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The 7 Best Moving Boxes of 2024

The key to everything arriving safely to your destination

Collage of a stack of Uboxes Medium Moving Boxes on a blue background

The Spruce / Kristin Kempa

Buying boxes can easily become an afterthought—especially with all of the other items on your moving to-do list. However, without the best moving boxes for your belongings, the entire packing process can feel a lot more stressful than it needs to be. Being intentional about the way you pack your boxes and the types of moving boxes you need can make a major difference amidst the chaos of bubble wrap, packing tape, and piles of like-minded things.

“Moving boxes serve a lot of important functions in a move—they facilitate the physical hauling of stuff from point A to point B, they protect your belongings in transit, and they’re powerful organization tools that can help to make the unpacking process much smoother and easier if you use them correctly,” says Nick Valentino, Vice President of Market Operations at Bellhop Movers. “Failure to plan ahead and get the right boxes for your move could result in damage to your fragile items, boxes that are simply too heavy to move effectively, or boxes full of mishmash items bound for different rooms in your home,” he adds. 

While you could technically reuse some of your Amazon Prime boxes for your packing needs, the reality is that moving requires a little more intention. Purchasing some additional moving boxes—in particular, ones with specific uses like boxes for clothes, books, glassware, and mirrors—can streamline the process and ensure your items arrive safely to their destination. With this in mind, we researched dozens of moving boxes, carefully considering usage, size, material, and cost to find the best ones for your relocation.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Amazon Basics Cardboard Moving Boxes in Small, Medium, and Large Sizes

Amazon Basics Cardboard Moving Boxes in Small, Medium, and Large Sizes

Amazon

What We Like
  • Come in a pack of 30 assorted sizes

  • Easy to assemble

  • Boxes come wrapped to prevent damage

What We Don't Like
  • Thin material is not ideal for heavy items or cross-country moves

  • Require packing tape on the top and bottom

When packing up items for a move, one of the biggest headaches is securing enough boxes in a variety of sizes, which is why the Amazon Basics Cardboard Moving Boxes are our top pick. These moving boxes come in a pack of 30, including small (18 by 14 by 12 inches), medium (18 by 14 by 12 inches), and large (20 by 20 by 15 inches) sizes, providing you with plenty of boxes for your move, and a good baseline for bigger moves. 

The boxes are also relatively budget-friendly and break down to around $2 per box, which can help you keep packing supply costs lower than you may have originally planned. The boxes also arrive wrapped, so they won’t be damaged. That being said, these moving boxes are a little on the thin side—which is likely why the cost is so fantastic.

They aren’t durable enough for ultra-heavy items and might not hold up as well during long distance trips, such as cross-country moves. That being said, we appreciate their easy assembly process, versatility, and low cost. You just want to be sure to reinforce them with tape on the top and bottom.

Amount: 30 assorted | Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 10 (small), 18 x 14 x 12 (medium), 20 x 20 x 15 (large) inches | Material: Cardboard

Best Budget

CHEAP! CHEAP! Medium Moving Boxes, Pack of 20

Amazon CHEAP! CHEAP! Medium Moving Boxes, Pack of 20

Amazon

What We Like
  • Can hold up to 65 pounds

  • Medium size is versatile enough for a variety of items

  • Built-in handles

What We Don't Like
  • Not suitable for super heavy items

It’s no secret that moving boxes can get super expensive. For a more budget-friendly option, we love the CHEAP! CHEAP! Medium Moving Boxes, which cost a little less per box than our Best Overall pick and come in a pack of 20.

While these boxes aren’t suitable for super heavy items, and don’t come in an assortment of sizes, the cheap moving boxes can hold up to 65 pounds. In addition, they’re spacious enough to fit a variety of items, making them not only budget-friendly, but a versatile pick, too. 

Additionally, the boxes have built-in handles which can make carrying them a lot easier. They arrive banded and wrapped in plastic, so they keep their integrity in transit, and you don’t need to worry about damage caused by shipping.

Amount: 20 | Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 12 inches | Material: Cardboard

Best for Books

Bankers Box SmoothMove Small Moving Boxes, Pack of 10

Amazon Bankers Box SmoothMove Classic Small Moving Boxes, Pack of 10

Amazon

What We Like
  • Handles are particularly great for moving books

  • Big enough to store most book sizes

  • Come with a lid

What We Don't Like
  • Aren’t as ideal for large coffee table books

When packing books for a move, boxes with handles are ideal for lifting so much weight. For moving boxes for books, we love the Bankers Box SmoothMove Small Moving Boxes, which come in a pack of 10 and have built-in, open handles that make it easier to grab and carry the boxes into your new space. We also love these boxes because they come with constructed lids, which means you don’t need to use tape and you can easily reuse them to store books that don’t fit on your bookshelf or important documents. 

The boxes are also constructed from a durable cardboard material, so they’re super sturdy and can hold the weight of books. The small size isn’t as ideal for decorative coffee table books, but can house most standard collections.

Amount: 10 | Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 10 inches | Material: Cardboard

Best for Clothes

Amazon Basics Wardrobe Clothing Moving Boxes with Bar

Amazon Basics Wardrobe Clothing Moving Boxes with Bar

Amazon

What We Like
  • Come in a pack of three or six

  • Durable metal bar to hang clothes

  • Easy to assemble

What We Don't Like
  • Aren’t durable enough for long-term storage

One of the best things about moving boxes for clothes is you can just hang up your wardrobe items in one home, and then hang them up in your new home—certainly one of the easiest ways to pack hangers. The Amazon Basics Wardrobe Clothing Moving Boxes come with a built-in metal bar that is durable enough to withstand garment weight without collapsing. For clothing-related moving boxes, they come at a relatively good price, especially when you consider the price per box when purchasing either a three-pack or six-pack.

With that said, the boxes are more ideal for moving and wouldn’t be great for storing garments long-term, since cardboard doesn’t hold up well if exposed to elements, like moisture, for long.

Amount: 6 | Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 34 inches | Material: Cardboard, metal

Best for Vinyl Records

UBoxes Medium Boxes, Pack of 15

Amazon UBoxes Medium Boxes, Pack of 15

Amazon

What We Like
  • Versatile enough to work for other collections

  • Come in a pack of 15

  • Sturdy design

What We Don't Like
  • Don’t have handles

If you have a large record collection, you’ll want to make sure you pack up those valuable items well in durable boxes. The UBoxes Medium Boxes come in a pack of 15, and are big enough to keep records safe and snug when moving.

We love the medium-sized moving boxes because, in addition to being sturdy enough to house records, they are also super versatile and come with enough boxes to pack up other household items. On top of that, the boxes can handle a decent amount of weight so, if packed properly, they could house heavier items like dishes, ceramics, and other breakables. 

The only downside is these boxes don’t have handles, which could be helpful for carrying a heavy collection of records. However, they’re sturdy, so they won’t wobble in your hands.

Amount: 15 | Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 12 inches | Material: Cardboard

Best for Mirrors

Bankers Box SmoothMove TV/Picture/Mirror Moving Box, Large

Amazon Bankers Box SmoothMove TV/Picture/Mirror Moving Box, Large

Amazon

What We Like
  • Comes in a pack of four boxes

  • Can move mirrors, large picture frames, paintings, and TVs

  • Constructed from a strong corrugated cardboard

  • Clearly labeled

What We Don't Like
  • Fits a 40-inch object best, so larger mirrors won’t fit

With their delicate design, mirrors need a moving box that can hold their weight and keep them safe, and the Bankers Box SmoothMove TV/Picture/Mirror Moving Box is our top pick for all of your mirror-moving needs. The box is made from ultra-durable, 32 ECT C-Flute Kraft corrugated cardboard, making it strong enough to withstand cross-country moves and keep items inside safe and sound. The available pack includes four boxes, and each box has so much versatility, beyond packing mirrors. In addition to mirrors, the box fits large picture frames, paintings, and TVs, so long as they don’t exceed the 40-inch limit. 

Despite its more expensive price tag, we think that this cardboard moving box is well worth it, especially since it’s clearly labeled. The outside of the box reads, “Fragile, handle with care, do not lay flat.” In addition, it notes that a TV or mirror is inside, so your moving company or friends and family know to proceed with caution.

Amount: 4 | Dimensions: 48 x 33 x 4 inches | Material: Cardboard

Best for Glassware

U-Haul Glass Packing Kit for Glasses and Stemware

Amazon U-Haul Glass Packing Kit for Glasses and Stemware

Amazon

What We Like
  • Comes with a divider and 18 foam pouches

  • Can purchase a pack to drive down the cost

  • Works well for other collections

What We Don't Like
  • Not enough cushioning for large wine glasses

Packing stemware and other glasses comes with a nice side of stress. But, if you purchase the a moving box made for glassware, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Our pick is the U-Haul Glass Packing Kit for Glasses and Stemware, which comes with a glassware divider and 18 foam pouches, so you can individually wrap pieces before adding them to the slots for extra protection. Though on the expensive side, if you purchase a kit with more boxes, the cost per box drives down significantly.

In addition to the included divider and foam pouches, the box in this kit is made from a durable cardboard that stores well and can actually be reused time and time again. You can use the box to store your special occasion glassware, porcelain figurines, and other breakable household items you want to keep safe.

Amount: 1 box, 1 divider, 18 foam pouches | Dimensions: 24 ⅛  x 12 x 11 inches | Material: Cardboard, foam

Final Verdict

For the best overall moving boxes, we love the Amazon Basics Cardboard Moving Boxes in Small, Medium, and Large Sizes, which come in a pack of 30 assorted sizes at a lovely, low price. These boxes are versatile enough for a variety of objects and purposes, and provide a good starting point for big moves; though, they could also cover all of your moving needs, depending on how much stuff you have.

As for the top budget-friendly option, we recommend the CHEAP! CHEAP! Medium Moving Boxes, which come in a pack of 20 and cost a bit less per box. Considering their medium size, these boxes are also super versatile for a variety of objects, whether you’re moving or storing items.

What to Look for in a Moving Box

Sizes Available

When shopping for moving boxes, it’s important to ensure your pick will actually fit your beloved belongings. “Boxes of uniform size can be easier to stack, but a variety of sizes will also help you accommodate differently-sized items and fit things more tightly into your moving truck,” says Nick Valentino, Vice President of Market Operations at Bellhop Movers. 

With this in mind, it helps to start off with an assorted pack of moving boxes, such as our best overall pick for moving boxes, the Amazon Basics Cardboard Moving Boxes in Small, Medium, and Large Sizes, which come in a pack of 30 and in three different sizes. From there, consider the types of items you need to move and whether or not you need specific boxes for them. This can include large clothing boxes—such as our best for clothes pick, the Amazon Basics Wardrobe Clothing Moving Boxes with Bar—boxes for books, and boxes for glassware. 

Fitting your boxes inside a moving truck isn’t the only reason to consider size. Laura Avila, a professional cleaner with years of experience in packing and organizing, says the box size can also make or break (literally) your items, if you under-pack a large box. “Under-packing a box can cause items to shift and potentially become damaged during transport,” she explains.

Material and Durability

Material is another aspect of moving boxes to consider, because material is directly tied to the durability of a box. “Corrugated cardboard boxes are a popular choice because they’re sturdy and can handle bumps and jostling,” says Avila.

She also notes that some movers might opt for plastic bins versus moving boxes, because they are even more durable and can be reused for storage since they are water-resistant. That being that, plastic bins tend to be more expensive, so it might be best to only purchase a few that you can easily use again—or even rent plastic moving boxes from companies such as U-Haul. 

For a particularly durable moving box, we love the Bankers Box SmoothMove Small Moving Boxes, our best for books pick. They come in a pack of 10 and are sturdy enough to house several books. Plus, they feature handles to support you and your boxes during a move.

Type and Purpose

For the most part, a collection of rectangular boxes in a few different sizes is a good place to start when packing for a move. However, there are different types of moving boxes for different objects (especially larger or more breakable objects), which could make packing and moving a lot easier. “By choosing the right box for each item, you can ensure that everything arrives at your new home in good condition,” says Avila. 

The different types of moving boxes include basic rectangle and square moving boxes, as well as clothing rack boxes, mattress boxes, TV boxes, mirror boxes, boxes with inserts to keep glassware and dishes safe, and even boxes for bikes and other large and odd-shaped items. Within this list, we recommend our best for glassware pick U-Haul Glass Packing Kit for Glasses and Stemware for any and all glassware in your home.

This packing kit includes 18 foam pouches for extra security, and could additionally be used for porcelain figurines or other breakables in your home. We also recommend our best for mirrors pick Bankers Box SmoothMove TV/Picture/Mirror Moving Box, Large for mirrors or TVs. This box is labeled clearly on the outside, so everyone knows to handle it with care.

FAQ
  • What kind of boxes are best for moving?

    “When you’re looking for moving boxes, you want something sturdy that can protect your belongings during transport,” says Avila. With this in mind, the best boxes for moving are ones made from sturdy and durable materials that can hold a decent amount of weight, such as corrugated cardboard boxes.

    But, aside from material, it’s important to look at the size and shape of the boxes and how that might impact the overall security of your items.

    For example, a TV box is specifically designed to move a large, heavy TV, and can therefore keep your screen well protected. Breakable or valuable items can also benefit from specialty moving boxes, since these often have built-in compartments or inserts that can add an extra layer of protection. This is the case with our best for glassware pick, the U-Haul Glass Packing Kit for Glasses and Stemware.

  • What size moving box is the easiest to pack?

    Since it depends entirely on what you need to pack, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, Avila says that having a mix of moving box sizes on hand—such as small, medium, and large boxes, plus a few specialty boxes as needed—is a good idea, especially when considering weight. “Small boxes are great for heavy items like books, while larger boxes are better for lighter items like bedding and clothing,” she explains.

  • Can cardboard moving boxes be reused multiple times?

    “Cardboard moving boxes can be reused multiple times and, from an ecological standpoint, they really should,” says Valentino. With that said, cardboard can weaken with each use, so both Valentino and Avila recommend inspecting boxes before using them again.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jessie Quinn is a freelance contributing writer for The Spruce and covers everything from organizing solutions to home essentials. When researching the best moving boxes, Quinn looked at everything from the material to the size to the shape of moving boxes to narrow down her search. From there, she considered dozens of options, being mindful of the usage, durability and weight capacity, and price to find the best options.

Our Experts:

  • Nick Valentino, Vice President of Market Operations at Bellhop Movers
  • Laura Avila, a professional cleaner with years of experience in packing and organizing provided input on what are the best moving boxes and how to reuse them.