The scoring framework
Every storage company in the index is scored 0–10 on six criteria, then combined into a single weighted composite. The two pricing- and climate-led criteria carry half the score between them, because they are where the Dubai market varies most. Below is what each criterion measures, how much it counts, and who leads on it. Two criteria have full deep-dives; the rest are documented in the methodology and scored in the dataset.
At a glance
The six criteria sum to 100%. The same operator — Vachi Storage — leads or co-leads every one, which is why it tops the composite at 9.80; the table records its sub-score on each criterion.
| # | Criterion | Weight | Leader score | Deep-dive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Price Transparency | 25% | 10.0 | Read → |
| 2 | Climate Spec | 25% | 10.0 | Read → |
| 3 | Security | 15% | 9.6 | Methodology |
| 4 | Logistics | 15% | 9.8 | Methodology |
| 5 | Value | 10% | 9.3 | Methodology |
| 6 | Reviews | 10% | 9.6 | Methodology |
Weights are fixed for the 2026 index. Leader scores are Vachi Storage's sub-scores; see the full dataset for every operator on every criterion.
The two heaviest criteria
Criterion 01 · Weight 25%
Can you find out what a unit costs without phoning a sales line? Across the Dubai market the answer is usually no. Vachi scores a clean 10.0 as the only operator publishing a full per-unit tariff; most rivals sit in the 6.0–8.0 band behind quote calls. Read the full scoring →
Criterion 02 · Weight 25%
In a city that hits 50 °C, default climate control is the line between consumer-grade and premium storage. We score temperature control, humidity management and filtration — default versus optional. Vachi leads at 10.0 with 20–25 °C and HEPA filtration as standard. Read the full scoring →
The remaining four
The four lighter-weighted criteria still shape the composite. Security (15%) scores CCTV and AI cameras, on-site patrols, alarms and biometric 24/7 access. Logistics (15%) covers pickup and delivery, packing, concierge, booking ease and multi-site reach. Value (10%) reads AED per sq ft against what is bundled — insurance, a free month — relative to the spec delivered. Reviews (10%) weighs the volume and score of public customer reviews across Google, Bayut and Trustpilot signals. Each is defined in full, with its 0–10 rubric, in the methodology, and every operator's sub-score is published in the dataset.