The 3 Best Meal Prep Containers of 2025, Tested & Reviewed

The subreddit r/MealPrepSunday is devoted to the art of planning and preparing meals. According to its description, it’s a community of over 5.6 million followers who want “to save time, money, or to get in those gains.” Meal prepping strategies vary depending on your motivation. For families, making and storing a large batch of chili can provide a quick weeknight dinner. For athletes, creating individual pre-portioned meals is a helpful way to plan ahead for adequate nutrition. 

No matter what you’re cooking or why, storage is an essential part of meal prep. The right containers will help keep food fresh (and prevent freezer burn) and efficiently fit into your refrigerator. I put 10 sets of meal prep containers to the test and found three products that meet these requirements. 

The Winners, at a Glance

This set is perfect for preppers who want to pack pre-portioned meals. It includes five identical rectangular containers that stack neatly for simplified storage. Each unit has a capacity of just over four cups (34.67 oz), which is plenty of room for a generous lunch or dinner. The locking lids snap into place, forming a tight, leakproof seal. 

Zwilling’s Fresh & Save system uses a handheld vacuum sealer to remove oxygen and seal lids in place. This airtight design can extend your meals’ shelf life—less oxygen means slower bacterial growth and reduced freezer burn risk. The thick glass bases are oven- and microwave-safe for easy reheating. 

Rubbermaid Brilliance Meal Prep containers are simple, versatile, and effective. The locking lid and rubber gasket create a leakproof seal. This set includes five containers, each with a 3.2 cup capacity—they’re well sized for storing individual lunches or dinners. Priced at around $30, this plastic set is a solid, affordable option.

The Tests

• Meal Storage Test: To test how well they could hold and preserve food, I filled two containers (using different sizes when available) from each set with a portion of pressure cooker lentils and sausage. I stored the containers in my freezer for two days before thawing, reheating, and tasting. I checked for leaks and took note of any freezer burn or off textures. 
• Durability Test: To assess seal integrity, I opened and closed one container from each set 20 times, taking note of any cumbersome features or weak spots. To test material durability, I dropped the containers from waist height onto a wooden surface and checked for any scratches or chips. 
• Stacking Test. For each set, I placed several containers in my refrigerator. I tested several different arrangements, including stacking, to observe how well they fit in the space.
• Leak Test. I filled one container from each set with water, sealed the lid, and gave it 10 vigorous shakes. I checked for any drips during and after shaking. 
• General Use and Cleaning: I cleaned each container according to the manufacturer’s instructions, evaluating it for convenience and checking for signs of wear. I also took note of any features or flaws that affected the user experience throughout the testing process.

What We Learned

Clear Containers Keep Meals Top of Mind 

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, poor visibility is one of the main factors contributing to food waste in homes. If you can’t see what’s in your fridge, you’re more likely to forget about it. Clear containers make it easier to identify your meals. 

Most of the products that I tested, including all of my winners, featured clear glass or plastic bases and lids. With this transparent design, I was able to recognize the contents at a glance. Other containers, like the Bentgo, OXO, and Caraway sets, had opaque bases and see-through lids. This design limits visibility, especially when containers are stacked. 

I Preferred Glass Construction 

Glass containers are more versatile and won’t leach plastics into your meal. The glass Pyrex, Zwilling, and Caraway sets offered the most reheating options—the container bases are both oven and microwave-safe. All of the plastic products I tested were labeled microwave-safe, but multiple studies have indicated that microwaving plastic can release harmful chemicals, even if the product is labeled for microwave use. 

When it comes to wear and tear, glass and plastic both have potential drawbacks—glass can break, and plastic can degrade. The ceramic-coated glass Caraway container was the only product that outright failed the durability test. The candy-colored base shattered as soon as I dropped it. The other glass products—Pyrex, Zwilling, Hold Everything, and PrepNaturals—bounced off the floor without a scratch. 

Sealing Matters—As Does Opening  

A high-quality lid is absolutely essential. A tight seal preserves food by reducing oxygen flow—this slows bacterial growth. If you plan on transporting your meals, the lid is the only thing standing between you and a backpack (or purse) disaster. I loved the lentil and sausage stew I made during testing, but I would be extremely displeased if it leaked inside my bag. 

In my experience, locking lids provide the most peace of mind. Containers like the Hold Everything, Rubbermaid Brilliance, and PrepNaturals use four plastic flaps to keep everything in place—these lids stayed put and resisted leaking, no matter how hard I shook them. The Bento container’s snap-on seal was considerably less effective. The contents leaked during testing, and the lid popped open after jostling around in the freezer. 

Airtight seals presented a different problem. This design, found on the Caraway and Pyrex sets, works like a suction cup. Pressing down on the silicone-lined lid forces air out and compresses the material so that it sticks to the side of the container. Once the lid is sealed in place, removing it can be challenging. Opening the Caraway containers was a two-handed operation—the base and lid edges are flush, so there wasn’t much to grab onto. The Pyrex set was much more manageable. The Pyrex lids include a seam and a silicone handle. Pulling up on the handle lifts the edge of the lid and breaks the seal so that the lid can pop off. 

The Zwilling Fresh & Save containers boasted the most advanced sealing technology. This set uses a handheld vacuum sealer to remove air and lock the lid in place. Lifting the rubber gasket on the lid allows air to flow back in so you can open the container. This design struck a balance between seal strength and comfort. During testing, the Zwilling containers didn’t leak a drop and preserved food texture well.  

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Meal Prep Container 

My favorite meal prep containers are made from durable glass that’s both microwave and oven-safe. They have tight lids that prevent leaks and provide a user-friendly opening experience. For convenient storage, choose a transparent container so that you can identify its contents. 

Our Favorite Meal Prep Containers 

What we liked: The Hold Everything set is extremely practical. These medium-capacity containers are the perfect size for a single-serving meal. Their uniform shape makes it easy to save space by stacking and aligning containers. The locking design keeps the lid in place and prevents leaks.   

What we didn’t like: These containers aren’t large enough to store family-sized meals. Although the shape is perfect for stacking, the glass bottom may slide around if bumped. The silicone gasket can separate from the lid while opening, but it’s easy to pop back into place.  

Key Specs

• Number of pieces: 5 containers, 5 lids 
• Capacity: 34.67 ounces
• Material: Glass base, plastic and silicone lid 
• Lid style: Locking 
• Microwave-safe: Yes, base only 
• Oven-safe: Yes, base only 
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes, lid is top rack safe 

What we liked: The Zwilling Fresh & Save pairs high-quality glass construction with super-sealing power. The ability to remove excess oxygen helps preserve food texture and slow bacterial growth. During testing, stew stored in this set retained a pleasant texture even after freezing and thawing. Containers stay shut—the airtight seal held strong in the fridge and freezer until opened. This set includes size options for both single-serving and batched meals. 

What we didn’t like: These containers aren’t well-suited to storing liquid or powdery food—fine particles or drops can clog the vacuum sealer. During testing, the rubber gasket occasionally popped out when I lifted it to break the seal. The vacuum sealer and containers are sold separately. With a combined cost of $160, this is by far the most expensive product that I tested. 

Key Specs

• Number of pieces: 3
• Capacity:​​ 12, 30, and 68 ounce containers 
• Material: Borosilicate glass base, plastic and rubber lid
• Lid style: Vacuum seal
• Microwave-safe: Yes, base only 
• Oven-safe: Yes, base only 
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes

What we liked: The Rubbermaid Brilliance Meal Prep containers are reliable and affordable—at around $30, they’re by far the least expensive winner. This set is also highly packable. Plastic construction makes each container significantly lighter than glass, and the locking lid snaps firmly into place for transport. 

What we didn’t like: The plastic construction helps make this set lightweight and affordable, but it’s also less durable in the long term.  

Key Specs

• Number of pieces: 5
• Capacity:​​ 25.6 ounces
• Material: BPA-Free plastic, rubber gasket
• Lid style: Locking
• Microwave-safe: Yes 
• Oven-safe: No
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes

The Competition

• Pyrex® Ultimate™ 10-Piece Glass Storage Set: This was my favorite set for its simple but sturdy glass construction, but sadly, it’s been discontinued.
• Rubbermaid Brilliance 2 Compartment Meal Prep Containers: I liked this set’s locking lids, but the divided bases reduce versatility. (If you’re not storing a side and a main, you’re just losing space.) The solid plastic construction also increases contamination risk.  
• Bentgo 20-Piece 1-Compartment Containers: These flimsy, opaque plastic containers didn’t seal well—they leaked during testing and lost their lids in the freezer. 
• PrepNaturals 5 Pack 30 Oz Glass Meal Prep Containers: I liked this set’s durable glass base, but the plastic lid’s seamed latches were a little finicky.  
• OXO Prep & Go 5-Cup Meal Container: I liked this product’s hinged, locking handles. The opaque plastic walls made it difficult to know what was inside, though.
• Caraway Food Storage Set: This set included appealing extras, like a storage rack and detachable silicone handles, but it was the only product to break during testing. 
• Ello 10 Pc BPA Free Plastic Meal Prep Container Set: Fussy lids knocked this colorful set out of contention—the rubber gasket popped out after repeated opening and closing. 

FAQs

Is it better to meal prep in plastic or glass containers?

Using glass containers, like the ones from Zwilling, reduces the risk of contamination. Plastic storage vessels can leach harmful chemicals into food—this risk increases as the material degrades. To limit exposure, avoid heating food in plastic and dispose of scratched or chipped containers.   

What is the healthiest container to store food in?

Choosing a container made from non-toxic, inert materials can help avoid certain health risks. Glass containers are non-reactive and won’t contaminate food with microplastics. 

What are the best quality meal prep containers?

The best meal prep containers have a durable base and a tight-sealing lid. Our favorite products are made from thick glass to reduce contamination risks. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Madeline Muzzi is a writer, editor, and video producer.
• She is a regular contributor to Serious Eats and has written many reviews, including wine decanters and countertop ice makers.
• Madeline has packed and transported over 2,000 lunches. 
• For this review, she tested 10 sets of meal prep containers over the course of two weeks.