Whether you’re a die-hard meal prepper or you just like to store your leftovers in an airtight container for lunch the next day, having a stash of quality glass food storage containers will help keep your fridge organized and your food fresh.
There are dozens of options for food storage out there, so we interviewed experts and had 11 testers put eight sets of glass containers to the test to find the very best products for every need. Over two days, we stored sliced avocados and staining tomato soups in these containers to see how airtight and odor-resistant they really are. We even tried to store the sets in small kitchen spaces and stuck them in the microwave to assess splatter patterns.
Is Glass Better?
There are pros and cons to the various types of food storage containers. However, Chris Aquilino, director of culinary at Elior North America, prefers glass for a few reasons. “Glass containers do not become scratched nearly as easily, making it the safe choice from a bacterial standpoint,” he says. Glass also tends to hold up better over time, while plastic containers may become discolored or hold onto flavors or odors.
Ultimately, we found the best glass food storage container for every household and need. Whether you’re keeping heat-and-eat casseroles in the freezer or want the most aesthetic containers for your work lunch, there’s a great set of containers on this list for you.
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Easy to clean
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No warping, staining, or odor
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Leak-proof
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Includes a 2-year limited warranty
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Not the easiest to store
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Lids may crack over time
This Pyrex storage set checked many of the boxes we were looking for in a great set of glass containers. The containers come in six sizes that offer enough versatility for most home kitchens. They’re made from dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe tempered glass that’s built to last. The plastic lids form a tight leak-proof seal around the containers — but not so tight that they’re a pain to remove.
These containers didn’t leak a drop of water during testing and performed very well — if not perfectly — in our test for an airtight seal. The containers also fared well in the microwave with and without lids, and our soup didn’t splatter when heated uncovered.
The containers take up a bit more storage space than some of the other sets we tested; they don’t nest together perfectly, and the lids can be a pain to stack. That said, we think this set is great for anyone who meal preps, as the flat, rectangular containers are great for organizing various dishes, and the low-profile design stacks neatly in the fridge.
Quantity: 18 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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This set of budget-friendly glass containers from Bayco comes with plastic lids that lock in place using four snapping tabs, creating an airtight seal. While the containers and lids of each shape stack together for storage, the entire set doesn’t, which could make storage difficult.
These containers passed our leak test with flying colors and didn’t shed a single drop of water. They also kept an avocado fresh and green overnight better than any other containers in this test, including the Pyrex set. We had no issues cleaning the glass containers, and they didn’t stain or retain an odor after a run through the dishwasher.
The plastic lids on this set are not microwave-safe, and though they’re dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends hand-washing them. If you don’t mind an extra cleaning step, this is an affordable set of quality glass food storage containers that’s perfect for storing a variety of foods.
Quantity: 12 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic tab-locking | Microwave-Safe: Container only | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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Leak-proof design
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Oven-safe up to 104°F
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Lids snap on easily
If you’re in need of a larger set of containers with a wider range of shapes and sizes, this 24-piece set from JoyJolt will have you covered. The thick glass bottoms are microwave-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe up to 104°F. The plastic lids should not be used in the microwave or oven, but they are dishwasher-safe. The lids lock into place easily using four tabs and create a watertight seal that passed our leak test without issue.
The avocado left overnight was slightly brown but still firm, so this was not the most airtight container we tested. We had no issues with warping or splattering in the microwave, and our soup came out hot after one minute. For storage, some of the pieces stack together, but the entire set does not nest neatly.
Quantity: 24 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic tab-locking | Microwave-Safe: Container only | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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Set nests for neat storage
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Microwave-, freezer-, and oven- safe
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Does not retain odors
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Very easy to clean
This large 24-piece set from FineDine includes rectangular, square, and round containers. The set nests together neatly for organized storage, but the lids don’t lock together and end up in a loose pile. These containers also have tab-style locking lids, but we found these to be the easiest to open and close.
The containers are oven-, dishwasher-, freezer-, and microwave-safe, but the lids cannot be used in the microwave or oven. The containers didn’t leak during testing, but our avocado became more brown in these containers than in others we tested. We didn’t have issues with warping or staining in the microwave, but the glass got very hot after just 30 seconds.
Quantity: 24 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic tab-locking | Microwave-Safe: Container only | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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Microwave-safe lids reseal tightly
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Microwave-, oven-, and freezer-safe
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Super leak-proof design
This Oxo set contains six fairly small-volume glass containers with matching tightly sealed lids. While the size range might not be ideal for a household that produces a lot of leftovers, these containers had some of the tightest-fitting lids of any we tested. They took a little extra elbow grease to attach, but once in place, the lids weren’t letting out a drop of water. They also kept our avocado almost entirely green overnight.
The plastic lids on these glass containers can be microwaved and cleaned in the dishwasher without warping. The rubber gasket inside the lid comes out easily for cleaning, so you can be sure to remove any food from under the seal. We did notice a bit of staining on the plastic, and the lids retained a bit of a smell after washing.
Quantity: 12 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic tab-locking | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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Microwave- and oven-safe up to 450°F
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Leak-proof design
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Easy to clean, with no stains or odors
This is a no-frills set of four identical 3.2-cup glass food storage containers with latching lids. Both the containers and the plastic lids are microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe. A silicone gasket inside the lid provides a watertight seal, but our avocado left overnight browned more in the Rubbermaid containers than in other products we tested. These containers performed well in the microwave, with no staining or warping issues, and they cleaned up beautifully in the dishwasher.
Quantity: 8 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic tab-locking | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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This 18-piece set includes a variety of containers that stack together more comfortably than any others we tested. We found the lids on these containers harder to attach and remove, though that might get easier over time as the plastic stretches. The rubber seals inside the lids tended to come off frequently, which is helpful for a thorough cleaning, but it’s also one more piece to keep track of.
These containers weren’t quite as leak-proof as others, and our avocado smelled and tasted fine overnight in the container but did turn slightly brown. We had no issues with warping, splattering, or staining in the microwave, and the glass did not become too hot to handle.
Quantity: 18 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic tab-locking | Microwave-Safe: Container only | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
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Aesthetic design that matches cookware line
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Includes storage system and straps
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Oven-safe up to 450°F
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Unique container sizes for a variety of foods
This cute and colorful set of food storage containers from Caraway is made of a ceramic base. This durable material is hefty and oven-safe up to 450°F, so these containers can double as baking dishes. Unlike the other sets we tested, Caraway containers come with an organizer for tidy storage. The glass lids use a rubber lip to seal closed, so there’s no airtight or watertight locking mechanism. For travel, the set includes straps to keep the lids in place, but you wouldn’t want to risk them bumping around or flipping over in transit.
Quantity: 14 pieces | Lid Type: Plastic | Microwave-Safe: Container only | Oven-Safe: Container only | Care: Dishwasher-safe
What to Know About Glass Food Storage Containers
Lid Type
Most of the best glass food storage containers we tested have snap-on lids that lock onto their bases using four plastic tabs. There is usually a rubber gasket that runs along the inner perimeter of the lid, which helps create an airtight and watertight seal. These lids tend to be made of plastic, and not all are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so if that’s important to you, be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some sets, such as the Pyrex Simply Store, do not have tabbed lids. These plastic lids simply hug the glass container. They also tend to be slightly more brittle and prone to cracking over time.
Heat Tolerance
Many glass food containers are oven-safe, which can come in handy when you want to heat leftovers without dirtying another dish. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s heat limit before placing any containers in the oven, though, as some can only be used at lower temperatures. All the glass containers on this list are also microwave-safe, though not all the lids are.
Stain and Odor Resistance
For long-term use, it’s important that your food storage containers clean up nicely and don’t hold onto food stains and smells. Glass is especially resistant to staining because it’s non-porous and easy to clean.
Size and Design
Glass food storage containers come in many shapes and sizes, so chances are high that there’s a set that meets your specific needs. For example, if you’re a meal prepper who wants several identical rectangular containers, the set from Rubbermaid is a great choice. If you like a variety of large and smaller vessels for various leftovers, our overall pick from Pyrex should have you covered.
Storage
Because these containers are made from such thick, sturdy glass that’s oven-safe and shatter-resistant, they can also be heavy and bulky. If you’re short on storage space, choosing a set that nests together nicely will save you some kitchen real estate.
Price Range
The Caraway set is the priciest option on this list at $245 for a 23-piece set. There are several great options around the $40 mark, including our best overall pick from Pyrex. The Oxo set is the least expensive of our picks at $30, but the JoyJolt set breaks down to about $3 per container.
Behind the Scenes
The PEOPLE Tested team tried out 16 sets of food storage containers (eight glass and eight plastic) over two days in our lab. We scored each set on the following criteria: design, performance, ease of cleaning, and value.
- Design: We assessed the aesthetics and functional design of each container set, including how the lid attaches and seals, whether the glass is clear and transparent, and how well the pieces stack or nest together for storage. We also considered the number of pieces in each set and the range of shapes and sizes.
- Performance: To assess performance, we filled the containers with water and shook them vigorously to see how much, if any, liquid escaped the seal. We also stored a cut avocado in the containers overnight to check for an airtight seal (the more the avocado browned, the more oxygen it was exposed to). To assess odor and stain retention, we stored tomato soup in the containers overnight, then hand-washed them and noted any lingering stains or smells on the glass and lids.
- Ease of Cleaning: We cleaned the containers by hand and, if safe according to the manufacturer, in the dishwasher. We noted how easily food came off the plastic and glass parts and how much effort they required to look sparkling clean.
Of the eight glass food storage container sets we tested, all eight scored exceptionally well, so we felt confident recommending them in this article.
People / Eric Brockob
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does food last longer in glass containers?
According to Aquilino, glass containers are better at keeping food fresher longer. Glass containers tend to be more airtight than flexible plastic containers. This means that food is exposed to less oxygen and therefore retains its freshness.
“Additionally, glass containers don’t react with food,” says Aquilino. “Highly acidic foods can react with metal (especially aluminum) containers.” Finally, glass is highly stable. “It’s nonporous and nontoxic, so it won’t absorb moisture or leach harmful chemicals into food,” says Aquilino.
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Are all glass food storage containers oven-safe?
Not every glass food storage container is safe to use in the oven. The manufacturer will generally note whether the material is oven-safe, along with a temperature limit. Be sure to stay under this limit to avoid shocking and cracking the glass.
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Can I freeze food in glass containers?
Most glass food containers are safe to use in the freezer, but it’s best to double-check the manufacturers’ recommendations. Most of the products on this list are made from strong tempered glass that can withstand below-freezing temps just fine.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Lizzy Briskin is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and a freelance writer and product tester for Wirecutter, Best Reviews, The Kitchn, and other outlets. She’s a former food editor at Real Simple and Food Network magazines. For this article on the best glass food storage containers, she interviewed food safety and storage experts and synthesized testing results from 11 testers who spent hours heating and storing colorful food and cleaning and stacking containers for this test. A recipe developer, Lizzy relies on her trusty set of Pyrex containers for storing and heating the unending leftovers that pile up during recipe testing.
Our Expert Panel
Chef Chris Aquilino is the director of culinary at Elior North America, a family of hospitality companies.
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.
