Most people searching "are moving totes worth renting" aren't looking for a sales pitch — they want a straight answer before they commit. So here it is: for most local moves, yes, renting reusable moving boxes is the better option over buying cardboard. But the why matters, so here's what drives that answer.
Why Would People Rent Moving Totes?
The main reasons come down to time, less hassle, and the mess that cardboard leaves behind. When you rent reusable moving boxes — sometimes called plastic moving bins or crates — you skip the part where you drive to Home Depot or U-Haul, guess how many boxes you need, spend money per box on packing tape and supplies, and finally deal with a pile of broken-down cardboard when you're done unpacking.
Reusable plastic moving boxes are a genuine alternative to cardboard boxes: the bins are delivered to your door, already assembled and ready to use. A dolly is included with every Nice Totes package so you're not hauling them by hand. When you're done, we pick everything up — no cardboard to flatten, no zip ties, no recycling run.
For most customers, the rental period is one to two weeks — enough time for a local move without paying a monthly storage fee. Moving companies often rent totes for office and commercial moves for exactly the same reason: less hassle before, during, and after.
What Is Better for Moving: Boxes or Totes?
Totes win on most of the things that actually matter during a move. Here's an honest breakdown of how they protect your belongings better:
Durability. Heavy-duty plastic totes don't buckle under weight the way cardboard does. A cardboard box packed with books or dishware and set on a damp garage floor will eventually fail — the bottom gives out or the sides collapse. Plastic moving bins are durable and reusable, hold their shape under heavy items, and are water-resistant, which matters if you're moving in summer rain or temporarily storing things in a garage.
Stackability. Reusable plastic moving boxes are uniform by design and rated to stack safely — they take up less space in a moving truck because they don't shift and lean the way mismatched cardboard boxes do. Totes stack cleanly and stay put.
Protection for fragile items. The rigid walls and secure lid on each plastic moving bin offer extra protection during transit — better than a cardboard box sealed with packing tape. There's no soft bottom to give way, and no gaps where moisture or pests can get in around packed items, keeping your items safe from the first mile to the last.
Eco-friendly moving. Highly durable and reusable, plastic moving bins get used hundreds of times before they're retired — a more sustainable moving choice than single-use cardboard. If you find free cardboard boxes behind a grocery store, you may not know how many times they've been wet, compressed, or exposed to pests.
Where cardboard still makes sense: Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes are one area where specialty boxes do a job totes can't. Long-term storage that requires its own footprint also suits cardboard. But for your standard local residential relocation, totes meet essentially all your moving needs better.
Is Renting Moving Totes Cheaper Than Buying Cardboard Boxes?
It's close — and renting often comes out ahead once you account for everything. When you buy moving boxes, you're spending money per box plus packing tape, bubble wrap for fragile items, and usually a higher number of boxes than you estimated because it's hard to get the count right. You're also spending time sourcing them.
Renting plastic moving boxes is one flat fee that covers delivery and pickup. No tape, no extra packing materials, no per-box cost stacking up. For a one-bedroom apartment, the total is typically comparable to buying new boxes with supplies. For a larger home, renting totes often saves money outright while simplifying the entire packing process.
How Many Moving Totes Do You Need?
Here's a practical guide based on home size and typical moving needs:
- Studio or 1-bedroom: 15–20 totes
- 2-bedroom: 25–35 totes
- 3-bedroom: 35–50 totes
Totes handle nearly every category well — clothes, kitchen items, books, bathroom supplies, small appliances, and packed items from shelves. The main exception is wardrobe items on hangers, where a specialty wardrobe box for hanging clothes works better. Not sure how many to book? Our FAQ page has a sizing guide, or just reach out and we'll help you choose.
See tote packages by home size — pricing, what's included, and how to book.
View Residential PricingHow Long Can You Keep Rental Moving Bins?
Nice Totes packages include a standard rental period of one week, with extensions available if you need more time. Most local moves in the Chicago suburbs and southeast Wisconsin finish well within that window — pack, move, unpack, done. If your timeline needs adjusting, let us know when you book.
Do Rented Moving Bins Come Clean?
Yes — this is a fair question and one we hear often. Nice Totes cleans and sanitizes every bin between rentals. Heavy-duty plastic is easy to wipe down completely, so our totes don't carry odors or residue from previous renters. That's an advantage over free cardboard boxes sourced from liquor stores or grocery recycling bins, where condition is unpredictable.
The Short Answer
For a local move in the Chicago suburbs or southeast Wisconsin, renting moving totes is worth it. The bins are delivered and picked up, they protect your belongings better than cardboard boxes, and the cost is competitive with buying boxes and packing materials. The stress-free packing process — no assembly, no tape, no post-move cardboard pile — is reason enough for most people.
If you're planning a DIY move and want broader packing tips and a full relocation checklist, see our guide on how to move without a moving company. For questions about booking, delivery windows, and what's included with every rental, the FAQ page has everything you need before you decide.