Types of Storage Units and 40 Self-Storage Features to Look For

Written by Larissa Fox-Kondas, Marketing Associate

The right storage unit comes down to three things: the type of unit, the features that protect it, and how easy it is to get to your belongings. Below, you'll find the main types of storage units and 40 self-storage features worth comparing, each with a short definition so you can tell what matters for what you're storing.

When you look at a storage unit, start with security, then climate control for anything sensitive to heat or moisture, then access hours that fit your schedule. After that, match the unit type and size to your items and check that the rental terms fit your timeline. 

Of 108 Storage Star location pages we reviewed in September 2026, 103 listed video surveillance or security monitoring, 98 offered drive-up units, and 74 offered climate-controlled, temperature-controlled, or heated units. 

Key Takeaways

• Unit type decides how you load, how often you visit, and how much protection your items get.
• Security works in layers: gated access, 24/7 video surveillance, onsite staff, and digital entry like keyless access.
• Climate control matters most for wood, leather, electronics, documents, photos, and wine.
• Keyless entry, AI-powered customer support, and 24/7 online rentals are available at every Storage Star location.
• Specialty features like units with electricity, wine storage, and heated units are offered at specific locations, linked below.

Find a self-storage facility near you!

What Are the Different Types of Storage Units?

The main types of storage units are indoor units, drive-up units, storage lockers, and larger units for vehicles, businesses, or full households. Some facilities also offer specialty spaces like wine storage, covered and uncovered parking, office space, and mailbox rentals. The best type depends on what you're storing, how often you'll visit, and how much protection your items need.

1. Indoor Storage Units

Indoor units sit inside a building and open off an interior hallway. Your belongings stay out of the rain, sun, and snow, and you load and unload under a roof. At Storage Star, most climate-controlled units are indoors.

2. Drive-Up Storage Units

Drive-up storage units are garage-style spaces you can park right beside. With no hallway or elevator between your vehicle and the door, moving furniture, tools, or equipment takes far less effort.

3. Multi-Door Storage Units

A multi-door unit has more than one door, so you can reach items from different sides without unpacking the whole space. Businesses and larger households that pull specific items often get the most out of them. Multi-door units are available at select locations.

4. Storage Lockers

Storage lockers are the smallest option, sized for a few boxes, files, or seasonal items. They suit students, apartment renters, and anyone who needs a little extra room without renting a full unit. See how they compare in storage lockers vs. storage units.

5. Extra-Large Storage Units

Extra-large units hold the contents of a full house, a business's inventory, or a vehicle. Some Storage Star facilities offer units larger than 10x30 for business storage and classic cars. The storage unit size guide helps you match a size to what you're storing.

6. Wine Storage Units

Wine storage units keep wine, champagne, and similar collections at steady conditions, typically 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit with 50 to 70 percent humidity. Wine storage is offered at select locations, including Aiken, SC (Hamilton Dr).

7. Vehicle Storage Units

Vehicle storage includes enclosed units and parking spaces for cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and trailers. Enclosed units give the most protection, while parking spaces work well for vehicles built for the outdoors. Vehicle requirements can vary by facility, so check with your location before move-in.

8. Covered Parking

Covered parking puts a roof over your car, RV, or boat, blocking direct sun, hail, and snow while keeping the vehicle easy to reach. Covered spaces are offered at select locations, including North Augusta, SC (Cork Tree Bnd) and Midlothian, VA (Huguenot Rd). Learn more in the parking storage guide.

9. Uncovered Parking

Uncovered parking is an open, designated space on the facility grounds for vehicles, trailers, and boats. It's the simplest vehicle storage option and pairs well with a fitted cover.

10. Business Storage Units

Business storage units hold inventory, tools, equipment, and records for small businesses. Contractors and e-commerce sellers use them to free up space at home or skip the cost of a warehouse lease.

11. Office Space Rentals

Some facilities rent on-site office space, so a small business can keep its desk and its inventory in one place. Office space is available at Cloverdale, CA (Industrial Dr), Coventry, RI (Tiogue Ave), and Roy, UT (W 4800 S).

12. Mailbox Rentals

A mailbox rental gives you a mailing address at the storage facility. It's handy for small businesses and for anyone between homes. Mailbox rentals are offered at Laredo, TX (Quail Creek Rd).

Security Features for Self-Storage Units

The most important security features for self-storage units are a gated perimeter, 24/7 video surveillance, and staff who keep an eye on the property. Lock checks, lighting, and digital entry like keyless access add more layers. Together, they limit who can get in and make unusual activity easy to spot.

13. Gated Access

A gated facility surrounds the property with fencing and controls who comes through the gate, so only current renters can get in. 

14. Key Fob Entry

Key fob entry lets you open the gate or building door with a small electronic fob instead of entering a code. 

15. Keyless Entry

Keyless entry gives you access to the facility without a physical key, so there's nothing to lose or copy. 

16. 24/7 Video Surveillance

Cameras monitor the property around the clock. That discourages trespassing and gives staff footage to review if something seems off. 

17. AI Surveillance Monitoring

AI surveillance monitoring uses software to watch camera feeds and flag unusual activity as it happens, rather than relying only on someone reviewing footage later. 

18. On-Site Staff

On-site staff are real people at the facility who help with rentals, answer questions, and keep watch over the property. With a team on location, problems get noticed and handled sooner.

19. Daily Lock Checks

During daily lock checks, staff walk the property and confirm each unit is locked. If something looks wrong, they can follow up right away. 

20. Motion-Activated Lighting

Motion-activated lighting switches on when someone moves through a driveway or hallway. You can see what you're doing while you load, and any activity on the property is easy to spot.

21. Tenant Protection

Tenant protection covers your stored belongings against events like burglary with forced entry, fire, smoke, vandalism, and windstorm or hail, subject to policy terms. 

Storage Star requires coverage on every rental, through a Storage Star Protection Plan or proof of your own insurance at move-in. 

Climate Control Features for Self-Storage Units

Climate control features keep a storage unit at a steady temperature year-round, so heat, cold, and moisture don't damage what's inside. Storage Star's climate-controlled units are typically kept between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the region, you may also find heated units for cold climates or air-cooled units for hot ones.

22. Full Climate Control

Climate-controlled units are heated in winter and cooled in summer to maintain a consistent temperature between 55 and 80 degrees, and humidity is often regulated too. They're a strong fit for wood or leather furniture, electronics, documents, photos, and instruments. Read more in What is Climate-Controlled Storage.

23. Heated Storage Units

Heated units stay warm enough to protect belongings from freezing temperatures, which matters most in cold climates. They're available at Anchorage, AK (Boniface Pkwy), Avon, CO (910 Nottingham Rd), and Little River, SC (US-17). See how heated storage vs. climate control compare to one another.

24. Air-Cooled Storage Units

Air-cooled units circulate cooled air to keep temperatures down, which helps in hot climates like Texas. They sit between standard and fully climate-controlled units. Learn the differences in air-cooled vs. climate-controlled storage.

25. Non-Climate-Controlled Units

Standard units don't regulate temperature or humidity, but they still protect against rain, snow, and direct sun. They're a good fit for sturdy items like tools, outdoor gear, and patio furniture. Here's how to store furniture in non-climate-controlled storage.

Know which unit type fits your items? Rent online in minutes at a Storage Star near you.

Access and Convenience Features

Access features decide how easy it is to get your belongings in and out. Look at gate hours, how close you can park, and whether the facility has carts, elevators, or loading areas. Access hours vary by location, so check your facility page for exact times.

26. Early Morning and Late-Night Access Hours

Storage Star facilities offer early morning and late-night access, so you can stop by before or after work. Gate access hours and office hours are separate, so check both on your location page.

27. 7-Day Access

With 7-day access, you can reach your unit on weekends as easily as weekdays. 

28. 24-Hour Access

24-hour access lets you reach your unit at any hour of the day or night. \

29. Ground-Level Units

Ground-level units sit on the first floor, with no stairs or elevators between your car and your door. They're helpful for heavy items and frequent visits.

30. Elevators and Multi-Floor Buildings

Multi-story facilities use elevators, including large cargo elevators at some locations, to move belongings to upper floors. If you're storing large furniture, ask about elevator size before you rent.

31. Dollies and Handcarts

Dollies and handcarts let you move boxes and furniture in fewer trips. 

32. Loading Docks and Covered Loading Areas

A loading dock lets you unload a truck at floor height, and a covered loading area keeps you and your belongings dry while you work. Loading docks are available at Arlington Heights, IL (E Hintz Rd), Chicago, IL (West 111th St), Cinnaminson, NJ (Bannard St), and Westville, NJ (Delsea Dr). Covered loading areas are offered at select locations, including Dallas, TX (Forest Ln) and Chicago, IL (N McCormick Blvd).

33. Storage Units With Electricity

A unit with electricity has a power outlet inside, which helps with lighting or small tools while you work. Units with electricity are available at Winston-Salem, NC (W Pt Blvd) and Glassboro, NJ (Glassboro-Cross Keys Rd). Ask the facility what you can plug in before you rent.

34. RV Dump Station

An RV dump station lets you empty your RV's holding tanks on site before storing it or after a trip. Storage Star's Chico, CA (Esplanade) location has one.

35. Accessible Facilities

Accessible facilities make it easier for more renters to reach their units comfortably. If mobility is a concern, ask your location about ground-level units and elevator access.

Rental, Payment, and Account Features

Rental features shape how easy it is to start, manage, and end your storage. Look for online rentals, month-to-month terms, simple payment options, and quick answers when questions come up. These features matter most when your timeline isn't set.

36. 24/7 Online Rentals

You can rent a Storage Star unit online at any time, day or night. Pay and sign your lease online in minutes, or reserve now and handle the paperwork at move-in.

37. Online Payments and Account Access

Online account access lets you pay your bill and manage your rental from your phone or computer, without a trip to the office.

38. AI-Powered Customer Support

AI-powered customer support gives you fast answers to common questions about renting and managing your unit. 

39. Month-to-Month Rentals

Month-to-month rentals let you store for as long or as short as you need, with no long-term contract. They suit moves, renovations, and other changes without a firm end date.

40. Packing and Moving Supplies

Storage Star facilities sell packing and moving supplies, including cardboard moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and box cutters. You can pick up what you need when you arrive.

What Are the Most Important Features for Storing Valuable Items?

For valuable items, the most important features are climate control, 24/7 video surveillance, gated access, and tenant protection that covers what your belongings are worth. An indoor unit adds another layer, since your items stay inside a secured building. 

For item-specific tips, see how to store a coin collection, vinyl record storage tips, and how to pack furniture for climate-controlled storage.

Find a Self-Storage Facility Near You

Storage Star has 123 locations in 22 states, and each one has its own mix of unit types and features. Search by city to see what's offered near you, then rent online in minutes.