Best Boxes For Moving
Moving from one house to the next can seem like an uphill battle. But, with the right boxes, you can seamlessly move into your new home with ease. So, what exactly are the best moving boxes out there?
Stick around as the storage experts from XYZ Storage give you the ins and outs about moving supplies below!
What type of box is best for moving?
When it comes to moving, you have a couple of different options for moving boxes to pack your household items. Here are some of the best moving boxes you should consider:
Extra small moving boxes
Despite being tiny in size, extra small moving boxes are great for your small-size items that are heavy to carry. Because extra small moving boxes are sturdy, these are great for CDs, DVDs, and other items similar in size.
Small boxes
Small boxes are great for heavier items that are small in size. For example, you can pack your books, small electronics, and any other heavy items. These moving boxes measure in at 16 x 12 x 12 inches or 1.5 cubic feet. You may also wish to pack smaller, fragile items as well, given that smaller boxes are sturdy and durable. Just keep in mind that any fragile belongings should be protected in bubble wrap to avoid breakage.
Medium boxes
Medium-size boxes on the other hand hold up to 60 pounds of weight. If you have smaller belongings that are still heavy, think about using this size box. Things like kitchen tools, pots, pans, and cutlery are great for these moving boxes. The dimensions of medium moving boxes are 18 x 18 x 15 inches or 22 x 16 x 15 inches.
Large boxes
Now let’s talk about larger 4.5 cubic foot boxes. These are by far the most widely used and best overall moving boxes. These measure18 x 18 x 24 inches and are great for larger, bulkier items that aren’t as heavy. Think about using these moving boxes for lighter items like linens, your comforter, sheets, and clothes.
Extra large moving boxes
Extra large moving boxes measure 22 x 22 x 21.5 inches. Packing heavier yet bulkier objects, extra big moving boxes are ideal. Packing plush animals, outdoor clothing, pillows, lampshades, blankets, and a range of other objects that are comparable in size and type are great options for larger boxes.
Specialty boxes
Specialtyboxes are good for items that have more value and are more prone to being damaged if packed away in a standard moving box.
TV box
Rather than moving your TV without any protection, purchasing a special TV box and wrapping it carefully can give you peace of mind knowing that your electronics are protected during your next move.
Wardrobe box
If you have high-ticket clothing that can’t get wrinkled, wardrobe moving boxes are a great option. These moving boxes have a metal hanging bar that allows you to hang your clothes and safely transport them into a moving truck without damaging the material.
Other moving supplies
Beyond buying a selection of cardboard moving boxes from a hardware or moving store, you’ll also need to buy a couple of other moving supplies:
- Packing tape and tape gun: To make sure that your shipping boxes remain closed during the move, you’ll need to purchase packing tape. This heavy-duty tape will seal your items in your cardboard boxes so they don’t accidentally fall out and get lost on the moving truck.
- Markers: Grab a couple of Sharpies as well while you’re at it! With each moving box, make sure to write which area of your new home the box should go in, what’s in the box, and whether or not it’s fragile. This will help your movers quickly transport your moving boxes into your new space without any confusion.
- Wrapping material: Again, for your fragile belongings, you’ll want to grab packing peanuts and wrap to protect your items while they are on the moving truck.
So, how do you choose what size moving box you need, and how many for that matter? Before packing up your home, we recommend going through your belongings to see if there is anything you can part ways with. Not only is this going to help you estimate how many moving boxes you need, but it’s also going to help you move into your new home without any clutter.
Is it worth buying boxes for moving?
Yes, you will need to buy moving boxes when moving into a new house, and there are several reasons why doing so really is worthwhile:
Moving boxes are durable: Although moving boxes are primarily made out of cardboard, they are specifically designed for moving heavy items and to withstand the moving process. Because of this, they are highly durable and sturdy, making them easier to stack on top of each other, which in turn will prevent your personal belongings from becoming damaged as they are moved from one place to the next.
Keeps you organized: By having moving boxes that are similar in size, you’ll find it easier to organize them, both in your moving truck and in your new home. This can save you a ton of space and make the loading and unloading process more efficient for your movers. It can also help you reduce the number of times you have to go back and forth between your old and new property.
Protect your items: Moving boxes are specifically designed to protect your most expensive items and ones that are particularly fragile. This includes things such as dishes, other fragile kitchenware, TV, and wardrobe boxes for your clothes. Ultimately, their design is meant to ensure that your items are not damaged in the process, which will save you money on repairs or replacements.
Convenience during planning and packing: Buying boxes in advance will ensure that you have the right amount and sizes needed for your move ahead of time. This will help you avoid the hassle of hunting down and collecting boxes from various businesses, which can be time- consuming and stressful. Planning ahead and ensuring you have the right number of cardboard boxes will help you get through the proving process as stress-free as possible.
Will save you time: New boxes specifically made for moving will most likely come with pre-set folding lines, making them quick and easy to assemble when you need them. This will save you a significant amount of time compared to dealing with used boxes you’ve found at other stores.
Are cardboard or plastic boxes better for moving?
Although cardboard boxes are more popular than plastic when moving, choosing between one or the other really depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Here are some benefits and drawbacks of cardboard boxes and plastic boxes:
Cardboard benefits
- Cost-Effective: Generally speaking, purchasing shipping boxes made from cardboard is going to be way cheaper than purchasing plastic boxes. For most average Canadian households, cardboard is an economical option that will allow them to move from one space to the next with ease, and without having to spend hundreds of dollars on plastic boxes.
- Widely available in your neighbourhood: Cardboard boxes are easy to find at moving supply stores, online, and from local businesses. If you plan in advance, you should be able to easily find the correct amount of boxes in one go, so you can begin packing up your items well before your actual move-in date.
- Recyclable: Cardboard, of course, is recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly option that homeowners can get rid of with ease once all of their items have been put away in their new house.
- Variety of sizes: Cardboard boxes are available in a wide range of sizes, which will allow you to pick and choose the number and size of box you want, depending on the number and kinds of items you have. There are also specialtyboxes available for your wardrobe, TV, and other fragile belongings like mirrors.
- Ease of Labeling: Cardboard is easy to write on with Sharpies, which will help keep you organized during the moving process. Make sure to label which room the box should go into, what’s in the box, and whether it’s fragile or not.
Cardboard drawbacks
- Less durable than plastic: Cardboard isn’t as durable as plastic. This means there’s a chance that your boxes could become dented, ripped, or squished. This could potentially put your items at risk of damage when your boxes are handled with care.
- Can’t reuse for long: Typically, you’ll only be able to use your cardboard box a couple of times before it becomes damaged and deteriorates.
- Less protective against water: If you’re moving in the winter, there’s a chance it’ll be raining or snowing. If so, your boxes can get ruined when they come into contact with water.
Plastic benefits
- Durability: Plastic boxes are highly durable and heavy-duty compared to cardboard. They are also water resistant, and cannot easily be crushed or damaged during the moving process. They provide better protection for your belongings.
- Reusability: A heavy-duty plastic box can be used multiple times for future moves or storage solutions, which makes them a great investment if you’re looking for something that will benefit you long term.
- Stackability: Again, like cardboard, a plastic box will be easy to stack, which will allow you to maximize space in your moving truck, and in your new house if you need to store any of your extra belongings.
- Security: Some plastic boxes come with locking mechanisms that will offer more security to your belongings. This can prevent items from falling out, or becoming damaged due to their airtight seal, which is a great idea if you’re transporting valuable high-ticket items from one spot to the next.
- Protection: A plastic box will offer protection for your belongings against water damage, pests, and dust, which could potentially ruin the items you have stored, unlike a cardboard box.
Plastic drawbacks
- Cost: Generally speaking, boxes made of plastic that are intended for moving will be more expensive to purchase than cardboard, especially if you live in a multi-level home, making it an unrealistic option for a lot of homeowners.
- Storage space: If you do decide to keep the plastic boxes once your move is done, you’ll need a lot of additional storage space in your home to be able to accommodate the extra space. Not all plastic boxes are made to be stackable either, which could create a challenge for you as well.
- Labeling: To ensure your label stays on the actual plastic box, you will need to purchase additional supplies like a label maker as markers will likely rub off easily.
Ultimately, both types of boxes are heavy-duty and offer their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to moving from one home to the next. The type of box you decide to use will depend on your individual needs, budget, and the types of items you have.
Whichever box you buy, remember to plan ahead, so you can have enough time to safely pack your items in an organized manner. This will help you move into your new space with ease and will make the entire process less stressful from start to finish.
Need moving boxes? Contact XYZ Storage today!
Are you planning your next move? XYZ Storage has got you covered! Whether you’re looking for a new small, medium, large-size box, we got them all and for a good deal.
We can also supply the tape and packing materials as well!
If you just aren’t ready to part with some of your belongings, XYZ Storage has storage solutions just for you. With several locations across the GTA, including Toronto Downtown, Toronto West, Toronto Midtown, Scarborough, and Etobicoke we offer affordable storage units ranging in sizes, so you can easily store your items with peace of mind, depending on your unique needs.
Visit one of our storage facilities today and learn more about how XYZ Storage can help you!
