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6 Best Moving Container Companies of 2023
By Nathan Mahr MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Long-distance and local moves
No (refers customers to a third-party service)
8’, 12’ and 16’
Only long-distance moves
No (refers customers to a third-party service)
1 size (6'3" x 7' x 8'4")
Long-distance and local moves
Yes
1 size (16’ x 8' x 8')
Long-distance and local moves
Yes
8’, 12’ and 16’
International, long-distance and local moves
No
Small (3.5' X 3 X 6'), Medium (5' X 3.5’ X 6') and Large (7.5' X 3.5’ X 6')
Long-distance and local moves
No (provides an online marketplace to find local movers)
CollegeBoxes (24" x 16" x 18")
As people look for other work opportunities, more workers than ever are thinking about moving. In fact, an Upwork study found that as many as 23 million Americans are planning to move as a result of remote work.
But moving can be expensive. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the traditional moving model, moving containers can be a good choice. With this mode of moving, a container is delivered to the home you’re vacating, and you then fill it with your belongings – or, with some companies, opt to have their workers fill it for you at extra cost. The container is then shipped to your new home, where you (or the company) unpacks it.
There are many container companies out there, ranging from container specialists to mainstream movers who offer containers as an alternative to traditional moves. We researched leading providers of this way to move, and have identified the six best moving container companies of 2023.
Our Top Picks for Best Moving Container Companies
- Best Overall: 1800 PackRat
- Best for Discounts: UPack
- Best for Added Services: United Van Lines
- Best for Larger Moves: PODS
- Best for International Moves: Seven Seas WorldWide
- Best for College Students: U-Haul
Best Overall: 1-800 PackRat
Why We Chose It: 1-800 PackRat stands out from its competitors because of its ample container options, favorable customer reviews and best-price guarantee.
- Multiple container sizes available
- Guarantees to offer the best price
- Space calculator tool on website
- Strong customer reviews
- Online quotes not available for long-distance moves
- Moving help is through a third-party
While some moving container companies only offer one or two sizes, 1-800 PackRat has three container options: 8’, 12’ and 16’. 1-800 PackRate offers both local and long-distance moves, and you can use its space calculator tool to find out what container size you need to reserve.
On TrustPilot, 1-800 PackRat has a TrustScore of 4.0 out of five based on over 1,200 reviews. It has several discount programs as well as a best price guarantee. The company says it will beat the price for local and long-distance moves of any comparable portable storage competitor.
Although the company does have an online quote tool, it didn’t work for the long-distance moves we submitted, so you may need to call and speak to an agent to get pricing information. And while 1-800 PackRat does provide moving assistance, it’s through a third-party company, so you’ll have to handle pricing and any customer support issues with the moving company separately.
Best for Discounts: U-Pack
Why We Chose It: With moving so expensive, any discount you can get with a moving container can be a huge benefit. U-Pack offers several discount programs, including discounts for seniors, students, military service members and those that book their reservations online.
- Online quotes without providing personal information
- Student and military discounts
- 24/7 customer service
- Customer reviews are mixed
- High fees if you're late
With U-Pack’s ReloCubes, a container is dropped off at your home, and you have up to three days to load and unload it. You can get quotes online without providing your phone number or email address, so you don’t have to worry about being bombarded with emails and texts.
Although U-Pack offers 24/7 customer support, its reputation for customer service on TrustPilot tends to extremes. The several hundred reviewers were split about equally between awarding 5 stars and 1 star – with relatively few scores between those two.
The majority of the complaints are focused on unexpected fees when customers were late. If you take longer to unload than planned, expect to pay a fee of $50 per day for U-Pack’s ReloCubes. The lesson: pay attention to the fine print of a moving agreement.
Best for Added Services: United Van Lines
Why We Chose It: Most moving container companies offer only the basics — a box you fill with belongings — to cater to the budget crowd. If you need more help, or simply want to reduce your stress, United Van Lines allows you to add additional services to your reservation, such as having movers pack and unpack your belongings, pick up debris, ship your car and more.
- Additional services available
- Full value protection coverage included
- Track shipments online
- Only for small moves
- Cannot get a quote without speaking with an agent
- Exact move dates are an extra cost
United Van Lines is known best as a full-service moving company. Its workers can handle everything from packing your fine china to setting up your home theater in your new home, promising you a stress-free experience. Through its SnapMoves service, it combines providing affordable portable containers with the option for some of the extras it offers in its full-service moves.
With SnapMoves, you can track your shipment’s progress, and $10,000 of full value protection is automatically included with your reservation.
The service is only available for small moves, though, which means those involving less than 5,000 pounds. If your belongings weigh more than that, you aren’t eligible for this service.
You cannot get a free quote online; you have to speak with an agent to find out pricing and to make a reservation. While you can choose a specific moving date, doing so requires paying an additional fee.
Best for Larger Moves: PODS
Why We Chose It: PODS is one of the largest and best-known portable moving container companies. You can rent multiple containers for your belongings, so those with larger homes can still use the service.
- Additional services available
- Generous cancellation policy
- Can load and unload at your own pace
- Must talk to an associate to get a quote
- Insurance not included
You can use PODS containers for local and long-distance moves. PODS offers the usual container service – dropping off the container at your home so you can load at your own pace, before they pick it up and ship it to your destination. But there are also some additional services that may be helpful.
For those who are moving across the country, extras such as long-term storage and car shipping services can be invaluable. PODS can also connect you with third-party companies that offer other move-in services, such as loading and unpacking help.
Things can change quickly with long-distance moves, so the PODS cancellation policy is a major perk. If you cancel your move by 4:00 p.m. local time the day before your delivery date, there is no cancellation fee.
Although you can request quotes online, most long-distance moves will require you to speak with a PODS agent to get a quote. You also will need to purchase insurance for your container’s contents and the container itself; it’s not included with your reservation price.
Best for International Moves: Seven Seas Worldwide
Why We Chose It: Most portable storage container companies only handle moves within the U.S. But Seven Seas Worldwide is one of the few that offers international shipping with its MoveCube containers.
- International shipping available
- Multiple container sizes
- Strong customer reviews
- Available only In metro New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco
- Loading and unloading services not available
Seven Seas Worldwide’s International MoveCube service allows you to use moving containers to ship your things overseas. Seven Seas Worldwide will deliver the container on a trailer to your home. After you load it at your own pace, the company will pick it up and ship it to your destination.
There are several different sizes of containers to choose from, and Seven Seas Worldwide has strong customer reviews on TrustPilot.
However, the International MoveCube service is only available at Seven Seas Worldwide local depots in major cities (New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco); if you don’t live in one of those, you likely won’t be eligible for this service. And you’ll have to hire movers to help you load and unload your stuff. Seven Seas Worldwide’s container services don’t offer mover assistance.
Best for College Students: U-Haul
Why We Chose It: U-Haul’s CollegeBoxes program offers an affordable and convenient option for college students. Pack up your dorm room items and label them; CollegeBoxes will pick the boxes up, store them or ship them to your home or school.
- Easy options available for college students
- 24/7 customer support
- Additional moving services offered
- Smaller containers
- Must live within two miles of campus
- Limited insurance included
The U-Haul CollegeBoxes service is specifically designed for college students that only need a small container. Students can create an account online, request a supply kit and schedule pickup through the website. Storage services cost $45 per box per semester, and includes pickup and dropoff.
Students that need more help can book U-Haul U-Box containers and hire movers through U-Haul’s Moving Help marketplace. U-Haul is available nationwide, and it provides 24/7 customer support.
To take advantage of CollegeBoxes, students must live either on-campus at college or within two miles of the campus. Limited insurance is provided — $100 per box — but you will likely need to purchase separate coverage to properly protect your items. And if you do need to use a U-Box container, keep in mind that they tend to be smaller than competitors’ options. The capacity is just 2,000 pounds.
Other Companies We Considered
We evaluated many moving container companies to decide on the top ones. While the following companies didn’t make our list, it may be worth another look as you compare pricing:
Smart Box
- Moving calculator tool
- Price match guarantee
- 30-day storage included in price
- Not available nationwide
- Online quotes not available
- No moving help
SmartBox offers a price match guarantee, and 30 days of temporary storage are included in its price. You can use its moving calculator tool to estimate how many containers you’ll need to complete your move.
However, SmartBox isn’t available in every state, and you have to call to speak with an agent. SmartBox is also strictly a do-it-yourself choice; it doesn’t offer the option of assistance with loading or unloading.
Zippy Shell
- Multiple container sizes
- Can be used in congested areas
- Not available nationwide
- Containers may not protect from the elements
- Online quotes not available for long-distance moves
- Does not provide 24/7 customer support
Zippy Shell’s containers are pulled on a trailer rather than a hydraulic lift, so the containers can be dropped off on city streets and other tight areas that other companies can’t reach. There are multiple container sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Zippy Shell is not available nationwide, and its containers are open on the sides, so they’re not weatherproof and our belongings could get wet.
Moving Container Companies Guide
What to know before renting a moving container
Moving containers can be much cheaper than full-service moves, but there are some things to understand before you make a decision. The following is an outline of a few key details to keep in mind about the general process, as well as some factors to consider when deciding on a company.
- Size: Depending on the size of your move, you’ll need to decide between a small, medium or large container as well as the number of containers you’ll need.
- Weight: Movers typically provide weight limits for containers. Weigh your items before you make your decision.
- Location: Check to see if the company you’re considering is available in your area and the area you’re moving to.
- Insurance: Most companies provide limited insurance coverage. You may need to purchase additional coverage if you want more protection for your belongings.
- Customer Service: Look for companies that provide 24/7 customer service and have a strong reputation for responding to customers in a timely manner.
- Additional Services: Some companies offer additional services such as packing, loading/unloading and furniture assembly to make your move easier.
- Pricing: Compare the prices of different companies to find the best deal for you.
How do moving containers work?
The moving process with portable storage containers works differently than the traditional model of moving. With moving containers, companies deliver an empty container to your home and you have a certain amount of time — usually three days but it varies by company — to load it up. When moving furniture by yourself, remember to use the proper techniques and equipment to protect your items. You may also want to purchase or rent straps, dollies or other items to make the job easier.
Once your container is loaded, the company will pick it up and either store it or ship it to your new home. You’ll then have a few days to unload it at your new place. Remember that you will be responsible for loading and unloading the container unless you purchase additional packing/unpacking services or hire movers independently through a third-party service.
Moving Containers vs. Full-Service Moving Company
There are several key differences between using moving containers and hiring a full-service moving company, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each. The following table outlines some of the main differences between the two.
| PROS/CONS | Moving Containers | Full-Service Moving Company | Cost | Typically cheaper than full-service moves | Can be more expensive than moving containers unless you qualify for certain discounts | Flexibility | You have more control over the timeline and can pack/load/unload on your own schedule | Timeline is more set when using a full-service company | Packing/Loading | You’re responsible for packing and loading the container yourself (unless you purchase a packing/loading service) | Full-service movers take care of all packing and loading | Insurance | Most companies offer limited insurance coverage | Full-service companies may offer more comprehensive insurance policies | Storage | Many companies offer storage options if needed. When loading and unloading, you’ll also need a space to place your container. This may be an issue if you don’t have a driveway, have limited yard space or live in an HOA-regulated community with strict rules | Full-service moving companies may not offer storage services |
How to avoid moving container company scams
To avoid storage container scams, only work with companies that have been around for a long time and have strong customer reviews. Also, ensure you understand the company’s cancellation policy before signing a contract.
Additional tips for avoiding scams include:
- Make sure the company you’re working with is licensed and insured
- Ask for a copy of pricing and terms before signing a contract
- Get multiple quotes to compare pricing
- Thoroughly read through reviews and ratings from previous customers
- Avoid upfront payments
If you do run into a serious problem with a moving container company, you can file a moving company complaint.
What are the different types of container leasing?
The main options for obtaining – or “leasing” – a container include:
- Storage: If your new home isn’t ready yet, you can have the moving container company store your container at a storage facility.
- Drop-Off: If you’re ready to move into your new home, you can have the company drop off the container at the new location.
How We Found the Best Moving Container Companies
To identify the best moving container companies, we researched 14 leading companies. We selected companies based on their service areas, available containers, optional services and pricing. We also looked at customer reviews to see if the companies’ fees were accurate and to gauge the level of service provided.
Summary of the Best Moving Container Companies
If you’re moving to another city, state or even another country, moving containers can be a cost-effective alternative to full-service movers. Our top choice for the best moving container company was 1-800-Pack-Rat because of its best price guarantee and customer reviews. But Seven Seas Worldwide is a great choice for international moves, and U-Haul’s CollegeBoxes are a convenient and simple option for college students.
When it comes to finding the best moving container companies, it’s important to do your research and request moving quotes so you can find the best price. Customer reviews can provide helpful information, but you should also look at the company’s policies for cancellations and insurance options to make an informed decision.
Nathan Mahr is a long-form content writer and copywriter with five years of experience working with companies ranging from large finance corporations to small tech startups. His work combines technical accuracy and persuasive copy to create high-quality content that resonates with readers. Aside from writing, Nathan is a dedicated musician and an enthusiastic world traveler. He is passionate about helping to produce content that connects with audiences and drives meaningful action.