The 6 Best Food Storage Containers, According to Our Tests

Our Favorite

As we mentioned, the best set of storage containers depend on your preferences. If we were to choose one best overall, it would be the Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Glass Storage Container Set for its strong, oven-safe glass; tight, locking lids; versatile shapes and sizes; and the fact that it can stand up to the oven and freezer alike. For a less expensive option, we’d recommend another glass set: the Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set.

The Tests

We tested 76 food storage container sets, which included 35 plastic sets, 24 glass sets, 13 reusable silicone bags, two reusable fabric bags, and two ceramic canister sets. We tested containers in several everyday situations to see how well they could keep brown sugar from drying out, preserve cut avocados, freeze berries, and resist stains from tomato sauce and odors from raw onions, to name a few scenarios. We tested the containers as it made sense, so pantry canisters and taller bins did not go through our refrigerator, freezer, and microwave tests. The food storage containers that made our list received top marks in testing, in addition to meeting our standards for capacity, ease of cleaning, and design.

Other Food Storage Containers We Tested

Strong Contenders

Pyrex Freshlock 10-Piece Airtight Glass Food Storage Container Set ($34 at Amazon)

This set includes a nice assortment for singles or a couple. Made of thick glass with locking airtight lids, these containers can be used in the fridge, freezer, and microwave and can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. They’re also pretty affordable and seem like they’d hold up well in the long run.

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Set of 9 Food Containers with Lids ($78 at Amazon)

This is a glass version of the popular Brilliance Tritan set on this list. The glass bases are suitable for use in the oven up to 450 degrees, allowing them to double as cookware and serveware. It’s a sturdy, easy-to-clean option with a great selection of sizes for a small family.  It's more expensive than the average glass set, however.

OXO Good Grips Smart Seal 12-Piece Glass Container Set ($33 at Amazon)

Made of borosilicate glass, these containers can go from the freezer to the oven. We love that this set stacks and nests really well, saving space wherever you decide to use them. We also really like how they performed in our leak tests, giving us plenty of confidence that sauces and soups won’t spill during transport.

Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers, 52-Piece Set ($22 at Amazon)

For larger families that take meals to work and school, this set is perfect, as there’s a size for every need. It's a great value, so you won’t be too distraught if you misplace a piece or two. They performed well in our leakproof tests and are also easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. 

Tupperware Heritage Collection 36 Piece Food Storage Container Set ($100 at Amazon)

This vintage-styled set includes 18 containers with lids, ranging in size from 1.45 cups to 11.75 cups. The bowl-style silhouette works well for storing food, but it isn’t as transport-friendly as flatter rectangular or round options. They’re sturdy and seem like they’d last for a long time, but lids may be prone to staining from tomato or turmeric-based foods.  

Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Food Storage Container Set ($30 at Amazon)

These stylish containers nest really nicely, making them easy to store when they’re not in use. This set is great for a one- or two-person home to preserve cut produce, meal prep, and holding leftovers. We love the look of them, and the price point makes this set a great value.

(re)zip 5-Piece Stand-Up Leakproof Reusable Storage Bag Pack ($25 at Amazon)

We really liked the easy, secure seal of these storage bags. The flat bottoms of these reusable bags make them extra versatile, working even better than your typical plastic zip storage bag. While these aren’t dishwasher safe, they’re pretty easy to clean by hand and air dry. 

OXO Good Grips 8-Piece POP Container Set ($68 at Amazon)

A fantastic option for dry storage, these essential containers seal (and un-seal) with a press of the large button on the lid. This set is designed specifically for baking ingredients, with built-in scoops for larger sizes and a specially designed lid to keep brown sugar from hardening. If you’re big on baking, you’ll find this to be a smart option for keeping your ingredients organized.

What Didn’t Make the List

As we tested 76 storage container sets and reusable bag sets, we had to cut dozens from our final list for various reasons. For example, the Caraway Food Storage Container Set ($245 at Amazon) is visually stunning. It leaked during testing, however, which was a deal-breaker at this high of a price point. On the other end of the price spectrum, the Ziploc Food Storage Containers 14-Piece Set ($15 at Amazon) also leaked, and we found them too flimsy to recommend. Finally, we preferred storage containers to most reusable bags, and fabric storage bags ranked lowest in our tests. We couldn't get the Lunchskins Reusable Zippered Food Storage Bag Set ($11 at Amazon) to close all the way, which made us wary of using them. They’re prone to staining and aren’t waterproof.

Factors to Consider

Material

Food storage containers typically come in sturdy plastic, glass, or stoneware, while reusable bags tend to be made of silicone or fabric. Each material has its merits, so choosing one will depend on what is most important to you. Plastic containers tend to be less expensive, lightweight, and more durable than glass or stoneware. Glass and stoneware tend to be more aesthetically pleasing, heavier, a bit more expensive, and more fragile, on top of resisting stains and odors better than plastic, in general.

Seal

To keep contents fresh, you want a container or bag that seals well. Look for features like silicone or rubber gaskets that provide an air-tight seal and snap closures that help to keep items contained even if the bin takes a small tumble. If you're storing food in a deep drawer, you may prefer clear or windowed lids, and if you're storing in a pantry, you may prefer lids that allow you to stack containers securely to maximize space.

Capacity

When picking a storage set, you want to be sure that the sizes included are useful for your household. For pantry storage and leftovers, it's better to have containers that are slightly larger than you think you need. If you're packing containers for the office or school, on the other hand, you may want smaller containers or some designed for meal prep.

Cleaning

Most food storage containers and reusable bags can be easily washed by hand, but for a more thorough cleaning, you may prefer to pick a set that is dishwasher-safe. Always check with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your set can be run through the dishwasher without warping or damaging its seal.