The 9 Best Storage Clipboards

The aluminum Saunders Cruiser-Mate 21017 set the pattern for this kind of case: a top-hinged lid over two trays, a shallow one for pens and a phone and a divided space below. The clip holds about an inch of paper plus an ID card, and a self-locking latch keeps it shut on a ladder. It's mostly recycled aluminum, which dents when it lands on a corner, and the edges can feel sharp.

Made for job sites, the Flambeau 6535TH is a tough plastic case with rubber molded over the corners to absorb drops. A spring latch opens it with one hand, and a pouch inside keeps pens and business cards from sliding around under your forms. The board leaves extra writing room around a letter-size page, and it's water-resistant. The clip holds only about 50 sheets, and the wide case can be awkward in a small cab or a backpack.

The Amazon Basics DHMCB001 follows the classic aluminum box layout at a low price. A top-hinged lid covers two compartments that hold up to 250 sheets, a self-closing latch keeps it shut, and a low-profile clip keeps the writing surface flat. The metal wipes clean. It's a plain build, though: the clip has no ID holder, and no warranty term is published. Like any aluminum case, it picks up dents and scuffs on a job site.

The thin plastic Dexas Slimcase 2 opens from the side, so papers slide in and out without lifting the clip. It's light enough for a backpack or a nurse's day bag. A stainless clip holds the top sheet, and the case takes letter or A4 paper plus pens and a calculator. It's made in the U.S. in many colors. The compartment is shallow, and the plastic can crack if it's dropped hard.

Instead of a fold that flexes each time it opens, the hard plastic Sooez Toughest has a real hinge on its left edge. Rubber bumpers wrap the corners and sides, a snap latch holds the lid shut, and a nylon pouch has three pockets for pens, cards and a phone. Sooez left off the hanging hole to help keep water out, though it gives no water rating. The clip is light, and owner feedback is split across many near-identical colors.

Locking onto DeWalt's TSTAK toolboxes, the DeWalt TSTAK DWST17818 can ride on top of a stack to the job. It has a built-in work light that runs on one included AA battery, plus two paper clips and a zippered nylon pouch inside, and the latch closes on its own. A limited lifetime warranty covers it. Without TSTAK boxes, its appeal shrinks, since it's bulky, and it can be hard to find at a fair price.

Anyone carrying client papers through shared spaces can use the key lock on the Vaultz VZ03492, a briefcase-style case with steel corners. Inside, a strap holds a tablet such as an iPad, and mesh pockets keep pens and cards in place. A strong outside clip handles about 50 sheets, and a keyhole lets it hang on a wall. Treat the lock as a privacy latch, not theft protection, and the boxy case is heavy.

Coaches and teachers get the most from the see-through lid of the Dexas Clearview Clipcase, which shows a game plan or map without opening the case. The clear panel takes dry-erase markers and lifts to a compartment for about 50 sheets, with a deeper one below for 200 more or a small tablet. Each has its own latch. The stacked design is thick, and the outside clip is light-duty.

Made for people who move between sites all day, the Officemate Carry-All is a legal-size storage box with a molded carry handle. Bright orange corners stand out on a truck seat, and straps inside hold a tablet or small laptop with files, pens and supplies. The clip is light for a box this size, the case is bulky to write on while held in one arm, and letter-size users carry extra width for nothing.