Checklist · 22 picks · 3 categories
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Moving goes smoother when you have the right supplies before the first box is packed. Get more tape than you think you need, a box cutter for the other end, furniture sliders so you slide heavy pieces instead of lifting them, moving blankets to protect walls and furniture, and a bag to keep your mattress clean. A hand truck and moving straps are worth it if you're moving without pros or have stairs. Every pick here won an award from Bob Vila, or Sleepopolis for mattress bags, with budget, mid and splurge options. The apartment and first toolkit lists cover what you'll need once you've moved in.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you've hired full-service movers; they bring their own supplies.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 29, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Heavy Duty Packing Tape with Dispenser | budget | under $15 | taping boxes fast | 1 outlet |
| Tape King Clear Packing Tape (12 Rolls) | budget | $15-25 | packing a whole apartment | 1 outlet |
| Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Packaging Tape | mid | $15-25 | boxes that need to stay shut | 1 outlet |
| Gorilla Heavy Duty Packing Tape | splurge | $15-25 | heavy boxes and storage units | 1 outlet |
| Pacific Handy Cutter S4R Retractable Safety Cutter | budget | under $15 | unpacking day | 1 outlet |
| Gerber Gear EAB Lite Pocket Knife | mid | under $15 | a box cutter you'll keep after the move | 1 outlet |
| Milwaukee FASTBACK Compact Folding Utility Knife | splurge | $15-25 | opening boxes all day | 1 outlet |
Best packing tapebudget pick · Roll
Best for taping boxes fast
Bob Vila's best tape with a dispenser: a built-in metal cutting blade makes taping boxes fast.
Heads up. Some users say it sticks back to the roll after taping
1 outlet. Bob Vila best packing tape with dispenser.
under $15
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budget pick · 12 rolls
Best for packing a whole apartment
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck: a big multi-roll pack for a whole move.
Heads up. No dispenser included
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck packing tape.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Roll
Best for boxes that need to stay shut
Bob Vila's best overall packing tape: it seals every kind of box and holds strong.
Heads up. Some users say it doesn't tear evenly in a dispenser
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall packing tape.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Roll
Best for heavy boxes and storage units
Bob Vila's best heavy-duty tape: extra thick and resistant to water and temperature changes.
Heads up. Not for extreme cold, which can weaken the adhesive
1 outlet. Bob Vila best heavy-duty packing tape.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Pocket-size
Best for unpacking day
For opening every box on the other end. Bob Vila's best bang for the buck, with a safety thumb shield.
Heads up. The slide stops before the blade fully retracts
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck utility knife.
under $15
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Pocket-size
Best for a box cutter you'll keep after the move
Bob Vila's best overall utility knife: smooth stainless steel that's durable and easy to carry.
Heads up. No spare-blade storage, and blade changes need a screwdriver
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall utility knife.
under $15
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splurge pick · Pocket-size
Best for opening boxes all day
Bob Vila's best fast-access utility knife: it flips open quickly and locks securely.
Heads up. A little side-to-side play in the blade
1 outlet. Bob Vila best fast-access utility knife.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supersliders Assorted Size and Shape Value Pack | budget | $15-25 | carpet and hardwood floors | 1 outlet |
| CO-Z Furniture Sliders for Carpet | mid | $15-25 | moving couches and dressers on carpet | 1 outlet |
| X-PROTECTOR Furniture Sliders for Carpet | splurge | $15-25 | heavy furniture | 1 outlet |
| DiamondForge Folding Hand Truck | budget | $25-50 | box stacks in an apartment building | 1 outlet |
| Kedsum 3-in-1 Dolly Hand Truck | mid | $50-100 | moving lots of boxes | 1 outlet |
| Strongway Continuous Handle Aluminum Hand Truck | splurge | $100+ | appliances and heavy loads | 1 outlet |
| JCHL Lifting and Moving Straps (2-Person) | budget | $15-25 | carrying a dresser with a friend | 1 outlet |
| Forearm Forklift Lifting and Moving Straps | mid | $15-25 | lifting with your forearms | 1 outlet |
| Shoulder Dolly Moving Straps (2-Person) | splurge | $25-50 | heavy furniture up and down stairs | 1 outlet |
Best furniture slidersbudget pick · Assorted
Best for carpet and hardwood floors
Slide heavy furniture instead of lifting it. Bob Vila's best bang for the buck, with three shapes and six sizes.
Heads up. Can bend under heavy furniture
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck furniture sliders.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Set
Best for moving couches and dressers on carpet
Bob Vila's best overall furniture sliders: a foam top keeps furniture in place, and each holds up to 110 pounds.
Heads up. May scratch hardwood floors
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall furniture sliders.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Set
Best for heavy furniture
Bob Vila's pick for heavy furniture: tough plastic bottoms with rubber foam tops.
Heads up. Furniture can slide off
1 outlet. Bob Vila best furniture sliders for heavy furniture.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Folds flat
Best for box stacks in an apartment building
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck: folds small, is light, and comes with bungee cords.
Heads up. Small wheels struggle on rough ground, and the handle flexes under load
1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck hand truck.
$25-50
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mid pick · Convertible
Best for moving lots of boxes
Bob Vila's best overall hand truck: it converts from an upright dolly to a six-wheel cart.
Heads up. Feels less rugged than commercial models
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall hand truck.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Full-size
Best for appliances and heavy loads
Bob Vila's best heavy-duty hand truck: stable and durable, with stair skids and big wheels.
Heads up. Shallow toe plate for wide items
1 outlet. Bob Vila best heavy-duty hand truck.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Set
Best for carrying a dresser with a friend
Bob Vila's best budget moving straps, with adjustable loops, made to hold up to 800 pounds.
Heads up. Narrow 2-inch straps feel less stable
1 outlet. Bob Vila best budget moving straps.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Set
Best for lifting with your forearms
Bob Vila's best forearm brace: wide straps sit comfortably near the elbow.
Heads up. Needs two people and relies on arm strength
1 outlet. Bob Vila best forearm moving straps.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Set
Best for heavy furniture up and down stairs
Bob Vila's best overall moving straps: shoulder harnesses spread the weight evenly.
Heads up. Needs two people, and it's pricier
1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall moving straps.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven Moving Blankets | budget | $25-50 | a one-time move | 1 outlet |
| Sure-Max Moving Blankets | mid | $50-100 | protecting nice furniture | 1 outlet |
| Forearm Forklift Quilted Moving Blanket | splurge | $50-100 | reusing blankets for future moves | 1 outlet |
| CRESNEL Mattress Bag for Moving and Storage | budget | $15-25 | a one-time move | 1 outlet |
| UltraBlock Mattress Bag for Moving | mid | $25-50 | storing a mattress | 1 outlet |
| Nordic Elk Mattsafe Mattress Bag | splurge | $25-50 | moves you'll make again | 1 outlet |
Best moving blanketsbudget pick · Pack
Best for a one-time move
Wrap furniture so it doesn't scratch walls or the truck. Bob Vila's best price pick: light and easy to handle.
Heads up. Best for one move, and not water-resistant
1 outlet. Bob Vila best price moving blankets.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Pack
Best for protecting nice furniture
Bob Vila's best moving blanket: double-sided, with double-lock stitching for extra protection.
Heads up. Not machine washable
1 outlet. Bob Vila best moving blankets.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Pack
Best for reusing blankets for future moves
Bob Vila's best heavy-duty moving blanket: double-sided and machine washable.
Heads up. The heaviest blanket in Bob Vila's review
1 outlet. Bob Vila best heavy-duty moving blankets.
$50-100
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Pick by mattress size
Best for a one-time move
Keeps your mattress clean on the truck. Sleepopolis's best bargain, shaped so the mattress slides in easily.
Heads up. No built-in seal, so tape it shut, and it may not survive heavy scraping
1 outlet. Sleepopolis best bargain mattress bag.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Pick by mattress size
Best for storing a mattress
Sleepopolis's extra-thick pick, with self-adhesive strips for a full seal.
Heads up. No handles
1 outlet. Sleepopolis extra-thick mattress bag pick.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Pick by mattress size
Best for moves you'll make again
Sleepopolis's Editor's Choice: tarp-like material with eight handles and zippers, built to reuse.
Heads up. Pricey, and the zipper and stitching aren't waterproof
1 outlet. Sleepopolis editor's choice mattress bag.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
Boxes, plenty of packing tape, a box cutter, markers for labels, moving blankets, a mattress bag and furniture sliders. A hand truck and moving straps help a lot if you're moving without professional movers.
Use furniture sliders to slide pieces across the floor instead of lifting, a hand truck for stacks of boxes, and moving straps with a helper for anything you have to carry. Take drawers out and remove legs first.
Yes. A mattress bag keeps it clean and dry on the truck and in storage, and it's cheap compared with replacing a stained or torn mattress.