The Best Food Storage Containers, According to Our Test Kitchen

Best Overall Glass

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Container Set

$38 at Amazon $45 at Target $47 at Walmart

​​What we like: This set offers a wide range of storage capacities in microwave-, oven-, dishwasher- and freezer-safe glass vessels for the utmost in utility. 

What to know: The lids are made of BPA-free plastic and are top-rack dishwasher-safe only. 

It’s no surprise that the winner for best glass container comes from Pyrex, a brand that has long been associated with quality glass cookware. While the newer generations of containers, like this set, are made from tempered glass rather than the borosilicate Pyrex of ages past, they still retain much of their renowned versatility, going where other containers don’t dare—across the span of temperature ranges from the heat of the microwave to the chill of the fridge and freezer, though we do recommend taking temperature changes gradually with these. 

This set comes with nine containers and accompanying lids, storing as little as 1-cup servings and up to 7 cups at a time. The set is semi-nestable, with different shapes of containers and lids that stack together nicely. While the vessels in this set are glass, the lids are made from a BPA-free plastic which allows for a truly airtight and watertight seal. We found that this really extended the quality of food in the fridge and kept freezer burn off of frozen items. 

We think this set is ideal for storing leftovers that need to be reheated in the microwave, and we love that we can use these glass containers for freezer storage, as well. Overall, if you’re looking for a glass container storage set that will keep your snap peas snapping and help leftovers get back to center stage, this is our pick. 

Capacity: 1 cup, 2 cups, 3 cups, 4 cups, 6 cups, 7 cups | Pieces Included: 18 | Materials: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Overall Plastic

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container Set

Orig. $40 $32 at Amazon $40 at Target $27 at Walmart

​​What we like: We love these highly stackable, airtight containers made from sturdy, BPA-free plastic material. 

What to know: The structure of the lids may collect water during dishwashing. 

Rubbermaid’s Brilliance line of food storage containers is designed for durability and leak-free food storage. Made from BPA-free plastic, these crystal-clear containers are resistant to staining and odor retention, and they provide a truly leak proof seal with their locking lid design. The set we tested includes seven containers with accompanying lids, for a total of 14 pieces, with container sizes ranging from a half cup to nearly 10 cups. However, these Rubbermaid Brilliance containers are available in a variety of sets and sizes, from as little as 10 pieces to upwards of 20 pieces.

While we found that the sizing of the containers in the 14-piece set didn’t exactly match our needs every time, the seal was both airtight and watertight. These containers kept our fruits and vegetables much fresher than those not stored in the container, extending their life by up to three additional days. We also found that these containers were true to their claims and didn’t seem to be impacted by microwaving or dishwashing, and they resisted staining and odors from foods like vodka sauce and curry.

Out of all of the plastic containers we tested, these had the best all-around utility and felt like they’d give us the longest lifespan while being truly stackable and giving us peace of mind around portability with an impenetrable seal.

Capacity: 0.5 cups, 1.3 cups, 3.2 cups, 9.6 cups | Pieces Included: 14 | Materials: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Reusable Bags

Stasher 4-Pack Lunch/Travel Storage Bags

$46 at Amazon

​​What we like: The silicone material makes these durable and airtight while still maintaining some flexibility for tight fits in lunch boxes or a crowded freezer. 

What to know: There may be some challenges with cleaning and drying these bags—particularly the seals.

When it comes to food storage bags, it may be easy to go the disposable route. But if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly, reusable option, these Stasher bags are an incredibly versatile alternative to single-use plastic bags.

A longtime editor favorite, these bags are made of reusable silicone, which matches plastic’s ability to store food with an airtight seal but far outpaces it as a cooking medium. These bags will just as easily store your sandwich for a few hours for lunch as they will keep foods fresh for months in the freezer. They even allow you to cook foods like vegetables or salmon in the oven or in boiling water, sous vide-style.

This particular Stasher set includes two 12-ounce snack bags and two 28-ounce sandwich bags. However, the brand has multiple "bundles" of bags in various sizes, including this Reusable Storage Starter Set that we also tested. In addition to one snack bag and one sandwich bag, the Starter Set includes a half-gallon bag and a 28-ounce stand-up bag. While we ultimately preferred the Lunch/Travel Bundle just a tad more, we still think the Starter Set makes a solid pick.

When we tested these Stasher bags, we were impressed with their resistance to staining and odors, and they did an excellent job keeping our foods fresh and leak-free. However, we did find them a bit challenging to clean and dry, especially the seal itself. Overall, though, we think these Stasher bags are a major utility player for both storage and cooking, and the cleaning issues are well worth the added effort in exchange for the functionality of the product. 

Capacity: 12 fl. oz., 28 fl. oz. | Pieces Included: 4 | Materials: Silicone, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Budget

Utopia Kitchen Plastic Food Containers Set, Pack of 24

$19 at Amazon

​​What we like: These BPA-free plastic containers come in at half the price of other sets and do better at preserving food while staying clean and odor-free after multiple uses.

What to know: The lids are not microwaveable or dishwasher safe, and we wish the set included additional sizes.

This set of containers from Utopia Kitchen is durable, functional and incredibly cost-effective. Coming in at nearly half the price of other sets, this one includes 12 containers in a variety of sizes, along with accompanying lids, making it a great starter set for first-time buyers or those looking to replace their old, worn-out containers.

Made from polypropylene, these containers are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, and the vessels can be used across the freezer, fridge and microwave. Ready for rough use, these are designed to be durable and travel-friendly with lids that clip down and feature a silicone seal for preventing leaks.

When testing these containers, we found that they didn’t stain or hold onto odors, holding up during rigorous daily use and outperforming some of our existing sets of plastic containers. The one note we did have was that the size range could have been more functional and landed on the larger side for containers—otherwise, we had no complaints.

Capacity: 16.9 oz., 40.57 oz., 76.08 oz. | Pieces Included: 24 | Materials: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (except for the lids)

Best Splurge

Caraway Food Storage Set

$245 at Amazon $245 at Target $245 at Nordstrom

​​What we like: This set is not only made without a variety of chemical compounds of concern (such as BPA and PFAs) but also comes with inserts to make bento-style packing easy. 

What to know: Container lids and inserts are not microwave-safe, and the set may not be ideal for packing lunches due to its weight and potential leakage factor. 

At over $300, the price tag on this Caraway Food Storage Container Set may elicit a sense of sticker shock. But we think this set is worth the splurge—not only for what it brings to the party but also for what it leaves out. Made of ceramic-coated glass, these Caraway containers are free of materials such as BPA, PTFE, PFOA and PFAs—all chemicals that have been common in cookware such as nonstick pans but which may pose some health concerns. They’re also safe for use in the oven, fridge, freezer and microwave.

Caraway’s food storage set comes with 14 pieces, including a large container, two medium and two small containers, plus two “dot” inserts and two “dash” inserts that fit inside of the containers so you can build your box bento-style. (These inserts are great for holding things like dipping sauces.) The set also comes with two storage straps for additional security. Overall, we have to admit the aesthetics of this set are on point, with a sleek design that’s characteristic of Caraway.

When we tested these containers, we loved their functionality for home storage purposes, especially for prepped ingredients that needed to be held fresh for days, such as pre-chopped vegetables. However, the set seemed a bit too heavy to use as a daily lunch box option, and we noticed a lot of leakage when we put liquids into the containers. All things considered, though, we think this set’s form and function make it a thing of beauty for avid home cooks.

Capacity: 10 cups, 6.6 cups, 4.4 cups, 9 oz., 4 oz. | Pieces Included: 14 | Materials: Ceramic-coated glass | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Kids

Snapware 16-Piece Plastic Mini Meal Prep Kit with Lids

$10 at Amazon $10 at Walmart

​​What we like: This cost-effective set of minis works especially well for individual portions, making them ideal for packing family-friendly snacks or use in lunches. 

What to know: The sizing may not be ideal for storing meal prep or larger leftover portions. 

This adorable and cost-effective Snapware set is ideal for those who want to pack up lots of smaller bits, whether that’s filling the stroller with snacks or packing a lunch box. The sizes on these containers range from 2 oz. at the smallest to 16 oz. at the largest, with an 8 oz. and a 4 oz. in between, and you’ll receive two of each. 

During our testing, we found that not only did these resist staining and odor retention, but they were so airtight that they kept even the most garlicky of sauces from smelling up their fridge. We think the sizing on these airtight little beauties is ideal for packing smaller amounts of food but not as conducive to storing larger portions of leftovers or meal prep.

While the containers did scuff a bit, overall they seemed durable and cleaned very easily—perfect for standing up to kids’ busy little fingers. 

Capacity: 16 oz., 8 oz., 4 oz., 2 oz. | Pieces Included: 16 | Materials: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Families

Rubbermaid 52-Piece TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers

Orig. $25 $23 at Amazon $23 at Target $35 at Walmart

​​What we like: With its sizable container count and variety of sizes, this set truly meets the diverse needs of a family while preserving food like a pro. 

What to know: The lids are top-rack dishwasher safe only, and they can’t go with the vessels into the microwave. 

This massive 52-piece Rubbermaid set contains seven different sizes of containers, ranging from half-cup to 8-cup capacities. Made from BPA-free plastic, these versatile vessels are safe to use in the microwave and freezer, and they’re dishwasher-safe as well. (The lids, however, are not microwave safe, and they should only be placed in the top rack of the dishwasher.)

These containers are highly stackable, and given the variety of sizes, they can handle everything from packing sandwiches for lunches to storing leftovers and meal prep for easy dinners to feed a family. 

During testing, we found that grease, odors and stains didn’t stand a chance in these containers, and our food stayed fresh significantly longer in these airtight containers than in simple plastic wrap. And, despite the abundance of containers, these didn’t take up as much space in the kitchen as anticipated and were a steal at this price point. 

Capacity: 8 cups, 5.2 cups, 4 cups, 3.2 cups, 2.9 cups, 2.1 cups, 0.5 cups | Pieces Included: 52 | Materials: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Meal Prep

Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers

$30 at Amazon Orig. $43 $30 at Walmart View on Prepnaturals.com

​​What we like: These containers bring together form and function, creating an aesthetic meal prep experience that also works well for maintaining freshness and quality. 

What to know: Due to their shape, these may take up a decent amount of storage and dishwasher space. 

Meal prepping is all about cooking multiple meals at one time, often portioning them into individual servings to help meet nutrition goals, reduce food costs or simply accommodate a busy lifestyle. These Prep Naturals containers make it easy to pre-portion individual meals and keep meal components separate, while the airtight seal gives your food staying power and helps maintain freshness. 

These glass containers and plastic lids held up well throughout our testing process, with a leak proof seal and a material that felt quite sturdy. The containers were great for storing fresh ingredients, dry goods and especially leftovers, making it easy for picky eaters to keep foods separated. 

We will note that these containers do take up a good bit of space in storage, and while they do stack, they don’t nest due to the internal divider. So, make sure you’ve got the space for them before you commit. 

Capacity: 36 oz. | Pieces Included: 10 | Materials: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Small Kitchens

ZOKU 11 Piece Nested Food Storage Containers with Freezer Pack

Orig. $36 $30 at Amazon

​​What we like: Designed to be space-saving, these containers not only make it easy to store and reheat food but also take up minimal storage space—and they even come with an ice pack. 

What to know: The larger containers may not work as well in smaller lunch boxes. 

Nothing is worse than being in the midst of kitchen cleanup and finding yourself endlessly rummaging through a disorganized and random assortment of lids. This Zoku set not only makes it easy for your containers to take up less vital kitchen real estate, but it also has interchangeable lids for several of the containers, leaving you with more options for the right fit. The set comes with containers in 1.5-cup, 3-cup, 4-cup and 5-cup sizes, along with a reusable ice pack that nests under the lid or fits neatly on top. 

We were thoroughly impressed with this set during our testing, and we not only loved its space-saving construction but also its range of sizes, which worked well for storing everything from leftovers and meal prep to lunches—although the larger containers may be too large for a child’s lunch box. Additionally, we found that these did, in fact, have a leak proof seal, and although we had one faulty lid, a quick interaction with customer service resulted in a replacement, which ultimately enhanced our confidence in the product long-term. 

Capacity: 5 cups, 4 cups, 3 cups, 1.5 cups | Pieces Included: 11 | Materials: Plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Entertaining

Pyrex Glass Baking Dish with Lid

$14 at Amazon Orig. $20 $18 at Kohls.com View on Belk.com

​​What we like: These bake-and-go containers are ideal for entertaining at home or bringing your culinary creations with you. 

What to know: As baking dishes, these are not designed for individual portion storage. 

These baking dishes are a must-have for the house that always hosts, or for anyone who gets called on to bring their signature dish to every family gathering. The Pyrex Easy Grab Baking Dish comes with an airtight lid so you can not only transport grandma’s lasagna without fear of spillage, but you can also store the leftovers in an airtight environment for extended freshness—that is, if there are any leftovers. 

This 2-quart baking dish is made of glass with a fitted plastic lid. While the glass vessel can go anywhere from oven to microwave to dishwasher to freezer, the lid remains relegated to the top rack of the dishwasher and the microwave. 

While some baking dishes are bulky and cumbersome, we loved the longer and slimmer lines of this one, allowing for a large enough capacity for cooking but easy storing. Additionally, we found that the secure fit of the lid stood up to our leak test and helped keep food fresher in both the fridge and the freezer. 

Capacity: 2 quarts | Pieces Included: 2 | Materials: Glass, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes