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Storage & Organizational Tools

We Tested 11 Food Storage Containers—These Are Our Favorites

Three of our top picks are from Rubbermaid.

Serious Eats / Eric King

The Winners, at a Glance

What we learned, the criteria: what to look for in a food storage container, our favorite food storage containers, the competition.

Why We're the Experts

Straight to the Point

Our top picks for both glass and plastic food storage containers are from Rubbermaid. Both are leakproof and have secure latches that are easy to open and close.

Has your container drawer reached the point of no return: way too many bases, way too few lids, and of course none of them match? Having a full set of durable, stackable, leakproof food storage containers is helpful for leftovers, lunches, meal prep, etc. And we scoured the market to find the best of them: containers you wouldn’t want to part with even to send your loved ones home with leftovers. (Because you know you’ll never see them again!)

We tested 11 models, focusing on dishwasher-safe, plastic or glass containers. The majority of the ones we tested were available in singles, as well as sets (helpful if you just want to add a container to your collection or want more of a starter pack). For the purposes of this review, we focused on the containers that were three to four cups in maximum capacity (large enough for leftovers or a to-go lunch). We ran these containers through a series of tests, determining which ones resisted leakage, warded off stains and lingering smells, and more.

The Best Glass Food Storage Container

Rubbermaid brilliance glass food storage containers.

This good-looking model aced all of our tests. It never leaked or held onto lingering smells, it resisted staining, and it was a breeze to use, store, and clean. It's available both as a single and larger set .

The Best Plastic Food Storage Container

Rubbermaid brilliance food storage containers.

Part of the same line as our winner above, this model conveniently shares the exact same plastic lid design. With just a few drawbacks due to its base material, it mainly performed as well as its glass counterpart—and is notably cheaper. It's also available as a single and larger set .

The Best Budget-Friendly Glass Food Storage Container

Glasslock 4-piece rectangle oven safe container set.

This model succeeds in almost every area the glass Rubbermaid container does, but it receives demerits for some features: It’s only available to purchase in a set of two or more—and its seal design is more prone to trapping dirt and debris.

The Best Dry Food Storage Containers

Rubbermaid brilliance pantry airtight food storage containers, 8-piece set.

If you're looking for pantry storage ideas , these are our favorite dry food storage containers and we included them here, too, for your shopping convenience. They're large, have super-secure lids, and are narrow enough to easily fit in any pantry or cabinet.

Leakage Test: We filled each container with one cup of blue-dyed water and lined half-sheet trays with paper towels. Then, we shook each container with the long side pointing down at the paper towels 10 times, rotated them 45 degrees, shook them 10 more times, and repeated this rotating and shaking twice more. Then, each container was left on its side sitting on fresh paper towels (if it leaked) for 15 minutes. We noted any leakage along the way.
Stain and Smell Test: We smeared the insides of each container and lid with a mixture of vegetable oil and turmeric . After four hours, we washed them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and a sponge, allowed them to dry, and then noted any visible staining or lingering odors.
Durability Test: We dropped each container on a marble stone surface five times, noting any damage.
Design Test: With each of our favorite containers, we removed the lid and opened and closed the latches (if applicable) 25 times. We saw how well the containers stacked on the countertop, and then did the same in the refrigerator.
Microwave Test: We microwaved one cup of frozen peas in each of our favorite containers, lids ajar, documenting warping (if any).
Cleanup Tests: Over the course of testing, we evaluated how easy each container was to hand-wash with warm, soapy water and a sponge.

Leakproof Containers Were a Boon

Let’s start with what made containers leak wildly. Models with flexible slip-on lids like Anchor, Frego, and Pyrex all failed majorly at keeping the dyed water inside in our shake tests. That being said, one model with latches on all four sides, Snapware , leaked even more than Pyrex because the latches weren’t really all that tight. So, it’s not enough to just have latches; they have to be actively pulling down onto the lip of the base, applying pressure. Otherwise, they won’t function. If clicking down the latches into place required a little oomph, that was a good sign the container was leakproof. A silicone-lined lid was also an indicator since it creates a solid seal that liquid can't leak out of.

Choosing Between Glass and Plastic Containers

Our top winners, Rubbermaid’s plastic and glass offerings, were pretty well matched throughout testing, so it’s hard to say that one material is always going to be better than the other. Plastic is lighter, glass is heavier. Plastic is cheaper, and glass is more expensive. Glass can shatter, and plastic is (for the most part) more shockproof. Most glass models can go into a hot oven without their lids, but of course, plastic containers can't. Some plastic lids (even the ones with glass bases) held onto odors from the turmeric-oil mixture, but others, like Rubbermaid and Glasslock, did not.

We can say that silicone was the worst perpetrator when it came to clinging to stains and odors. By far, models that were constructed with a lot of silicone (like Frego , Ello , and Anchor) stained and smelled the most.

Serious Eats / Eric King / Grace Kelly

The most important feature of a food storage container is, of course, containing, which is why our leakage test was first. This began to separate the winners from the losers right away, with some models absolutely gushing water and others leaving their paper towel-lined trays without even a drop. As noted above, our winners all had two or four tight-fitting latches and not a flexible slip-on lid. This made them leakproof and air-tight.

If you prefer lighter, less expensive containers, opt for plastic. We recommend clear so you can see what’s in them. If you don’t mind spending slightly more money, and the weight of the containers isn’t a consideration for you, glass is great because it doesn’t stain or hold onto odors, and most models can go from the freezer to a hot oven.

We recommend avoiding any containers with silicone anywhere besides the seal. (On all of our winners, a strip of silicone where the lid met the lip of the base was responsible for the air-tight seal.) Containers with silicone cages or with lids made from mostly silicone stained and held onto more odors.

What we liked: This model from storage stalwart Rubbermaid didn’t leak one drop when shaken 40 times or laid on its side for 15 minutes. But it also stood out from the three others that didn’t leak. After being smeared with a mixture of turmeric and vegetable oil, left for four hours, and then washed, we couldn’t detect any lingering odors. And unlike the light blue silicone lids, cages, and seals of other competitors, its seal is dark gray, which disguises most staining.

These containers are interlocking, so we could stack one on top of another with the base fitting perfectly in the shallow divot of the lid below it. This makes it harder for the top container to slide off. And if you want to buy both the plastic and glass versions from this line, they use the same plastic lids, so you can interchange them without having to keep track of which is which.

Some of the lids with silicone seals were difficult to clean because of the tiny gaps between the silicone and the plastic, but that wasn’t a problem for this one. There’s room for a sponge to get into all the crevices with minimal effort.

Of our winners, this one handled heating up frozen peas in the microwave best. After heating up the sweet peas for two minutes on standard power, every part of the container stayed warm and not too hot to handle, while the peas inside were cooked perfectly. What we didn’t like: It isn’t totally obvious when the lid has actually latched down. There seem to be two separate “clicks” and you have to wait for the second click to know that it’s locked in place. When opening the container, there was a bit of annoying friction when trying to get our fingers under the latch. And because of its strong seal, with the silicone pressing up against the inside of the container, lifting the lid up takes a little bit more effort than you think it will. Overall, though, we don't think any of this really detracts from this model.

Materials: Glass base, plastic lid, silicone seal
Capacity: 3.2 cups (757 ml)
Weight: 1 lb, 8.9 oz
Microwave-safe: Yes (vented lids, reheat only)
Oven-safe: Up to 450°F
Set includes: Four 3.2-cup containers plus lids
Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe (top rack)

What we liked: With the same lid as the Rubbermaid glass containers, this model shares many of its counterpart’s positive qualities. It has a leakproof seal, resists staining and lingering odors, stacks easily with interlocking lids and bases, and is easy to clean up.

With this plastic model, it was much more intuitive to tell when the latches were locked and the lid fully secured, clicking into place in a satisfying way. Plus, unlike the glass model, there was more room to get your fingers under the latches for an effortless opening.

It’s much lighter than the glass version, so if you pack your lunch often, this may appeal to you.

What we didn’t like: When microwaving frozen peas for two minutes on standard power, the bottom became too hot to touch, while the sides stayed just slightly cold. Also, even though the lid is the same, when sliding up the plastic sides the silicone seal experiences a lot of resistance. And while that makes for a good seal, it does at times take two hands and a little oomph to open it.

Materials: Plastic base, plastic lid, silicone seal
Weight: 7.6 ounces
Oven-safe: No
Set includes: Two 1.3-cup container and one 3.2-cup container, plus lids

What we liked: Despite having four latches instead of two, opening and closing this model was seamless compared to the Rubbermaid models. It was easy to get our fingers under the latches, a cinch to click them into place, and the lid lifted right off with one hand after being unlatched. And that didn’t hurt its ability to retain water: It didn’t leak one drop onto the paper towels. Its glass body and plastic lid resisted staining (for the most part) and lingering odors after being smeared with the turmeric and oil mixture.

What we didn’t like: The grooved silicone seal is placed in a track of plastic that runs around the lid, and dirt and debris tend to get trapped in the grooves as well as in between the silicone and the plastic. We found that this made it slightly difficult to clean thoroughly—although the way that the lid is designed, the seal is actually protected by a plastic guard that shields it from food. Plus, since the silicone seal is light blue, it did stain fairly obviously when smeared with the turmeric-oil mixture.

Unlike the glass Rubbermaid, the bottom became too hot to handle after two minutes of heating up frozen peas in the microwave .

While the Rubbermaid models both feature an interlocking base-lid stacking system, these do not. They stack just fine, but nothing is stopping them from sliding off each other. Lastly, at the time of writing, this model is only sold in sets and can’t be purchased alone.

Capacity: 3.5 cup container; 1.6 cup container
Weight: 1 lb, 6 oz
Microwave-safe: Yes
Set includes: 1.6-cup container and lid; 3.5-cup container and lid
Cleaning: Glass container is dishwasher-safe, lid is only top rack safe

What we liked: Also from Rubbermaid, these were standouts in our review of dry food storage containers . They had airtight, locking lids, a wide mouth for easy filling, and a narrow body for compact storage.

What we didn't like: If aesthetics are top of mind, these aren't the prettiest containers out there. However, they do work exceptionally well. We'll take that tradeoff.

Materials: Plastic
Capacity: 16, 12, 6.6, and 3.2 cups
Set includes: Four containers, four lids
Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

OXO Good Grips 3.5 Cup Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Container : This was in many ways a similar design to the Glasslock and performed almost as well. However, it leaked one singular drop after 15 minutes on its side—and also its plastic lid held onto just the faintest whiff of turmeric.
OXO Good Grips Prep & Go 3.3 Cups : This leakproof model, the only opaque plastic one, was let down by very slight staining and odor retention. Also, we found it nearly impossible to clean the cranny at the seam that also trapped dirt and debris.
Frego Award-Winning Plastic-Free Glass and Silicone Food Container : With a thick silicone casing and lid container, this model might be practically indestructible. But it leaked a lot, and its silicone body held onto stains and odors.
Ello DuraGlass BPA-Free Glass Food Storage Container : Despite its silicone cage, this model wasn’t very durable either before or during testing: one of its four flimsy, plastic latches broke in half. To its credit, it didn’t leak. The model we tested appears to be out of stock, although this size is similar .
Snapware 4-Cup Total Solution Square Food Storage Container : This model featured four latches and a silicone seal, but it was not leak-proof. In fact, water poured out of it.
Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Container (4-Cup) : Though not as bad as Anchor, Snapware, or Frego, this container leaked a few tablespoons of water over the course of 15 minutes (but surprisingly didn’t leak at all when shaken). The lid hung onto odors and warped in the microwave.
Anchor 32 Oz. Round TrueSeal Glass Food Storage, 4-Cup : This model was the first and last one we dropped on concrete, as it completely exploded into smithereens. So we can’t say much about its durability on the marble stone, but we can say that it leaked almost as much as Snapware (read: a lot). Its blue silicone lid was the worst offender when it came to lingering smells from the turmeric oil mixture.

Should you put hot food into a glass storage container?

It’s best to avoid putting hot food into glass containers, as they can shatter if they are suddenly shocked with a very hot substance. Wait for food to cool down slightly, then transfer it to a storage container and refrigerate if necessary .

Are glass or plastic food storage containers better?

We found that glass containers have the edge here, but in some ways, it comes down to personal preference. Glass can go into a hot oven, sometimes up to 450°F depending on the brand, whereas plastic can only be used to heat or reheat contents in the microwave. (Glass tends to be more versatile, too, if you need space-saving kitchen tools ). In our tests, we found that glass didn’t stain or hold onto stubborn odors, whereas plastic and silicone were more susceptible to those. All that being said, plastic containers are usually more affordable and lighter than glass options (especially if you're considering something super budget-oriented like plastic shoe box containers ). And, especially if they’re empty, they’re less likely to break from a fall.

Is it better to store food in glass or plastic?

While different materials have their merits in terms of practical use (see above), when it comes to keeping food safe, neither is really better than the other. However, it should be noted that glass takes much longer to degrade than plastic, so if you're looking to store food for a longer period of time, glass might be a better option.

Can you microwave plastic food storage containers?

While all of the plastic containers we reviewed were microwave-safe, it's best to refer to manufacturer instructions before placing a food storage container in the microwave. If a container is designated as microwave-safe, it's because it's passed a slew of strict protocols enforced by the FDA , which regulates any materials that come in contact with food.

How long should you keep plastic food storage containers?

Plastic food storage containers should be examined every six months to a year for wear and tear or damage. Once a plastic food storage container gets stained, scratched, or beat up, there's a chance it could start to pose a food safety risk. Any containers with significant damage should be replaced.

Why We're the Experts

Eric King is a recipe developer, writer, and social media creator who has run the baking blog easygayoven for four years.
Eric has written many equipment reviews for Serious Eats, including rolling pins , wine tumblers , and meat pounders .
For this review, we tested 11 food storage containers (including glass and plastic models).
We evaluated how leakproof, durable, and stain-resistant the containers were.
We've separately reviewed dry food storage containers .
Basic Kitchen Equipment

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Best Food Storage Containers of 2024

In our water-slosh evaluation and 3-foot-high drop test, these models emerged mess-free and kept food fresh

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Rubbermaid Brilliance 18pc Glass Food Storage Container Set, Homearray 10pc Stainless Steel Food Storage Container Set

Whether you’re stowing leftovers in the fridge or throwing lunch in your bag for the workday, you want a sturdy, tight-sealing container that keeps your food fresh. And as you’ve probably learned through some messy experiences, not every container is up to the task.

In CR’s labs, we tested 25 popular food storage containers—glass, stainless steel, and silicone models—to find the ones that are supremely durable and will keep your food fresh and flavorful. (We didn’t include plastic in our tests because of the growing evidence about their potential dangers. More on that below .) The standout products in our tests kept food perfectly fresh and didn’t leak even when filled with water and sloshed around. And they stayed in one piece (lids included) when dropped.

The models that didn’t land the best scores often still had some good qualities. Most sets of containers nested well together for compact shelf storage, and many had good seals that kept food fresh. But in our drop tests, some of those containers had lids that popped off. “They didn’t break, they just came open,” says Bernie Deitrick, the project test lead for food storage containers. So for certain models, he says, “if you’re careful with it, for overnight leftovers, it’s a fine container.” The worst-rated models failed to keep food fresh, leaked, or shattered when dropped.

5 Best Food Storage Containers

The models that rose to the top of our ratings proved to be durable, airtight, and leakproof in our tests. Most are versatile, too. They can be used in not just the fridge, but also the freezer, and they’re dishwasher-safe (though the lids might not be). A few can be microwaved or even go in the oven. The five picks below impressed us the most. Two are stainless steel; three are glass. To learn more about all of the models we tested, CR members can navigate to our comprehensive food storage container ratings .

Best Stainless Steel Food Storage Containers

Stainless steel models are your best bet if you want a sleek container that’s lighter and more portable than glass. These also tend to nest more compactly so that they take up less room on your shelves when you’re not using them. They’re often oven-safe. But, of course, never put these in a microwave.

Best Glass Food Storage Containers

With these handy see-through containers, you’ll know what you’ve got stored in the fridge at a glance. Glass also lets you microwave the container and eat food right from it. But not all glass container lids are microwave-safe, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.

How CR Tests Food Storage Containers

In our labs, we test food storage containers for their ability to keep food fresh, their durability, the quality of the seal between the lid and container, and their ease of use.

To assess freshness, Deitrick and his team of testers fill each container with the same number of PopCorners chips (the kettle corn flavor, if you’re curious), seal it up, and let it sit. After two weeks, a panel of three judges evaluates the chips for crispness and flavor, comparing them to those from a fresh bag of PopCorners. The containers with chips that remain essentially unchanged receive the highest score for the storage test.

To test durability, Deitrick fills containers with dried black beans and subjects each model to a series of two “drop” tests. For the first test, testers slide the container off a 36-inch-high countertop onto the floor. For the second test, they simply drop the container straight to the floor from the height of the countertop. The best-performing containers hit the floor without losing their lids or breaking. Only one glass model—the Caraway—shattered on impact.

To test the quality of each food container’s seal, Deitrick fills each with water and sloshes it around. Many containers were prone to leaking; the best ones kept the water securely inside. Deitrick found that the higher-scoring models often—though not always—featured additional sealing mechanisms, like gaskets and latches.

Food storage containers typically do well in the fridge. So to assess ease of use, we take stock of which models—along with their lids—can also withstand the freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven. Containers that can nest easily to take up less room on a shelf rack up extra points, too. But these ease-of-use features are weighted far less heavily than durability or a leakproof seal. That’s how, despite not being microwave-safe, many stainless-steel containers still end up with high Overall Scores and rise to the top of our ratings.

What About Plastic and Silicone Food Storage Containers?

Plastic containers, like Tupperware, have long been the obvious way to pack up food, and silicone options, in recent years, have become more popular. So why don’t any show up among our top five or even on our recommended list ? Here’s the scoop.

Plastic food storage containers. We wanted to find and test products made from alternative materials due to the growing research on the environmental and health risks of plastic . Plastics are mostly made from fossil fuels . And some of the chemicals used to make plastic are not inert; they can transfer to whatever they’re in contact with. In the case of plastic food storage containers, those chemicals can leach into your food, particularly if you’re storing food that is highly fatty, acidic, or alkaline . And exposing a plastic container to heat—say, by microwaving it—can increase the rate at which chemicals leach out.

We know that certain chemicals in plastics can have adverse effects on health. Many, including bisphenols (such as BPA) and phthalates, act as endocrine disruptors, which can affect how hormones behave throughout your body. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of infertility and other reproductive health issues, metabolic diseases, obesity, and some cancers. Even plastic products that claim to be BPA-free, for example, may have other ingredients that are equally worrisome or that we just don’t know much about.

If you’re looking to reduce your exposure to plastic, food storage containers are a great place to start. Some of the plastic-alternative models in our tests do have plastic lids or plastic latching mechanisms, but the containers themselves, which come into most contact with food, are not plastic.

Silicone food storage containers. Ultra-lightweight and often collapsible, silicone containers seem to be a convenient choice. Like silicone food storage bags, they’re also safer and more sustainable than plastic options. But the silicone containers in our tests presented the most problems. As Deitrick points out, their collapsibility—while great for easy storage when not in use—is precisely what makes it so hard to attach the lids. Worse, their pliability affects the integrity of the seal. “All of the silicone ones leaked terribly under any sort of pressure,” Deitrick says.

Molly Bradley

Molly Bradley is a home and appliance writer at Consumer Reports. Before joining CR in 2023, she managed the editorial team at Digg, and has devoted her career to helping readers navigate the world and make their lives a little easier, elucidating topics in technology and culture. Molly earned a master’s degree in writing from Bennington College and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her cat, Saltine. Follow her on X @mollyguinn .

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The Best Food Storage Containers of 2024

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

Why trust Reviewed?

Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Pyrex Ultimate 10-pc Storage Set

Resilient glass construction

Looks and feels fancy

Silicone lids can stain

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

Lids are interchangeable

Lids offer great seal

Easy to store

Easy to stain or pit

Glad Food Storage Containers Meal Prep Variety Pack

Readily available and affordable

Come in multiple sizes

OXO Good Grips 8 Piece Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Container Set

Durable glass

Looks and feels classy

Wide temperature range

Lids can stain

Pyrex Simply Store 6-pc Rectangular Set

Doesn't stain

Lids can leak

Can't go from freezer to oven

No rim or handles

Updated March 19, 2024

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Glad Food Containers is our best value pick.

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

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.

Other Food Storage Containers We Tested

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.

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.

Product image of 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.

Shatterproof

Looks and feels professional

Tricky to clean

Product image of 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.

Good sealing function

Lids can stain easily

Product image of 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.

Inexpensive

Not made for long-term storage

Cracked when dropped

Product image of 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.

Easy to stack and store

Readily available and inexpensive

Lids don't offer an airtight seal

Product image of 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.

Airtight seal

Flat lids are easy to stack and store

Lids can be tough to remove

Plastic containers can stain easily

Clasps pop off easily when dropped

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.

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

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.

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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