We Tested 85+ Food Storage Containers for Leaks and Stains. These Are the Best

OXO's POP containers can be closed with one hand—simply press the button down to form a seal, then press again to open. Some come with accessories like half-cup scoops that attach to the underside of the lid so you always have a dedicated tool on hand for measuring dry goods.

The Good Housekeeping Seal-holding baking set includes containers for 5-pound bags of flour and sugar, as well as a 1-pound box of brown sugar. The brown sugar container comes with a terracotta Brown Sugar Saver that will help prevent hardening. The clear containers stack neatly and securely, so you can save space and easily keep track of necessary refills.

In the Lab, we loved how well these containers held up in the dishwasher. We also tested the version with a stainless steel lid. While the plastic lids are not dishwasher-safe, hand-washing was a breeze, and the bases can be thrown in the dishwasher.

LONG-TERM USE: We still love these in the Lab, and some of us use them at home, but the seal isn't as secure as you might expect: You can lift the lid without pressing the seal release button. Still, we like how easy they are to clean; the lid breaks down into parts and can be tossed in the dishwasher.

Rubbermaid's Brilliance line makes our list again with its glass container set. This set has also earned a Kitchen Gear Award, and several of our editors have both the plastic set for packing lunches since it's lighter and this one, because it resists staining and is oven-safe up to 450°F.

Like the plastic version, this set is transparent and stackable, and its straight sides minimize storage space in your cabinet, fridge, and freezer. This set also features universal lids, meaning they all fit every size, no matter how deep it is.

One caveat is that the glass is somewhat heavy, so these can feel hefty when full.

LONG-TERM USE: Like the plastic version, the glass Rubbermaid containers are another favorite of Lab analysts. “They’ve held up great. Recently, one of the latches broke off, but I just pop it on every time I use it since I love the containers," says Reviews Analyst Eva Bleyer.

If you like your plastic bags and zip-top bags, you'll love Stasher reusable bags, which can save you money in the long run. Store fruits, veggies, and other snacks in the thick, flexible silicone bags. They’re transparent and available in an assortment of colors and sizes. They also seal and open easily.

During at-home tests, our Stasher bags kept herbs wrapped in a damp paper towel fresh for weeks, and we didn't have to shuffle things around in the fridge to make room since they take up minimal space. The stand-up design is easy to fill, but the soft sides can bruise softer foods on the go.

Stasher bags are dishwasher-, freezer-, microwave-, and oven-safe (up to 400°F) and can even be used in boiling water for sous vide cooking. We did notice staining during our tomato sauce testing, so keep that in mind when storing pigmented foods.

I’ve essentially replaced single-use zip-top bags with Stasher bags in my kitchen. I use them for everything from packing salty snacks for a road trip to sealing half-used onions in the fridge. They clean up well and don’t hold on to strong odors.

LONG-TERM USE: Another Lab analyst also uses this set all the time. “I love the stand-up Stasher bags because they are so versatile. My go-to is the snack size; they are perfect for snacking on the go or storing leftover avocado halves in the refrigerator.”

Pyrex's set stands out for its variety of shapes and sizes. We especially love how well the containers nest and that the lids are slim for easy storage (which isn’t the case with snap-to-close lids). The tempered glass containers are safe to use in the freezer, microwave, and oven, which makes them great for reheating leftovers—just be sure the oven is fully preheated and let the container come to room temperature first to avoid thermal shock, per the brand.

In our cleanability test, we ran the 4-cup and 3-cup containers through the dishwasher five times. While the glass remained unscathed, the lids can become slightly warped after multiple cycles, which may lead to leaks when storing liquids.

LONG-TERM USE: "I still really like the Pyrex containers, mostly because of their slim lids and how the containers stack or nest without the lids. I also love the different sizes. The only downside would be that the lids crack easily," says a GH staffer.

I’ve been using Pyrex containers for years, and though I appreciate how durable and versatile the glass bottoms are, many of my lids have sadly cracked, and they’re no longer watertight.

A good stainless steel food storage container is hard to come by, which is why we were impressed by these containers from Hydro Flask. Most stainless steel containers have lids that are difficult to snap shut, but not these. The stackable set includes 2-cup, 3.5-cup, and 5-cup containers, along with tight-fitting plastic lids with latches. Of course, these aren’t transparent like glass and plastic options, so it’s harder to see the food contents at a glance.

The metal containers are oven-safe up to 350°F, freezer-safe, and dishwasher-safe. During the leakage test, the stainless steel containers showed no signs of leaking after sitting upside down with water inside for 24 hours.

LONG-TERM USE: One Kitchen Lab expert has been using these sturdy and durable Hydro Flask containers for months and is a fan. She uses them to store leftovers and to bring meals and snacks on the go.

This set from OXO is another Good Housekeeping Seal holder and a Kitchen Award winner. It includes six containers with interchangeable lids. Sizes range from 12 to 32 ounces. The narrow, cylindrical storage containers are easy to stack and don’t topple over in the refrigerator. During testing, the containers developed light staining, a common occurrence with plastic. The easy-to-twist lid performed excellently in the leak test, with no water loss.

LONG-TERM USE: One Good Housekeeping consumer tester uses her containers at home and on the go. “I love how effortless they are to use, and how organized they make my refrigerator look. The smaller 12-ounce sizes are my favorite for bringing and reheating lunch during the week, though the shape of the containers isn't ideal for some dishes.”

I have and love this glass set from Caraway. It looks great, and it keeps my pantry staples easy to access, well-sealed, and neat. The 13-piece set includes five containers: 1-quart, 2.5-quart, and 4-quart glass containers and BPA-free plastic lids. It also includes two stainless steel measuring cups and an organizing tray to hold the containers.

This set is great for baking essentials like flour and sugar, but I also use it to store snacks like crackers and cereal. The containers are square and stackable, making them easy to fit in a cabinet or on the countertop.

Some consumer testers found the storage organizer too bulky for their kitchens. The sleek containers come in six colors, including cream and sage green. During Lab testing, we found the containers easy to clean, though the lids are not dishwasher-safe.

LONG-TERM USE: Ueda loves using her set to store baking ingredients. “I like the different sizes to hold various flours and sugars. The large opening makes it easy to scoop out ingredients without spilling.”