The Best Self-Storage Companies of 2019

Need a self-storage unit but don’t know where to go? We did the research so you don’t have to.

Everyone needs a little extra space every once in a while. Whether you’re moving, remodeling, or looking to dabble in some casual hoarding, a self-storage unit will give you the space you need.

While most self-storage companies seem the same, we dug into the research so you can spot the differences and choose the best storage facility for your stuff. Whether you’re more concerned about security or saving money, this guide is for you.

Extra Space Storage lands on the top of our list with its commitment to security and its wide variety of storage unit sizes. Although it’s the second-largest self-storage company in the US, we think those two factors (among others) make it the best choice if you’re looking for short- or long-term storage.

Why Extra Space Storage is the best storage company

Reason #1: It protects your belongings

No matter how long you stash your belongings in a storage unit, you want to make sure they’re safe and sound.

Extra Space Storage takes care of this in two ways: offering secure storage units and providing pest protection.

Secure storage units

Extra Space Storage advertises more security features than any other self-storage company on our list. Here’s a quick look at how it keeps your belongings safe:

• On-site managers
• Electronic gates with coded access
• Fenced and well-lit facilities
• Monitored video surveillance
• Available door alarms for individual units
• High-quality locks available for purchase

Pest protection

To make sure no creepy crawlies ruin your belongings, Extra Space Storage treats all of its buildings for rodents and pests monthly.

Other storage companies might regularly treat their facilities for pests too, but Extra Space Storage is the only company that clearly states how it keeps its units clean.

Reason #2: It discounts moving truck rentals

If you need to store a lot of stuff, you’re probably looking to rent a moving truck.

While a lot of self-storage companies try and save you money on your storage unit, Extra Space Storage is one of only two companies on our list to also offer a discount on rental trucks.

Extra Space Storage partners with Budget Truck Rental to save you anywhere from 15–20% on your truck rental when you reserve your storage unit.

Public Storage has the most rentable storage space in the country, with one of the widest varieties of storage unit sizes we came across. Whether you need to store a few boxes or all your worldly possessions, Public Storage can likely take care of you.

Why we recommend Public Storage

Reason #1: It has the most rentable space

Although Public Storage and Extra Space Storage both operate in thirty-eight states, Public Storage has over forty million more rentable square feet than Extra Space.

That’s a pretty big gap, but what does that mean for you?

Whether you need a large or small unit, you’re more likely to find a vacant storage unit that fits your needs at Public Storage than anywhere else.

You’re also more likely to find a Public Storage facility near you since it has more company-owned locations than the other storage companies on our list.

This comes in handy if you need to visit your storage unit often to pick up stored inventory for your small business or to gaze at that velvet Elvis painting that “doesn’t belong in the guest room.”

Reason #2: It has a wide variety of storage sizes

Regardless of the storage company you choose, you’ll usually have a few options when it comes to storage unit size.

Public Storage has over twelve storage unit sizes, meaning regardless of how much stuff you need to store, it can likely provide a unit large enough to do the job.

Here are some common sizes you’ll find at each Public Storage location:

• 5′ x 5′
• 5′ x 10′
• 5′ x 15′
• 10′ x 10′
• 10′ x 15′
• 10′ x 20′
• 10′ x 25′

In our research, we also discovered locations with additional sizes, including the following:

• 10′ x 30′
• 17′ x 20′
• 15′ x 20′
• 12′ x 15′
• 12′ x 25′

Your local Public Storage location may not have all of the storage unit sizes listed above, but we think there’s still a good chance it has one that will work for you and your collection of antique fainting sofas.

If you need a specific size, be sure to check out Public Storage’s website.

U-Haul is a staple in the DIY moving industry, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it ranks in our top five for self-storage too. Aside from the standard offerings of indoor and outdoor units, U-Haul also offers portable storage containers so you can have your storage unit delivered right to your door.

Why we recommend U-Haul

Reason #1: It has a portable storage option

U-Haul offers all of the standard storage options you’d expect from any reputable storage company. But it also offers something the other companies on our list can’t match—portable storage containers.

Why is this worth mentioning? Put simply, convenience.

U-Haul can send a U-Box (similar to a PODS container) right to your home and pick it up whenever you want.

This is helpful for a few reasons:

1. You don’t have to rent a truck to haul your stuff to a storage facility
2. You can access your belongings twenty-four hours a day, right in your front yard
3. You can use it during a home reno project so you can keep your belongings on site rather than in a storage facility miles away

Here’s a closer look at the U-Box’s specs:

You can learn more about U-Haul’s U-Box and other portable storage container companies in our Best Moving Container Companies review.

Reason #2: It offers 24-hour access

If you need to return some items to your storage unit after an evening event, U-Haul has you covered.

Most other storage companies require special accommodations to access your unit overnight, but most of U-Haul’s locations boast twenty-four-hour access. U-Haul’s extended hours provide the flexibility to pick something up or drop it off at a moment’s notice—no matter what time your storage needs arise.

CubeSmart lands outside of our top three self-storage companies, but its collection of discounts makes it well worth your consideration—especially if you’re on a limited budget.

Read our full CubeSmart Review.

Why we recommend CubeSmart

Reason #1: It offers discounted and free truck rentals

Yep, you read that correctly.

CubeSmart not only offers discounts on rental trucks, but select locations can lend you a moving truck for free.

When you rent a storage unit from CubeSmart, certain locations can loan you a free local moving truck for up to two hours. Even though this perk is subject to availability, it makes CubeSmart well worth looking into if renting a truck was already on your self-storage to-do list.

If you need a truck for more than two hours, however, CubeSmart can also save you 10% on a Penske truck rental.

Reason #2: It offers other discounts too

A lot of self-storage companies advertise discounts for reserving your unit online, and some even discount the first month’s rent, but CubeSmart adds a couple more ways to save you some dough.

First, let’s cover the basics.

You can save up to 15% off your monthly rent and receive your first month free when you book online (depending on the location, of course).

And here’s where CubeSmart goes above and beyond:

• Active military discount: All active duty military save 10% in addition to any other discounts or promotions
• Refer-a-friend storage coupon: If you refer a friend, CubeSmart discounts your next month’s rent by half of your friend’s monthly rental rate
• Holiday self-storage promotions: Near major holidays, CubeSmart frequently runs promotions that can trim your rent beyond the standard online discount of 15%

CubeSmart offers the most discounts of any of the self-storage companies we researched, so we think it’s a good option if you’re hoping to invest your hard-earned cash into something more exciting like a home renovation or summer vacation.

Simply Self Storage rounds out our top five self-storage companies. Although it didn’t make the top of the list, its automatic self-storage coverage and list of standard features make it a good option if you live near one of its storage facilities.

Why we recommend Simply Self Storage

Reason #1: It has automatic unit coverage

Regardless of which storage company you choose, you’re almost always required to insure the items in your unit.

While all of the companies we’ve recommended offer insurance options you can opt in to and purchase, Simply Self Storage applies coverage automatically when you rent your storage unit.

For $9 per month, Simply Self Storage adds $2,000 in coverage to your rental as part of its Safeguard Program. This is great news if you don’t have a homeowners policy that can cover your storage unit or if you want to supplement your homeowners insurance to better protect the items in your unit.

You always have the option to opt out of this coverage, but we like how Simply Self Storage automatically ensures your storage unit is properly insured from the get-go.

Not all Simply Self Storage facilities offer automatic coverage, however, so be sure to talk to the manager at your nearest location to make sure it does before you reserve your unit.

Reason #2: It offers all the standard features

Despite being a relatively small national self-storage brand, Simply Self Storage still offers all of the features you’d expect to find at any of reputable self-storage facility.

Here are just a few of the main features you’ll find at your Simply Self Storage facility:

• Climate-controlled storage
• Indoor storage
• RV and boat parking
• Moving supplies
• Carts and dollies
• On-site managers
• Video surveillance
• Electronic gates with coded access

Much like the other companies on our list, not all Simply Self Storage facilities offer every feature on this list. If one of these features is a must-have for you, we recommend speaking to a Simply Self Storage representative to make sure your location offers what you need.

Recapping our top self-storage companies

1. Extra Space Storage—best for most security features
2. Public Storage—best for large variety of storage unit sizes
3. U-Haul Storage—best for portable storage units
4. CubeSmart—best for discounts
5. Simply Self Storage—best for automatic insurance coverage

Let us know which self-storage company you choose!

Have you stored your belongings with one of the self-storage companies on our list? Share your experience in the comments below so our readers can get your take too!