Packing tape is made to seal boxes and containers during a move, keeping your items safe and secure inside their packaging with its durable design.
To simplify your move, the This Old House Review Team has researched the top packing tapes on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.
Compare Top Packing Tapes
| Product | Roll Length | Roll Width | Pack Size |
|---|---|---|---|
Scotch Packaging TapeCheck Price | 54.6 yards | 3 inches | 6 rolls |
P PERFECTAPE Packing TapeCheck Price | 60 yards | 1.88 inches | 6 rolls |
Duck Packaging TapeCheck Price | 60 yards | 1.88 inches | 4 rolls |
Gorilla Packing TapeCheck Price | 40 yards | 1.88 inches | 6 rolls |
Tape King Packing TapeCheck Price | 60 yards | 2 inches | 6 rolls |
Top 5 Packing Tapes
- Scotch Packaging Tape: Best Adhesion
- P PERFECTAPE Packing Tape: Best Basic Pack
- Duck Packaging Tape: Best Pack Options
- Gorilla Packing Tape: Best For Extreme Weather
- Tape King Packing Tape: Best Bulk Pack
Best Adhesion
Scotch Packaging Tape
This USPS-regulation packing tape from Scotch gives you the peace of mind that your valuables are secure with its strong, solvent-free adhesive that seals 80-pound boxes. The company is so sure of its performance that it offers a full refund if any of your boxes open during the moving process.
Pros and Cons of Scotch Packaging Tape
- Meets USPS shipment regulations
- Each package contains six rolls
- Adheres to various surfaces, including recycled materials
- Package size options are limited
- Materials are not domestically sourced
What People Are Saying About The Scotch Packaging Tape
Customers liked that this tape was easy to remove, even with its strong adhesion. They also found it simple to apply. However, because it didn’t use Scotch’s Smooth & Quiet Unwind technology, it made a lot of noise when customers dispensed it. Some users also indicated that the tape was too thin for heavy-duty jobs.
Best Basic Pack
P PERFECTAPE Packing Tape
Each piece of this tape can hold a 45-pound box without splitting or tearing. The brand also claims that its heavy-duty tape can secure water containers of up to 19 liters. With six 60-yard rolls in the pack, you have enough tape to pack up most apartments and small homes.
Pros and Cons of P PERFECTAPE Packing Tape
- Capable of securing a 45-pound box or 19-liter barrel of water
- Updated design features more glue for improved adhesion
- Fits standard 2-inch tape gun
- Gives off a strong chemical odor
- Tape dispenser not included
What People Are Saying About The P PERFECTAPE Packing Tape
Those who gave this tape positive reviews said that it was easy to use, thick, and durable. However, negative reviews claimed that the tape didn’t have strong adhesive. Other customers said that it arrived with a chemical smell.
Best Pack Options
Duck Packaging Tape
This multi-pack from Duck features four 60-yard rolls of tape, each with built-in tape dispensers. If you need more or less tape or already have a dispenser, Duck also sells other sizes. The tape withstands temperatures between 14 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit and stays clear even after months in storage.
Pros and Cons of Duck Packaging Tape
- Dispenser included with each roll
- Unrolling is quiet and requires minimal effort
- Comes in a variety of pack sizes
- Dispensers increase the cost per roll
- Tape not recommended for painted surfaces
What People Are Saying About The Duck Packaging Tape
Customers liked that these rolls came with dispensers because they ensured an easy, wrinkle-free application process. The tape had mixed reviews on adhesion, with some saying it was strong and others claiming it didn’t adhere well to cardboard, especially in cold weather.
Best For Extreme Weather
Gorilla Packing Tape
If you’re moving to or from a large house, you’ll likely have boxes in the garage, on the sidewalk, and in the truck until you have room to unpack them in your house. To protect these boxes from the elements, this packing tape is both moisture- and temperature-resistant in case of heat, cold, snow, sleet, or rain.
Pros and Cons of Gorilla Packing Tape
- Will not peel away or tear under duress
- Easy to cut with scissors or tape dispenser
- Offered in a variety of pack sizes
- Rolls are somewhat short at 40 yards each
- Not domestically sourced
What People Are Saying About The Gorilla Packing Tape
Many customers found this tape to be both easy to use and durable. On the other hand, some customers were disappointed with how thin it was. Others didn’t like that it arrived with a strong odor.
Best Bulk Pack
Tape King Packing Tape
If you’re looking for quality at a bargain price, this pack from Tape King comes with six 60-yard rolls for a total of over 360 yards of tape. Each roll can seal up to 32 boxes without peeling away or tearing under the weight. For even larger jobs, Tape King also offers a hefty 36-roll pack which covers a total of 2,160 yards.
Pros and Cons of Tape King Packing Tape
- Cost-effective per-roll price
- Will not yellow with age
- Composition is ideal for commercial and household applications
- 60-yard roll size might not fit all tape dispensers
- Only offered in packs of 6 or 12
What People Are Saying About The Tape King Packing Tape
Customers mentioned how affordable this tape was, stating that they got double or more tape than other packs for a little more money. Some customers struggled to get it to stick to their boxes, despite being advertised as having ultra adhesive.
Buyer’s Guide
To determine the packing tape that’s best for your needs, there are a number of factors you should consider. Some of the most important ones include adhesion, type, size, and ease of use. Read our buyer’s guide below to read more about how these factors may influence your purchase.
Type
You can use carton-sealing, strapping, cold-temperature, water-activated, and masking tape for moving.
Carton-Sealing
Carton-sealing tape is the most common type of packing tape. It’s durable as long as it won’t be exposed to extreme temperature variations.
Strapping
Strapping tape offers a more secure seal than carton-sealing tape because it uses a reinforced liner. This liner does increase the tape’s cost, though.
Cold-Temperature
This type of tape stays sticky even if the boxes or containers are exposed to cold temperatures. This is useful if you’re moving during the winter or preparing items for cold storage.
Water-Activated
Water-activated tape gets sticky when you wet it. It bonds to cardboard to create a strong seal.
Masking
Masking tape uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive that’s easy to apply and remove. It’s useful for light packages, but because it’s easy to tear, you shouldn’t use it for heavy boxes that contain fragile items.
Adhesion
The adhesion of your packing tape determines how well it sticks to your boxes, which is essential in ensuring that your items remain secure. Masking tape has a weak adhesive, while carton-sealing and strapping tape uses a strong adhesive that can hold up in most situations. You can’t unstick water-activated tape once you wet it, which makes it the most secure choice. However, it can be a pain to unpack if you have a large number of boxes.
Size
Determine how much packing tape you need by considering how many boxes you have and what size they are. You should also consider the tape’s width. The wider the tape, the more weight it can support.
Ease of Use
While using packing tape may seem relatively straightforward, some tapes have specific requirements. For example, you have to expose water-activated tape to water. For strapping and carton-sealing tape, it’s best to put the roll on a dispenser, which isn’t always easy to find for strapping tape.
Packing Supplies
Packing is no one’s idea of a good time. However, it can be even worse when you don’t have the proper materials on hand. So, before you begin packing your belongings for the moving company, purchase these supplies:
- Boxes/containers of various sizes
- Bubble wrap
- Cargo straps/rope
- Couch cover
- Hand cart
- Labels
- Markers/pens
- Mattress bag
- Packing paper
- Scissors
- Shrink wrap
- Tape dispensers
- Tool set
- Trash bags
- Utility knife/box cutter
- Work gloves
Frequently Asked Questions
Is packing tape stronger than duct tape?
Packing tape and duct tape are both effective, so you should choose the one that works for your circumstance. Packing tape is more rigid than duct tape, so it won’t stretch as easily. However, because of its stretchiness, duct tape is better equipped to absorb impact if a box is dropped or slammed. Packing tape also comes in various widths, while duct tape is more uniform in size.
How thick is packing tape?
Packing tape is usually between one and six millimeters thick. The thicker the tape, the more durable it is. However, five- or six-millimeter tape may not be necessary for lighter boxes, especially considering its higher price tag.
Can packing tape expire?
The adhesive on packing tape technically has an expiration date. If you use packing tape after it expires, it may still offer some adhesion.
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