelf PHOTO: The Container Store $20 at The Container Store Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 3/5 Stability 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Capacity 3/5 What Stands Out It has a durable steel construction and comes fully assembled. What Could Be Improved You may need to scrub the mesh with a bristled tool to thoroughly clean. Sometimes, a simple, no-frills shoe rack can organize your footwear just as effectively as a more expensive option. The Mesh Stackable Shoe Shelf from The Container Store has a basic, one-shelf construction, and it’s just a fraction of the price of our best overall pick. In our testing, we found it had enough space for about eight pairs of shoes when utilizing the space on the floor underneath the bottom shelf. You can also purchase additional organizers separately and stack them on top of each other to create a larger storage solution. The steel construction is durable and comes fully assembled, and we found that no shoes fell from the rack when we jostled it—it just wobbled a bit. It is also easy to clean with a damp cloth, but you may need to scrub the mesh with a bristled tool for a very thorough cleaning. Though the capacity is limited in comparison to some of our other selections, this affordable, durable design can add shoe storage to just about any room or closet. Dimensions: 31 x 8 x 10 inches | Capacity: 8 pairs | Material: Steel Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Large Shoe Rack Vasagle 5-Tier Shoe Rack PHOTO: Amazon $40 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Ashleyfurniture.com Our Ratings Setup 4/5 Design 4/5 Stability 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 4/5 Capacity 5/5 What Stands Out The narrow rack can hold 15 pairs of shoes and can withstand bumps and shakes. What Could Be Improved It may be more time-consuming to construct than other options. This five-tier shelf received perfect scores for its value and capacity, and we think it’s an ideal option for anyone with a large shoe collection. Most of the racks on our list have a maximum capacity of 12 pairs, but we found this unit was able to hold 15 pairs in our testing. Unlike other options on our list, the shelves of this rack are a polyester fabric material held taut on a steel frame. Even with fabric shelves, this pick stood up well to movement and shaking—we noted that the high heels and other shoes didn’t budge when we shook or bumped the rack with the vacuum. Keep in mind that this rack comes with 30 parts, so it may be more time-consuming to construct than other options on our list. Despite this slight downside, we think the final product is well worth the added effort. Throughout six months of use, we disassembled, reassembled, and moved the shelf several times, fitting it into different closets and storage areas around our home (it remained sturdy and showed no wear or tear). In addition to being a durable shoe rack, we also found that this pick can double as additional closet storage, and we were happy to find that it could hold more weight than we initially assumed. Dimensions: 11.8 x 29.5 x 35.8 inches | Capacity: 15 pairs | Material: Particleboard, steel, polyester fabric Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Small Shoe Rack Rebrilliant 2-Tier 8-Pair Shoe Rack PHOTO: Wayfair $32 at Wayfair Our Ratings Setup 4.5/5 Design 4/5 Stability 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5 Capacity 4/5 What Stands Out Its simple and elegant design works in most rooms. What Could Be Improved Stiletto heels could slip between the slats. A low-profile shoe rack can clear clutter without taking up valuable space, making this Rebrilliant Shoe Rack an ideal pick for any entryway, mudroom, or hall. In our lab tests, this shoe rack received stellar ratings for setup, stability, ease of cleaning, and value. We used this shoe rack for six months, and it became a valuable addition to our daily storage system. It helped us reduce shoe clutter near the door and survived our move to a new home without sacrificing quality or performance. Though this rack only has two parts, along with an included tool for assembly, we found that the tool seemed to have a slight design flaw, as it was challenging to get the screw flush with the wood. Still, setting up this shoe rack was fairly straightforward. While the slats on the shelf might not be ideal for stiletto heels that could slip through the gap, we noted that they are wide enough to provide plenty of surface area for most shoes. The shoe rack may not be large enough to store your entire footwear collection, but it provides enough storage for a few pairs that you like to keep by the door. Dimensions: 10.23 x 27.51 x 15.75 inches | Capacity: 8 pairs | Material: Wood Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Bench Shoe Rack Vasagle Shoe Bench PHOTO: Amazon $80 at Amazon $70 at Walmart Our Ratings Setup 3/5 Design 5/5 Stability 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5 Capacity 5/5 What Stands Out It's super easy to clean and the compartments are adjustable. What Could Be Improved The backing is fairly flimsy and can wobble slightly. If you’re familiar with the last-minute hustle to find your shoes and tie them properly before running out the door, then it might be time to invest in a bench-style shoe rack like this one from Vasagle. This product is one of the largest options on our list and requires a bit more assembly than some other shoe racks, but we found that the instructions were straightforward and the parts are clearly labeled. During testing, we also noted that this pick is super easy to clean, with dirt coming off effortlessly with a damp paper towel. While we were initially concerned about the flimsy backing during our lab tests, after six months of regular use and wear from the whole family (kids included), we can confidently say that this shoe bench is also a durable option. In fact, it looked and performed as good as the first day we got it. Dimensions: 11.8 x 40.9 x 18.9 inches | Capacity: 10 pairs | Material: Particleboard, fabric, foam Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Over-Door Shoe Rack Whitmor Over-the-Door Shoe Rack PHOTO: Walmart $28 at Amazon $41 at Walmart Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 3.5/5 Stability 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Capacity 3.5/5 What Stands Out It's easy to set up and has an impressive 21-shoe capacity. What Could Be Improved It's not suitable for boots and larger shoes. For those with a closet perpetually littered with a mess of shoes, an over-the-door rack can keep every pair in line—no straggling heels left behind. This Whitmor rack elevates your shoes off the floor, allowing you to select a pair without crouching down or sifting through your collection. We also like that this over-the-door organizer keeps shoes hidden in a closet rather than on display for everyone to see. In our tests, we found that this shoe rack is easy to set up and has an impressive capacity of 21 shoes, which is the highest on our list. That said, the individual racks aren’t adjustable and cannot accommodate shoes larger than an ankle boot, so it may not be ideal for people who need to store men’s shoes or boots. Dimensions: 7.5 x 22.5 x 48.75 inches | Capacity: 21 pairs | Material: Plastic, metal Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Shoe Rack for Boots The Container Store Natural Boot Rack PHOTO: The Container Store $40 at The Container Store Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 4/5 Stability 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 3/5 Capacity 5/5 What Stands Out It helps retain the shape of tall boots. What Could Be Improved It might not be able to store all your sneakers, flats, and heels. Even the most high-end boots can lose their luster when they get crumpled and creased in your closet, and that’s exactly why this boot rack from The Container Store earned a spot on our list. Unlike most shoe racks, this pick stores your shoes upside down—just slip the boot over the wooden posts with the sole facing upwards. (It’s also available in an option that’s designed to hold six pairs of boots.) We think this pick would be a great addition to an existing shoe rack, and we appreciate that it can be folded down for storage when not in use. It also comes completely assembled, so you can skip the instruction manual entirely. While it might not be able to store all your sneakers, flats, and heels, if you’re looking to organize your tall boots and shoes, this rack is a must-have. Dimensions: 9.63 x 37.38 x 19 inches | Capacity: 4 pairs | Material: Wood Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Wooden Shoe Rack The Container Store Bamboo Shoe Shelf PHOTO: The Container Store $40 at The Container Store Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 5/5 Stability 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 3/5 Capacity 4/5 What Stands Out The stackable shoe rack is ideal for sandals, sneakers, and flats. What Could Be Improved It's harder to clean and not suitable for heavy boots or shoes. A wooden shoe rack, like this one from The Container Store, is a welcome change to the metal and plastic materials that are so common in this category. We think this stackable shoe rack can suit nearly any space, whether it’s tucked into your closet or on display near an entryway. The Container Store 2-Tier Bamboo Stackable Shoe Shelf features two bamboo shelves with slats, and you can stack multiple for even more storage space. One rack can hold about six pairs of shoes, though we found that it’s best for sandals, sneakers, and flats—larger boots won’t fit on the shelves, which are only 5.25 inches tall. The limited storage space of this selection makes this rack better suited to children's shoes or as a minimal entryway rack for a few pairs of slippers or shoes for running errands. When it came to cleaning, this shoe rack left a bit to be desired. Because it has many slats, we had to turn it over and change angles several times for a thorough cleaning. Thankfully, nothing stained, but there were a lot of little nooks and crannies to tackle. The slatted design will also allow for dirt to fall to the floor, so if keeping your entryway spick and span is a priority, you may want to opt for another shoe rack from our list. Dimensions: 11 x 28 x 11.63 inches | Capacity: 6 pairs | Material: Bamboo Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Final Verdict Our top pick is the Open Spaces Entryway Rack for its durable materials, elegant design, and stability. In our lab testing, this shoe rack received a near-perfect score, making it a great addition to just about any home. If you’re looking to keep costs as low as possible, then we suggest the Mesh Stackable Shoe Shelf from The Container Store. This basic, no-frills organizer can fit up to eight pairs of shoes, but you can always stack additional shelves on top for even more storage space. Our Testing Process To find the best shoe racks, we acquired 31 models with a wide variety of designs, capacities, and materials to test in our lab. We first timed the assembly of the shoe rack from start to finish, noting whether the instructions were easy to follow and if any required tools were included. Then, we placed a variety of shoes and boots on each shoe rack to test its capacity, making sure to use men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes. We tallied how many pairs we could fit on the rack and compared this number to the capacity listed by the manufacturer. We also evaluated whether the shoe rack’s design could accommodate different types of footwear, like boots, high heels, and larger sizes. For adjustable shoe racks, we made modifications and then re-evaluated how many pairs of shoes fit, taking note of whether we needed additional tools and if the adjustments were easy to make. To test each shoe rack's stability, we pushed it from the front and side while it was loaded with shoes. We observed whether any wobbling occurred and if any shoes fell off. Then, we bumped into the shoe rack with a vacuum and took note of any damage or shifting. We also conducted unique tests for particular styles, like bench shoe racks, closet shoe racks, and over-the-door shoe racks. For shoe racks with bench seats, we sat down and put on their shoes to see if the rack felt sturdy enough. To evaluate over-the-door shoe racks, we opened and closed the door a minimum of three times, and for closet shoe racks, we slid them back and forth on the rod. Finally, we evaluated each shoe rack’s ease of cleaning. We removed all shoes from the rack and sprinkled one tablespoon of damp soil on the shelves before using a paper towel with an all-purpose cleaner to see if the design was easy to clean. After our initial evaluations were complete, we sent out top-performing models for continued evaluations in real-world conditions over six months. We used this long-term testing to assess each rack's durability, performance, and stability over time. Henry Wortock More Shoe Racks to Consider Yamazaki Home Shoe Rack: In our testing, this shoe rack proved to be lightweight yet sturdy and easy to clean. However, we found that heels hung over the edge of the metal bars, making it difficult to put in and take out the shoes below. That said, we still think it’d be a good option for people with mostly flats in their footwear collection. Brightroom 4-Tier Shoe Rack: This shoe rack is from the same brand as our best overall pick, so it’s no surprise that it also impressed us. Instead of solid shelves, this rack has three wire shelves with a wooden top that can hold small items like keys, mail, and gloves. In our testing, we found that there was some slight wobbling during our stability test—only one pair of shoes moved, but this issue could be potentially fixed by affixing the rack to the wall. How to Shop for Shoe Racks Like a Pro Size To find the best shoe rack for your space, you’ll need to consider its capacity and dimensions. We recommend first doing an inventory of your existing shoe collection to see how many pairs you hope to squeeze on the rack. (Keep in mind that a few open slots can come in handy when you have guests over or impulse buy a new pair.) Compare that number with the manufacturer’s listed capacity to ensure that the rack you select will fit your existing collection (if not more). Then, measure the space where you’re hoping to place your shoe rack. This is especially important if you want to stow it in a closet or confined area. “Measurements are your friend when selecting any organizational products and shoe racks are no different,” says Allen. “How tall and wide is the space? How much walking room is available?” If you have ample space in a mudroom or hallway, you can opt for a large shoe rack or shoe bench with plenty of room for the whole family’s shoes. But those with limited space may want to opt for an over-the-door design or narrow shoe rack that can tuck away into a closet. Style Shoe racks come in a wide variety of styles that can match your existing decor, whether it be an uber-minimalist or a boho-chic style. For those who would prefer to minimize any visual clutter, a shoe bench or over-the-door shoe rack can make for a more streamlined look that keeps your shoes out of sight. If you are prioritizing capacity over style, then a large multi-level shoe rack might be a better option. Shoe Types While some shoe racks can hold any variety of footwear, whether it be boots, sneakers, or heels, others may have limitations to what they can fit. “Make sure you consider the size of the shoes you will be storing,” says Allen. “For example, my husband wears a size 14 so I have to be extra sure his shoes will actually fit.” If you have a plethora of boots and larger shoes, a shoe rack with more vertical space between each shelf might be best, while those with mostly sneakers and flats can opt for an over-the-door organizer or a smaller rack with less space between each shelf. Henry Wortock Questions You Might Ask What material is best for shoe racks? During our testing, the most common materials for shoe racks were steel, plastic, particleboard, and wood. Of these materials, steel and plastic tend to be the most durable and easy to clean, making for a long-lasting shoe rack that can withstand wear and tear. For those with a penchant for design, wood options can also be durable and suit most decor styles, though they may be slightly more challenging to clean. Our best overall pick, the Brightroom Rolling Entry Rack, is made of steel, which we found to be stable, easy to clean, and aesthetically pleasing material. Where should you place a shoe rack? One of the best places to put a shoe rack is inside your closet—it hides clutter while keeping your shoes within reach. Most households will require multiple shoe racks, especially if you have a family or share your space with roommates. In addition to a utilitarian closet shoe rack, we recommend a stylish, lower-capacity shoe rack near your entryway for guest's shoes, boots, and your go-to errand sneakers. What is the most space-saving way to store shoes? Vertical shoe storage is one of the best ways to store your shoe collection without taking up too much space. “With small closets, our go-to product [is] stackable shoe space savers, which allow you to fit more pairs of shoes on each shelf,” says Allen. “Another good option is to use the door for added shoe storage.” Take Our Word for It This article was written by Quinn Gawronski, associate commerce editor for Real Simple, who has three years of experience writing and editing product reviews and roundups. To compile this list, we tested 31 shoe racks and evaluated them on setup, design, stability, ease of cleaning, capacity, and value. For expert tips, we spoke with Brittani Allen, owner of Pinch of Help, a professional home organization service. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.