Starting My Clear Box Hunt
So yeah, I decided I needed more of those small 1x1x5 inch clear plastic boxes. Perfect for tiny screws, beads, you name it. Had a couple from ages ago, couldn’t remember where I bought ’em. Figured, how hard could it be? Just grab whatever looked right online or at the store, right? Nope. Dead wrong.
The Annoying Store Trip
Went to the big craft store first. Found the storage aisle. Saw containers labelled “Small”. Grabbed a pack. Got home, opened it… the dang things were way too big. Like, twice the size. Checked the label – yeah, it said “small”, but no actual measurements anywhere obvious. What a waste of time driving back there.
Went online next. Typed in exactly “1x1x5 clear plastic storage box”. You know how many options popped up? Like fifty! Prices all over the place. Pictures looked identical. Reviews were useless – mostly “arrived broken” or “works great!” without details. How thick is the plastic? Does the lid snap well? Is it really exactly 1x1x5? No clue. Started feeling seriously annoyed.
Time to Get Serious – Buying Samples
Fine. No shortcuts. Found four brands people mentioned a lot. Ordered one box from each place. Felt kinda dumb paying shipping for single cheap boxes, but needed answers.
Waited a few days like a kid before Christmas. Boxes finally arrived!
- Brand A: Looked sturdy right outta the package. Plastic felt thick.
- Brand B: Plastic seemed thinner. Flimsy.
- Brand C: Looked identical to Brand A? Seriously confusing.
- Brand D: Had these weird bumpy lines inside the plastic.
Measuring & Testing Like Crazy
Broke out my cheap plastic ruler. Lined ’em all up.
- Actual Size: No joke, only ONE was actually 1x1x5! Brand A nailed it. Brand B was like 0.9×0.9×4.8 – way smaller! Brand C said 1x1x5 on the bottom, measured close enough (1.05×1.05×4.95). Brand D? Randomly 1.2×1.2×5.3. What a mess.
- Lid Battle: Did the “flip it upside down” test. Brand A’s lid didn’t budge. Snapped super tight. Brand B’s lid flew off instantly. Point! Brand C’s lid held okay… barely. Brand D? Super stiff clip, hard to get on and off.
- Drop Test (oops): Reaching for Brand C, knocked Brand B off the table. It landed corner first. Tiny crack. Yeah, thin plastic = bad. Dropped Brand A purposely later (felt bad) from waist height onto rug. Nothing. Solid.
- Stacking: Brand A and Brand C stacked perfect. Brand B wobbled. Brand D’s lid didn’t even have stacking ridges! Like… why?
My Wallet Cried a Little
Checked prices again per box.
- Brand A: Definitely the priciest per box.
- Brand B: Cheapest. Like, dirt cheap.
- Brand C: Middle price, sometimes almost as much as A.
- Brand D: Weird price. Some sellers high, some low.
So Brand B is cheap? Yeah, but feels like it’ll crumble in your hands and holds less stuff. Waste of money actually.
The Final Showdown – Picking a Winner
Stared at all four. Really used them.
- Brand B was immediately demoted to holding lightweight cotton balls. Too fragile.
- Brand D just felt weird with those ridges. Lid too tight. Annoying.
- Brand C was good… but why pay almost like Brand A when Brand A just felt better? Lids sealed tighter, plastic smoother.
Brand A won. It costs more, but it’s tough, holds exactly what it should, stacks like a dream, and snaps shut tight. Peace of mind is worth the extra pennies per box for something I need to last. Brand C would be my ‘okay, if absolutely nothing else is available’ backup.
So Here’s My Advice (After All That Headache)
If you need good small boxes, buy ONE single box of a few different brands to test yourself. Don’t trust pictures or listings. Bring a ruler! Try the lid! Seriously, saved me from buying a whole set of flimsy junk. Cost me extra time and shipping, but better than being stuck with a pile of useless plastic. My little screws deserve a solid home. Plus, my dog knocked the whole stack down yesterday – only the Brand A boxes didn’t pop open! Worth it.
