SmartStop Self Storage Named Top Publicly Traded Storage Company for 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 05 2026
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Source: Newsfilter
- Industry Ranking Leadership: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed's Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, which further solidifies its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Importance of Customer Feedback: Chairman and CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasized that this honor stems from genuine customer feedback, underscoring the SmartStop team's passion and commitment to delivering outstanding service, which enhances customer loyalty and brand image.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to providing clean, secure, and modern storage solutions through continuous investments in its properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, aimed at meeting the needs of residential and business customers, thereby driving business growth.
- Extensive Operating Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across the U.S. and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet of storage space, demonstrating its strong market coverage and operational efficiency.
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Analyst Views on SMA
Wall Street analysts forecast SMA stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 32.800
Low
35.00
Averages
39.57
High
41.00
Current: 32.800
Low
35.00
Averages
39.57
High
41.00
About SMA
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of more than 1000 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop Self Storage brand. The Company is focused on the acquisition, ownership and operation of self-storage properties located primarily within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's segments include self storage operations and the Managed REIT Platform business. The Company, through its indirect subsidiary, SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. It owns or manages more than 460 operating properties in 35 states, Washington D.C., and Canada, comprising over 270,000 units and 35 million rentable square feet. The Company and its affiliates own or manage 49 operating self-storage properties across four provinces in Canada, which total approximately 42,200 units and 4.3 million rentable square feet.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Earnings Release Schedule: SmartStop Self Storage REIT will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, after market close on August 5, 2026, reflecting the company's operational status and financial health in the self-storage sector.
- Conference Call Details: Management will host a conference call on August 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results and conduct a Q&A session, aimed at providing registered financial analysts with in-depth performance insights.
- Webcast Information: The conference call will be available via live webcast on the company's Investor Relations website, with participants encouraged to visit at least 15 minutes prior to ensure registration and software installation for smooth access.
- Operational Scale Overview: As of July 7, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages 460 operating properties across 36 states and Canada, offering over 275,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet, demonstrating its strong market presence.
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- Facility Opening: SSGT III, in partnership with SmartCentres, has opened its first self-storage facility in Laval, Québec, offering approximately 124,925 square feet of climate-controlled storage space to meet local residents' and businesses' needs.
- Strategic Location: Situated at Boulevard Robert-Bourassa and adjacent to Autoroutes 440 and 19, with daily traffic counts of about 84,000 vehicles, the facility ensures exceptional accessibility and visibility, enhancing its business potential.
- Market Demand Response: The densely populated Laval area will benefit from SSGT III's facility, providing convenient and secure storage solutions for communities like Duvernay and Saint-François, thereby solidifying its position in the Québec market.
- Portfolio Expansion: As of June 29, 2026, SSGT III's portfolio includes 12 operating properties in the U.S. and Canada, comprising approximately 9,220 units and 981,465 square feet of rentable space, reflecting its strategic direction for continued growth.
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- Industry Ranking Leadership: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed's Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, which further solidifies its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Importance of Customer Feedback: Chairman and CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasized that this honor stems from genuine customer feedback, underscoring the SmartStop team's passion and commitment to delivering outstanding service, which enhances customer loyalty and brand image.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to providing clean, secure, and modern storage solutions through continuous investments in its properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, aimed at meeting the needs of residential and business customers, thereby driving business growth.
- Extensive Operating Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across the U.S. and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet of storage space, demonstrating its strong market coverage and operational efficiency.
See More
- Top Industry Honor: SmartStop Self Storage REIT has been recognized as the highest-ranked publicly traded self-storage company in Reviewed’s Best National Storage Chains of 2026, highlighting its exceptional consumer trust and satisfaction, further solidifying its leadership position in the North American self-storage market.
- Customer Feedback Driven: This ranking is based on consumer voting, reflecting SmartStop's commitment to providing high-quality facilities and outstanding customer service, with CEO H. Michael Schwartz emphasizing that this honor stems from real customer experiences, showcasing the company's dedication to service excellence.
- Ongoing Investment Strategy: SmartStop remains dedicated to delivering clean, secure, and modern storage solutions tailored to residential and business customers through continuous investments in properties, technology, and customer-focused initiatives, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
- Extensive Operational Network: As of June 5, 2026, SmartStop owns or manages approximately 460 operating properties across 35 states and Canada, offering over 270,000 units and more than 35 million rentable square feet, demonstrating its robust market coverage and operational scale.
See More
- Exit Transaction: On May 14, 2026, GSI Capital Advisors sold all 124,919 shares of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, with an estimated transaction value of $4.01 million, indicating a complete exit that may reflect caution regarding the company's future performance.
- Portfolio Shift: Following this transaction, GSI Capital's top five holdings include Equinix, Welltower, and Prologis, suggesting a continued focus on real estate while signaling diminished confidence in SmartStop's prospects.
- Business Improvement: Despite GSI's exit, SmartStop reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $78.3 million in Q1, with net income turning to a profit of $9.6 million from an $8.4 million loss a year earlier, indicating potential operational recovery.
- Future Outlook: Management anticipates adjusted FFO per share between $1.94 and $2.04 for 2026, suggesting that SmartStop sees opportunities for continued growth even in a challenging storage market, which may attract long-term investors.
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- Share Exit Transaction: GSI Capital exited 124,919 shares of SmartStop Self Storage REIT in Q1 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $4.01 million, indicating a complete liquidation of its stake and a diminished confidence in this specific stock.
- Asset Management Shift: This transaction resulted in a $3.86 million decline in GSI Capital's quarter-end net position value, reflecting a roughly 2% change in the fund's reportable assets under management, which may impact its overall investment strategy.
- Company Performance Improvement: Despite GSI Capital's exit, SmartStop reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $78.3 million in Q1, with net income swinging to a $9.6 million profit from an $8.4 million loss a year earlier, showcasing its competitive edge in the self-storage market.
- Future Outlook: SmartStop's management anticipates adjusted FFO of $1.94 to $2.04 per share in 2026, indicating potential for continued growth despite a challenging market environment, which may attract long-term investor interest.
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