Best of Toronto
The Best Self Storage in Toronto
Self storage solutions in Toronto isn't exactly the most captivating of cocktail party discussions (or blog posts, natch). But there comes a time in most of our lives when we need self storage. Whether it's temporary storage for a big move, storage space to supplement the new condo or apartment, or secret storage needed to store stuff as part of that fledgling, un-named side business, it's good to know where to turn for the best, most convenient storage solutions to meet your needs.
It's a good thing that Toronto has plenty of good storage options (as well as a bunch of lousy ones). Skip the places on Ossington that have inconvenient hours of operations, older facilities and few frills and work your way through this list instead where in many cases your sofas, side tables and stacks of boxes will be paired with the latest security solutions, climate-controlled facilities and 24/7 access.
For the uninitiated, the deal with most self storage places is that you pay in four week cycles with a minimum rental period of 28 days. After that they're month by month with bills pro-rated if you happen to clear out your storage unit earlier than expected. Many storage providers offer special rates for the first month or discounts on longer term rentals (6-12 months) or if you pre-pay. Rates depend on what size you're looking for, from a relatively affordable 5x5 unit that might be had for less than $100 and fit the contents of a bedroom; to a much larger 10x20 unit that could cost five times as much but store everything you've managed to collect over the years and stuff in your small house.
Worth considering is whether you need a storage unit that's on the ground floor, and if it's important to be able to drive your car or truck right up to the locker door. Otherwise, be prepared to use a dolly, make plenty of trips up and down a freight elevator or navigate your way through a maze of hallways to get where you need to go.
Ready to discover the world of Toronto self storage? Here are the 9 best self storage solutions in Toronto.
Spaces Self Storage
There's nothing like a brand new places to store your stuff. Spaces, which just opened in February at Broadview and Eastern Avenue has state of the art security, 24/7 access, a climate controlled building, packing supplies and even 4 hours complimentary use of a moving truck that you can borrow when you move in. A 7x10 unit costs $219 but a 50% discount is offered for the first month if you stay for at least 3 months. More »
All Canadian Self Storage
All Canadian has three locations in the Toronto area including a sprawling one on Laird Drive. Rates here are about average ($175 for a 5x10) but all units are climate controlled and there are plenty of ground floor units. Like many other places on this list, they also offer top notch security and packing supplies from their retail store. They also offer a mobile storage solution ($125 a month for a 5x10 container plus $180 delivery/return) and rent UHaul trucks for $19.95 a day plus 69 cents a km. Hours are a bit limited as 24/7 access is available by appointment only. More »
Planet Storage
Planet Storage is located in the historic Viceroy Rubber Plant near Dupont and Dundas. A 10x10 unit is only $190 plus there's 4 weeks free (based on minimum stay of 8 weeks) and a 10% discount available to students, seniors and corporate accounts. They offer all the user services/amenities including climate control, 24/7 access, packing supplies and good security. To get to most units you'll need to use a freight elevator and a dolly but some larger (and pricier) drive up units are available. More »
Tower Storage
Located on industrial Wallace Avenue right beside the tracks, Tower Storage offers a new facility and good rates. A 9x10 costs $196.54 (tax included) plus one month free, but watch out for the $10 one time fee for the gate access card. They have a retail store selling packing supplies, good security, climate controlled facilities and 24/7 access. Some units have drive up access but most will require a trip up a freight elevator. More »
AJ Self Storage
This self storage provider on Commissioners Rd. in the Port Lands is the best option if looking for drive up access. All units are ground level, outdoor access and rates are very reasonable ($185 a month for an 8x10 but current sale prices have it going for $152.75). The downside is that there's no climate control which means contents are subject to freeze in the winter - and it also meaning moving in/out during winter months can be a bit of a production. More »
Apple Self Storage
For storage needs as close to the downtown core as possible, Apple Self Storage near Adelaide and Bathurst is the place to go. A 10x10 costs $285 but a 10% discount is available if you pre-pay for one year. There are no ground floor units but security is tight, packing supplies are available and the entire building is climate controlled. Hours are on the restrictive side (6am - 10pm daily) but after hours access is available upon request. More »
Storwell Self Storage
Storwell Self Storage has three locations in the Toronto area with the closest one just off the Lakeshore on Evans Avenue. All units are available on the ground level and rates tend to be somewhat negotiable. Currently a 10x10 rents for $229 but there's a 10% off coupon available on their web site. The facilities are 6 years old and are humidity controlled. Some of the units are indoor and others are outdoor with the latter accessible via drive up access. More »
Public Storage
Public Storage has storage locations across Canada including quite a few in the Toronto area. Prices, storage unit sizes and amenities vary by location but the Junction and Liberty Village locations are decent options. A 5x10 in Liberty Village costs $135.45 tax included but the first month is only $1 (plus an $18 administration fee). Units are not climate controlled and hours are limited (7am - 9pm daily). More »
All City Storage
All City Storage has two locations in North America - one in San Marcos California and the other at Cherry St. and Eastern Avenue in Toronto. All units are climate controlled and there's the usual security offerings. A 7x10 unit costs $195 + GST. Drive up access is available for larger units (10x20) with most of the other storage options a freight elevator ride up to one of the 4 floors. 24/7 access is not currently available but will be offered soon. More »
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"Now, this is a ticklish question, but...
You want to live in the box? Cost you two bucks a day."
Glad to see Spaces up there as number 1. I recently rented a 5x10 from them and had a really good experience - not only was the place pristine and very secure, but their customer service is top notch. Would recommend them to anyone, especially a first timer like I was!
Second the recommendation for Spaces. A professional, courteous all round pleasant organization.
If you don't need frequent access, storage places in the suburbs (Oakville, Burlington, Milton, etc.) are about 50% cheaper than those in the city.
"But there comes a time in most of our lives when we need self storage."
This is a dubious claim.
I had an absolutely horrible experience with All-Canadian. Incompetent equipment and even more incompetent "managers" took a bad moving situation, and made sure it was much worse. For something so simple, they seemed to forget the importance of serving the customer. Some people just don't get it, and you'll find a slew of them working at All Canadian Self Serving.
Well BlogTO.com finally jumped the shark.
Oh lord, shut up fonzie. There are other people in this city besides you and you're dumb ass.
-- Anyways, I'm in Spaces as well, and have nothing but good things to say. Brand new place so it's hard to find anything to complain about. I just love having my own secret code and being able to get at my junk whenever I need to.
The wheely carts are great too, once you get the hang of them.
I think because they're new they're trying harder than the other guys, which is great.
Not exactly the same, but I used PODS a few months ago when staging my house to sell and to then move the stuff to my new place. Their customer service as simply amazing and they booked the day of pickup, then gave a 3 hour window to let me know when they'd arrive, and then they called when they were 15 minutes away.
Yeah they sound like they know what they are doing. That's the way it should be done. Some people think that going to work and remaining busy is good enough.
you're dumb ass.
mhmm
Calm down, sunshine.
We could house the homeless at Apple Self Storage for a fraction of the cost of the $250,000.00 per-bed shelter going up on Peter Street.
I used Giant Portable Storage a few months ago and I couldn't ask for better service. Not only was delivery free back to their storage location but they delivered in the same day. I personally would stick with portable storage over self storage. I will definitely use them again!
Worst. 'Best of' list. Ever.
All Canadian self Storage is the best place to store your goods!!! Great staff, really care about your stuff. use Them!!!!! and it's a nice place.
Rent/Load a truck.
Drive to the storage place.
Unload it in multiple trips with a dolly up elevators and down hallways (sometimes having to wait for the elevator or loading dock)
When you want it back you have to rent/drive back out to the storage place
RELOAD your crap with multiple dolly trips up elevators and down hallways (sometimes having to wait for the elevator or loading dock)
Drive home
RE-UNPACK it again.
That is total bullsh*t!
That Pods company is the best.
They friggin' drive the box to your door.
You load it.
They come get it.
You want it back, you call them.
They drop it off.
You unload it.
The end.
I hate moving more than life itself and have done both ways and would never ever ever ever use anything but one of those pods.
I've had a unit at Spaces for about 6 months now, and can't be happier with the level of service from these guys. It's super convenient and very clean.
I keep my time machine in a self-storage unit. Very handy.
I had a mixed experience with All Canadian on Laird, in theory the place is wonderful and being all on one level with reasonably close drive in access is good. Some staff good, some a little less so. In the summer of 2008 they had huge problems with drainage during the big rainstorms and our unit was at ground zero, we got flooded three times but I honestly believe they have fixed that particular problem. They make a big deal about security but in reality there are all kinds of people coming and going all the time, there's one guy who runs some sort of training classes for blackjack dealers out of his unit.
How many material items do you people have to warrant such storage space use?
Less is more people.
There are many reasons someone might need self-storage, Jebus. The timing of this article is great for a friend of mine, for example, who's been given notice to leave her apartment but is moving to another country early next year, so she has a few months where she'll need to sublet and/or stay with friends.
But please, BlogTO, enough with the word 'solution.' It doesn't mean anything in this context. You're just using it as a buzzword.
I used storeyourdorm for storage when i moved to Edmonton for work for 8 months. They were great, oicked everything up, stored it and returned it when i came back. It was great for me as i didnt have enough for a self storage unit and i dont have a car. Cheap too. And im not even a student.
While your picks for top 9 self storage facilities are good, there is only one Toronto Self Storage company that has been cited by Toronto Life Magazine as Toronto's best Storage, 13 time winner of the Consumers' Choice Award and has an immaculate record with the Better Business Bureau of A+ and has a perfect record of zero complaints. Without a doubt, the top self storage in Toronto is Jiffy Self Storage.
Fantastic post! Storage systems are presented amazingly in this website with a visualizing effect. It's true that one needs storage for some or other reasons and this best storage of Toronto has a fine guideline for different types of storages
Many storage providers offer special rates for the first month or discounts on longer term rentals.
Self Stor on Bermundsey offers amazing service, good rates, and nice clean space. Ask for Ruth - she's helpful
I agree, I have used the Selfstor near the airport and they are the best. I wouldn't use anyone else.
Nah. Best list ever. Who wants to slog through this kind of research themselves?
BTW if you're willing to go even farther than the 905 area, the price drops even more. I moved stuff from an estate located in Brantford into storage while I moved away for a contract. Rates well under $100 for a 5x5. Just pile'er up high and still easy enough to move to T.O. with a one-way truck rental.
I've rented from a few different places in Toronto and Vancouver for both work and personal use.
My best experiences have been with Public Storage. The $1 special at move in really helped convince me to go back.
On my last visit they gave me a gas card because I prepaid my rent which helped right before having to drive to the inlaws in north of Huntsville for the holidays!
Public Storage have OLD facilities.... and they don't seem to provide any customer service - the Jefferson Ave facility is pretty beat up
I'm not sure what Public Storage you used, but I went to the one in Scarborough next to Toyota and it was great. I didn't get dinged on the price based on what floor i was on since i could drive right up to the third floor. How they engineered that i don't know, but it made the move easier.
Now i'm moving to oakville and i had looked into a couple of the storages there. yes i know, i'm moving to the burbs! PS just opened a place there, and since i moved before the cut off date, they refunded my rent for half the month, and reserved me a spaced at the new place. i was surprised when i got there that the old soccer domes i used to play in are now a storage!
oh, and they gave me $100 gas card for prepaying my rent.
I also had a good experience with All Canadian over on Laird street, but it was too far from where i was living.
PS has great newer facilities. The old one I used in Mississauga wasn't the prettiest, but it was cheap! Now I'm with them in Oakville, and I must say that I'm impressed. My son uses spaces downtown, which is very simmilar in construction and design. are they the same company?
Most of these comments sound as if they are coming out of the mouths of other storage companies.
I used StorageMart, or Instorage, or Apple... names changed so many freakin' times i don't know who i was paying! had a car accident, missed a payment (storage bill of 95$ wasn't top priority...) and they seized and sold my stuff. i had been a tenant for 2 years, never once late, and they sold my stuff. switched to ps, they told me that all storage companies can and will seize goods if you don't pay, but most will be somewhat reasonable. They rented me a place and gave me the option to prepay for the year. i got a free gas card out of it ($100!).
let's just hope they don't sell my stuff as i can't start a junk collection all over again!!!