Securing your shipments requires more than just a roll of sticky plastic. The right packing tape is a critical line of defense against the rigors of transit, ensuring your packages arrive intact and your professional reputation remains untarnished. From heavy-duty boxes to delicate parcels, selecting a tape with the appropriate adhesive strength, durability, and ease of use is a fundamental step in the shipping process.
This roundup simplifies your search by presenting a curated selection of top-performing packing tapes. We have evaluated options based on key factors such as adhesive power, tape thickness, roll length, and user-friendly features to help you find the ideal solution for your moving, e-commerce, or general packaging needs.
The Best Packing Tapes for Secure Shipping
- P PERFECTAPE Heavy Duty Packing Tape 6 Rolls
- Swihauk Clear Heavy Duty Packing Tape with Dispenser
- Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape with Dispenser
- Duck EZ Start Clear Packing Tape Refills
- 3M Tartan 3710 General Purpose Packaging Tape
- Uline 3 Inch X 110 Yard Crystal Clear Industrial Plus Tape
- Gorilla Heavy Duty Packing Tape with Dispenser
- STAPLES Heavy Duty Shipping Packing Tape
- 3M Scotch 371+ High Tack Box Sealing Tape
P PERFECTAPE Heavy Duty Packing Tape 6 Rolls
For those who handle a high volume of shipping, this six-roll set from P PERFECTAPE offers excellent value and reliable performance. The 2.7 mil thick tape is engineered to be super strong and resistant to splitting, a claim backed by its ability to hold significant weight. Its high-tack adhesive is formulated with an increased percentage of glue, providing a superior bond that outperforms other tapes of similar thickness.
Beyond its strength, the tape features high transparency, ensuring that box labels and contents information remain clearly visible. Each roll provides a generous 60 yards of tape, making it a practical refill option for frequent shippers. This combination of durability, strong adhesion, and clarity makes it a solid choice for both personal moving projects and small business operations.
Swihauk Clear Heavy Duty Packing Tape with Dispenser
Swihauk addresses two common needs with this product: a strong tape and a convenient application method. The tape itself is constructed with a water-based acrylic polymer adhesive that bonds instantly to boxes, creating a long-lasting seal capable of withstanding rough handling during shipping. The thick BOPP material is designed to unwind smoothly without the frustration of slivering or splitting.
The included dispenser is a key feature, engineered with a small rolling shaft that prevents the tape from falling back and getting lost. This thoughtful design makes the packing process faster and more efficient, reducing the time and effort required to seal multiple boxes. It’s an excellent all-in-one kit for anyone preparing for a move or managing regular shipments.
Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape with Dispenser
From a trusted brand in adhesives, Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape delivers industrial-strength performance for demanding shipping tasks. Its solvent-free adhesive is designed to adhere instantly, effectively locking in heavy-duty contents and protecting them from external elements. This tape is particularly effective on a variety of box types, including the harder-to-stick 100% recycled boxes.
This set includes three rolls of tape, each paired with its own dispenser for immediate and convenient use. The reliable holding power makes it a go-to choice for moving, packing, and mailing, providing peace of mind that your boxes will stay securely sealed even under challenging conditions.
Duck EZ Start Clear Packing Tape Refills
Duck brand tackles a common packaging frustration with its EZ Start tape. A special release coating ensures the tape unrolls smoothly and easily every time, eliminating issues like splitting, tearing, or losing the tape end. This feature alone can significantly streamline the packing process, especially during large projects.
Another notable benefit is its quiet release from a dispenser, making it ideal for use in home offices or other environments where noise is a consideration. The adhesive bond is high quality and actually strengthens over time, providing a long-lasting hold on any box type, which is perfect for both immediate shipping and long-term storage.
3M Tartan 3710 General Purpose Packaging Tape
As a well-established name in industrial supplies, 3M offers the Tartan 3710 as a reliable general-purpose packaging tape. This tape meets US Postal Regulations for standard packages, making it a safe and compliant choice for everyday mailing and light-duty shipping applications.
Sold in a convenient pack of six rolls, it is a practical option for offices or individuals who need a consistent supply of dependable tape. Its balanced performance makes it suitable for sealing boxes that are not excessively heavy but still require a secure and trustworthy seal for transit.
Uline 3 Inch X 110 Yard Crystal Clear Industrial Plus Tape
For sealing large boxes quickly and efficiently, the extra-wide Uline Industrial Plus Tape is an outstanding solution. Its 3-inch width allows you to cover more surface area with a single pass, reducing the time and tape needed to secure the flaps of a large carton.
Despite its wide format, the tape maintains a 2.6 mil thickness, providing the necessary strength to ensure boxes won’t break open during handling and shipping. The crystal clear appearance keeps labels and writing visible. This tape is designed for industrial and high-volume environments where speed and reliability are paramount.
Gorilla Heavy Duty Packing Tape with Dispenser
Gorilla brand is synonymous with toughness, and their packing tape lives up to that reputation. It features an extra-thick, 3.4 mil construction, making it one of the most durable options on the market. This robust build is designed to resist punctures and tearing, providing an exceptionally strong seal for valuable or heavy items during moving and storage.
The tape is crystal clear, which helps protect box labels and important information from being obscured. Sold as a single roll with a included dispenser, it’s an excellent choice for those who need maximum protection for a critical shipment or a small number of heavy boxes.
STAPLES Heavy Duty Shipping Packing Tape
This six-roll pack from STAPLES offers a straightforward and effective solution for standard shipping needs. The tape uses a hot melt adhesive that provides a strong hold, ensuring your packages remain sealed throughout the shipping process.
With standard dimensions of 1.88 inches by 54.6 yards per roll, this set provides a substantial amount of tape, making it a cost-effective bulk purchase for small businesses or individuals with frequent packing requirements. It’s a reliable, no-fuss option from a recognized office supply brand.
3M Scotch 371+ High Tack Box Sealing Tape
Designed for industrial packaging applications, the 3M Scotch 371+ tape is built for maximum performance. Its high-tack adhesive creates a powerful, tamper-proof seal that remains intact even during rough weather and handling. The backing is engineered for easy unwind while resisting abrasion, moisture, and scuffing.
This tape is ideal for box sealing, splicing, and other demanding packaging tasks. The large 2-inch by 110-yard roll size means less frequent changes, boosting efficiency in high-volume shipping environments. For those who require a superior, industrial-grade seal, this tape is a top contender.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Packing Tape for Shipping
I’ve taped up a lot of boxes in my time, and let me tell you, not all packing tapes are created equal. Choosing the wrong one can lead to a real disaster, like a box bursting open in transit. To help you avoid that, I want to walk you through the key things I look for when I need to buy packing tape for shipping.
First up is tape material. This is the biggest factor. For most shipping needs, you want a tape made from polypropylene or polyester. Polypropylene is the most common and affordable. It comes in two main types: standard and reinforced. Standard is fine for lightweight boxes, but for anything heavy or valuable, I always go for reinforced or strapping tape. These have fiberglass filaments embedded in them, making them incredibly strong and resistant to snapping. Polyester tape is even stronger and more puncture-resistant, but it’s also more expensive. It’s my go-to for the heaviest items.
Next, consider the adhesive. You’ll see terms like “hot melt” and “acrylic.” Hot melt adhesive is super sticky right away—it has incredible initial tack. This is perfect for quick sealing and for boxes stored in normal conditions. Acrylic adhesive takes a little longer to reach its full strength, but it holds up much better under extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. If your package might sit in a freezing warehouse or a hot truck, acrylic is the safer bet.
Don’t ignore the tape thickness, often measured in mils. A thicker tape (like 2.0 mil or higher) is generally more durable and resistant to splitting than a thin, flimsy one. For everyday use, a 1.6 to 2.0 mil tape is a solid choice. For heavy-duty applications, look for 2.5 mil and above.
Finally, think about the dispenser. Are you taping three boxes a year or three hundred? A simple handheld dispenser is cheap and gets the job done for occasional use. But if you have a lot of boxes to seal, a heavy-duty or even a electric tape gun will save your hand and your sanity. It’s all about matching the tool to the task. By keeping these factors in mind—material, adhesive, thickness, and dispenser—you can confidently select one of the best packing tapes for shipping that will keep your packages secure from your door to their destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strongest type of packing tape for heavy boxes?
For heavy boxes, I always recommend reinforced or strapping tape. This isn’t your average tape; it has fiberglass threads running through it, which gives it incredible tensile strength. It’s designed specifically not to stretch or break under heavy loads. While a standard plastic tape might snap, reinforced tape acts more like a strap, holding your box together with much more security. It’s the best choice for appliances, heavy books, or any item where a box failure would be a major problem.
How much packing tape do I actually need for a standard moving box?
This is a great practical question. A good rule of thumb I use is the “three-strip” method. You should run one strip of tape along the center seam of the box flaps. Then, I add one more strip on each side of that center strip, so you have three parallel lines of tape in total. This creates a strong seal that prevents the flaps from prying open. Don’t just put a single strip in the middle or a tiny “H” pattern on the ends; that’s often not enough to handle the stresses of shipping.
Can I use masking tape or duct tape for shipping boxes?
I strongly advise against it. Masking tape has very little strength and its adhesive is not designed for this purpose; it will almost certainly fail. Duct tape might seem strong, but its adhesive is gooey and can loosen over time, especially with temperature changes. It also leaves a horrible, sticky residue that is a pain to remove. Carriers like UPS and FedEx may even refuse packages sealed with duct tape because it’s unreliable. It’s worth using the right tool for the job, which is proper shipping tape.
What’s the difference between hot melt and acrylic adhesive?
The main difference is in their performance and durability. Hot melt adhesive is extremely sticky the moment it’s applied. It has fantastic initial tack, making it great for quick sealing. However, it can become brittle in very cold weather or soften too much in extreme heat. Acrylic adhesive, on the other hand, takes a bit longer to set fully, but it forms a permanent bond that is much more resistant to temperature extremes, UV light, and aging. For long-term storage or packages exposed to harsh conditions, acrylic is the winner.
Is there an eco-friendly option for packing tape?
Yes, there are a few options if you’re looking for a more sustainable choice. You can find packing tapes made from paper, which are biodegradable and often recyclable with your cardboard. Another option is plastic tape made from recycled materials. While these eco-friendly tapes have come a long way, it’s important to manage your expectations—they might not always match the sheer, brute strength of a heavy-duty synthetic tape, but they are perfectly capable for sealing many standard boxes securely.