Container review / Best for small budget moves inside its metros

SmartBox.
One compact 8 ft box you can stack up by the room. Sold through local operators.

Our SmartBox review covers container sizes, how a move works, real price ranges, protection plans, the FMCSA record and what customers praise and complain about.

By CMR Editorial TeamFact checked by CMR Review TeamUpdated

CMR verdict

SmartBox fits a small move on a tight budget inside one of its metros: a compact wooden box, about one room each, and you pay only for the boxes you need. For anything bigger, steel containers hold far more per unit, and SmartBox's 2026 ownership and its outdated FMCSA registration are open questions.

Largest unit8 ft (one size)About 1 room (231 cu ft); most homes need 2 to 4
CoverageAbout 50 metrosAbout 50 metro areas (sources differ)
USDOT2933347Active on SAFER. Household goods authority listed
Trustpilot1.3125 reviews
BBBSee noteNo location is BBB accredited; the Richmond corporate file is Not Rated
StorageAt homeAt your home or at a facility
TransitNot publishedNot published
ConstructionWood with a weatherproof coverWide front access door

Equipment

SmartBox container sizes

SizeDimensionsWeight limitFitsMoves
8 ft8 x 5 x 7 ft3,000 lbsAbout 1 room (231 cu ft); most homes need 2 to 4Local and long distance

Construction: Wood with a weatherproof cover. Door: Wide front access door. Dimensions are as published or reported and may vary slightly.

Process

How a SmartBox move works

  1. Quote

    By phone or online. Order 1 to 8 boxes depending on home size.

  2. Delivery

    Weekdays only. Ground level placement; two boxes fit one parking space.

  3. Load

    Rental period is one month from delivery.

  4. Transit

    Long distance shipments move through a licensed shipper. No published transit times.

  5. Redelivery

    To the new home, or held in storage.

Cost

What SmartBox costs

SmartBox's own site would not load for our check, and it publishes no price list we could reach. Third party figures:

MovePriceSource and date
Local, under 50 miles (customer average)$630HireAHelper, Sep 2026
About 500 miles (customer average)$2,125HireAHelper, Sep 2026
About 1,200 miles (customer average)$2,946HireAHelper, Sep 2026

Protection and cancellation

  • Long distance moves include $10,000 of coverage according to two third party sources; local moves and storage include none.

Cancellation: Third parties report free cancellation 3 or more days before delivery and a fee of up to 15% or $400 inside that window. Confirm in writing.

Discounts: Military and student discounts and price matching reported.

Registration

The federal record

How to read this: Broker or Carrier? and moving broker in our glossary.

FMCSA record
Registered name
SmartBox Solutions Inc
USDOT
2933347 (Active)
Entity type
Carrier / Shipper / Freight Forwarder
Authority
Freight forwarder of household goods and of property
Checked
October 8, 2026 on FMCSA SAFER

No motor carrier (MC) authority. SAFER flags the registration information as outdated (last update 2021).

Reputation

What customers say

BBB: Varies by location. No location is BBB accredited; the Richmond corporate file is Not Rated. Separate files per local operator. BBB profile

Trustpilot: 1.3 out of 5 from 125 reviews. Trustpilot page

Both checked October 8, 2026. Ratings move; open the profiles for today's numbers.

What works

  • Low entry price; pay only for the boxes you need
  • Ground level loading
  • Two boxes fit in one parking space
  • Price matching plus military and student discounts

What to watch

  • One small size, built of wood rather than steel
  • Limited metro coverage and weekday only delivery
  • Trustpilot 1.3 and unclear 2026 ownership
  • FMCSA flags its registration information as outdated

Rules

What you can't load, and where it can go

  • Cars cannot be shipped (they exceed the 3,000 lb limit). A full prohibited items list was not available to verify.

Placement: Flat ground at ground level, such as a driveway. Two boxes fit in one standard parking space.

Look elsewhere if

For anything bigger than a small apartment, steel containers from PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT hold far more per unit.

Questions

SmartBox FAQ

How big is a SmartBox?

One size: about 8 ft long, 5 ft wide and 7 ft tall, roughly 231 cubic feet and about one room. Most homes need 2 to 4.

Is SmartBox still in business?

Yes. Its FMCSA record (USDOT 2933347) is active and BBB opened a new location file in April 2026. Who owns the brand in 2026 is not confirmed.

Are SmartBox containers made of steel?

No. They are wood with a weatherproof vinyl or canvas cover.

Compare

The other four

Full comparison
No. 0144 states + DC, Canada PODS Best for: Flexible timelines and storage at home The biggest container network, three steel frame sizes and no deadline to load.
Sizes
8 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft
Build
Steel frame, aluminum skin
USDOT
1397252
Full review No. 0250 states, Canada, PR U-Pack Best for: Lowest cost long distance moves Pay by the foot on a 28 ft freight trailer, or book small ReloCubes. Hauled by ABF Freight.
Sizes
ReloCube, Trailer
Build
Steel
USDOT
2632086
Full review No. 03About 35 states + DC 1-800-PACK-RAT Best for: All steel containers with barn doors All steel containers in three sizes with wide barn doors.
Sizes
8 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft
Build
All steel
USDOT
1534531
Full review

Contact SmartBox

(877) 627-8269

Prices and policies change. Confirm fees, protection and cancellation terms on your written quote.

Visit smartboxmovingandstorage.com

Sources, checked October 8, 2026

  1. FMCSA SAFER record: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=2933347
  2. BBB profile: https://www.bbb.org/us/va/richmond/profile/portable-storage-units/smartbox-portable-storage-0603-63404666
  3. Trustpilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartboxmovingandstorage.com
  4. SmartBox website: https://www.smartboxmovingandstorage.com/