How to Pack a TV for Moving: TV Packing Tips and Moving Advice

A TV provides more than information and entertainment – it brings comfort and helps take one’s mind off troubling issues and thoughts. Watching TV is, therefore, a great way to relax and “escape” during the stressful moving preparations and tedious packing process. And because of that, the TV is usually among the last items to be packed for a move.

Packing a TV, however, should not be a rush job – it must be carefully completed, so your television survives the relocation safe and sound.

New flat screen TVs may seem easy to pack and move, especially compared to older box versions – they aren’t so bulky and aren’t very heavy either. Yet, they’re extremely delicate and can be easily damaged in the moving process – and since modern TVs can cost up to a few thousand dollars, you’ll certainly want to avoid damaging your flat screen during the relocation.

To ensure that your treasured piece of electronics reaches your new home without a scratch or issue, you need to know how to pack a TV for moving in a safe and efficient manner. The comprehensive TV-packing guide below will help you easily achieve this feat, whether you’ll be boxing up a 32-inch screen or an 80-inch flat panel.

How to Prepare a TV for Packing and Moving

Whether your television is mounted to the wall or sits on a base, there are several important steps to take before you can pack the electronic device for moving:

1. Take several pictures of the wiring and cables connecting the TV to its accessories (DVD players, game consoles, sound systems, antennas, etc.) and to the power supply. Store the photos on your phone or tablet (or print them and pack them with the TV), so you can refer to them when reconnecting your TV in your new home.

2. Label the cables – Put a piece of colored tape above an input on the TV and wrap a piece of matching tape on the cable that should be connected there. Alternatively, you can write “Power”, “PlayStation”, etc. on pieces of white painter’s tape and secure them to the cables and the corresponding ports. This will help you identify which cables go where when setting up your home theater after the move.

3. Disconnect electricity – Unplug all cords and wires from the power supply.

4. Unplug any accessories and home theater components – Unplug each device one at a time, coil up the cable, and secure it with a twist tie to prevent tangling. If any of the cords can’t be removed, attach them to the back of the TV with painter’s tape (never tape directly to the screen as the adhesive can damage the delicate surface).

5. Place all cords and small TV accessories (such as the remote) in a separate box – It might seem as a good idea to pack the cables in the box with the TV, but they could shift around during the move and cause damage. Seal the box with the cords well and label it with its contents and the room where the TV will be located, so it’s easy to find when setting the system back up.

6. Clean all TV accessory devices with a microfiber cloth, wrap them in packing paper and bubble wrap, and pack them in sturdy, appropriate size moving boxes together with their power cords, remote controls, and manuals. (Don’t forget to remove the batteries from all the remotes.)

7. Dismount the TV – If your unit is mounted on the wall, you need to first remove it from the bracket. Don’t even think of removing the bracket with the TV attached in order to save time – you can easily damage the wall, damage the television, and/or hurt yourself if you attempt to do so. Refer to the manual to see how the TV is attached and how it can be safely removed from the mount.

Ask someone to help you take down the TV – even if it is relatively light, a large flat screen can be awkward to handle by yourself. Lift the TV slowly and carefully and put it someplace flat and safe.

Make sure you place all screws and small hardware parts in a sealable plastic bag and attach it to the TV mount or pack it in the box with the cables and the remote, so that everything is in one place.

8. Remove the bracket from the wall – Next, you need to deal with the bracket – remove any bolts and anchor screws that keep it attached to the wall, place them in a zip-lock bag, and pack all parts together in an appropriate size moving box.

9. Remove the TV from the base – If your TV sits on a stand or atop an entertainment center, you’ll only need to detach the base/stand. Once again, be sure to store all screws, bolts, etc. in a sealable bag. Wrap the base in bubble wrap and pack it separately.

10. Clean the TV -Dirt and dust particles can scratch the screen or damage the internal electronics of your TV during the relocation, so you’re strongly advised to clean the unit before packing it for moving. Use a screen cleaner for the screen and wipe down the TV casing with a microfiber cloth.

Bonus tip: Contact your cable or satellite provider a few weeks before the move and arrange to have the service canceled at your old home and started at your new one. If you’re moving to a location not serviced by your current provider, you need to choose a new company and make the necessary arrangements. (See also: How to transfer utilities when moving)

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 in order to survive the move intact and in excellent condition.

To provide the best possible protection to your TV during the hectic relocation process, you need to:

1) Have adequate packing supplies – 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, especially 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.

2) Protect the TV screen – The most important thing when packing a LED TV, LCD TV, HDR TV, or plasma 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 – 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.

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 keep it, just slide it over the electronic device.

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

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;
• If there remain any gaps that could allow the TV to shift around during transit, use some soft padding (crumpled paper, packing peanuts, old towels, etc.) to fill them in;
• 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.

How to pack a large flat screen TV for moving if you don’t have the original box

If you don’t keep 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 – and it may be better to use a brand-new box.)

TV packing boxes can be bought separately or as a part of a kit – there are different size 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 to prevent the device from shifting around during the move.

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 on 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.)

How to pack a flat screen TV without a box

If you need to move a flat-screen TV without a box, you can pack it in moving blankets:

• Pad the edges and corners of your TV with pieces of foam and secure the padding with stretch wrap;
• Spread out a large, thick moving blanket and place the TV flat in the center with the screen facing up. Then, fold each side of the blanket in and over the screen. If needed, use more than one blanket for better protection;
• Secure the blanket(s) with ropes or moving straps;
• Finally, use large pieces of cardboard or plywood to create a hard protective shell around your TV (tape them securely around the device).

Your treasured piece of electronics should be safe enough to survive the relocation intact.

Bonus tip: If you have a very large TV or a plasma TV, it may be better to have the device professionally packed – large flat panels (60 inches and more) are very difficult to handle and plasma TVs are heavier and more fragile than other flat screens, so the risk of damage is greater. Professional movers and packers have the specialized packing supplies, rich experience, and technical know-how to provide your TV with the best possible protection and ensure its safety during the move.

Related: How to pack electronics for moving

How to Move a TV Safely

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 – 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 car or 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 coach (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:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. If there is empty 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.

Bonus tips for moving a flat screen TV:

1. During packing and transportation, be sure to keep your TV away from direct sunlight, extremely high temperatures, and moisture. (See also: What to do if it rains on moving day);
2. Keep in mind that 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. The experienced movers will take good care of your electronics – and all your other items – and will save you a lot of time, effort, and headaches. Their services will be worth the cost – and the cost may be more affordable than you think (you can use our moving cost estimator to find out how much it will cost you to hire movers and make an informed decision about your move);
3. Get proper moving insurance for your sensitive and expensive piece of electronics.

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, so it can deliver the gift of entertainment while you’re unpacking and arranging your new home. Enjoy!