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Stock your kitchen with the best food storage containers so you can stay organized and keep your food fresh.
Target; OXO; Lily Alig/Business Insider
Whether you're shopping for the best food storage containers to keep your leftovers fresh, tidy up your pantry, or need meal prep containers for work, finding the perfect set is a challenge. Factors like material, capacity, and lid type all play a role in finding the best kitchen storage.
To help you narrow your list and cut your search in half, we handpicked the most durable, easy-to-clean, and secure containers. Our favorite set is the Pyrex 20-Piece Freshlock Food Storage Set which offers stain-resistant tempered glass containers in two shapes and three sizes. If you're looking to reorganize your pantry staples, the OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Pop Container Set comes with three sizes and two scoops that slot into the container lids.
Best overall: Pyrex 20-Piece Freshlock Food Storage Set — See at Target
Best glass: Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set — See at Amazon
Best plastic: Rubbermaid 10-Piece Brilliance Leak Proof Food Storage Containers — See at Amazon
Best value: Snapware Total Solution 10-Piece Plastic Food Storage — See at Amazon
Best for dry goods: OXO Good Grips 8-Piece Baking Essentials POP Container Set — See at Amazon
Best large: Vtopmart Extra Large Tall Food Storage Containers — See at Amazon
Best overall
Nothing is worse than stubborn food stains and the smell of last night's dinner stuck in your containers. And it seems that no matter how many times you scrub, nothing will lift the sauce stains and food smell. If that's you, we recommend snagging this 20-piece tempered glass Pyrex food storage set.
This set features three small round containers, two medium-sized, two square-shaped containers, and three rectangular containers. With this variety in size and shape, you can store your small sides, snacks, and main courses in the appropriate container. Plus, there's no need to worry about spillage: these glass containers are leak-proof with their airtight, lockable tab lids.
Pieces: Three 1-cup covered rounds, two 4-cup covered rounds, three 2-cup covered squares, and two 4-cup covered squares
Best glass
Rated the best glass food storage container in our meal prep container guide, this 18-piece set includes nine square and rectangular glass containers that are built to withstand frigid freezer temperatures and extreme oven heat. There's no greater glass set.
The containers are on the heavier side, but the pro is that this makes them more durable than other glass options. And if you're tight on storage, these containers are stackable. They're also microwavable-safe and dishwasher-friendly, making cleaning a breeze.
Best plastic
If you're on the hunt for a plastic food container set that doesn't stain from saucy leftovers and is durable enough to last through countless dishwasher cycles, Rubbermaid's 10-Piece Brilliance Leak-Proof Container Set is the best food storage option.
This set features five clear containers ranging in capacity from 1.3 cups to 9.6 cups, all the essential sizes to store your side salads, soups, and meats. With an airtight latch design, your food will stay fresh and intact.
Pieces: Two 1.3-cup covered rectangles, two 3.2-cup covered rectangles, and one 9.6-cup covered rectangle
Best value
When you just need a knock-around, budget-friendly container set to hold your leftovers, we recommend the Snapware 10-piece plastic food storage set. The set includes five 3-cup rectangular plastic containers and latching lids. The lightweight and leak-resistant design makes it great for work lunches and picnics.
This Snapware set may be under $20, but it has the same qualities and capabilities as the other best food storage containers in this guide. So, there is no need to worry about shrinking or bent lids; these are dishwasher- and microwavable-safe.
Pieces: Five 3-cup covered rectangles
Best for dry goods
Whether you crave an aesthetically pleasing pantry or you're on the lookout for the best food storage containers to hold your dry goods, the OXO Pop Containers are perfect for both. Our reporters love the minimal design and construction for dry ingredients, such as two included plastic scoops and wide airtight lids.
Each container is sized for a specific quantity of ingredients, which makes it easy to store dry goods within arm's reach. This set features two small canisters, one medium-sized, two large containers, and two plastic scoops. No more busted bags of sugar or cereal boxes when you can have these stackable containers in your pantry or displayed on your counter.
Pieces: Two 0.4-quart covered squares, one 1-quart covered rectangles, and two 4.4-quart covered rectangles (plus two scoops and one terracotta brown sugar saver)
Best large
These four 5.9-quart containers are excellent for those who shop in bulk and need large enough food containers to store their groceries. In addition to four tall, airtight containers, this set includes four plastic measuring cups, 24 chalkboard labels, and a marker — perfect for pantry organization.
Vtopmart's extra-large containers are also leakproof, so there is no need to worry about disastrous spillage. The containers are dishwasher-friendly, but the brand advises handwashing the lids.
Pieces: Four six-quart covered rectangles
Food storage container FAQs
What size food storage containers do I need?
The size of food storage containers you need varies depending on the type and quantity of food you're storing. For leftovers, we recommend a 5 to 18-piece set like the Glasslock 18-piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set. It includes a variety of container shapes and sizes, which is perfect for storing smaller portions and larger entrées. We like canisters such as the OXO Pop Containers for storing dry goods. These feature wider openings and airtight lids that make them excellent for ingredients like flour and sugar.