Whether you want to pack a nutritious lunch for the kids, a healthy snack for work, store your fresh veggies, or those tasty leftovers you got from mom, you are going to need something that will manage this without leaving all that clutter in your kitchen. You are going to do something neat, durable and easy to clean. You will need food storage containers.
Food storage containers are the perfect way of storing your food in an organized manner. To do this effectively, they often come in sets of 8-12, with each container being different in size for storing different meal capacities. They also come in different materials to perform specific storage functions. You can get some made from glass, which are odor resistant and perfect for microwave ovens and reheating, yet others are made of plastic, which is basically shatterproof, and would do well when storing that baby food in the freezer.
From baby food organizers to meal prep sets, these containers will have you covered. To help you in your selection, we’ve rounded up the bestselling ones on the market in terms of performance, size, and aesthetics. The ones that amazed us most are listed below.
Top 10 Food Storage Containers Of 2020 Reviewed
1. Glasslock 11363 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set
Airtight Food Storage ContainersIf you’re not into plastic containers and have the budget for something better, these glass food storage containers from Glasslock should do the trick. Aside from being BPA-free and eco-friendly, these containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes including round and rectangular containers. The glass is actually recyclable glass constructed out of silica, limestone, soda ash, and other natural materials. To ensure your food remains fresh for a good long while, a rubber gasket is installed in the lid as well as four latches so the container is airtight and leak-proof. You can also stack these containers so you never have a problem with storage space. What we love about these containers is that they’re glass so they don’t stain and oven-safe.
However, not all parts of the container are made out of glass. The lids are plastic so these are not oven-safe. Also, the containers are prone to chipping though it does take a lot of abuse before it will break. The good news is that if you receive any faulty lids, the company will replace them free of charge, no matter where you bought them, as long as they’re within three years from the date of purchase. Also, if the containers break during normal use, they will replace the containers as long as the date of purchase was no more than one year.
Pros:
- Oven-safe
- Does not stain
- Keeps food fresh and prevents freezer burn far longer than others
Cons:
- The lid is plastic
- Gunk tends to form around the rubber gasket
- Reports from users that the latches are hard to open and close
2. Rubbermaid LunchBox Sandwich Kit
Food Storage Containers For Meal PrepThis Lunchbox Sandwich Kit from Rubbermaid caught our eye because it ensures your packed meal stays organized inside the bag despite the fact that it features several containers. The kit includes two small containers, 1 side container, and a sandwich container. Plus, you also get a freezer pack that can be placed directly between the sandwich box and the other containers.
This set is really a great way to pack your lunch and eat it fresh. However, these are plastic containers and they’re not leak-proof according to some users. Also, the sandwich container could be bigger; a normal-sized sandwich doesn’t fit.
Pros:
- Various sizes
- Organized stacking
- Includes a freezer pack
Cons:
- The sandwich container does not fit a regular-sized sandwich
- Some reports of leaking
- Plastic containers tend to stain
3. Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid 42-Piece Food Storage Container Set
Bulk Food Storage ContainersThese plastic food storage containers are ideal for people who always lose their keys. Why is that? The lids snap together and, even better, they snap to the bases of the containers so you never have to worry about losing them. But they’re plastic! Well, these thick-walled, durable containers are BPA-free and safe for use in the microwave and freezer. Plus, they are dishwasher-safe. These containers are stackable making them easy to store away. And the set has 42 pieces so you’ll never be without food storage containers for every food imaginable ever again.
However, these do occasionally stain and the lids are a bit cheaply made. Also, you can’t store long items because there are no long containers in the set.
Pros:
- BPA-free
- Safe for use in the microwave and freezer
- Lids snap to the base of the container
Cons:
- No long shaped containers
- Reports of staining
- Some reports that the lids crack/melt easily
4. EasyLunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers
Food Storage Containers For LunchThese plastic food storage containers are designed for brown-bagging, whether for your kids or you. The lids are easy to open so you can be sure your kids will be able to open it without help. The lunchbox features three compartments, allowing you to store different foods in one container. And the lids are specifically designed to keep to secure each compartment individually. The containers are made out of FDA-approved, high-quality polypropylene #5 plastic that contains no BPA, PVC, or phthalates. They’re microwavable, freezer-safe, and machine-washable.
However, these are not leak-proof so runny food and liquids should not be stored. Also, the lid has been reported as flimsy; the tab tends to break making the lid a bit harder to lift.
Pros:
- Separate compartments for various food
- BPA-free
- Kid-friendly
Cons:
- Not leak-proof
- The tab tends to break
- Some reports that they only last a couple of months
5. Oggi Acrylic Canister Set with Airtight Clamp Lids-Food Storage Container
Dry Food Storage ContainersThese acrylic food storage containers from Oggi are cylindrical in shape and feature an airtight lid with silicone gaskets to keep your food fresh for a while. These are BPA-free, just in case you’re wondering. The lids are attached to the container so they’ll never go missing. They’re lightweight but airtight.
These are perfect for storing sugar, flour, and similar items because the containers come with little spoons. The containers are pretty thinly made, which is probably why they’re so lightweight, but they seal tight. One thing we don’t like about these containers is that they’re not stackable. Also, these containers are hand wash only.
Pros:
- BPA-free
- Airtight
- Comes with little spoons for scooping
Cons:
- Only for storage of dry goods
- Hand wash only
- Not stackable
6. Rubbermaid 1865887 Easy Find Lids 22-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set
Food Storage Containers For LeftoversObviously, Rubbermaid is a crowd-favorite. They offer a lot of really good food storage containers and this set is one of them. These containers are made out of glass while the Easy Find Lids are plastic and snap on to the base of the container. The lids even snap on together as long as they’re the same size. Even better, these lids are OnePress Seal lids so they’re extremely easy to close and leak-proof. These containers stack together easily for easy and efficient storage. The containers are made from tempered glass and oven safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also dishwasher-safe and freezer safe. When it comes to keeping your food safe, these are really effective.
However, you may find that the lids won’t make these leak-proof during transport, particularly when the containers accidentally get flipped over. Also, you’ll need to make sure that you don’t fill the containers to the top because the lid takes up some of the space inside.
Pros:
- Easy to close
- Glass container
- Oven-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
- The lid doesn’t stay secure
- The lid needs to be pushed down into the container, taking up much-needed space
- Tempered glass can break unexpectedly
7. Popit Food Storage Containers
Best Large Food Storage ContainersThese food storage containers are made out of BPA-free, FDA-approved plastic that allows you to store food and keep it fresh. The containers are airtight and spill-proof due to the latches on the sides of the lid. These can be washed in the dishwasher and used in the freezer and microwave (without the lid).
The seal is removable which means you can clean them before they start collecting gunk. The containers come in various sizes, though all of them are square in shape. We do wish that they offered rectangular ones to allow more versatility in the types of foods you can store. Also, the sizes of most of the containers are small. It would be better if you got more large ones. You do get a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied within 30 days of your purchase.
Pros:
- Airtight and spill-proof
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Travel-friendly
Cons:
- The sizes of the containers run small
- No other shapes other than square
- Some found the latches difficult to close
8. Pyrex Simply Store 6-Piece Round Glass Food Storage Set
Food Storage Containers For Meal PrepThese are 6 round food storage containers that are made out of nonporous glass. What that means is that you don’t have to worry about staining, warping, or odors clinging to the container. You can use the containers in a preheated oven, microwave, fridge, and freezer. The containers are also dishwasher-safe which makes cleaning so much easier.
The lids are plastic but BPA-free and allow you to stack the containers on top of each other. However, these are a bit flimsy compared to the quality of the containers. They are a bit difficult to put on or off and they aren’t that durable.
Pros:
- Non-porous glass
- Oven-safe
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Lid is a bit flimsy
- Lid can be difficult to put on or pull off
- Not spill proof
9. GlassLock 14-Piece Oven-Safe Box Set with Lids
Food Storage Containers For Meal PrepThese are eye-catching food storage containers that will brighten any refrigerator, counter, or desk. The quality of the glass containers from Glasslock is definitely top-notch. These are constructed out of soda ash, limestone, silica, and other natural components. These do not contain harmful environmental hormones plus they’re safe for use in refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and oven.
The set includes containers of various sizes to meet your different storage needs. And in case you’re wondering, these are airtight and leak-proof. The price per container is also affordable considering the material and quality used. The problem is in the size as the set looks smaller than what you’d expect based on the pictures. Also, some have reported difficulty in snapping the lid open and close.
Pros:
- Thick glass
- Airtight and leak-proof
- Replacements offered for damaged lids
Cons:
- Small-sized containers
- Latches are difficult to open/close
- The lid is poor quality
10. Utopia Kitchen Glass Food Storage Container Set
Food Storage Containers For Meal PrepWhat we love about these glass containers from Utopia Kitchen is the fact that it offers a variety of sizes and shapes which gives you more flexibility in what you can store. The containers are made out of highly durable borosilicate glass with bright blue polypropylene (PP) lid. The four easy-to-open latches are perfect for creating a watertight seal, ensuring that your food stays fresh and contained.
These are oven-safe for up to 400 degrees Celsius, freezer safe, refrigerator safe, microwavable, and dishwasher-safe. As an added bonus, these are very affordable for glass containers. However, the containers could be bigger and they are a little heavy.
Pros:
- Very affordable glass containers
- Watertight seal
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Sizes could be bigger
- Slightly heavy
- Some have had difficulty in opening and closing the lid
Choosing The Best Food Storage Container: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Food containers? Who needs a guide for that? Well, more people than one would realize. The best food storage containers should be able to keep your food fresh for as long as possible. But that’s not the only thing we look at. If you think about it, there are different things we need to consider.
Is it travel-friendly? Microwaveable? Dishwasher-safe? Easy to open and close? Should you stick with plastic or go for glass? Well, we decided to help you get the answers to these questions with our guide. Once you’re done reading this, you’ll be able to pick the right food storage container for you out of the hundreds in the market today.
Plastic or Glass?
Now, there’s a question. Obviously, plastic containers are a great deal more affordable (read that: cheaper) than their glass counterparts. These can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some containers have lids that just snap on while others feature latches. More on lids later. Plastic containers are durable and less likely to break or chip. A lot of these are BPA-free and typically microwave-safe. Take note that we said “a lot” so you need to read the description carefully to see what it can and can’t do. One thing with plastic that you should know is that it tends to stain and odors can cling to it. Also, it can warp or melt.
Glass is an ideal choice if you want to use something that’s really BPA-free and eco-friendly. These are usually oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and refrigerator-safe. Glass is heavier and much more long-lasting as long as you take care. These containers do break and have a tendency to chip. Also, these always come with a plastic lid that may or may not be BPA-free.
Type of Lid
Snap-on Lids
Generally, there are two types of lids for these containers. Ones that have latches and rubber seals and ones that simply snap on. Snap-on lids are easiest to deal with, usually featuring a tab that you can lift such as the one in the EasyLunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers.
Some lids in this category are specifically designed to snap on to the base of a container as well to ensure that they never get lost. One good example is the lids used in the Rubbermaid Easy Find Lid 42-Piece Food Storage Container Set.
Locking Lid
The other type of lid is the locking lid which features a double seal as well as four latches on the sides of the container to create an airtight/watertight container. Containers with this kind of lid such as the Glasslock 11363 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set are perfect for travel because they are leak-proof and keep your food fresh for a longer period of time.
However, containers with this kind of lid usually cost more. The rubber seal also tends to collect gunk which you’ll have to clean regularly. Last but not least, some individuals may find it difficult to open and close lids like this.
Do You Want a Dry Food Container?
Generally, any food storage container with a locking lid is good for storing dry food and keeping it fresh such as pasta, flour, cereal, and sugar. However, you may be better off choosing a container that is marketed specifically for that purpose. This is because you want to make sure that the seal on the lid makes the container watertight.
Some containers have additional features such as a “door” that helps you pour the food easily or a spoon to help you scoop out the contents. One example is the Oggi 9322 5-Piece Acrylic Canister Set with Airtight Clamp Lids-Food Storage Container.
Size, Shape, and Stackability
You need to choose food storage containers that come in a variety of sizes and shapes to provide you with versatility in what you can store. You can’t store stew in a small container. At the same time, using a big container for leftover sauce would be an inefficient use of space. Consider buying round containers for liquids because it allows you to stir the contents easily if the need arises. Rectangular and square-shaped containers allow you to maximize storage space. Upright containers work best for dry foods; these allow you to save space (surface area) on the counter or shelf and lets you easily see what’s inside each one.
Stackability is another important feature to consider as it allows you to maximize space. Make sure that you buy those that feature ridges near the edges of the lid. This feature ensures that the containers on top remain steady and won’t easily topple over.
Conclusion
There are many factors that come into play when choosing a set of food storage containers. What’s most essential, however, is what you’ll be using it for. Some are safe for microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, while others are not. Other containers are made to handle dry foods, while others will handle liquids best. They also come in different shapes and sizes which may look good but not fit in your storage compartment. That said, you should choose one, depending on your particular needs for the best results.