Guide to the Different Types of Moving Boxes

Any old box is great for moving, right? Until it falls apart, it doesn’t hold all the things you want it to, or fit into your moving truck properly. To make your move as seamless as possible, you’re going to need the right moving boxes. Boxes that use corrugated cardboard are the best for moving for many reasons. That’s why the U-Haul line of moving and specialty boxes use it. The durable boxes are also flexible making it possible to design boxes for any need as we detail later. To learn more about the moving boxes and the different types check out our guide below.

Corrugated Cardboard

What is Corrugated Cardboard?

Corrugated cardboard isn’t the material used for your cereal box. Corrugated cardboard Is durable, lightweight, and environmentally friendly. What makes corrugated cardboard different is that it’s made of three layers of paper. There’s an interior liner, an external liner, and the ruffled, fluted material sandwiched between those liners.

Benefits of Corrugated Cardboard for Moving

When you pack items for moving or shipping, you want your items protected. That’s why corrugated cardboard boxes are the best option for moving. The layers create an exceptionally strong box for moving and packing. Corrugated cardboard is more durable and perfect for a moving box. The boxes are also lightweight and very affordable. Corrugated cardboard allows for flexibility, creating moving boxes of all shapes and sizes. Corrugated is also biodegradable and contains no dyes or bleaches, so it can be composted and recycled effectively. All U-Haul corrugated cardboard is curbside recyclable (just remember to remove any tape or adhesives before placing the boxes into a curbside bin.

Types of Packing Boxes for Moving

The flexibility of corrugated cardboard creates boxes for all your needs. At U-Haul, we offer standard sized moving boxes for common household items and specialty boxes for more uncommon and oddly shaped items like golf clubs/bags, vacuum cleaners, lamps, large vases, books, TVs, mirrors and pictures.

Standard Cardboard Boxes

For moving, everyone is going to need moving boxes from small to large. Small moving boxes are great for books or small appliances like a toaster. When moving your office supplies and home décor, the medium moving box is a perfect fit. When it comes to bedding or any bulky items, there are large and extra-large moving boxes. For more details, please take a deep dive into our complete guide to buying boxes for moving.

Small Moving Box – Fits household items, like books, canned food, small appliances, vinyl records, and more. This box can hold up to 65 pounds with its 16-3/8" x 12-5/8" x 12-5/8" dimensions.
Medium Moving Box – The medium box is perfect for toys, lampshades, medium kitchen appliances, craft supplies, and small bathroom and bedroom items. With its 18 1/8” x 18” x 16” dimensions it has become the most popular U-Haul moving box.
Large Moving Box – Pack a variety of bulky yet lightweight household goods like stuffed animals, folded clothing, stereo speakers, books, and more in a large moving box (18" x 18" x 24").
Extra-Large Moving Box – Items like folded towels, blankets, pillows, comforters, couch cushions, and more. Pack your bulkiest and lightest items in the extra-large moving box (24" x 18" x 24").

Heavy-Duty Boxes

U-Haul Heavy-Duty Boxes offer all the same benefits as standard moving boxes, but in a more durable and versatile package. Using heavy-duty boxes for moving means you get double-wall corrugated boxes. They are cardboard boxes with two corrugated cardboard layers instead of one. This gives each box twice as much protection from environmental contaminants like moisture, dirt and dust that may threaten your items while they are packed away.

Wardrobe Boxes

Everyone has clothes that hang, while no one wants to fold them all up for your move. In fact, some clothing can’t be folded. With wardrobe boxes, you don’t have to fold anything. A wardrobe box comes with a metal bar strong enough to carry your clothes from your closet. In one quick transition, you can move all your clothes directly from the closet to the wardrobe box . The best part is that you won’t have any wrinkles in your clothes either, making them ready to use once you reach your destination. Wardrobe boxes are also great for packing tall chairs, artificial Christmas trees, and other tall items you are moving.

TV Moving Boxes

Movie nights and game day parties are coming to the new house too, right? Gone are the days of wrapping your television in blankets and hoping nothing happens to it during the move. TV moving boxes make packing up your big screen a breeze, and U-Haul has solutions up to 86”. When it comes to packing a flat-screen TV, it’s even easier with a TV packing kit from U-Haul. The kit comes with a TV cover, Mover’s Stretch Plastic Wrap, paper packing tape, and a furniture pad.

Mirror and Picture Boxes

Mirrors and pictures are some of the most fragile items in a move. It’s very important to protect them as best as possible. Our mirror and picture moving boxes are designed to fit frames up to 37” x 27” and provide professional-grade protection during moving or storage. For bigger items, you can telescope two boxes that are 54” wide as seen in the video below in our how to pack a picture guide. To secure your picture or mirror properly you’ll also need a picture packer kit, box tape, and Enviro-Bubble®.

Moving Boxes for Glassware and Dishes

Packing glassware and dishes can be one of the most tedious items because of how easily they can break. Everything you do has to be done with care. The best way to pack dishes and glassware for moving is using all-in-one packing kits such as the Dish Saver Kit and Glass Pack Kit . Instead of spending a ton of time, effort, and a variety of packing supplies to individually wrap and protect each item correctly, U-Haul has put together a kit for everything you need. The cell-divider unit allows for each dish or piece of glass to have its own space and the individual foam pouches included in the kit make for additional protection.

How to Pack Boxes for Moving

To start packing your boxes, you’re going to need moving supplies that we’ve mentioned and know how to tape a box. Here are our suggested supplies to keep your belongings in excellent condition.

Recommended packing supplies

Once you have those, assemble your moving boxes. Start by unfolding your collapsed box until it’s in a cube shape. On the bottom, fold the small flaps into the center, then fold the larger flaps on top of those; apply a strip or two of packing tape where the flaps meet in the center to close the box. Then follow our how to pack boxes for moving guide for regular boxes, wardrobe boxes, TV moving boxes, and everything else U-Haul has to offer for your move.

There are four ways to get moving boxes and other moving supplies. You can order online at uhaul.com for pick up or delivery. When you order online, you can choose from Same Delivery and FREE in-store pickup to ensure you get the moving supplies you need, when you need them. The other option is to find your nearest U-Haul location to buy boxes at the counter or use our U-Haul Checkout. We have been serving the do-it-yourself mover since 1945 and we are here to help you get the boxes best suited for your move.

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