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The Best Moving Container Companies (Updated for 2026)
Move.org analyzed approximately 16,000 customer reviews and 300 quotes over 3 years to find the best moving container companies in the United States.
*Limited time offer. See full disclaimers.
Why you can trust Move.org
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For nearly 10 years Move.org experts have examined pricing, credentials, and real customer reviews to give you (human) recommendations you can trust.
What is the best moving container company?
While there are thousands of moving companies to choose from, choosing one with fair prices and a proven track record of quality service makes a difference. Based on our research and experience, we recommend UNITS for its stellar customer service and personalized support. 1-800-PACK-RAT stands out for its quality steel containers.
If you're willing to do the loading and unloading yourself, a storage container company can save you money because you aren't paying full-service moving prices. Depending on the distance and size of your move, you may even save money compared to renting a truck and storage unit. A moving container is more convenient than a rental truck because it can both store and transport your stuff, meaning you only have to load/unload once. Plus, it typically includes 30 days of free storage. That beats taking multiple trips to and from a storage unit and moving the same stuff several times.
The best moving container companies
- : Move.org's pick
- : Strongest containers
- : Best availability
- : Best prices
Compare the best moving container companies
Company | Type of mover | Median quote | # of states | Details |
 Container | $4,349 | 34 | Check Prices | |
 Hybrid* | $2,887 | 37 | Check Prices | |
| Container | $4,511 | 46 | Check Prices | |
| Hybrid* | $2,743 | 37 | Check Prices |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Pricing data collected by requesting estimates from top moving container companies for four home sizes across six distances.
*A hybrid moving container company offers optional loading and unloading services for an extra fee.
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 with 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.
Best moving container company reviews
1. UNITS: Move.org's pick
UNITS has several great qualities as a container moving company, including fair prices, quality containers, customizable storage, and 24/7 customer service. It's clear that UNITS is an obvious customer favorite: the company has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot from over 270 reviews. Although the company currently offers service in 34 states, it is diligently working to expand its service area to the entire nation. Additionally, UNITS uses its proprietary “ROBO-UNIT Delivery System” to place your container in even the tightest spaces while always ensuring that it is placed on a level surface.
Pros
2 container sizes
Climate-controlled storage facilities
Excellent customer reviews
Locally owned and operated (personalized service)
$10,000 base insurance included for long-distance moves only
30-day free storage
Unique ability to deliver containers in tight spaces 
Cons
Only available in 34 states
Higher-than-average pricing Looking for the best customer service?
2. 1-800-PACK-RAT—Strongest 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 37 states and tends to score below average with customers.
Pros
Steel containers
Price matching
No-hassle orders
24/7 storage surveillance Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Limited availability (37 states) Looking for the best container quality?
3. PODS—Best availability
PODS is one of the top moving container companies in the U.S., offering high-quality containers, flexible storage options, and nationwide availability—all at competitive prices. They’ve even lowered their rates and offer financing to make moving more affordable. Plus, you can save even more with a Move.org discount averaging $400 per move. The only catch? Their pricing structure includes multiple charges, which can be tricky to track—but the value and convenience make it worth it.
Pros
Nationwide availability
Multiple sizes
Flexible storage options
Positive customer reviews
Move.org discount Cons
Confusing prices Looking for the best availability?
4. Zippy Shell—Best prices
Zippy Shell has the lowest moving container prices in the nation. It also has a sizable 15-foot steel container and lets you choose between at-home and facility storage options. Zippy Shell is available in 37 states and is continuously expanding. Even with its limited container sizes, its low prices and high-quality container are significant enough to warrant a fourth-place rank on our list of the best moving container companies. Zippy Shell is tough to beat if you can find a nearby location.
Pros
Low prices
Strong containers
Temperature-controlled storage
Flexible moving and storage options
Easy-to-add professional labor
Great for city moves Cons
Only two container sizes
Limited availability (37 states) Looking for low prices?
How we chose the best moving container companies
Move.org follows a six-step process to identify the nation’s best moving container companies:
- Compare quotes. We obtained and analyzed nearly 300 quotes from 7 of the nation’s largest moving container companies over 3 years.
- Mystery shopping. We do a top-to-bottom analysis of each company’s website and even call posing as customers. It helps us get a feel for what real-life customers experience.
- Analyze reviews. We read dozens of reviews for each company to see what most impresses (and turns off) customers. We also conducted a meta-analysis of more than 16,000 reviews to calculate an industry customer review average.
- Pay real-life customers for honest feedback. Move.org routinely gives away $500 moving grants in exchange for candid feedback about using moving container companies.
- Site visits. We invite industry experts and company executives to visit our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. We grill them on everything from pricing and customer reviews to insurance coverage and the latest industry trends.
- Annual review. Every year, we repeat the process to ensure that our list of the best moving container companies stays current. That means our top recommendations and industry prices may change each year.
Moving Container FAQ
PODS is a well-known moving container company. Its popularity leads some people to refer to moving containers as "moving pods."Â
Portable storage is a moving industry term that refers to moving containers (or moving cubes). Rather than storing belongings in a storage unit, a portable storage company (aka moving container company) brings a storage container to your home.
Moving containers cost approximately $3,870 for the average move. Prices vary depending on home size and distance. For example, it could cost as low as $850 to move a studio apartment within the same city, and from $6,000 to $10,000 or more to move a multi-bedroom home across the country.
Usually, yes — but it depends on your move.
Moving containers generally sit in the middle of the price spectrum: they’re typically more expensive than renting a moving truck but often cheaper than hiring full-service movers. With a container, you do the packing and loading yourself, but the company handles the driving and storage.
In general, containers tend to be a good value if:
- You’re moving a typical 2–4 bedroom home.
- You’re going long-distance and don’t want to drive a rental truck.
- You’re okay loading and unloading on your own or with hourly moving help.
Full-service movers usually cost more because they handle everything for you: packing, loading, driving, unloading, and sometimes even unpacking. If your budget is tight and you’re willing to put in some elbow grease, a container is often the sweet spot between price and convenience.
We recommend booking your moving container at least 2–4 weeks in advance, and earlier if you’re moving during the busy season (summer, weekends, or the end of the month).
Here’s a quick rule of thumb:
- Local or short-distance moves:
- Book 2–3 weeks ahead if possible.
- Long-distance moves:
- Aim for at least 3–6 weeks ahead, especially if you have a firm move-out or move-in date.
- Peak season (summer and holiday weekends):
- The earlier the better. 6–8 weeks ahead gives you the best shot at your ideal dates and container size.
Most moving container companies can sometimes accommodate last-minute moves, but you’ll have fewer date and size options—and prices may be higher when availability is tight. Booking early gives you more flexibility if your plans change and more time to compare quotes from multiple companies.
Yes — many people use moving containers specifically for short-term and long-term storage.
Most container companies let you:
- Keep the container at your home as long as you want (for a monthly fee), or
- Store it at the company’s facility, where it’s kept in a secure, often climate- or temperature-controlled warehouse.
Using a moving container for storage can be especially helpful if:
- You’re in between homes and don’t want to unload everything into a traditional storage unit
- You’re remodeling and need your furniture out of the way for a few months
- You’re moving on a flexible timeline and don’t know your exact move-in date yet
Just be sure to check:
- Monthly storage rates (at home vs. at the facility)
- Whether the storage facility is climate- or temperature-controlled
- How easy it is to access your container while it’s in storage (hours, appointment rules, etc.)
If you need storage for several months or longer, it’s worth asking about long-term discounts — some companies lower your monthly rate once you hit a certain number of months.
You can put most household goods in a portable moving container. Most container companies prohibit items such as hazardous materials, flammable liquids, and weapons. PODS advises you not to transport heirlooms, irreplaceable artifacts, deeds, legal notices, forms of currency, and items that are not your personal property.
Disclaimers
*UNITS: limited-time offer. Use promo code MOVEORG. For local moves, offers include $30 off the first month’s storage, except when better discounts are locally available. For moves between two different UNITS Moving and Portable Storage locations, the offer does not apply. Available for a limited time only at participating locations. Offer void where prohibited by law. Please call or visit our website for service locations. Must mention promotional code at the time of order. It cannot be combined with any other offer. Any change to the products, dates, locations, or services by you after the order has been placed may result in a change in pricing and resulting charges as determined by UNITS Moving and Portable Storage in its sole discretion. UNITS is not currently available in: AK, AR, HI, IN, ME, MS, MT, NH, NM, ND, OR, RI, SD, VT, WV, WY, and D.C.
*PODS: limited-time offer. Must visit PODS from Move.org for discount. Use promo code MOVEORG. Offer includes 10% off the cost of initial local delivery, and first month’s storage, and if applicable, 10% off the cost of long-distance transportation for any move between two PODS’ locations.  Must mention promotional code at time of order. Available for a limited time only at participating locations. Offer void where prohibited by law. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Discounts do not apply to any extended delivery fees, if applicable. Please call or visit the PODS website for service locations. PODS is not currently available in these states: AK, MT, ND, WY, but IS available in D.C. and HI.
*1-800-PACK-RAT and Zippy Shell: limited-time offers. Use promo code SAVE25. Must be mentioned at the time the order is placed and can only be used on new orders. Not available in all locations. The customer will receive a percentage off their container rental for the first month. The offer is valid for most moving and storage services and can be applied to orders booked online. Local restrictions may apply. Offers are void where prohibited and cannot be combined. 1-800-Pack-Rat and Zippy Shell are not currently available in these states: AK, DE, HI, ME, MS, MT, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, WY, but ARE available in D.C.
