THE VERDICT: U-Pack barely edges out PODS. U-Pack’s transparent pricing, quick delivery times, and extensive national coverage for long distance moves put the company ahead of the competition.
U-Pack and PODS are heavyweights in the moving and storage container niche.
PODS pioneered the use of portable containers nearly three decades ago
U-Pack is backed by shipping giant ABF
Though the companies offer similar services, there are subtle differences.
We compiled pricing, service, and availability data to help you decide whether to use PODS or U-Pack.
Before reading on, check out these helpful resources:
How much will your move cost? – Our moving cost calculator is a great resource. Just enter your move dates, origin and destination cities, and the estimated size of your move, and let the magic algorithms do the rest
Best interstate movers – The moving industry is full of shady players. With so much at stake, it’s worth hiring a top-rated long-distance mover with verified customer reviews
Best moving container companies – It’s simple. You load and unload, they drive, and you save big bucks
How the moving container business works
It couldn’t be easier –
1. You get quotes online or over the phone
2. You schedule a time to have your empty container(s) delivered
3. You load the container at your own pace (or hire labor through a company like HireAHelper)
4. The company transports your container to your new home
5. You unload it
6. They pick it up when it’s empty
PODS vs. U-Pack: pros and cons
Let’s start with the pros and cons.
Take a look, then read on for more comprehensive reviews.
PODS: multiple container sizes, lenient change, and cancellation policies
PODS pros
PODS cons
Container moves are generally more affordable than full-service movers
Military and new customer discounts
Flexible change and cancelation policy
Big moving windows that can be extended as needed
Containers can be used for moving and storage
On and offsite storage is available
Multiple container sizes
You load and unload and leave the driving to professionals
Great nationwide (and some international) coverage
Online shipment tracking
Various insurance options
The website lacks some basic information
Some quotes can’t aren’t available online, which means you’ll have to call
Many bookings have to be made by phone — there’s no online option to book long-distance moves
Often sell out during peak times, so reservations should be made well in advance
Moving containers should be sturdy and weatherproof to keep your items safe during transit.
PODS and U-Pack use high-quality metal containers that are available in multiple sizes.
Here’s how they stack up:
PODS
U-Pack
Number of different container sizes
3
2
What are the container sizes?
7-foot
12-foot
16-foot
5’10” U-Pack Relocube 27’ (interior length) U-Pack trailer – only pay for the space you use
Storage available for all container sizes?
Yes
Yes
Interior space (in cubic feet)
390-1,008
305-1,800
Container material
Metal
Metal
Takeaways –
PODS has three metal container sizes to choose from
U-Pack customers can choose Relocubes or freight trailers
With freight trailers, customers only pay for the floor space they use
PODS vs. U-Pack: how much do container moves cost?
We get it; price is important.
Cost for local moves
PODS cost
U-Pack cost
1 bedroom
$200 – $400
No local moves
2-3 bedrooms
$300 – $650
No local moves
4-5 bedrooms
$300 – $800
No local moves
Cost for moves under 250 miles
PODS cost
U-Pack cost
1 bedroom
$450 – $800
$900 – $1,300
2-3 bedrooms
$750 – $1,900
$1,100 – $1,700
4-5 bedrooms
$900 – $2,100
$1,200 – $1,900
Cost for long-distance moves
PODS cost
U-Pack cost
1 bedroom
$2,000 – $4,000
$1,500 – $2,500
2-3 bedrooms
$3,000 – $4,900
$2,400 – $3,900
4-5 bedrooms
$5,500 – $7,600
$3,500 – $6,600
Just remember, these are “ballpark” figures.Your actual move costs will vary based on:
Your origin and destination locations
When you move
How much you have
Average fuel cost at the time of your move
Which company you use
PODS vs. U-Pack: which moving container company is right for you?
U-Pack is our top pick for several reasons, but other companies may be a better fit for some customers.
In the end,PODS and U-Pack are both solid choices.Check out the following two posts to see what recent participants in our Better Move Project said about their moves.
U-Pack, U-Pack barely edges out PODS. U-Pack's transparent pricing, quick delivery times, and extensive national coverage for long-distance moves put the company ahead of the competition. U-Pack and PODS are heavyweights in the moving and storage container niche.
From U-Box to Pack Rat, UNITS, Zippy Shell, U-Pack, U-Haul, and SmartBox, each of these companies offers unique features and services that cater to different moving scenarios. Whether you're moving locally, long-distance, or cross-country, these PODS alternatives provide a range of options to choose from.
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.
U-Pack is a Self-Move Service That Puts You In Control
We believe in transparent pricing, and we don't hide any fees or charges. The price you see in your quote is the price you'll pay, provided there are no changes to your moving details.
PODS and U-Pack offer service ranges that cater to different moving needs. PODS provides more container options than U-Pack — three compared to one — and both local and long-distance moving capabilities. U-Pack, on the other hand, offers a 28-foot trailer option for larger homes that has more space than its container.
Quick answer: The best PODS competitors include U-Pack, 1-800-Pack-Rat, Zippy Shell, MovingPlace, and U-Haul U-Box. While PODS is one of the biggest and best moving container companies out there, you should always compare them to other major storage container competitors.
Sizes: The inside of each ReloCube measures 70” x 82” x 93” and can hold up to 2,500 pounds – or roughly one full room of furniture and boxes. U-Pack provides an easy Moving Space Estimator tool to help customers figure out exactly how many ReloCubes they will need to order for their upcoming move.
The 16-foot container is PODS' largest and most popular size for local and long-distance moves and for storage, holding the contents for a space up to 1,200 square feet. Fits contents from a 1- to 2-bedroom apartment or small home (3 to 4 rooms).
U-Pack is a legitimate moving company that provides services in all 50 states of the U.S. With several delivery and pick-up options, solid insurance options and transparent pricing, U-Pack is a great option for anyone hoping to DIY their move without the help of a team of movers.
You can put a standard padlock on the door of the trailer while it's at your location — you'll just need to remove it before the driver picks it up. You can also place a lock on the bulkhead (divider wall), which stays there until you remove it at destination.
As we've mentioned, mods will give you the flexibility to pick and choose the PG and VG levels of your e-liquid to create that perfect vape, whereas pods make a great partner to the alternative and natural e-juice, nicotine salts. Nic salts prefer a lower temperature, which makes pods the ideal solution.
In most cases, a coffee pod fares better in terms of taste and aroma. At this point in this article, you already know that a coffee pod is simply ground coffee in a filter paper. So, when hot water comes in contact with this filter paper, it can go through easily.
Vape pods such as those in our Dart series offer superior airflow compared to their 510 cart relatives. This higher airflow rate means you can also vape more oil with the same amount of draw. Naturally, if you are vaping more oil you will deplete your pod faster than you would in a cart.
If I'm doing an easy load that doesn't require any extra care, I'll toss in pods. For items that come home dirtier than usual, it's time for a tougher bio detergent probably in pod form.
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