Pallet Comparisons
Side-by-side analysis of popular pallet types. Compare costs, durability, load capacity, and find the right option for your operation.
Wood Pallets vs Plastic Pallets
There is no universal winner — the right choice depends entirely on your application. Choose wood pallets for domestic shipping, one-way applications, tight budgets, and situations where repairability matters. Choose plastic pallets for food/pharmaceutical hygiene requirements, international export, automated warehouse systems, and closed-loop programs where the longer lifespan delivers a lower total cost of ownership. Many companies use both: wood for domestic and one-way shipping, plastic for food-grade and international applications.
Full Comparison →New Pallets vs Recycled Pallets
For most domestic shipping applications, recycled pallets offer the best value. Grade A recycled pallets provide 80-90% of the performance of new pallets at 40-60% of the cost. Use new pallets when food-grade quality is required, when loads demand guaranteed structural integrity, when dimensional consistency is critical for automated systems, or when appearance matters for retail or display purposes. The optimal strategy for many companies is a mix: new pallets for demanding applications and recycled pallets for standard shipping.
Full Comparison →Stringer Pallets vs Block Pallets
In North America, stringer pallets remain the right choice for the majority of domestic shipping applications due to their lower cost, wide availability, and adequate performance. However, block pallets are the better choice for international shipping, automated warehouse systems, heavy loads, racking applications, and any situation requiring true four-way entry. As supply chains become more automated and globalized, block pallets are steadily gaining market share in North America.
Full Comparison →Hardwood vs Softwood Pallets
For heavy-duty applications, multi-trip programs, and racking systems, hardwood pallets are worth the investment. For lightweight loads, one-way shipping, export, and cost-sensitive applications, softwood provides adequate performance at a lower price point. Most pallet manufacturers use a blend — hardwood for stringers and key structural components, softwood for deck boards — to optimize cost and performance.
Full Comparison →Heat Treatment vs Fumigation (ISPM-15)
Heat treatment is the clear winner and the only treatment method you should consider for new export pallet programs. Methyl bromide fumigation is being phased out globally due to its ozone-depleting properties and is already banned in the European Union, Canada, and many other countries. Heat treatment is universally accepted, chemical-free, safer for workers, and compatible with food and organic shipments. If you are currently using MB fumigation, develop a transition plan to heat treatment as soon as possible.
Full Comparison →Pallet Pooling vs Buying Your Own
Pallet pooling is the right choice for companies shipping to major retailers (who often prefer or require pooling pallets like CHEP), for operations that lack pallet management resources, and for businesses that want predictable per-trip costs without capital investment. Buying your own is better for companies with controlled closed-loop supply chains, sufficient volume to achieve economies of scale, in-house pallet management capability, and the desire for full control and customization. Many mid-size companies use a hybrid approach — pooling for retail distribution and owned pallets for internal and industrial shipments.
Full Comparison →Wood Pallets vs Metal Pallets
Wood pallets are the right choice for the vast majority of applications — they offer adequate performance at a fraction of the cost of metal. Metal pallets should be reserved for specific applications where their unique properties are essential: extreme loads, fire safety requirements, harsh environments, military logistics, and permanent storage systems. If you are handling loads under 5,000 lbs in normal warehouse conditions, wood (or plastic) pallets will serve you well at a much lower total cost.
Full Comparison →GMA 48x40 vs Euro 1200x800 Pallets
Use the pallet that matches your primary market. If you ship primarily within North America, the GMA 48x40 is the clear choice — it is optimized for U.S. truck dimensions, universally available, and supported by a massive supply chain infrastructure. If you ship to or within Europe, the EPAL Euro pallet is the standard and provides the best compatibility with European logistics infrastructure. For companies trading between both markets, the re-palletizing step at the import point is typically the most practical solution, though some global companies are evaluating the 1200x1000mm pallet as a compromise size.
Full Comparison →