Containers
What should you look for in a moving container company?
Here are the most important things to look for when picking a moving container company:
- Availability. Most companies aren’t available nationwide. Make sure you find one with moving services in your origin and destination cities.
- Price. Low prices aren’t just good for your pocketbook. They can also indicate whether a company can keep up with the increased COVID-19 moving demand.
- Container sizes. Multiple sizes mean multiple options—and potential savings. Look for a container company that has more than one size or charges only for the space taken up by your belongings.
- Customer reviews. Few things matter more than what other customers say. Companies like U-Pack that get rave reviews mean that you’re more likely to have a positive moving experience.
- Storage options. The best moving container companies let you store your containers either at your home or their company storage warehouses.
- Container quality. Your options range from steel to plywood. Candidly, they all keep your items pretty secure. But there’s something to be said for seeing your belongings safely tucked away inside a 1-800-PACK-RAT or PODS heavy-duty container.
PODS—Best overall
PODS is the best moving container company in the nation. No company has done a better job meeting demand during COVID-19. Plus, PODS keeps its rates reasonable while offering top-notch containers and on-site and at-home storage. The company also has a Move.org discount worth about $400 for the average move. The only real drawback is understanding the costs. PODS has so many separate billing charges that it’s hard to keep them straight.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
Nationwide availability |
Confusing prices |
|
Multiple sizes |
|
|
Flexible storage options |
|
|
Positive customer reviews |
|
|
10% Move.org discount |
|
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
|
Steel containers |
Below-average customer reviews |
|
Price matching |
Limited availability (30 states) |
|
No-hassle orders |
|
|
24/7 storage surveillance |
|
1-800-PACK-RAT—Strong containers
1-800-PACK-RAT barely missed out on our top spot. It boasts the most robust moving containers in the industry and lets you choose from multiple sizes. Plus, 1-800-PACK-RAT price matches with PODS. You even get free 24/7 surveillance if you use a 1-800-PACK-RAT storage facility. On the downside, it’s available in only 30 states and tends to score below average with customers.