- January 19, 2021
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Moving can be stressful. There are a lot of things that you must consider. One thing you should not underestimate is the importance of the purchasing the right kind of moving boxes. You have many options. The cheapest option would be to gather boxes from retailers or save your Amazon delivery boxes. However, that takes a lot of time. This could be supplemental for things that don’t break easily. For everything else though, it is often worth it to spend the money to buy quality moving boxes. This will make your move easier. There are many places that you can buy moving boxes. This guide will discuss the best place to buy moving boxes.
The Best Places to Buy Moving Boxes
Local Home Improvement Stores
Your local home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s provide competitive options for buying moving boxes.
| Home Depot | Lowe’s |
| Available Sizes: Extra Small 15 in. L x 12 in. W x 10 in. D Small 16 in. L x 12 in. W x 12 in. D Medium 22 in. L x 16 in. W x 15 in. D Large 28 in. L x 15 in. W x 16 in. D Extra Large 22 in. L x 22 in. W x 21-1/2 in. D Corrugated Type Options: Heavy-Duty Standard Notes: Recommends using heavy-duty corrugated type for shipping (including shipping containers). Offers an extra small size that Lowe’s does not. |
Available Sizes: Small 16-in W x 12-in H x 12-in D Medium 18-in W x 16-in H x 18-in D Large 24-in W x 18-in H x 18-in D Extra Large 22-In L x 22-in W x 21.5-in D Corrugated Type Options: Standard Notes: Extra-large size is cheaper than Home Depot, but does not have hole handles for easy carrying. |
All boxes have an edge crush test (ECT) rating of 32. This tells you how much weight it would take to crush the box. The higher the rating, the more durable the box.
Some of the benefits of buying from big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s are:
- They have many locations.
- You can easily return them if you end up having too many. Make sure you keep your receipt!
- Both stores offer in-store pickup. You can order online and pick them up at your convenience without having to waste time finding them in the store.
- They’re made from 100% recycled material. They can be reused or recycled after you’re done with them.
Amazon.com – Most popular choice to buy moving boxes
Another option is to purchase boxes online. Of course, the most popular choice would be Amazon.
The Bankers Box Smooth Move Classic Moving Boxes (https://www.amazon.com/Bankers-Box-SmoothMove-Tape-Free-7714203/dp/B00GMOOB08) are rated as most durable on Amazon. They’re available in many different sizes and combinations, one of which is a moving kit which includes 10 small and 20 medium boxes. This package costs $78.64.
You can also get a pack of 10 large boxes for $61.61. Both are eligible for free Prime delivery so you can have them in two days.
These boxes are also recyclable and reusable, with an ECT rating of 32. One thing that makes these boxes superior though, is that no tape is required. As the company’s name implies, the boxes are styled like the boxes used by bankers to store files. This includes hole handles and a lift-top lid. This makes it easier to open and close the boxes if you need to, without the hassle of tape.
Some other benefits of these boxes are:
- They have durable, double end, double bottom construction.
- Easy set-up.
- The lid ships attached so that it doesn’t get lost, then tears off easily for use.
- Made in the USA.
Dimensions of the Bankers Box moving boxes are as follows:
| Size | Dimensions |
| Small | 15″ L x 12″ W x 10″ H |
| Medium | 18″ L x 15″ W x 14″ |
| Large | 21″ L x 17″ W x 17″ H |
The small boxes are recommended for compact or heavy items. The medium moving boxes are recommended for mid-weight items. The large moving boxes are recommended for lighter, bulkier items. They also offer wardrobe boxes for hanging items, file boxes for personal records and documents, and TV boxes adjustable up to 40” x 50” for TVs, mirrors, and pictures.
If you don’t care about the brand and want to save a little money, Amazon offers a similarly designed product in its Amazon Basics line. A 20 pack of the same sized small boxes costs $37.94 and a 10 pack of just slightly larger (19” x 14.5” x 15.5”) medium moving boxes costs $30.03.
The Amazon Basics product doesn’t list its ECT rating and there are some negative reviews stating that the boxes aren’t very sturdy or thick. Depending on what you’re moving, the cost savings might not be worth it.
Walmart.com – Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit
Another option is the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit. You can purchase the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit from many places online. One of the places you can purchase the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit is Walmart. The Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit may also be available locally.
The Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit includes ten small boxes and twenty medium boxes. The Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit also includes a roll of packing tape to close your boxes and a permanent marker to label your boxes.
Of course, if you have more than two rooms or need more boxes, you can just buy more Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kits. Each Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit costs $59.95.
The dimensions of the boxes in the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit are:
| Size | Dimensions |
| Small | 16 x 10 x 10″ |
| Medium | 18 x 14 x 12″ |
The Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit offers 44 cubic feet of space for your things. It includes a 110-yard roll of packing tape that you can use to secure your boxes. The tape is hot melt tape and will easily seal your boxes. The included marker lets you label and write the contents of the box for ease of use when you’re unpacking.
You can save time by placing the boxes in the appropriate rooms where they’ll need to be unpacked so that you don’t have to do any unnecessary moving. Since the boxes in the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit are small and medium, they are great for storing compact and heavier items. They won’t accommodate larger or more bulky items, but you can easily purchase other boxes for that.
The benefit of purchasing your moving supplies at Walmart or similar retailers is that you can pick up other things that you might need for your move or otherwise at the same time. They also offer the convenient order online and drive-up pickup option. They will bring it out to your car for you or you can pick it up in the store.
U-haul
One of the best places to buy moving boxes is moving places like U-haul. Because they are experts in providing everything related to moving, including vehicles, they are one of the best places to buy moving boxes.
U-haul sells moving boxes in kits and individually. For example, they have an apartment kit which includes enough for a studio apartment or a small move. It includes small and medium boxes, bubble wrap, cushion foam, a flat screen TV cover, three rolls of tape, and markers to label your moving boxes.
The kit is also customizable so that you can add additional pieces as needed. For example, if you need more than the 15 included medium moving boxes, you can add additional medium moving boxes for $1.49 each. This price is competitive with those of Home Depot and Lowe’s.
The medium moving box dimensions are 18 1/8” x 18” x 16” (W x L x H), 3 cu/ft. Each medium sized moving box holds up to 65 pounds and has an ECT rating of 32. They also feature the built-in handles for easy carrying.
These moving boxes meet UPS, USPS, and FedEx shipping requirements. Like Home Depot, U-haul offers a buy-back guarantee so you can return any unused shipping boxes to any of their locations nationwide. This makes it convenient if you are making a long-distance move. Just be sure to keep your receipt.
One of the reasons that U-haul is the best place to buy moving boxes is the wide variety of options of kits and different sized moving boxes that they offer. The table below provides just a few of the prices of some of their available products, though their website offers much more (https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Boxes/).
They also offer free in-store pickup as well as same day delivery. Of course, another benefit is that you can also rent a moving truck at the same place if you’ll be doing the move yourself. They also offer storage units and shipping containers if you need those.
Frequently Asked Question:
How much do moving boxes cost?
Since U-haul offers the most comprehensive selection of moving boxes, this list will give you a general idea of how much moving boxes cost:
| Product | Cost |
| Apartment Kit | $89.79 |
| 1-2 Bedroom Kit | $196.24 |
| 3-4 Bedroom Household Kit | $283.38 |
| 4+ Bedroom Master Pak Moving Kit | $439.67 |
| Medium Moving Box | $1.37 |
| Large Moving Box | $1.67 |
| Small Moving Box | $0.87 |
| Extra-Large Moving Box | $2.37 |
| Book Moving Box | $1.25 |
| Easy Pak Moving Box Kit | $39.95 |
| Dish Saver Moving Box Kit | $10.95 |
| Glass Pack Moving Box Kit | $10.95 |
| Cell Kit | $5.95 |
| Dish saver Glass Pack Moving Box | $4.00 |
| Wine Shipping Kits | $7.95 |
| Small Wardrobe Box | $10.95 |
| Laydown Wardrobe Box | $5.95 |
| Medium Wardrobe Box | $11.95 |
| Large Wardrobe Box | $13.95 |
| EZ Wardrobe Moving Box | $11.95 |
| Shorty Wardrobe Moving Box | $8.95 |
Who has the best prices on moving boxes?
The best price on moving boxes will be determined by how big your move is and what exactly your needs are. You won’t always be comparing apples to apples. For example, the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit sells for $59.95 at Walmart and the 1-2 bedroom it from U-haul costs $196.24.
However, the Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit includes ten small boxes and twenty medium boxes. The Uboxes 2 Room Economy Moving Kit also includes a roll of packing tape to close your boxes and a permanent marker to label your boxes.
Meanwhile, the U-haul 1-2 bedroom moving boxes kit includes 15 small moving boxes, 25 medium moving boxes, 10 large moving boxes, 3 large wardrobe boxes, 1 cushion foam, 100 sheets of packing paper, a dish saver kit, a glass pack kit, a flat screen TV cover, three 55-yard rolls of box packaging paper tape, a set of box markers and a knife, two 15’ rolls of bubble wrap, a sealable queen/king mattress bag, and 5” of mover’s stretch plastic wrap.
Clearly, the U-haul option includes much more. It includes more boxes as well as more supplemental supplies to secure your belongings and make the move easier. This may be attractive for some, but unnecessary for others. You’ll have to determine what fits your situation the best.
If you want to compare the cost per box, the cost of a medium box is:
| Retailer | Cost of Medium Moving Box |
| Home Depot | $1.34 |
| Lowe’s | $1.44 |
| Banker’s Box on Amazon | $3.49 ($34.99 for a pack of 10) |
| U-Haul | $1.37 |
The Banker’s Box is considerably more expensive than the three other retailers, but they also offer more convenience and durability. You’ll want to weigh those features against the cost when selecting the right moving boxes for you.
Where is the best place to buy moving boxes?
The best place to buy moving boxes will depend on a variety of factors. This includes the size of your move, what you’re moving, whether it’s a long-distance or local move, the items you’ll be moving, and personal preferences.
U-haul offers the most convenient and customizable moving box packages. They provide a baseline of supplies you’ll need depending on the size of your move. You’re then able to customize and add or remove additional supplies as needed. It’s also just as easy to return any unused supplies after your move as long as you save your receipt.
All of the retailers listed offer boxes that are the same durability, with ECT ratings of 32. The Banker’s Box moving box sets on Amazon though provide a more convenient design with the lift-top lids. They are considerably more expensive though, at more than double the price. But it may be worth it depending on your situation. The extra cost can be justified by the additional peace of mind that you’ll have knowing that your belongings will be safe.
You’ll also need to consider whether you’ll be moving yourself, hiring movers, or shipping your belongings. If you’re hiring movers or shipping your belongings, the heavy-duty boxes are recommended and those aren’t available at Lowe’s. Home Depot and U-haul offer them though.
The Best Places to Get Free Moving Boxes
Who doesn’t love free? Here are some great ideas for getting free moving boxes.
Online
- Facebook Marketplace (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace)
- Offer Up (https://offerup.com/)
- Next door (https://nextdoor.com/)
- Craiglist (https://newyork.craigslist.org/) *default, change to your location
- Free cycle (https://www.freecycle.org/)
People usually post that they have boxes available from their recently completed moves. These boxes could be new because they might have purchased too many. These boxes could also be used, but still in good condition.
It’s worth checking them out. Many of the sellers on these sites are willing to meet you to handoff the moving boxes. This is recommended for your safety. You should always meet in public places.
Family and Friends
Another great option for free moving boxes is family and friends. Almost everyone has Amazon and other retail shipping boxes laying around from recent orders. As you prepare to move, ask that your loved ones save their boxes for you.
Unless it’s a small move, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to save enough free moving boxes on your own. Although family and friends are almost always happy to help save you free moving boxes.
Local Stores and Businesses
You can also salvage boxes from retailers such as:
- Walmart
- Costco
- Pet smart
- Sam’s Club
- Home Depot
- Office Depot
- Target
- K-Mart
- Best Buy
- Bookstores
- Offices
If you go this route though, be sure to ask first so that you’re not taking anything without the proper authorization. By asking the manager of the store, you’ll usually find that they’re happy to let you take boxes for your move since they’ll be throwing them out anyway.
You’ll want to consider that these boxes weren’t designed for moving. Therefore, they may not be as sturdy. However, they provide a cheap and viable option, especially if you are moving locally or have items that aren’t very fragile, such as clothes.
