The 7 Best Food Storage Containers of 2024
Updated: Mar. 28, 2024
Looking for containers to store leftovers, ingredients and prepared meals? We researched the best food storage containers for your fridge, freezer, pantry and beyond!
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Investing in the best food storage containers is a refrigerator organizing idea that saves money in the long run. Not only do they look sleek, but they maintain an organization system when leftovers and other ingredients start piling up. We researched high-quality keepers for the fridge, freezer and pantry so you don’t have to. Once you’ve stocked up, check out our guide for how to organize your fridge.
What to Look for When Buying Food Storage Containers
When shopping for food storage containers, the options can be overwhelming. To narrow down your choices, take the following key factors into account:
- Material: Food storage containers are commonly made from a variety of materials, including plastic, glass and silicone. Each of these options has its own benefits. For instance, plastic is lightweight and inexpensive while glass is more durable and made without chemicals. Silicone, on the other hand, is often flexible, allowing the containers to be flattened for easy storage.
- Sealing: Another important feature to consider is how the containers seal. If you’re planning to use them for pantry storage, you’ll want containers that have an airtight seal, which keep bugs out and prevent ingredients from going stale. If you’re looking for containers to bring on the go, a leakproof seal is a must-have to keep your lunchbox mess-free.
- Heating: If you’re planning to store leftovers in your containers, look at whether they can be safely heated. Some food storage containers are safe to use in the microwave or even the oven while others may deteriorate if exposed to extreme heat. Additionally, not all containers are safe to put in the freezer or dishwasher, so take this into account as you shop, as well.
- Extra features: Some food storage containers have a basic, no-frills design while others may have features to make them easier to use. A few examples of these extra features include a microwave vent on the lid, multiple compartments for meal prep or accessories, such as a scoop.
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Best Dry Goods Storage Containers
Prepworks ProKeeper Storage Container Set
Keep baking supplies and pantry staples neat and organized with the Prepworks ProKeeper Storage Container Set. It includes six containers with special accessories for flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar (there’s a brown sugar saver!) and powdered sugar. There are also two smaller containers for ingredients of your choice. The airtight seal is just the cherry on top. Here’s why one editor swears by the smart containers.
Pros
- Includes a flour/sugar leveler, brown sugar saver and dusting spoon
- Comes with six stackable containers with measurement markings
- Airtight seals
Cons
- On the pricey side
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Best Glass Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Containers
Rubbermaid is a trusted food storage brand, and its line of Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers is a top choice for multiple reasons. The set includes 18 total food storage containers that come in a variety of sizes, and they’re made from odor- and stain-resistant glass. The locking lids are both airtight and leakproof, and they feature special vents that make them safe to use in the microwave.
The glass bases are oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to use them as cookware if desired. Plus, they can go in the dishwasher and freezer. The modular design can be neatly stacked in your fridge or cupboard, making these containers a breeze to store. For more options, consider these other glass storage containers, too.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of sizes
- Airtight and leakproof design
- Stackable
- Oven-safe
- Has vented lids
Cons
- On the pricey side
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Best Plastic Food Storage Containers
Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic Storage Containers
Budget-friendly and oh so versatile, this set of 10 plastic containers comes with eye-catching lids for color-coding your storage. A variety of sizes is included and the containers (and their lids) nest together for easy storing in between uses. Did we mention they boast leakproof, airtight lids? Whether you use them as fridge or freezer storage, they’re our go-to for preventing spills and keeping food fresh.
Pros
- Have airtight, leakproof lids
- Freezer- and microwave-safe
- Affordable price point
- Containers and lids nest together for storage
Cons
- Plastic is prone to food stains
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Best Silicone Food Storage Containers
Zip Top Silicone Food Storage Bags
If you’re looking for food storage containers that are more flexible—literally—this set of Zip Top Silicone Storage Bags is a smart choice. They’re made from pure, nontoxic silicone that’s free from BPA, PVC and latex, and they come in a set of eight, including three different container shapes.
Unlike some reusable silicone bags, these containers have flat bottoms that allow them to stand up on their own, so they’re easier to fill. They have zip tops, eliminating the need for lids, and the material is safe to put in the microwave, dishwasher and freezer.
Pros
- Made with nontoxic silicone
- Heat- and cold-safe
- Flat bottoms and no need for lids
Cons
- Not leakproof
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Best Airtight Food Storage Containers
OXO Good Grips POP Container Set
The OXO Good Grips POP Containers are extremely popular pantry storage containers. Their unique lids have a button that creates an airtight seal when closed, keeping the jar’s contents fresh for longer. The containers are made from BPA-free plastic, and they’re top-rack dishwasher safe, as well.
The POP Containers come in a variety of sizes, making them ideal for storing baking supplies, rice, coffee and even pasta. They have a stackable design to help save space, and each jar has a convenient fill line to show its maximum fill level.
Pros
- Has an airtight seal button
- Made of BPA-free plastic
- Stackable
- Come in a variety of sizes
- Features a maximum fill line
Cons
- One of the pricier options
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Best Freezer Container
Arrow Home Products Freezer Food Storage Containers
The Arrow Freezer Food Storage Containers are specially designed for use in the freezer, so they’re ideal for anyone who likes to cook big batches soup or stew to eat later on. Made from BPA-free plastic, the semi-flexible material won’t crack when subjected to freezing temperatures.
These containers are available in three sizes, and they’re safe to put in the dishwasher. They’re easy to stack in your freezer, keeping things neat and organized, and you can even write on the lids with a felt pen to conveniently label your food. Consider your hunt for freezer containers for soup done!
Pros
- Designed for cold temperatures
- Made of BPA-free plastic
- Stackable
- Affordable
Cons
- Will need a different container for reheating
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Best Containers for Leftovers
Pyrex Simply Store Food Storage Containers
Pyrex is another well-known food storage brand, and its Simply Store Containers are a smart option for all sorts of leftovers. They’re made from high-quality tempered glass with BPA-free plastic lids, and the containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate all sorts of food.
No matter what leftovers you put in them, these glass containers won’t stain or absorb odors, and they’re also safe to use in the microwave or freezer. You can put them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning, and they’re even backed by a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Won’t stain or absorb odors
- Tempered glass and heat- and cold-safe
- Variety of sizes
- Color-coded lids
- Backed by a warranty
Cons
- The rectangular containers are somewhat shallow
How We Found the Best Food Storage Containers
To find the best food storage containers for every application, we looked at highly rated products from a variety of brands. We evaluated each contender on the categories listed below, looking for products that are versatile, durable and easy to use. We sorted through dozens of user reviews to get a sense of how each item performs in real life, sorting our top picks into categories based on their features and intended use.
Evaluation Criteria
- Overall design
- Durability
- Size and shape
- Versatility
- Price
FAQ
How do you organize food storage containers?
There’s a few different storage options for organizing food containers. Though snapping the lids onto the containers and stacking them by shape is an option, it’s helpful to corral the containers and lids in one large bin (especially if you have quite a few). Or invest in a container lid organizer and stack the containers by shape for more compact storage.
How many food storage containers do I need?
A good rule of thumb is 10 to 20, but the answer really depends on the size of your household. Take into consideration the types of containers you need versus how many. For example, if your baking ingredients tend to overflow in the pantry, it’s time to consider dry goods storage containers. If you cook a lot of weeknight dinners, opt for a medium-to-large set of glass or plastic food storage containers. Whatever you choose, it’s a good idea to have a mix of fridge and pantry containers.
Originally Published: July 11, 2022
