Do you need to spend a lot to get food storage containers that don’t leak, stain, or break after a few months? Or are the cheaper options just as good?
To answer that question and find out which food storage containers are truly the best, I tested the top 7 sets on the market, including Rubbermaid EasyFindLids, Rubbermaid Brilliance, Pyrex Snapware, Pyrex Ultimate, OXO Smart Seal, Caraway, and Amazon Basics.
In this review, I quickly break down the pros and cons of each container set. I’ll show you which performed best and worst and what matters when choosing food storage containers for your kitchen. I’ll start with the most affordable and end with the most expensive.
Key Takeaways
OXO Good Grips is the best overall food storage container set because it seals tightly, opens and closes easily, and has a thick removable gasket that makes cleaning simple and thorough.
Amazon Basics is the best value option. It performs nearly as well as OXO in every test but is harder to open, and the gasket is more difficult to remove.
Pyrex Ultimate and Caraway finished at the bottom. Pyrex leaked during shaking and was frustrating to seal properly. Caraway was the hardest to open, had poor visibility, and costs significantly more than any other set without offering better performance.
Use the links below to navigate the review:
- Comparison Chart
- How I Tested
- Rubbermaid EasyFindLids
- Amazon Basics
- Rubbermaid Brilliance
- Pyrex Snapware Total Solution
- OXO Smart Seal
- Pyrex Ultimate
- Caraway
- Bottom Line: Which Food Storage Containers Are the Best?
Comparison Chart
Swipe to view the entire chart on mobile.
| Brand | Rubbermaid EasyFindLids | Amazon Basics | Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic/Glass | Pyrex Snapware | OXO Smart Seal | Pyrex Ultimate | Caraway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Costco | Amazon |
| $/Container | $1.60 | $3.50 | $5.50/$10 | $6.74 | $7.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 |
| Material | Plastic | Borosilicate glass | Plastic/Glass | Glass | Borosilicate glass | Glass | Ceramic-coated glass |
| Lid Type | Press-on plastic | Plastic w/ 4 latches | 2-latch plastic | Plastic w/ 4 latches | Plastic w/ 4 latches | Glass lid w/ silicone flap | Glass w/ silicone trim |
| Leak Test | Leaks slightly | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Leaks when shaken | Leaked a little |
| Air Tight? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Gasket | No | Yes (hard to remove) | No | No | Yes (easy to remove) | No | Yes |
| Microwave Safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oven Safe | No | Yes | No/Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Freezer Safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes (top rack) | Yes (top rack lids) | Yes | Yes (top rack) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visibility | Cloudy walls, colored lid | Clear glass, cloudy lid | Clear plastic | Clear glass, cloudy lid | Clear glass, cloudy lid | Clear glass and lid | Lid clear, walls opaque |
| Ease of Use | Easy but press all corners | Tight latches, hard to grip | Needs effort, firm press needed | Very easy to open | Easy to open and close | Easy open, tricky close | Very hard to open |
| Notable Upsides | Cheap, stackable, has vent, easy to find lids | Affordable, gasket is removable, good all-around performance | Super clear, built-in air vents, interchangeable lids | Great seal, easy to use, lids replaceable | Best all-around, thick gasket, top performer | All-glass lid, looks like normal bowls | Stylish, nonstick coat helps clean release |
| Notable Downsides | Retains odor, not airtight, can’t see inside clearly | Tough to open, gasket removal needs a tool | Not oven safe, gasket not removable | Gasket non-removable | None notable | Sealing is inconsistent, leaks, hard to close evenly | Very expensive, can’t see inside, hard to open, lid flaw |
How I Tested
To test for leaks, I filled each container with water, sealed the lid, and turned it upside down over colored paper for 30 seconds to check for drips. Then, I shook each one vigorously for another 30 seconds to simulate being jostled in a bag or cooler.
To test how airtight the seals were, I fully submerged each container in water for one minute and slowly rotated them. I looked for air bubbles escaping or water sneaking in, which would indicate a poor seal.
For stain testing, I microwaved tomato sauce in each container for two minutes, then stored them upside down in the fridge for 48 hours. After that, I ran them through the dishwasher to see if the sauce left any lasting discoloration on the plastic or glass.
To check for lingering odors, I placed ¼ cup of diced garlic in each container, sealed the lid, and left them in the fridge for three days. After washing them in the dishwasher, I smelled each to see if any retained a garlic scent.
For the freeze test, I filled each container to the brim with water and froze them overnight. The goal was to see how well the lids handled the internal pressure of expanding ice and whether they warped or cracked.
If a container was labeled oven-safe, I baked brownies in it to make sure the glass or coating could handle actual oven temperatures without cracking or showing damage.
Finally, I opened and closed each container 300 times by hand to simulate long-term use. I checked for any latch fatigue, loosening, stiffness, or breakage, and noted how easy—or frustrating—they were to use throughout.
Rubbermaid EasyFindLids
Rubbermaid EasyFindLids containers are made of lightweight plastic with a simple press-on lid. There are no latches or locks. The lid snaps into place and includes a small built-in air vent to let steam escape during microwaving, which helps prevent it from popping off.
In the leak test, these were one of only two sets that allowed water to drip during shaking. While the leak wasn’t severe, a few visible drops escaped, which shows the seal has minor gaps under pressure.
During the airtight test, a few droplets made their way inside after submersion, confirming that the seal isn’t completely tight.
They passed the stain test without discoloration after microwaving and chilling tomato sauce. However, they retained the most pungent garlic odor of any container I tested, even after a full dishwasher cycle. If you plan to store strong-smelling foods, this is worth noting.
The containers held their shape in the freezer. Because plastic expands slightly when frozen, the ice block released easily without needing to thaw. That’s useful if you’re freezing soup and want it to slide straight into a pot. These aren’t oven-safe, so I skipped the baking test.
Opening and closing is easy, but you need to press firmly on all four corners to get a complete seal. The lids and containers are stackable, but visibility is a drawback. The colored lids and slightly cloudy plastic walls make it harder to see what’s inside.
One nice bonus is that replacement lids are easy to find on Amazon. That was surprisingly rare with most of the sets I tested.
Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics Food Storage Containers are borosilicate glass with plastic lids that latch on all four sides. Inside the lid is a removable gasket that helps with the seal, but it’s difficult to remove for cleaning.
The plastic around the gasket sits higher than the gasket itself, so you’ll likely need a knife or similar tool to pry it out.
These containers passed both the leak test and the airtight test. No water escaped while shaking, and no air bubbles or water got inside during submersion. The stain test also went well. After microwaving and chilling tomato sauce, there were no visible stains. That said, a slight garlic odor remained on both the lid and container after the odor test.
The glass container and lid held their shape in the freezer with no cracks or changes. During the bake test, the borosilicate glass performed as expected. It showed no signs of stress or damage and released the brownies cleanly.
Performance-wise, this set held up well in every test, but ease of use is the biggest downside. The latches are noticeably stiff and offer limited space to grip. Some other brands give you more clearance between the glass and the latch, making them easier to open.
You need to wedge your fingers into a tight spot, which can be frustrating. If you’re opening and closing these daily, that added resistance may wear on you over time.
Rubbermaid Brilliance
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers are available in both plastic and glass. The plastic lids use two tight-fitting side latches and are interchangeable between the two versions, which adds some flexibility if you own both types.
One of the first things I noticed was how clear the plastic was. Compared to the more cloudy design of Rubbermaid EasyFindLids, Brilliance is much easier to see through, which makes it more practical for checking food without opening the lid.
Both the plastic and glass containers passed the leak and airtight tests. No water leaked out while shaking, and there were no bubbles or water entry during the submersion test. They also passed the stain test with no visible discoloration from tomato sauce and only a slight garlic odor remained after washing.
During the freeze test, the containers held their shape overall. The corners of the lids expanded slightly while the sections around the latches stayed firm. After thawing, the lids returned to normal.
The plastic version is not oven-safe, so I didn’t bake in it. The glass version passed the bake test without issues. The brownies baked evenly and released cleanly, and the containers showed no signs of damage.
The biggest downside is that opening and closing the lid takes some effort. With only two latches, there’s less to undo compared to most other sets, but the seal is tight enough that you have to press down firmly to close it and pry to open. The flaps are thinner and more rigid than others, so there’s less give.
I like that the air vents are integrated under the latch flaps, so they don’t add bulk or require a separate mechanism. However, the gasket is not removable, which can be a hassle if sauce or liquid gets trapped behind it. That area is hard to reach and more difficult to clean thoroughly.
Pyrex Snapware Total Solution
Pyrex Snapware Total Solution containers are made of durable glass and use plastic lids that latch securely on all four sides, similar to the design used by Amazon Basics.
These containers passed both the leak and airtight tests without any issues. No water escaped during shaking, and no air bubbles or water got inside during the submersion test. They also performed well in the stain test. The tomato sauce didn’t leave any discoloration, and the garlic odor was completely gone after washing.
The containers held their shape in the freezer with no signs of cracking or damage. One functional difference I noticed is that ice releases more easily from plastic containers. With glass containers like Snapware, the ice block sticks to the bottom until you warm it slightly. That’s something to consider if you plan to freeze liquids like soup and want to transfer them straight to a pot without thawing.
One of this set’s standout features is how easy the lids are to use. The latches require minimal effort to open and close. There’s not much suction holding the lid down, so you don’t have to fight with it like you do with some others.
Replacement lids are also available directly from Pyrex. That’s a nice plus since most brands either don’t sell extras or make them hard to find.
The only downside is that the gasket isn’t removable. It hasn’t been difficult to clean so far, but being able to take it out would make it easier to guarantee a thorough clean over time.
OXO Good Grips Smart Seal
OXO Good Grips Smart Seal containers are made of borosilicate glass with plastic lids that latch on all four sides.
These containers passed the leak and airtight tests without any problems. No water escaped during shaking, and no air bubbles or moisture entered during submersion. They also passed the stain test cleanly. The tomato sauce didn’t leave any discoloration; the only lingering smell was a faint garlic scent on the lid, not the container.
The glass and lid held their shape in the freezer with no visible warping or cracking. The baking test also went well. The glass handled the oven heat without damage, and the brownies released cleanly from the pan.
Opening and closing the lids is very similar to Snapware. The latches pop off and snap back into place smoothly. They feel tight enough to seal but not so tight that you have to wrestle them open. This set is one of the easiest to use day to day.
The standout feature here is the removable gasket. It’s thick, durable, and easy to remove and clean.
Unlike the Amazon Basics containers, you don’t need a tool to remove it. The plastic around the gasket dips slightly, giving you space to grip and pull it out with your fingers.
Pyrex Ultimate
Pyrex Ultimate is one of the few container sets with glass bases and lids. The lids have a silicone trim that forms a seal when pressed down. To release the suction, you need to lift a small silicone flap.
The containers have straight rims and a minimal design, making them look more like standard glass bowls than typical food storage.
In the leak test, the lid held when turned upside down, but water began leaking noticeably once I started shaking it. Based on how the lid is built, the silicone flap isn’t rigid enough to stay fully sealed under pressure. That makes this set less reliable for travel or carrying liquids in a bag.
It did pass the airtight test. No water entered the container during submersion, and no bubbles escaped. The stain test also went well. Tomato sauce didn’t leave a mark, and only a light garlic smell remained on the lid after washing.
In the freezer, the glass container and lid held their shape without cracking. During the baking test, there were no issues. The container handled oven heat well and cleaned up easily.
Opening the lid is simple. Just lift the flap and pull. But closing it can be frustrating. If you don’t press down evenly all the way around the edge, some parts will seal while others stay loose. To get it right, you need to press firmly around the entire rim and finish by sealing the flap.
Caraway
Caraway food storage containers are the most expensive I tested by far. They look like coated metal but they’re actually glass and will break if you drop them. The glass has a nonstick coating, and the lids are tempered glass with silicone edges. Instead of latches, you push the lid down to seal it.
In the leak test, a few droplets escaped while I shook it. The lid didn’t come off, but I noticed it lifted slightly from the shaking.
Fortunately, it passed the airtight test, didn’t stain or retain any odors, held its shape in the freezer, and the brownies baked well and released cleanly thanks to the nonstick coating.
The biggest downside is how hard it is to open. There’s a lot of suction, and without latches, you need two hands and a lot of effort. It’s not something you can casually pop open with one hand.
Visibility is another issue. The lids are clear, but the container is opaque, which makes it hard to see what’s inside — especially if the container is high up in the fridge.
I also noticed some quality issues. The trim on one of the lids started separating where the two sides join together.
Bottom Line: Which Food Storage Containers Are the Best?
Now that you know the pros and cons of each food storage container, the question is: which ones are worth it, and which should you avoid?
Based on my testing, the best overall is OXO. It has a tight seal, it’s easy to open and close, and the thick gasket is easy to remove and clean.
If that’s outside your budget, AmazonBasics is the best value option. They’re a bit harder to open but much more affordable — and unlike Pyrex Snapware and Rubbermaid Brilliance, the gasket is removable.
If you like the simplicity of not having to remove and clean a gasket, I’m still a fan of both Snapware and Rubbermaid Brilliance. I just think a removable gasket is better for long-term hygiene.
Rubbermaid EasyFindLids is a good choice if you want something inexpensive, lightweight, and easily stackable, but it’s best for dry foods because it retains odors more than any other container, and it’s prone to leaking.
The containers I don’t recommend are Pyrex Ultimate and Caraway. The glass lids are nice if you’re trying to limit plastic, but the designs aren’t practical. Pyrex leaks and is tricky to close properly, and Caraway is difficult to open, you can’t see through the sides, and it’s outrageously expensive.
If you’re ready to buy or want to learn more, I’ve linked to each brand below:
- Rubbermaid EasyFindLids
- Amazon Basics
- Rubbermaid Brilliance
- Pyrex Snapware Total Solution
- OXO Good Grips Smart Seal
- Pyrex Ultimate
- Caraway
