PODS vs. SMARTBOX: Compare Moving Containers

We analyzed more than 100 quotes and 7,000 customer reviews to pick PODS as a better moving container company than SMARTBOX.
Our pick
pods
PODS
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
  • Icon Yes  Dark
    Low prices
  • Icon Yes  Dark
    180+ locations
Straightforward pricing
smartbox
SMARTBOX
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9
  • Icon Yes  Dark
    Average prices
  • Icon Yes  Dark
    50+ locations
pro
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Kurt Manwaring
Aug 23, 2024
Icon Time To Read6 min read

Winner: PODS

Looking for low prices and high-quality containers?


PODS vs. SMARTBOX pricing

In general, SMARTBOX has lower prices than PODS. We gathered nearly 50 quotes from both companies to compare their prices across several home sizes and distances. SMARTBOX one out when we compared the average cost.

PODS vs. SMARTBOX moving prices

Costs
PODS (after discount)
SMARTBOX

Average cost

Icon Last Updated  Light

$5,709

Icon Last Updated  Light

$3,107

Discounts

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Taxes included in quotes

Icon No  Dark

No

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Data as of April 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. 

PODS vs. SMARTBOX pricing transparency

PODS has higher prices than SMARTBOX and also has confusing bills. You pay for your low rates with an invoice with tons of fees due at different times. And you have to guess how much taxes cost since PODS doesn’t include tax estimates.

This is one area where SMARTBOX outshines PODS. There’s no hair-pulling while trying to make heads or tails of several different bills. You get a single invoice, pay it all at once, and even know how much tax costs. That’s the kind of simplicity we can get behind.

PODS vs. SMARTBOX price comparison by distance

PODS and SMARTBOX both have low prices for certain distances, but there’s no rhyme or reason as to why. PODS typically has lower rates for short moves, while it goes back to SMARTBOX as the best price for longer distances. It’s always good to get quotes from both companies to see what works best in your situation.

PODS vs. SMARTBOX cost by mileage

Distance
PODS (after discount)
SMARTBOX

100 miles

$1,547

$2,317

450 miles

$4,553

$2,520

1,050 miles

$7,432

$3,389

1,850 miles

$7,901

$3,843

2,050 miles

$6,669

$3,688

Data as of April 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. 

PODS vs. SMARTBOX discounts

PODS and SMARTBOX both have moving container discounts, but you can save a lot more money with PODS. While SMARTBOX trims $20 off its delivery costs for college students, faculty, and staff, PODS offers a 10% discount for Move.org readers that saves the average customer more than $500.

PODS vs. SMARTBOX discounts savings

Company
Discount description
Average savings

PODS

10% off for Move.org readers

$320

SMARTBOX

$20 off for college students

$20

Data as of August 2024.

A price comparison between PODS and SMARTBOX comes down to one thing: which company is the most affordable? The math shows that SMARTBOX wins.

Winner: SMARTBOX

Money
Save 10% on your moving container

Get your online PODS discount for Move.org readers—or call 866-229-4120 and ask for promo code "MOVEORG."


PODS vs. SMARTBOX availability

PODS is one of the most widely available storage container companies in the country. With locations in nearly every state, it has three times as many facilities as SMARTBOX. PODS is such a recognizable name in the business that you’ll often hear moving containers referred to as “moving pods.”

PODS vs. SMARTBOX locations

Availability
PODS
SMARTBOX

# of states

45

24

# of locations

240+

30+

Data as of August 2024.

It’s tough to move if you can’t find a moving company near you. That’s what makes PODS an easy call.

Winner: PODS


PODS vs. SMARTBOX customer experience

PODS and SMARTBOX are as different as night and day when it comes to customer experience. PODS routinely pulls out the best customer reviews in the business, while SMARTBOX has some of the lowest ratings we’ve come across. PODS gets an average customer review score of 3.1 while SMARTBOX comes in nearly a full star lower than PODS at 1.9 out of 5 stars.

The differences boil down to a couple of issues:

  1. Availability. It’s easy to get a hold of PODS to place an order or ask a question—not so much with SMARTBOX. The lack of available customer service reps is one of the most common complaints in SMARTBOX reviews.
  2. Quality. PODS scores big with customers for delivering a quality service. Positive SMARTBOX reviews often mention a generally smooth process during the actual move. PODS gets much more specific praise. Customers repeatedly call out the company’s on-time delivery and professional drivers.

This would be tough to call if both companies had similar customer reviews, but that’s not what we’re dealing with. According to the customers, this comes down to one of the best-reviewed companies (PODS) versus one of the lowest-rated options (SMARTBOX).

Winner: PODS


PODS vs. SMARTBOX container quality

PODS containers have better quality materials than SMARTBOX. The quality of construction matters because it can affect how much weight your containers can hold and how well they can weather the storm—literally. PODS makes its containers with a steel frame, and its walls use weather- and impact-resistant paneling. SMARTBOX performs better than low-quality options (like U-Haul’s U-Box), but its wood boxes and canvas paneling still leave something to be desired.

If Robin Hood used your moving containers for target practice, his arrow would bounce off the PODS container—but pierce the canvas of the SMARTBOX container and get stuck in its wood. While the scenario is a bit unlikely, we still prefer the idea of an indestructible container.

Winner: PODS


PODS vs. SMARTBOX container sizes

PODS has three container sizes, but SMARTBOX has only one. While you can order up to five SMARTBOX containers without running into any problems (you have to get special permission for larger orders), PODS gives you flexibility right off the bat. Thanks to its three sizes, you can choose the best option for your particular move. It’s also less cluttered. You need five SMARTBOX containers to move a three-room home; PODS gets the job done with one.

PODS container sizes compared to SMARTBOX

Container size
PODS
SMARTBOX

Small

8 ft. x 7 ft. x 8 ft.

8 ft. x 7 ft. x 5 ft.

Medium

12 ft. x 8 ft. x 8 ft.

NA

Large

16 ft. x 8 ft. x 8 ft.

NA

Data as of August 2024. Container sizes are estimates. Customers are responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings.

You don’t always want to supersize your fast food order, but it’s nice to at least have the choice. Same thing with moving containers: PODS gives you options—SMARTBOX doesn’t.

Winner: PODS


PODS vs. SMARTBOX services

PODS has a slight edge over SMARTBOX when it comes to services. Both companies provide local and long-distance moves and allow you to store moving containers at your home or a company warehouse. But there’s a difference when it comes to home size.

While PODS can handle everything from a small apartment to a big home, SMARTBOX gave us quotes for only small and midsize homes. We struck out each time we tried to get SMARTBOX estimates for a large home.

PODS vs. SMARTBOX services comparison

Container info
PODS
SMARTBOX

# of container sizes

Icon Last Updated  Light

3

Icon Last Updated  Light

1

Container material

Icon Last Updated  Light

Steel

Icon Last Updated  Light

Wood

# of locations

Icon Last Updated  Light

240+

Icon Last Updated  Light

30+

All home sizes

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon No  Dark

No

Local and long-distance moves

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Storage options

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Both PODS and SMARTBOX can meet most of your needs, but only PODS can help customers with large homes.

Winner: PODS


PODS vs. SMARTBOX coverage options

PODS has insurance coverage. SMARTBOX does not, according to the customer service rep we contacted. 

PODS has a max coverage amount of $300,000. You may not have a Picasso lithograph worth a quarter of a million dollars that you need to put in storage, but PODS has you covered (pun intended) if you do.

PODS vs. SMARTBOX insurance coverage

Coverage
PODS
SMARTBOX

Max coverage amount

Icon Last Updated  Light

$300,000

Icon Last Updated  Light

NA

Local coverage

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon No  Dark

No

Long-distance coverage

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon No  Dark

No

Storage coverage

Icon Yes  Dark

Yes

Icon No  Dark

No

Data as of August 2024. Prices and availability may vary 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.

PODS has tons of insurance, whether your stuff is at home, a storage facility, or on the road. SMARTBOX has none. This one’s easy.

Winner: PODS

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Our pick: PODS

PODS is a great company (and one of our best moving container companies). It’s that simple. While SMARTBOX has lower prices, PODS gets outstanding customer reviews. You can also find a PODS facility in nearly every state, while SMARTBOX is available in less than half of the country. PODS has three sizes of steel containers to choose from, but SMARTBOX has only one, wood option. And so on.

We evaluated both companies in nearly a dozen different ways, and PODS came out on top almost every time (although SMARTBOX has lower and more straightforward pricing). But we agree with customers: PODS is an excellent moving container company.

Winner: PODS

Looking for a moving container that's better in almost every way?

Other moving container picks

PODS is an exceptional company, but some of the others aren’t too bad either:

Moving container FAQ

What is a portable moving container?

A portable moving container is a storage container that you can move from one place to another. It functions as both a moving truck (minus the wheels) and a portable storage unit.

What do customers say in SMARTBOX reviews?

Customers often leave SMARTBOX reviews saying it’s hard to reach company reps on the phone. The frustration is evident in SMARTBOX’s relatively low customer review score of 1.9 out of 5 stars.

How much are SMARTBOX portable storage containers?

SMARTBOX portable storage containers cost about $3,107 for the average move. Costs range from approximately $2,317 to $3,688 depending on your home’s size and the distance of your move.

What are the best container companies?

The best container companies are PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, U-Pack, Zippy Shell, and U-Haul according to Move.org. These companies stand out because of their low costs, wide availability, and high quality.

What are the best storage unit companies?

The best storage unit companies are Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, Life Storage, U-Haul and Neighbor.com. Learn why Move.org ranks these storage unit companies above the rest of the competition.

Is PODS a storage company?

Yes, PODS is a storage company—and a moving company. PODS specializes in portable storage containers you can move from one place to another and store at your home or a PODS warehouse.

What is a good portable storage company for a local move?

PODS is a good portable storage company for a local move. It has the lowest prices for moves under 500 miles and has locations in nearly all 50 states.

Does PODS have multiple containers?

Yes, PODS has multiple containers. The company has three sizes of containers ranging from approximately 8 to 16 feet in length. However, the medium-size container is available for local moves only.

PODS container sizes
Size
Dimensions
No. of rooms
Availability

Small

8 ft. x 7 ft. 8 ft.

1

Local and long-distance

Medium

12 ft. x 8 ft. x 8 ft.

2–3

Local only

Large

16 ft. x 8 ft. x 8 ft.

3–4

Local and long-distance

Data as of August 2024. Container sizes are estimates. Customers are responsible for assessing the container capacity for their belongings.

Kurt Manwaring
Written by
Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade’s worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.