Prefer not to leave your phone number?
No problem!
Schedule an Appointment at your Convenience
(Only email is required)
Schedule an AppointmentOr Call / Text
800-333-3434
By:
Last Updated: Jan 01, 2024
We researched the best moving container companies to get the one that best matches your unique situation.
BEST OVERALL
4.9
BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8
BEST PREMIUM SERVICES
4.7
Moving container options is one of the most affordable ways to relocate. It is also one of the most convenient since you won’t be worried about driving a large moving truck.
We obtained over 100 quotes from 5 of the leading names in the industry and compared their quotes apple to apple.
After making comparisons in several ways, we screened the companies and noted the ones that will enable you to save the most money in moving situations. Continue reading to discover which are the best moving container companies recommended by us.
This guide aims to summarize various available moving container company options in the industry with their respective purposes and prices.
The below table represents the size and price tagged by respective moving container companies:
| Moving container company | Available Container Size | Container Material | Moving Available | Price(Average Cost) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | 8’x5’x7’6″ | Wood | Local, long distance, and international | Local Move: N/A Medium Move: N/A Long Move: $2,784 |
| PODS | 7 foot, 12 foot, 16 foot | Metal | Local & Long Distance | Local Move: $650 Medium Move: $1,571 Long Move: $3,223 |
| U-Pack | 6’3” x 7′ x 8’4” | Metal | Local & Long Distance | Local Move: N/A Medium Move: $1,553 Long Move: $2,348 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | 8 foot, 12, foot, 16 foot | Metal | Local & Long Distance | Local Move: $726 Medium Move: $1,247 Long Move: $3,460 |
| SmartBox | 8’x5’x7′ | Wood | Local & Long Distance | Local Move: N/A Medium Move: N/A Long Move: N/A |
Consequent to the above, it is advisable to go to the website of any of the companies you are considering for your move.
This is expected of any consumer, after he or she had analyzed his or her move with respect to the guide above, and discovers the actual size for the purpose of the consumer.
When you get to the site, you can further negotiable for a deal or a better option for your move.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Best Overall | Best Customer Reviews | Best Premium Services | Most Affordable | Best For Local |
| 15% Seniors & Military Discounts | 20% Seasonal Discount | 18% Flexibility Discount | 15% Student Discount | Not Disclosed |
| $2700-$6200 (Avg. 2-3 bedroom) | $2850-$6350 (Avg. 2-3 bedroom) | $2900-$6500 (Avg. 2-3 bedroom) | $2200-$5400 (Avg. 2-3 bedroom) | $2300-$5600 (Avg. 2-3 bedroom) |
| Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote | Get a Quote |
We, at moving Feedback, researched many moving container companies to figure out the best out of them all. We discovered from our research that the best moving container company is U-Haul due to its cheapest price and other additional services available to customers.
Our research finds the best-moving pod providers in the industry. We take wide availability, low costs, and quality customer service into consideration, and we arrived at the following:
BEST OVERALL
4.9
UHaul offers the combination of both moving truck rental service and portable moving pods service; making them more preferable to other companies in the category.
Its moving pods is called U-Boxes, having helped many families move their homes and has been reviewed to be the best in local if you are looking for a way to save some cash on your move and don’t want to handle the truck wheel yourself.
Their containers are made up of wooden material and they are not large or sturdy like others. However, U-Haul is available nationwide to handle local moves and to move a couple of hundred miles away.
U-Haul is on top of our list due to its lowest quotes and as well as fast service delivery. It takes one or two days for local and about 12 days for a long-distance move. If you are driving the container yourself, you tend to have control over your move, and you can determine how fast or slow your move will be.
A typical U-Haul U-Box measures 95 x 83.5 x 56 inches which are enough to move a one-bedroom apartment.
BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8
The company is popularly referred to as PODS. Portable on Demand Storage is one of the best leading moving container and storage companies equipped with some options of containers based on your move.
PODS covers both short and long-distance moves with different innovative designs of pods to make your move comfortable. They have competitive prices than many companies we researched in the same category.
With their available container options such as 16-foot, 12-foot, and 7-foot, you can move on a budget by choosing the best container that fits your move. PODS’ quotes for large containers are far lower than some companies’ smaller options.
For example, their 16-foot container is suitable for 3- or 4-bedroom apartments which some other moving companies can charge as high as double the price charged by PODS.
However, shipment is slower compared to other moving container companies and doesn’t offer loading and unloading services.
BEST PREMIUM SERVICES
4.7
U-Pack is another leading moving container company, and it is even supposed to be on top of this list, but due to its limitation of coverage (only long distance and cross country moves), it is listed among the top 3.
However, our review shows that U-Pack is the most efficient moving container company in long-distance moves, with an estimated transit time of between 7 to 9 days compared to other companies in the same business.
It offers the most affordable national, out-of-state moving pods services with quality service delivery. If you cannot afford a full-service mover and you are looking for a cheaper moving service that provides the same convenience, U-Pack service is an option to explore.
The company has an effective tracking system for shipment via its site by using your unique supplied tracking number to check the movement of your pods.
MOST AFFORDABLE
4.6
1-800-PACK-RAT offers moving and storage container service in both the US and Canada. Its moving containers are well-constructed and designed with additional perks to accommodate loads, especially for long-distance moves.
They have different options of sizes including 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot for both short- and long-distance moves. 1-800-PACK-RAT moving containers have a 30-day storage package.
BEST FOR CUSTOMIZING
4.5
SmartBox is best suitable for a small move, say a one-bedroom apartment or college room. It is the smallest among the top five moving and storage container companies on our list. Its containers are usually small (about 5 x 7 x 8) to accommodate a one-room apartment.
If you a college student and you want to relocate, SmartBox is the best option for your move, especially if you are on a budget.
The company has a price-matching policy considered to be the best for a small move. However, if your move is large, look for an alternative company that matches your move on our list.
The cost of renting a moving container depends on several factors, including container size, rental duration, distance of your move, and company pricing variations.
Typically, renting a portable moving container is more cost-effective than hiring a full-service moving company. To get the best deal, it’s essential to understand how the moving container cost is calculated, which this guide will help you with.
By the end, you’ll be able to estimate the cost for your move using a portable moving container, with a focus on discussing key cost determinants, starting with an overview of different container sizes.
Here’s a table showing approximate costs for renting a moving container.
| Container Size | Local Move (50 miles) | Long-Distance Move (500 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (7-8 feet) | $100 – $200 | $300 – $500 |
| Medium (12-16 feet) | $200 – $400 | $800 – $1,200 |
| Large (16-20 feet) | $300 – $600 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Extra-Large (20+ feet) | $400 – $800 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
Most moving container companies have varieties of moving container sizes for various moving purposes. No matter the size of your move, there is a moving container size for you.
You don’t need to rent a 20-foot size if you are moving one-bedroom or studio apartment. One of the ways to maximize your moving budget is to choose the right size of container for your move.
What and what moving size is meant for sizes such as 7-foot, 10-foot, 16-foot, 20-foot moving containers? If you are ignorant of the size, the service provider may cheat you and make you pay more than what you need.
It is advisable to check the size guide of the company to see the one that best fits your move. However, you can choose the right size if you have an idea of what each size of moving container can carry.
This is what we will be discussing next. Below are various typical sizes of moving containers and what they are meant to move:
The 6-ft., 7-ft. or 8-ft. the container is about 6’3” x 7′ x 8’4,” 7’ x7’ x 8’ and 8.5′ x 7.2′ x 7.8′ respectively and they are for small-purpose moving and storage. These sizes of moving containers are usually used for shipping items or as a storage unit for studio or apartment moves.
They offer 305, 386, and 404 cubic feet of packing space respectively. The 6-ft., 7-ft. or 8-ft. container is capable of holding a single room of furniture. In addition to this, they are popularly used for the following:
The 10-ft. or 12-ft. container is about 10′ x 7′ x 7′x and 12’x8’x8′respectively, and they are ideal for home or apartment with one to two rooms move. The interior size is typically equivalent to a 15-ft. rental truck. They are popularly used for the following purposes:
The 15-ft. or 16-ft. containers are about 15′ x 7′ x 7′ and 16’x8’x8 respectively, and they are suitable for moving 3 – 4 bedroom apartment. The highest interior size packing space of this range is 857 cubic feet, and they are among the largest container options for people in the industry – equivalent to 20 feet rental truck. They are popularly used for the following purposes:
The 20-ft. container is about 19.4′ x 7.10′ x 7.8′, and they are suitable for moving a five-bedroom apartment and above.
The highest interior size packing space of this range is 1170 cubic feet, and it is the most recognized largest container options for people in the industry. They are popularly used for the following purposes:
Below is the summary of different sizes of moving containers to make it easy for you to choose right:
| Container Size | Available internal Dimension | Interior packing size | Approximate weight capacity | Home Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 foot | 6′3′′ x 7′ x 8′4′′ | 305 cubic feet | Up to 1,500 lbs | 0ne-bedroom apartment move |
| 7 foot | 7′ x 7′ x 8′ | 392 cubic feet | Up to 2,000 lbs | 0ne-bedroom or studio apartment move |
| 8 foot | 8.5′ x 7.2′ x 7.8′ | 404 cubic feet | Up to 3,000 lbs | 0ne-bedroom or studio apartment move (with more available space) |
| 10 foot | 10′ x 7′ x 7′ | 490 cubic feet | Up to 4,000 lbs | 0ne-two bedroom or small apartment move |
| 12 foot | 12′ x 8′ x 8′ | 768 cubic feet | Up to 5,000 lbs | Two-three bedroom or mid-size apartment move |
| 16 foot | 16′ x 7.75′ x 7.5′ | 830 cubic feet | Up to 6,000 lbs | Three-Four bedroom or a large apartment move |
| 20 foot | 20′ x 8′ x 8′ | 1170 cu. ft. | Up to 7000 lbs. | Five-Six bedroom or a larger apartment move |
Now, having gotten ideas about each size of the portable moving container, the weight, and purpose of use, let’s look at the typical costs charged by each top moving container handpicked above.
U-Pack is the only moving container company that offers the lowest total prices of all the companies we reviewed. The U-Pack ReloCubes offers the lowest average by about $400 after comparing over 100 quotes from five separate companies.
Consider your preferences and needs. If you want a hands-off experience with professionals handling everything, a long distance movers might be best. If you prefer more control over packing and loading, a moving container company offers flexibility.
The size of your living space will determine the size of your required moving pods. The majority of standard moving pods are 300 cubic feet, which means:
A portable storage unit typically costs between $200 and $500. Your needs will determine the pricing for your portable storage units. The size of the container you choose regardless of the purpose you want to use it for will be a factor that determines your prize.
Each moving container company handles its operation separately, but generally:
Pack up your moving container by following these steps:
You will be able to determine if it is a moving pod you need or traditional moving companies through your budget. Although moving pods are usually costly than other relocation options, they offer you enough time to pack, relocate, and unpack.
With PODS, you get versatility added to your self-pack relocation. You may have to pay a little more than what its competitors charge, but the various container sizes and unlimited availability of PODs are a good choice for your moving budget.
Basically, the ReloCubes from U-Pack are generally considered less expensive than PODS and are also available in all 50 states in the country. U-Pack doesn’t offer local moves, but PODS does and is a top company for local moves.
The cost of a long-distance move with PODS is an average of $1,237 to $2,999. Factors like distance, size, and quantity of containers needed to transfer your things to your new home will determine the pricing of your long-distance move with PODS.
Sometimes, the circumstances of a move may change at the drop of a hat, and people looking to move might have to end up keeping that pod on their land for just a little bit longer as a result. Each moving container manufacturer has different rules and regulations regarding their containers, so make sure you are familiar with the rules of the company you choose.
Several moving container companies will charge for how long you keep your container based on the amount of time that goes by. For example, some of the most popular moving container companies charge for holding onto a container on a monthly basis.
This depends entirely on the container company that you chose to use. Each of the most popular moving container companies has different processes for this. For example, if you get a container with PODS, all you have to do is fill it up with your things and then give PODS a call when you’re ready for them to come to pick it up and deliver it to your new home.
On the other hand, if you choose to go with U-Boxes (the container service ran by U-Haul), then you will be able to decide whether you want to drive the container to your new home yourself or have someone come pick it up and deliver it for you.
Many customers working to ship their things to their new home by way of a moving container company will be happy to know that they may be able to see exactly where their stuff is by simply opening an app on their smartphone or tablet.
This is something else that depends entirely on the moving container company you chose, but a simple online search will reveal whether or not they offer tracking capabilities for your stuff.
As an example, one of the most popular container companies (U-Pack) offers the ability to track your shipment from anywhere via your internet browser on your favorite device.
Saving some money is one of the biggest goals of people planning moves all over the world, but how do you save money when using container services, since they are meant to be a way to save money over alternative methods of moving?
First, you could go with a cheaper container company. One of the cheapest moving container services is U-Haul’s U-Boxes program. If you want to save a bit of cash right out of the gate, consider choosing this service.
Another useful tip is not to keep your container longer than necessary. With moving containers, you will be charged more money the longer you keep the container.
Use it only long enough to store your stuff while you get your move prepared, then you can get the container returned to the company you rented it from as soon as your move is complete.
Hiring moving containers saves money on moving processes compared to national moving companies. The only thing is to engage the best and affordable one for your move. How can you get this? We have made the work easier for you by coming up with this list. Feel free to use any of the above for your move.
Stay tuned for more informative posts on this page!
Thomas has a degree in literature from Stanford University and a profession in Mass Communication. Thomas is a member of the Moving Feedback research team, an expert in writing educative articles to help readers make the right buying decisions. He is well versed in moving industry matters to give the best advice on moving needs.