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The Best Bookcase

Last updated on July 1, 2022

We looked at the top 14 Bookcases and dug through the reviews from 7 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Bookcases.

Best Bookcase

Our Review Process

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Furnishing your home is an exciting and fun way to show your style. More than style, furnishings designate areas of your home for particular functions. Sofas and entertainment centers distinguish your living room from the dining room where you’ll need a table to host friends and family for gatherings. In addition, your home will need furniture for organization. This is where a bookcase comes in handy. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a good bookcase.

Before you rush into buying the first beautiful bookcase you see, be sure to measure your space. Too big or too little of a bookcase can really make a room look awkward. For children’s rooms, you’ll want one that is short so they can reach the top with ease. A living room will require a much taller bookcase with valuable memorabilia on the top shelf away from any little ones. Either way, those measurements will be quite handy when shopping for the perfect bookcase for your space.

The space where the bookcase will go is a huge factor for figuring out the style and color you want. If the living room needs some storage for books and paraphernalia, you’ll want to look for a bookcase that matches or complements your other furniture. In a kid’s room, a bookcase is easy enough to coordinate with their beds or paint colors. Toy rooms might need an open-back bookcase so bins can slide in and out easily from either side. For an office, a mid-sized unit is a great choice that won’t overwhelm the room but still provide valuable storage space. If filing is something that is of importance for your office bookcase, look for a bookcase that has labels on the front of each cubby, so you can organize every single item in your office. Always consider your space before purchasing your bookcase and you’ll surely find the right fit for your needs.

One valuable aspect to look for in a bookcase is adjustable shelves. Because you will have some books taller than others or perhaps you want to put décor on one shelf, buying a bookcase with adjustable shelves is the best way to go. Some models offer two adjustable shelves to accommodate taller items and keep organization easy. These types of bookcases are also great if you want to turn the bookcase on its side and put baskets or bins in the compartments for alternate use.

Once you have all the logistics of size and configurations, have some fun with style and color. There are countless finishes available to help complement your other furniture. From cherry and walnut finishes to white and gray paints, you can surely find a finish you love. For style, wood appearance is always more of a traditional approach. If industrial is your style, look for a bookcase with some metal framing and wood accents. Mid-century modern style would look more like a white freestanding unit with point feet on the bottom. There are also vertically designed bookcases that look great along a large empty wall. A bookcase in the style of your other furniture will enhance the feel of your home and give your space some organizing units to display your treasures.

Our Picks For The Top Bookcases

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Sauder Select Recycled Adjustable Bookcase, 5-Tier

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Sauder

Select Recycled Adjustable Bookcase, 5-Tier

Although this bookcase comes with five shelves, three of those shelves are adjustable to accommodate larger items. The unit is over 6 feet tall and works well in an office, family room or home library space. Each shelf can support up to 30 pounds, with the bottom shelf having a heavier 50-pound weight capacity.

Overall Take

Multiple Finishes AvailableYou'll find this bookshelf comes in six different finishes, including estate black, chalked chestnut and Washington cherry.

 Runner Up

Bush Furniture 5-Shelf Bookcase, Black

Bush Furniture

5-Shelf Bookcase, Black

Available in five attractive finishes, this bookcase is sure to look good in a variety of spaces. It features five shelves that are perfect for displaying knick knacks, plants, and of course your favorite novels. Three of the shelves are even adjustable, so you can arrange them to fit your needs.

Overall Take

Decorative Tapered LegsThis bookcase has a distressed look that gives it a vintage feel.

Pros
" Built with 3 adjustable and 2 fixed shelves, the bookcase proudly displays your favorite photos and decorations while helping you stay organized."
 We Also Like

Furinno 5-Tier Reversible Color Open Shelf Bookcase, White

Furinno

5-Tier Open Shelf Bookcase, White

If space is an issue in your home or apartment, this bookcase is your answer. The bookcase is slim in design and features five tiers for storing all of your favorite novels. You can also get the unit in four colors: white, green, blue and pink.

Overall Take

Sturdy and SimpleThis bookcase is sturdy and made with a simplistic design that will match your existing furniture.

 Strong Contender

IRIS USA 2-Tier Wood Bookcase

IRIS USA

2-Tier Wood Bookcase

With this two-tier bookcase, you have options. You can lay it either vertically or horizontally, as well as stack a second unit on top of the first. The shelves are strong and sturdy and able to hold as much as 66 pounds each.

Overall Take

Available in Four FinishesYou can order this bookcase in a white, light brown, gray or black finish to match your existing furniture.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the bookcases available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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7

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Bgods Reviews, Trust Reviewz, All Top Stuffs, A Guide Pro and Techno Buffalo.

39,079

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 14 Bookcases and also dug through the reviews from 7 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Bookcases.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

IRIS USA 2-Tier Wood Bookcase

User Summarized Score

9.2
6,545 user reviews

Our Take

With this two-tier bookcase, you have options. You can lay it either vertically or horizontally, as well as stack a second unit on top of the first. The shelves are strong and sturdy and able to hold as much as 66 pounds each.

What to Look For

  • To ensure a proper fit, always measure your space and then measure the bookcase you want.
  • If you have tall memorabilia to put on the bookcase in addition to books, consider adjustable shelving units.
  • If it is going to be a free-standing unit, consider it being open in the back.
  • When purchasing a bookcase for a child’s room, remember to get a safe height for them so it won’t fall over and cause injury.
  • Remember to leave some room between the top of the bookcase and your ceiling for any objects you want to store or display.

Bookcase Rankings

1. Sauder Select Recycled Adjustable Bookcase, 5-Tier

Overall Score: 9.8
Reviews Included: 1

2. Bush Furniture 5-Shelf Bookcase, Black

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 5

5. IRIS USA 2-Tier Wood Bookcase

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 1

6. AmazonBasics Modern 5-Tier Ladder Bookcase

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

8. Coavas No-Assembly Folding-Bookshelf Storage Shelves

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

9. Sauder Beginnings 3-Shelf Bookcase, Highland Oak Finish

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

10. Sauder Bookcase, Salt Oak Finish

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 11

12. South Shore 3-Shelf Bookcase, Royal Cherry Finish

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 6

13. Sunon 5-Shelf Wood Bookcase, Cherry Finish

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 1

14. Bush Furniture 5-Shelf Bookcase, Cherry Finish

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 3

More to Explore

  • Chinese writings describe early bookcases as revolving units. They were especially big during the Song Dynasty, particularly in Buddhist monasteries.
  • Bookcases come in all shapes and sizes including tree bookcases, bookcases made into the perimeter of a cozy chair, a bookcase made from an old telephone booth and bookcases built into walls.
  • The difference between a bookcase and a bookshelf is that a bookcase is a piece of furniture that is designed to stand on its own and a bookshelf is a single shelf mounted onto a wall with hardware.

More to explore