We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Kitchen Products Food Storage The 8 Best Glass Food Storage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Make plastic a thing of the past with these tight-sealing, long-lasting containers. By Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers food, drink, travel, beauty, home, and kitchen. Her work experience spans fashion, wine, entertainment, and design, while her life experience has made her a bonafide expert in travel, skincare, and anything involving French food and culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 26, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More Glass Food Storage Containers to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Danielle St. Pierre While even high-quality plastic food storage containers tend to be inexpensive and lightweight, they have some drawbacks: They typically stain, retain smells, and warp in the microwave and dishwasher, cementing their inevitable trip to landfill. Glass food storage containers, on the other hand, are a longer-lasting, easier-to-clean, and eco-friendly solution for packing up lunches and leftovers. Selecting the right glass food storage containers for you depends on your individual or family food prep needs, but the ones that made our list are sturdily built, with lids that seal tightly to keep air out and liquids in, and they have the ability to go into the fridge, freezer, and microwave. To find them, we tested 10 top options and spoke with meal prep expert Erin Romeo, author of The Visual Guide to Easy Meal Prep for additional tips on selecting your next set. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Glasslock Assorted Oven Safe Container Set at Amazon $53 Jump to Review Best Budget: Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Container Set at Amazon $38 Jump to Review Best Large: SALE Razab Extra Large Glass Food Storage Containers at Amazon $35 $27 Jump to Review Best For Meal Prep: Bayco Glass Meal Prep Container Set at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best For Freezer: Amazon Basics Glass Food Storage Container Set at Amazon $43 Jump to Review Best Baking Dish: Pyrex Glass Baking Dish with Lid at Amazon $14 Jump to Review Best for Lunches: Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Container Set at Amazon $38 Jump to Review Best Leak Proof: SALE Pyrex FreshLock Glass Storage Set with Microban at Amazon $40 $34 Jump to Review Best Overall Glasslock Assorted Oven Safe Container Set PHOTO: Amazon $53 at Amazon $100 at Wayfair $36 at Target What Stands Out They’re impressively leakproof and sturdy without being too heavy. What Could Be Improved The gaskets may be tedious to clean, and the largest size might be too small for some. Our top pick is an 18-piece set from Glasslock that includes nine various-sized containers. Made from oven-safe glass, each one has its own gasketed lid with a snap closure that ensures an extra-tight seal to keep contents fresh. These pieces can also go into the microwave and freezer. We liked how well these containers stacked in our fridge and found them to be impressively airtight and leakproof. We also appreciated the different shapes and sizes—with rectangular, square, and round containers, this set had everything we needed to store salads, soups, cut fruit, butter lettuce, and leftovers in various quantities. Even after multiple runs through the dishwasher, they still look flawless, and we think they’ll be able to handle years of use. Glass Type: Oven-safe glass | Lid Type: Polypropylene with snap closure | Sizes: (1) 6.3-cup rectangle, (2) 3.5-cup rectangle, (1) 1.6-cup rectangle, (1) 3.3-cup square, (1) 1.5-cup square, (1) 3.1-cup round, (1) 1.6-cup round, and (1) 0.7-cup round | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Awa Dia Best Budget Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Container Set PHOTO: Amazon $38 at Amazon View on Wayfair $45 at Target What Stands Out The large variety of sizes and shapes makes this set versatile, and their lightweight, sleek build makes them easy to stack and store. What Could Be Improved The lids aren’t entirely leakproof if the container tips over. This set from Pyrex delivers when it comes to value. It includes 18 pieces of different shapes and sizes (or nine containers with matching lids). Made of tempered glass, these pieces can go in the microwave, freezer, and refrigerator with no problem, and the snug-fitting, BPA-free plastic lids provide an excellent seal to protect against oxidation and freezer burn. We found these to work extremely well for batch prepping because of the variety of containers. Stored snap peas retained their crunch, cut avocado remained pleasantly green through the multi-day testing period, and bananas stored in the freezer showed zero signs of freezer burn. While you should be careful of exposing these containers to extreme temperature changes, they are quite sturdy despite their thinner build. We put them through the microwave and dishwasher multiple times, and they stayed pretty pristine, suggesting they’ll hold up for quite some time. Glass Type: Tempered glass | Lid Type: Plastic | Sizes: (1) 7-cup round, (1) 6-cup rectangle, (2) 4-cup round, (2) 3-cup rectangle, (2) 2-cup round, and (1) 1-cup round | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Ashley Schaubroeck Real Simple / Ashley Schaubroeck Real Simple / Ashley Schaubroeck Best Large Razab Extra Large Glass Food Storage Containers PHOTO: Amazon $27 at Amazon View on Razab.com What Stands Out They’re oven safe up to 932°F, making them perfect for fridge-to-oven-to-table use. What Could Be Improved They’re on the heavy side and bulky to store. For bigger amounts of prepared foods, we recommend this three-piece set of roomier containers that can also double as baking dishes. Made of durable borosilicate glass, these pieces are safe to use in the oven, withstanding temperatures up to 932°F (without lids). They feature gasketed snap-close lids to keep contents secure, whether you’re simply storing leftovers at home or transporting a full container of coleslaw or pasta salad to a potluck. We really liked how tightly these lids sealed—not only did they pass our leak tests, but they also kept cut avocado from browning, and prepped salad ingredients like washed, torn lettuce stayed crisp for days in the fridge. These containers stand up well to use in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher, and they seem as if they’d hold up well for years. Note that while they are stackable and nestable (without the lids), they do take up quite a bit of room, which might be challenging for anyone to organize if they have limited storage. Glass Type: Borosilicate glass | Lid Type: Polypropylene with snap closure | Sizes: 74 ounces, 40 ounces, and 27 ounces | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Frances Crouter Real Simple / Frances Crouter Best For Meal Prep Bayco Glass Meal Prep Container Set PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Amazon What Stands Out Compartments keep food separated, and the containers are very leakproof. What Could Be Improved Storage can be a bit tricky if you’re tight on cabinet space. Preparing a week’s worth of lunches is a cinch with containers that are specifically designed to hold a main dish and two sides. The glass bases are microwave-, freezer-, and oven-safe, can withstand temperatures up to 752°F, and are equipped with BPA-free plastic lids that lock to keep contents protected. We loved these containers for meal prep since the set includes eight uniform bases with built-in dividers. The thick glass feels very sturdy and the lids’ tight seal helped to keep meals fresh in the fridge for several days during our testing period. We also found these pieces extremely easy to clean in the dishwasher, though the manufacturer recommends hand washing and drying the lids to ensure the gaskets don’t get damaged from heat. One caveat is that these containers don’t nest, so they might be challenging for those who are tight on cabinet space. Glass Type: Glass | Lid Type: BPA-free plastic with snap closure | Sizes: 4.1 cups | Care: Dishwasher-safe bases, hand wash recommended for lids Real Simple / Roxanne Allen Real Simple / Roxanne Allen Real Simple / Roxanne Allen Best For Freezer Amazon Basics Glass Food Storage Container Set PHOTO: Amazon $43 at Amazon What Stands Out The set includes a generous amount of pieces, and the bases can be used in the oven. What Could Be Improved The pieces don’t nest well, so they take up lots of storage space. Built very similarly to our best overall pick, this set by Amazon Basics comes at a lower price point and includes one additional container and lid. The glass bases are microwave-, freezer-, and oven-safe up to 450°F, so you can reheat right in the container, too (without the lid). The lids have a snap closure and silicone gasket that passed our leak test with flying colors. The airtight seal preserved everything we stored over the testing period, keeping a cut avocado fresh for multiple days while also successfully warding off freezer burn. We found these to be very easy to clean in the dishwasher with no residual debris or staining. The lids are top rack dishwasher safe. Glass Type: Borosilicate glass | Lid Type: Plastic with snap closure | Sizes: (2) 1.6-cup, (2) 3.6-cup, and (1) 7.8-cup rectangular containers; (1) 3-cup and (2) 1.3-cup round containers; and (1) 1.7-cup and (1) 4-cup square | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Alyssa Kingham Real Simple / Alyssa Kingham Best Baking Dish Pyrex Glass Baking Dish with Lid PHOTO: Amazon $14 at Amazon $18 at Kohls.com View on Belk.com What Stands Out It’s inexpensive, comes in a variety of sizes, and the large handles are useful for transport. What Could Be Improved The lid doesn’t seem secure enough to contain thin liquids. If you’re looking for a dedicated baking dish that can go right into the fridge for storage, this model from Pyrex is a solid choice. The one we tested has a 2-quart capacity, but this design comes in 1.5-quart, 3-quart, and 4.8-quart versions, too. Its long, slim silhouette allowed this dish to fit nicely in the oven and fridge during our testing. This glass dish came with a BPA-free plastic lid that kept contents secure, though we felt that its seal might not completely contain thin liquids if the container tipped during transport. That said, it performed beautifully as a baking dish when making chicken and vegetables, and we found the lid to be adequate for fridge and freezer storage. Both the lid and glass base are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Glass Type: Tempered glass | Lid Type: BPA-free plastic | Sizes: 1.5 quarts, 2 quarts, 3 quarts, 4.8 quarts | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Brittany Irvine Best for Lunches Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Container Set PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon View on Kroger.com What Stands Out It’s perfectly sized to keep a main dish and side separate, and it’s easy to clean. What Could Be Improved They don’t nest, so they take up a lot of storage space. These two-compartment containers from Prep Naturals are the perfect size for lunch. The large section fits a main while the smaller section can hold a salad, cut fruit, chips, or another side dish of your choice. Made from durable borosilicate glass, these containers can withstand up to 840°F, which means you can pop them into the fridge, freezer, microwave, and oven (just remove their lids when heating). In addition to packing lunch, we liked these compartmented containers for prepping salad fixings for easy access throughout the week. We appreciate the tight-fitting lids with gasketed snap closures—they kept our cut vegetables fresh for several days and easily passed the leak test. We also like how easy these containers are to clean, as both the lids and bases are dishwasher safe. Glass Type: Borosilicate glass | Lid Type: Polypropylene with snap closure | Sizes: 36 ounces | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Joseph Manalang Real Simple / Joseph Manalang Real Simple / Joseph Manalang Best Leak Proof Pyrex FreshLock Glass Storage Set with Microban PHOTO: Amazon $34 at Amazon $35 at Target $38 at Macy's What Stands Out The latches and seals are super secure, and writable lids are a nice touch. What Could Be Improved They don’t stack well so they take up lots of storage space, and the gaskets can’t be removed for cleaning. The lids for these glass containers by Pyrex feature four latches and a gasket for the ultimate leakproof seal. The set includes two 2-cup round containers with lids, a 3-cup rectangular container with a lid, a 4-cup square container with a lid, and a 7-cup round container with a lid, and all pieces are suitable for use in the fridge, freezer, and microwave (just be sure to vent the lids when heating). We found the variety of containers to be very useful for a multitude of tasks, including storing leftovers, transporting fruit and veggies or snacks, and preparing large portions of ground beef for use throughout the week. The latches make a satisfying snapping sound to let you know they're fully sealed (or unsealed), and they definitely lived up to their claim of being leakproof and airtight. They kept vegetables fresh and a cut avocado from turning brown for days. While we are a bit concerned about how to deep clean the fixed gaskets, this set delivers great quality at a reasonable price point and seems like it would hold up for years. Glass Type: Glass | Lid Type: BPA-free plastic with snap closure | Sizes: (2) 2-cup round containers with lids, (1) 3-cup rectangular container with lid, (1) 4-cup square container with lid, and (1) 7-cup round container with lid | Care: Dishwasher safe Real Simple / Danielle St. Pierre Real Simple / Danielle St. Pierre Real Simple / Danielle St. Pierre Final Verdict When it comes to glass food storage, the Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Glass Storage Container Set reigns supreme, thanks to its useful assortment, sturdy build, and easy-to-clean bases and lids. If you’re on a budget, the Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set gives you the same amount of pieces for a little less. Our Testing Process We tested 10 of the most popular glass food storage sets on the market by integrating them into our kitchen routines in real-world conditions, using them to prepare meals, carry snacks, and store leftovers. We also did a series of standard tests for continuity across all the products we tested. First, we conducted a leak test by filling a container with water and sealing it with the included lid. After sealing the lid, we vigorously shook the container for a minute to see if any liquid escaped. We then stored a peeled and pitted avocado in each container for three days to see if the avocado remained fresh and green or browned due to oxidation. Throughout the testing period, we also made a note of how well prepped ingredients and other foods retained their freshness after storing, including foods that were frozen then thawed. We noted each container’s design, including how well the lids sealed, and observed if they were stackable for easy storage. We evaluated the material quality of the containers and lids to see if they were sturdy and long lasting, and assessed the versatility of the sizes within each set. To evaluate baking dishes, we used them in the oven and stored the baked goods or other cooked food inside. For any microwave-safe models, we reheated or cooked food in the containers at least once. We also washed the containers according to their instructions to see if any odors or staining remained or if the gaskets were difficult to clean. Real Simple / Frances Crouter How to Shop for Glass Food Storage Like a Pro Glass Type Romeo says to look for containers made from high-quality glass. “High quality” means sturdy glass of a decent thickness, with bonus points for extra-durable tempered soda-lime or borosilicate options that stand up well to a wider range of temperatures. Untreated glass is cheaper but typically best for storing food at room temperature or in the fridge. Lid Type As far as lids go, Romeo says to opt for containers with leakproof and airtight lids. Most glass food storage containers come with a lid made of some type of plastic or silicone. Our favorites tend to have lids with snap closures on multiple sides for maximum security. She also notes that lids with silicone seals or gaskets are most effective in preventing leaks and keeping food fresh. Size and Shape Though a varied set of glass food storage can be appealing, you may not always require a wide assortment of sizes or shapes. For example, you might prefer a few 1-cup rounds for yogurt bowls and oatmeal or 3-cup rectangles for lunch items such as enchiladas or salads. If you’re batch-prepping for a family, you may require larger containers to house a few pounds of grilled chicken or lasagna. Don’t buy an extensive set if you’re not going to use all of them—they’ll just end up taking space in your cabinet. Other Features Romeo likes to look for containers that are stackable, nestable, or include design features to help with storage in refrigerators or cabinets. Another consideration is temperature threshold, from cold to heat maximums. “Ensure the containers are microwave safe and oven safe if you plan to reheat food directly in them,” she says. More Glass Food Storage Containers to Consider Glasslock Duo 5-Piece Tempered Glass Container Set: This set is made from durable tempered soda-lime glass that can be used in the fridge, freezer, and microwave. These containers have two compartments, ideal for weekly meal prep or toting lunch to work or school. We like how sturdy they are and found them easy to clean by placing them in the top rack of the dishwasher. Rubbermaid Brilliance 8-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set: This set is the glass version of one of Rubbermaid’s most popular Tritan food storage sets, featuring the same gasketed lids with two latches that keep contents protected. It’s on the pricier side of all the options we tested, but we like the variety of sizes included and how well it kept our food fresh during testing. Real Simple / Taysha Murtaugh Questions You Might Ask Are glass food storage containers better than plastic? “Glass containers are non-porous, meaning they won't absorb flavors or odors from foods, preserving the taste and freshness of meals,” Romeo says, adding that she also likes that glass is free from potentially harmful chemicals found in some plastics. “However, for dry foods like grains or snacks, plastic containers may be more practical due to their lightweight nature and convenience.” Can glass food storage containers go in the oven? The freezer? It depends on what type of glass they are made of. For oven use, look for tempered or borosilicate glass containers, which are designed for high-temperature use. Many glass containers can also be used in the freezer, but with a warning. “Avoid sudden temperature changes,” Romeo says. “When transitioning from room temperature to the oven, do it gradually to prevent thermal shock, which can cause the glass to break or shatter.” Look for containers specifically labeled as "freezer safe" or "oven safe" to ensure they can withstand extreme temperatures. When in doubt, always consult the manufacturer’s guide for any specifics regarding the temperature threshold (both high and low) of your glass food storage containers. How long do glass food storage containers last? High-quality glass containers should last five to 10 years or more with proper care and maintenance—the lids are more likely to wear out sooner than the bases. To make them last longer, Romeo suggests washing them all by hand or at least exclusively placing them on the top rack of the dishwasher. Take Our Word for It Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles-based writer specializing in global food, wine, and lifestyle content. After a two-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools and interviews field experts for their insight. To find the best glass food storage containers, we tested 10 popular options and spoke with meal prep expert Erin Romeo, author of The Visual Guide to Easy Meal Prep.