U-Haul vs. PODS: Which Is Right for You? (2024)

Homeowners who are planning a DIY move don’t have to deal with the hassle of moving trucks. U-Haul and PODS both offer consumers the chance to rent and fill large storage containers that the company then transports door to door from an old residence to a new one. Read our guide below for the pros and cons of these two affordable moving container companies to help you decide which is better for your move.

The Major Difference Between U-Haul and PODS

U-Haul and PODS are both moving container companies with slightly different service offerings and unique benefits and drawbacks.

U-Haul

U-Haul offers several types of equipment for self-service moves, including trailer and moving truck rentals. Its moving container service is called U-Box, and it’s available in all 50 states and Canada. U-Boxes come in one size: 5 feet wide by 8 feet long by 7.5 feet tall. Each container fits in a standard parking space, and you can rent as many containers as you need. Each container can hold the contents of up to 1.5 rooms.

A container rental includes 24 furniture pads and a month of storage. U-Haul can move your packed container for you, or you can do it yourself with a trailer attachment. You can keep a container on your property as long as you need, or U-Haul can store it in a secure storage facility. When you’re ready to return a container, schedule a pickup with the company.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of U-Haul U-Box, as compared to PODS.

Benefits

➕ Flexibility among rental, delivery, and hauling options
➕ More robust online quote and booking system
➕ One of the most affordable options, particularly for small moves

Drawbacks

➖ Containers are made of plywood
➖ Fewer moving and temporary storage insurance options
➖ Only one small size of container available

PODS

PODS, which stands for Portable On-Demand Storage, offers moving container rentals at more than 220 locations across 46 states. The company offers three portable storage container sizes, but only two are available for long-distance travel. PODS does not offer truck or trailer rentals.

Below are the container sizes PODS offers.

• Small (8 feet by 7 feet by eight feet): An 8-foot container can hold the contents of a studio apartment, which is about 500 square feet.
• Medium (12 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet): The 12-foot container can hold the contents of up to three rooms and is only available for local moves and storage
• Large (16 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet): PODS’ largest container is 16 feet long and can hold the contents of four rooms. It is comparable to a 20-foot moving truck.

You can rent as many PODS containers as you need, but you will be charged for rentals even if you don’t use them. PODS doesn’t give customers the option of transporting their own belongings, so a team will pick up and deliver your container.

PODS will charge you a monthly rate for your container, and you can keep it at your home or send it to a storage facility for as long as you need. You can only book local moves and storage online. You must call the company for long-distance moves.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Here are the benefits and drawbacks of PODS, as compared to U-Haul.

Benefits

➕ Better container quality
➕ Free container pickup and drop-off with a three-month rental
➕ Three container sizes for larger moves

Drawbacks

➖ Fewer options for container delivery and transportation
➖ No online quote tool for long-distance moves
➖ Typically more expensive than U-Box

U-Haul vs. PODS: How to Choose

The best moving container for you will depend on your budget, the specifics of your move, and your preferences. Here’s how U-Haul U-Box and PODS stack up against each other.

Availability

U-Haul is an older company and has more locations across the United States and Canada than PODS. U-Haul also offers more services through its online portal. PODS does not offer moving or customer service on Sundays.

Container Sizes and Quality

Perhaps the biggest strike against U-Haul’s U-Box is that it’s only available in one size. You can rent as many containers as you need, but limited options may make long-distance moves more complicated. PODS offers small, medium, and large containers, though the 12-foot size is only available in select locations. PODS estimates it would take four U-Boxes to match the volume of a single large-size PODS container.

U-Box’s plywood containers are covered with a fitted vinyl tarp, but they are easily damaged. PODS containers have a steel frame, and their plywood or plastic walls are coated in aluminum or fiberglass. Neither moving container is the strongest on the market, but PODS is a more sustainable model between the two.

Cost

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.

Customer Experience

PODS and U-Haul are both Better Business Bureau-accredited rental companies with A+ ratings based on the transparency of their business practices and their responses to customer complaints. Both companies have low reviews, which is fairly common for nationwide moving companies. Both companies respond to customer service requests through a centralized system, which can make getting help difficult.

Services Offered

PODS partners with companies that offer packing and vehicle transportation services but doesn’t offer these services itself. U-Haul has a more comprehensive menu of DIY moving services, such as truck and trailer rentals and vehicle towing. Neither U-Haul nor PODS offers labor, but both companies can help you find professional movers near you.

Our Recommendation

PODS and U-Haul both have merits depending on the specifics of a consumer’s move. U-Haul’s U-Box is one of the most affordable ways to move locally or long-distance, but its containers are small and lower in material quality. PODS offers larger, tougher containers for large moves, but the company is typically more expensive, and it’s available in fewer locations. We recommend getting quotes from both companies to make the choice that best suits your needs.

U-Haul vs. PODS FAQ