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Our Favorite Meal Prep Containers Reviewed and Compared
The best meal prep containers will help you stay on track and ensure that your nutrition is on point. Instead of hitting the drive-thru lane, the meal prep containers featured on our list will help you stay on track and reach your goals.
We know that there are a lot of meal prep containers to choose from, so finding the one isn’t an easy feat to accomplish. To make things easier for you, we’ve researched and reviewed the 10 best meal prep containers currently available on the market.
Check them out below and get to meal prepping!
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
Your containers should be durable and built to last, so you don't have to replace them or buy more unless you want to.
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! Before you make your final decision, make sure you consider everything you need in a meal prep container. The most important thing is that they hold up to your daily use.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is the most important thing to look for because you want your meal prepping journey to be as simple as possible.
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, so you aren't 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.
At the end of the day, there is no single meal prep container that will work for absolutely everyone--if there was, then we wouldn't have a list of ten different options to choose from. Before you buy, make sure you consider the types of containers that you find easy to use and that you enjoy taking with you throughout the day--since you are the one using them, your opinion matters the most.
Capacity
Before you buy, make sure your meal prep containers can handle the volume of food you will be making. This varies, so it is not the same for everyone!
The capacity of your container is incredibly important because it needs to be able to handle the amount of food that you need to carry with you throughout the day. Whether you count your macros or are simply trying to eat healthily, you need to make sure your container can handle the portion sizes that you require.
Since many of these meal prep containers need to be taken with you on the go, you will want to make sure you can easily carry the right amount of fuel that you need—regardless of the type of food that you eat. Many of these containers are made to carry solids and others are made to carry liquids, so you have options when it comes to what they can handle.
At the end of the day, we all have different capacity requirements—and, as you can see by our list of reviews, some are larger than others. Before you make your purchase consider your capacity needs. Although we rated each of our selections based on capacity, there is no single meal prep container set that will work for everyone.
Features
Some meal prep containers offer more features than others, make sure to look for the options that offer the features you need, specifically.
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
More expensive does not equate to better--remember that!
To determine the overall value, we looked at the criteria above to see if it represents a good value or not. We chose a range of price points so everyone will find an option to fit their budget. The products on our list range from $15-$30 and up to about $100 for the #9 product--the Isolator 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 products 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. If you are a stickler for plastic or glass, you have several different selections to choose from for both.
At the end of the day, we know everyone is on budget. If you know you can only spend a certain amount, then you will need to make sure you stick to that pricepoint. If you are flexible, you will want to pick the best meal prep containers for your needs. Either way, remember that value has to do with the benefits that come with using your containers, not how much or how little they cost.
Our Favorite Meal Prep Containers
1. Prep Naturals
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.
Ease of Use
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 reheat food.
Capacity
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.
Features
When the lids are in place, the contents are airtight, keeping food fresh longer. 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
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.
Ease of Use
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.
Capacity
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.
Features
These are versatile and come with tightly sealed lids to prevent liquid from spilling. 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
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.
Ease of Use
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.
Capacity
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.
Features
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. These meal prep containers are made of high-quality material that are BPA, phthalate, 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
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.
Ease of Use
These are reusable and convenient as well as microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe.
Capacity
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.
Features
These containers are made with quality materials and can last quite a while. They are also free of BPA, BPS, phthalates, and toxic.
Value
These come at a great price!
5. Misc Home
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.
Ease of Use
These glass containers have snap locking lids and fit in most 6 pack bags. They are FDA certified and BPA free.
Capacity
These are really convenient to use and store. You can take them with you on the go and easily store them in any fridge.
Features
These are versatile because of their 2 compartments. 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
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.
Ease of Use
These containers are microwavable, dishwasher, and freezer safe. Lids are easy to secure and remove. There is no plastic smell leaching into the food.
Capacity
The containers easily stack for convenient storage. The compartments are great to help you control portion sizes. 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.
Features
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
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.
Ease of Use
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.
Capacity
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.
Features
Containers nest easily and can stack for convenient storage. Glass containers allow you to see the food contents inside. Pyrex has been a trusted, household name brand for over 50 years and their products do stand the test of 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 in total. However, the fact that these are sturdy glass containers that will last a long time, the price is worth it.
8. Lang Deng
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 sturdy, durable plastic and hold up well. Containers are made of durable plastic that is BPA and lead-free.
Ease of Use
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.
Capacity
The containers are stackable for easy storage. Lids are easy to open; designed for adults and children.
Features
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Ease of Use
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.
Capacity
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.
Features
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.
Value
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. 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.
10. Yumbox Tapas
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.
Ease of Use
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. 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.
Capacity
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.
Features
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.
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.
Sources
- , Everything You Need to Know about Meal Prep Containers, Meal prep Blog
- , Your Complete Guide To The Best Meal-Prep Containers, Body Building Website
- , The Beginner's Guide to Meal Prep, Meal Prep Blog
- , Meal Prepping 101 For Beginners, Meal Prep Blog
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