The Top 26 Best Food Storage Containers

Whether you're bringing lunch to work in an old takeout quart container, storing leftovers after a big meal in a matching set of snap-top plastic bowls, or packing a dish for a potluck dinner in oven-safe glass, food storage solutions are a necessity in every kitchen. They come in all shapes and sizes, all materials and price ranges, and the options can be overwhelming. That's why we set out to find the top contenders in the world of food containers. Find out how we tested the containers here.

Soup, salad, and reusable spork live together in these dual-sided containers from Thermos. Perfect for days when you're out of range of a microwave or refrigerator, the insulated side keeps hot food hot for up to five hours (even when stored in the refrigerator) and the other half keeps cold food cold for up to seven hours. Convenience will cost you: neither side is microwavable nor dishwasher safe, and the price is more than we wanted to spend on a container. ($29.99)

Although they're not leak-proof, snacks and lunch sit side by side without mingling flavors in these fun (yet pricey) Bentgo bento boxes that also include reusable plastic cutlery. ($14.99)

Store in unmoving environments like the refrigerator, or fill these containers with non-liquids, as they're prone to leakage. On the bright side, even tomato sauce won't stain the glass containers.($19.99 set of 3 sizes from Crate & Barrel)

Store dressing with the ever-popular Mason jar salad in these leak-proof containers, but beware of dropping. In our tests, the top and dressing container detached and made a mess. ($12.99)

An overall good performer, the Anchor TrueSeals survived the drop test with just a bit of leakage. Fear not if the stain-resistant (BPA-free) glass breaks, because there's a five year limited warranty that will offset the higher-than-average cost of the containers. ($10.08)

Though they didn't survive the drop test, you'll be able to send friends and family home with leftovers in these cost-effective Ziploc food storage containers without worrying about getting them back. ($3.00 set of 2)

Brown bag lunchers, rejoice: The Aladdin collapsible bowls can be stored flat and are pretty much leak-proof, meaning you can bring your lunch to work and go out for drinks after hours without carrying around bulky food containers. The down side? They're sometimes a bit difficult to open and close. ($19.99 for 3)

Interlocking lids mean you won't have cabinets full of mismatched food storage containers, but the Glad Tall Entrée containers do best with non-liquids or in an unshaken environment as they're prone to leaking. ($4.00 set of 3)

The classic Weck jars with a glass lid, sealed with rubber rings and metal clamps, are slightly less expensive than the Keep-Fresh Cover, and boast an almost perfectly leak-proof lid. While the containers are dishwasher- and microwave-friendly, the lids are not. ($3.50)

A lot of food storage containers look the same, but Glad MatchWare is color coded so you'll always be able to find the correct lid. Plus, each lid fits on several different size containers. These containers are a great bang for your buck, so you probably won't mind if they don't survive your own version of the drop test and end up in the garbage like they did after our drop test. ($4.00 set of 4)

The square shape of these Ziploc containers makes for easy storage in cabinets as well as stackability in the refrigerator. Measurement lines on the outside of the container help you master portion control, but these inexpensive containers are not built for durability. ($3.00 set of 4)

Freezer, oven, dishwasher, and microwave safe, these silicone bowls are fairly leak-proof and take up almost no space in your cabinets. ($11.95 from Crate & Barrel)

These glass canisters are great for storing dry good. The silicone lid keeps contents fresh. ($19.95 from Crate & Barrel)

Weck's delicately designed canning jars are multifunctional when you top them with a plastic lid instead of the slightly clumsier standard glass lid sealed with rubber rings and metal clamps. The Keep-Fresh cover allows for freezing, but while the containers are dishwasher- and microwave-friendly, the lids are not. ($4.35)

Bowls that collapse to one-third of their size are a prayer answered by Prepworks for small apartment kitchen cabinets. ($19.99 set of 3)

Multicolored silicone sleeves are more than just a bright accessory on Lifefactory containers: They allow for safe transfer of these storage containers into the oven, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher, plus the added bonus of passing the drop test from almost any height. ($19.99)

Pretty much leak-proof and as indestructible as glass can be, Ball jars are perfect for transporting everything from soup to nuts, though they take up a significant amount of storage space and aren't microwave- or freezer-friendly. ($1.16)

An all-around good food storage choice, the Joseph Joseph containers have color coded tops and bottoms for simple pairing and interlocking lids for easy storage. ($10.00 set of 4)

A popular choice for a reason, these Rubbermaid food storage containers come in large, inexpensive sets from retailers like Walmart and do well in all tests across the board, though you may want to keep them upright if you're storing liquids like soup. ($10.99 set of 12)

Yes, the plastic container that comes with your takeout. We stock up on these because although they're not fancy, they are leak-proof, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and, surprisingly, they're even BPA free (depending on the variety your favorite go-to takeout place purchases). (Free)

Only slightly more expensive than you may want to pay for a storage container, the OXO LockTops are a workhorse that won't let you down no matter how long they're flipped on their sides. They're leak-proof, drop-proof, stain- and warp-resistant; plus, they are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. ($5.99)

Get the most bang for your buck at Target with these reliable, sturdy Up & Up food storage containers that are microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe. ($2.69 set of 4)

Air-tight Snapware containers with Pyrex mean that you can store your favorite tomato soup on its side, freeze it, defrost it, and heat it up in the oven when you're ready to eat. (Prices start at $6.50)

These food storage containers act like all of the more expensive varieties — except they're way less expensive (and sold at stores like Walmart). The Cook Pro doesn't leak and even bounced without one single drip during the drop test. ($9.84 set of 5)

The Glad Matchware Rectangles are more reliable than their round counterparts, but have the same color-coded lid system, making it easy to find and store lids and getting leftovers into the fridge a seamless process. ($4.00 set of 4)

The ultimate in food storage containers, the Glad To-Go Lunch containers pack a salad with a 1.5-ounce dressing attachment. Neither the food in the container nor the dressing will leak. ($4.00 set of 4)