The 11 Best Food Storage Containers We Tested for Leftovers, Meal Prep, and a More Organized Pantry

Best Glass

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Container Set

$38 at Amazon $47 at Walmart $48 at Wayfair

These Pyrex containers were our testers’ favorites for durability, versatility, and design. Made from thick, shatter-resistant tempered glass, these containers can safely be used in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer, and even the oven (though the lids are not oven-safe).

When filled with water and shaken vigorously the tight-fitting lids didn’t leak a single drop. The glass didn’t hold on to any food smells or stains and fared perfectly fine in the dishwasher, lids and all. The containers even kept a halved avocado about as fresh-looking as we could hope for overnight. When microwaved, the containers didn’t splatter soup, nor did they get so hot we couldn’t handle them, even after two and a half minutes.

However, these containers are a bit bulkier and heavier than those made from lightweight plastic. They’re more difficult to store and don’t form a neat nested stack (the lids don’t stack at all). But at $38 for an 18-piece set, this is a great all-around choice if you have the storage space.

Material: Glass | Quantity: 18 pieces | Features: Microwave-safe, oven-safe, freezer-safe, dishwasher-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Glass (Cheaper)

Bayco Glass Food Storage Container Set

$40 at Amazon

If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, these Bayco containers performed similarly to the Pyrex set in our tests but cost about $1 less per container. The lids lock in place using four plastic tabs and form an airtight seal using a non-removable rubber gasket.

In our leak tests, the seals on the Bayco containers proved watertight. Plus, our halved avocado stayed greener and fresher-looking in this container than in any other we tested. The glass bottoms were also easy to clean, and the glass did not retain any odors or stains from tomato soup stored overnight.

The manufacturer recommends hand-washing the plastic lids, which can be a drawback if you prefer to toss everything in the dishwasher. If you don’t mind the extra cleaning step, these are a great budget-friendly pick for storage containers that meet a wide range of needs.

Material: Glass | Quantity: 12 pieces | Features: Microwave-safe, oven-safe, dishwasher-safe containers, freezer-safe lids | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Plastic

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container Set

$40 at Amazon $32 at Target

If you prefer a set of lightweight, easily stackable plastic containers for storing food, these crystal-clear vessels from Rubbermaid are your best bet. The plastic is sturdy, thick, and high-quality — it even looks like glass from a distance. The lids form an airtight and watertight seal using two latches. These containers kept our avocado bright green and fresh-looking overnight.

The containers stack together neatly for storage and take up less space than their glass counterparts. The lids do not stack, though, and the set includes two very small containers (½-cup) that our tester thought seemed less useful than others. The best feature of these plastic containers is that the lids are microwave-safe and have vents for safe heating.

Material: Plastic | Quantity: 14 pieces | Features: Microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Budget

Rubbermaid Easy Find Vented Food Storage Containers

$35 at Amazon

Many of the container sets we tested lacked a solution for neat lid storage, but not this set from Rubbermaid. The set is designed so that the same lid fits on several different-sized containers in the set, meaning you don’t have to dig through a stack of similar-looking lids to find the one you need. In addition, the red plastic lids snap into neat stacks for storage.

The larger containers have vented lids that are great for microwaving, and they had no issues keeping water inside during our leak test. According to our tester, the second-day avocado kept in one of these containers was “passing,” though not as vibrant and fresh as in some containers. And while the containers are lightweight and durable, the plastic material may stain more easily over time.

Material: Plastic | Quantity: 42 pieces | Features: Microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Value

Chef’s Path Food Storage Container Set

$45 $35 at Amazon

This set of 32 pieces breaks down to less than $2 per container, which is a steal. And it has more than a budget-friendly price going for it. The containers are stackable for storage and come with handy chalkboard-style labels and erasable markers for those who like to go the extra mile in fridge and freezer organization.

These passed our leak test, but our avocado browned quite a bit overnight, suggesting that these containers aren’t entirely airtight. That said, they clean up easily with no staining or odors, which can’t be said of all the plastic sets we tested.

Material: Plastic | Quantity: 32 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Glass Set

FineDine Glass Food Storage Container Set

$43 $37 at Amazon

We had great results testing this 24-piece set from FineDine, which includes round, square, and rectangular containers with snap-on plastic lids. The set nests together better than most glass sets for storage, but the lids still don’t lock together or stay in a neat stack.

The loose hinges on these containers were the easiest to snap open and close, so this set may be best for anyone who struggles with dexterity. We didn’t have issues with leaking water, but our avocado did turn brownish (but still largely usable) overnight. The lids are not microwave-safe, and the containers became too hot to handle when heated for just 30 seconds in the microwave.

Material: Glass | Quantity: 24 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, oven-safe, microwave-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Plastic Set

Snapware Total Solution Plastic Food Storage Set

$33 $30 at Amazon $30 at Target $33 at Walmart

With 10 containers in a range of sizes, this set of plastic food storage containers from Snapware is a great option that’s highly versatile. The set includes two containers of five different sizes, ranging from 1.2 cups to 8.5 cups. The lids use plastic tabs to lock in liquid and keep out air — our avocado was tasty and fresh after a night in a Snapware container.

The plastic seems slightly softer and more porous than the Rubbermaid Brilliance set, as it was slightly stained by tomato soup after being cleaned by hand. Still, the containers fared well in the microwave and didn’t warp or heat too quickly.

Material: Plastic | Quantity: 20 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, microwave-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Airtight

OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Container Set

$33 at Amazon $33 at Oxo $33 at Kohls.com

Oxo is known for making well-designed, great-looking kitchen gear, and this container set is no different. The six glass containers are on the smaller side, making this a great set for single-person households or anyone low on storage space.

On our first few tries, the lids were a little harder to attach than other containers, but they should loosen up over time with regular use. And once they’re locked in, these lids aren’t letting out a drop of water. They’re also very airtight — our avocado stayed almost entirely green overnight. The lids have a removable rubber gasket that ensures a thorough cleaning job, but it’s also one more piece to keep track of.

Material: Glass | Quantity: 12 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, oven-safe, microwave-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Oven-Safe

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers

$43 $40 at Amazon $55 at Target $40 at Walmart

This minimalist set of glass food storage containers includes four 3.2-cup rectangular vessels with latching plastic lids. The lids and containers can be used in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher, and the containers are oven-safe up to 450°F, which makes them great for reheating leftovers.

The containers were totally watertight in our tests, but our avocado left overnight took on more browning than we found appetizing. For cleaning, we had no issues with staining, warping, or odors, and everything came out of the dishwasher sparkling clean.

Material: Glass | Quantity: 8 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, oven-safe, microwave-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Basic

Ziploc Meal Prep Containers

$40 at Amazon $5 at Walmart

This inexpensive set of lightweight plastic containers from food storage giant Ziploc is a no-frills option that gets the job done without any special features. The soft, flexible plastic resisted stains during testing and did not retain any odors. However, the containers didn’t fully pass our leak test; they overflowed if filled near the brim with water. Overall, these are super light and great for travel, so if you’re looking for a set of containers for a trip or to transport food to a party or picnic, Ziploc makes a solid choice.

Material: Plastic | Quantity: 14 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe | BPA-Free: Yes

Best Nesting

Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Food Storage Set

$30 $21 at Amazon $30 at Walmart $25 at Wayfair

If an aesthetic-looking, well-organized container drawer is essential to you, you’ll love these color-coded containers from Joseph Joseph. The 10-piece set nests together in its entirety, lids and all. It requires minimal kitchen real estate, and the contents are leak-proof and safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. That said, the plastic feels flimsier than others we tested, so these may not hold up as well as containers made from thicker, sturdier plastic or glass.

Material: Plastic | Quantity: 10 pieces | Features: Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, microwave-safe | BPA-Free: Yes