UNITS Moving & Portable Storage (2026 Review)
Here’s the bottom line: UNITS Moving & Portable Storage is a strong pick for a flexible DIY move, with steel 12- and 16-foot containers, month-to-month rentals, and storage at your home or a UNITS warehouse. Founded in 2004, UNITS serves over 500 cities through locally owned franchises and holds a 4.9-star Trustpilot rating. Our UNITS review covers what customers say, pricing, container sizes, coverage, and how UNITS compares to the best moving container companies.
- Locally owned branches
- Steel containers in multiple sizes
- Level delivery for tight spaces
- Flexible month-to-month service
- Climate-controlled storage
Pros & cons of moving with UNITS
- Steel 12- & 16-foot containers
- ROBO-UNIT delivery fits tight & uneven spaces
- Ground-level loading with no ramp
- Month-to-month rentals & warehouse storage
- 4.9-star Trustpilot rating
- Only two container sizes
- Not available in every state
- Pricing & policies vary by franchise
Jump to the UNITS info you’re looking for:
What do customers say about UNITS?
Customers rate UNITS highly. As of November 2026, UNITS holds a 4.9-out-of-5 TrustScore on Trustpilot across 393 reviews, and 96% of those reviews give five stars.
None of our Better Moves Project participants have moved with UNITS yet. So we compared third-party reviews across multiple UNITS locations, the same approach we use in analyzing more than 1 million customer reviews of moving companies.
What do UNITS reviews praise & criticize?
UNITS reviews follow a few clear patterns. Here’s what customers mention most often:
- Friendly local staff: Reviewers often praise UNITS franchise owners and staff for being courteous and helpful. Many say containers arrived clean and in good condition.
- On-time delivery: Many reviews highlight on-time drop-offs and pickups. A few customers at some locations report delays or confusion about delivery windows.
- Sturdy containers: Customers call out the steel construction and say containers stay level during loading and transport. Long-distance customers report minimal shifting inside.
- Placement issues: Several negative reviews involve where a container was placed or how long it sat before pickup. Confirm the exact spot and pickup date in writing.
- Franchise differences: UNITS runs through local franchises, so service quality can vary by market. Check reviews for your specific location before you book.
“…they were super nice and helpful and they got me a Units container on short notice.”
—Tim N., Trustpilot
“A unit was dropped off in front of our home at the specific time in the site I wanted.”
—Karen H., Trustpilot
How to get the best results with UNITS
A little planning helps you avoid the most common UNITS complaints. Follow these steps before and after you book:
- Get a detailed written quote. Ask for the monthly rental rate, delivery and pickup fees, and any long-distance transport charges. UNITS includes delivery and pickup fees in its upfront quote.
- Check your local franchise’s ratings. Each UNITS location is independently owned, so look up your franchise on the Better Business Bureau site before you sign.
- Measure your delivery spot. UNITS needs about 30 – 40 feet of length and 12 – 14 feet of overhead clearance to place a container. Send photos of your driveway to your local office to avoid day-of surprises.
- Pack for transport. Use sturdy boxes, put heavy items on the bottom, and strap loads down with the built-in ETRACK system. Our guide to packing a moving container has more tips.
- Inspect your container on arrival. Walk through the container when it reaches your new home. Photograph any damage and contact your local office right away.
How much does UNITS cost?
UNITS doesn’t publish standard rates because each locally owned franchise sets its own prices. Your quote depends on container size, rental length, delivery distance, and whether you keep the container at home or in a UNITS warehouse.
Moving containers like UNITS cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average, so UNITS is a good fit if you want to save by packing and loading yourself. Some locations also offer savings on long-term rentals and multi-container orders. See our roundup of moving container discounts for current deals.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you get a price range for your actual move to compare against a UNITS quote.
What affects UNITS pricing?
Six variables drive the price of a UNITS move or storage rental:
- Container size: The container size you choose, and how many you need, sets your base monthly rate.
- Location: High-demand markets usually charge more for monthly rental and delivery.
- Distance: Long-distance moves add transport charges on top of local delivery and pickup fees.
- Rental length: UNITS charges by the month with a one-month minimum, so longer rentals cost more overall.
- Contents protection: UNITS sells optional protection, or you can use your homeowners or renters policy. Our guide to moving insurance explains your options.
- Storage location: Keeping the container in a UNITS warehouse instead of your driveway can change the price.
Pro tip: Get quotes from at least two container companies for the same dates, since franchise pricing can vary widely between markets. Our list of the best moving container companies is a good place to start.
Why compare with moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
What services does UNITS offer?
UNITS focuses on portable container moving and storage for homes and businesses. Here’s what most UNITS franchises offer:
- Local moves: UNITS delivers a container, you load it, and UNITS moves it to your new address within the franchise’s service area.
- Long-distance moves: UNITS transports your loaded container between franchise locations for interstate moves. Your destination must fall in a UNITS service area.
- On-site storage: Keep a container at your home during a renovation, declutter, or home sale, with a one-month minimum and no set maximum.
- Warehouse storage: UNITS can store your loaded container in a secure local warehouse until your new home is ready.
- Business storage: Commercial customers use UNITS containers for tools, inventory, and jobsite materials.
UNITS doesn’t load or unload containers for you. If you want help with the heavy lifting, you can hire local moving labor separately.
What size containers does UNITS offer?
UNITS offers two container sizes: 12-foot and 16-foot. Both are all-steel with lockable doors, a one-piece roof, and ground-level placement, so the main difference is capacity.
| 12-foot | 16-foot | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12 x 8 x 8 ft | 16 x 8 x 8 ft |
| Capacity | 3 – 4 rooms | 4 – 5 rooms |
| Weight limit | About 7,000 lbs | About 7,000 lbs |
| Move types | Local & storage (varies) | Local, long-distance & storage |
UNITS’ ROBO-UNIT delivery system keeps containers level as it sets them down, even on sloped or unpaved ground. Inside, the ETRACK system gives you tie-down points to keep your belongings from shifting.
Where is UNITS available?
UNITS serves over 500 cities in more than 30 states through its franchise network. Coverage is strongest in the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast, with select markets in the West and Southwest.
- Not nationwide: Some states and rural areas don’t have a nearby UNITS location. In those areas, PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, or Zippy Shell may be better options.
- Franchise service areas: Each UNITS location sets its own service radius. Having a UNITS franchise in your state doesn’t guarantee your address is covered.
Enter both ZIP codes on the UNITS website or call your local office to confirm coverage at each end of your move.
How does UNITS compare to other container companies?
UNITS competes most directly with Zippy Shell and PODS. All three offer portable containers for local and long-distance moves plus storage, but they differ in coverage and container sizes:
| Company | Price level | Coverage | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNITS | $$ | 30+ states | 12 & 16 ft |
| Zippy Shell | $ | 38 states & DC | 10 & 15 ft |
| PODS | $$ | 44 states & DC | 8, 12 & 16 ft |
Container pricing varies by market, so get quotes from at least two of these companies before you book. moveBuddha’s pricing tools run on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, which gives you a real benchmark to check each quote against.
UNITS vs. Zippy Shell
UNITS and Zippy Shell both combine local moves, long-distance transport, and warehouse storage. The biggest difference is container style: UNITS uses ground-level steel containers, while Zippy Shell uses 10- and 15-foot containers on street-legal trailers.
- Choose UNITS for more space. UNITS’ 16-foot container holds more than Zippy Shell’s largest 15-foot option.
- Choose UNITS for driveway storage. A ground-level UNITS container can sit on your property for months with no ramp needed.
- Choose Zippy Shell for city moves. Zippy Shell’s trailer-based containers can park on the street where driveway space is limited.
- Choose Zippy Shell for wider coverage. Zippy Shell serves 38 states and DC, compared with UNITS’ 30+ states.
UNITS is the better pick for long-term storage at home, while Zippy Shell suits dense urban moves.
rating
4.2 / 5
UNITS vs. PODS
PODS is the best-known moving container brand, with 8-, 12-, and 16-foot containers and service in 44 states and DC. UNITS matches PODS’ two larger sizes but covers fewer states.
- Choose UNITS for tight spaces. The ROBO-UNIT system can place and level containers on sloped or uneven ground.
- Choose UNITS for local service. Locally owned UNITS franchises let you deal with a nearby office instead of a national call center.
- Choose PODS for small moves. PODS’ 8-foot container suits studios and partial moves, and UNITS has no equivalent.
- Choose PODS for wider coverage. PODS serves more states, so it’s a safer bet if UNITS doesn’t cover your route.
UNITS is the stronger choice for tricky driveways and personal service, while PODS wins on coverage and size options.
rating
4.8 / 5
How does moving with UNITS work?
A UNITS move takes four steps, from quote to final pickup. You control the packing and loading timeline at each end.
Getting a quote
Request a quote online or call UNITS’ main number, which routes you to your local franchise. Have this information ready:
- ZIP codes: Your origin and destination ZIP codes let UNITS confirm coverage at both ends.
- Move type: Tell UNITS whether you need a local move, long-distance move, or storage only.
- Dates: Share your target move date or storage start date.
- Home size: Your number of rooms helps UNITS recommend the right container size and count.
Delivery & loading
UNITS delivers an empty container with the ROBO-UNIT system and sets it at ground level in your driveway or another approved spot. You pack and load at your own pace, then call your local office to schedule pickup.
Transport & storage
UNITS moves your loaded container to your new home or to a local warehouse. If your new home isn’t ready, UNITS can hold the container in storage until you schedule delivery.
Delivery to your new home
UNITS delivers the container to your new address, and you unload on a month-to-month rental. Once the container is empty, call your local office to schedule the final pickup.
UNITS FAQ
How much weight can a UNITS container hold?
UNITS recommends loading no more than about 7,000 pounds in either container size. Split heavier loads across two containers. Ask your local office if you’re unsure.
What size UNITS container do I need for a two-bedroom apartment?
A 12-foot UNITS container holds about 3 – 4 rooms of furniture, enough for many two-bedroom apartments. Choose the 16-foot container if you have bulky furniture. Our moving container sizes guide can help you compare.
Is UNITS storage climate-controlled?
UNITS containers aren’t climate-controlled, but they’re steel and weather-resistant. Some UNITS warehouses offer climate-controlled storage, depending on the location. Ask your local franchise before storing sensitive items.
How long can I keep a UNITS container?
UNITS rentals have a one-month minimum and no set maximum. You pay month to month for as long as you need the container. Some locations discount long-term rentals.
Does UNITS do long-distance moves?
Yes, UNITS moves containers long-distance between its franchise locations. Both your origin and destination must be in a UNITS service area. Confirm both ZIP codes when you request a quote.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough moving methodology evaluates each moving company’s services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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