Article takeaways
- Portable storage units are the ultimate in storage convenience. These durable compartments are delivered to your home, and picked up at your convenience for delivery to the unit’s storage facility or your new location.
- U-Haul U-Box and PODS are both quality, reputable choices. U-Box is generally cheaper and well-suited for smaller moves, while PODS offers multiple sizes and more flexibility to fit a variety of moving and storage scenarios.
- Compare delivery, pickup and storage fees to determine if U-Box or PODS is cheaper for your move. Base pricing may appear to be similar, but the final costs may vary.
- Portable storage pods require space. These units are parked at your home, so consider any driveway or parking space constraints before you choose a portable unit.
- Portable storage is durable, but build materials differ. PODS containers are made of steel frames and weather-resistant paneling, while U-Box is built from heavy-duty plywood and a weather-resistant cover.
Stressed about an upcoming move? Need an off-site storage unit, but dread the thought of truck rentals, tight schedules, loading and unloading? This article is for you.
Welcome to the wonderful world of portable storage units, where moving and off-site storage is as simple as packing a unit delivered right to your home and having it delivered to your new location or storage facility.
Portable storage units are experiencing a surge in demand due to their cost-effectiveness and convenience. The door-to-door delivery of your own storage unit is also hard to beat. In this guide we’ll compare U-Haul U-Box and PODS, two popular portable storage unit options, to help you find the perfect fit.
The Container Explainer: Breaking Down the Basics of How Portable Storage Units Work
Portable storage units are large, weatherproof storage containers delivered directly to your location. The concept is rooted in convenience: You schedule delivery of a storage unit to your location and pack your unit at your own pace. When ready, you arrange for the delivery service to pick up your unit and drop it off at your new location or storage facility.
With portable storage, you aren’t on anyone’s clock but your own. There’s no need to rent a truck or hire a moving company. You aren’t paying by the day, and you don’t have to drive a truck yourself. If you’re packing a portable unit for delivery to a storage facility, you need to load and pack only once, instead of loading and unloading a rental truck for transport, then unloading the truck and packing your unit at the storage facility.
Portable storage units are the flexible, affordable DIY storage option that give you control of your move, with less stress during the process.
U-Box: U-Haul’s Ultimate Package for Budget-Conscious Movers
U-Box is U-Haul’s portable storage unit service. If you’ve ever been in the market for a storage facility or have needed to rent a moving truck, you are probably already familiar with U-Haul’s nationwide network of moving vehicles, services and storage locations. U-Box fits neatly into U-Haul’s matrix of moving services.
Affordability is U-Box’s standout advantage in the portable storage space. Each container measures 8 ft long x 5 ft wide x 7.5 ft tall, enough to hold the contents of 1-2 rooms. This size is ideal for smaller home or apartment moves. U-Haul’s expansive network includes thousands of facilities throughout the US and Canada, making availability and convenience another hallmark feature of its services.
When you order a U-Box by phone or online, U-Haul drops the container to your door. You load it on your own schedule, and then U-Haul picks it up and either delivers it to your destination or stores it at the U-Haul location of your choice.
PODS Portable Storage Overview: The Original Flexible, Full-Service Portable Container Service
PODS, which stands for “Portable On-Demand Storage,” is the originator of the portable storage unit industry. The company’s signature feature is its “PODZILLA” hydraulic lift system, which ensures packed containers are moved with care and limited disturbance to its contents throughout the move.
PODS offers portable storage units in three sizes, designed to fit most moves, be they large, small and in-between:
- 8-ft container: Fits small apartments and single-room moves
- 12-ft container: Fits contents of 2-3 average-sized rooms
- 16-ft container: Fits contents of 3-4 bedroom homes
Where PODS really shines is in its premium service model and overall flexibility. After customers choose a container and schedule a delivery date by phone or online, PODS delivers the container to the designated location for loading, and picks it up when ready with the PODZILLA for delivery to its destination. Customers pay per month and pack at their own pace.
The company operates its own network of climate-controlled storage facilities located in major cities nationwide, and its buildings are specially designed to house PODS in professionally maintained, safe environments. PODS containers are weather-resistant, lockable, with ground-level access for ease of loading and unloading.
Customers who choose PODS typically want convenient, premium service for long-distance moves or long-term storage.
Battle of the Portable Storage Units: Comparing Cost, Size, Service and More
We’ve put U-Box vs PODS side by side to give you a better sense of what each service has to offer. Below is a head-to-head comparison of these two dependable stalwarts of storage portability.
If you’re in the market for a portable storage unit, use this table to help quickly and easily determine which one may be the right choice for your move.
| Feature | UBox (U-Haul) | PODS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Pay per container & mileage Lower base cost | Pay per size and move distance Higher base cost |
| Container Sizes | One standard size (8×5×7.5 ft) Fits approx 1-1.5 rooms of household items | Three available sizes: 8 ft, 12 ft, and 16 ft |
| Delivery & Pickup Process | Delivery truck drop-off & pickup, or tow it yourself | Company handles all delivery and pickup |
| Storage Facility | Stored at U-Haul locations | Stored at PODS storage centers |
| Service Area | Extensive; large national U-Haul network | Nationwide; heavy presence in major cities |
| Rental Flexibility | Keep containers as long as you need Monthly billing | Keep containers as long as you need Monthly billing |
| Best For | Budget-conscious, local / regional moves | Long-distance, full-service or extended storage |
When U-Box Makes Sense: Lower Cost, Shorter Moves, DIY Flexibility
Are you planning a local or regional move on a budget? If so, U-Haul’s U-Box portable storage unit may be just what you’re looking for. U-Box is ideal for smaller moves, and is the sensible choice when flexibility on a budget is paramount, thanks to its lower pricing and DIY-style move model.
U-Box offers a predictable, no-fuss pricing model that lets you pay per container rather than paying per month; this means no extra charges should you encounter unexpected delays that extend your packing and moving timeline.
DIY movers who prefer to handle packing and moving on their own timeframe choose U-Box for its freedom from strict timeframes and expenses that a professional moving service might incur.
U-Box also has a massive nationwide network, because it is part of the U-Haul ecosystem. This means you can rent a U-Haul truck to transport your U-Box yourself, at a discounted rate. This network also makes U-Box a convenient option for those who need to consolidate a move across different locations, because you can fill and move your container from place to place before delivering it to a U-Haul location near your destination.
Are the PODS in Your Favor? When to Choose This Premium Portable Storage Service
PODS are the go-to portable storage unit for long-distance or cross-country moves, larger moves that need bigger containers, or for movers who prefer a full-service, hands-off moving experience.
Though PODS is the more expensive option, the company offers more choice and flexibility for its customers. It offers three container sizes, all with the same no-penalty month-to-month billing for customers who may need to keep their POD on-site for extended periods before having it moved into storage. This makes them ideal for extended packing timelines, decluttering, home renovations or long-term storage.
PODS also handles all transportation and delivers a more refined customer experience. Their PODZILLA lift system protects items during loading and transportation, and their storage centers are custom-built to store their containers.
U-Box vs PODS: Tips for Choosing the Right Portable Storage Unit
Choosing between a U-Box vs PODS portable storage unit is fairly straightforward. Your budget, desire for convenience vs a DIY approach, and the logistics of your move all factor into choosing your ideal portable storage unit.
First, consider how you’d like to move. Do you like the idea of handling the majority of your move yourself, or do you prefer a white-glove, premium moving experience? For the budget-conscious, U-Box should be your first look. If you can afford the extra spend for a hands-off experience, PODS offers several options from which you can choose.
But wait–there’s more. We’ve put together a brief list of quick decision-making questions that will help you narrow down which contender between U-Box and PODS is your portable storage unit champion:
- How far are you moving?
Local: U-Box
Long-distance: PODS - How long will you need the container?
Short-term: U-Box
Long-term: PODS - What is your budget:
Lower upfront cost: U-Box
High-touch, premium services: PODS - What services are available in your area?
Check coverage maps for all providers you are considering for your specific zip code(s). Our storage unit finder can help you locate facilities near you.
PODS vs U-Box: The Bottom Line on This Portable Storage Showdown
The head-to-head U-Box vs. PODS matchup confirms both are winners with solid, reputable options. The one that’s right for you boils down to the one that best fits your budget, your location and the size of your storage project or move.
U-Box is generally the best fit for local moves and is part of the U-Haul ecosystem, should you already be working within it. If both options are available to you, check quotes for both to find out which is most affordable after fees. You really can’t go wrong with either. PODS offers a more premium experience with extended storage and full-service options, so give them a closer look if you’re planning a larger move, require more flexibility, or want to choose between container sizes.
If you’re ready to explore the availability of portable storage units near you, give our storage unit finder a spin.
FAQs
In general, local U-Box moves can start around $100-$200 per month before fees, per container. PODS average $150-$300 per month before fees, depending on size. Compare pricing quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
