The best meal prep containers for food storage and organization

Best overall

Prepping individual meals is a cinch with this 10-piece set from Rubbermaid. It includes five two-compartment bases and lids that close with a rubber gasket and snap closure, ensuring an air-tight and leakproof seal. The lids and bases are clear, allowing you to easily see what's inside.

This set has just the right amount of pieces for making lunches every day of the work or school week, but you can also supplement it with additional pieces from the Brilliance series. Thanks to built-in vents, you can use these containers in the microwave. To clean, wash them by hand or put them into the top rack of your dishwasher, but be sure to dry them thoroughly before storing in order to prevent mold and mildewing.

Best glass

For anyone who eschews plastic, this set from Glasslock is a tried-and-true favorite. Featuring nine assorted pieces, it's a great set for storing batch-prepped veggies and proteins. Pieces include rectangular containers, square containers, and round options, ranging from less than a cup to 6-cup capacities.

The glass bases are safe to use in the refrigerator, freezer, and microwave, and have the added bonus of also being oven-safe. The lids snap on securely and have a rubber gasket closure. A drawback to these containers is that they are somewhat hefty and can be a challenge to store if you're limited on space, but you can use them for years with minimal signs of wear. They're dishwasher safe for easy cleaning — just be sure to dry the lids completely and check every so often to see if the gaskets need to be cleaned.

Best freezable

Containers for the freezer should be air-tight, leakproof, and easy to identify — this set from Snapware covers all the bases. These lightweight containers are made from BPA-free plastic and feature lids that snap closed to keep contents secure. They are safe for the freezer, microwave, and top-rack dishwasher for no-hassle cleanup.

The set consists of 20 assorted pieces, two each of 8.5-cup, 5.5-cup, 4-cup, 3-cup, and 1.2-cup containers with their lids. The lids have a built-in space to write the date or contents using a grease pencil (a dry-erase marker works, too). The containers nest and lids stack for compact storage, making them an excellent choice for those who have limited space.

Best for lunch box

This set of three food storage containers has the added bonus of dividers, allowing you to portion out different foods without them touching. You can't adjust the dividers, but that just makes these containers even better for lunch box meal prep. Made of sturdy borosilicate glass, the PrepNaturals containers can be used in the freezer, microwave, and oven (up to temperatures exceeding 600 degrees F).

You can stack the containers if you're prepping multiple meals at once or freezing future dinners. One of our favorite features is the cutlery tucked inside the lid. A plastic knife and fork slot into a lid compartment without unsettling any of the container's contents.

Best microwave

Three compartments in each of these storage containers mean you can fit an entree and two sides, a sandwich and two snacks, or whatever combination you have in mind. Lightweight and affordable, they can also be used in the microwave as they're heat-safe to 248 degrees F — just be sure to remove the lids first.

We do have to caution that these meal prep containers are not entirely leakproof, so you'll want to keep them upright, especially if you're carrying anything particularly saucy. They also require hand washing, but the design is very easy to clean with mild dish soap and warm water. They're available in sets of four or eight and can be stacked easily for efficient storage.

Best bento box

This Japanese-style lunchbox is a smart pick for those who like a beautifully presented meal on the go. Two generously sized containers stack together, giving you up to 80 ounces of food storage. Each container has a silicone-sealed lid and a built-in air plug that can be vented for microwave heating. An adjustable and removable divider lets you separate foods from each other (think salad and a side of fruit or entrée and rice).

Additionally, this set includes utensils under the top compartment, as well as a small container for garnishes or sauces that you want to keep separate. The box and utensils can be placed in the dishwasher, but are also easily washed by hand with mild dish soap, warm water, and a non-abrasive scrubber.

Best insulated

If you want to pack your meals and won't have regular access to a refrigerator, this insulated lunch box is a game changer. The set includes six snap-lock containers (four 2.5-cup and two 1.5-cup sizes), which means plenty of room to store multiple meals and snacks at once. It also includes two extra-large ice packs, a shaker bottle, and a pill container that can be used to store vitamins, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and other supplements.

The outer bag is double insulated, has heavy-duty zip closures, and features an adjustable shoulder strap and an external pocket for additional storage. The food containers are BPA-free and freezer, microwave, and top-rack dishwasher-safe, making for easy cleanup.

Best in bulk

If you're meal-prepping in bulk, this 60-piece set from Bentgo is a solid pick. It comes with 10 lidded pieces each of one, two, or three compartments. Made of BPA-free polypropylene, they are safe to use in the freezer and microwave (just lift the corner of the lid to vent it before heating).

The lightweight construction makes them easy to carry around, but they are not completely leakproof so avoid jostling them too much. They're top-rack dishwasher safe, though the brand recommends hand washing. This set is available in pastel colors or solid black, and it also comes with downloadable recipes for more meal prep ideas.

Best for snacks

When you're portioning out snack-size servings, this glass set comes in clutch. While they are primarily designed for homemade baby food, you can pack up to four ounces of pre-cut fruit, apple sauce, yogurt, or whatever else you want in small portions. The lids have a silicone ring, making the containers leakproof and airtight to help food stay fresh for longer.

The containers have engraved scale marks for you to accurately measure their contents, and the set comes with a marker to write dates, contents, or names on the lid for easy identification. These can be used in the microwave (without their lids) or kept in the freezer. They're also completely dishwasher safe, and they come in a set of 16 so you'll have plenty of pieces on hand at all times.

What to look for in meal prep containers

Material: When it comes to meal prep containers, you typically have two widely available choices: glass or plastic. Glass tends to be sturdier and easier to clean since it can almost all be placed into the dishwasher, but the containers are relatively heavy and less durable. Plastic containers are lighter in weight, and you don't have to worry about knocking them around, but they don't typically last as long as glass versions.

Size: The ideal container size will depend on how you prep your foods for storage. If you're planning on portioning food out before storing it, you may want a set of uniform containers so you can grab prepared meals and go. If you prefer batch prepping and taking what you need as you go, you can opt for larger containers of varying sizes to accommodate your different foods.

Versatility: Aside from a container's construction, you'll also want to consider how you'll be using it. If you need to freeze foods, make sure your containers have an airtight seal to prevent freezer burn. Foods that need to be reheated should be stored in containers meant to withstand microwaving or even oven use. Containers for soups, sauces, and other foods with a high liquid content should be leakproof to prevent unwanted spills and messes.

Meal prep container FAQs

Should I use plastic or metal containers?

This comes down to personal preference, as they are both excellent materials for food storage. Note that food stored in metal containers may have to be transferred to another vessel for reheating via microwave.

How do I clean meal prep containers?

It depends on the material and construction of your containers. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning, but when in doubt, stick to hand washing with mild dish detergent and a non-abrasive scrubber. Be sure to thoroughly dry the containers before storing them to prevent any mold or mildew from forming.