By Timothy Dale | Updated Sep 17, 2021 9:09 PM

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If you have ever grabbed a stray roll of packing tape and used it to secure a box or container that holds dishes, clothes, lamps, and other valuable items, only to have it give way and wind up damaging or destroying what’s inside, you may know the importance of good tape. You can avoid similar scenarios when you use the right kind of packing tape for different jobs and even climates.

Packing tape is made specifically to secure boxes for moving and storage needs, and there are various types with different adhesives and activators. Consider some of the best packing tape options available and discover one that is right for your needs.

Packing tape is available in different styles and for various jobs, including carton sealing, cold temperature adhesion, water-activated adhesion, strapping strength, and masking qualities. The best packing tapes detailed here have universal qualities that benefit every user.

Carton-sealing tape is the most common type of packing tape. It is frequently used by those who work in packaging warehouses or moving companies, but almost everyone who has moved or stored items has used it. This tape is an excellent choice if your packages are not subjected to extreme temperature variations. If you use it on hefty packages or are worried about theft, you may want to choose a different type of packing tape.

One problem with regular carton-sealing tape is that extremely low temperature can render the adhesive ineffective. If you live in or are moving items to a cold climate, or if the items are stored or held in a refrigerated area (such as an ice cream truck or freezer), you want cold temperature tape. This tape uses the same liner as carton-sealing tape, but it has an adhesive specifically designed to hold fast when exposed to cold temperatures. However, as you might have guessed, this tape is not a great option for extremely warm temperatures.

When you ship items across the country or rely on movers to haul your possessions to a new location, security is an obvious concern. It’s easy to remove and reapply carton sealing tape without evidence.  You should consider water-activated tape to ensure your items stay secure. This tape activates when it is wet, bonds to cardboard, and creates a seal that you must cut or tear to break. When you remove the tape there is evidence of tampering.

If your boxes are too heavy for regular carton tape to securely seal, you should consider strapping tape. Manufacturers weave glass filaments or fiberglass into this tape, reinforcing the liner for added durability, strength, and flexibility. Strapping tape is a bit more expensive than other varieties, but it holds heavy items securely inside containers.

Masking tape is a specialized tape with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows it to be easily applied and removed. The thin, paper liner, which is easy to tear, is designed for protecting areas like baseboards during painting. You can also use masking tape to secure light packages, but its weak adhesive means it won’t perform well on moderate to hefty packages.

Before you choose the best packing tape for your moving and storage needs, consider the following shopping considerations.

The adhesion strength of a tape determines how effectively it sticks to a surface and is a significant factor in how you should use it. How heavy are the boxes you are packing? How strong does your tape have to be to fulfill its purpose? These are important considerations because they determine the type of tape you need.

Before you choose a packing tape, consider the moving or storage conditions. A short move to a new house in the same city won’t require tape with long-lasting adhesive, but you will want to make sure it is strong enough to support your most substantial boxed items. Alternately, storing a package for months at a time will depend heavily on the longevity of the adhesive. The liner’s strength isn’t a significant factor when the box is in long-term storage.

However, moving versus storage isn’t the only consideration. How are you moving? If you hire movers, then you may want to use water-activated tape to keep your belongings safe from theft. If you plan to store boxes or cartons year-round in frigid climates or move to a frigid climate, choose cold weather tape.

There are many other considerations to keep in mind: humidity, precipitation, or even the method you use to transport your packages. For example, boxes on a boat will be subject to high moisture, while those on a truck may be subjected to shifts. Always keep in mind the travel and storage conditions when deciding on packing tape.

Determine the amount of tape you will need before you begin the project so that you don’t get partway through your packing and have to run to the store for more tape. Packing tape manufacturers will always list how much tape is included on a roll and bulk package. You can measure this in two ways.

First is the width of the tape, which is commonly between 0.5 inches and 4 inches. You need to know the width of the space where the tape will be applied so that you can bind the surfaces and provide an adequate seal. Second is the length of the tape on the roll. You commonly measure rolls in yards, but you can also measure them in inches or feet. If you estimate the amount of tape you need, always err on the side of caution. Get more than you need so you don’t run out half-way through. After all, extra tape around the house is never a bad thing (within reason).

Tape can come by itself on a roll, or you may be able to find an integrated tape dispenser that makes it easy to quickly and efficiently apply tape to your packages.

Applying a piece of tape seems easy enough, but depending on the type you get, you may be spending a lot more time just getting your tape to stick.

The products listed below received top ratings for quality, price, and customer satisfaction.

Best Overall1 Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape Photo: amazon.com Check Latest PriceIf you’ve struggled to seal boxes, especially those made from 100% recycled material, consider this packaging tape from Scotch. This impressive carton-sealing tape uses a solvent-free hot-melt adhesive to provide a heavy-duty seal on all box types. This unit contains six rolls of tape. The clear tape also has a coating to protect it from splitting and tearing as it unwinds. ProsStrong seal on all box typesDurable solvent-free hot-melt adhesiveResists slivering, splitting, and tearing ConsDispenser not included Best Heavy Duty2 Gorilla Heavy Duty Packing Tape Photo: amazon.com Check Latest PriceHeavy-duty carton-sealing tape comes with a stronger adhesive than regular carton-sealing tape, which makes it ideal for high-stress situations, such as moving, storage, and shipment. The tape is resistant to splits and tears and has an extra thick liner to provide additional support. You can pack more substantial items in a carton, such as books, and know the tape will adhere. This pack comes with four rolls of clear packing tape. Each core has 25 yards of tape that measures 1.88 inches wide. The tape is both moisture and temperature resistant but is not advisable for extremely low temperatures. ProsExtra-thick 3.4-mm constructionSplit and tear resistantWater and temperature resistantComes with dispenser ConsNot recommended for extremely low temperatures Best Masking3 Lichamp Masking Tape  Photo: amazon.com Check Latest PriceWhen you want to protect surfaces during painting projects or seal light packages for storage or a move, consider this masking tape from Lichamp. It has a crepe paper backing that makes it easy to tear and apply, with a pressure-reliant adhesive that sticks to a wide variety of surfaces. You can easily remove the tape, and it doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind like some other tapes. The pack has a total length of 550 yards of tape, separated into ten rolls with a beige-white liner. Each roll is 0.75 inches wide and comes with 55 yards of tape. The tape’s backside has a specialized surface that allows the tape to unwind without tearing, yet also provides enough resistance for controlled use so you don’t have to worry about unraveling more tape than you need. ProsCan be easily removed with no residue left behindCrepe paper backing for easy tearingPremium adhesive ConsNot recommended for painting Best Carton Sealing4 ProTapes Pro 184HD High Tensile Carton Sealing Tape Photo: amazon.com Check Latest PriceThe thick paper line of this carton-sealing tape is dark brown and provides excellent tensile strength, but it is also easy to tear so that you can quickly take what you need. The tape is made with a rubber resin to increase its resistance to high and fluctuating temperatures and physical shock, which can occur when a package slides or falls. This 55-yard roll of carton-sealing tape is 3-inches wide and wins high points for binding box flaps. The adhesive bonds well to most types of cardboard, which makes it especially suited to boxes you plan to move or store for short periods. One caveat: You must apply the tape at room temperature for the adhesive to have the best effect. ProsHigh tensile strengthMade from rubber resin with paper backingBonds well with most types of cardboard ConsMust apply at room temperature for adhesive to stick well Best Water Activated5 Nova Supply Ultra Durable Water-Activated Tape Photo: amazon.com Check Latest PriceYou cannot break the incredible bond of Nova Supply’s water-activated tape without damaging the cardboard underneath. The tape not only holds the boxes or cartons in place but acts as a theft-deterrent, because it’s difficult to remove and impossible to replace. Nova Supply’s tape is 2.75 inches in width and comes with 150 yards of tape on the roll. The brown liner is reinforced with fiberglass and has a heavy-duty adhesive for an extra-strong bond. This tape is resistant to extreme heat, extreme cold, dust, dirt, and moisture. To apply, simply wet the tape and stick it to the surface. Adjust it before it dries for a perfect seal. ProsFiberglass reinforcedCan withstand extreme heat, dust, and dirtMultilayer bondEasy application ConsMight have uneven glue application Best Strapping6 Scotch Brand Strapping Tape Photo: amazon.com Check Latest PriceCheck out this strapping tape from Scotch if you want a tape that you can rely on to keep your heaviest possessions safe during a move or while in storage. The extra-thick liner of this strapping tape is made with bi-directional fiberglass-reinforced fibers and features a heavy-duty hot melt adhesive that has a tensile strength of over 100 pounds per inch. Each roll is 30 yards in length. Its 1.88-inch width means it fits on most standard-sized tape dispensers, but it doesn’t come with an integrated dispenser. However, the 3-inch core gives you an easy to grip surface for simple, effective taping even without a dispenser. ProsDurable hot melt adhesiveCan handle weight greater than 100 pounds per square inchFiberglass reinforced ConsDifficult to remove

If you’ve struggled to seal boxes, especially those made from 100% recycled material, consider this packaging tape from Scotch. This impressive carton-sealing tape uses a solvent-free hot-melt adhesive to provide a heavy-duty seal on all box types. This unit contains six rolls of tape. The clear tape also has a coating to protect it from splitting and tearing as it unwinds.

Heavy-duty carton-sealing tape comes with a stronger adhesive than regular carton-sealing tape, which makes it ideal for high-stress situations, such as moving, storage, and shipment. The tape is resistant to splits and tears and has an extra thick liner to provide additional support. You can pack more substantial items in a carton, such as books, and know the tape will adhere. This pack comes with four rolls of clear packing tape. Each core has 25 yards of tape that measures 1.88 inches wide. The tape is both moisture and temperature resistant but is not advisable for extremely low temperatures.

When you want to protect surfaces during painting projects or seal light packages for storage or a move, consider this masking tape from Lichamp. It has a crepe paper backing that makes it easy to tear and apply, with a pressure-reliant adhesive that sticks to a wide variety of surfaces. You can easily remove the tape, and it doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind like some other tapes. The pack has a total length of 550 yards of tape, separated into ten rolls with a beige-white liner. Each roll is 0.75 inches wide and comes with 55 yards of tape. The tape’s backside has a specialized surface that allows the tape to unwind without tearing, yet also provides enough resistance for controlled use so you don’t have to worry about unraveling more tape than you need.

The thick paper line of this carton-sealing tape is dark brown and provides excellent tensile strength, but it is also easy to tear so that you can quickly take what you need. The tape is made with a rubber resin to increase its resistance to high and fluctuating temperatures and physical shock, which can occur when a package slides or falls. This 55-yard roll of carton-sealing tape is 3-inches wide and wins high points for binding box flaps. The adhesive bonds well to most types of cardboard, which makes it especially suited to boxes you plan to move or store for short periods. One caveat: You must apply the tape at room temperature for the adhesive to have the best effect.

You cannot break the incredible bond of Nova Supply’s water-activated tape without damaging the cardboard underneath. The tape not only holds the boxes or cartons in place but acts as a theft-deterrent, because it’s difficult to remove and impossible to replace.

Nova Supply’s tape is 2.75 inches in width and comes with 150 yards of tape on the roll. The brown liner is reinforced with fiberglass and has a heavy-duty adhesive for an extra-strong bond. This tape is resistant to extreme heat, extreme cold, dust, dirt, and moisture. To apply, simply wet the tape and stick it to the surface. Adjust it before it dries for a perfect seal.

Check out this strapping tape from Scotch if you want a tape that you can rely on to keep your heaviest possessions safe during a move or while in storage. The extra-thick liner of this strapping tape is made with bi-directional fiberglass-reinforced fibers and features a heavy-duty hot melt adhesive that has a tensile strength of over 100 pounds per inch.

Each roll is 30 yards in length. Its 1.88-inch width means it fits on most standard-sized tape dispensers, but it doesn’t come with an integrated dispenser. However, the 3-inch core gives you an easy to grip surface for simple, effective taping even without a dispenser.

Based on adhesive strength, longevity, ease of use, and quality, Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape is our top pick for the best packing tape.

Packing tape secures boxes that hold valuable items for storage or when moving from one location to another. The best packing tape has a strong adhesive, can withstand the jolts and jostles that accompany moving, can resist extreme temperature fluctuations, and will protect the box and its contents. To determine the best packing tape on the market, we focused on various types of packing tape, such as carton-sealing, cold temperature, water-activated, strapping, and masking tape. These different types of packing tape work in specific situations and should be used according to your own moving and storage circumstances. Our top picks for the best packing tape will make boxing up your belongings for moving or storage less of a hassle.

Before you choose the best packing tape for your projects, consider the answers to the following commonly asked questions.

Packing tape has a long-lasting adhesive that works in both hot and cold temperatures and works best when cartons are sealed for moves, delivery, or storage. Shipping tape manufacturers use a hot melt adhesive that makes it more durable over the short term. The adhesive is strong enough to withstand multiple touchpoints but may fail when exposed to frigid temperatures.

The two types of tape have different purposes, so it is difficult to say which is stronger. Duct tape is intended to form a tight seal across air ducts and has a certain amount of built-in stretch. Packing tape is more rigid, which means that it would not stretch under the same force as duct tape. However, this same rigidity would likely prevent the packing tape from absorbing sudden force, such as if a package is dropped.

You measure the thickness of packing tape in Mils. One Mil is equivalent to 1/1000th of an inch. On average, packing tape is between 1 to 6 Mil, though this varies by manufacturer and quality.

For short-term strength, such as when you mail a package, use shipping tape. However, for long-term storage, or if the cardboard is exposed to a wide range of temperatures, packing tape ensures lasting adhesion.

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