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Whether you're storing dry food or freezing meals long-term, these picks won't disappoint.

We updated this story in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product. The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab has added six new picks from Zwilling, Ball, Hydro Flask and more.

It’s easy to have a love/hate relationship with food storage containers. They can feel cheap and flimsy, the lids are often impossible to find and the sets can feel like they take up a whole cabinet. But a good food storage container makes all the difference: You can neatly refrigerate meal-prepped servings, take healthy lunch leftovers to work, reheat and even serve food out of some. A good storage container should have a tight seal — and even better if it’s leakproof for food like soup. We like ones that can be stored easily and stack on top of each other with little risk of slipping.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test food storage containers to ensure they have a tight seal, leakproof and won't stain with use — tomato sauce featured heavily in our tests. We also test how they hold up in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher if they’re designed to do so. Over the years, experts in the Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab have tested over 80 food storage containers from top-rated brands such as Pyrex, Rubbermaid and OXO.

Our favorite picks below include an array of plastic and glass containers, plus silicone bags intended to replace disposable baggies. Here are the top food storage containers, including Lab-tested and highly rated picks from brands we trust.

Brilliant for many reasons, these food storage containers are completely see-through (aside from the seal), stack easily and are perfect for taking on the go since they're light and sturdy. We microwaved spaghetti sauce to test stain resistance, and only faint marks were left behind compared to other plastic containers we tested. The set features a tight seal that snaps closed for extra protection but also provides ventilation when unsnapped, which made reheating a breeze. They come in an assortment of sets and sizes, and some containers come with removable dividers, which make meal prepping and lunch packing easy.

• Material: Plastic • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

These lock lid containers from Snapware are stackable, help keep your refrigerator organized and are a good value for just under $15. We were impressed by how well it performed during our shake test, only losing a small amount of water. It held up during our microwave test but we noticed stains after reheating pasta sauce which is common with plastic containers. In our previous testing, we also tried the Snapware's Total Solution Glass line and if you're looking for containers that will keep food fresh for a long time, (say, if you're putting meals in the freezer for long-term storage), you may want to opt for those as they're less prone to staining. Just keep in mind that the locking lids are still plastic, so when you microwave, use plastic wrap as a barrier to avoid staining. • Material: Plastic • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

OXO's well-known POP containers can be closed with one hand — simply press the button down to form a tight seal. The lids are slim, easier to clean and dishwasher safe. Some also come with accessories like half-cup scoops that attach to the underside of the lid so you always have a dedicated one on hand for measuring dry goods. This baking set comes with containers designed to perfectly fit 5-pound bags of flour and sugar, as well as a 1-pound box of brown sugar. The brown sugar container comes with a terra cotta brown sugar saver that will prevent the sugar from hardening. The POP containers stack neatly and securely, allowing you to easily keep track of necessary refills. In our Lab, we tested the 1-quart size and loved how well it held up in the dishwasher. We also tested the 1-quart version with a stainless steel lid, and while these lids are not dishwasher safe, hand washing was a breeze and the bases can be thrown in the dishwasher.

• Material: Plastic • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: No • Microwave-safe: No

These containers earned top scores in our test for keeping air out (and that means keeping freshness in). The bases are made of glass and can be used in the oven up to 425ºF. The lids are see-through and have a flexible edge that won't crack over time, and though we did see slight denting after several high-heat dishwasher cycles, we were able to pop them right back into place. The lids are textured and the lip on the side helps with opening and sealing, but they aren't the best for holding large amounts of liquid as we saw water loss during both our shake and overnight leakage tests.

• Material: Glass with plastic lids • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

The Joseph Joseph Nest Storage containers are great if you're concerned about space. This line features nested containers and nested lids, so when you put them away, you only have to clear space for the largest-sized container. The lids snap onto the containers to create a tight seal, though we found leaking during our testing and wouldn't recommend them for liquids. Similar to other plastic containers we tested, these are prone to staining if used with highly pigmented foods. The larger sizes are great for batch cooking.

• Material: Plastic • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

The shapes in this set stand out for their versatility. They can be used for a variety of storage needs or taken on the go. They stack neatly and take up less room thanks to their straight sides. The containers nest, and their lids are slim for easy storage. Pyrex containers can be used in the oven, which makes them great for reheating leftovers, crisping small servings or using in the air fryer or toaster oven. In our dishwasher test, we ran each 4-cup round container and 3-cup rectangular container through the dishwasher five times. We found that the lids can get slightly deformed after multiple cycles which may lead to leaking if storing liquids.

• Material: Glass with plastic lids • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes, without lid

Zwilling may be known for their cutlery, but the German knife makers have expanded into the world of food vacuum sealing. The vacuum seal containers are easy to use and help keep your leftovers airtight. The vacuum sealer is compact and attaches to the lid of the container to seal it with the press of a button. When you’re ready to open the container, push the silicone button on the lid to release the air. This model was a top performer during our leak tests, and once sealed properly the lid didn't budge. It held up very nicely when run through the dishwasher, and we were impressed by how thick and durable the glass was.

• Material: Glass container with plastic lid; plastic food storage bags • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

If you like your plastic baggies, you'll love Stasher reusable bags. They're made of thick, but flexible silicone that's transparent and comes in an assortment of colors and sizes. They seal and open easily. When we tested them at home, they kept herbs wrapped in a damp paper towel fresh for weeks, and we didn't have to shuffle everything around in our fridge to make room for them — they take up minimal space. Stasher bags are freezer-, microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe and can even be used in boiling water for cooking sous vide! We did notice staining during our in-Lab tomato sauce testing so keep that in mind when storing pigmented foods.

• Material: Silicone • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

These twist and seal food storage containers are a favorite in the Kitchen Appliances Lab and have kept food items fresh in our pantry for months. The silicone seal helps keep air out, which is ideal for storing pasta, flour and other dry goods while the rounded edges allow for easy pouring. The whole container isn't dishwasher safe, but the top can be separated and hand washed. The square shape and design make stacking a breeze and range in sizes from .5qt to 4.2qt. When testing, we noticed that the twist-to-lock top and release buttons may be tricky for some people to grab and use.

• Material: Plastic • Dishwasher-safe: Base is top-rack dishwasher safe, the lid is not • Freezer-safe: No • Microwave-safe: No

These glass canning jars are just under $2 each and can hold pasta sauces, preserve fruits and vegetables or store dry foods. The wide mouth jars allow for easier access when adding foods, while the cap and lid keep liquids from spilling. During our test, we were impressed that the ball jars didn’t leak at all even after being left upsidedown for 24-hours. Available in a variety of sizes these can be used for arts and crafts or storage for other small items. The lids rust over time but can be ordered separately if replacements are needed, and always remember to keep ½” of space when filling the jars to make room for expansion if you're canning or freezing.

• Material: Glass with metal lids • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: No • Microwave-safe: No

These insulated food jars from Hydro Flask are not only stylish but are the perfect size for transporting hot and cold foods — they’re available in 12-, 20- and 28-ounce jars. A top performer in our cleanability test, the jars showed no signs of damage after multiple runs on high heat in the dishwasher. The screw-on top keeps these containers sealed tightly — after multiple shake tests, this container barely lost any liquid. While we haven't tested the insulation on this particular style, yet — according to the brand the TempShield technology helps keep hot foods hot and cold food cold.

• Material: Alloy steel • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: No • Microwave-safe: No

We love that the Neat Stack lunch containers can be stored in your cabinets without taking up too much space. The nesting set comes with five containers in various sizes to hold anything from ½ cups of fruit to whole meals and comes with a freezer pack that can attach to the large lids to help keep your lunch cold when traveling. Each size container is color-coded and has engraved cup sizes for each, including 5-cup, 3-cup and ½-cup versions, great for portioning during meal prep. Several containers share the same lid size, so there's less fumbling for the right match. We did notice staining during our freezer to microwave test so keep that in mind when heating pigment-rich foods.

• Material: Plastic • Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top-rack dishwasher safe • Freezer-safe: Yes • Microwave-safe: Yes

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of kitchen gear, from air fryers to chef's knives to food storage containers. In our most recent food storage container test, conducted in May 2022, we tested 21 container brands to evaluate performance and ease of use.

✔️ Performance: To evaluate performance, we looked at leakage and how tight the seal was. For leakage testing, we filled each container with water to its maximum capacity and weighed how much was lost after vigorously shaking for one minute. Then, we refilled each container with water and left them upside down for 24 hours to see how much they retained.

✔️ Ease of Use: We evaluated ease of use by observing how well each container held up in the dishwasher as well as how it performed in the freezer and microwave. For each dishwasher-safe container, we performed over 10 hours of washing on the highest heat and water cycle to evaluate disfiguration and record any damages that occur during each cleaning cycle. For all containers that couldn’t be put in the dishwasher, we performed multiple hand-washes.

During our freezer-to-microwave testing, we used more than 25 24-ounce jars of traditional pasta sauce to see how well each container performed in the freezer and then in the microwave. We assessed staining, damage and how well they cleaned.

When shopping for food storage containers, the below features are important to keep in mind to find the best performing set for your home:

✔️Material: Glass and plastic are two of the most common food storage options. Glass can often be used in the oven, while plastic cannot. The trade-off is that glass is heavier and can break, which doesn’t make it the best for taking on the go. Though most plastic is now BPA-free and perfectly safe for food storage, some consumers still prefer glass to avoid any possibility of chemical leaching. Plastic containers are also prone to staining when storing highly pigmented foods; glass is not.

✔️Shape: Look for containers with straight edges versus flared to avoid hogging unnecessary room in your fridge and cabinets.

✔️Lids: A lid that doesn’t seal is a dealbreaker. Some simply press down to close while others have clasps on the sides. We tend to prefer lids without clasps because they’re thinner and store more easily, but it's worth noting that the clasps offer an extra source of leak protection.

Raena Loper is the Product and Reviews Updates Editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering home, textiles, wellness, tech, outdoors and more. Raena worked closely with the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute to gather and analyze all testing data collected for food storage containers conducted in the most recent tests.

Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014 though she started using them all when she started cooking at 12 years old. She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer.