Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Moving Boxes

When you’re buying moving boxes, Home Depot and Lowe’s are usually the first two options that come to mind. Although both stores offer a wide range of moving boxes and packing supplies, it can be tough trying to choose one over the other. This comparison shows why Home Depot is the better choice for heavy-duty bulk moves, while Lowe’s is the winner for small-scale convenience and all-in-one kits.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to gather moving boxes, Stack Moves can help you save both time and money. By renting plastic moving boxes you get durable, uniform containers delivered to your door and picked up after your move—no waste, no sourcing hassle. Want to learn more about how renting can help you save money? Contact us today!

In this post, we will discuss the pros and cons of shopping for moving boxes from Home Depot and Lowe’s to help you decide on the best solution for your move.

Comparison of Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Moving Boxes

Our comparison of Home Depot vs. Lowe’s moving boxes looks at the factors that matter most when choosing the right boxes for your move, including sizes, durability, eco-friendliness, and available options to see how each retailer stacks up. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which store offers the better fit for your moving needs.

Key Features of Home Depot Boxes

Home Depot moving boxes are known for their wide selection, solid build, and eco-friendly materials. Below we break down how they stack up in size availability, durability, sustainability, and what you get with your purchase.

Box Sizes and Specialty Options

Home Depot boxes are available in various sizes, ranging from small to extra-large. In addition to standard boxes, they also provide specialty boxes, like dishpack and wardrobe boxes. Their standard, medium-sized boxes measure 21 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 16 inches in depth.

Durability and Strength

Beyond being affordable, Home Depot’s boxes are built to withstand tough moves. Home Depot boxes are made of corrugated cardboard and are generally strong enough for typical household moves. Likewise, their heavier-duty options perform well under weight and stacking pressure. With an edge crush test (ECT) ranging from 32 to 48, these boxes are suitable for packing both heavy and fragile items.

Eco-friendliness

For the environmentally conscious mover, Home Depot’s boxes are a sustainable choice. Most of their boxes are made from 100% recycled content and remain fully recyclable even after multiple uses. By choosing these over non-recycled alternatives, you’re reducing the carbon footprint of your move and ensuring that your packing materials don’t end up in a landfill once the last room is unpacked.

Additional Supplies

While Home Depot sells other packing supplies such as tape and bubble wrap, these items are not included with box purchases and must be bought separately.

Key Features of Lowe’s Moving Boxes

Lowe’s moving boxes compete closely with Home Depot’s offerings, emphasizing a variety of sizes and recyclable materials, with some distinct perks in their bundled kits.

Box Sizes and Speciality Options

Like Home Depot, Lowe’s also offers a wide range of boxes, including specialty boxes like television moving boxes. A medium-sized box from Lowe’s measures 18 inches in width, 16 inches in height, and 18 inches in depth, making it slightly shorter but wider than the Home Depot equivalent. To support larger projects, Lowe’s also offers tiered bulk pricing, allowing you to scale your supply list while keeping the per-unit cost low.

Durability and Strength

While Lowe’s boxes are dependable for typical household items, they are primarily designed for standard-duty use. Most of their inventory carries an ECT score of 32, which is the industry baseline for safe stacking. It is also worth noting that handle cutouts vary by model; if you are moving heavy items, you’ll want to filter for their specific “Easy Lift” options to ensure a secure grip.

Eco-friendliness

Lowe’s moving boxes are made from recycled cardboard and often carry certifications like SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), supporting responsible sourcing and recycling. This ensures that the fibers used in your boxes come from forests managed with strict environmental and social standards.

Additional Supplies

The biggest differentiator for Lowe’s is their all-in-one moving kits. Unlike the à la carte model, these bundles often package boxes with essentials like tape, bubble wrap, and protective pouches. This approach eliminates the need for multiple trips to the store and ensures you have a cohesive set of supplies from day one. While the specific contents can vary by location, these kits are the most efficient option for those who want to skip the logistics of supply planning and get straight to packing.

Pricing and Availability of Moving Boxes at Home Depot and Lowe’s

Lowe’s standard boxes are priced at $1.75 for small boxes, $2.25 for medium boxes, $2.75 for large boxes, and $3.75 for extra-large boxes.

Home Depot’s standard boxes cost $1.98 for small boxes and $2.48 for large boxes. Heavy-duty boxes can cost as much as $6.98, depending on the size.

Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Moving Boxes—Pros and Cons

This breakdown will give you a clearer picture of what each store offers and help you decide which is the right choice for you.

Home Depot

Home Depot offers moving boxes in varying sizes and strengths to suit diverse packing needs. More reasons why they’re a great choice to purchase moving boxes from include:

Pros:

• Easy to purchase
• Affordable prices
• High ECT score for added durability
• Eco-friendly
• Handles on boxes
• Comprehensive return policy

Cons

• Bundles don’t come with additional supplies

Lowe’s

When you shop at Lowe’s, you can be sure you’re getting high-quality boxes at competitive prices, but what else sets them apart?

Pros:

• Boxes are made from ethically sourced materials
• Kits come with extra supplies
• Extensive return policy

Cons:

• Slightly higher prices compared to Home Depot
• Limited ECT score
• Availability and pricing can vary by location

Home Depot vs Lowe’s Moving Boxes: How They Compare

In terms of strength, both stores’ boxes meet the standard edge crush test (ECT) score of 32, suitable for most packing needs. However, Home Depot offers boxes with higher scores, reaching up to 48 for added strength. Additionally, both stores provide specialty boxes, such as wardrobe boxes, television boxes, and more.

Looking at customer satisfaction and feedback, Home Depot has a slightly higher rating of 4.6 stars with an 83% recommendation rate compared to Lowe’s 4.4 stars and 84% recommendation rate. Customers also enjoy the same positive experience when it comes to their return policies. If you have any extra unused boxes, Home Depot allows you to return your boxes within 90 days as long as you have a receipt. Likewise, Lowe’s general policy allows customers to return most items within 90 days as well.

Both stores offer bundle options that allow you to take advantage of bulk discounts; however, notable differences exist between the two. For instance, Home Depot’s bundles don’t include additional packing supplies. On the other hand, Lowe’s kits include helpful supplies such as bubble wrap and foam pouches. However, the availability and pricing of Lowe’s kits depend on your location, making Home Depot’s offer more predictable.

Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Moving Boxes—Which is Best for You?

To help you decide which moving boxes are best for your needs, we compared both boxes based on affordability, durability, and eco-friendliness. You have to consider all these factors because it’s important for your boxes to be sturdy yet affordable.

In terms of pricing, Home Depot offers slightly lower prices for individual boxes than Lowe’s. Plus, their prices are more consistent across locations, making them a more budget-friendly choice.

Home Depot also takes the lead for durability since their boxes come at higher ECT ratings of up to 48 compared to Lowe’s standard 32. Both stores sell boxes made from recycled materials, making either one a solid choice for eco-conscious buyers.

Additional Moving Supplies and Services Offered by Home Depot and Lowe’s

Both Home Depot and Lowe’s offer more than just moving boxes, making them convenient one-stop shops for basic moving supplies.

Common Supplies at Both Stores:

• Packing tape and dispensers
• Bubble wrap and foam sheets
• Packing paper and newsprint
• Stretch wrap and shrink wrap
• Mattress and furniture covers
• Labels and markers

Home Depot Extras:

• Partnerships with truck rental companies
• Dollies and hand trucks
• Moving kits (boxes sold together, no extra packing materials included)

Lowe’s Extras:

• Moving kits that bundle boxes with tape, bubble wrap, and foam pouches
• Furniture sliders and protective pads
• Select local truck rental partnerships

Other Cheap Moving Box Solutions

While Home Depot and Lowe’s are the most convenient, you can find cheaper moving boxes beyond big-box stores. Walmart often undercuts the major home improvement stores by a few cents per unit on standard sizes. For those who can plan ahead, Amazon and U-Line offer significant savings when you buy in bundles of 20 or 25, though you’ll need to account for shipping costs or Prime eligibility. U-Haul is another high-value option, offering a “buy-back” guarantee where they refund you the full price for any unused boxes you return. Finally, dollar stores are excellent for small, sturdy boxes, though their inventory is usually inconsistent and better suited for packing heavy items like books or canned goods.

Where Can You Get Free Moving Boxes?

For the absolute lowest moving budget, you can source high-quality boxes for free by tapping into local community groups and retail waste cycles. Facebook Marketplace and the Nextdoor app are the best places to start, as people who have just finished unpacking are usually desperate to get rid of their empty boxes to reclaim their garage space. You can also visit local liquor stores or bookstores, which routinely give away reinforced, heavy-duty boxes that are specifically designed to hold weight without buckling. Finally, check with large retailers or grocery stores during their restocking hours; they often have an abundance of clean, sturdy cardboard destined for the baler that they are happy to let you haul away for free.

Why Renting Plastic Bins Is the Best Option

Compared with buying boxes, renting plastic bins is the most stress-free and cost-effective way to gather moving boxes. Unlike traditional cardboard boxes, which become weak when exposed to moisture and tend to collapse under heavy weight, plastic bins are very durable. In addition to their sturdiness, they are also a more sustainable way of moving since the boxes can be used multiple times. Renting plastic bins is also more convenient since most rental services provide the option of having your bins delivered to your doorstep and picked up after your move.

Tips for Choosing the Right Moving Boxes

With the right moving boxes, packing is easier, and your belongings remain protected throughout the move. Use these tips to find the right box for your move:

1. Estimate how many boxes you might need based on the size of your home and belongings. Online tools, such as a moving box calculator, can help you do this easily and save you the stress of needing more boxes mid-packing.
2. Stacking boxes is a handy technique that helps you maximize space in your moving truck. Stick to boxes of similar shapes and sizes to make stacking them easier and safer. Another good practice when picking box sizes for moving is to match the box sizes to the items being packed.
3. Measure your large or oddly shaped items to confirm they can fit into standard moving boxes. This way, you can ensure they are properly packed and kept safe.
4. Choose your box sizes according to the size of your truck. Remember that smaller boxes are easier to fit into tight spaces and can be stacked to save space.

Need Reusable Moving Boxes to Rent?

Home Depot and Lowe’s offer a wide range of moving boxes at affordable prices. Home Depot is a budget-friendly choice that allows you to choose boxes with better durability for tougher moves. Lowe’s offers packing kits with bonus supplies, which can be convenient and make packing simpler.

Ultimately, both options are great, and whichever one you choose will get the job done. However, it’s worth mentioning that you can still get the best moving boxes without buying them. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for an eco-friendly moving solution, renting moving boxes remains the most affordable and sustainable way to pack. Contact us today to rent our sturdy plastic bins.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you finalize your supply list, here are the answers to the most common questions about sourcing boxes from Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Are Home Depot Boxes Good?

Yes, Home Depot moving boxes are a solid choice for most moves. They’re sturdy, easy to find in-store or online, and made from recycled materials, with heavier-duty options available if you’re packing fragile or bulky items.

Which Offers Better Quality Moving Boxes, Home Depot or Lowe’s?

Both stores offer reliable boxes that work well for standard household moves. If strength is your top concern, Home Depot has more heavy-duty options, while Lowe’s is perfectly suitable for everyday packing needs.

Can I Buy Moving Boxes in Bulk at Home Depot or Lowe’s?

Yes, both retailers offer bulk options and moving kits that make it easier to buy everything at once. Lowe’s kits sometimes include extra supplies, though availability can vary by location.

Are There Eco-Friendly Moving Box Options Available at These Stores?

Absolutely. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s sell moving boxes made from recycled and recyclable materials, making them a good option for eco-conscious movers.