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PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT: Compare Moving Containers 2024
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PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT are two of the best moving container companies in the industry. Honestly, these two container companies came very close in our comparison (like, they have ratings one point apart). While 1-800-PACK-RAT scores big in container quality and price-matching its competitors, PODS has low prices, more locations, and better customer reviews.
Is Pack Rat as good as PODS?
Winner: PODS. Though 1-800-PACK-RAT offers price-matching and has great container quality, PODS wins with their low prices, discounts, availability, and exceptional customer service.
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PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT: Compare Moving Containers
Company | Median quote | # of states | Details |
| $4,511 | 46 | Get a Quote | |
| $2887 | 33 | Get a Quote | |
| $4349 | 37 | Get a Quote | |
 | $2743 | 34 | Get a Quote |
 | $3065 | 50 | Get a Quote |
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.
Overall, 1-800-PACK-RAT is your best bet for a more affordable move. PODS is available in 46 states, while 1-800-PACK-RAT is only available in 33.
Cost: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT
PODS has lower initial prices than 1-800-PACK-RAT, but 1-800-PACK-RAT often has lower final prices (because of discounts and aggressive price matching). PODS typically has lower prices for small homes and short distances, while 1-800-PACK-RAT is usually more affordable for big houses and long distances.
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK RAT price comparison
Pricing | PODS | 1-800-PACK-RAT |
| Average cost |  $3,814 | $3,854 |
|---|---|---|
| Discounts |  Yes | Yes |
| Price matching | Sometimes | Yes |
| Taxes included in quotes |  No
| Sometimes |
Data as of May 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost was calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across three distances.
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT price comparison by home size
We collected quotes from PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT to compare their prices. To identify each company’s strengths, we requested quotes for six distances and four home sizes.
Both companies offer discounts and price matching (1-800-PACK-RAT is more aggressive). Taxes aren’t part of your quotes, but 1-800-PACK-RAT sometimes gives you a tax estimate upon request. PODS's 10% discount is a game-changer. Its average price is $3,810, but after applying the discount, the final price is about $400 cheaper.
Data as of May 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across six distances.
PODS has lower rates for most home sizes, while 1-800-PACK-RAT has better prices for the largest home size of the quotes we gathered. PODS’s average cost of $2,559 for one room is about $200 lower than 1-800-PACK-RAT’s fee of $2,760. 1-800-PACK-RAT’s average cost of $5,879 for five rooms is about $266 lower than PODS’s average cost of $6,145.
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT price comparison by distance
Data as of May 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across six distances.
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT discounts and price matching
PODS has cheaper rates for most distances. 1-800-PACK-RAT is slightly less expensive for moves between 1,050 to 1,750 miles. Here's how the rest shook out:
- PODS’s average cost of $1,367 for a 100-mile move is approximately $577 cheaper than 1-800-PACK-RAT.
- 1-800-PACK-RAT’s average cost of $4,559 for moves around 1,750 miles is about $438 less expensive than PODS.
- PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT offer discounts and price matching that affect your final costs. 1-800-PACK-RAT beats PODS in price matching.
While PODS sometimes offers price matching, it can depend on the customer service rep you talk to. On the other hand, 1-800-PACK-RAT offered PODS price matching virtually every time we spoke to them when we posed as customers.
1-800-PACK-RAT has tons of discounts for everyone from teachers to first responders, PODS offers large discounts primarily for Move.org readers, military, and long-term storage.
More recently, we've noticed PODS's uptick in seasonal promotions. For example, it had a 30% Black Friday discount on end-of-year moves. This adds up to almost $1,000 in savings on an average PODS move.
1-800-PACK-RAT's price-matching is no match, but in the end, PODS has lower prices for most home sizes and distances and competes with its regular and seasonal discounts for customers.
Winner: PODS
Customer Experience: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT
PODS customers generally leave better reviews than 1-800-PACK-RAT customers. 1-800-PACK-RAT has an average of 2.4 out of 5 stars, while PODS has 3.1 out of 5 stars. Customers routinely give PODS much higher reviews than 1-800-PACK-RAT’s customers. They especially love PODS's customer service.
While both companies typically get praise for their professionalism, we recently found in our 1-800-PACK-RAT review that the company's customer service rating fell twice as far as the average container company over the last few years.
Winner: PODS
Containers: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT
PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have the two best containers on the market, but 1-800-PACK-RAT takes our top spot. Though both companies have three container sizes, the PODS container is made with steel frames while 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers are entirely made of steel. That extra layer ensures even more protection for your stuff. (More security equals more peace of mind.)
How big are Pack Rat vs PODS moving containers?
Data as of June 2024.
It's also worth noting that while PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have similar-sized containers that fit the same number of rooms, 1-800-PACK-RAT's containers hold heavier loads.
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT container capacity
Data as of June 2024.
Winner: 1-800-PACK-RAT
What is not allowed in a Pack-Rat container?
When packing a 1-800-Pack-Rat container, you should not pack these items: 1)perishable items like food or plants, 2) flammable or hazardous items like gas, paint, batteries, etc., and 3) important documents like birth certificates, social security cards, financial documents, etc.
Services: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT
PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT offer comparable services. Both companies have three container sizes, provide portable storage, and service local and long-distance moves. PODS has more locations (184 vs. 61), but 1-800-PACK-RAT has better containers (all steel vs. steel frames).
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT services comparison
Container info | PODS | 1-800-PACK-RAT |
| # of locations | 240
| 63 |
|---|---|---|
| # of container sizes | 3
| 3
|
| Container material | Steel frames
| All steel
|
| Local and long-distance moves | Yes | Yes
|
| Portable storage | Yes
| Yes
|
Data as of March 2022.
Winner: Tie
What is portable storage?
Moving containers double as storage units (hence the term “portable storage”). Your storage options include keeping the shipping containers at your home or a moving container company’s storage facility.
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT coverage options
PODS has more coverage options than 1-800-PACK-RAT. While each moving container company has identical prices for similar coverage amounts, PODS offers up to $300,000, and 1-800-PACK-RAT caps out at $75,000.
PODS data as of March 2022.1 Pricing for US Contents Protection only and subject to change. 1-800-PACK-RAT data as of March 2022.2 Pricing may vary by location and are subject to change. Individuals should review their rental contract—including addendums—for a complete description of the policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions.
Winner: PODS
PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT coverage prices by declared value
PODS data as of June 2024.1 Pricing for US Contents Protection only and subject to change. 1-800-PACK-RAT data as of June 2024.2 Pricing may vary by location and are subject to change. Individuals should review their rental contract — including addendums — for a complete description of the policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions.
Our Pick: PODS is better than 1-800-PACK-RAT
PODS wins because of its pricing, customer reviews, and availability. 1-800-PACK-RAT consistently offers customers price-matching and has unbeatable container quality. It is a very close match, but in the end PODS is our top-rated company.
Want low prices and service customers love?
PODS vs PACK RAT FAQ
Yes, moving container companies offer portable storage. In addition to providing local and long-distance moves, these companies also allow customers to use the containers as portable storage units.
Yes, there are moving services that offer hourly moving help. The best moving labor companies are HireAHelper, Dolly, and TaskRabbit.
Yes, a moving truck is generally cheaper than a portable storage container. However, a storage container becomes more affordable than a truck over longer distances because you don’t have to pay for fuel, food, and lodging.
Yes, PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have more than one container size. Each company has three sizes. The smallest container size often fits one room of belongings, while the largest can fit up to four rooms.
Related articles
PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have a lot to offer—but they aren’t the only container companies out there. Learn more about the competition:
Sources
1. 1-800-PACK-RAT, “Contents Protection Plans,” September 2022. Accessed May 2024.
2. PODS. “Contents Protection Option.” Accessed May 2024.
