Our Favorite Meal Prep Containers Reviewed and Compared
Nick Brisson
Sarah Coryell
Before starting your meal prepping journey you need to find the right meal prep containers for the meals you will be cooking and for your lifestyle. We know that this may be a difficult feat to accomplish with all of the options currently available on the market. So, we have taken the time to weed out the best of the best so you can have your pick from the highest rated products out there.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 11 hrs of research
Won’t break easily
Leak-proof
Airtight seal keeps food fresh longer
Can be placed in the oven
-
Prep Naturals -
Rubbermaid
-
Freshware
-
Fitpacker
-
Misc Home
-
Enther
-
Pyrex
-
Lang Deng
-
Isolator Fitness 3 Meal ISOBAG
-
Yumbox Tapas
- Criteria Used for Evaluation
- Other Factors to Consider
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Our Favorite Meal Prep Containers
1. Prep Naturals
Won’t break easily
Leak-proof
Airtight seal keeps food fresh longer
Can be placed in the oven
Lids are not safe for microwave, freezer, or oven
Lids can be difficult to snap into place
Not stackable
This five pack glass food storage container set with airtight locking lids is made of borosilicate glass and comes with a plastic lid. Each container holds approximately 3 ½ cups. Lids and containers are transparent.
Read moreDurability
Made out of borosilicate glass, these are very durable. Borosilicate can withstand lots of wear and tear and won’t break easily.
Usability
These containers are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. The lids, however, are not. The glass portion of the container can even be placed in the oven to re-heat food.
Convenience
When the lids are in place, the contents are airtight, keeping food fresh longer.
Versatility
While each container is identical and there’s not much versatility in the variants of the product, it's a nice feature that you can use these containers in the oven.
Quality
These containers are made of high-quality, durable materials and will last you a long time. With borosilicate glass containers and BPA free plastic lids, they'll hold up after many uses.
Value
For a set of 5, this is a good value but it could be better. The Pyrex containers, which are number one on this list, are comparably priced for a set of 10. However, these do have the option to be placed in the oven, and the lids create an airtight seal.
2. Rubbermaid
BPA Free
Affordable
Easy to use
Durable
Microwave, Dishwasher, and freezer safe
Versatile
Durable
Tightly sealed list
Lids snap to the bottom of the container
Lifetime warranty
Some users report containers warped when washed on the
bottom rack of the dishwasher
No compartment separation
The Rubbermaid easy find lids storage containers are a favorite among many. Their affordable, easy to organize, and BPA free. They are durable and microwave and dishwasher safe, making them highly versatile and easy to use.
Read moreDurability
These containers are highly durable, sturdy, and come with a lifetime warranty.
Usability
They are microwave and dishwasher safe, so they are easy to use and easy to clean. The lids snap to the base of the containers so they are easy to store and keep track of and the pack comes with several containers in multiple sizes.
Convenience
While these don't have compartments to separate food, they do come in various sizes so you can pick and choose the right size for the amount of food you are trying to store.
Versatility
These are versatile and come with tightly sealed lids to prevent liquid from spilling.
Quality
These containers are made of high-quality material and are built to last.
Value
These are incredibly inexpensive and come in various pack options and are priced accordingly.
3. Freshware
3 compartments
Affordable
Versatile
Reusable
• Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe
• Leak resistant
• Easy to store
• Clear lids
Not as sturdy as other options
These compartmentalized meal prep containers are a more affordable alternative to the Prep Naturals, which is at the top of our list. They are versatile and reusable as well as microwavable, dishwasher, and freezer safe.
Read moreDurability
These come highly recommended by fitness buffs everywhere because they are made of high-quality materials that allow them to be dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe.
Usability
These containers come with three separate compartments (16. 8. and 8 ounces) to keep your food from mixing. They help with portion control and their leak resistant closure prevents unwanted spills.
Convenience
These are easy to use, store, and are stackable. you can carry these in your lunchbox or stack them up in your fridge or freezer.
Versatility
These are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. The 3 different containers let you use them to portion foods, separate each item, and their clear lids allow you to see inside the container.
Quality
These meal prep containers are made of high-quality material that are BPA, pthalate, and PVC free. These also don't give your food a "plastic" aftertaste when you heat it.
Value
These are really affordable and hold up their value well into the future.
4. Fitpacker
Compartments help with portion control
Good value
Contents stay in compartments
Not leak-proof
Tabs on lids can break or crack
The fitpacker meal prep containers are BPA free and will allow you to easily store a week's worth of meals. They are easy to use, easy to store, and highly affordable.
Read moreDurability
While not as durable as many other options on our list, these are still reusable and highly durable. Their durability suffers a bit because they are not as sturdy.
Usability
These are reusable and convenient as well as microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe.
Convenience
These are super convenient and can easily be stored. You can take them out of the fridge and put them in the microwave without the lid. They are stackable so they are easy to store in the Fitpacker lunchbox.
Quality
These containers are made with quality materials and can last quite a while. They are also free of BPA, BPS, phthalates, and toxic additives.
Value
These come at a great price!
5. Misc Home
Have 2 compartments
Versatile
100% money back guarantee
Durable
Convenient
Microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe
Snap locking lids
Pricier than plastic options
All come in the same size
These glass containers are affordable and offer two separate compartments. They are highly versatile, come at a great price, and offer a 100% money back guarantee.
Read moreDurability
These are really durable and made of Borosilicate glass, which makes it durable and highly versatile.
Usability
These glass containers have snap locking lids and fit in most 6 pack bags. They are FDA certified and BPA free.
Convenience
These are really convenient to use and store. You can take them with you on the go and easily store them in any fridge.
Versatility
These are versatile because of their 2 compartments.
Quality
These are made of high-quality material and have a 100% money back guarantee.
Value
These are pricier than plastic containers but come at an excellent price for glassware.
6. Enther
Freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe
Compartments are great for portion control
Stackable
Great value
Some spillage can occur between compartments
The Enther Meal Prep Container set comes with a 20 pack of black, plastic containers which have three compartments to hold food contents. There is a larger compartment which takes up about half the size of the container, and the other two compartments evenly divide the other half of the container. The lids are transparent. Each container holds approximately 4 ½ cups.
Read moreDurability
The containers are made of a heavy duty plastic and can withstand wear and tear. The seller even states that if a container cracks within ten uses, you get your money back.
Usability
These containers are microwavable, dishwasher, and freezer safe. Lids are easy to secure and remove. There is no plastic smell leaching into the food.
Convenience
The containers easily stack for convenient storage. The compartments are great to help you control portion sizes.
Versatility
While each of the containers in the set are identical, the fact that they all have three compartments allows you to mix up the variety of the foods you prep.
Quality
The containers are well made with a heavy-duty plastic that is free of BPA, PVC, phthalate. No toxins or chemicals will be contaminating your food if you use these.
Value
This is an incredible value to be able to prep almost all three meals a day for an entire week! This set is a great way to purchase your meal prep containers in bulk.
7. Pyrex
Won’t break easily
Food doesn’t stain the container
Leak-proof
Freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe
Can double as measuring cups
Be careful of lids in the microwave
As they are made of glass, they have the potential to break
Can be a bit heavy to transport
This Pyrex Storage container set includes containers of multiple sizes and shapes. Pyrex makes each container of glass, and it comes with a plastic lid. The set comes with two round containers which hold four cups, two rectangular containers which hold 3 cups, three round containers which hold two cups, and three round containers which hold 1 cup. The containers come with different colored lids, including blue, orange, red, and green. The containers are transparent.
Read moreDurability
The glass containers are sturdy, and they can take a beating. Even after dropping or knocking these containers on other objects, they stay intact. Once the lids are in place, they do not leak.
Usability
These containers are great to store and heat your food in. They can be refrigerated or stored in the freezer. You can heat food in the microwave directly in the container. Once you finish your meal, you can toss it in the dishwasher to clean. Lids snap on and lock in place. They remove with ease.
Convenience
Containers nest easily and can stack for convenient storage. Glass containers allow you to see the food contents inside.
Versatility
As they come in multiple sizes and shapes, this set is versatile, and you can use it for a variety of food items. The fact that the lids are leak-proof makes them even more versatile since you can store solids and liquids in both of these.
Quality
Pyrex has been a trusted, household name brand for over 50 years and their products do stand the test if time. They are constantly reinventing their products, and these are no exception. Pyrex makes this set of containers from high-quality glass, and the lids are made out of BPA free plastic.
Value
This is a 20 piece set if you count the lids to the containers. Therefore, you only get ten containers total. However, the fact that these are sturdy glass containers that will last a long time, the price is worth it.
8. Lang Deng
Containers are microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe
Easy to use lid
Great value
Not leak-proof
These 7 Pack Bento Lunch Box, Portion Control containers, are made of BPA and lead-free, transparent plastic and come with multi-colored lids. Each container has three compartments to keep food items separated, with one larger compartment and two smaller compartments. Each container holds approximately 4 ½ cups.
Read moreDurability
These containers are made of a sturdy, durable plastic and hold up well.
Usability
Containers are microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. You can easily store your food, heat it up, and then throw it in the dishwasher without a second thought.
Convenience
The containers are stackable for easy storage. Lids are easy to open; designed for adults and children.
Versatility
Each container is the same size and shape, but having multi-colored lids is a nice feature. The compartments allow you the option to add a variety of items to your lunch in one convenient container.
Quality
Containers are made of durable plastic that is BPA and lead-free.
Value
For a pack of seven containers with three compartments, this is a great value. There’s one for every day of the week!
9. Isolator Fitness 3 Meal ISOBAG
6 compartment meal system
Two stored ice packs give good cooling power
Can store nutritious perishable meals
Convenient carry bag, easy to stow away
Stores food for three people
Leak-proof containers also can be used in a microwave
Good for away day running trips, competitions, event
Up to 16 hours safe food storage
Not a good choice for individual users
This meal prep unit makes it possible for three runners to take along home prepared meals which can be eaten after a days running event or competitions.
The food will stay fresh and tasty for up to 16 hours. This means that all the required nutritious food that we want after traveling to a distant event, spending a number of hours participating in the competition or event, we can sit down to enjoy aa a nutritious meal. The food will be as fresh as the moment it was packed away.
This meal prep storage system offers four insulated cooling compartments, a frontal compartment for storing stacked sealed food containers, two side pockets which provide insulation and held securely through secure zip systems and two external mesh constructed pockets for storing non-perishable food products. If you want to take along extra fruit or other non-perishable foods such as supplements, energy bars, and useful utensils there is a storage compartment designed into the top of the carry holdall/bag.
The carrying capacity is achieved through a convenient style carrying holdall/bag which can be stowed away in the car while runners are away competing or participating in a running event.
This is as close as it gets to be to able to enjoy wholesome nutritious home prepared food which stays fully fresh but can be eaten away from the home in any far-off environment.
Read on for the full functionality and benefits.
Read moreDurability
A 6 compartmental meal system constructed from durable hygienic storage materials which will store drinks and food safety at a consistent storage temperature level for up to sixteen hours. Four compartments serve for keeping food cool and two compartments for non-perishable foods. Designed into the top of the light carry bag is an additional 5th compartment for utensils, extra non-perishable foods.
Usability & Convenience
Easy to store in a parked car or any place which is convenient and with four cooling containers and two non-perishable goods containers this is a very convenient way to transport meals which are enough for three people. The lunch box carries holdall measures in at 14 inches by 9 inches by 8 inches and for comfortable carrying the unit has a comfortable padded shoulder strap and a carry handle. Cooling capacity for long-term storage emanates from two ice bricks which are contained in a leak-proof compartment in the main compartmental part of the storage unit.
Versatility
This storage unit is very good for runners traveling away to events for a long distance and long number of hours to ensure they can bring healthy nutritious hygienically stored foods. This places you in control of bringing along healthy food rather than buying foods in public food outlets.
All food storage containers are resistant to leaking, safe for use in a microwave, BPA-Free, can be put through a dishwasher and the containers come in four variable sizes at one 38 ounce container, one 28 ounce container, one 12 ounces, and three 16 ounce containers for perfectly sized portions.
Quality
All materials used in the construction of the food containers are high-quality nonperishable materials which ensure full hygienic temperature controllable protection for stored foods.
Value
Given the opportunity to pre-pack hygienic nutritious meals for long-term safe storage, the price is very comfortable for those considering in investing in this pre-packed meals storage system.
10. Yumbox Tapas
Dishwasher safe
Five separate compartments
Compact and lightweight
Easy-open latch
Not safe for microwave or freezer
Sold individually
More expensive than other options
Yumbox Tapas are uniquely designed boxes that have five compartments within the box to section off parts of your meal. They are designed to hold wet foods like yogurt and applesauce, but not liquids. The box closes and seals when you clasp the latch of the lid to the base. Each of the five compartments combined can hold approximately 4 cups. The box comes with a removable compartment tray.
Read moreDurability
The seller states that their products are durable and they do drop tests on them. They make this container from sturdy, food safe materials.
Usability
These boxes are dishwasher safe. They're designed as two pieces, with one being the base with attached lid, and the other being a removable tray. The lid closes and seals very quickly.
Convenience
They are lightweight, making transporting them easy and convenient. You can remove the compartment tray if you don't need it when packing your meal or for cleaning the container. Boxes are compact and lightweight.
Versatility
These boxes have five separate compartments and a removable compartment tray to allow for many foods prepping options. The seller will soon be selling compartment trays separately, as well, and this box will also be compatible with the four compartment trays they produce.
Quality
The seller offers a one year guarantee on any purchases. They also test their products to ensure they stand up. The high-quality materials they use are explicitly designed to prevent warping, staining, and odors.
Value
These do not come in sets. You can only purchase one at a time. While these would be a great addition to any meal prepper’s container collection, you probably don’t want to stock up on only these, unless money is of no concern.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
Some of these meal prep containers can be a pricey investment upfront, so it’s important to know just how long they will last and how durable they are. Before making our choices we researched how long each product typically lasts as well as how it well it holds up if you were to accidentally drop it. Durability is an important factor to consider as you look around for the right meal prep containers that will meet your needs. They need to hold up tot h general wear and tear of normal use as well as the added effects of being carried around on hiking trips, to and from the gym, out on the trails, and anywhere else you may want some health food brought along. We feel the containers featured on our list are some of the best out there when it comes to prep containers that are durable and reliable!
Ease of Use
The entire point of meal prepping is you can save time later in your week--which is why usability is an important factor to consider. All the preparation in the world will mean nothing if it still takes you ten minutes to get everything ready when the time comes to actually eat. Ease of use also entails the care and cleanup as well so you are not spending an exorbitant amount of time washing and taking care of your containers. Here we look to see if a product is a microwave and dishwasher safe, if they can be used in the oven or freezer, how easy they are to open and close, and whether or not they are leak proof. All of these factors should be considered as you look for the best meal prep containers and as you narrow in on the one that is just right for your needs and your lifestyle.
Capacity
How much capacity a container has matters a great deal since you want to be able to hold enough food to satisfy your hunger after a tough workout, and it also helps you to control portion sizes and calorie consumption. You want to be able to bring enough food to fuel your body during and after a long run or intense workout but you also want to be able to have control over how much you eat and the types of food you eat. This is where capacity and the design of the containers can come into play. We looked at how large or small each product was. Something that seemed like a usable size was given a higher score, as were products that come as sets and offer a variety of different sizes which is super fun and convenient. We also considered the interior design of the containers to look at ones that offer compartmental setups to allow for a good variety of foods to be easily stored to make a complete and balanced meal or snack.
Features
Meal prep containers aren't overly complicated, their overall design is fairly basic and doesn’t vary much from one product to another in terms of what they are used for and what they are meant to accomplish. However, there are many features that can be included to make one product more suitable than another for your unique needs. Leak-proof lids and compartments are two features that can be really nice and set one product apart from another. Although some sellers may claim that their containers are leak-proof, you may want to test them with water over your kitchen sink before you try bringing soup to work only to find out the hard way that the container does, indeed, leak. Even products labeled as leak proof are more often than not leak resistant which means they will hold up for the occasional tip or turn over but will eventually leak if left in a bad position for too long. Other features you may want to consider include things like stacking, handles, and freshness seals. When shopping for plastic containers that you intend to use in the microwave, be sure to look for BPA free products. This compound could leach into your food when reheating it in a container made with BPA in the microwave, so it is best to opt for BPA free products whenever possible.
Value
To determine the overall value of the product, we looked at the criteria above to see if its cost for each product represents a good value or not. We chose a range of price points so everyone should be able to find an option to fit their budget. The products on our list typically range from around $15 - 30 for containers alone, up to about $100 for the #9 product, the Isolater Fitness ISOBAG, which is an entire insulated duffle bag that comes with a full set of meal prep containers and ice packs. The main difference between most of the product on our list is whether they are made with glass or plastic. Obviously glass is more durable and lasts longer, but it's more expensive and will break and shatter if dropped, whereas plastic is a cheaper and safer option.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Durability Ease of Use Capacity Features Value 
If you are on a good eating plan, research the appropriate sized containers to best suit your portions sizes. This will assist you in properly preparing your meals
The decision to use glass or plastic is of personal preference. It is strongly suggested to use glass if you are heating your food in the microwave. Plastic containers can get easily stained during this process.
Other Factors to Consider
Bottom Line
Leak Proof and Airtight Lids
Although some sellers may claim that their containers are leak-proof, you may want to test them with water over your kitchen sink before you try bringing soup to work and find out the hard way that the container does, indeed, leak.
Microwavable Containers
When shopping for plastic containers that you intend to use in the microwave, be sure to look for BPA free products. BPA, or bisphenol-A, is a chemical that is sometimes added to plastic. It has been known to affect our natural hormones. This compound could leach into your food when reheating it in a container made with BPA in the microwave, so it is best to opt for BPA free products whenever possible.
When looking to purchase glass containers for the microwave, make sure they can withstand extreme temperature changes so they won’t shatter if you take them directly from the refrigerator to the microwave. Borosilicate glass can withstand extreme temperatures and is also very durable.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your food is at room temperature then yes, you can go ahead and place it in the fridge. However, if the food you’re prepping is hot and fresh from the oven, then you should let it to room temperature before covering–this will prevent food born pathogens from cultivating in your food. It will also help prevent any damage to your container as the sudden change from hot interior temperatures to sold exterior temperatures when you put it in the fridge or freezer can warp the plastic at times. It is also advisable to not put extremely hot food into the containers to avoid the risk of warping the plastic.
Food will only stay separated if the container has individual compartments. If flipped or shaken, food will blend if it’s in a bulk container that doesn’t contain individual compartments. If you want ingredients or parts of your meal to stay separate you will need a container that has compartments built in. If your containers do not, then you will need to have each part of your meal in a separate container otherwise they will mix together.
When appropriately used meal prep containers do a great job of preserving food in the fridge or freezer. However, you should still follow the best food handling practices and label prep and expiration dates. The expiration date of prepped food depends on the freshness of the food before prep, type of food, whether it’s cooked or uncooked, and whether or not you preserve it in the freezer or fridge. Refrigerator food should be eaten within a few days, frozen meals can last much longer. Also, remember that come foods break down as soon as they are prepared- apples, for example, will start to brown as soon as they are cut so ingredients like these need to be left whole until the moment you are ready to eat.
Leak-proof means no liquid should escape from the container when used properly. Leak-proof containers typically have a gasket that seals the contents inside and prevents them from leaking out. even then it is best to treat them more like leak resistant than leak proof- most containers will eventually leak, especially if all they have are snap on lids rather than a twist on secure lids.
The lifetime of a meal prep container will vary on the amount of use, quality of construction, and the materials used to make them. A quality set of containers should last a minimum of 2 years, and some brands even offer a 1-2 year warranty. Some users have reported using their containers for 5+ years without any issue. A lot of the longevity depends on how well you take care of them and how much abuse they take day in and day out.
Sources
Related Posts:
0
10
