USPS Media Mail vs USPS Priority Mail: What is better for Your Business?

Did you know the United States Postal Service shipped an average of 23 million packages per day in 2024?

 With such a massive volume, it’s no surprise that USPS offers a wide range of services to meet every shipping need.

Need something delivered overnight? Priority Express has you covered. Sending lightweight packages or envelopes? First-Class Mail is your go-to. And for books or educational materials, there’s a lesser-known but valuable option: Media Mail.

Created to promote a reading culture across the country, Media Mail is now widely used by individuals and institutions to send academic and educational content affordably.

However, when time is of the essence, many users turn to Priority Mail—another popular USPS service that offers faster delivery, even for items typically sent via Media Mail.

We get it—choosing the right shipping method can be confusing. That’s why we created this blog: to break down the key differences between Media Mail vs. Priority Mail and help you decide which service is best for your specific needs.

What is Priority Mail?

Priority Mail is an affordable, economical service that allows you to ship packages up to 70 pounds from your home or business.

• Expected delivery in 1-3 business days
• Flat rate options
• Signature confirmation for an additional charge
• Real-time tracking
• $50 of Included insurance

This service is best for eCommerce businesses looking to reduce shipping costs. But, if you want all the bells and whistles of USPS courier services, Priority Mail Express would be the better option for fast shipping.

For instance, if you urgently ship a 10-pound package from New York to Palos Park, IL, it would cost you around $18.57. 

The charges are usually high considering the shorter delivery time.

What is Media Mail?

Media Mail is an economical way to send media and other educational materials up to 70 pounds, though some restrictions apply. Items you can send with this USPS service include the following:

• Books or print media
• 16-millimeter or narrower-width films
• Printed music and test materials
• Video and sound recordings
• Play scripts and manuscripts
• Printed educational reference materials or charts
• Medical loose-leaf pages and binders
• Computer-readable media

It’s important to note that video games, computers, or digital drives don’t qualify for this shipping service.

When considering media mail cost, it's important to note that the rates are based on the weight of the package. 

For example, a 1-pound package costs $2.89, while a 5-pound package costs $4.67. This makes Media Mail a cost-effective option for indie authors and educators who need to ship books and other media materials. Despite longer delivery times, the significant savings and compliance with shipping guidelines make it a preferred choice for many.

It’s important to note that video games, computers, or digital drives don’t qualify for this shipping service.

Media Mail also includes the following features, such as the following:

• Expected delivery in 2-8 business days
• Real-time tracking

This service is best for eCommerce businesses sending media or educational materials. USPS services like Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express are the better option for any other items outside the listed item

For instance, if you are urgently shipping a 10-pound package from New York to Palos Park, IL, it would cost you around $11.38.

 How Long Does Media Mail Take To Be Delivered / Arrive?

For USPS media mail, the minimum delivery time is 2 days, and depending upon the destination or the location zone, it can take up to 8 days. In emergencies, packages shipped via Priority Mail are more likely to arrive on time the next business day or within 2 days. 

What’s the Difference Between Priority Mail vs. Media Mail?

USPS is known for affordable and express postal service – but which USPS service is right for your eCommerce business?

First, we’ll highlight the similarities between Priority Mail and Media Mail so you can get an idea of the shared traits.

• Weight restrictions: Both USPS services impose a 70-pound weight limit for Priority Mail and Media Mail packages
• Tracking: Both services offer free USPS tracking services for your packages and envelopes
• Free USPS packaging: USPS offers free packaging supplies (i.e., shipping labels, etc.) for your parcels that can be purchased via the USPS website or local post office

Now, we’ll break down the differences between USPS Media Mail vs. Priority Mail

• Pricing: Priority Mail costs more, and prices start at $8.70, while Media Mail starts at $3.19. Prices vary depending on the destination, weight, dimensions, etc.
• Delivery time: Priority Mail takes 1-3 business days to deliver parcels. On the other hand, Media Mail ship time takes anywhere from 2-8 business days
• Insurance: Priority Mail offers $50 of included shipping insurance. However, Media Mail doesn’t provide included shipping insurance. You can opt to purchase insurance at an additional charge
• Package pickup: Priority Mail offers free package pickup from your home or business. However, Media Mail packages aren’t eligible for free pickup.
• Restricted Items: Priority Mail allows you to send most items as long as it’s not a part of their restricted item list. Media Mail only will enable merchants to send media or educational materials

Overall, USPS Media Mail is the right option if you’re shipping media or educational materials under 70 pounds. Choose Priority Mail service if you’re shipping anything other than media or educational materials.

Related blog: What Can You Ship with Media Mail?

How Much Does Priority Mail vs. Media Mail Cost?

Courier service, delivery speed, package weight, package dimensions, and shipping distance are all factors that come into play when calculating the cost of shipping.

We’ll calculate the cost of shipping with USPS Media Mail vs. Priority to various locations within the United States so that you can understand the price difference between the courier services.

Shipping from NY to Los Angeles

Say you’re shipping a 5-pound package from New York to Los Angeles. We’ll calculate the rates for shipping with Priority Mail and Media so you can get an idea of how much it costs to ship to this location.

Shipping from NY to Chicago

Now, say you’re shipping a 5-pound package from New York to Chicago. Again, we’ll calculate the rates for shipping with Priority Mail and Media so you can get an idea of how much it costs to ship to Chicago.

Category: Books and Collectibles

Origin: New York

Destination: Chicago

Package Weight: 5lbs

Shipping from NY to Miami

Again, let’s say you’re shipping a 5-pound package from New York to Miami. We’ll calculate the rates for shipping with Priority Mail and Media so you can get an idea of how much it costs to ship to Miami.

Category: Books and Collectibles

Origin: New York

Destination: Miami

Package Weight: 5lbs

Shipping Books with USPS

Shipping books can be a challenge, especially for indie authors and small publishers. However, USPS offers several options that can make shipping books more affordable and efficient. Here are some tips for shipping books with USPS:

• Use Media Mail: This service is specifically designed for shipping educational materials, including books. It’s a cost-effective option that can help you save on shipping costs. Media Mail rates are significantly lower than other services, making it ideal for bulk shipments.
• Use Priority Mail: This service is a good option for shipping books that need to arrive quickly. It’s a fast and trackable service that can help you ensure timely delivery. Priority Mail also includes $50 of insurance, providing added peace of mind.
• Use USPS Flat Rate Boxes: These boxes are designed for shipping books and other media materials. They’re affordable and can help you save on shipping costs, especially for heavier items. With flat rate pricing, you can ship as much as you can fit in the box for a single rate.

By leveraging these USPS services, you can efficiently manage the shipping of books, ensuring they reach your customers in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Shipping with Easyship

Easyship offers competitive pricing for USPS courier services with discounts up to 89% on retail shipping rates. We’ll calculate how much it costs to ship with Easyship from the destination locations above.

As we can see, Easyship offers cheaper USPS rates for domestic shipping. While Media Mail rates are similar to the retail cost, Easyship makes up for that with a suite full of premium tools designed to create a frictionless shipping experience.

For instance, USPS doesn't offer included shipping insurance for their Media Mail service. However, Easyship offers up to $10,000 of shipping insurance for all shipments.

Plus, Easyship has a quick and easy shipping policy generator, so you can create a seamless shipping strategy in a couple of clicks.

USPS Media Mail Vs Ground Advantage

Media mail is great for sending media packages up to 70lbs but the biggest disadvantage is that it does not come with insurance automatically - you have to make a purchase! While one may suggest priority mail for that, it is crucial to note that this service costs more. 

However, fret not! 

There is a sweet spot in the form of USPS Ground Advantage! This category costs less, has a 4-5 business days delivery timeline, and comes with insurance up to $100.

Here’s a breakdown

USPS Media vs. Priority Mail with Easyship

Priority Mail is an excellent economical solution for eCommerce merchants looking for affordable mail service. On the other hand, Media Mail is a perfect option for merchants sending print media or educational materials within the US.

By connecting to a shipping platform, USPS users can continue using the shipping services they enjoy from USPS at a fraction of the cost.

Here are some of the features Easyship users gain instant access to when creating or linking their USPS account to Easyship:

• Easyship Shipping Rates Calculator: Access high-volume discounts from major couriers. Plus, get instant access to delivery lead times from premium shipping couriers for faster shipping
• Shipping Dashboard: Manage orders and create shipments instantly in the Shipping Dashboard. Plus, keep track of all your delivery lead times in one place
• High-Value Shipping Insurance: Easyship offers up to $10,000 shipping insurance for all shipments. This way, customers can have peace of mind when it comes to high-value items

Easyship users can manage their USPS shipping activity through the Easyship Dashboard while gaining access to discounts up to 89% off retail rates. All you have to do is connect your USPS account or sign up for a free Easyship account.

Ready to ship? Sign up for a FREE Easyship account and get instant access to high-volume discounts for USPS shipping and save money

USPS Priority Mail vs. Media Mail FAQ

Is USPS Priority Mail more reliable than Media Mail?

Yes and no. USPS Priority Mail offers $50 of included insurance, while Media Mail does not. However, the USPS Media Mail service does come with package tracking.

Can I use a Priority Mail envelope for Media Mail?

No, Priority Mail envelopes are only for Priority class mail and Priority class packages.

Media Mail vs. Priority Mail - Which one should I go for?

If you want to send your media package quickly but don’t mind paying extra for shipping charges, go for priority mail. If you don’t mind waiting, you can go for Media Mail which will ship your package for a cheaper price. 

What qualifies as Media Mail?

Items you can send with this USPS service include the following:

• Books or print media
• 16-millimeter or narrower-width films
• Printed music and test materials
• Video and sound recordings
• Play scripts and manuscripts
• Printed educational reference materials or charts
• Medical loose-leaf pages and binders
• Computer-readable media

What is Media Mail and why is it so cheap?

Media mail is a USPS service specially created to ship books and similar objects within 70lbs. It is probably cheaper because of the delivery timeline which ranges from 2-8 days. While it does not have insurance, you do get the option to track your packages with optional email notifications.