The 7 Best Food Storage Containers of 2023
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
The Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Set lives up to its name
People / Greg DuPree
Whether you prefer a neat pantry like Courteney Cox channeling her hyper-organized character on “Friends” or just want to keep your leftovers around a bit longer, you’ve likely wondered what the best food storage containers are to do the job. There are many affordable options available that offer a tight seal to lock in freshness, but when it comes down to choosing between glass and plastic, it all depends on your preferences and your food storage needs.
Abigail Hitchcock, chef and owner of Abigail’s Kitchen in New York, NY, says in a professional kitchen, plastic food containers are hands-down the best choice because glass can shatter. But for home use, Hitchcock says, “I do like the idea of using glass because I feel that it’s something you can heat stuff up and it’s not going to melt and it’s probably not going to get into your food.” (This is an issue with plastic containers, though note that all of the plastic containers on the list are BPA-free.) Still, she notes that glass is much heavier than plastic. Ideally, whatever food containers you choose, they should stack for even easier storage.
Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 21 food storage containers, including 15 plastic containers and 6 that were made from either glass or ceramic. They searched for the best food storage containers based on capacity, ease of cleaning and maintenance, design, and performance, especially when it came to airtight lids that prevented leaks.
Keep reading for the best food storage containers that PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set
Pros
Includes a range of container sizes
Made from thick, durable plastic
Easy-open lid design
No staining or smells after washing
Cons
Pricier than Rubbermaid’s everyday storage containers
The full set options may not be necessary if you only need large canisters
After testing more than 20 types of plastic and glass food storage containers, the Rubbermaid Brilliance set wins the top spot on our list. Rubbermaid has long been a trusted brand for the household, and its reputation for excellent kitchen storage continues with this set of modular plastic food storage containers. The Brilliance line from Rubbermaid is sold at a higher price point than most other containers from the brand, but we think they're well worth it.
Our testers loved the variety of container sizes in this set. There are 10 containers ranging from large enough for spaghetti and cereal to medium size for flour and sugar to small size for nuts and candy. Even if you don’t use the tiniest ones — they’re good for herbs and spices — this Rubbermaid set is an incredible value.
These aren’t the thinner Rubbermaid containers that might already be your go-to for keeping dinner leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. The walls of these food storage containers are much thicker, and the snap-on lids ensure an airtight seal. In fact, our testers said you could see the tightness of the seal, and there were no leaks. You won’t have to break a sweat trying to reopen these containers, though, thanks to a handy lip that makes it easy to break the seal. Above all, these containers wash up beautifully — there were no stains or smells that lingered after it was filled with a tomato sauce and onion mixture.
Material: Plastic | Number of Sets: 10 | Closure Type: Snap | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | BPA-Free: Yes
Best Airtight: Better Homes & Gardens Flip-Tite Canisters
Pros
Various sizes included
Different size containers easily stack on top of each other
Easy-open lid design
Cons
Only holds dry goods, so will not be feasible for liquids
“Cute” might not be the first word that comes to mind when it comes to food storage containers, but it did for our testers. This set of four containers — 6.5 cups, 10.1 cups, 16 cups, and 19.4 cups in size — are all square, making them super easy to stack on your counter, in a cabinet, or in your pantry. They’re clear, so you can easily see what’s inside, or you can add your own labels if you choose.
Our testers loved the ease of the flip-buckle lid — kind of like popping open a can — that seals in food for freshness. Despite the strong seal, these are marketed as storage for dry food, so keep your pasta, pretzels, and sugar in these and find something else to store sauces or other liquids. The manufacturer cautions not to carry these by the lid, so be careful when you have to move them around your kitchen while they’re packed full.
Material: Plastic; silicone seal | Number of Sets: 4 | Closure Type: Flip buckle | Dishwasher Safe: Yes for container and lid; hand-wash silicone seal | BPA-Free: Yes
Best for Cereal: PrepWorks by Progressive Large Cereal Keeper
Pros
Ergonomic grip makes it easy to pour
Also great for storing sugar or flour
Easy to refill
Cons
More expensive per container than others on the list
If you like your cornflakes to remain crispy as they should be, you’ll want to keep them in this plastic food storage container from PrepWorks.
Pouring cereal from a cardboard box might not be the hardest chore, but there’s an ergonomic hand grip that makes it even easier to fill a bowl when you’re bleary-eyed in the morning. There’s two openings — one for pouring the cereal out and one for filling it from the box — that seal airtight.
While it’s made for cereal, our testers found that it could be good for storing other dry ingredients in bulk, like sugar or flour. It’s rather pricey, in fact, just to be used as cereal storage, so if you’re looking for something more or that can do double-duty for food storage, try another item on our list. Still, if nothing gets in between you and your breakfast routine, this is worthy of a spot in your pantry.
Material: Plastic and silicone | Number of Sets: 1 | Closure Type: Snaps | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | BPA-Free: Yes
Related: The 7 Best Dog Food Storage Containers of 2023, Tested & Reviewed
Best Set: Chef's Path Airtight Food Storage Container Set
Pros
Comes with a chalkboard marker and reusable labels for easy organization
Includes a set of measuring spoons
Easily stack on top of each other
Cons
If all four lid hinges aren't locked, you may experience spillage
If you’ve coveted perfectly organized drawers, a pantry, and kitchen cabinets complete with neatly labeled food storage containers, then purchase this set from Chef’s Path, which comes with a chalkboard marker and reusable labels. It comes with a whopping 14 clear plastic containers — the highest on our list — with lids that form an airtight and a watertight seal when you pop the four hinge locks into place. We love that these containers are square, so they’re easy to stack on top of each other.
Our testers found a slight leak the first time they shook it during the shake test, but it was fine after that, even though one of the hinges did come undone. For that reason, you’ll want to move and store these carefully, especially if you’re using them to store sauce and other liquids, though the manufacturer does note that these are best for dry foods. In fact, the set comes with a colorful set of measuring spoons, making these containers perfect for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt.
Material: Plastic | Number of Sets: 14 | Closure Type: 4-hinge lock | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | BPA-Free: Yes
Best Large: Vtopmart Large Food Storage Containers
Pros
Larger capacity than many others on our list
Stores both dry and liquid foods without leakage, making them super versatile
Easy to stack and store on top of each other
Cons
Only one size of containers included, so you may need to order more in smaller sizes
If you want your food storage to be large and in charge of your kitchen, look no further than this set of four from Vtopmart. This set contains four identical containers 7.5 x 7.5 x 9.1 inches in size (176 oz. capacity) so you can store an abundance of baking supplies and other dry kitchen goods. These square stackable containers are secured by a four-hinge lid that locks into place for an airtight seal.
Though the manufacturer recommends them for dry good storage, they passed our leak test. Even when dropped, just one of the hinges came undone, so you’re likely looking at a bit of spillage rather than a full-on kitchen catastrophe. The only downside — if you can consider it one — is that you might not need four huge containers. There are other sets from Vtopmart that allow you to scale up or down in size, but they also come as identical sets, so you’ll have to do more purchasing if you’re wanting to mix and match to meet your storage needs.
Material: Plastic | Number of Sets: 4 | Closure Type: 4-hinge lock | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | BPA-Free: Yes
Related: The 4 Best Food Dehydrators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Ceramic: Crate & Barrel Aspen White Ceramic Canisters with Scoop
Pros
More aesthetically pleasing meaning you can keep them out on the counter
Includes scoops for easy access to dry ingredients
Cons
Lids are hand wash only
Clear glass and plastic storage containers certainly have their usefulness, but sometimes you want something that looks a little prettier for your pantry. These bright white ceramic canisters from Crate & Barrel offer an old-school kitchen vibe might actually make you clear room on your counter to keep these on display. There’s even a slot to keep a shiny stainless steel tablespoon (included) at the ready to scoop dry ingredients.
These stoneware canisters are covered up by natural wood lids. They don’t lock in place like others on this list do, but they did pass our leak test, so they are snug enough to keep coffee fresh (for your cold-brew coffee maker), as well as sugar, flour, and other dry kitchen staples. The container is glazed and easy to keep clean with soap and water or in the dishwasher (top rack to be safe), but you’ll have to use a damp cloth only for the wooden lid.
Material: Glazed stoneware; hardwood lids | Number of Sets: 1 | Closure Type: Lid | Dishwasher Safe: Container is dishwasher safe; wipe lid with damp cloth
Best Glass: Le'raze Glass Kitchen Canisters with Airtight Bamboo Lid
Pros
More aesthetically pleasing than plastic containers
Forms a tight seal when closed thanks to silicone ring
Technically stackable
Cons
Easier to break since they're glass
Lids are hand wash only
Mark this one down as another set of food storage containers that you won’t want to put behind a closed cabinet or pantry door. The glass is clear, but the natural wood of the bamboo lid offsets attractively. They are stackable, but being that they are made from glass, you’ll want to tread carefully with how you store them, especially if you do plan to have them out on the counter.
Though these lids do not lock in place like they do on the plastic storage containers on our list, they do form an airtight seal thanks to the silicone ring surrounding the base of the lid. It’s best to hand wash the lids though our testers did run it through the dishwasher and it came out just fine. There was some container leakage during the shake test, but to be fair, the manufacturer does recommend this set for dry goods, not liquids.
Material: Glass | Number of Sets: 5 | Closure Type: Silicone ring for airtight seal | Dishwasher Safe: Containers are dishwasher safe; hand wash lid with warm soapy water | BPA-Free: Yes
Related: The 9 Best Dutch Ovens of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Things to Consider Before Buying a Food Storage Container
Material
Whether you choose glass or plastic largely comes down to preference. Glass can break or shatter, so plastic is safer in that aspect. However, glass is non-porous, so it won’t absorb food odors like plastic. It can also withstand heat without warping or melting — an important feature to consider if you plan to put your food storage containers in the dishwasher or microwave.
Number of sets
This is also a matter of preference. More food storage containers would likely seem better to have than fewer, but it also comes down to the size of the containers themselves. Look for sets that have numerous storage containers in sizes that you’ll actually use — variety sets often look like a great deal, but not if the containers are too small/big for your needs. If you do happen to be looking for a bunch of different containers, we recommend Chef's Path Airtight Food Storage Containers with Lids which contains 14 sets of containers and lids.
Closure type
An airtight seal is the key to preserving food. No matter what type of food storage container you purchase, you’ll want to make sure the lid snaps on snugly and firmly to keep the contents fresh. The Rubbermaid Brilliance 10-Piece Pantry Set received high marks when it came to sealing in food, both dry and liquid forms.
Dishwasher safe
A dishwasher makes kitchen cleanup much easier. Glass is usually fine for the dishwasher, but be sure to read manufacturer’s guidelines before putting in any plastic containers (top rack usually preferred). Otherwise, the high heat could warp the plastic, and you’ll have a tough time getting the lid to create a good seal.
Keep in mind that any items with wooden accents should be hand washed only, such as the bamboo lids from the Le'Raze Glass Kitchen Canisters.
BPA-free
BPA stands for bisphenol A, a chemical that was often used to make plastics since the 1950s that is known for being toxic. When plastic containers are made with BPA, you run the risk of the chemicals leaching into whatever food or liquid you have stored in them. All of the plastic food storage containers that made our list are BPA-free.
People / Greg DuPree
How We Tested
Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 15 plastic and 6 glass or ceramic food storage containers.
For the glass and ceramic containers, They evaluated the glass and ceramic containers by testing out the dryness of brown sugar after it was stored for four days. They also tested for stains and odors by filling the containers with one cup of tomato sauce and one cup of chopped yellow onion and analyzing the results after three days. Finally, they did a splash test to test the airtight seal by filling the containers with a cup of water dyed with blue food coloring. They sealed each one, wrapped it in a white towel, and shook vigorously for 10 seconds, then examined the towel for blue stains.
For the plastic containers, our in-house testers repeated the smell/stain test and the splash test but they also ran a shatter/spill test. They bravely knocked a filled container from the top of a counter onto a tarp-covered floor and recording whether the lid popped off and a mess ensued.
Our PEOPLE Tested team made their final decisions based on these performance as well as features like capacity, ease of cleaning, and design.
People / Greg DuPree
Frequently Asked Questions
Are glass containers better than plastic for food storage?
While glass can certainly crack or shatter if dropped, it is also better for heating up food without worrying about chemicals leaking into your leftovers.
What type of glass is best for food storage?
Tempered glass is usually the best option for food storage. It’s affordable, heat-resistant, and has a better chance of staying intact if dropped or knocked against something.
Which type of plastic is best for food storage?
Look for plastics marked 1, 2, 4, and 5 — and avoid those marked 3, 6, and 7 — as safe storage for food. Plastics designated as 3, 6, and 7 are made with chemicals — including BPA — that could be toxic if they leach into the food you are storing.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer who specializes in real estate, home improvement, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Health.com, Forbes Advisor, BELLA Magazine, and more. To curate this list of the best food storage containers, she considered testers' insight on smell, stain, and splash tests on both glass and plastic options and on how the containers held up overall. We also consulted Abigail Hitchcock, chef and owner of Abigail’s Kitchen in New York, NY, who weighed in on which type of container is best.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
Want more product recommendations? Check out all of our People Tested content.
Related: The 8 Best Reusable Straws of 2023 for Every Type of Drink
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
