Best food storage containers for your kitchen 2025
Airtight, durable food storage containers are a practical investment – they can be used for freezing food, storing dry goods, or transporting packed lunches
Ideal for storing food, leftovers and packed lunches, a multi-purpose container is an extremely useful and practical piece of kit. When buying a food storage container, look for a product that's strong, light, leak-resistant, ideally airtight, compact, easy to clean and easy to store. Vacuum-sealed options are also worth considering, as they help preserve food freshness for longer by removing air before sealing, slowing down spoilage and maintaining flavour.
A variety of shapes and sizes will come in handy, especially if they can be stacked in a nest for storage. We find that angular, four-sided options are the most practical choice, as they use space more efficiently in cupboards than round pots.
We’ve also included glass storage containers, as they are less likely to discolour over time or absorb smells and flavours from the contents. You’ll often find they can be transferred straight from the freezer to the oven. Obviously, they’re a heavier alternative to plastic containers, so consider how you’ll be using your food storage—they might surprise you with added features.
Discover our picks of the best reusable plastic, glass, and eco food storage containers, picked by Good Food experts.
If you’re kitting out your cupboards, our top kitchen storage solutions and the best kitchen essentials could provide some inspiration for stress-free cooking. There are also over 400 guides in our reviews section, including the best fridge freezers, best kombucha and best juicers to name a few.
Best food storage containers at a glance
- Best flexible food storage containers: OXO Silicone Reusable Bags, from £15
- Best glass storage containers: Zyliss 4 piece glass container set, £45
- Best food storage containers for meal prep: Black + Blum meal prep containers, from £42.95
- Best eco food storage containers: Lock & Lock eco 3-piece set, £5.50
- Best affordable glass containers: IKEA 365+ glass storage container with lid, £4
- Best sealed plastic containers: Sistema KLIP IT food storage container, £12
- Best affordable food storage set: Lakeland 10-piece stack-a-box set, £9.99
- Best multi-purpose food storage set: Joseph Joseph 5-piece nest storage, £35
- Best manual container with airtight seal: OXO Good Grips POP containers, £10.20
Best food storage containers 2025
OXO Silicone Reusable Bags
Available from Amazon (£15), Harts of Stur (£15), Marks and Spencer (£15)
Best flexible food storage containers
Available in a range of sizes, these ultra-versatile silicone reusable bags from OXO are a smart choice for space-saving storage. Their versatility is unmatched: they come in both flat and stand-up designs, and their flexible material allows them to fit into awkward spaces with ease.
For added convenience, they’re microwave-safe, and cleaning is effortless as they’re dishwasher-safe too.
We found the seal incredibly strong - it held up perfectly in our airtightness and waterproofing tests. We especially liked the stand-up sizes, which made filling the bags with pre-prepared dishes hassle-free, with no spills. Yes, they’re on the pricier side, but they’re built to last.
Zyliss 4 piece glass container set
Available from Amazon (£45)
Best glass storage containers
This four-piece glass storage set is a versatile and durable solution for keeping food fresh. Each container is made from high-quality borosilicate glass, which is shatterproof and oven-safe (without the lid), while the crystal-clear lids feature a removable silicone gasket for easy cleaning.
We were impressed by the secure closure system - four sturdy latches ensure an airtight seal, keeping contents fresh for longer.
The set is as practical as it is durable. The containers are fridge, freezer and microwave safe (with a loose lid), making them ideal for meal prep and leftovers. Plus, the transparent design means you can easily see what’s inside at a glance. A reliable, well-designed storage solution that’s built to withstand daily use.
Black + Blum meal prep containers
Available from Amazon (£42.95)
Best food storage containers for meal prep
Lightweight yet durable, this set of three microwavable steel food boxes is a game-changer for meal prep, storage and on-the-go eating. Available in a choice of three matching sizes or a mix of different sizes, they offer versatility for every meal.
We found the airtight, leak-proof design highly effective - thanks to the vacuum-sealed lid lock, food stays fresh. The semi-transparent lid makes it easy to see what’s inside, while the fully removable seals ensure effortless cleaning.
Unlike traditional stainless steel containers, these can be microwaved with the lid on, reducing heat time and preventing splattering - no need for cling film! They’re also dishwasher, freezer and oven-safe (without the lid), making them a reliable all-rounder for busy kitchens.
Lock & Lock eco 3-piece set
Best eco credentials
Top functions
- Air- and water-tight lids
- 100% recycled
- Dishwasher-safe
A firm favourite of Good Food's Lulu Grimes, the Lock & Lock are not only high-quality but also have good eco credentials. Each box is made from 100 per cent food-grade waste plastic salvaged from the production offcuts, rejects, redundant stock and surplus, meaning less waste. The boxes come in a variety of colours and sizes, which offer good versatility for snacks.
The Lock & Go system claims to be 100 per cent air- and water-tight, plus they’re freezer-safe and can handle being thrown in the dishwasher. With a lifetime guarantee, the brand is confident for good reason.
IKEA 365+ glass storage container with lid
Available from Ikea (£4)
Best affordable glass containers
Top functions
- Freezer-to-oven-safe
- Low-cost
These are great alternatives to plastic containers if you’re looking for affordable tubs that can be transferred straight from the freezer to the oven.
The clear glass and lid negates any need for labelling, particularly when stacked with leftovers in the fridge. For freezer use, the air-tight seal prevents frost buildup inside. Yes they’re heavy, which could be a drawback for someone looking for a food container for on-the-go use.
Available from:
Sistema KLIP IT food storage container
Best sealed plastic containers
Top functions
- Water-tight lid
- Dishwasher-safe
- Freezer-safe
- Microwave-safe
These aren’t the easiest stackers for storage, but Sistema have a great reputation for the quality of their containers; particularly the effectiveness of the seal. Four clips secure the lids to the box to form a tight closure that’s 100 per cent water-tight and leak-proof. Dishwasher-safe (top rack only) and freezer-safe, you can also pop these in the microwave without the lids to reheat leftovers.
Lakeland 10-piece stack-a-box set
Best affordable food storage set
Top functions
- Stackable
- Air-tight
- Freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe
As the name suggests, these containers stack up for easy storage, but as the base doesn’t sit snugly inside the lid of the box below, they can topple over if nudged. The boxes are microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe with lids that are easy to remove and replace. These containers are not leak-resistant – we’d recommend using to store solid food only.
Joseph Joseph 5-piece nest storage
Available from Joseph Joseph (£35)
Best multi-purpose food storage set
Top functions
- Air-tight containers
- BPA-free
These are attractive, bright and compact containers that fit inside each other in a neat nest. The containers are air-tight, leak-resistant, freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher- safe and made from a strong plastic that feels very sturdy and durable.
They also have large, pull tabs on two corners of the lid to make lid removal easy, and a good range of sizes, from a tiny snack pot to one that would accommodate a loaf cake or stack of baked goodies. Multiple containers can be used to separate food as the smaller tubs will fit inside the larger ones – ideal for children’s lunches.
Available from:
OXO Good Grips pop containers
Best mechanism
Top functions
- Air-tight seal
- Pop-up button for easy access
These stackable containers with a unique pop-up button feature in the lid make opening and closing it very quick and simple. The containers are leak-resistant so could be used for safely storing a liquid, and the edges are moulded to allow for easy pouring.
The style of this collection is suited more to staying in the kitchen than being moved around. They’re freezer-safe, although OXO warns that extreme temperature changes may cause the container lid to lift due to changes in air pressure. The containers are not recommended for microwave use and only the silicone gasket is dishwasher-safe – all other parts should be washed by hand. Full cleaning instructions are supplied to help you disassemble the lid for thorough cleaning, which is quite fiddly.
Buyer's advice
What we look for in storage containers...
Ease of use/fit for purpose: containers that are easy to open and close with a tight-fitting lid, preventing leakage.
Versatility: is it microwavable and freezer-safe?
Cleaning and storage: we were looking for containers that are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, plus stackable and easy to store.
Durability: sturdy food containers made from a long-lasting material, suitable for multiple uses.
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