10 Best Meal Prep Containers Reviewed and Compared
By Nick Brisson
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Meal prepping has become extremely popular—it allows you to prep days worth of food in advance while still following your macros or whatever dietary model you follow. The best meal prep containers allow you to pack a nutritious meal and easily take them with you to work or wherever you need to be. They help you eliminate the option to consider fast food and ensure your food remains properly packaged.
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.
Take a look below at our list of top 10 best meal prep containers and start your journey to a healthier you!
- Prep Naturals
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Our rating - Glass
- Price: See Here
- Rubbermaid
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Our rating - Easy find lids
- Price: See Here
- Freshware
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Our rating - Compartmentalized
- Price: See Here
10 Best Meal Prep Containers
Prep Naturals
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 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.
- 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
Rubbermaid
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 various pack options and they are priced accordingly.
• 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
Freshware
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.
• 3 compartments
• Affordable
• Versatile
• Reusable
• Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe
• Leak resistant
• Easy to store
• Clear lids
• Not as sturdy as other options
Fitpacker
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.
Versatility:
This one comes
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!
- Compartments help with portion control
- Good value
- Contents stay in compartments
- Not leak-proof
- Tabs on lids can break or crack
Misc
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.
• 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
Enther
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.
- Freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe
- Compartments are great for portion control
- Stackable
- Great value
- Some spillage can occur between compartments
Pyrex
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.
- 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
Lang Deng
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!
- Containers are microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe
- Easy to use lid
- Great value
- Not leak-proof
Isolator Fitness 3 Meal ISOBAG
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.
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 resistive 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.
6 compartmental meal system
Two stored ice breaks maintain cooling power
Can store nutritious perishable meals
Can store nonperishable foods
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, events
Up to 16 hours safe food storage
Not for use by an individual, hence larger carry bag which is convenient when carrying meals for three people
Yumbox Tapas
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.
- Dishwasher safe
- Five separate compartments
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy-open latch
- Not safe for microwave or freezer
- Sold individually
- More expensive than other options
The Criteria We Used To Find The Best Meal Prep Containers
Choosing the right meal prep container for you can be overwhelming, so below we have highlighted the factors we took into consideration when making our choices–so you know what to look for as well!
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 holds up if you were to accidentally drop it.
Usability
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. 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.
Convenience
Here we look at whether the products were stackable for secure storage, easy to transport, and whether or not they have any additional features that will make your life easier.
Versatility
When it comes to food prepping, you have the option of taking your food on the go–whether it’s work, school, or the gym. Here we looked at the size and shapes of containers as well as whether they kept your food separate and if they were easy to pack in your lunchbox.
Quality
When looking at the quality of the meal prep containers, we looked at the materials the containers were made out of, the durability and longevity of the product, and any guarantees made by the seller.
Value
To determine the overall value of the product, we looked at the criteria above to see if its cost is justifiable. We chose a range of price points so our options fit anyone’s budget.
Other Important Factors To Consider
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.
FAQs
Q: Can I cover my containers and store them in the fridge as soon as I finish meal prepping?
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 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.
Q: Can you put food from the freezer directly into the oven?
If the container is both oven and freezer safe, then you may be able to place it in the oven directly from the freezer. If you choose to do this, make sure to remove the cover–many covers may be microwave safe but that does not mean they are oven safe. Always check your product’s manufacture information to learn about their specific uses. Also keep in mind that many frozen foods should be thawed out a bit before being placed in the oven.
Q: What size container is needed to fit a typical meal?
An average adult size meal will range from 10-18oz in weight–however, this will vary depending on the density of your meal. For example, a 16 oz meal of chicken and rice will fit in a container between 25-35 oz in volume. Consider your diet or macro plan and size up a bit so you know everything will fit properly.
Q: Does the food stay separated if you shake or flip a meal prep container upside down?
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.
Q: How long will my food stay fresh in a meal prep container?
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.
Q: Does leak-proof really mean nothing will spill out?
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.
Q: How long do meal prep containers last?
A: The lifetime of a meal prep container will vary on the amount of use, quality of construction, and 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.
Sources
- , The Best Meal Prep Containers, Web Page, Jun 01, 2017
- , Our Top 10 Meal Prep Containers, Web Page, Dec 01, 2016
- , The 13 Best Meal Prep Containers, Web Page, Sep 25, 2018
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