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Several food strage containers filled with fresh produce on a wooden surface Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Best Food Storage Containers of 2024

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Several food strage containers filled with fresh produce on a wooden surface Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

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Editor's Choice Product image of Pyrex Ultimate 10-pc Storage Set

Pyrex Ultimate 10-pc Storage Set

Check Price at Williams Sonoma

We love how classy these glass containers look and feel. With this set, users have the flexibility to reheat food in the microwave or the oven. Read More

Pros

  • Resilient glass construction
  • Looks and feels fancy
  • Oven safe

Cons

  • Silicone lids can stain
  • No handles
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container (42-Piece Set)

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container (42-Piece Set)

Check Price at Amazon

This set solves one of the biggest container qualms - finding the right lid. The toppers are interchangeable, easy to store, and great at sealing. Read More

Pros

  • Lids are interchangeable
  • Lids offer great seal
  • Easy to store

Cons

  • Easy to stain or pit
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Glad Food Storage Containers Meal Prep Variety Pack

Glad Food Storage Containers Meal Prep Variety Pack

Check Price at Amazon

No worries if these plastic containers stain or pit. They're readily available online or in store, they come in many sizes, and they're affordable. Read More

Pros

  • Readily available and affordable
  • Come in multiple sizes

Cons

  • Easy to stain or pit
4
Product image of OXO Good Grips 8 Piece Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Container Set

OXO Good Grips 8 Piece Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Container Set

Check Price at Amazon

These Oxo containers can handle a trip from the freezer directly to the oven, and look good while doing it. Read More

Pros

  • Durable glass
  • Looks and feels classy
  • Wide temperature range

Cons

  • Lids can stain
5
Product image of Pyrex Simply Store 6-pc Rectangular Set

Pyrex Simply Store 6-pc Rectangular Set

Check Price at Amazon

No need to worry about staining with this set. You will want to make sure the containers remain flat, though, because the lids can leak. Read More

Pros

  • Doesn't stain
  • Nice seal

Cons

  • Lids can leak
  • Can't go from freezer to oven
  • No rim or handles
  • Best Glass Food Storage Containers Pyrex Ultimate 10-pc Storage Set
  • Best Plastic Food Storage Containers Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container (42-Piece Set)
  • Best Value Glad Food Storage Containers Meal Prep Variety Pack
  • Other Food Storage Containers We Tested
  • How We Tested Food Storage Containers
  • What You Should Know About Food Storage Containers
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

Sometimes it’s about the little things. While food storage containers are a relatively small item, if you buy the wrong one you can wind up with a big problem with keeping your food supply stay 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, you may spend as much as you would on an electric appliance, making it somewhat of an investment.

After months of testing, we found that glass container set Pyrex Ultimate (available at Williams Sonoma) , will keep your food fresh and even look good in the process. If you prefer the lightweight and break the resistance of plastic, Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids (available on Amazon) is our top choice. And if you’re looking for a very affordable container to pick up at the supermarket and use for lunches and potlucks, we recommend Glad Food Containers (available on Amazon).

To help you spend wisely, we chose 10 highly-rated sets of containers in a variety of sizes and used each one to freeze, defrost, and microwave, plus store potato chips and fish oil.

Pyrex Ultimate are the best food storage containers we tested.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The best food storage containers we tested were the Pyrex Ultimate.

Best Glass Food Storage Containers
Pyrex Ultimate 10-pc Storage Set

If you’re looking to totally avoid plastic, Pyrex Ultimate is for you.

These glass containers are topped with a glass lid trimmed with white silicone and they’re as classy looking as you’re going to get. But you can choose them knowing they’ll also do a good job of protecting your food.

While the silicone on the lid may stain, it will come clean after a run in the dishwasher. There’s a vent for microwave reheats and, as long as the contents are defrosted, it’s also preheated and oven safe. But as there are no handles or rim around the lid, you do have to be careful to grasp Ultimate firmly with potholders around the side when it’s hot.

Pros

  • Resilient glass construction

  • Looks and feels fancy

  • Oven safe

Cons

  • Silicone lids can stain

  • No handles

Buy now at Williams Sonoma

Buy now at Amazon

$69.99 from Home Depot

$70.96 from Walmart
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers helps solve the problem of missing lids in your cabinets.

Best Plastic Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container (42-Piece Set)

The benefit of Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids is right in the name. These BPA-free plastic food storage containers are designed to solve the problem of searching through a cabinet looking for the right lid.

You have the option of either snapping all the lids together in one pile or snapping one onto the bottom of a container. And one lid fits several size containers, further reducing the problem.

But that’s not the main reason we’re recommending them. Easy Find was among the very best at keeping potato chips as fresh as from the package, even after four days in sauna-like conditions, making it the best at dry food storage. They’re designed for microwaving with a vent in the lid but beware of zapping leftover baked ziti as tomato sauce leaves stains and pitting.

Pros

  • Lids are interchangeable

  • Lids offer great seal

  • Easy to store

Cons

  • Easy to stain or pit

$30.99 from Amazon

$41.80 from Walmart
Glad Food Containers is our best value pick.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Glad Food Containers earns our best value not just because of its low price, but for its high ratings in our tests.

Best Value
Glad Food Storage Containers Meal Prep Variety Pack

You can’t beat the price or the availability of Glad Food Containers which you can pick up at the supermarket or big box store.

And in spite of their low price, these containers came out at the top of our ratings. It was one of the very few that kept potato chips tasting as fresh as if it came from a just-opened bag, even when kept in a super-steamy room. When Glad was submerged in water, some moisture seeped in but not a puddle as in all of the others we tested.

They do pit and stain when used to microwave spaghetti sauce. But they’re cheap enough to toss if they become badly discolored. Plus, at this price, you won’t fret if you leave one behind at the office or a picnic.

To help keep chaos at bay in your cabinets, the lids snap together. Glad comes in multiple sizes from mini to potluck.

Pros

  • Readily available and affordable

  • Come in multiple sizes

Cons

  • Easy to stain or pit

Buy now at Amazon

Other Food Storage Containers We Tested

Product image of OXO Good Grips 8 Piece Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Container Set
OXO Good Grips 8 Piece Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Container Set

A good option in glass containers is the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass set, which excelled at keeping chips crispy.

These containers can go right from the freezer to the oven, so they're perfect for anyone who freezes a lot of soups and stews for weeknight reheating. Like other glass containers we tested, OXO didn’t break when dropped and of course had exceptional stain resistance.

However, you will see some discoloration on the lid, so consider using something else as a cover for microwaving.

Pros

  • Durable glass

  • Looks and feels classy

  • Wide temperature range

Cons

  • Lids can stain

Buy now at Amazon

$32.99 from Best Buy

$32.99 from Home Depot
Product image of Pyrex Simply Store 6-pc Rectangular Set
Pyrex Simply Store 6-pc Rectangular Set

The Pyrex Simply Store Food Container features glass containers with simple, flat colorful lids.

In our tests, this was the only brand with both a container and a lid that stayed stain free. Plus, they kept chips super crisp.

However, a container leaked badly when left on its side, leaving us with a big puddle of tomato sauce to clean up; be careful about putting one on the car seat without overwrapping it.

The Pyrex container is safe for use in a preheated oven, as long as it’s not coming straight from the freezer, and you will need to be careful handling it when hot as there’s no rim or handles to grip.

Pros

  • Doesn't stain

  • Nice seal

Cons

  • Lids can leak

  • Can't go from freezer to oven

  • No rim or handles

Buy now at Amazon

$29.09 from Home Depot

$37.94 from Walmart
Product image of Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set
Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set

If you’re trying to avoid storing food in plastic, GlassLock Oven Safe is another great choice for keeping food fresh.

When we first evaluated containers several years ago, this set was our favorite. Even though it's made of glass, it won’t break easily.

While the containers themselves won’t stain, the lids do so you might want to consider using a piece of plastic or a paper towel or plate for microwave heats.

And although GlassLock can go in the oven, it can’t take the heat directly from the freezer. There’s a lip that extends past the rim which makes it a little difficult to latch on the lids and requires a little extra work to clean.

Pros

  • Shatterproof

  • Oven safe

  • Looks and feels professional

Cons

  • Can't go from freezer to oven

  • Tricky to clean

$49.99 from Amazon
Product image of Snapware Total Solution Pyrex Glass Food Storage 24-pc Set
Snapware Total Solution Pyrex Glass Food Storage 24-pc Set

With Snapware Total Solution Glass you get break-resistant, oven-safe glass containers that along with four latching lids and gaskets are quite effective at protecting food from air and keeping food smells in, so that your whole fridge doesn’t wind up smelling like garlicky leftovers. The lids will stain if used to zap red sauce in the microwave.

Pros

  • Shatterproof

  • Oven safe

  • Good sealing function

Cons

  • Lids can stain easily

Buy now at Amazon

$64.50 from Home Depot

$85.99 from Walmart
Product image of Rubbermaid TakeAlongs 40-Piece Set
Rubbermaid TakeAlongs 40-Piece Set

Rubbermaid TakeAlongs are another brand designed primarily for carrying potato salad to a picnic or brownies to book club and then tossing. As potato chips went soggy when stored in one, you won’t want to use them for long-term storage. A TakeAlong was the only container we tested that actually cracked when we dropped it from a counter.

Pros

  • Easy to store

  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Not made for long-term storage

  • Cracked when dropped

Buy now at Amazon

$22.66 from Walmart
Product image of Ziploc Containers 24-Piece Set Variety Pack
Ziploc Containers 24-Piece Set Variety Pack

Another inexpensive set to easily stock up on in the supermarket is Ziploc Containers.

They’re fine for gifting cookies or bringing coleslaw to a party, but aren’t super effective at keeping food fresh so you won’t want to use them for long-term pantry or freezer storage. Plus, if left on their side or dropped, liquids seep out, so you definitely don’t want to toss one packed with a salad in your work bag. The lids are nice and flat so they stack neatly in your fridge.

Pros

  • Easy to stack and store

  • Readily available and inexpensive

Cons

  • Not made for long-term storage

  • Lids don't offer an airtight seal

Buy now at Amazon

$24.95 from Walmart
Product image of Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers 14-Piece Set
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers 14-Piece Set

Made of clear hard plastic with a latching lid, Rubbermaid Brilliance was one of the very best at keeping chips crispy. However, Brilliance is far from perfect.

The lids fit so tightly that it can take a little pull to remove them, which is problematic if you use them in the microwave, as hot liquids can splatter when you tug them off. After zapping tomato sauce, the plastic didn’t pit or degrade but did discolor.

And although a spin in the dishwasher took out most of the staining, the container itself retained an orange sheen and some coloring around the gasket in the lid.

When filled with water and dropped, it didn’t break but the clasps snapped open, making a mess. And while it kept air out to keep chips fresh, it did let water in when submerged for several days. Brilliance also comes in canister sizes, perfect for storing baking supplies, pasta, rice, and other dry foods. With their perfectly flat lids, they’re very stackable and are a great tool for organizing your pantry.

Pros

  • Airtight seal

  • Flat lids are easy to stack and store

Cons

  • Lids can be tough to remove

  • Plastic containers can stain easily

  • Clasps pop off easily when dropped

$56.13 from Amazon

$39.99 from Walmart

How We Tested Food Storage Containers

We tested 10 sets of containers. In all (but the one that’s 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 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 them in water, we determined if they had a tight seal.

After filling them with potato chips, we stored them in a warm steamy room then tasted them to find out 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 if stains came out and if the dishwasher affected the ability of the lid to be closed 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 that’s not dishwasher safe, we tested for the retention of fish oil odors, the tightness of the seal, the ability to keep chips fresh, and the breakability.

As we worked, we considered how easy it was to open and close the lids, how easy it is 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 and both have their charms.

Glass is more effective at keeping food fresh, as long as it has a tight-fitting lid, as 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 and if you want to keep them looking spiffy 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 or not the oven should be preheated and they can go directly from the freezer into the oven.

The best food storage containers from Pyrex, Glad and Rubbermaid.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Whether you prefer glass or plastic, none of the food storage containers broke during testing.

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 when it comes to using plastic. Most plastics will stain and degrade in some way 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.

Meet the tester

Sharon Franke

Sharon Franke

Contributor

Sharon has tested and reviewed kitchen equipment for over 30 years. Before becoming a cooking tools maven, she worked as a professional chef in New York City restaurants.

See all of Sharon Franke's reviews

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