U-Haul U-Box® Containers vs. Zippy Shell® - Portable Storage

When it comes to moving, there is a wide range of options available at the touch of a button. It’s necessary to assess all options to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Portable moving containers are skyrocketing in popularity because of their convenience when it comes to local and long-distance moves.

Portable moving containers typically cost between $1,000-$4,000. The cost is heavily dependent on factors such as how many containers you order, what delivery option you select, how far the containers are being shipped, and any additional moving costs.

But which moving container is right for you? Only one storage container continuously ranks as the number one option from both Forbes and Bob Vila for the past four consecutive years, and it's U-Box® by U-Haul.

Zippy Shell also offers portable storage containers, and in this article, we’ll compare both U-Box and Zippy Shell and give you all the information necessary to make your decision.

First, let’s go over the basics.

Container Size

Size is an important factor when choosing a portable moving container, but sometimes size can work against you. Having a container too big for your move could mean paying for space you don’t need!

It’s no secret that moving containers take up space. Zippy Shell and U-Box both provide street-legal trailers for their containers, making them easier to access for customers. However, as mentioned above, this is where the size of the container can work against you.

Living in an apartment complex, duplex, or condo can mean there is limited space for moving containers to be parked or placed. Moving container companies often require large amounts of space to drop containers, meaning some large containers may not be able to be delivered to you.

U-Box container dimensions are a comfortable 5 feet wide, 8 feet long, and 7 and a half feet tall. With 257 cubic feet of roomy interior space, or about half the size of one parking space, you can fit a king-size mattress and so much more!

U-Box containers are also great if you’re moving with roommates or multiple families, because you can easily sort items into each U-Box container you order.

Zippy Shell containers come in two sizes. Their 15-foot metal mesh container holds 680 cubic feet of space and comes to you in one of their trailers, depending on availability. Their 16-foot container comes to you as a shipping container, without the metal mesh container on the inside. The 16-foot container holds 830 cubic feet of space.

When you load a Zippy Shell trailer, you might be surprised when you open it up! You aren’t loading the container you see on the outside, but a smaller metal container on the inside with a flat metal bottom and fence-like walls that aren’t enclosed. Zippy Shell trailer containers are also extremely limited; trailers are available at only six of their 81 warehouse locations.

This is important to know if you need a moving container on a trailer for parking and mobility. With U-Box self-delivery, you can tow up to two U-Box containers to your door. The same goes for Delivery with Moving Help.

This is where U-Box is the clear winner. With U-Box, you can order as many containers as you think you need, and you’ll get refunded for the ones you don’t use.

Plus, with each U-Box, it comes with 24 free furniture pads to help wrap and protect your items!

Cost and Affordability

In your instant U-Box quote, it includes how many U-Box containers you are reserving, your delivery method, all shipping costs, and the monthly container rental fee.

At Zippy Shell, the cost of your move will substantially increase if you get another container, even if you only fill it halfway. If you cancel your move with Zippy Shell within 10 days of your shipping date, you will be charged a $299 cancellation fee.

In your Zippy Shell quote, you get the price of each container (both their 15-foot and 16-foot container cost the same) and shipping and delivery totals.

What is not included in your quote is a fuel surcharge, which is the fuel cost to ship your items.

With Zippy Shell, most of the information on their main website is not franchise-specific, which is why you must call them to get a quote. Container availability depends on which warehouse is closest to you. The closer you make your reservation to your moving date with Zippy Shell, the more it will cost.

At U-Haul, we know moves can happen at any time, which is why we don’t penalize last-minute planners with higher rates than those booking in advance.  

*Quotes were made three months out and do not include any insurance costs or moving labor assistance. For U-Box quotes, the truck delivery option was used as standard.

Last Updated July 2025.

Security and Protection

However, when you make your move happen, you want it to be secure, so your items are kept safe. Portable moving containers are built to last.

With U-Box and its extremely durable weather-resistant vinyl cover, the elements stay out, and your items stay safe and dry. And with our premium pest-resistant plywood, the breathable wood protects your items from mold and mildew.

Also, with a Zippy Shell trailer, due to the container not being completely closed, all your items are completely displayed while in their warehouses.

Locks are not provided with your U-Box container since we believe only you should have access. You choose the lock, you’re the only one with the key.

With Zippy Shell, locks are provided.

Delivery and Shipping

With nearly all portable moving containers, shipping is done in semi-truck trailers. These trucks differ in ride quality and suspension. U-Box ships with gentle-ride suspension, and Zippy Shell does not specify if they ship with any kind of soft-riding suspension. U-Box also gives a guaranteed arrival date for your U-Box containers and will refund you $50 a day for every day your containers are not where they need to be.

How portable storage containers are delivered and shipped is often what leads someone to decide if that container is right for them. What matters most with delivery and shipping is what the options are and how much it will cost.

Portable moving container costs increase due to delivery and shipping distances, so the closer the company’s location to your move, the better. Thankfully, with U-Box, there are over 1,500 locations across the U.S. and Canada in every state and province, which lessens costs for you.

Unfortunately, Zippy Shell is only available in 37 states, so if you are located in or moving to one of the states they don't service, Zippy Shell is not an option for you.

Having only two delivery options and a container nearly double the size of a U-Box container means less accessibility for you. These are the limitations when choosing a Zippy Shell container. Zippy Shell trailers are 10.5 feet wide, 11 feet high, and 22 feet long, much larger than an average parking space. The trailer’s pull-out ramp requires even more space to be used!

Zippy Shell’s hydraulic lift truck requires a minimum of 12 feet in width, 13.5 feet in height, and 55 feet in length. They do have a box truck option, though that still requires 30 feet in length and 9 feet in width.

Once Zippy Shell delivers your trailer, you have just three days to load your belongings before they return to pick it up. With a 16-foot Zippy Shell shipping container, you get to take as long as you’d like.

With U-Box Containers, you can take all the time you need to load your belongings.

This is where U-Box container’s size and delivery options take the cake.

U-Box containers come with four different delivery options and three different loading options:

Truck Delivery:

For a delivery fee with Truck Delivery, U-Box containers will be delivered right to your door wherever you need them! The containers that are delivered are yours to use/load until you need us to come and pick them up.

Self-Delivery:

Want to skip the delivery fee? Self-delivery is a great option! Simply pick up your U-Box containers from your local U-Haul moving and storage location and tow them with a capable vehicle to your desired location.

Assisted Delivery and Load:

Assisted Delivery and Load with Moving Help is a great way to get a near full-service move at a fraction of the price!

Access at a U-Haul location:

If you don’t have the space for a U-Box at your home, you can take your items to your local U-Haul Center and load your items into your U-Box container!

Accessing Your Items

Since your items are close by at one of the over 1,500 U-Haul centers that offer U-Box, we offer same-day access. You can show up at your local U-Haul center where your U-Box is located and ask for your container(s) so you can grab whatever you need.

With Zippy Shell, if you have to access your container while it’s in storage at one of their locations, you must call in advance. With only 81 locations in 37 states, if you need an item from your container, you may have to make a road trip just to get what you need.

International Shipping

With U-Haul International Moves, you can ship your U-Box containers to nearly anywhere in the world! We can help you navigate to most international ports on earth.

Get a free quote today for your next international move:

 

 

Reliability and Service

Moving all your items at once can induce stress, and that’s why it’s important to have constant support and not be limited by locations, inventory, delivery options, and customer service.

That’s why at U-Haul, we have accessible customer support. You can call, chat, email, or use our app to communicate with us to meet your needs.

Zippy Shell customer support is only available through phone or email and has time limits.

Need more of a reason to go with U-Box? Check out all these reviews!

"I didn't know what to expect, but I had a few items left to move across country and didn't want to make that drive again. The U-Boxes were great. Everything arrived ahead of schedule and in perfect condition!"

"My moving experience was excellent! Great communication throughout, easy scheduling, no call wait times, items in perfect condition, and my box arrived 2 days early, which was super helpful. Literally no complaints and no constructive feedback. Keep up the great job, yall! Thank you!!!"

"This process was so smooth, I cant see any improvement points. Every staff member I dealt with was professional, friendly and hard working. They were great. My box arrived with no issues whatsoever. I keep telling friends that this was the best way to move."

Perks	U-Box® by U-Haul	Zippy Shell®
Lowest Cost	Yes	No
Multiple Delivery Options	Yes	Yes
Available in all 50 States & Canadian Provinces	Yes	No
Access Your Belongings in Storage	Yes	Yes
Weather-Resistant Container	Yes	Yes
International Shipping	Yes	No
Load Items for More Than Three Days (Depending on what container you receive for Zippy Shell)	Yes	No
24 Free Rental Furniture Pads Per Storage Container	Yes	No
Enclosed Containers While in Storage and Shipping (Depending on what Zippy Shell container you receive)	Yes	No
No Cancellation Fee 24 Hours Prior to Reservation	Yes	No
Containers Shipped with Gentle-Ride Suspension	Yes	No
Instant Quote Without a Phone Call	Yes	No
Provide All Costs With a Quote	Yes	No