The 7 best portable storage and moving container companies, compared on price, container size, coverage and service.
A portable container is delivered to your driveway, you load it on your own schedule, and the company stores it or moves it for you. We compared the major providers so you can pick the right one for your move, renovation or storage project.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best overall: PODS
Three container sizes, the widest service network among traditional container companies, and 30 days of use included. See PODS deals
Best for long distance: U-Pack
Pay only for the space you use with ReloCubes or a shared trailer. Often the lowest price for moves over 100 miles.
Most durable: 1-800-PACK-RAT
All-steel containers in three sizes with swing-open barn doors.
Best budget pick: U-Box
Small, stackable wooden boxes priced per box, with pickup at thousands of U-Haul locations.
Best for city moves: Zippy Shell
Street-legal containers that fit in a regular parking space.
Best customer service: UNITS
Locally owned franchises with standout reviews and heavy-duty steel containers.
Portable Storage Container Comparison Table
| Company | Container sizes | Construction | Local or long distance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PODS | 8′, 12′, 16′ | Steel frame, weather-resistant panels | Both | Most moves and on-site storage |
| U-Pack | ReloCube (about 6′ x 7′ x 8′) or 28′ trailer | Steel ReloCube | Long distance only (100+ miles) | Cross-country value |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | 8′, 12′, 16′ | All steel | Both | Durability, long storage |
| U-Haul U-Box | One size (about 8′ x 5′ x 7′) | Plywood with vinyl cover | Both | Small moves, tight budgets |
| Zippy Shell | 10′, 15′ | Galvanized steel cage with weatherproof wrap | Both | Urban and street-parked moves |
| SMARTBOX | One size (about 8′ x 5′ x 7′) | Wood with weatherproof cover | Both, in covered metros | Packing at your own pace |
| UNITS | 12′, 16′ (8′ at some locations) | All steel | Both | Service and heavy loads |
Container sizes and service areas vary by location. Always confirm availability for both your pickup and delivery addresses.
How Much Do Portable Storage Containers Cost in 2026?
Container pricing is built from a few parts: delivery, the monthly container rental, any transport between cities, final pickup, and optional contents protection. That’s why quotes vary so much by company and ZIP code. These are typical 2026 ranges:
| Scenario | Typical total cost | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Storage at home during a renovation | $150–$300 per month plus delivery and pickup | Container size, local demand |
| Local move, 1-bedroom | $300–$700 | Delivery fees, days kept |
| Local move, 3-bedroom | $700–$1,500 | Number of containers |
| Long-distance move, 2-bedroom | $1,800–$4,500 | Distance, season, route demand |
| Cross-country move, 3–4 bedroom | $4,000–$7,500+ | Multiple containers, distance |
Ranges reflect 2026 quote data published by moving industry review sites. Summer moves and popular routes cost more; off-season and flexible dates cost less.
The 7 Best Portable Storage Container Companies
PODS
Best overall
PODS invented the modern portable storage business in 1998 and is still the name most people think of first. It offers three container sizes, delivers across most of the U.S. and parts of Canada, and includes your first 30 days with the container, so you aren’t rushed while packing. Containers are placed with PODZILLA, a lift system that keeps them level so your load doesn’t shift, and you can keep a container in your driveway or have it stored at a PODS storage center.
- 8′, 12′ and 16′ sizes for studios through 4-bedroom homes
- Local moves, long-distance moves and on-site storage
- 30 days included; keep it as long as you need
- Can cost more than U-Pack on long-distance routes
- Delivery windows can be tight in peak season
U-Pack
Best for long distanceU-Pack is built for moves of 100 miles or more. You can choose ReloCubes, steel containers that each hold about one room and can carry up to about 2,500 pounds, or a 28-foot moving trailer where you pay only for the linear feet you fill. If you reserve three ReloCubes but only use two, you only pay for two. U-Pack doesn’t handle local moves or long-term on-site storage, but for cross-country relocations it’s frequently the lowest quote.
- Pay-for-what-you-use pricing
- Trailer option for large homes
- Service to all 50 states and Canada
- No moves under 100 miles
- Limited time to load compared with PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
Most durable1-800-PACK-RAT uses all-steel containers in 8, 12 and 16-foot sizes, with barn-style doors that open wide for furniture and stay easy to use even if your load has shifted. The steel build makes it a strong choice for long storage periods or harsh weather. PACK-RAT and Zippy Shell operate under the same parent company, and PACK-RAT connects customers with local labor for packing and loading.
- All-steel, weather-resistant containers
- Three sizes, including 16′
- Strong pricing on many local and long-distance moves
- Smaller service area than PODS
- No instant online quote in some markets
U-Haul U-Box
Best budget pickU-Box containers are compact wooden boxes, each about 257 cubic feet and rated for roughly 2,000 pounds, or about one to one and a half rooms of belongings. Because you pay per box, U-Box scales well for small moves and partial storage. You can have boxes delivered, pick them up yourself with a trailer at thousands of U-Haul locations, or load at a U-Haul facility. Coverage across the U.S. and Canada is the broadest of any company on this list.
- Low per-box pricing for small moves
- Self-pickup and drop-off options
- Huge network of U-Haul locations
- Only one small size
- Plywood build is less rugged than steel
Zippy Shell
Best for city movesZippy Shell’s containers come in 10 and 15-foot sizes and are street legal, so they can be parallel parked like a car in many cities where other containers would need a permit. The design uses a galvanized steel mesh frame wrapped in a weatherproof cover for airflow. Zippy Shell consistently posts some of the lowest average prices among container companies, and every rental includes 30 days of storage.
- Fits in a standard parking space
- Frequently among the lowest quotes
- Military discounts available
- Coverage varies by franchise location
- Smaller sizes than PODS or UNITS
SMARTBOX
Best for packing at your paceSMARTBOX keeps it simple with one ground-level container that holds about a room to a room and a half, so there’s no ramp to climb while loading. When you’re done, SMARTBOX can move the box or keep it in temperature-controlled facility storage, which is a plus for sensitive items. It serves dozens of U.S. metro areas, but deliveries run on weekdays and the single size makes it a better fit for smaller homes.
- Easy ground-level loading
- Temperature-controlled facility storage
- Straightforward pricing
- One small container size
- Weekday deliveries only; limited metros
UNITS Moving and Portable Storage
Best customer serviceUNITS operates through locally owned franchises in more than 30 states, and it earns some of the best customer reviews in the industry. Its all-steel containers come in 12 and 16-foot sizes, with an 8-foot option at some locations, and the larger units can hold up to around 8,000 pounds. A robotic lift keeps containers level during placement, and UNITS facilities offer climate-controlled warehouse storage.
- Excellent customer reviews
- Heavy-duty steel with high weight limits
- Climate-controlled facility storage
- Pricing and policies vary by franchise
- Often priced a bit above average
How to Choose a Portable Storage Company
- Confirm coverage at both ends. Not every company serves every ZIP code. Check your pickup and delivery addresses before comparing prices.
- Estimate your container needs. As a rough guide, an 8-foot container holds a studio, a 12-foot container holds one to two bedrooms, and a 16-foot container holds two to three rooms of furniture. Larger homes usually need two containers.
- Decide where it will sit. Check driveway space, overhead clearance, slope and HOA or city rules. Street placement may need a permit, which is where Zippy Shell’s street-legal design helps.
- Compare the full quote. Look at delivery, monthly rent, transport, final pickup, fuel surcharges and contents protection, not just the headline monthly rate.
- Ask about timing. How many days do you have to load and unload? How far ahead do you need to book? Peak summer dates fill fast.
- Get at least three quotes. Prices for the same move can differ by hundreds or even thousands of dollars between companies.
Portable Containers vs. Truck Rental vs. Full-Service Movers
| Portable container | Rental truck | Full-service movers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who drives | The company | You | The company |
| Who loads | You or hired labor | You or hired labor | The movers |
| Packing timeline | Flexible, often 30 days | Tight, by the day | Scheduled by movers |
| Built-in storage | Yes | No | Sometimes, extra cost |
| Relative cost | Mid | Lowest | Highest |
Would you rather have professionals handle everything? Compare long-distance mover quotes or local mover quotes. If you need a traditional unit instead of a container, compare self storage prices near you.
Tips to Save on a Portable Storage Container
Use a promo code
Container companies run discounts regularly. Start with our PODS promo code.
Move off-peak
Mid-month, weekday and fall or winter moves are usually cheaper than summer weekends.
Declutter first
Every item you sell or donate may let you drop a container size or a whole container.
Pack tightly
Uniform boxes, disassembled furniture and floor-to-ceiling stacking make the most of every foot.
Keep it on-site
Storing the container at your home is often cheaper than facility storage, and you get easy access.
Ask about discounts
Many companies offer military, student or first-responder pricing.
Moving or storing with PODS?
Get the latest PODS discount before you book your container.
See PODS Promo CodesMoving long distance?
Compare U-Pack’s pay-for-what-you-use pricing for moves over 100 miles.
Get a U-Pack QuotePortable Storage Container FAQs
How much does a portable storage container cost?
Most people pay $90 to $300 a month to keep a container, plus delivery and pickup. A local move with one container typically runs $300 to $1,000 including the first month, and a long-distance two-bedroom move usually costs $1,800 to $4,500.
Which portable storage company is cheapest?
It depends on the move. U-Pack is often cheapest for long-distance moves because you pay only for the space you use. Zippy Shell and U-Box frequently come in lowest for smaller local moves. The only way to know for your route is to compare quotes.
What size portable storage container do I need?
An 8-foot container generally fits a studio or a room or two of storage. A 12-foot container fits a one- or two-bedroom apartment, and a 16-foot container fits about two to three rooms. Larger homes typically need two containers.
Can I keep a portable storage container in my driveway?
Usually, yes, as long as you have a flat area with enough room and overhead clearance. Some HOAs and cities limit how long a container can stay or require a permit for street placement, so check local rules first.
Are portable storage containers waterproof?
Steel containers from PODS, PACK-RAT and UNITS are built to be weather resistant, while wood and mesh designs rely on covers. For long-term storage of sensitive items, consider the company’s climate-controlled facility storage.
Is a moving container cheaper than hiring movers?
Generally, yes. Container moves typically cost about 30 percent less than full-service movers because you handle the packing and loading. Renting a truck is usually cheaper still, but you have to drive it yourself.
What can’t I put in a portable storage container?
Most companies prohibit hazardous and flammable materials, perishable food, live plants and animals, and firearms or ammunition. Keep irreplaceable items, important documents and valuables with you.
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