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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.

Home > Moving > Container Moving

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

Your Guide to Moving and Storage Containers

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.

Save money

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

Save money

Get ready for moving day

What is container moving?

Container moving is where your moving company brings a shipping container to your home and you fill it with your furniture and belongings. Then the company transports 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

Professional move

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.

Learn More

Move 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.

Learn More

Two moving containers sitting next to each other

Kurt Manwaring

08/11/2022

Things You Should Know about Moving Containers

Joe Roberts

10/26/2022

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.

PODS

4.6

$$$

3 container sizes
46-state availability
Local and long-distance moves

4.5

$$$

3 container sizes
30-state availability
Local and long-distance moves

4.1

1 container size
28-state availability
Local and long-distance moves

$$$$$

1 container size
50-state availability
Long-distance moves only

3.9

$$$

1 container size
50-state availability
Local and long-distance moves

Check Prices

📞 800-468-4285

Read Review

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.

Kurt Manwaring

10/01/2024

Best Storage & Moving Container Companies 2024

Kurt Manwaring

10/02/2024

Cheapest Moving Pods: Guide to Affordable Moving Containers in 2024

1-800-PACK-RAT container being picked up

Kurt Manwaring

10/08/2024

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT: Compare Moving Containers 2024

Julia Campbell

10/22/2024

PODS vs. U-Pack Review 2024

Moving container reviews

If you want to know exactly what we think of any moving container company, check out our reviews.

Company	Rating	Read Review
UPack	4.5	Read Review
1-800-Pack-Rat	4.4	Read Review
PODS	4.2	Read Review
Zippyshell	4.2	Read Review
SmartBox	3.9	Read Review
Go Mini's	4	Read Review
UHaul	3.3	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

Kurt Manwaring

04/26/2022

5 Ways Moving Containers Can Save You Money and Stress

Kurt Manwaring

09/16/2020

How to Save Money on Your Container Move

Family carrying and lifting moving boxes into a moving container

Kurt Manwaring

11/14/2022

Moving Container Deals and Discounts

moving container loaded and surrounded with moving items and boxes

Kurt Manwaring

10/16/2022

What Is the Average Cost of Moving Containers in 2024?

Moving day with your container

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

Kurt Manwaring

07/25/2024

How to Make Packing Easier

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

Kurt Manwaring

11/15/2022

What Size Moving Container Do You Need?

Sarah Cimarusti

05/10/2024

Where to Get Moving Boxes

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!