The Best Food Storage Containers of 2026

Sometimes it’s about the little things. While food storage containers are relatively small items, if you buy the wrong one, you can wind up with a big problem keeping your food supply fresh. Stash one that isn't leak-proof in your tote bag, and salad dressing leaks into all the wrong places. Or use it to store leftover salmon, and your whole fridge smells fishy.

Ideally, good food storage containers will extend shelf life by keeping food fresh without leaks, odors, or stains—and they'll last. But if you invest in a big matching set, it can be a financial investment.

Of all the sets we tested, we found that the glass container set PlanetGoods by PlanetBox Glass Food Storage Container Set (available at PlanetBox) will keep your cabinets organized and your food fresh while looking good in the process. If you prefer lightweight and break-resistant plastic, Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids (available on Amazon) is our top choice.

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Other Food Storage Containers We Tested

How We Tested Food Storage Containers

We tested 10 sets of containers. In all (except the one designed only for dry food and handwashing), we tested the storage containers’ insulation properties by timing how long they took to defrost ice water and to keep tomato sauce warm.

We checked to see if tomato sauce leaked out and if fish oil odors seeped through. After washing the containers in which we stored fish oil, first by hand and then in the dishwasher, we sniffed to see if they retained a fishy smell. By sealing a piece of paper in them and submerging the sealed pieces in water, we determined whether they had a tight seal.

After filling them with potato chips, we stored them in a warm, steamy room, then tasted them to see if they kept the chips crisp and fresh-tasting. To check for staining and pitting, we microwaved tomato sauce in them, then washed each one by hand.

Then we cleaned them in the dishwasher for a week to see whether stains came out and whether the dishwasher affected the lid's ability to close tightly. We dropped water-filled containers from countertop height to see if they leaked, opened, or broke.

In the container designed only for dry food storage and not dishwasher-safe, we tested for retention of fish oil odors, seal tightness, ability to keep chips fresh, and breakability.

As we worked, we considered how easy it was to open and close the lids, how easy it was to clean and store the containers, and the overall quality and experience of using them.

What You Should Know About Food Storage Containers

You can choose plastic or glass,s and both have their charms.

Glass is more effective at keeping food fresh, especially with a tight-fitting lid, since nothing can pass through it. While there will always be a concern for it breaking, in our tests, none broke from a simple drop from countertop height onto a vinyl floor. Another big plus about glass is that it won’t stain.

However, most glass containers come with plastic lids that will discolor,r and if you want to keep them looking spiffy,y your best bet is to avoid using them for microwave heating. While the majority of glass containers can safely go in the conventional oven, you need to read the manufacturers’ instructions to find out whether the oven should be preheated and whether the containers can go directly from the freezer into the oven.

Are Plastic Containers Safe for Food Storage?

Nothing beats the portability of plastic containers. We know many of you are concerned about using plastic for storing food, and even more so about heating food in plastic, because of concerns that chemicals can migrate from the plastic into your food.

The jury is still out on plastic safety. You need to decide on your own comfort level regarding using plastic. Most plastics will stain and degrade when used to cook items like tomato sauce and are not always microwave-safe.

One note of caution: while almost every container that we tested was leakproof when left on its side when filled with tomato sauce, none kept water out when submerged. If you’re traveling with a container, we suggest you always wrap it tightly in a bag before tossing it in a handbag or on a car seat.

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