The Best Food Storage Containers, Tested by Experts

Brilliant for many reasons, these plastic food storage containers are completely see-through (aside from the seal), stack easily and are perfect for taking on the go since they're light and sturdy. A two-time 2021 and 2022 Kitchen Gear and Coffee Awards winner, the set features a tight seal with lids that snap closed for extra protection. Unsnapping the lid provides ventilation, which made reheating a breeze in our tests.

Our pros also microwaved spaghetti sauce to test stain resistance, and only faint marks were left behind compared to other plastic containers we tested. Not only is this set a great deal, but we love that each container comes in an assortment of sets and sizes. Some include little containers and trays which make meal-prepping and lunch-packing easy, and the set is available in glass containers if preferred.

These lock-lid containers from Snapware are stackable, help keep your refrigerator organized and are hard to beat with a price of just under $15. We were impressed by how well they performed during our shake test, only losing a small amount of water. It held up during our microwave test but we noticed stains after reheating pasta sauce, which is common with plastic containers.

In our previous testing, we also tried Snapware's Total Solution Glass line. If you're looking for containers that will keep food fresh for a long time, (say, if you're putting meals in the freezer for long-term storage), you may want to opt for those as they're less prone to staining. Just keep in mind that the locking lids are still plastic, so they may stain over time.

These containers earned top scores in our test for keeping air out (and that means keeping freshness in). For under $50, these containers are a steal, featuring bases made of glass that can be used in the oven up to 425ºF. The lids are see-through and have a flexible edge that won't crack over time, and though we did see slight denting in the lids after several high-heat dishwasher cycles, we were able to pop them right back into place. The lids are textured and the lip on the side helps with opening and sealing, but they aren't the best for holding large amounts of liquid as we saw water loss during both our shake test and overnight leakage test.

OXO's well-known POP containers can be closed with one hand — simply press the button down to form a tight seal. The lids are slim, easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Some also come with accessories like half-cup scoops that attach to the underside of the lid so you always have a dedicated one on hand for measuring dry goods.

This baking set comes with containers designed to perfectly fit 5-pound bags of flour and sugar, as well as a 1-pound box of brown sugar. The brown sugar container comes with a terra cotta brown sugar saver that will prevent the sugar from hardening. The POP containers stack neatly and securely, allowing you to easily keep track of necessary refills.

In our Lab, we tested the 1-quart size and loved how well it held up in the dishwasher. We also tested the 1-quart version with a stainless steel lid, and while these lids are not dishwasher safe, hand washing was a breeze and the bases can be thrown in the dishwasher.

Get this entire Joseph Joseph Nest Storage container set for under $25, especially if you're concerned about space and money. This line features nested containers and nested lids, so when you put them away, you only have to clear space for the largest-sized container. The lids snap onto the containers to create a tight seal, though we found leaking during our testing and wouldn't recommend them for liquids. Similar to other plastic containers we tested, these are prone to staining if used with highly pigmented foods. The larger sizes are great for batch cooking.

The shapes in this set stand out for their versatility and it comes with 11 containers plus their lids at a great price (especially when on sale!). The containers nest and their lids are slim for easy storage. Pyrex containers can be used in the oven, which makes them great for reheating leftovers or crisping small servings — just be sure to let them come to room temperature first to avoid thermal shock, per the brand. In our dishwasher test, we ran each 4-cup round container and 3-cup rectangular container through the dishwasher five times. While the glass was naturally unscathed, we found that the lids can become slightly deformed after multiple cycles which may lead to leaking if storing liquids.

We love that the Neat Stack lunch containers are not only some of the more affordable storage containers out there, but that they can be stored in your cabinets without taking up too much space. The nesting set comes with five containers in various sizes to hold anything from ½ cups of fruit to whole meals and comes with a freezer pack that can attach to the large lids to help keep your lunch cold when traveling. Each size container is color-coded and has engraved cup sizes for each, including 5-cup, 3-cup and ½-cup versions, great for portioning during meal prep. Several containers share the same lid size, so there's less fumbling for the right match. We did notice staining during our freezer to microwave test so keep that in mind when heating pigment-rich foods.

These twist-and-seal food storage containers are a favorite in the Kitchen Appliances Lab and have kept food items fresh in our pantry for months. The silicone seal helps keep air out, which is ideal for storing pasta, flour and other dry goods while the rounded edges allow for easy pouring. The whole container isn't dishwasher safe, but the top can be hand-washed. The square shape and design make stacking a breeze and range in sizes from .5 quarts to 4.2 quarts. When testing, we noticed that the twist-to-lock top and release buttons may be tricky for some people to grab and use.

Zwilling may be known for its cutlery, but the German knife maker has expanded into food vacuum sealing. The vacuum-seal containers are easy to use and help keep your leftovers airtight. They're also great for marinating or storing raw meat after you've opened a pack. The vacuum sealer is compact and attaches to the lid of the container to seal it with the press of a button. When you’re ready to open the container, push the silicone button on the lid to release the air. This model was a top performer during our leak tests, and once sealed properly, the lid didn't budge.

While this set only includes one large 2.11-quart container, you can purchase additional container sizes online. In our tests, we found that the containers held up very nicely when run through the dishwasher, and we were impressed by how thick and durable the glass was.

If you like your plastic baggies and Ziplocs, you'll love Stasher reusable bags, which will save you money in the long run. Store fruits, veggies and other snacks in the bags' thick, but flexible silicone that's transparent and comes in an assortment of colors and sizes. They seal and open easily. When we tested them at home, they kept herbs wrapped in a damp paper towel fresh for weeks, and we didn't have to shuffle everything around in our fridge to make room for them since they take up minimal space. Stasher bags are freezer-, microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe and can even be used in boiling water for cooking sous vide! We did notice staining during our in-Lab tomato sauce testing so keep that in mind when storing pigmented foods.