There are two main types of filing cabinets, vertical and lateral files.

Vertical files are the more traditional filing cabinets, with a number of drawers ranging from two to ten, designed for a single file to fit vertically in the width. These filing cabinets can be quite deep, but take up very little width on a wall, as they are only the width of a single file. A vertical filing cabinet is usually just over a foot wide (30cm), and may be anywhere from twelve to thirty inches deep (30-76cm).

Lateral filing cabinets, by contrast, are designed for use where wall space is less important, but depth is an issue. These filing cabinets are much wider than vertical files, allowing them to hold documents of much greater width as well as files ranging in width. Such cabinets are not very deep, often less than a foot (30cm), but may be up to forty-five inches wide (114cm).

Within both types of filing cabinets there is a range of quality. One of the most important aspects of a filing system is its suspension. Many cheap filing cabinets have such flimsy suspensions that once laden with files the drawers will hardly open and shut, and may often stick. Another important aspect of filing cabinet quality is the durability of the cabinet itself. Good filing cabinets are made of reinforced steel, ensuring the protection of your files. Lastly, many mid-range to high-end filing cabinets have counterweighted drawers, helping to ensure that the cabinet never tips over, even when multiple high-level drawers are pulled out.

As with many safes, filing cabinets may also be outfitted with fire-resistant features. Filing cabinets certified by the Underwriters Laboratory are tested to sustain temperatures of 1700°F (926°C) for a full hour without the internal temperature ever exceeding 350°F (176°C). Filing cabinets rated to protect fragile media such as disks and tape from fire will withstand scorching heats without the internal temperature exceeding 125°F (52°C).

Filing cabinets cost anywhere from US$30 to US$2000, depending on quality, type and size. Expect a fire-resistant, high-capacity, locking lateral file to cost quite a bit, and look to smaller vertical files without any frills to stay on a budget. In the end, there is a large enough range of filing cabinets available that you are certain to find one with exactly the features you're looking for, without any extraneous add-ons, for a reasonable price.