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Your Guide to Moving and Storage Containers

Container moves are both more affordable than full-service moves and more convenient than truck rental moves. Moving with a container company means you load your container with all your stuff, and then your moving company transports it for you. Keep reading to learn all about moving containers, see which container companies we recommend, and get tips on how to save on a container move.

Person moving boxes, furniture and household items into a moving container

Your Guide to Moving and Storage Containers

Container moves are both more affordable than full-service moves and more convenient than truck rental moves. Moving with a container company means you load your container with all your stuff, and then your moving company transports it for you. Keep reading to learn all about moving containers, see which container companies we recommend, and get tips on how to save on a container move.

On this page

What are moving containers?

Moving and storage containers are the Goldilocks option of moving; they're both affordable AND convenient. Learn more about how they work.

Find a moving container company

Looking for a trustworthy moving and storage container company to move with? Check out which companies we recommend.

Container moves are already more budget-friendly than professional moves, but there's no reason you can't save even more. Read our tips and tricks for saving money.

Get ready for moving day

A lot goes into any moving container move. From container delivery at your old home to drop-off at your new one, we'll walk you through the whole process.

On this page

What are moving containers?

Find a moving container company

Get ready for moving day

What is container moving?

Container moving (some people call "pods" after the company PODS) is where your moving company brings a shipping container to your home and you fill it with your furniture and belongings. Then the company stores your stuff until you're ready to transport the container to your new home, where you unpack your stuff. Learn how it compares to other moving options.

Containers

You load, they ship.

You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost.

Find a Moving Container

Full-service moves

They handle it all.

Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option.

Truck rentals

You do all the work.

Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot.

Two moving containers sitting next to each other

By

02/10/2025

Things You Should Know about Moving Containers

Professional mover carrying a box

By

02/10/2025

Should I Move Myself or Hire a Mover?

Our top picks of the best moving and storage container companies

We compared over a hundred quotes and looked at factors like customer service, container quality, and availability to find the best moving container companies. We put the top moving container companies in the country to the test. These are the ones that rose to the top.

4.6 out of 5 stars

4.6

$$

3 container sizes
46-state availability
Local and long-distance moves
10% Move.org discount

4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5

$$

3 container sizes
33-state availability
Local and long-distance moves
10% Move.org discount

UNITS Moving and Portable Storage

4.3 out of 5 stars

4.3

$$$

2 container sizes
37-state availability
Local and long-distance moves
$30 Move.org discount

4.1 out of 5 stars

4.1

$$

2 container sizes
34-state availability
Local and long-distance moves
10% Move.org discount

4 out of 5 stars

4

$$$

1 container size
50-state availability
Long-distance moves only
$25 off Move.org discount

Find a moving and storage container company

You can learn more about what makes a good moving container company and choose the right one for you by checking out these guides and comparisons.

Group of people moving large items

By

01/28/2025

Best Storage & Moving Container Companies 2025

A person packing a moving container

By

01/15/2025

Cheapest Moving Containers in 2025

1-800-PACK-RAT container being picked up

By

01/15/2025

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT: Compare Moving Containers 2025

PODS container being dropped off

By

12/15/2024

PODS vs. U-Pack Review 2025

Moving container reviews

If you want to know exactly what we think of the top container companies, check out our reviews.

Company	Rating	Read Review
PODS	4.6	Read Review
1-800-Pack-Rat	4.5	Read Review
UPack	4.3	Read Review
Zippyshell	4.1	Read Review
UPack	4	Read Review

Save money

Moving containers strike the balance between affordability and convenience. For very long moves, they may be even more affordable than renting a moving truck. Read our guides to get more ideas on how to whittle down costs.

Relaxed woman with her feet up on a desk making a list in a notebook

By

04/26/2022

5 Ways Moving Containers Can Save You Money and Stress

Couple happily discussing their move

By

09/16/2020

How to Save Money on Your Container Move

Family carrying and lifting moving boxes into a moving container

By

11/14/2022

Moving Container Deals and Discounts

moving container loaded and surrounded with moving items and boxes

By

01/17/2025

What Is the Average Cost of Moving Containers in 2025?

Moving day with your container

Prepare yourself for a sucessful container move by checking out these handy guides, how-tos, and checklists.

what size moving pod do you need? - move.org

By

02/12/2025

What Size Moving Container Do You Need?

stacked moving boxes

By

Sarah Cimarusti

02/12/2025

Where to Get Moving Boxes

moving boxes

By

02/19/2025

How to Make Packing Easier

moving-delivery-day-chklst-featured

By

02/17/2025

Your Moving Delivery Day Checklist

Hiring packing help

With a container move, you typically do the packing and loading yourself. But if you've got a little extra room in your budget, there's no reason you can't hire a professional crew to come help with the heavy lifting!

How to hire a moving labor company

woman with checklist for moving labor

By

02/14/2022

The 3 Best Moving Labor Companies of 2023

packing services

By

12/15/2024

The Best Packing Service Companies for 2025

Man tipping his movers

By

02/11/2025

How Much to Tip Movers in 2025: Your Complete Guide

Latest moving container resources

Check out our updated guides and reviews to learn what you can expect from a container move.

U-Pack ReloCube traveling on truck

U-Pack 2025 Review: Pricing & Services

Kurt Manwaring|December 15, 2024

ABF U-Pack pairs budget-friendly container moves with the convenience of professional drivers. The best part?...

Young couple moving a couch into their new home

Go Mini’s 2025 Review: Prices and Services

Kurt Manwaring|December 15, 2024

Go Mini’s gets excellent reviews and has easy-to-understand prices, but it doesn’t have long-distance moving...

smartbox moving and storage review

2025 SMARTBOX Moving & Storage Review

Kurt Manwaring|December 15, 2024

SMARTBOX is an expensive moving container company with transparent pricing and a pay-for-what-you-use policy. Learn...

PODS container being dropped off

Julia Campbell|December 15, 2024

PODS vs. U-Pack Review 2025

Kurt Manwaring|December 09, 2024

PODS vs. U-Box: Which Container is Right for You

family packing moving boxes sitting on the floor

Kurt Manwaring|August 23, 2024

PODS vs. SMARTBOX: Compare Moving Containers

Alina Bradford|August 07, 2024

PODS Frequently Asked Questions

Zippy Shell container

Kurt Manwaring|January 13, 2024

Zippy Shell 2025 Review: Pricing & Services

Family carrying and lifting moving boxes into a moving container

Kurt Manwaring|November 14, 2022

Moving Container Deals and Discounts

PODS moving container being delivered

Kurt Manwaring|November 11, 2022

What to Expect When You Move with PODS—The Alwards’ Move

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