PODS Vs. U-Haul: Which Is Best For You? (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to use PODS or U-Haul? ›

U-Haul's U-Box tends to be less expensive than PODS, particularly if you need to rent only one or two containers. U-Haul's storage rates are much less expensive in most cases. Prices will vary based on your starting location and new destination, so get free quotes from any moving company you contact.

PODS might be lesser known for using the containers for moving but its a good option for local moves. PODS can be more expensive for long-distance moves but it has stronger containers than competitors. PODS offers flexibility with its containers, which is great if you don't know how long you need to store something.

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.

For example, while you might expect to pay up to $5,000 for a 1,000-mile move with PODS, you're likely to pay between $5,500 and $9,200 for professional movers to travel the same distance.

Portable containers are ideal for long-distance moves or moving across the country, especially if you haven't quite settled on your final destination or new home address. PODS makes it easy with storage built into every move, so you can take your time finding a new place.

Laundry pods are more concentrated than standard liquid detergent, which is often diluted. This gives you more active ingredients per load in a smaller package without sacrificing cleaning power. For example, Laundry Sauce Pods are 4x more concentrated than traditional liquid laundry detergents.

The main drawback of a POD account is that it is not possible to name alternate beneficiaries to your account.

What can't I load in a PODS container? Items that are considered hazardous materials, flammable/combustible liquids, compressed gases, perishable items, and explosives are strictly prohibited from being stored and/or moved in a PODS container.

1-800-PACK-RAT and U-Pack are two of PODS' biggest competitors, both offering a wide range of moving container services across the country. Additional competitors include U-Haul U-Box and SmartBox, which also offer large-scale moving container services and multiple locations in most states.

What's better, U-Pack or PODS? ›

PODS and U-Pack both feature nationwide availability and multiple container size options, but each provider is uniquely suited to different move types. PODS offers three container size options for local moves, while U-Pack provides more cost-effective options for larger long-distance moves.

PODS storage unit prices start at $149/month. Delivery and pick-up fees average $74.99. In most cases, delivery and pick-up charges can be waived depending on the duration of your container rental.

The cost of a 16-foot pod container is typically between $300 and $800 for a local move, and between $1,000 and $5,700 for a long-distance or cross country move.

PODS customers generally leave better reviews than 1-800-PACK-RAT customers. 1-800-PACK-RAT has an average of 2.4 out of 5 stars, while PODS has 3.1 out of 5 stars. Customers routinely give PODS much higher reviews than 1-800-PACK-RAT's customers. They especially love PODS' customer service.

The average cost to hire a mover is between $40 and $80 per hour. Most moves need at least two movers to get the job done. However, you should expect to pay between $80 and $400 per hour depending on how many bedrooms you're moving, if you have any specialty items, etc.

Laundry pods tend to be more expensive than other types of laundry detergent due to production and transportation costs. This may not be the best choice if you are staying within a certain budget. Despite the appeal of their convenience, laundry pods contain ingredients that are detrimental to the environment.

PODS costs are typically higher than what you'd have to pay for a truck rental — though MoveBuddha customers can get a 10% discount. New customers are also eligible for several markdowns. For local moving, PODS gives new customers 10% off their initial delivery and 10% off first month's rental.

Jennifer Ahoni, principal scientist at Tide, takes that one step further and says pods not only perform better because they are measured correctly, but also because they have more concentrated cleaning ingredients.

Compared to 1-800-PACK-RAT, PODS offers the largest fleet and biggest network, with twice the locations and 3X the containers as 1-800-PACK-RAT. We also have 240+ secure Storage Centers nationwide. That means more availability for you, and more control when it comes to scheduling.