We’ve tested dozens of food-storage containers over the years, subjecting them to repeated freezing, microwaving, and 3-foot drops onto hard floors. Most containers will break or wear down eventually, but we’re confident our picks are the best options for stashing leftovers, packing lunches, or sharing at potlucks.
If you prefer glass (which is odor-resistant and often oven-safe, though heavy), we recommend the durable Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set. For plastic (which is lighter and less likely to shatter), we recommend the leakproof Snapware Total Solution 20-Piece Food Storage Set. Both are affordable options that will provide you with years of use.
The Pyrex Simply Store containers stack neatly and are made from durable tempered glass. The colorful lids make it easier to match their shape to the corresponding container, though you may need to replace them over time.
These locking plastic containers have lids that are a snap to open and close, and they won’t leak. We think this set offers the best range of sizes and shapes among the plastic containers we tested. Plus, they stack neatly for storage.
The Glasslock containers have locking lids that will prevent leaks. But these lids also put stress on the lips of the containers, so the glass may be prone to chipping over time.
These inexpensive plastic containers come in multiple sizes, for packing and transporting food. They do become soft after microwaving, and they hold onto stains and smells, so they aren’t the best for regular use.
The Pyrex Simply Store containers stack neatly and are made from durable tempered glass. The colorful lids make it easier to match their shape to the corresponding container, though you may need to replace them over time.
The streamlined containers in the Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set are made from durable glass—they didn’t break in our drop tests. They stack neatly, and their lids are some of the easiest (among those we’ve tested) to put on and take off. Because the lids don’t clip closed like those on our runner-up pick, the Glasslock containers, we recommend exercising caution if you plan to transport liquids in the Pyrex containers. (We were surprised that the set’s round containers didn’t leak in our tests, but the rectangular ones are not leakproof, and a locking lid will still be best for preventing leaks and spills.) You can use this set in a microwave, freezer, preheated oven, and dishwasher.
These locking plastic containers have lids that are a snap to open and close, and they won’t leak. We think this set offers the best range of sizes and shapes among the plastic containers we tested. Plus, they stack neatly for storage.
In our leak tests, the Snapware Total Solution 20-Piece Food Storage Set’s containers stayed sealed. And after being repeatedly dropped from waist height, they sustained only minor cracks on the edges of the lids. Also, stains and smells didn’t linger in these containers, and they looked great stacked in the fridge, filled with leftovers. The containers nest well, too, so in a cupboard they take up less space than much of the competition.
The Glasslock containers have locking lids that will prevent leaks. But these lids also put stress on the lips of the containers, so the glass may be prone to chipping over time.
We like that the Glasslock 18-Piece Container Set includes lids that seal to prevent spills, and these containers survived multiple drops from counter height. But after four years of long-term testing, some of our containers have chipped around their edges—a common complaint with most glass containers we researched. Their locking lids require more effort to close than the lids of our main pick, the Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set. And we suspect that the repeated stress of snapping the Glasslock containers’ lids shut is what caused some of them to chip (stacking the containers for storage can also cause stress on glass containers and lead to chipping). That said, if you’re looking for leakproof glass containers for meal prep, these are the best we’ve tested. The Glasslock containers come in a variety of shapes that store nicely in the fridge, and they are safe to use in an oven, microwave, freezer, or dishwasher.
These inexpensive plastic containers come in multiple sizes, for packing and transporting food. They do become soft after microwaving, and they hold onto stains and smells, so they aren’t the best for regular use.
The Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers are perfect for transporting food to parties and other functions, and because they’re so cheap, you may not mind leaving pieces behind. This set comes in a variety of sizes, with containers that stack well for convenient storage. Scents and stains remained after washing, and a few containers leaked in our testing. But we think they’re the best option compared with other budget sets.
Our glass pick: Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set
The Pyrex Simply Store containers stack neatly and are made from durable tempered glass. The colorful lids make it easier to match their shape to the corresponding container, though you may need to replace them over time.
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The classic, streamlined Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set is the best glass container set we’ve tested. Made from tempered glass, these sturdy containers survived multiple counter-height drops onto wood without breaking. Unlike other glass containers we tested, the Pyrex containers have a smooth rim that’s less likely to chip over time, and they look nice enough to use for serving. Though not all of the lids are watertight, they’re faster and easier to seal than the lids of our runner-up pick, the Glasslock containers (which require more force to clip closed). And because each shape of Pyrex lid is a different color, they’re easy to match to their corresponding containers. The lids will likely wear down faster than the containers themselves (especially if you run them through the dishwasher), but you can easily get replacements from Pyrex. This set stacks neatly and is safe to use in a microwave, freezer, preheated oven, and dishwasher.
We continue to be impressed by the durability of the Pyrex set: After years of use in our home kitchens, our containers haven’t chipped or cracked. We’ve heard this from a number of Wirecutter staffers. One person told us, “They’ve held up remarkably well over the last two to three years of regular use.” Another said: “I use them all the time, they’ve held up extremely well for years now. [I] dishwash them, top or bottom rack, wherever they’ll fit.” And yet another colleague told us, “I’d say I’ve had most of them for more than five years. Never had the glass part break.”
These containers were also impressive in our initial drop tests. They survived drop after drop onto a wood board placed over a cement floor. At one point, a container missed the board entirely and bounced off the cement without breaking. The containers also passed our thermal stress tests: They were still intact after we transferred them directly from a 350 °F oven to the freezer and vice versa (we strongly urge you not to try this experiment at home). The Pyrex containers are fairly heavy, but that’s true of all the glass models we tested (for lighter containers, we recommend plastic options).
Instead of locking on with clips, the flexible Pyrex lids press on, and they don’t require as much force to put on or take off. They’re easier to seal than the similar Anchor Hocking lids we tested and than Glasslock’s locking ones. The lids come in different colors that correlate to differently sized containers, providing a visual cue to help match them together more easily. The lids are airtight, and we didn’t see any signs of freezer burn on our tomato sauce. Even though the round containers we tested didn’t leak in our tests, we would hesitate to throw them into a backpack with a computer. We also found that the rectangular containers leaked from the corners. However, since you can simply choose to store soups and stews in the round containers, we’re willing to forgive this minor drawback.
In our tomato-sauce tests, we could detect a slight aroma on the Pyrex lids after running them through the dishwasher, but the smell wasn’t as strong as the one left behind on some of the other containers we tested, like the silicone-rimmed Pyrex Ultimate containers. Pyrex’s plastic lids are obviously not oven-safe, and if you’re using a dishwasher to clean the lids, they should be placed only on the top rack.
The Pyrex set includes nine glass containers (with matching lids), and they range in size from 1 to 7 cups. The containers nest well, or you can stack the sealed containers on top of each other. The smooth, clean lines of the Pyrex pieces also look nice on a table, if you’re serving straight from the containers after reheating.
If you’re looking for fewer containers, the Pyrex Simply Store line is also available as a 14-piece set (with seven containers and accompanying lids). You can purchase replacement tops on Pyrex’s website.
Pyrex offers a two-year warranty on the Simply Store containers, meaning the company will replace defective pieces from the set as long as they haven’t been subjected to misuse or abuse. Also, according to the company, Pyrex will replace any glass product that breaks due to oven heat. If this happens, just be sure to keep the damaged item, since you may be asked to return it. Contact the Pyrex Customer Care Center for returns or replacements.
Why you should trust us
We’ve updated this guide after years of using these container sets in our test kitchen and in our own homes, storing leftovers in the fridge or packing lunches for our commutes. Anna Perling, who performed testing for and wrote our last update, spent more than four years reviewing food-storage vessels, from travel mugs to food thermoses to lunch boxes. Her reporting built on senior staff writer Michael Sullivan’s deep dive into the science of glass and thorough durability testing over the course of several months. Ganda Suthivarakom, who wrote our original guide, spent dozens of hours researching and testing (filling, shaking, storing, freezing, microwaving, washing, and dropping) food containers.
To learn as much as we could about materials, and what makes a great container, weve talked with several experts over the years, including glass scientists and cookbook editors.
Don’t buy a Glass Food Storage container until You see This!
FAQ
Should containers be stored with lids on or off?
Is it safe to store food in glass containers?
How long do glass containers last?
Which container is best for storing food?
How to organize glass containers & lids?
Once they have been cleaned and dried, you can begin focusing on the organization and storage process. Now you can separate the glass containers and lids. Storing them separately is much easier for organization and it will help you avoid losing lids or mixing them up. We recommend getting rid of all the loose items that do not have a match too.
What should you know before storing glass containers?
Before putting your glass containers into storage, wash them and the lids thoroughly. This is a basic precaution that you should take before storing any glass containers. You should never put food or drinks in a container that has not been washed properly. The reason for this is to avoid any bacterial growth on the inside of the container.
Are food storage containers with lids a problem?
Food storage containers with lids are a necessary component of our kitchens, but the clutter they cause can be a nuisance. Without a proper storage plan, you can have missing lids and mismatched containers toppling from your cabinets. We rounded up our favorite kitchen storage hacks to solve your food storage container woes.
How many glass food storage containers are there?
We tested 20 glass food storage containers to select the best options for meal prepping, leftover storage, and packed lunches. From bento-style containers to affordable picks suitable for large families, we selected a glass food storage container for every kitchen.