Best Moving Container Companies in New York (2025)

Quick answer: Based on our in-depth research, PODS and U-Pack are our top recommendations for the best moving container companies in New York.

If you’re moving to or from New York City or other locations in The Empire State, moving containers can be a budget-friendly solution.

We’ve thoroughly reviewed dozens of companies and landed on the five best moving containers for shipments to and from New York, outlining the biggest benefits and drawbacks of each.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Our track record

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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PODS: Best for long-distance moves

Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
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Why we chose PODS

PODS is our pick for nationwide coverage. Of the providers on this list, it offers the widest service area with the flexibility to choose a container size that fits your needs.

We like that it offers three container sizes—eight, 12, and 16 feet—and unlimited time to load and unload at your own pace. The containers are level with the street, so you won’t have to worry about ramps during the loading process.

We’re also fans of PODS’ open-ended monthly storage policy. You can store your containers on your property or at a nearby PODS storage facility.

Pros and cons

  • Unlimited loading and unloading time
  • Offers third-party labor for packing and loading
  • Handles local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Doesn’t offer online quotes for long-distance moves
  • No street parking in New York City

How much does PODS cost?

PODS likes to discuss your move in person or by phone, so you won’t be able to request a quote online in most cases. However, you can start the process by submitting your info online. Within a couple of days, a representative will reach out by phone or email.

Our reader Bethany used PODS for her 2,800-mile cross-country move and paid $4,540, including professional movers for labor help, which was in line with her original quote from them.

PODS container sizes

If your move is a local one spanning 50 miles or less, you can book an eight-, 12- or 16-foot container, but PODS’ 12-foot container is only available for local moves. If you’re moving further than 50 miles, you’ll have to choose one of the other two container sizes.


  • Container sizes: 8-, 12-, 16-foot
  • Container material: Steel frame, weather-resistant polymer siding
  • Climate-controlled storage: No
  • Capacity: 402–835 cubic feet, 4,200–5,200 pounds

U-Pack: Best overall value

Best value container
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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Why we chose U-Pack

U-Pack is our top pick for overall value because it offers a seamless quote process you can complete entirely online, service to all 50 states, and one convenient container that takes the guesswork out of choosing the right size.

Due to its compact size, U-Pack’s standard eight-foot Relocube is easy to load and park, making it ideal for New York City and more congested areas.

Pros and cons

  • Doesn’t require a deposit
  • Highly competitive pricing for moves between 250 and 500 miles
  • Can add month-to-month storage rental
  • Only gives you three days for loading and unloading
  • Doesn’t service moves less than 150 miles

How much does U-Pack cost?

U-Pack quoted us $3,950 for a cross-country move from Queens, New York to Oakland, California. While U-Pack doesn’t always offer the lowest prices, most customers consider it to be a competitive pick.

U-Pack container sizes

  • Container sizes: 8-foot ReloCubes, 28-foot trailers
  • Container material: Steel
  • Climate-controlled storage: No
  • Capacity: ReloCubes: 308 cubic feet, 2,500 pounds. Trailer: 1,944 cubic feet, 22,500 pounds

MovingYourself: Best for large moves

best for large moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
read our full review
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Why we chose MovingYourself

MovingYourself isn’t a traditional storage container company, but it fills many of the same needs with its trucks, earning a spot on this list. While the company is newer (founded in 2022), it has a wide network of partner carriers it contracts for extra space on pre-planned truck routes.

This service model makes it easier to access competitive pricing for larger moves. MovingYourself allows you to fully customize your move to your needs, from shipping a sentimental playset from your old home to shipping your vehicle.

Pros and cons

  • Can ship cars and large equipment
  • No hidden fees
  • Only charges you for the space you use
  • Isn’t a traditional portable storage container
  • Doesn’t offer any local moving services

How much does MovingYourself cost?

Because MovingYourself brokers with partner carriers based on the amount of space you need, it’s harder to estimate a general range. Because of this, the company doesn’t offer instant quotes.

We recommend reaching out at least two weeks in advance to give representatives enough time to contact you and reserve your booking. This makes MovingYourself hard to beat for large moves.

MovingYourself container sizes

  • Container sizes: 22-foot and 53-foot moving trucks
  • Container material: Metal
  • Climate-controlled storage: No
  • Capacity: Varies

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for container options

Most container options
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Barn-style container doors make packing easier
  • Available for both local and long distance moves
  • $10k insurance included with option to purchase more
  • Free lock provided for container door
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Why we chose 1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT is our pick for best container options because it not only offers three sizes, but is also willing to price match competitors who beat its initial prices.

The company offers multiple insurance options up to $75,000, and it’s transparent about the monthly cost for these add-ons, which goes further than the typical content protection package.

All of 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers include 30 days of storage. You can choose to keep the container on your property or at the company’s facilities.

Pros and cons

  • Offers price matching
  • Access to climate-controlled storage options
  • Doesn’t require ramps to load or unload
  • Only services 31 states, limiting long distance moves to and from NY
  • Some online reviews complain of hidden fees

How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?

1-800-PACK-RAT requires customers to call its representatives during business hours to request a quote and reserve their booking, but we have pricing information through the Better Moves Project.

Our reader Batool paid $3,400 for one eight-foot container on her move from California to Texas, which included $10,000 in contents protection.

1-800-PACK-RAT container sizes

1-800-PACK-RAT offers the same container size options as PODS: eight-, 12-, and 16- feet. While many competitors have plastic or wood-constructed containers, 1-800-PACK-RAT containers have steel frames, walls, and doors.

  • Container sizes: 8-foot, 12-foot, 16-foot
  • Container material: All-steel construction
  • Climate-controlled storage: Yes (at some locations)
  • Capacity: 404–830 cubic feet, 4,000–6,000 pounds

Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves

Best for city to city moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.2 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Available for local and long distance moves
  • Street legal containers perfect for city parking
  • Innovative metal cage containers that promote airflow
  • Expedited and guaranteed delivery options
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Why we chose Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell is on this list for its adaptability to urban environments. While its street-legal containers aren’t a good fit for downtown areas like Manhattan, it can be a great option for less densely populated areas like Queens, where you may have better luck finding a spot.

We also like that it’s willing to accommodate rigid schedules by offering guaranteed and expedited delivery timelines for an extra fee. You can also easily add loading and unloading to your package and choose from multiple insurance options for flexible protection.

Pros and cons

  • Can store containers on your property for up to 45 days
  • Steel cage promotes airflow and prevents mold and mildew
  • Has multiple contents coverage plans
  • Smaller storage containers than competitors
  • Limited availability on 10-foot containers

How much does Zippy Shell cost?

Zippy Shell doesn’t offer online quotes, so you’ll have to call to request an estimate.

In 2022, our reader Michelle paid $4,000 to move from New Jersey to Virginia. She was originally quoted $3,090, but a last-minute snafu required her to transport her items from a local terminal.

Zippy Shell container sizes

The company offers 10-foot and 15-foot containers, as well as a 22-foot trailer. The internal capacity of the containers is slightly smaller than competitors, so be sure to compare sizes when evaluating Zippy Shell vs. PODS and other top companies.


  • Container sizes: 10-foot and 15-foot; 22-foot trailer
  • Container material: All-steel construction
  • Climate-controlled storage: Yes (at some locations)
  • Capacity: 420–680 cubic feet, 3,500–5,500 pounds

Local NY moving container companies

Looking for a smaller local moving container company in NY? Here are a few top options:


Comparing the best moving container companies in New York

Here’s a quick comparison of the availability, container options, and pricing for providers on this list.

Provider BBB Rating State Availability Container Options
U-Pack A+ 50 8-foot
PODS A+ 46* 8-foot
12-foot
16-foot
MovingYourself A- 48** Up to 52 feet
1-800–PACK-RAT A+ 31^ 8-foot
12-foot
16-foot
Zippy Shell A+ 34^^ 16-foot

*Not in AK, MT, ND, or WY
**Not in AK or HI
^Not in AL, AK, AR, DE, HI, IA, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, WI, or WY
^^Not in AK, AR, DE, HI, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, or WY


How we picked the best New York moving container companies

All the moving companies on this list earned their spot after going through a rigorous methodology that considered the following:

  • Customer satisfaction: Customer reviews were weighted the highest because real-life moving experiences are a great indicator of what you can expect throughout the moving process.
  • Services: In this section, we evaluated each company’s storage unit and storage facility availability, pickup and drop-off process, and the weather-proofing of its containers.
  • Reputation: We looked up each company’s Better Business Bureau accreditation, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)  licensure, and association with professional organizations.
  • Add-on options: Not everyone wants to DIY every part of the moving process, so we looked into third-party packing and unpacking and loading and unloading services, as well as insurance and long-term storage.
  • Service area: We dug into each moving container company’s state and international availability and ability to service urban and rural areas.
  • Payment methods: In this section, we considered how easy it was to get a quote online, pay required deposits, and finalize outstanding fees at the end of the moving process.
  • Scheduling: Finally, we assessed how easy it was to secure our desired moving dates, the convenience of each company’s pickup and drop-off windows, and the company’s communication throughout the moving process.

Compare moving container sizes

The best portable storage container size for you will likely depend on your desired moving services and the size of your home. We’ve put together this simple size to help you estimate the right size shipping container for your situation.

Container Size Ideal for
8-foot containers Studio apartment, or approximately 500 square feet of belongings
10-foot containers One-bedroom home, or approximately 500–800 square feet of belongings
16-foot containers Two-bedroom home, or up to approximately 1,200 square feet of belongings

Many storage companies offer container estimators before you get a quote, so you can streamline the moving process. If you have a larger move, you may need to rent multiple containers or take advantage of the 52-foot moving trucks available through MovingYourself.

Moving containers vs. full-service movers

Moving containers

Portable storage solutions offer the convenience of pickup and drop-off at your new home without the expense of full-service moving services. While you can DIY your move with one of the best rental trucks, this option doesn’t offer much in the way of long-term storage.

With a storage container, you can often store your belongings safely and securely onsite without the need to schedule a visit to a storage facility to access your belongings.

Moving containers will require you to do much of the moving labor unless you decide to hire a third party for loading or packing services.

Professional movers

Professional movers like Safeway Moving and JK Moving Services offer a hassle-free moving experience. That said, professional movers come with a much higher price tag than storage pods.

We recommend you take an honest inventory of your capacity before deciding. Do you need storage options? Are you willing to spend days unpacking and unloading or would you rather have everything done for you?

You’ll also want to get a quote from several providers using our moving cost calculator to identify the best value. Check out our best long-distance movers page to compare all your options.

Our take

We recommend all our readers request a quote from PODS, U-Pack, and MovingYourself at minimum to find the best value.

While PODS has a slightly smaller service area, it makes up for it with three container sizes and live shipment tracking, and U-Pack offers a lot of bang for your buck.

MovingYourself disrupts the moving container industry by offering the same “you-load-we-drive” service model with a whopping 52 feet of available space.

FAQ

Can you use PODS moving in NYC?

Yes, you can use PODS to move in NYC, but you may need to request loading and unloading help or terminal-to-terminal delivery because PODS containers aren’t street-legal.

Ask Zippy Shell about its street-legal containers in less crowded areas. For example, you may have an easier time finding onsite storage for locations outside of Manhattan, like Queens or Brooklyn.

What is the cheapest container shipping company?

U-Pack is the cheapest container shipping company, according to our quotes, but 1-800-PACK-RAT offers price matching, so don’t be afraid to haggle if you get competitive pricing elsewhere.

Which moving container company is the best?

PODS is our best overall value due to its impressive reputation, offering of different sized containers, and flexible storage policy. However, we recommend you request quotes from all the providers on this list or use our moving cost calculator to find the best value for your moving needs.

What cannot be moved in a pod?

You cannot moving the following in a moving and storage pod:

  • Perishable food items
  • Plants
  • Cleaning materials or toxic chemicals
  • Fuel
  • Lawn mowers and motorized vehicles
  • Any illegal items

We’d also recommend caution when packing family heirlooms or sensitive documents. While these items aren’t prohibited, moving them in a storage container may expose them to irreparable damage.

Are moving containers better than hiring movers?

Moving containers can be better than hiring movers if you’re on a tight budget, need temporary storage, or have time to pack and load your belongings. However, hiring movers might be the best option if you’re on a tight schedule, have a large home, or have a disability that would make it difficult to do the labor on your own.

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