Getting ready to move? One of the first things you'll need will be sturdy boxes, but finding the right ones can be harder than it seems. Not every store has good packing supplies, prices vary, and you don't want to spend more than you need to.
If you have to transport things across town or to another state, choosing the right boxes and packaging can help protect your belongings. But where can you buy them in Philadelphia? Should you check out big box stores like Home Depot, choose specialty companies like U-Haul, or look for free options?
Best places to buy moving boxes in Philadelphia
Finding the right boxes for moving in Philadelphia means finding a balance between cost, affordability, and quality. Some stores offer cheap standard boxes, while others offer specialty boxes for fragile or oversized items. To help you make the best choice, we've compared the best retailers and local alternatives on price, variety, special options, and extras.
| Store | Price Range | Box Variety | Custom Box Making | Additional Moving Services | Bulk Pricing | Delivery Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Store | $$ - $$$ | Basic sizes, heavy-duty | ❌ No | Packing services | ❌ No | ❌ In-store only |
| U-Haul | $$ - $$$ | Wide selection, specialty boxes | ❌ No | Moving equipment rentals | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free shipping over $100 |
| Parkwood Pack & Ship | $$$ | 75+ box sizes, specialty boxes | ✅ Yes | Professional packing (insured) | ✅ Yes | ❌ In-store only |
| Home Depot | $ - $$ | Standard & heavy-duty | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ In-store & online |
| Lowe’s | $ - $$ | Standard sizes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ In-store & online |
| Walmart | $ - $$ | Basic & shipping boxes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free shipping over $35 |
| Amazon | $ - $$$ | Various sizes & specialty | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free shipping (Prime) |
| Local Free Options | Free | Limited (varies) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ Pickup only |
When planning a move, understanding the cost of moving boxes across various retailers can help you make an informed decision that balances quality and budget. Here's a comparison of moving box prices from several popular retailers:
| Retailer | Box Size | Dimensions (inches) | Price per Box started from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | Small | 17 x 11 x 11 | $1.38 | Features handles for easy carrying. |
| Medium | 21 x 15 x 16 | $1.98 | Suitable for kitchenware and decor. | |
| Large | 27 x 15 x 16 | $2.48 | Ideal for bulkier items. | |
| Extra-Large | 24 x 20 x 21 | $3.48 | Best for large, lightweight items. | |
| Lowe's | Small | 16 x 12 x 12 | $1.38 | Comparable to Home Depot's small box. |
| Medium | 18 x 16 x 18 | $1.98 | Slightly smaller than Home Depot's medium box. | |
| Large | 24 x 18 x 18 | $2.48 | Offers ample space for larger items. | |
| U-Haul | Small | 16 x 12 x 12 | $1.89 | Durable construction. |
| Medium | 18 x 18 x 16 | $2.35 | Good for general household items. | |
| Large | 18 x 18 x 24 | $3.10 | Spacious for larger belongings. | |
| Amazon | Medium (20-pack) | 18 x 14 x 12 | $2.05 | Sold in bundles; convenient for bulk purchases. |
| Walmart | Medium (20-pack) | 18 x 16 x 18 | $3.00 | Available in bulk; check for individual pricing. |
The UPS Store and Parkwood Pack & Ship offers a range of moving boxes and supplies, including custom box options. Prices vary by location, so it's recommended to contact your local store for specific pricing.
- Wardrobe Boxes typically start around $8 to $12 each.
- Prices for TV boxes begin at approximately $20.
- Dish Boxes usually start at about $8.
- Picture/Mirror Boxes generally start around $10.
How to save money on buying boxes
If you can't find free boxes, you can buy them and still save money. The easiest way is to buy in bulk. By the way, you can read about free boxes in Philadelphia in our other article. Many stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe's, offer discounts when you buy several boxes at once. You can buy pre-made moving kits at U-Haul at a discount, and Amazon and Walmart offer box sets at a lower price per piece.
Renting plastic boxes is environmentally friendly and profitable
Cardboard boxes are not only costly, but also not the most convenient option. They have to be assembled, taped, and after moving, disassembled and disposed of. As an alternative, you can rent plastic boxes. They are durable, reusable and better protect things from damage. Such containers do not tear, do not get wet and are easy to stack, saving space in the truck. Plus, they don't need to be assembled, saving you the hassle.
Where you can rent moving boxes
U-Haul Ready-To-Go boxes are available in some neighborhoods. These reusable plastic boxes are rented for as little as $1.50 each per week. They don't need to be assembled or taped, and can simply be returned to the nearest U-Haul location after moving. But it's best to check availability before ordering - these boxes are in demand and not always in stock.
In addition to U-Haul, there are other companies that provide boxes for rent. Rent-A-Crate offers both residential and commercial containers, as well as carts for convenient transportation. Philly Crate Rental handles delivery and self-delivery of plastic boxes right from your doorstep. BoxCycle allows you to not only rent containers, but also buy used boxes for additional savings.
Which boxes to choose for moving?
All boxes are different, and it's important to choose the right ones to keep things safe. Inappropriate packaging can cause dishes to break, electronics to be damaged, or cardboard to tear under the weight of the load. To make packing easier, here are the main types of boxes and recommendations for their use.
Regular boxes (universal)
Regular boxes measuring 1.5-4.5 cu ft are best for books, kitchen items, toys, decor, and small appliances.
Heavy-duty boxes (for fragile and heavy items)
Heavy duty boxes are best for glass, dishes, electronics, tools, collectibles. They are usually double-walled for better protection against damage. You can also find boxes for electronics with foam inserts, in which it will be more reliable to transport system units, monitors, game consoles.
Wardrobe boxes (easy storage of clothes)
Special boxes for transporting clothes are equipped with a metal rod, which makes them well suited for transporting clothes on hangers. They also come in different sizes so that you can transport both pants and shirt, coats, long dresses, etc.
Specialty boxes (for non-standard items)
Some stores will give you a selection of boxes for TVs, paintings, mirrors, lamps, floor lamps, bicycles, because they require special packaging for protection. For example, boxes for televisions fix dense screens with protective inserts, boxes for pictures can also be suitable for mirrors, because they provide protection for the glass.
Custom boxes (for things with complex shapes)
Sometimes when moving there are things that will require individual packaging, for example, for musical instruments, sculptures, valuable furniture. In this case, specialized companies such as Parkwood Pack & Ship can help.
How many moving boxes do you need?
One of the biggest questions when preparing for a move is how many boxes do I need? Buy too few and you'll have to scramble at the last minute to find new ones. Buy too many and you'll waste money on unused materials.
The right number of boxes for moving depends on:
- the size of your home (studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, etc.);
- the number of items;
- whether there are any fragile items among them (you need smaller, more protective boxes for them).
| Home Size | Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft) | Medium Boxes (3 cu ft) | Large Boxes (4.5+ cu ft) | Specialty Boxes | Total Estimated Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-Bedroom Apartment | 10-12 | 8-10 | 5-7 | 2-5 (TV, wardrobe, dish boxes) | 25-35 boxes |
| 2-Bedroom Home/Apartment | 15-20 | 12-15 | 7-10 | 5-8 | 40-50 boxes |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 20-25 | 15-20 | 10-15 | 8-12 | 55-65 boxes |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 25-35 | 20-25 | 15-20 | 12-15 | 70-90+ boxes |
How to pack fragile items and avoid damage
Fragile items require careful handling to avoid breaking during transportation. For this purpose, it is important to use the right packing materials. Bubble wrap helps protect glassware and electronics, wrapping paper prevents scratches on plates and photo frames, foam sheets provide extra protection for mirrors and televisions, and packing filler, such as crumpled paper or foam pellets, keeps items inside the box from shifting.
It's worth using the layering method for reliability. First, a soft pad is placed on the bottom of the box, then each item is wrapped in film or paper and fixed with tape. It is important to place things correctly: heavy items - at the bottom, lighter ones - on top. All free spaces inside are filled so that the items do not move during transportation. The box should be signed “Fragile” and, if necessary, marked “This side up”.
How to glue boxes securely
If a box is not properly taped, it can tear, causing damage to items. To prevent this from happening, it's important to choose a strong packing tape rather than regular duct tape that peels off easily. For extra strength, it is better to use the “H-tape” method. First, the bottom is taped by taping along the center seam, then two strips are added across to make an “H”. Once the box is filled, the same method is used for the top. It is especially important to reinforce the bottom of boxes with heavy items, such as books, by double taping the seams before loading them.
Why it's important to label boxes
When all boxes are labeled, it's easier to put them in their places quickly and things don't get lost. One of the best ways to label is with a color system. Each room is assigned a different color and boxes are signed with the appropriate marker. For example, blue indicates boxes for the kitchen and green for the bedroom.
There are three important things to note on each box. The first is the name of the room it is intended for. The second is its contents, for example, “Dishes” or “Clothes”. The third is prioritization, so that important items can be found immediately. Boxes containing essential items such as chargers, toiletries and snacks can be labeled with the word “Important” or “Unpack First”.
What you need to do before moving
In order for the move to go smoothly, it is important to prepare in advance. The day before, you should confirm all the details such as date, time and transportation. You should prepare a box with the most necessary things: a change of clothes, chargers, toiletries, snacks and documents. It is better to defrost the refrigerator and freezer at least a day in advance, and boxes should be distributed by room and clearly signed.
On moving day, you should check that nothing is left in cupboards and on shelves, and protect floors and doorways, especially if the furniture is heavy. If there are childre n or pets in the house, it is better to organize a safe place for them in advance. Before you leave the apartment, it's a good idea to look around again to make sure nothing has been forgotten. After moving, you can recycle or donate your boxes to charitable organizations.
We hope our guide has helped you!