Picture this: You’re finally ready to move, surrounded by boxes, but you’re staring at a mountain of stuff. Should you use flimsy cardboard, or those big plastic bins? Choosing the perfect storage totes for moving can feel like a maze. Cardboard boxes rip easily, and the wrong plastic tote might crack under pressure or just not fit your space right.
This decision is crucial because your totes are the guardians of your belongings during a move. The wrong choice means damaged items or wasted space. We get it; you want strong, stackable, and efficient containers that make unpacking easier, not harder. That’s why we dove deep into the world of moving totes.
Keep reading, and you will learn exactly how to pick the best totes for every item you own—from fragile heirlooms to heavy books. We break down sizes, materials, and must-have features so you can pack smarter, not harder. Get ready to conquer your move with the right containers in hand!
Top Storage Totes For Moving Recommendations
- 【Extra Large】Measuring 27"L x 15"W x 13.5"H, Ukeetap Moving Bags offer a spacious 24-gallon volume and hold up to 65 lbs, ideal for moving, packing, and all your storage needs.
- 【Heavy Duty】Made with heavy-duty, thickened plastic fabric, these moving boxes with reinforced wrap-around handles and strong zippers promise max strength and reliable seal.
- 【Tough & Water Resistant】Made from tear-resistant and waterproof woven fabric, these bags can withstand the rigors of moving and shield belongings from stains and moisture.
- 【Extra Heavy Duty】Made of upgraded 180 GMS extra thick coated PE fabric, Fygrip moving bags with fully wrap around handles, strong zipper and reinforced stitching promise to safely hold more than 65 lbs loading.
- 【Extra Large Capacity】Sized at 29"L x 14"W x 13"H, these extra large storage bags offers more than 23 gallon volume, perfect packing bags for the moving of college student.
- 【Easy Packing & Storage】No more hassles to assemble and unpack the moving boxes. These large packing bags features a wide open zipper design, you can easily pack your large bedding right into the bags. And you can also easily folded them after use for easy storage.
- EXTRA LARGE SIZE: 29" W X 13" H X 14" D - 86 Liters or 24 Gallon. They will safely hold up to 65 lbs. Strong moving storage bags in the market. These bags are made from durable woven 180 GSM coated polypropylene woven material. College Dorm Room Essentials for girls, guys.
- EASY TO USE GREAT FOR MOVING: Move Without Boxes – No need to buy and assemble boxes or look for packing supplies. Extra Large Moving Bags plenty of room to store and protect just about anything. These bags are very mobile and are a lightweight, economical alternative to moving boxes. College students love these bags in and out of college dorms.
- QUALITY UPGRADING: UPGRADED WIDE WEBBING: Reduced Stress On Hands. UPGRADED SEWING PROCESS: Not Broken. Not Punctured. UPGRADED REINFORCED ZIPPERS: 30000 Times of Pull Test. MOISTUREPROOF COATING.
- Tidy Up in Style: Eliminate household clutter with the versatile heavy-duty storage container, perfect for organizing laundry, fun items, tools, and more throughout your home.
- Durable for Indoors & Outdoors: Built from sturdy, solid plastic that withstands frequent use in the garage, utility room, closet, or office without cracking or warping.
- Lightweight Stackable Design: Features a lightweight build with stackable functionality. Stack multiple bins to maximize vertical space and keep storage areas neat and efficient.
- 1.Military-Grade Durability Crafted with 210GSM reinforced PE-coated fabric, tested to withstand 65+ lbs of weight and 10,000+ zipper cycles. Triple-stitched handles prevent tearing during rough transport
- 2.XXL Capacity & Space Efficiency 29"L×14"W×13"H dimensions hold 23+ gallons – fits 4 king-size comforters or 60 summer outfits. Collapses to 2" thickness for under-bed storage
- 3.Ergonomic Transport System 4" wide padded handles distribute weight evenly.
- HIGH-CAPACITY: These big storage bags are great for storing, transporting and organizing all sorts of items from clothing, toys, shoes, towels, supplies, pillows, bedding, sheets, blankets, laundry, Christmas decor and more! You will be shocked & pleased at the amount you can fit in these jumbo bags. You get 6 bags & when you open them up you immediately realize the awesome buy you made.
- EXTRA LARGE SIZE: 29" W X 13" H X 14" D - 86 Liters or 24 Gallon. They will safely hold up to 65 lbs. Strong moving storage bags in the market. These bags are made from durable woven 180 GSM coated polypropylene woven material. College Dorm Room Essentials for girls, guys.
- EASY TO USE GREAT FOR MOVING: VELVETSURE Extra Large Moving Bags plenty of room to store and protect just about anything. These bags are very mobile and are a lightweight, economical alternative to moving boxes. College students love these bags in and out of college dorms.
- ✔️ Extra Large: 27'' x 14'' x 15'' and up to 24 Gallon volume, an alternative for moving box and organizer, holiday storage bag. Waterproof, ideal for space saving, moving, camping
- ✔️ Heavy-Duty: Made with premium PE material with wide and thick carrying handles surround the luggage/bag, giving the moving bags much more strength to hold heavier loading than stitched handles
- ✔️ Open Top: The top side of the storage bag can be fully opened and it is much easier to organize, load and unload clothes, books, or anything that you want to put in
- Ultra-Sturdy Construction: The moving bags measuring 28.7" x 14.2" x 14", hold up to 24.6 gallons and up to 60 lbs. Crafted from premium, thick fabric that resists scratches and tears, each bag is reinforced with cross-stitched handles for extra durability, great for heavy-duty moving tasks
- Convenient Double-Zipper & Wide Opening: Our moving bags equipped with high-quality double zippers. And the wide open-top design makes loading and unloading your items a breeze, while the transparent material allows for quick identification of contents, saving you time and hassle
- Water-Resistant & Easy to Clean: Made from high-quality, woven fabric, these moving bags offer superior water resistance, keeping your items dry and protected. Easy to clean—simply wipe with a damp cloth and let it air dry, ensuring your bags stay fresh and clean for repeated use
Choosing the Best Storage Totes for Your Move
Moving can be tough. You need boxes that keep your things safe. Storage totes are a great choice. They are strong and reusable. This guide helps you pick the right ones for your move.
Key Features to Look For
When buying totes, check these important things. Good features make moving much easier.
Durability and Strength
You need totes that won’t break. Look for thick plastic walls. Strong totes hold heavy items well. Test the handles too. They must support the full weight of the tote.
Lid Security
The lid must stay on tight. A secure lid keeps dust and bugs out. Some lids snap shut. Others use clamps or latches. Latches offer the best security against accidental opening.
Stackability
Totes should stack neatly. This saves space in the moving truck and your new home. Look for lids with grooves or ridges. These help the bottom of one tote fit securely onto the lid of another.
Visibility (Optional but helpful)
Clear totes let you see what is inside quickly. This saves time later. If you use colored or opaque totes, plan to label them very clearly.
Important Materials for Moving Totes
The material matters for how long the tote lasts. Most good moving totes use plastic.
Types of Plastic
- Polypropylene (PP): This plastic is common. It is lightweight and reasonably strong.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This is often stronger than PP. It resists cracking, especially in cold weather. HDPE totes are a top choice for long-term storage.
Avoid very thin, brittle plastic. These totes crack easily when dropped or stacked too high.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all totes are made equal. A few details separate the good ones from the bad ones.
Quality Boosters
Totes with reinforced corners last much longer. Handles that are molded right into the body of the tote are better than handles that are just attached. Look for totes made from virgin plastic, not recycled plastic. Virgin plastic is usually more consistent and stronger.
Quality Reducers
Flimsy, thin plastic reduces quality significantly. Totes that warp easily when hot or cold are low quality. Also, lids that do not sit flush with the base cause stacking problems. Poorly fitting lids let in moisture.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the totes. Different needs require different sizes.
Handling and Moving
Make sure the handles feel comfortable. If you have to move the totes a long distance, comfortable grips reduce hand strain. Remember, heavy totes are harder to lift, even with great handles.
What to Pack
- Small Totes: Good for heavy items like books, tools, or canned food. Keeping small totes under 40 pounds makes them easier to manage.
- Medium Totes: Excellent for general household goods, linens, and clothing.
- Large Totes: Best for bulky, light items like pillows, blankets, or seasonal decorations. Do not overfill large totes with heavy things.
Using uniform totes helps organize the move. All the totes look the same when stacked, which is neat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Storage Totes
Q: Are plastic totes better than cardboard boxes for moving?
A: Yes, plastic totes are usually better. They protect items from water and crushing better than cardboard. Plus, you can reuse them many times.
Q: Should I get clear or colored totes?
A: Clear totes let you see the contents easily. Colored totes are good if you want to hide what is inside. Labeling is important no matter which color you choose.
Q: How much weight can a standard tote hold?
A: A good, standard tote usually holds between 40 and 60 pounds safely. Always check the manufacturer’s weight limit to be sure.
Q: What is the best way to stack totes in a truck?
A: Stack the heaviest totes on the bottom near the floor. Stack the lightest totes on top. Make sure the lids lock when stacking so they do not slide off.
Q: Can I store totes outside?
A: Only if the totes are rated for outdoor storage. Most moving totes are best kept in dry, climate-controlled areas like a garage or storage unit.
Q: Do I need to put anything inside the totes before packing?
A: Yes. Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or packing paper. Use old towels or blankets to fill empty spaces so things do not shift around during the move.
Q: How do I make sure the lids stay closed during transit?
A: Use strong packing tape along the seam where the lid meets the base. Even if the latches seem secure, tape adds an extra layer of protection.
Q: Are large totes good for packing clothes?
A: Yes, large totes work well for non-delicate clothes, especially if you fold them neatly. You can also use wardrobes totes, which let you hang clothes.
Q: What size tote is best for a small apartment move?
A: A mix of medium (18-gallon) and small (10-gallon) totes works well. The medium totes hold most things, and the small ones handle the weight of books.
Q: Are there eco-friendly tote options?
A: Some companies make totes from recycled HDPE plastic. Look for labels that mention sustainability or recycled content when you shop.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!