The Best Tape for Packing and Moving

When you’re set to move a lot of items, furniture, and other essentials, the first thing you think of is the type of box. And most often, cheap moving boxes are your go-to winner for holding all your precious items.

However, a lot of people fail to realize that the tape is almost just as important when moving and using boxes. You need to keep all of those boxes secured and closed, right? There are a number of factors that affect which tape is best, including the adhesive, the material, if it’s waterproof, and even how tearable it is.

With that said, let’s look at some of those factors and talk about the best (and worst) tapes for each.

Packing tape

Packing tape, also called packaging and shipping tape, is designed to have a strong-stick to it in order to hold boxes together during bumpy rides. Without a doubt, it serves the best role when moving. It also comes in different thicknesses strong enough to withstand heavier loads.

In addition, packing tape is waterproof in that the back is plastic and the adhesive isn’t water soluble. This is a big win over a lot of other types of tape because condensation, humidity, and weather can break them down a lot more easily than packing tape.

Duct tape

One of the most commonly seen tapes, duct tape, is actually not the best for moving. While it’s easily torn off at the length needed, making packing and moving a lot quicker, it doesn’t adhere too well to cardboard. The “old wrap the entire box once” trick can solve this, but it isn’t the best solution considering it leaves a residue on cardboard.

With that said, duct tape is an okay alternative if you didn’t care too much about the boxes.

Masking tape

Masking tape is best left for labeling boxes. It sticks well to cardboard and is great for writing on, but its strength leaves something to be desired when sealing boxes. Additionally, it’s not nearly as strong as the other tapes mentioned when it comes to keeping boxes held together.

Electrical tape

This tape is great for insulating power cords that have been torn, thus its name. However, it falls short when it comes to packing. Its small width typically makes it impossible to seal boxes, and it doesn’t adhere to cardboard all that well, much like duct tape. This is best left to the electronics.

It’s pretty clear that packing tape takes the crown when it comes to sealing your cheap moving boxes. It’s practically in the name, especially when referred to as packaging or shipping tape. This strong, highly adhesive waterproof tape is king for all things moving and shipping. Get yourself a tape gun for quicker, more accurate use of packing tape!