How to pack electronics for moving

Packing TVs and computer monitors for an interstate move

• Use the original box if you still have it — it's shaped for the exact screen size and protects the corners specifically
• Without the original box, use a dedicated TV box (adjustable, sold at most box retailers) rather than a generic large box
• Keep the screen upright during transport and storage — the same orientation it's used in, not flat
• Never place anything on top of a boxed TV, even briefly

Packing computers and hard drives safely

• Back up important data before the move — shock damage to a drive isn't always visible externally, so don't rely on "it looked fine"
• Pack laptops in a padded sleeve inside a box, not loose
• Desktop towers travel best upright in their original orientation, cushioned on all sides

Cables, remotes, and setup for reconnecting electronics

Photograph the back of each device before disconnecting anything. This single step saves the most time at the new place, and you will thank yourself when you are staring at a tangle of cords in an unfamiliar room. Bag and label cables by device rather than tossing them all into one box. A simple label like 'living room TV' or 'office monitor' turns reconnecting everything into a straightforward process instead of a frustrating trial-and-error exercise where you guess which power brick belongs to which piece of hardware.

Consider carrying your highest-value electronics yourself

For a laptop, external drives with irreplaceable data, or other small high-value electronics, personal transport removes the risk entirely rather than relying on packing alone. Movers handle hundreds of boxes daily, and even careful professionals cannot know which carton contains your life's work or your family photo archive. The minor inconvenience of carrying a backpack with these items yourself is worth it for anything genuinely critical. You maintain control over temperature exposure, shock, and loss in a way that no insurance policy can fully replace.

Avoid packing peanuts around sensitive components

Use packing paper rather than packing peanuts when cushioning computers and other sensitive electronics — packing peanuts can build up static electricity, which is genuinely bad for delicate internal hardware and can, in rare cases, stop a computer from working correctly afterward. Packing paper doesn't carry that risk. (Source: Move.org)

Printers need a little extra prep before packing them

Remove toner cartridges from laser printers and seal them in a dust-proof plastic bag separately. For inkjet printers, eject the ink cartridges and make sure the printhead is secured in its locked or parked position before packing — most printers do this automatically when powered off normally, but it's worth confirming before you unplug it for the move. (Source: Move.org)

Keep electronics away from temperature extremes

Extreme heat or cold can degrade internal components, and humidity can lead to corrosion or short circuits — this matters most if electronics will sit in a non-climate-controlled truck or storage unit for an extended stretch during a long interstate haul. Empty all discs, cords, batteries, and ink cartridges from devices before packing, both to prevent leaks and to reduce what could overheat or shift loose inside the unit. (Source: Wheaton World Wide Moving)

Audio/video components: a few details beyond photographing the back

For disc players, remove any discs and check the underside for a transport screw — many players have one that locks the internal mechanism in place for shipping, and re-tightening it before a move protects the laser assembly the same way it did when the unit was new. When labeling cables, matching small pieces of colored tape on each cable end and its corresponding input works faster during reassembly than a written label on every cord. For flat-panel and plasma TVs specifically, keep them within roughly 15°F to 122°F and away from condensation-causing humidity while in transit or storage — and after a cold-weather move, give the TV about 24 hours at room temperature before powering it on, so internal components can acclimate. (Source: American Trucking Associations / Moving.org)

Tape the terminals on any loose batteries

Lithium-ion battery cells have exposed metal terminals that can short-circuit if they touch another metal object — a loose battery rattling around in a box with keys, tools, or other batteries is a real fire risk, not just a theoretical one. If you're removing batteries from remotes, cameras, or power tools before packing them separately (as this guide recommends above), put a strip of non-conductive tape, like electrical tape, over the terminals of any loose battery first. It's a small step that meaningfully cuts the risk of a short during the handling and vibration of an interstate haul. (Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Frequently asked questions

Related resources

• All packing tips
• How to pack fragile items
• Moving insurance explained