We independently evaluate the products and services we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet what we recommend, here.
Best moving pods and portable storage containers 2024
Moving containers are a convenient alternative to renting a truck or hiring a company. We rounded up the best companies to pick for your next move.
When preparing to move, many people default to renting a moving truck or hiring a moving company. However, an affordable third option exists that may work better for you: portable moving containers. If you want to load up your stuff over a longer period and then have someone else take care of the shipping, going with one of the best moving containers is a great choice.
Best overall
U-Haul
Runner-up
U-Pack
More container sizes
PODS
Price-matching pick
1-800-Pack-Rat
Recommended reading from Yahoo: Best and worst times of year to move, according to movers
Several portable moving container companies operate across the United States, and they all have pros and cons. We rounded up the best moving and shipping container companies and broke down their strengths (and weaknesses) to help you find the right one for your needs.
1) U-Haul U-Box
U-Haul has been the standard go-to company for moving-related rentals for a long time, though that's largely due to its rental trucks, which are ubiquitous across the country. However, the company also offers moving container rentals under the name U-Box. While they don't offer the same steel construction as containers from other companies, their wood-and-tarp build makes them more affordable.
Like other companies on this list, pricing for U-Haul U-Boxes depends on how many containers you need and how far you need to ship them. For simplicity, we stuck with each company's recommended container number to pack a three-bedroom home, which is five containers for U-Haul. The company doesn't charge for unused containers, so you can always order more than you think you need.
For a 500-mile trip, U-Haul quoted us $2,249. A 2,000-mile trip would cost about $3,765. These are cheaper rates than every other company on this list, but you'll generally notice shipping times are a few days longer than U-Haul's competitors.
U-Boxes hold about 257 cubic feet of goods, up to 2,000 pounds. They're simple to order online, and U-Haul drops them off in your driveway to be loaded. Once ready, U-Haul can ship containers for you, store them in a secure warehouse or you can tow them on a dedicated trailer.
Notably, you can also rent U-Boxes for storage monthly. The cost starts at $90 per month, and you get the security of keeping them in your driveway. The boxes can also be locked with a padlock.
Overall, U-Haul U-Boxes are the most flexible option we evaluated with some of the best rates among moving container companies. The company operates rentals in all 50 U.S. states, as well, so you shouldn't run into availability issues. The only major downside is the lack of container sizes and their lower-end construction compared to U-Haul's competitors.
U-Haul is the best overall moving container option because of the wide availability of U-Boxes and affordable rates. You also have the flexibility to use the boxes as at-home storage for a monthly rate, though its containers aren't quite as sturdy as the steel options from competitors.
- Affordable
- Easy online ordering
- Transparent pricing
- Available in 50 states
- Containers are made of wood covered in tarp
- Only one size
2) U-Pack ReloCube
If U-Haul's container construction concerns you, U-Pack offers comparable container sizes made of steel instead. Like U-Haul, U-Pack is available in every U.S. state and some territories, so availability should be no problem. It also has comparable pricing to other steel-container companies, though it is more expensive than U-Haul.
For a 500-mile move, U-Pack costs around $3,875, while a 2,000-mile move comes in at $4,735. That's quite a bit more expensive than U-Haul's comparable containers, but you get enclosures made of steel that can hold 308 cubic feet of stuff. They're also stronger and able to hold up to 2,500 pounds total (25% more than U-Haul container).
Unfortunately, U-Pack only offers one cube size and it's smaller than those of some competitors. The company has a unique alternative, though: semi-trailers. If ReloCubes don't work for your move, you can ship your stuff in a 28-foot trailer instead and only pay by the space you use. You may have to share the trailer with other movers, though, if you don't have a full load.
U-Pack also offers to store your stuff if you aren't ready to move in. You'll have the containers delivered as usual, but instead of going directly to your new home after pickup, U-Pack stores them at a service center until you're ready. U-Pack offers guaranteed delivery windows for an extra fee.
U-Pack is a good all-around moving container shipping company as an alternative to our top pick, especially if you're concerned about the durability of the containers. Its pricing is competitive with other steel container companies, but the lack of additional cube sizes means you'll need to estimate the number of containers carefully. Fortunately, U-Pack has a simple space estimator available during booking.
U-Pack's ReloCubes are a sturdier alternative to U-Haul's containers. They're made of steel, which raises the price, but they're also a little roomier. Unfortunately, the company only offers one size moving container, but you can ship your stuff in a 28-foot trailer if you have a large move.
- Available in 50 states
- Fair pricing
- Sturdy steel containers
- Offers full-size semi-trailer shipping for very large moves
- One cube size
3) PODS
PODS is probably one of the first companies that comes to mind when you think of the best moving containers. The company is one of the most well-known in this space, and it provides good service at relatively competitive prices. It's also known for running discounts that can cut up to 25% off your rental and shipment.
Unlike U-Haul and U-Pack, PODS pricing isn't transparent at all, unfortunately. To get a quote, you either call the company's customer service line or submit a quote request and wait for a callback. This makes comparing prices more onerous, though you can use that to your advantage by obtaining quotes from other companies first and asking about discounts to beat them.
PODS pricing for a 500-mile move lands at around $3,230, while a 2,000-mile move rockets the cost up to $8,605, according to data from MarketWatch. That makes distance the largest factor in how PODS pricing scales, getting much pricier the further you go. However, if you have a mid-range move, pricing is comparable with the company's rivals.
PODS offers three moving container sizes to choose from. Its eight-foot container is the smallest and is meant for studio apartments. The 12-foot container is built to accommodate up to three rooms of stuff. The 16-foot container is the largest available, and it's meant to hold up to four rooms worth of your belongings.
If you want to store stuff instead of taking it directly to your new home, PODS can handle that. The company allows you to rent a container to store in your driveway that can be secured with a lock and key, or the company will store it in one of its secure facilities. Once you're ready to move into your new place you can schedule a delivery date.
The only major downside to PODS is that it is only available in 44 U.S. states (customers in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming are out of luck). It still covers much of the country, but you cannot rent a PODS container in one of the six states left out of its service area. Otherwise, pricing is competitive for local and mid-range moves, and frequent promotions can decrease your final costs significantly.
PODS is a good overall portable moving container company, with competitive pricing for most local and mid-range moves. It can get very expensive if your move nears 2,000 miles, though, and it's limited to just 44 U.S. states. Still, its sturdy containers available in multiple sizes make it easy to customize to your needs.
- Sturdy steel containers
- Solid pricing on average
- Available in 44 U.S. states, Canada, Australia, and the UK
- Multiple container sizes
- Pricing isn't transparent
- No service in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming
- Very long-distance moves can get expensive
4) 1-800-Pack-Rat
Don't be fooled by the mouthful of a name: 1-800-Pack-Rat is a solid alternative portable moving container company if you aren't impressed by any of our previous options. Its pricing is good, too, even beating PODS in some cases. Sadly, its availability and service areas are also much more limited.
Like PODS, 1-800-Pack-Rat isn't transparent about its pricing, and you need to call to obtain a quote. For a 500-mile move, pricing for 1-800-Pack-Rat lands around $3,000, while a 2,000-mile trip will cost you about $4,000, according to data from Move.org. That's in the same ballpark as PODS on the low end and much cheaper on the top end.
Fortunately, if you can obtain a cheaper quote from PODS, 1-800-Pack-Rat says it will match that price. One little-known secret is that 1-800-Pack-Rat also owns Zippy Shell and will price-match it. It's a good idea to obtain a quote from multiple companies so you can play them against each other to get the best price.
1-800-Pack-Rat has three sizes of portable moving containers available, all the same sizes as PODS. The eight-foot container holds one or two rooms of belongings, while the 12-foot option holds two to three rooms. The 16-foot container is made to hold up to four rooms.
The biggest difference between PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat containers is the doors. While PODS has roll-up doors on its containers, 1-800-Pack-Rat has barn-style doors that open outward. The company says barn-style doors are harder to break into than roll-up doors, though we couldn't verify that claim (we're moving experts, not thieves).
1-800-Pack-Rat is only available in 33 states and Washington DC, severely limiting its availability and service area. The company doesn't operate in: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming.
However, if it is available in your state, it's a great alternative with aggressive price-matching. Plus, if you need to use its containers for storage, you can keep them in your driveway or at a 1-800-Pack-Rat storage facility until you're ready to move.
1-800-Pack-Rat is a great alternative to PODS because it offers similar containers at comparable (and often cheaper) prices. The big draw, however, is that it will price-match PODS, which can be very handy if you get a much cheaper price during one of its promotions. However, it's only available in 34 states, limiting its reach significantly.
- Average industry pricing
- Offers price matching with PODS and Zippyshell
- Steel containers
- Multiple container sizes
- Pricing isn't transparent
- Only available in 33 states and Washington DC
Picking the best moving container for YOU
The best overall pick for most people is U-Haul's U-Box service because of its availability and affordable prices. Its containers aren't as rugged as other options on this list, but they should hold up well for most average moves where you want to save money. Its easy online ordering and transparent pricing also make it simple to compare against other options.
If you want to step up to steel containers, U-Pack is a great alternative to U-Haul's moving containers. They're a similar size (though U-Pack's are slightly bigger) and the company also offers a 28-foot semi-trailer alternative if its one-size-fits-all containers aren't for you. Pricing can be high, but it's generally competitive with the rest of the steel container companies in the market.
Related reading from Yahoo Local: Can you use a moving container to ship a car or truck?
Finally, both PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat are solid options if you need more container sizes. They offer eight-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot containers that can handle multiple rooms. PODS runs promotions that can cut its costs by up to 25%, but 1-800-Pack-Rat will price-match PODS prices if you get a cheaper rate.
Portable moving container FAQs
How long does it take to ship a portable moving container?
The time to ship your containers depends on how far you're traveling. Pricing is also a factor, with U-Haul's lower pricing generally meaning longer wait times. However, you can expect shipping to take anywhere between five and 11 days for most U.S. trips, though extremely long ones could take more than two weeks.
Read our guide on how long it takes to ship a moving or portable storage container for a deeper dive.
How many moving containers do you need?
The number of containers you need depends on what size containers a company offers and how large your house is. Fortunately, every company on this list offers a calculator to help estimate the number and size of containers you'll need based on the size of your home. Some, like the PODS calculator, also allow you to customize what belongings you plan to take.
Can you get insurance on your containers?
In most cases, yes, but prices can vary a lot. Expect to add $200 to $300+ to your cost for companies that offer it. Some companies may only offer liability coverage that will reimburse you at a per-pound rate for each item in the case of damage through carrier negligence. It's wise to clarify the exact details of insurance coverage with your chosen company before renting your containers.
