“PODS” stands for “Portable on Demand Storage,” and the PODS Company has been a prominent brand for storage and moving containers in the United States since the 1990s. The storage pods themselves are steel box crates 7, 12, or 16 feet long, with a roll-up, locked, ground-level entrance and weather-resistant as well as impact-resistant cladding. Once you’ve packed your PODS rental, the firm will physically move it for you, and they offer both local and long-distance moving services. So whether you’re a corporation or an individual, you pack it, and they transport it.

Advantages of Using PODS

• Depending on how long you need it, PODS can be less expensive than hiring a full-service moving company.
• PODS rents its units every month, meaning you’ll be billed every 30 days. You can schedule a pickup once you’ve loaded your container.
• According to the company’s website, PODS containers can be composed of wood, steel, aluminum, or high-impact-resistant polymers. They’re built from a blend of these materials to provide improved durability, safety, and weather protection for your valuables.
• The cost of PODS moving varies greatly depending on the distance the unit must travel to and from your location, the availability of moving containers in your area, and the month or year.
• PODS containers are delivered by a vehicle with the company’s proprietary Podzilla loading and unloading lift technology. The equipment allows you to drop down and pick up a pod practically anyplace with street access on level ground.

How A PODS Container Is Rented – The Procedure

It’s simple to rent a PODS moving container. Here’s how it works in general.

1. Know what you’ll need it for and how long you’ll need it

You’ll need to decide whether you want to store, move, or do both with your possessions first. If you’re going to keep a PODS container, you’ll have to pick whether to store it at your location or a PODS Storage Center.

You must also decide how long you will require PODS storage.

2. Select a delivery location, date, and container size.

You must select a delivery location, date, and size for moving and storage.

3. Load the PODS container when it arrives.

After reserving one or more PODS containers, the provider will transport them to your doorstep. Then it’s only a matter of loading your items into the container at your leisure.

4. Pickup and delivery at the desired location

PODS will pick up the container and bring it to either a storage place or your new home when you’re ready.

Sizes of PODS Moving Containers

For both moving and storage, PODS provides three different container sizes. Because several sizes are available, you can select the portable storage containers that best suit your needs.

7-Feet PODS Container

The 7-feet container is approximately 7’x7’x8′ in size and provides 385 cubic feet of space for your belongings. This portable container size is suitable for modest moves involving a room’s worth of belongings.

The area provided by a moving container of this size is comparable to that of a 10-foot-long rental vehicle, and the container’s weight restriction is 5,200 lbs. This size of moving pod is a popular choice for students that travel to and from college.

12-Feet PODS Container

Their medium 12-feet container measures 12’x8’x8′ and has a capacity of 689 cubic feet.

It is equal to a moving truck around 15 feet long and can be used to move home with two or three rooms. The container has a maximum weight capacity of 4,700 lbs. Therefore, this small storage unit is ideal for an apartment transfer.

16-Feet PODS Container

The largest POD container has 857 cubic feet of inside area, making it a comparable moving option to a 20-feet long truck. The moving container is approximately 16’x8’x8′ in size and is best suited for three or four-room relocation. Despite being the company’s most giant container, it has the lowest weight limit of 4,200 lbs.

The 16-foot container will be a popular choice for interstate moves. Their steel container is well-known for being a sturdy and safe moving container.

How Much Does It Cost You At Least?

Renting a PODS container has a range of prices. The size of the container, the length of the rental, and the relocation distance are all things to consider.

The container rent and transportation fees are the two major categories of fees. A 12-feet container, for example, costs $110 a month to rent. If you want to keep renting it after the 30 days are over, you’ll have to pay again. The $110 does not include transportation fees, such as dropping off, picking up, and transporting the container to your new location. The latter’s fees are significantly dependent on the distance traveled.

Keep in mind that these costs do not yet include local taxes, insurance, or other subsidies. Fill out a form on the PODS website or contact a customer service person directly to get an exact quote.

Top 5 Best Moving Container Companies

1. U-Pack

Compared to other finest moving container companies, U- Pack’s prices are so cheap that you’ll save about $400. U-Pack also has a pay-for-what-you-use policy, which means you only pay for the space you utilize. You can even order extra containers and return them for free if you don’t need them. U-Pack also has excellent customer reviews and offers immediate online quotations to make things easier for you.

We compared U-Pack’s quotes to hundreds of different moving container businesses’ estimates. We looked at small and large residences, short and long distances, cross-country excursions, and everything. What did we discover? U- Pack’s pricing is around 15% less than those of competitors on average.

If you’re unsure how many containers you’ll require, get an extra one to be safe. You won’t have to pay any return costs if you don’t use it (although delivery fees may apply). It bills you based on how many containers you fill up rather than how many orders you place.

2. PODS

Mobile storage and moving containers have become synonymous with PODS. Because of its familiarity, many people refer to all moving containers as “PODS.” PODS has established itself as one of the best moving pod solutions in just over two decades of operation. It’s a trendy choice among individuals on a limited budget.

According to an estimate we received, a 400-mile two-bedroom move with PODS would cost $2,000 and $3,500. The more items you have to transfer and the longer you travel, the more money you’ll spend. There is some variation based on where you are traveling to and from.

PODS are offered for local and long-distance moves across the United States. They provide three different container sizes: 8, 12, and 16 feet. Typically, 12-feet containers are rented only for local relocation. All containers have a steel frame and are waterproof, which adds security and stability to your move. With all PODS rates, including a one-month rental, you’ll have plenty of time to plan your load-up, unload, shipment, and delivery.

3. SmartBox

SmartBox is ideal for a small relocation, such as a one-bedroom apartment or a college dorm room. If you’re a college student looking to relocate, SmartBox is the ideal alternative, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Its containers are usually small (about 5 x 7 x 8) and meant to fit into a one-room apartment. The business offers a price-matching policy rated the best for a modest move. However, if your move is huge, seek an alternate firm on our list that meets your needs.

The business may supply up to 8 movable pods in a single trip. Furthermore, the company’s website says that it can move a 5-bedroom home with ease, meaning that a typical home should fit easily in all of its pods in a single travel.

Even though SMARTBOX is now only available in 23 states and Washington, DC, we believe its price matching and comparable service alternatives will encourage you to give it a try.

4. 1-800-Pack-Rat

You can easily store your belongings with 1-800-Pack-Rat. For your storage needs, they have both residential and commercial options. In addition, this organization will deliver the storage unit to your home, allowing you to load it at your own speed and on your schedule.

They also provide relocation services for local and long-distance relocations (and military moves). They provide service to the majority of the United States (97 percent of it). The container can stay at your residence for as long as required.

Third-party moving companies are also available through 1-800-Pack-Rat. Moving containers are made of various materials, including wood, generic metal, and steel. The second-best container company (PODS) uses a steel frame to construct its containers. 1-800-PACK-RAT, on the other hand, takes things to a whole new level. The steel frame of 1-800-PACK-RAT is complemented with steel walls and doors. The company doesn’t specify whether its containers might withstand a missile strike, but 1-800-PACK-RAT stands a good chance.

5. Zippy Shell

With their unique metal cage containers that make parking on busy city streets easy, Zippy Shell is revolutionizing how people move from city to city. In addition, the organization makes it simple to hire moving personnel and acquire additional insurance choices for their containers. As a result, zippy Shell is an excellent choice for young professionals relocating to a new city.

Zippy Shell’s containers are street legal and can be parked like automobiles, eliminating many permission hassles.

The company supplies a 15-foot container. The containers’ internal capacity is slightly lower than those of competitors. Zippy Shell makes it simple to add loading and unloading assistance, and their primary service provides 30 days of storage. They also offer a variety of insurance solutions to cover your belongings in the event of an accident.

We strongly advise anyone seriously contemplating using a container for their next move to add Zippy Shell to their list.