First time hearing moving container? Yes, they exist! Here, we guide you on how to choose the best company for your next move. Relocating long distance from another state or just the same town, a moving container is a budget-friendly and effective way to make your moving experience a lot easier.
Top 4 Best Moving Container of 2023
4.5 Stars
1. U-Pack Review
When compared to other finest moving container companies, U-pricing Pack’s save you around $400. You’ve probably heard the adage, “More money, more problems,” and now you can find out whether it’s true.
However, it does not end there. U-Pack also features a pay-for-what-you-use policy, which means that you only pay for the space you utilize. You may even order more containers and return them for free if you don’t need them. U-Pack also delivers excellent customer service and rapid online quotations to make your life simpler (who likes to wait on hold these days?). On the disadvantage, U-Pack does not allow you to store the U-Pack ReloCube at your house (which is an issue if you want to empty the container over several days) and only provides long-distance relocation.
More savings and price matching deals are available with 1-800-PACK-RAT than through any other moving container provider. Its high-quality containers come at a premium price—but only at first. Because of several reductions, 1-800-PACK-costs RAT’s for moving containers are frequently lower than the national average. And that’s saying a lot for a moving firm that uses the toughest containers on the market.
1-800-PACK-RAT also provides both local and long-distance delivery (some companies do only one or the other). The major disadvantage is that 1-800-PACK-invoices RAT’s can be confusing (it divides your invoice into so many separate costs that you may leave feeling unsure of your ultimate pricing).
PODS goes above and above to provide you with an exceptional client experience. PODS provides three container sizes to give you greater choice, and its customer service representatives receive the greatest ratings in the industry. PODS is also accessible in almost every state, and it provides both local and long-distance coverage. On the negative, it does not include taxes in your estimate, and for moves above 50 miles, you must phone for a quotation. However, with such excellent customer service, this is less of a disadvantage than it may be with other organizations.
SMARTBOX removes the mystery from the process of purchasing a moving container. While many firms charge hidden costs or do not include taxes, SMARTBOX provides you with a single total pricing from the start. SMARTBOX also offers college students discounts and provides weatherproof coverings for their containers. However, there are certain drawbacks. In addition to exorbitant charges, SMARTBOX receives negative feedback from consumers who have difficulty contacting its phone agents and are not generally available.
Zippy Shell is the moving container company you can trust to get your stuff from point A to point B with no hassles. Our goal is to simplify the long-distance moving process for you by moving on your terms and budget. No renting a truck for long-haul driving or packing and loading multiple times. No worry and no stress – your belongings are always safe and secure and moved quickly when you work with Zippy Shell.
What should you look for in a moving container company?
When looking for a moving container firm, keep the following points in mind:
Low prices. The average moving container price is about $3,030. Try to find a company that is near or below the industry average.
Container sizes. Every move is different. Look for a moving container company with several size options so you can tailor them to your personal belongings.
Local and long-distance delivery. If you’re moving across town, make sure the container company offers local moves. Similarly, look for a moving container company with long-distance service if you need to plan a cross-country trip.
Positive customer reviews. The average customer review score for moving container companies is about 3.5 out of 5 stars. Try to find a company that scores higher than the average.
Container quality. Moving container construction materials range from plywood to steel. We recommend using a company that uses metal in its container construction.
U-Pack
What sets U-Pack apart?
It has the lowest prices
U-Pack provides the lowest costs of any moving container provider. We compared U-Pack quotes to hundreds of different moving container businesses’ bids. We looked at tiny and large houses, short distances and cross-country travels, and everything in between. What did we discover? On average, U-pricing Pack’s are around 15% lower than rivals’.
Relocating into a small apartment? U-Pack is $820 less costly than competitors. Have a five-bedroom brownstone that looks like the ritzy suburb mansions in Christmas movies where everyone gathers? U-Pack will save you $720 above the competition. It’s difficult to compete with pricing this low.
Moving container prices
U-Pack
Industry average
$2,610
$3,000
Data as of 8/10/20. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
U-Pack has a pay-for-what-you-use policy
U-Pack makes it simple to plan for a large relocation without breaking the bank. Moving firms sometimes charge by container, so the more items you have, the more it costs. U-Pack, on the other hand, does things differently. It costs by the amount of containers you fill up rather than the number of orders you place. So, if you’re unsure how many containers you’ll need, go ahead and acquire an additional one. You will not be charged any return costs if you do not utilize it (although delivery fees may apply).
1-800-PACK-RAT
What makes 1-800-PACK-RAT different?
It has serious about discounts
Discounts and price matching compensate for the initial high pricing charged by 1-800-PACK-RAT. Almost every time we phoned 1-800-PACK-RAT, cheerful staff offered to match or beat PODS’s pricing (businesses with flimsy containers don’t get the same deal). If 1-800-PACK-RAT is prepared to price match, it corresponds to an immediate 5% discount.
And the price cuts keep coming. 1-800-PACK-RAT has tons of moving cAnd the price discounts just keep on coming. 1-800-PACK-RAT offers a wide range of moving container discounts to everyone from college students to medical professionals:
Best price guarantee
Local moves
First responders
Medical professionals
Military members
Senior citizens
Teachers
Most of the 1-800-PACK-RAT offers save you an additional 10%, putting the firm on par with other low-cost players such as U-Pack and U-Box. That’s even more astounding when you consider 1-800-PACK-next RAT’s selling point: robust moving containers.
It has the strongest moving containers
When it comes to container quality, 1-800-PACK-RAT is the finest of the best. Moving container construction spans from low-quality wood to generic metal to steel. The second best container firm (PODS) uses a steel frame to construct its containers. 1-800-PACK-RAT, on the other hand, takes things to a whole new level. The steel frame of 1-800-PACK-RAT is complemented by steel walls and doors. The company doesn’t say whether its containers could withstand a missile strike—but if anyone stood a chance, it would be 1-800-PACK-RAT. There is no firm that offers stronger moving containers.
PODS
What sets PODS apart?
PODS has excellent customer service
PODS is the leading moving container company in terms of client service. We calculated that PODS’s average customer review score of 3.8 out of 5 stars is half a star higher than the industry average. People like the company’s constantly competent drivers and on-time delivery. And they frequently compliment PODS’s customer care representatives; to test if the compliments were genuine, we repeatedly contacted PODS acting as customers. We were consistently amazed by how simple it was to obtain correct responses to our inquiries.
Save 10% on your moving container
How much does a PODS move cost?
A PODS transfer costs around $3,160. PODS’s starting pricing are little expensive, but the moving container firm erases that problem with a large discount. Because moving can cost thousands of dollars, the savings add up quickly. When you compare PODS to the industry average for small or medium houses, the average price reduction is almost $300.
The size of your home also impacts the cost of your PODS move. A one-room apartment, for example, costs around $1,760, while a five-room house costs around $4,550. PODS are less expensive than the industry average in each situation.
Moving container prices (after discount)
Home size
PODS
Amount below industry average
1-room apartment
$1,760
$340 ↓
2-room house
$2,390
$190 ↓
3-room house
$2,670
$460 ↓
5-room house
$4,550
$60 ↓
Data as of 8/10/2020. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
SMARTBOX
What sets SMARTBOX apart?
It has straightforward pricing
SMARTBOX provides a unique service in the moving container industry: clear pricing. While many other companies charge hidden fees, split your final bill into multiple payments, or leave you guessing about how much taxes will cost and when you’ll pay them, SMARTBOX makes it simple. You only have to pay one simple bill (taxes included). That’s all. If only every moving company was as easy to work with.
It has deals for college students
College is expensive, and SMARTBOX provides unique moving container deals to ensure that coming on college isn’t too pricey. That includes college instructors and personnel. For almost everyone who spends time at school, SMARTBOX has a $20 off coupon:
Dormitory students
Faculty and staff
Individual students
International students
Off-campus students
Sororities / Fraternities
Study abroad students
Moving container FAQ
How much do moving containers cost?
The estimated cost of moving containers is around $3,000.00. Costs vary based on the size of your home, the distance traveled, and the time of year.
How much do moving containers cost for long distances?
The estimated cost of moving a container over a distance of more than 1,000 miles is around $3,390. Costs range from roughly $2,780 (U-Pack) to $3,730 (1-800-PACK-RAT) (1-800-PACK-RAT).
What are other companies like PODS?
Portable storage containers are sold by several firms, including 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell, and SMARTBOX, in addition to PODS. Moving containers are frequently stored at your house or at a business storage facility.
Are there moving companies that allow you to pack your own stuff?
Yes, you can pack your own belongings if you use a moving company that allows you to do so. Because you pack your own belongings, both rental truck companies and moving container businesses are less expensive than full-service movers.
Where can I find small moving storage containers?
Contact U-Pack or U-Haul to find tiny moving storage containers. Small containers may frequently store the contents of a single room.
Small shipping container sizes
Company
Smallest container size
PODS
6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.
U-Pack
6 ft. 3 in. x 7 ft. x 8 ft. 4 in.
U-Box
7 ft. 11 in. x 4 ft. 8 in. x 6 ft. 11 in.
Data as of 10/23/2020. All measurements are approximate.
What are the best U-Box alternatives?
U-Pack (cheap pricing), 1-800-PACK-RAT (high-quality containers), and PODS are the top U-Box alternatives (excellent customer service).
How much does it cost to rent a moving container?
The typical cost of renting a moving container is around $3,000. Costs vary based on factors such as container size, time of year, and distance traveled. When compared to the industry average, the cheapest moving container companies may typically save you hundreds of dollars.
What are the best moving cube companies?
U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and PODS are the top moving cube businesses. Each organization has its own unique set of strengths. U-Pack, for example, provides inexpensive prices, whereas 1-800-PACK-RAT has sturdy containers and PODS has exceptional customer service.
What is portable storage?
Moving containers are referred to as portable storage in the moving industry (or moving cubes). A portable storage firm transports a storage container to your home rather than storing your items in a storage unit.
What companies have portable storage containers?
PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell, and SMARTBOX are just a few of the firms that offer portable storage containers. The cost varies based on how far you are hauling the storage containers and the size of your property.
Is PODS cheaper than U-Haul?
For long-distance migrations, PODS is frequently less expensive than U-Hau. While U-first Haul’s quotations appear to be lower, they sometimes include extra fees—and do not cover the food and housing required for cross-country travel.
What are the dimensions of a PODS container?
PODS offers three moveable containers ranging in length from 6 to 15 feet. The weight limit for a PODS container is between 4,200 and 5,200 pounds.
PODS container dimensions
Container size
Container dimensions
Weight limit
Small
6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.
5,200 lbs
Medium
11 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.
4,700 lbs
Large
15 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.
4,200 lbs
Data as of 12/6/2021. PODS container sizes are estimates.
What can you put in a portable moving container?
Most household items may be stored in a portable moving container. Hazardous materials, flammable liquids, and firearms are generally prohibited in most workplaces.
How much is a SMARTBOX container?
A SMARTBOX container costs around $3,020. Moving a tiny apartment across town costs roughly $1,450, while moving a three-bedroom home across the nation costs around $5,010. SMARTBOX also provides college discounts.
Does PODS do long-distance moves?
Yes, PODS can handle long-distance migrations. The average cost of transporting a portable storage container over 50 miles is around $3,160.
What is a portable storage unit?
A portable storage unit is a movable container that may be used for temporary storage or to transport your stuff. The possibilities for containers differ depending on the storage organization. PODS, for example, offers three steel-framed sizes, but U-Haul only offers a single plywood storage box.
Can I use a moving storage container for long-distance moves?
Yes, moving storage containers may be used for long-distance transfers. The cost of a container is often less than that of a moving service with professional movers. However, for minor transfers, a rental vehicle is frequently less expensive.
How much is a moving storage container rental?
The cost of renting a moving storage container is around $3,000. The cost of mobile storage varies based on your storage requirements and if you engage professional movers to manage loading and unloading. Long-distance relocation are also more expensive than local moves.
How do I get a moving quote for long-distance moves?
Contacting a moving container business and providing basic information about your shipment will provide you a moving quotation for long-distance relocation. Most businesses will request your approximate relocation date, departure and destination zip codes, and the number of containers you require.
Are moving containers cheaper in the summer or winter?
Moving containers are often less expensive during the winter. Prices are at their highest during the summer when everyone else is seeking to sell. As a result, the optimum period to hire a moving container is often from November to February, when the moving business slows.
What should I not pack in my moving container?
You should not pack anything precious, harmful, dangerous, perishable, or living in your moving container (same laws apply to storage containers). Food, animals, and machines are only a few examples of forbidden items:
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