Which SmartStorage Shed Is Right for You? An Honest Brand Breakdown
We get asked this a lot, so let's just be straightforward about it: we stock three shed brands - Giantz, Wallaroo, and SpanBilt (albeit we are in negotiations to stock more brands soon - fingers crossed) - and they're genuinely different products at genuinely different price points, built for different situations. We're not going to tell you one is "the best" - we're going to tell you honestly what each one is actually good for, so you can match your budget and your needs without guessing.
Why We Stock Three Brands Instead of One
Because not everyone needs the same thing. Someone storing a mower and some tools in a sheltered backyard for the next five years has a completely different set of needs to someone setting up a long-term workshop in an exposed, wind-heavy spot. Selling one "best" shed to everyone would mean either overcharging the first person or under-serving the second. We'd rather help you land on the right one for your actual situation.
Giantz - Budget-Friendly, Solid for the Right Use Case
Giantz is our entry point, and it's built to a price - which means lighter-gauge steel and simpler detailing than the tiers above it. Here's the honest version: it's not going to feel like a premium shed, and if you're storing high-value items long-term in a harsh position, it's probably not the right fit.
But for what most people actually use it for - general storage, tools, a mower, a sheltered backyard spot - it's genuinely solid once assembled. A well-anchored Giantz shed on a proper base holds up well for its intended purpose. The trade-off you're accepting is longevity and resilience in tougher conditions, not basic function. If your budget is the main constraint and your site is reasonably sheltered, this is a legitimately good choice, not just "the cheap one."
Wallaroo - Where Most Families Land
Wallaroo sits in the middle (slightly above the Giantz), and honestly, it's where most of our customers end up - a meaningful step up in steel quality and overall durability without jumping to premium pricing. If you're not sure which tier you need, this is usually the safe default: solid enough for most exposure levels, without paying for capability you might not need. The only caveat here is we have selected a range that has different offerings to the Giantz - similar material, but different layouts and needs.
The honest trade-off here is that it's still not SpanBilt-level engineering - if you're in a genuinely harsh, high-wind, or coastal position, or storing something you really can't afford to have damaged, it's worth considering the tier above.
SpanBilt - Built for the Long Haul, and Priced Like It
SpanBilt is Australian-engineered, and it's the tier we'd point you to if you want maximum longevity, you're in a high-wind or coastal position, or you're storing something genuinely valuable long-term. It costs more, and that's not a hidden fee - it's paying for real engineering and material difference, not just a brand name.
Here's the part we'll say plainly, even though it's a little awkward for us: SpanBilt also sells directly. If you buy from us, you're getting the same SpanBilt product, generally at a better total price once you compare properly (more on that below) - plus the service and support of a family business that'll actually pick up when you message. If you compare us and decide direct is better for you, that's a completely fair call, and we'd rather you make it with full information than feel like we hid the option.
A Word on "Cheaper" - Check the Total, Not Just the Sticker Price
This is worth saying honestly: a sticker price that looks cheaper isn't always the actual cheaper option once delivery and other costs are added at checkout. We price to include what it actually costs to get a shed to your door, which sometimes means our upfront number looks less flashy next to a lower sticker price elsewhere - until you get to the final total. We'd genuinely encourage you to compare the full, all-in price wherever you're considering buying from, not just the number on the product page. If ours isn't the better total once you've done that, we'd rather you know that than find out after checkout.
On Material Differences - the Honest Version
Yes, panel thickness and steel gauge differ across the three brands, and yes, a Giantz panel will feel thinner in your hand than a SpanBilt one at the hardware store. What we'd say from actually selling and hearing back from customers across all three: once properly assembled and anchored, all three brands perform solidly within what they're designed for. The differences show up most in long-term exposure and resilience in genuinely harsh conditions, not in whether the shed does its basic job on day one. Match the tier to your actual conditions and expected lifespan, and you'll get good value at every price point - that's genuinely true, not just something we're saying to sell the cheaper option.
The Short Version
- Giantz - best for budget-conscious buyers with sheltered sites and general storage needs. Solid for its purpose, not built for harsh long-term exposure.
- Wallaroo - the safe middle choice for most families; a real step up in durability without premium pricing.
- SpanBilt - best if you want maximum longevity, face harsh conditions, or are storing something valuable long-term. Compare total price, not just sticker price, since SpanBilt also sells direct.
- Whichever tier you choose, matching it honestly to your site and expected use matters more than chasing the "best" brand on paper.
Still not sure which fits your situation? Take our 2-minute Shed Selector quiz, or browse the full range and compare for yourself.
Giantz vs Wallaroo vs SpanBilt: At a Glance
| Giantz | Wallaroo | SpanBilt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | General storage on a budget | Most families wanting solid, lasting value | Long-term use and harsh conditions |
| Price point | $ (entry level) | $$ (mid-range) | $$$ (premium) |
| Material | 0.25mm color board, galvanized steel + 0.6mm zinc frame | 0.25mm color board, galvanized steel + 0.6mm zinc frame | High-tensile Australian-standard steel |
| Panel thickness | ~0.25mm (base metal thickness) | ~0.25mm (base metal thickness) | from ~0.25 & up to ~0.42mm (base metal thickness) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 15 years |
| Colours | Modern grey / black | Modern grey / black | Monolith, Slate Grey, Smooth Cream, Rivergum Green, Armour Grey |
| Sheltered backyard | Great fit | Great fit | Great fit |
| Exposed, windy or coastal site | Not our first pick | Suits moderate exposure | Our strongest choice |
| Storing valuables long-term | Better suited to general items | Good for most items | Best choice |
| Base and anchoring | Properly anchored, level base essential | Properly anchored, level base essential | Concrete slab recommended for exposed sites |
FAQs
Q: What's the difference between Giantz, Wallaroo, and SpanBilt sheds?
A: Giantz is our budget-friendly entry point with lighter-gauge steel, Wallaroo offers a meaningful step up in durability at mid-range pricing, and SpanBilt is Australian-engineered for maximum longevity in harsh conditions - each is built for a different budget and use case, not ranked best to worst.
Q: Is a Giantz shed good enough for long-term storage?
A: Giantz sheds hold up well for general storage in sheltered positions, but they're not built for the same long-term resilience in harsh or exposed conditions as SpanBilt - match the tier to your site and expected lifespan.
Q: Why would I buy a SpanBilt shed from SmartStorage instead of directly from SpanBilt?
A: You're getting the same SpanBilt product either way - the difference comes down to comparing total price including delivery, and the service and support that comes with a small family-run business.
Q: Do cheaper shed panels mean a lower-quality shed overall?
A: Panel thickness does vary by brand, but once properly assembled and anchored, all three brands we stock perform solidly within their intended use - the biggest differences show up in long-term exposure and harsh conditions, not everyday function.
Q: Which shed brand is best for a coastal or high-wind location?
A: SpanBilt is generally the strongest choice for coastal or high-wind positions, given its engineering focus on long-term durability - Wallaroo can suit moderately exposed sites, while Giantz is best reserved for sheltered locations.
Q: What are colour board panels and are they different to colorbond?
A: Colour board is a pre-painted steel sheet. These have been around for a while are more designed as a lighter panel to aid in DIY construction. Colorbond is a heavier gauge steel and will be a lot more difficult for DIY sheds. The most obvious comparison as well will be the price - a shed fitted with colorbond will be at a minimum double the price of a lower grade steel shed.