Seldom do we feel ready for our next move. We have at least learned to hunt for moving boxes well before our detailed moving schedule is finalized. We collect some boxes that are used, others are new and in perfect shape. Some boxes are too thin to transport books, while others seem like they’ll never crumple no matter how full they are packed.
Are you ready for a guide that simplifies the hunt for buying moving boxes and gives insight into the sturdiness and reliability of the boxes?
Buying sturdy, reliable, and affordable moving boxes is easier said than done. We’re here to help with this guide to the 11 best places to buy moving boxes.
ASSESSMENT FOR THE BEST PLACES TO BUY MOVING BOXES
During the research phase of this article, we evaluated several aspects of the boxes and rated them. We tried to make an apple-to-apple comparison but learned several companies provide options beyond the standard norms. Whenever specifications were more unique, we took note and adjusted the scores accordingly.
Our scoring was established to highlight the best moving boxes and the most affordable moving boxes. When we narrowed the list based on durability, we found 11 companies qualified for our assessment. We then focused on several other factors for this guide including price, specialty boxes, return policy, and shipping and delivery.
The dimensions of the boxes were categorized for a direct pricing comparison by small, medium, large, x-large, and specialty. Since several different measurements were categorized for each of the basic four sizes, we calculated the price per cubic foot for direct comparison and scoring.
Here is the following guide to the 11 best places to buy moving boxes starting with our first choice:
#1 The Home Depot
This store is ideal for those who need to go inside the store to get a feel for the product. They have regular boxes to help keep costs down and heavy-duty boxes for valuables and heavy objects like books. All of the products can be ordered online and then shipped via a carrier, delivered by a Home Depot employee, or set for pickup.
Regardless of delivery choice, the staff will prepare the order. If you only need a couple of boxes of a certain size, you’ll get the exact count instead of being forced to purchase a bundle of that size. The best thing about what this company offers is that they literarily have, at the time of our investigation, the least expensive high-quality boxes, not accounting for any sales.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x12″x12″
Medium: 22″x16″x15″
Large: 18″x18″x24″
X-Large: 22″x22″x22″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, TV, Picture, File, Ready Pack and Seal
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 90 days of the delivery date
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free in-store pickup, Free curbside pickup, Free 2 Day Delivery
SCORE
Affordability = 5
Specialty Options = 4.6
Return Policy = 4.9
Shipping/Delivery = 4.9
OVERALL SCORE = 4.85
#2 Lowe’s
Lowe’s offers the same types of advantages as Home Depot, but they have a minimum order of $49 to qualify for free shipping—probably not a deterrent unless you are only moving a dorm room worth of stuff.
Lowe’s offers one kit and the typical boxes that most others offer. Their small box is a tad bigger and their extra-large box a touch smaller than most. They also offer a heavy-duty box as well. Regardless of the sizing differences, Lowe’s maintains a very low price point per cubic feet of box.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x12″x12″
Medium: 18″x16″x18″
Large: 24″x18″x18″
X-Large: 22″x22″x21.5″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, Mirror, TV, Office & File
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 90 days of the delivery date
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free with Amazon Prime, Same Day Shipping, 2 Days Delivery
SCORE
Affordability = 4.9
Specialty Options = 4.7
Return Policy = 4.9
Shipping/Delivery = 4.9
OVERALL SCORE = 4.85
#3 U-Haul
U-Haul is the king of specialty boxes. They also have a good selection of kits to choose from. For instance, they offer a wine kit that includes sleeves for the bottles along with other supplies for packing the box and protecting the content. The vast amount of options suggest that U-Haul is an expert in boxing and moving.
Not all locations will have the needed quantity unless it is ordered online for store pick up several days in advance.
When calling about the returns policy, we learned that they take care of customers with receipts long beyond their standard 90-day return policy.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x10″x10″
Medium: 18″x14″x12″
Large: 20″x20″x15″
X-Large: 23″x23″x16″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, Mirror, TV, Office & File, Glasses, Dishes, luggage, Lamp, letter tote, electronics, sport utility, and others.
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 90 days of delivery date, but have taken care of customers with receipts long past that date.
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free shipping for orders over $99
SCORE
Affordability = 4.7
Specialty Options = 5
Return Policy = 4.9
Shipping/Delivery = 4.6
OVERALL SCORE = 4.80
#4 Uline
This family-owned business may be a surprise entry, as Uline is the largest distributor of commercial and industrial shipping and packaging materials. Many small businesses use their products on a regular basis. For those who like to protect their gear, their specialty boxes include guitar, rifle, tennis racquet, skateboard, golf, mattress, keyboard, ski, snowboard, surfboard, to name a few.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x12″x12″
Medium: 18″x18″x16″
Large: 18″x18″x24″
X-Large: 24″x24″x18″ and 22”x22”x22”
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, Mirror, TV, Office & File, and lots more
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 30 days of delivery date using an authorization number
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Varies based on location and UPS ground shipping rates
SCORE
Affordability = 4.4
Specialty Options = 5
Return Policy = 4.7
Shipping/Delivery = 4.7
OVERALL SCORE = 4.70
#5 UBOXES.com
UBOXES is a leading supplier of factory direct-to-consumer boxes. Their products are also easily assessable through Amazon. Their boxes are very strong and meet the standard 32 Edge Crush Test with a 200 lbs. test strength. Since they ship 100,000 boxes a day, they are able to package moving kit packages from bedrooms to dorm rooms. The company’s accessories are eco-friendly and recyclable.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x10″x10″
Medium: 18″x14″x12″
Large: 20″x20″x15″
X-Large: 23″x23″x16″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, Mirror, TV, Office & File
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 30 days of the delivery date with a $5 restocking fee
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free with Amazon Prime, Same Day Shipping, 2 Days Delivery
SCORE
Affordability = 4.7
Specialty Options = 4.6
Return Policy = 4.5
Shipping/Delivery = 4.9
OVERALL SCORE = 4.68
#6 Walmart
Walmart has a wide range of boxes for sale including partner products like UBOXES. With a large number of stores available, Walmart becomes an easy destination to pick up boxes ordered online. However, they also offer free 2-day shipping for orders over $35. If you plan ahead, you might even be able to purchase boxes in advance when they “Rollback” their prices.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x10″x10″
Medium: 18″x14″x12″
Large: 20″x20″x15″
X-Large: 23″x23″x16″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, TV, Office & File
RETURN POLICY: Free 2 Days Delivery with $35 or Larger Purchase, Free Pickup In-Store, Free Delivery to Store for pickup.
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: In-Store returns or shipped back for free.
SCORE
Affordability = 4.6
Specialty Options = 4.6
Return Policy = 4.9
Shipping/Delivery = 4.6
OVERALL SCORE = 4.68
#7 Office Depot
Office Depot has a good assortment of boxes online. The product meets the store’s typical standards, while their return policy goes well above and beyond the call of duty. The store-branded boxes can be returned for a full refund at any time for any reason. This is by far the most generous return policy on this list.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x12″x12″
Medium: 18″x18″x16″
Large: 18″x18″x24″
X-Large: 24″x24″x18″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, Mirror, TV, Office & File
RETURN POLICY: Office Depot® Brand and OfficeMax® Brand products (excluding our brand Ink and Toner) may be exchanged or returned for a full refund at any time for any reason
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free delivery with $35 minimum purchase, Free one hour in-store pickup, Free delivery to store
SCORE
Affordability = 4.2
Specialty Options = 4.7
Return Policy = 5
Shipping/Delivery = 4.6
OVERALL SCORE = 4.63
#8 UsedCardboardBoxes.com
Purchasing used boxes play against the fear factor of a box breaking open and valuables crashing to the sidewalk. But these used boxes are of the highest quality and are guaranteed to function like a new box. The sizes vary depending on what truck the boxes were pulled from, but unless you need specific sizes the low cost and free shipping will give you a new perspective on taking advantage of used boxes.
BOX DIMENSIONS (ALL USED BOXES VARY IN SIZE)
Small: 16″x10″x10″ (New boxes only)
Medium: 19x13x14, or 19x11x16, or 23x15x10, etc.
Large: 23x15x16, or 20x16x16, or 20x16x20, etc.
X-Large: 21x14x22, or 24x20x17, or 24x16x18, etc.
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, TV, Mattress, Lamp, Office & File
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within three business days of receipt
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free, Same Day Shipping, 1-3 Days Delivery or 1-2 Days with Prime
SCORE
Affordability = 4.5
Specialty Options = 4.7
Return Policy = 4.4
Shipping/Delivery = 4.9
OVERALL SCORE = 4.63
#9 ebay
Most people don’t think about ebay as a source for boxes when considering a move. However, ebay offers more box sizes than anyone else. The reason is simple, the majority of their sellers need boxes of varying sizes so they provide discounted boxes to their sellers. The quality of the moving boxes is high and includes the UBOXES brand. Since ebay has over 1,000 sizes, the odds are they have whatever specialty box is needed.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x10″x10″
Medium: 18″x14″x12″
Large: 20″x20″x15″
X-Large: 23″x23″x16″
SPECIALTY BOXES: All the standard specialty boxes plus hundreds more
RETURN POLICY: This is dependent on the vendor/provider of the product
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Many ship for free, but each vendor/provider may have differing return policies
SCORE
Affordability = 4.5
Specialty Options = 4.9
Return Policy = 4.6
Shipping/Delivery = 4.5
OVERALL SCORE = 4.63
#10 Cheap Cheap Moving Boxes
When first learning about this vendor, most people question the quality level of the boxes and wonder if they are provided by UBOXES. However, Cheap Cheap Moving Boxes is a direct-to-consumer and direct-to-business box manufacturer. The best news is that the lowest price is guaranteed when purchased online. For those who use Amazon often, these boxes can be ordered and delivered through Amazon.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x10″x10″
Medium: 18″x14″x12″
Large: 20″x20″x15″
X-Large: 23″x23″x16″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Kitchen/Dish, Picture, TV, framed
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 90 days of the sale date
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free with Amazon Prime, Same Day Shipping, 2 Days Delivery
SCORE
Affordability = 4.1
Specialty Options = 4.5
Return Policy = 4.8
Shipping/Delivery = 4.9
OVERALL SCORE = 4.58
#11 Amazon
Amazon Basics, their private label brand, provides quality boxes at low prices. Intermixed within Amazon boxes are lots of boxes from most of the above box sellers at a higher price point. Many times a business-savvy person will find an item, raise its price, and release it on Amazon for a profit. This, unfortunately, makes finding the right box at the right price very difficult, no matter how convenient the typical amazon experience.
BOX DIMENSIONS
Small: 16″x10″x10″
Medium: 18″x14″x12″
Large: 20″x20″x15″
X-Large: 23″x23″x16″
SPECIALTY BOXES: Wardrobe, Dish Pack, Picture, TV, Mattress, Lamp, Office & File
RETURN POLICY: Returns allowed within 30 days
SHIPPING & DELIVERY: Free with Amazon Prime, Same Day Shipping, 2 Days Delivery
SCORE
Affordability = 4.0
Specialty Options = 4.7
Return Policy = 4.7
Shipping/Delivery = 4.9
OVERALL SCORE = 4.58
CALCULATING THE BEST MOVES
We used conversion calculators to determine which source offered the best places to buy moving boxes. The absolute best based on the combination of affordability, specialty options, return policy, and shipping/delivery are easily found at Home Depot. What is not found at Home Depot or in any of the above sources is a box big enough to move a car.
Calculating the moving costs associated with a car and all of its factors is done easily with the right tool. Nexus Auto Transport makes available their free online auto shipping costs calculator to help those preparing for a move. You can also use our moving cost estimator to determine the cost of moving your household items.
