The Best Packing Tape for Moving, According to Professional Movers

Moving soon? You’re going to need packing tape—and a lot of it. But before you head to your local hardware supply store to pick up a few rolls, first think, “Is this going to cause more trouble than it’s worth?” From quickly losing adhesive to not being as durable as you’d like, bad tape can make moving a whole lot harder than it needs to be. And who knows how to avoid these sticky (pardon the pun) moving situations? The pros, of course. We reached out to moving professionals to find out which tape stands out. Here, their tried-and-true picks:

While most moving companies purchase professional-grade tape on wholesale, there are still some ways to get the best tape on the market for yourself. Alex Leute, president of Intense Movers in New York City, says that his personal favorite is PrimeTac tape. “If you want the best quality, PrimeTac is the way to go,” Leute says. It has a higher price tag than other brands, but Leute says the extra money is worth it. “It is a stronger, longer lasting tape and will endure harsh weather conditions better than any other tape I know on the market,” he says. The PrimeTac website only offers wholesale orders, but you can purchase it on Amazon for your move.

Another stellar option? Alex Mansi, president of Clean Cut Moving in New York City, says that his preferred tape is Vibac Sealast in tan. This Italian company’s tape is also usually purchased wholesale by professional moving companies (he says that it’s an industry favorite). “It’s durable, inexpensive, and doesn’t leave marks if it happens to touch furniture,” he says. “It’s something that everyone uses because it does its job.” Thinking about purchasing some for yourself? This one isn’t so easy to find. If you’re looking for a deal, you can buy a case of 36 rolls for $27 at moverswarehouse.com, but shipping will cost you an extra $20, bringing you to $1.30 a roll. Or if you don’t want to pay for shipping, you can score a pack of 24 rolls on Amazon for a cool $50 (nearly $2 a roll).

If you’re moving tomorrow and are looking for something you can pick up at a store (or want just one or two rolls of versus 36), look no further than your local hardware or big box store. Cezar Iordan, owner of Moovers Chicago Inc, says that Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping tape or Duck Duct tape are popular for a reason and will get the job done. Both Scotch and Duck Brand have heavy-duty adhesives on them that are comparable to professional-grade wholesale tape, which means they’ll keep everything sealed throughout the move.