How to Pack a TV for Moving: TV Packing Tips

How to Pack a Flat-Screen TV for Moving

Packing a flat-screen TV for moving is not overly complicated, but it requires a lot of care. Flat-panel TVs are full of sensitive electronic components and have thin designs and glass screens that make them extremely fragile, so they need utmost protection to survive the move intact.

To provide the best possible protection for your TV, you need to:

Step 1. Get adequate packing supplies

Quality packing supplies will provide quality protection to your TV.

Don’t be tempted to skimp on packing materials; get high-quality supplies that will provide excellent protection to your expensive flat screen:

• A TV box – the original box that your TV came in or a heavy-duty box, specially designed for flat-screen televisions;
• Foam padding – foam sheets, foam edge protectors, and foam corner protectors;
• Pieces of thick cardboard;
• Bubble wrap® (ideally, anti-static);
• Packing peanuts (ideally, anti-static);
• Moving blankets;
• Packing tape and painter’s tape;
• A permanent marker.

Step 2. Protect the TV screen

The most important thing when packing a TV for moving is to properly protect the screen:

• Place a large foam sheet across the screen to cushion it and protect it against scratching.
• Secure loose ends with painter’s tape, being careful not to tape directly on the screen. (Do not use bubble wrap® instead of foam padding – the air pockets could leave unsightly marks on the glass surface if you place bubble wrap® directly on the screen.)
• If you have the original dust cover that came with your TV, just slide it over the screen as it will prevent scratches and provide adequate protection to the fragile display;
• Use a piece of cardboard, roughly the size of the screen (or two pieces, if you have a very large TV), to provide a harder layer of protection on top of the soft cushioning.
• Place the cardboard over the face of the TV and attach it to the casing with painter’s tape. This hard shell will keep the screen safe during the move.

Step 3. Wrap the TV

The best way to wrap a TV for moving is to wrap the entire unit in several layers of bubble wrap®, then use packing tape to keep the wrapping in place. If your TV came with a protective sleeve and you still have it, just slide it over the TV.

Once your TV is safely cushioned and wrapped, it’s time to pack it in its moving box.  

You may also like to read: Is it Worth Paying for Professional Packers? Packing is arguably the worst part of preparing to move home. But is it worth paying professionals to do it for you? In this guide, we find out.

How to Pack a TV in its Original Box

The best way to pack a flat-screen TV for moving is to put it in its original box.

It is specially designed to protect the sensitive electronic device, so using the original packaging is the easiest and most effective way to ensure the safety of your TV during a house move.

TV boxes are constructed of sturdy cardboard that won’t get easily crushed and come with custom-shaped foam padding inserts that perfectly fit the television.

So, if you keep the original box and original foam inserts, packing your TV for moving will be really simple:

• Put the foam protectors on the TV. They were made specifically for your unit, so they will fit perfectly. Just make sure you place them on the TV correctly;
• Place the TV into the box. Be sure to carefully slide the TV inside the carton – don’t just let it drop to the bottom;
• Use some soft padding (crumpled paper, packing peanuts, old towels, etc.) to fill any gaps that could allow the TV to shift around during transit;
• Seal the box securely and label it with its destination room. The carton will probably be already marked as FRAGILE and will have a THIS SIDE UP note on the side. If not, use a permanent marker to write the necessary handling instructions on several sides of the box.

You may also like to read: How much does it cost to hire Packers? Hiring professional packers will make your move so much easier, but how much do they cost? In this guide, we find out.

How to Pack a Large Flat-Screen TV Without the Original Box

If you don’t have the original TV box, you can buy a specially designed TV packing box or use any sturdy box of appropriate size.

Even if you have the original packaging, its integrity may be compromised, especially if the packing materials have stayed at your home for a long time or have been stored in a humid environment. In which case, it may be better to use a brand-new box.

TV packing boxes can be bought separately or as part of a kit – there are different-sized cartons available, so you need to know the exact dimensions of your device when looking for a packing box.

In addition to the heavy-duty double-walled box, TV packing kits include four foam edge protectors that are placed along the edges of the TV to provide shock protection and prevent the device from shifting around during the move.

A large flat screen needs a large packing box, a heavy-duty one at that.

If you don’t want to spend extra money on a specialized TV box, you can use any strong cardboard box that is big enough to fit your flat screen and allow about two or three inches of extra space on all sides of the wrapped television for proper padding.

Just make sure you double-tape the bottom of the box and reinforce all seams for added security.

When packing your TV for moving, be sure to:

• Line the bottom of the box with anti-static packing peanuts to create a protective layer for your TV and keep static from interfering with the sensitive electronic device and damaging it. Alternatively, you can place a soft towel and some crumpled paper on the bottom of the box;
• Place edge protectors on the TV. Use the foam edge protectors and foam corner protectors that came with the TV packing kit (or, if you didn’t buy a specialized kit, use some thick foam pieces to protect the corners and edges of the television on all four sides).
• Wrap the entire device in stretch wrap to secure the protective coverings and provide an additional barrier against the elements;
• Slide the TV into the box vertically. If you’re using a specialized TV box, place the device in the smaller half of the double-walled box first, then slide the other half of the box on and secure both sides in place;
• Add some more cushioning materials along the sides and on top of the TV, so it’s firmly padded and unable to tip or shift;
• Seal the box with plenty of packing tape and use a permanent marker to write FRAGILE on all sides of the box.
• Finally, indicate THIS SIDE UP to specify the direction you want the box to be carried and set down. (If you’re moving several TVs, label them with their destination rooms (Living room TV, Guest room TV, etc.), so the device is taken directly to the right room when your items are unloaded at your new home.)

You may also like to read: How to Motivate Yourself to Pack for a Home Move. Packing for a move is no fun, and most people need some motivation to get started. This guide offers some proven tips to get motivated for your packing marathon.

How to Move a TV Safely

Be sure to keep your TV in an upright position all the time when moving it to your new home.

Your safely packed TV is ready for the trip to your new home, but you still need to be very careful when lifting and moving the device around since dropping it or banging it against a wall or a door frame can cause serious damage.

And you need to know how to safely transport a flat screen, as well.

• Do not lift the TV by yourself, even if it’s a lightweight LED TV;
• Use a dolly as it will make maneuvering the TV easier and safer. Just make sure you secure the television well (use ropes or moving straps to make sure the TV doesn’t tilt or slip off the dolly);
• Keep the TV upright (bottom down) at all times. Do not lay it on its side, front, or back. Flat-screen TVs are weight-balanced – weight is distributed along the edges to keep pressure off the delicate surface of the screen. If the TV is laid flat, there won’t be proper internal support, and the pressure on the display will increase. This will leave the screen vulnerable to cracking and, combined with the vibrations in the moving truck (that will add extra pressure), can lead to shattered glass or cracked edges;
• Secure the TV in the moving truck. Put it in a safe place, where it will be protected on all sides. You can place your TV between other boxes of similar sizes (so it doesn’t wobble during transportation) or on top of an armchair or couch (the soft furniture will provide additional padding) – just make sure the TV can’t slide off and hit the floor. If possible, it’s best to position your treasured piece of electronics between mattresses or backs of sofas – this will provide the TV with both support and cushioning for the trip.

Good to remember:

• Be careful not to place the television close to any sharp edges or corners that can potentially dent or pierce the TV box if something shifts during transit;
• Do not set your flat screen on top of other items where it is at risk of falling, and keep it away from items that can fall on top of it;
• If there is space around the TV box, fill it with moving blankets for extra padding;
• If you’re moving the TV in your car, place it upright on the back seat and secure it well in place – put bags of clothes, linen, pillows, soft toys, etc. around it to prevent the TV box from shifting during transport and to add some extra cushioning. Make sure nothing can fall on top of the TV.

You may also like to read: What to Pack First When Moving. In what order should you pack things for a home move? In this guide, we find out.

Bonus Tips for Moving a Flat-Screen TV

1. Avoid too much heat and moisture

During packing and transportation, be sure to keep your TV away from direct sunlight, extremely high temperatures, and moisture.

2. Hire a mover

The safest and easiest way to have your TV moved to your new home is to use the services of a professional moving company, especially if you’re moving long distance.

Their services will be worth the cost, and the cost may be more affordable than you think.

Use our Moving Cost Calculator to find out how much it will cost you to hire movers and make an informed decision about your move.

3. Consider buying extra insurance

Get proper moving insurance for your sensitive and expensive piece of electronics.

4. Setting up your TV in your new place

Once your TV is safely delivered to your new place, let it adapt to the room temperatures for a few hours before plugging it in.

Refer to the TV manual and the pictures you took at the beginning of the packing process to set up the television properly.

Good luck with your move, and be sure to check out our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your move easier, cheaper, and safer.