The Best Food Storage Containers (2025) for Meal Prep and Leftovers

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It’s important not to trust everything you read, especially when it comes to the claim of being “leakproof.” This is the main lesson we learned while searching for the top food storage containers. We conducted tests on twelve items from both glass and plastic sets to identify lids that wouldn’t leak, plastic that wouldn’t stain, and glass that wouldn’t break. Most of the containers we tested met at least one of these criteria, but we discovered a few exceptional options that excelled in our thorough and somewhat amusing evaluations. A few even aced our tests with flying colors.

The top food storage containers are as follows:

Best glass food storage containers: Snapware
Another excellent glass set: Glasslock
Top plastic food storage containers: Joseph Joseph Nest Lock
Another good plastic set: Rubbermaid Flex & Seal

Our definition of “food storage container”

The term “food storage container” covers a wide range of products, but for this review, we focused specifically on containers designed for storing leftovers in the refrigerator. While we appreciate items like wide-mouth mason jars, deli containers, and reusable storage bags, we concentrated our testing on transparent glass or plastic containers with flat, plastic lids that create an airtight, leakproof seal.

We excluded kitchen storage containers used for dry goods, such as the Oxo Pop canisters or the new glass storage containers from cookware brand Caraway. We also did not include Caraway’s ceramic-coated glass food storage containers in our official testing, although many of our staff members have used them and don’t particularly favor them. Additionally, we did not assess bento-style containers, insulated stainless-steel containers for keeping food warm, or the inexpensive containers from IKEA, as they did not meet our criteria.

Best glass food storage containers: Snapware

Snapware Total Solution Food Storage Container (24-Piece Set)

Pros

Leakproof lids
Durable plastic
Variety of sizes

Cons

None to mention!

There’s a lot to love about Snapware containers. The 24-piece set is an excellent starting point, offering four different sizes ranging from 1 to 4 cups. Additional larger containers can be purchased individually.

Why we recommend Snapware

Snapware’s food storage containers are crafted from sturdy Pyrex glass that survived drops from counter height onto a tile floor. The plastic latching lids create a truly airtight seal, with four latches on both round and rectangular containers that prevent any liquid from escaping, even when vigorously shaken. The lids feature a fixed silicone gasket, making them easy to hand-wash (though they are also dishwasher-safe), stackable when full, and nestable for convenient storage when not in use.

Although the plastic lids initially absorbed some color and scent from a bold mixture during our testing, we were able to remove these residues entirely by scrubbing with dish soap.

Container material: Pyrex glass
Lid material: Plastic
Lid closure style: Latches
Individual pieces available: Yes
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Another recommended glass container set: Glasslock

Glasslock Food Storage Containers (24-Piece Set)

Pros

Leakproof lids
Stain-resistant lids
Durable glass for the most part

Cons

Latches can be difficult to snap
Glass may chip over time
Gasket traps moisture

Glasslock containers are a close runner-up to the Snapware glass containers. While the glass may not be as durable and the lids can be slightly challenging to close, they remain a solid choice for leakproof glass containers.

Why we recommend Glasslock

The tempered glass withstood multiple drops from counter height to a tile floor, although some chipping occurred over time. In our rigorous leak testing, the locking lids proved to be genuinely leakproof. The plastic lids, each equipped with four latches, appeared to resist staining better than the Snapware lids. Individual pieces are also available for purchase, allowing flexibility without the need to invest in an entire set.

Closing the latches requires significant force, which can strain the glass. Some users have reported chipped glass around the container rim with prolonged use. By ensuring a firm but gentle seal with the lid before latching all four sides, this issue can be mitigated. After washing, we observed that the silicone gasket on the lid retained a notable amount of moisture, potentially leading to mold over time. Some long-term users have encountered this problem after hand-washing their pieces, although this is less of an issue when the lids are cleaned in the dishwasher. While the gasket can be removed for cleaning, many users tend to skip this step, so it’s something to bear in mind if considering this set.

Container material: Tempered glass
Lid material: Plastic
Lid closure style: Latches
Individual pieces available: Yes
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Best plastic food storage containers: Joseph Joseph Nest Lock

Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Food Storage Containers (10-Piece Set)

Pros

Highly leakproof
Attractive containers
Smart nesting design

Cons

Only one of each size
Potential for plastic staining

These plastic containers from Joseph Joseph offer both fun and functionality, unlike the brand’s glass counterparts. They are genuinely leakproof and feature a clever nesting feature when not in use.

Why we recommend Joseph Joseph Nest Lock

During testing, the colorful latching plastic lids remained leakproof, even after multiple drops from counter height onto a tiled kitchen floor. These containers were the only plastic ones that consistently remained tightly closed, regardless of how many times they were dropped. The nesting system for the Joseph Joseph Nest Lock containers is ingeniously designed: the containers nest together, and the lids stack from largest to smallest when stored.

Some staining was observed on the plastic from a “stain soup” mixture used in testing. If you desire multiples of the same size, such as three 4-cup containers, this set may not be the ideal choice.

Container material: Plastic
Lid material: Plastic
Lid closure style: Latches
Individual pieces available: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Another recommended plastic container set: Rubbermaid Flex & Seal

Rubbermaid Flex & Seal Food Storage Set (36 Pieces)

Pros

Leakproof press-on lids
Durable, clear plastic containers
Stain-resistant plastic

Cons

Lids may dislodge if dropped
Availability may be limited

These durable hard plastic containers are crystal clear and resistant to food stains. The press-on silicone lids provide a truly leakproof seal. Given their increasing scarcity since our initial testing of food storage containers a few years ago, we recommend purchasing them while they are still available.

Why we recommend Rubbermaid Flex & Seal

While most high-quality plastic food storage containers feature snap-on locking lids, the Rubbermaid containers utilize flexible silicone lids that press onto the container. After regular use, we found them to be genuinely leakproof, and we were pleasantly surprised that the lids mostly remained in place during our drop tests as well. The hard Tritan plastic containers are transparent and resistant to stains and odors, although some staining was observed on the underside of the lids. The lid system is somewhat universal, as only four lid sizes are needed to fit a variety of container volumes.

The lids may not stay on as securely as those with locking mechanisms, and the Rubbermaid Flex & Seal line may be more challenging to locate compared to when we first tested food storage containers in 2021.

Container material: Tritan plastic
Lid material: Plastic
Lid closure style: Press on
Individual pieces available: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Testing of food storage containers

In addition to evaluating quality and other factors (further details below), we subjected at least one piece from each food storage container set to a series of three tests:

The Drip Test: The containers were filled with water and vigorously shaken over a dry paper towel to assess any water leakage.
The Drop Test: Containers were dropped on the floor to evaluate durability. Glass containers were dropped empty from the counter, while plastic containers were filled with water and dropped multiple times.
The Stain Test: A mixture of garlic tomato sauce and ground turmeric was used to create a “stain soup,” which was stored in the containers upside down overnight in the fridge. The containers were then microwaved, rinsed, and washed to determine stain resistance.

Criteria considered in our evaluation

Food storage containers serve various purposes, including storing leftovers, meal prepping, and serving as lunch boxes. We sought containers with leakproof, airtight seals to prevent food spoilage and odors.

For glass containers, we looked for products that were oven-safe, freezer-safe, and microwave-safe. Plastic lids were evaluated for durability, with a preference for sturdy designs over flimsy ones. If containers featured latches, we assessed ease of use when opening and closing them. While BPA-free plastic is commonly used, we verified this feature as well.

We preferred product lines offering containers in multiple sizes and shapes, with extra points given for sets containing both rectangular and round options. Stackability when in use and nesting capability when not in use were also factors considered in our assessment.

We aimed to recommend containers that were dishwasher-safe to facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance.

Glass food storage containers not recommended

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Containers: While popular, these containers did not prove to be completely leakproof and lacked locking lids.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers: Despite an appealing design, the glass did not pass durability tests, and the lids retained food stains.
FineDine Airtight Glass Food Storage Containers
Joseph Joseph Nest Glass Food Storage Containers: Despite colorful lids, these were not leakproof.
Oxo Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Containers: Although well-made, these containers are pricier due to their borosilicate glass material.
Plastic food storage containers not recommended

Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Storage Containers: Known for stain retention and lid security issues.
Snapware Total Solution Plastic Food Storage Containers
Oxo Good Grips Smart Seal Plastic Containers