How to move a TV: the right way to pack, transport and store

Flat-screen TVs look sturdy but the panel itself is thin glass and electronics behind a thin plastic shell — easy to crack with the wrong pressure in the wrong spot. A little prep goes a long way.

Use the original box if you still have it

The manufacturer's box and foam inserts are purpose-built for this. If you kept it, use it. If not, most electronics or moving supply stores sell TV-specific boxes in standard sizes.

No original box? Do this instead

Wrap the screen in a soft blanket or moving pad, then bubble wrap over that, then a box or a snug-fitting flat-panel TV cover. Corner protectors on all four corners prevent the most common crack points. Keep the remote, cables, and mounting hardware in a labeled bag taped to the box.

Transport it upright

Never lay a flat-screen flat — the weight of the panel resting on its own frame can crack it, and it's more vulnerable to flexing. Stand it upright, wedged so it can't tip, ideally against a soft surface rather than a hard wall of the truck.

Storing it for a while

If the TV is going into storage for more than a few weeks, a climate-controlled unit is worth it — temperature swings and humidity are hard on the internal electronics and can cause condensation on the panel itself.