The 8 Best Shoe Racks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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