Who is the best Removals Company in the UK? 

Moving house is often said to be one of life’s most stressful experiences – and it’s easy to see why.

Between packing, organising logistics, and coordinating key dates, the process can feel overwhelming. Then, however, the previous owners have left the house is completely out of your hands! 

But choosing the right removals company can make all the difference. A great removals firm doesn’t just shift boxes – it brings peace of mind, professionalism, and practical help when you need it most.

With so many removals companies operating across the UK, each with different strengths and specialities, it can be tough to decide who’s truly the “best.” To help, we’ve compared some of the UK’s top-rated movers – each excelling in different areas – and considered what makes them stand out. Whether you’re moving locally, relocating internationally, or need a premium white-glove experience, there’s a company that fits the bill.

Pickfords: Best All-Rounder 

A household name in the UK, Pickfords has been helping people move since 1646. That’s a long, long time. With centuries of experience and one of the largest networks in the country, it’s no surprise they’re widely regarded as the best all-rounder. 

Pickfords offers a full suite of services: local and international moves, packing options, storage, and even a luxury “Pickfords Gold” service for complete peace of mind. Their accreditations (BAR, FIDI FAIM, RoSPA, and more) reinforce their reputation for professionalism and quality. For those looking for a seamless, well-supported move, Pickfords is a safe bet – albeit at a slightly higher price point.

• Rating: 4.8★ from ~11,200 reviews

• What people praise: Efficient, polite, friendly staff; smooth booking and coordination; excellent care of belongings; reliable for both domestic and international moves. Many highlight standout team members and clear communication

• Criticisms: A few reviews describe rushed packing, damage or missing items, and a challenging claims process with tight timeframes for issues reported

Abels – Best for Premium, High-Value Moves

If discretion, detail, and exceptional care are top of your list, Abels might be your match. As a Royal Warrant Holder, they’ve moved members of the Royal Household, and that same level of service is offered to private customers.

Their specialist team handles antiques, fine art, and fragile valuables with precision. They also offer climate-controlled storage and extra services like handyman assistance. The premium price reflects the premium experience. For high-value moves, they’re one of the best in the business.

What makes Ables so great is their dedication to a small number of customers at a high price point. If you can afford it, look nowhere else. 

• Rating: ~4.8★ from around 600 reviews

• What people praise: Professional, highly courteous teams; respectful, flexible and organised service; excellent care for delicate or complex moves. Many cite high personal recommendation and repeat use. 

• Criticisms: Few negative mentions, but as a premium service, some note that costs are higher and occasional minor logistical hiccups for longer international moves. 

Britannia Movers –  Best for International & Large-Scale Moves

With over 45 offices in the UK and a global partner network, Britannia Movers International is ideal for those tackling an overseas relocation or large, logistically complex move. Their like-for-like competitors are Pickfords; however, Britania has a large independent network and cost-effective groupage shipping options. 

The group is trusted by the Ministry of Defence and fully accredited (BAR, FIDI, IAM).  They’re built for scale and consistency.

• Rating: 4.6★ from ~970 review

• What people praise: Friendly, courteous crews; accurate quoting; efficient moves with safely delivered goods; willing to go the extra mile. Many recommend them for stress-free relocations.

• Criticisms: Some reviewers report misplaced items or discrepancies in agreed-upon services, such as missing packing or misunderstood arrangements.

Bishop’s Move – Best for Combined Removals & Storage

Bishop’s Move, founded in 1854, excels at providing integrated moving and storage solutions. They have some history when it comes to moving customers around the country. With 27 branches and accreditations like EURA and IAM and listed with BAR, they’re particularly good for people who need flexibility during the move. 

Known for their excellent customer service and easy removal/ storage packages, they are a great option and one of the best removal & storage companies in the UK. 

• Rating: 4.5★ from ~900 reviews 

• What people praise: Friendly, efficient crews; careful handling of items; professional and polite approach; seamless removals and storage service; praised for making stressful moves feel relaxed. 

• Criticisms: A minority of customers raise concerns over communication and occasional damage/delay—especially for cross-border moves—though these are relatively rare. 

Cornerstone Removals  – Best for Transparency

If hidden fees make you nervous, Cornerstone Removals is a solid choice but one we’d not heard of previously. They’re known for freezing quotes, avoiding surprise costs, and offering flexible, customer-centric service. Best for domestic moves where clear communication is key. Of all of the removal companies on this list, they have the most reviews. It’s impressive considering their website is not quite as nice as some of the others on the list. 

• Trustpilot Rating: 4.4★ from approximately 1,637 reviews

• Praise: Many users commend the team for efficiency, speed, strong communication, and adaptability. Positive mentions include hardworking crews, friendly customer service, and a clean moving experience.

• Criticisms: A small minority of 1★ reviews allege serious issues like missing items or unresponsive service, sometimes extreme claims. While most experiences are positive, a few reports raise concerns over reliability on certain moves.

Aim Removals: Best for Domestic & Commercial Moves

For a dependable UK-based mover, Aim Removals is a strong contender. Regularly praised for their professionalism and care, they’re well-suited for both residential and business relocations within the UK.

• On Checkatrade, Aim Removals & Storage receives extremely high ratings (average 9.9/10 with 200 reviews) 

• Customer Feedback: Reviewers highlight exceptional care, politeness, reliability, communication, and attention to detail. Many recommend them for considerate and efficient moving—even for varied services like plumbing plants or handling heavy mattresses.

City Moves  – Best for South West England (Bristol/ Cardiff). 

Based in South Wales and serving Bristol too, City Moves is perfect for those moving in or out of this region. Their glowing reviews reflect a strong customer-first approach, making them a reliable local option with international capabilities too.

• Trustpilot Rating: 4.9★ from over 1,500 reviews. 

• Praise: Exceptional punctuality, great care with items, friendly and efficient movers, and responsive office staff. Customers often note quick face‑time surveys and fast execution—even long-distance moves are completed swiftly and professionally.

• Criticisms: Very few issues reported; one or two reviews mention minor damage to furniture or slow claims response, but overwhelmingly positive.

The Moving Home Company –  Best for Bespoke, High-Standard Service

With over 40 years of helping clients move home, we’re quite impressed by The Moving Home Company. If you need a personalised moving experience, they deliver and organise custom removals tailored to you. Though less widely accredited than some larger firms, their high standards and client-focused service make them worth considering for complex domestic moves and those with children. 

• Trustpilot Rating: 4.5★ from 193 reviews 

• Praise: Many reviews value the friendly, helpful, and efficient service – especially for international moves, like delivering furniture to remote locations abroad.

• Criticisms: A few customers advise avoiding the company due to damaged or improperly packed items, poor communication, and negative claims handling experiences.

MoveIns – Best for Friendly, Stress-Free Local Moves

New to the scene but making waves, MoveIns.co.uk is fast building a reputation for making moving day smooth and even enjoyable. With a cheerful, hard-working team and a focus on clear communication, they specialise in house removals, man and van services, and office relocations—particularly in Edinburgh and surrounding areas.

MoveIns offers excellent value and is praised for its reliability, local knowledge, and upbeat approach. If you’re looking for a friendly, professional team that takes pride in making your move easy, MoveIns is one to watch.

Praise:
MoveIns is gaining a solid reputation for being efficient, friendly, and highly accommodating. Customers often mention the upbeat attitude of the team, who bring a bit of humour and lightness to what’s usually a stressful day. Their pricing is considered fair and transparent, and many clients highlight how quickly and smoothly the process goes from booking to unloading. 

Criticisms:
As a smaller and newer company, MoveIns doesn’t yet have the fleet size or national infrastructure of larger firms, which may limit availability during peak periods or for cross-country moves. A few early customers noted minor delays in communication during busy times and sometimes were refused service due to being fully booked. This seems to be improving as the company grows. 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, we’ve provided you with some of the best options for removals companies in the UK. We’ve done a lot of research and considered some candidates that are small – but mighty. 

If you have any comments or would like to suggest a company, add a comment below.