storage - head to head
Big Yellow vs Storage King
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Big Yellow | Storage King | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Available, smaller network |
| Range covers | Personal storage, Business storage, Wine storage, Student storage | Personal storage, Business storage, Student storage, Office space rental |
| Best known for | Personal storage units | Storage units up to 2,000 sq ft |
Choose Big Yellow if...
Big Yellow is one of the larger UK self-storage chains, positioned around individually alarmed units and PIN-code access at each store. It is generally found in and around major towns and cities, and is used by both households moving or decluttering and small businesses needing stock or archive space.
Look at: Personal storage units, Business storage units, Armadillo Self Storage
Full Big Yellow profile →Choose Storage King if...
Storage King operates a network of UK self-storage sites alongside a third-party management business for other facility owners. It targets the same personal and business storage market as the larger chains, with a wider range of unit sizes than some rivals.
Look at: Storage units up to 2,000 sq ft
Full Storage King profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK storage companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Big Yellow vs Storage King - common questions
Is Big Yellow better than Storage King?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Big Yellow is one of the larger UK self-storage chains, positioned around individually alarmed units and PIN-code access at each store. It is generally found in and around major towns and cities, and is used by both households moving or decluttering and small businesses needing stock or archive space. Storage King operates a network of UK self-storage sites alongside a third-party management business for other facility owners. It targets the same personal and business storage market as the larger chains, with a wider range of unit sizes than some rivals.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Big Yellow or Storage King?
Big Yellow: 111 facilities across the UK, including 23 branded Armadillo Self Storage, per its own website in 2026; FTSE 250-listed operator. Storage King: Around 50 named consumer-facing UK stores listed on its site, plus a separate third-party facility-management arm described as covering "over 100 sites," per its own website in 2026; exact single-brand store count and founding year are not published.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK storage companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.