Is Buying Moving Boxes Worth It?
Posted in: Moving AdviceThe short answer is yes — buying new moving boxes can help protect your belongings better. They don’t have the wear and tear of used boxes, and it may be worth it to ensure your items are safeguarded during the move, especially your most fragile belongings.
This guide can help you decide if buying new boxes is right for your move by explaining the benefits of buying moving boxes, how much they cost, and some valuable alternatives.
Why Should I Buy Moving Boxes Instead of Using Free Ones?
When you buy boxes designed for moving, they’re generally more durable than used ones you can scavenge from the store or your own Amazon deliveries. This extra strength is due to reasons like:
- Purpose: Moving boxes are designed specifically for the task of holding your personal items and being stacked together in moving trucks.
- Structural integrity: These boxes haven’t been torn down and retaped one or more times, which helps preserve their strength over time.
- No prior handling: New boxes haven’t gone through shipping and handling processes, which can also impact their overall sturdiness and stability.
New boxes are also cleaner than used boxes. If you source boxes from local stores, they may have food, debris, or bugs in them. The boxes you’ve collected and stored in your basement for months could house mold. None of these are things you want to haul into your new home, and buying new boxes eliminates that risk.
Any discussion of moving box pros and cons must mention that buying boxes is an expense, but uniform sizes might let you stack more in a single truck.
Buying moving boxes also gives you control over the size, meaning you can pack and load more efficiently. And that efficiency could reduce the overall cost of your move, making new boxes a good investment.
How Much Do Moving Boxes Typically Cost?
Determining whether this is a good investment requires researching the cost of moving boxes. Prices vary depending on your geographic location, what type of boxes you buy, and where you source them. On average, moving boxes cost between $1 and $5 each, depending on size and type. Standard boxes, for instance, will probably cost less than specialized ones like wardrobe boxes.
“[How many boxes you need] depends on the moving box sizes you use and how much stuff you have. On average, it takes around 20 moving boxes to pack a one-bedroom home.”
You also might save money with bundle deals. Such deals are often offered by stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot, club warehouses like Sam’s Club, and moving supply companies. Look for moving kits that include a number of boxes and other supplies for packing, or check for bulk buy deals.
Don’t forget to factor in the cost of related supplies, including tape, labels, and packing paper.
Is It Better to Buy or Rent Moving Boxes?
If you decide to invest in these essential moving tools, you’ll need to decide whether renting vs. buying moving boxes is the better option.
Renting is more sustainable and convenient. You use the boxes for your move and return them so they can be reused by another mover. This option may also help you save a bit, since you’re not covering the full cost of purchased boxes. However, renting does mean your box use is on a timeline, which might feel limiting.
If you like the idea of owning your moving boxes but want to make a sustainable choice, consider plastic moving bins. After unpacking them, you can use them as storage for toys, seasonal clothing, and other items. Plastic bins also protect your items when they’re stored in basements, attics, garages, or other areas.
What Are Alternatives to Buying New Moving Boxes?
We’ve already covered two of the best and more sustainable moving box alternatives: rented boxes and plastic tubs.
A third alternative is sourcing free moving boxes. Here are some tips:
- Start early: Collect boxes weeks or even a couple of months before moving day, so you have enough for packing.
- Be selective: Don’t just grab every box you see—consider whether the size and shape are helpful for moving. Think about what you can put in it and whether it will be reasonable to carry when loading or unloading.
- Store flat: Keep boxes flat in one place until you’re ready to pack to reduce the clutter in your home before moving day.
- Reinforce them: Invest in high-quality packing tape to build your boxes and ensure they’re strong enough to hold heavy items.
- Source smart: Save Amazon and other mailed boxes, and visit stores in your area to ask if you can have boxes they’d otherwise recycle.
- Ask around: Let friends and family know you’re looking for sturdy moving boxes—they may be able to save their shipping boxes for you.
How Many Boxes Will I Need?
It depends on the moving box sizes you use and how much stuff you have. On average, it takes around 20 moving boxes to pack a one-bedroom home. Here’s a general estimate based on home size:
- 1 bedroom: 20 boxes
- 2 bedrooms: 40 boxes
- 3 bedrooms: 60 boxes
Obviously, this varies from home to home. You may also need more boxes if you pack using smaller boxes or prefer to separate items into categories for easier unpacking.
Learn more about packing, including how to maximize box use, in our How to Pack Hub.
