The 15 Best Food Storage Containers for Every Kitchen's Needs, According to Reviews
amazon.com containers
Best Glass:
realsimple - 34 Available at Amazon
Best Plastic:
realsimple - 35 Available at Amazon
Best Leakproof Option:
realsimple - 29 Available at Amazon
Most Affordable:
realsimple - 19 Available at Amazon
Best With Dividers:
realsimple - 30 Available at Amazon
Best for Pantry:
realsimple - 50 Available at Amazon
Best Space-Saving Option:
realsimple - 24 Available at Amazon
Easiest to Clean:
realsimple - 8 Available at Amazon
Best for Produce:
realsimple - 16 Available at Amazon
Best for Cereal:
realsimple - 25 Available at Amazon
Best for Meal Prep:
realsimple - 17 Available at Amazon
Best Silicone:
realsimple - 10 Available at Amazon
Editor's Pick:
realsimple - 11 Available at Walmart
Best for Soup:
realsimple - 4 Available at Target
Best for Counter:
realsimple - 8 Available at Amazon
Whether you're committed to meal prepping every week or simply trying to organize your fridge, investing in quality food storage containers will make things a whole lot easier. Not only will they help keep your food fresh, but they can also save you time and make your kitchen look much neater.
One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for food storage containers is the material they're made out of. While glass food storage containers are super versatile (many are oven-safe), plastic options are typically more lightweight, which makes them easy to stash in your bag during your commute. While some people still prefer glass over plastic to avoid chemicals leaching into food, it's also important to note that all of the plastic containers on this list are BPA-free.
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Since there are so many different types of food storage containers available on the market, we scoured the internet to find the ones that are actually worth buying. From space-saving plastic canisters that will instantly organize your pantry to leakproof containers with over 31,000 five-star ratings, there's an option for you on this list.
These are the best food storage containers to buy in 2021, according to thousands of customer reviews:
Best Glass: Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers
Best Plastic: Fullstar Plastic Food Storage Containers with Lids
Best Leakproof Option: Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Containers
Most Affordable: DuraHome Food Storage Containers With Lids
Best With Dividers: Prep Naturals Two-Compartment Glass Containers
Best for Pantry: Oxo Good Grips POP Container Set
Best Space-Saving Option: Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Food Storage Container Set
Easiest to Clean: Oxo Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Food Storage Container
Best for Produce: Rubbermaid FreshWorks Saver Produce Storage Containers
Best for Cereal: Simple Gourmet Cereal Container Storage Set
Best for Meal Prep: Freshware Meal Prep Containers
Best Silicone: Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag
Editor's Pick: Ball Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars
Best for Soup: Ziploc Twist 'n Loc Storage Containers for Food
Best for Counter: Oggi Clear Acrylic Canister with Locking Clamp
Keep reading to learn more about the best food storage containers for bringing meals to work, keeping leftovers fresh, and storing food long-term.
Best Glass: Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers
With an average 4.8-star rating from over 9,700 Amazon shoppers, these versatile glass containers from Pyrex are a household staple for plenty of reasons. Between the near-perfect reviews and the wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, you really can't go wrong no matter which of the many options you purchase. This particular set comes with nine different glass containers ranging from 1- to 7-cup capacities, and they're safe to put in the dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven. "Absolutely love these containers," wrote one person. "I prefer leftovers warmed up in the oven and these go straight from the refrigerator (without plastic lid) to the oven. I don't even have to scrub them after use, my dishwasher does all the work."
Best Plastic: Fullstar Plastic Food Storage Containers with Lids
If you prefer storing food in plastic dishes, then this set of 20 food storage containers from Fullstar is your best bet. Not only is it a great value at $35, but it's also very well-made, according to shoppers. The containers are made of durable BPA-free plastic, and each lid features a snap mechanism to lock it in place. Many reviewers mention that they stack nicely in the fridge or cabinet when not in use, which helps avoid wasting space. Just keep in mind that they're best for snacks and small portions—the largest size holds just over 4 cups. But shoppers say that they work well for their needs. One wrote: "The sizes will certainly accommodate my breakfast and lunch meals at work, as well as snacks. Plus the smallest will be great for condiments and salad dressings. I ride a motorcycle to work and am very excited to have containers that do not leak in my backpack!"
Best Leakproof Option: Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Containers
These Rubbermaid Brilliance containers have over 31,000 five-star ratings from shoppers who love how the airtight design keeps their food fresh and secure. While typical plastic containers can leave behind smells or stains (especially from pasta sauce), many reviewers were impressed that neither were an issue with these. Plus, they feature built-in vents that make them easy to microwave with the lids on. "The crystal clear container really makes [food] look appetizing, and the seal is super tight," wrote a shopper. "I've thrown soup in my purse and carried it around all day without worrying. I've always preferred glass, but these are so light, nestle so well, are super easy to clean, and so drip-proof that maybe I'm a convert. I immediately purchased another set as soon as I got the first."
Most Affordable: DuraHome Food Storage Containers With Lids
For just $19, you can get a whopping 44 plastic food storage containers in various sizes. They're the same type of containers you'd receive from the deli or with your Friday night takeout, so they won't be as durable as the other options on this list. But their affordability means you don't have to worry when you accidentally leave one behind at work or when you drop off food at a friend's house. Shoppers really appreciate that all three container sizes use the same size lid, so you don't have to tear apart your cabinets looking for one that fits. "I can make stock, soup, chili and freeze them in these containers," wrote a customer. "I can now easily store leftovers. And because of the great price, if the plastic containers get too stained or worn, I can recycle them without the guilt of a more expensive type."
Best With Dividers: Prep Naturals Two-Compartment Glass Containers
If you can't stand the thought of different foods touching each other, then these two-compartment containers from Prep Naturals are a great choice. The bottom half that holds your food is made of borosilicate glass, so it can be put into the freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven. Shoppers also rave about how these containers help them control their portions. One wrote: "The smaller size and compartments make portion control easy and help to keep foods separated. The lid is awesome too because it actually holds very tight and it doesn't have that extra lip that wraps around many storage containers (making them hard to clean and hard to dry)." The brand also makes a three-compartment option that's perfect for bento-style lunches.
Best for Pantry: Oxo Good Grips POP Container Set
Thousands of reviewers swear that these best-selling food storage containers from Oxo are perfect for organizing their pantry. In fact, many mentioned replacing all of their kitchen containers with them. Thanks to their airtight feature (just push the button on the lid to activate it), these stackable containers are perfect for storing all types of dry goods. Since the containers are available in so many different sizes, customers use them for everything from pasta to flour to trail mix to even dog treats. And they're dishwasher-safe, making them super easy to clean. You'd be impressed by how well they instantly organize your pantry—one person even said it made their "kitchen cabinet look like a catalog."
Best Space-Saving Option: Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Food Storage Container Set
This set of five food storage containers comes from one of our favorite organization brands on Amazon. All 10 pieces (including bowls and lids) are safe for use in microwaves and freezers. Plus, they conveniently nest together when not in use, which makes them great for anyone with limited cabinet space in their kitchens. The set comes with containers ranging in size from 1 cup to 12.5 cups. "With the lids locked onto one another and the containers stacked, it only takes up a minute piece of space," wrote one reviewer. "What I also appreciate with this container system is that they have a colored dot on the base, so you can easily match it up to the correct colored lid. No more digging around in a drawer or cupboard to find the missing lid to a container."
Easiest to Clean: Oxo Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Food Storage Container
Even though no one looks forward to washing dishes, you can feel confident knowing that these Oxo food storage containers will be as clean as possible after each use. That's because the removable silicone gasket around the lid (which also makes it leakproof) prevents food from getting trapped around the edges. "These containers are perfect," a customer wrote. "They are easy to clean and have a removable seal that is easy to remove and replace so that you can thoroughly clean the dish." Plus, the containers are available in a wide range of sizes and sold individually so that you can get exactly what you need.
Best for Produce: Rubbermaid FreshWorks Saver Produce Storage Containers
Instead of keeping your fruits and veggies in those flimsy plastic containers from the grocery store, invest in these produce-saving storage containers from Rubbermaid. They have a built-in filter that regulates airflow, which makes your produce stay fresh for longer. There are options available for produce of every size, ranging from small containers for blueberries to large containers for spinach and asparagus. Since the produce containers help cut down on food waste, shoppers say they help them save money in the long run. Plus, they're dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. "I was so surprised at how it has kept my fresh spinach FRESH," one shopper wrote. "I put fresh spinach in this container two weeks ago and there is not one wilted leaf."
Best for Cereal: Simple Gourmet Cereal Container Storage Set
If a bowl of cereal is your preferred breakfast (or midnight snack), stock up on these easy-to-pour cereal containers from Simple Gourmet. The canisters have snap-on lids that make them easy to refill directly from cardboard boxes and a separate flip-top lid for pouring individual servings into bowls. Some customers note that the containers they received were more frosted than clear in color, but the set comes with labels and a marker so you can quickly grab the cereal you're looking for. "With so many cereal options in my home, the boxes were becoming a bit much," wrote a reviewer. "These containers lock in freshness and look great in the pantry if you're into organizing."
Best for Meal Prep: Freshware Meal Prep Containers
As the number one best-selling container in Amazon's bulk food storage category, these Freshware containers are a great option for meal prepping. The BPA-free plastic containers are lightweight enough to carry on your commute and take up minimal space in the fridge, which is especially helpful when meal prepping for an entire week. "I can microwave them, put them in the dishwasher, freeze with them, and they performed flawlessly. No warping at all!" wrote a shopper. Even though the containers can be cleaned and reused, some shoppers choose to use them as disposable containers by tossing them after a few uses.
Best Silicone: Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag
Stasher's reusable storage bags are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags, and thousands of Amazon shoppers have given them a five-star rating. In addition to being dishwasher- and microwave-safe, the durable silicone bags can also be used in the oven and freezer. They come in plenty of sizes that fit everything from a small portion of trail mix to bulk portions of dinner. There's even a version that stands up straight, so you can eat your lunch directly from the bag without transferring to a dish. The options are nearly endless. "We sous vide in them, heat up food in the microwave in them, put them in the dishwasher, and marinate in them," wrote a customer. "They don't leak, they don't smell, are easy to close and open, and don't take up much room compared to traditional [containers]."
Editor's Pick: Ball Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars
When I first started meal prepping back in college, I struggled to find traditional food storage containers that I liked and could afford. Since I had a few spare Mason jars lying around the kitchen, I started using them to bring my food to school and work. I loved them so much that I eventually purchased my own set. The 16-ounce size is great for breakfasts (like overnight oats or chia seed pudding), while the 32-ounce size is ideal for lunches (think: pasta salad and layered grain bowls). It's much easier to eat directly from Mason jars with wide mouths since there's ample room to use forks and spoons. They also work well in the pantry—I use them to store dry goods like quinoa and chocolate chips, too.
Best for Soup: Ziploc Twist 'n Loc Storage Containers for Food
Perfect for batches of soups, overnight oats, pasta sauce, and more, these Ziploc food storage containers are the perfect replacement for those disposable deli containers that you love to keep. The medium-sized option holds up to a quart of food, and each purchase comes with six total containers. Plus, they're great for taking on the go since they fit in most car cup holders. Even though the lids are easy to twist on and off, they're leakproof once secured tightly. "I love to make homemade soups and chili, but I freeze part of my batch each time," said one customer. "I love these containers. [They] do not get freezer burn, they are sturdy and are reusable, yet reasonably priced so when I take soup to someone who is ill or needs a meal, I don't have to worry if I don't get the container back."
Best for Counter: Oggi Clear Acrylic Canister with Locking Clamp
These acrylic canisters from Oggi are a great choice for anyone looking for food storage containers that'll look great on their countertops. Customers are so obsessed with how they look that many want to keep their pasta, cookies, and coffee grounds on display. They come in a wide variety of sizes, including an option big enough to fit a whole bag of tortilla chips, according to one shopper. "I love how simple this canister is, and I was delighted when I saw that it could fit exactly one box of my dog's favorite cookies," another person wrote. "I used to just keep them in the box after I opened it, but now they'll look a lot nicer sitting next to the door, and they won't get stale."
