10 Best Media Cabinets Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Good Media Cabinet?
Media cabinets are not new to the world of interior design. Perhaps, the perfect media cabinet is what you need to give your living space a new look. Although they are primarily for storing CDs, media cabinets can help you hide those parts of your media equipment, like wires and switches, that you don’t want to be exposed to.
Nowadays, media cabinets haven’t been at the top of the must-have lists. That’s because their original purpose was storing CDs and DVDs, which is no longer a significant need. People may think that they’re not necessary. But, media cabinets are still as vital as they were before, especially when you have one that complements your interior décor.
Quick Summary
1. Editor’s Choice – Atlantic Drawbridge Media Storage Cabinet
2. Best Adjustable Media Cabinet – Atlantic Oskar Espresso Adjustable Media Cabinet
3. Best Freestanding Rack – Atlantic Element Espresso Rack for Media Storage
4. Best Compact Media Cabinet – Atlantic Typhoon Media Storage
5. Best for Media Equipment – Fitueyes 4-Tier Media Component Cabinet
6. Best Wall Mounted Media Cabinet – YouHaveSpace Wall Storage Shelf
7. Best Space-Saving Media Cabinet – FURINNO JAYA Espresso Storage Cabinet
8. Best Media Rack – Atlantic Mitsu 5-Tier Media Rack
9. Best Media Stand and Cabinet – Pangea Audio Vulcan Four Shelf Media Stand and Components Cabinet
10. Best With Cable Management System – Bell’O AT306 No Tools Audio/Video Wood-Glass Media Tower
Editor Picks Media Cabinets Detailed Reviews
1. Editor’s Choice – Atlantic Drawbridge Media Storage Cabinet
The Atlantic Drawbridge Cabinet is a large-sized media cabinet that can be used to store and organize a lot of media items. It can store up to 240 CDs, 108 DVDs, or 132 video games or Blu-ray discs.
What’s most impressive in the design of the media cabinet is that the shelves are adjustable in design. If you have a shelf where you want to put longer media items such as books, you can remove the shelf and raise it higher up.
Sold for less than $50, the media storage cabinet is made of wood composite and medium density fiberboard which all make the cabinet to be lighter in weight. The cabinet has a compact and space-saving dimension and can be used in the dorm room or any location with a small space.
2. Best Adjustable Media Cabinet – Atlantic Oskar Espresso Adjustable Media Cabinet
The Oskar cabinet is also an adjustable media cabinet. However, this is larger. It can store up to 464 CDs, 276 Blu-rays or video games, and 228 DVDs. The cabinet has four fixed shelves and up to 12 adjustable shelves, totaling 16.
For use in commercial stores, it can also store up to 316 Wii games or 414 PS 3/4 games. The cabinet is highly rated for its storage capacity and it is also easy to assemble. Alongside the cabinet pieces, also included in the purchase are hardware, two wall anchors, and assembly instructions.
3. Best Freestanding Rack – Atlantic Element Espresso Rack for Media Storage
This Element Rack from the Atlantic is a well-made media storage. It has a beautiful espresso finish and you can select from two different purchase options, which is the espresso or maple model.
The freestanding rack comes with a large storage capacity for media items. The design of the rack is not too stylish but it is beautiful. But some users mentioned that the unit can be easier to install. They mentioned the dividers sliding too easily. However, most users mention that the rack does its job as described and was easy to install.
It is made from high-end sturdy wood and it has a stable structure. It can store around 230 CDs and 150 DVDs.
4. Best Compact Media Cabinet – Atlantic Typhoon Media Storage
Another Atlantic model in the review, the Atlantic Typhoon Cabinet is a well-made media rack that is space-saving and functional. This media rack’s design will be suitable for a stereo system.
The compact and space-saving cabinet is constructed from durable materials. It has a storage capacity of 216 CDs or 144 DVDs. The unit is a freestanding media cabinet that is constructed from wood.
It has a beautiful but simple design but it feels sturdy. However, the price is fair. The rack measures 11.9 by 11.9 by 37.8 inches in dimension. In addition, it weighs around 16 pounds. If you are looking for a well-made DVD rack, it is a great option to choose from. Great still, it is covered by a 1-year warranty.
5. Best for Media Equipment – Fitueyes 4-Tier Media Component Cabinet
Sometimes you want a good sound cabinet to house your digital components. Nothing is worse than having them spread around the room appearing cluttered with cords around the area. The Fitueyes 4 Tier Media Rack offers an excellent support system for TVs and game consoles. It can also be used to house soundbars, woofer, Blu-ray player, DVD player, PS 4, Xbox One, and more.
It is a glass shelf design and can easily hold small flat-screen TVs and gaming components. The shelves are great for hiding cords and there is also enough room to store accessories like remotes or game controls.
6. Best Wall Mounted Media Cabinet – YouHaveSpace Shelf
This YouHaveSpace is a modern wall-mounted media cabinet that is easy to install and that you can add to the children’s playroom or install in your living room.
The cabinet is simple to install, features a sturdy frame, and comes with plenty of storage space. The capacity of the cabinet isn’t specified but you should be able to store up to 36 DVDs in this. The cabinet is made from alloy steel and is covered by a one-year warranty.
The media cabinet has a beautiful but simple design. The rack has dimensions of 34 inches by 6.5 inches by 1 inch. Also, it weighs just 3.2 pounds. It’s a great option if you are looking for a media cabinet that is simple to assemble and that you can be used to improve your sitting room decor.
7. Best Space-Saving Media Cabinet – FURINNO JAYA Espresso Storage Cabinet
The FURINNO JAYA Media Cabinet is a compact and space-saving media cabinet that looks decorative, thanks to its espresso finish, and will add extra design to the room decor. It’s a contemporary accent media cabinet type of furniture for use in the living room.
The design of this cabinet will go along with other furnishings indoors and the overall decor. The media cabinet had a lot of storage space for your media items as well as decorative wares such as flower pots. It’s suitable for anyone looking for a compact media cabinet that saves space.
The design is versatile and it is well built despite the particleboard material. This media cabinet has a 232 CD storage capacity and can store 114 DVDs. It comes with a 1-year warranty and an easy-to-follow manual for ease of installation.
8. Best Media Rack – Atlantic Mitsu 5-Tier Media Rack
The Mitsu 5-tier media rack is made by Atlantic, a reliable brand in the furniture industry. This media rack is stylish and also adjustable to the size of your media items. This is a rack-type media storage unit. It is made of plastic but it has a smoke finish and can hold up to 130 CDs or 90 games/Blu-rays.
It’s practical, although it’s best not to put it on the floor or somewhere else where you might stumble on it. But fortunately, it comes with an accessory to screw it to the wall if you plan to do so. We liked the idea that brackets and installation hardware are provided.
9. Best Media Stand and Cabinet – Pangea Audio Vulcan Four Shelf Media Stand and Components Cabinet
The Pangea Audio Vulcan four-shelf audio rack is similar in design to the Fitueyes 4-Tier Media Component Cabinet. Both are glass cabinets, are designed to serve the same functions, and are four-tier cabinets. However, this is a more premium version.
The Pangea Audio Vulcan is intended for AV rooms and its 6 shelves provide excellent ventilation. The cabinet is rather high in dimension. It also resists scratches. It’s made of engineered wood, alloy, and metal.
It is a great shelf for storing sound accessories. Among other colors, the Pangea Audio Vulcan four-shelf audio rack also has an excellent Rosenut finish that will help it stand out in surrounding furniture.
10. Best With Cable Management System – Bell’O AT306 No Tools Audio/Video Wood-Glass Media Tower
The BellO AT306 No Tools Audio / Video Tower is a massive audio cabinet that will allow you to place a 32 inches flat screen on its top-shelf. It is simple to assemble and it gets the perfect amount of durability to effectively hold more thick AV pieces and electronic equipment.
You will also be able to hide your cables and store your accessories easily, thanks to the Cable Management System (CMS). The device has an excellent design that allows air to circulate between the parts, which reduces the possibility of overheating. The wood-glass construction results in a classic-looking shelf that’s hard for people to ignore.
Top 7 Factors You Need To Know When Buying a Media Cabinet
A media cabinet is something you want to fit in nicely with your already existing furniture. Hence, you need to put some thought into it before buying it. They come in several designs, and finding one may seem more complicated than it looks like. However, if you know what you need in a suitable media cabinet, you won’t go wrong in picking the perfect one. The following factors will help you manage your shopping process and make it easier for you.
1. Types of Media Cabinets
Contemporary Media Cabinets
Contemporary media cabinets come in many different designs. However, they all have something in common, which is their fashionable mix of old and modern style. You can find contemporary media cabinets that come in wood – polished, dark, light, or distressed – plastic, glass, and even burnished metal. Many of them are short enough to double as TV stands, but they also tend to have doors where you can store some things. Contemporary media cabinets are very trendy and almost eclectic in style, and they fit perfectly in homes that have an element of flair and elegance.
Modern Media Cabinets
Modern media cabinets are as precise as they sound, and they tend to resemble the art pieces you see in art galleries showcasing modern art. They are mostly crafted with metal, plastic, glass, and manufactured with wood into different bold, creative, and risky designs. Many of these modern designs go against the norm of regular media cabinets, so they may not do much more than hold your TV, media files, and decorative ornaments. They fit well into minimalist rooms and spaces because of their clean lines.
Traditional Media Cabinets
Traditional media cabinets have a more old-fashioned style that features a lot of chests, dressers, and stacked drawers. The primary material used for traditional media cabinets is wood, especially dark wood. Usually, they have a polished exterior, and this gives them a clean and elegant look that fits right in with an old-fashioned interior. Most traditional media cabinets are quite heavy, and they tend to be large and tall, with several shelves or dressers with doors.
Asian Media Cabinets
Asian-style media cabinets are generally inspired by the old Asian designs that feature a lot of gold, redwood, and bold handles and hinges. A lot of them also sport a lot of gold lettering and decoration reminiscent of ancient Asian and Chinese dynasties. They also tend to be short, with stout feet, and they work well as a decorative piece.
Farmhouse Media Cabinets
Farmhouse media cabinets are the more rustic version of the traditional media cabinets. While they are also primarily made with wood, the wood is usually aged to give it a more distressed look. Farmhouse media cabinets have some rougher edges and vintage look that sets it apart from traditional media cabinets. They fit very well in homely houses or log cabins with a lot of exposed wood.
2. The Material of Media Cabinets
Perhaps the most crucial factor you should consider when buying a media cabinet is the material used to construct it. The material determines how much weight it can carry, the type of load to place in it, and, sometimes, the durability of the cabinet. The most popular materials used in making media cabinets are wood, metal, glass, or a combination of any of them. They each have their pros and cons, which you must consider before picking any of them.
Wood Cabinets
For example, wood is probably the sturdiest of the materials, and it can be used alone if it’s heavy enough. Hardwood like oak, mahogany, and pine are popular for making media cabinets, and they can last for years if you adequately care for them. The disadvantage is that they are usually heavier than other materials, and this can make them bulky for one person to manage. They are not water-resistant, except they are coated with a water-resistant material.
Metal Cabinets
Metal media cabinets tend to fall under the modern design of media cabinets when used alone. The metal used is usually coated and polished to prevent rust and corrosion, but they aren’t water-resistant. They tend to be lighter than wood, but that makes many of them too weak to carry the load. Many of them are wall-mounted, but you will find some free-standing cabinets that can carry a limited amount of weight. Metal cabinets are usually combined with wood and glass to make it more durable or more fashionable cabinets.
Glass Cabinets
Glass cabinets are hardly made with just glass. Instead, they are combined with other materials to make sturdier cabinets. Glass cabinets are lighter in weight, but that also prevents them from acting as storage cabinets. They are mostly used for TV stands and decorative ornaments. You can use glass cabinets as decorative pieces in your room.
3. Style
Media cabinets come in a lot of different styles, designs, and colors, so your choice depends on what you want in your living space. Some common styles are listed in this article, but you can always find other styles and combinations of styles that fit your style more. You can also find media cabinets of different heights, depending on what you intend to use them for. Shorter cabinets are usually better for use as TV stands, while a wall-mounted cabinet is more of a decorative piece, and they often can’t hold much weight. Some cabinets come in tall wardrobe styles that are best suited for storage and carrying media equipment.
4. Assembly
Since most of these media cabinets require assembly, you may need to pick something that you can quickly assemble on your own. A lot of cabinets don’t require many tools, except some screwdrivers, but someone with passable skill should only install some of them. The manufacturer or other buyers usually state the assembly information, so you should check first.
Typically, wood cabinets are heavier than the others, and that can translate into a harder and longer assembly if you’re alone. On the other hand, glass and metal cabinets tend to be lighter and easier to install. However, if they have to be wall-mounted, you may need some extra help and tools. In all, it is best to have some help around before buying one, or you go through some reviews to ensure that it can be assembled easily by one person.
5. Storage
The original purpose of a media cabinet, as earlier stated, was to store CDs, cassette tapes, and other old records. Many old-style media cabinets come with shelves and dividers for proper storage of these records, so they lacked some aesthetic appeal. Modern media cabinets are typically suitable to store these records, but you’re more likely to find some with better designs that fit into your house décor and style. And you don’t have to limit them to media files – they can double as a bookshelf or cabinet for files and other documents. You end up having one piece of furniture that serves several purposes, which looks great at the same time.
6. Decoration
Another important use for a media cabinet is a decorating tool for a room or office. They come in various designs, colors, and styles that fit your space and won’t be an issue. You can also place some ornaments, picture frames, and other decorative pieces on and around it if you prefer a great look. A beautiful media stand is an excellent way to implement minimalist décor into your space because it holds a lot of clutter, but it also serves as a design piece if you pick a fancy set.
7. Media Stand
Many media cabinets now double as TV stands, so they hold the TV, sound equipment, home theaters, and all the extra cords and wire that come with them. The shorter cabinets work better as TV stands, but some tall cabinets can also be designed to fit a TV. Alternately, you can mount your TV on the wall and place your other sound and media equipment in your media cabinet to hide the cables.
Final Thoughts
Media cabinets are practical and decorative pieces of furniture that can be used to store and display books, video games, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and more.
Having a media component cabinet is essential for storing your stereo, computer, and electronic equipment. They help keep things organized, secure, and in good condition. Media cabinets can make your living environment more sophisticated and well decorated as they are available in many unique styles.
They are practical storage furniture that you can place, install or mount on the floor or wall. They can be used in the living room or the children’s playroom. You can use them for displaying and storing CDs, DVDs, books, and video games in the living room. In the children’s playroom, they can be used to store video games, collectibles, gadgets, and other kid toys.
The Atlantic Drawbridge Media Storage Cabinet is our favorite and Editor’s Choice. We think the best media rack is the Atlantic Mitsu 5-Tier Media Rack. Those who want a shelf with a large capacity can also choose the Atlantic Oskar Espresso Adjustable Media Cabinet.
Media cabinets are versatile pieces of furniture that can completely transform the look and aesthetic of your living space if selected correctly. There are so many different styles, colors, shapes, and finishes you can pick from, and once you know what to look out for, it won’t be a problem for you.
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