The 7 Best Meal Prep Containers, Tested and Reviewed

Best Glass

Prep Naturals Glass 2-Compartment Meal Prep Containers, 5 Pack

4.8

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The best containers for families who like to plan meals ahead, the two compartments in these containers make it easy to keep foods separate, whether it’s a salad, sandwich, and snack, or it’s meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

These containers are freezer-safe, so meals can be prepped and saved for much later, and they can be microwaved to heat the food for serving. They’re also dishwasher-safe, so cleaning is easy when dinner is done.

Each container in this set of five can hold a total of 29 ounces. While the containers are leakproof, there is no seal along the divider walls of the compartments, so if these are turned on their sides, liquids can leak from one compartment to the next.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Borosilicate glass, plastic, silicone | Capacity: 29 ounces | Dimensions: 7 x 2.25 x 5 inches | Compartments: 2 | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer

Best for Baby Food

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Food Storage Containers

5

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Prepping food ahead of time for the baby or toddler can make homemade baby food just a little bit more manageable. These 2-ounce containers help busy parents make serving sizes that won’t waste food. The included tray keeps all the containers neatly together whether they’re grouped by ingredients or arranged by meals, and the snap-on lids seal securely, so you can keep them in your diaper bag when you head outside.

Our tester noted the thick plastic makes these containers extra durable so you can use them again and again, as they are suitable for the fridge, freezer, or microwave—just be sure to pop the lids open to vent them before heating. The lids make the containers airtight and leakproof, letting food stay fresh for as long as possible. Run them through the dishwasher using the top rack for no-fuss cleanup—we saw zero damage or warping even through a heated drying cycle. One drawback is that because of the way the lids are made, they're a little tough to clean by hand, but that wasn't a dealbreaker.

When baby outgrows these small containers, they’re handy for freezing leftover egg yolks or whites, or for freezing herbs, tomato paste, and other foods in small portions. This set comes with six 2-ounce containers with lids, plus a tray to hold them. You can choose between pink and teal containers, and a similar set with 4-ounce containers is available for kids who are eating more food at each meal.

Price at time of publish: $12

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 6 x 2-ounce | Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 2-inches, 2.5 x 5.5 x 9.5 inches total | Compartments: 1 | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer

Best 2-Compartment

Bentgo 2-Compartment Meal-Prep Containers with Custom-Fit Lids

4.2

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The sleek design of these containers from Bentgo makes them a great choice for those who don't like their chicken touching their vegetables, or want to include a measured portion of chips alongside their sandwich. Available in a few unique colors, they'll be easy to spot in the communal fridge at work and have the added bonus of looking a little more stylish than your typical food storage containers.

Our tester really appreciated their low-profile silhouette, as it made it easy to stack multiple meals in the fridge, even on shelves without a ton of vertical space. While they are made of thinner plastic than some other containers, they still came out of the microwave with no signs of warping or wear, and stood up well to cleaning in the dishwasher, though the manufacturer notes you should avoid a heated drying cycle.

The 1-cup and 2-cup amounts are embossed on the trays so there’s no need to remember how much they hold. Despite the affordable price, these are freezer-, microwave-, and top-rack dishwasher-safe, so they’re easy to use. They nest neatly when they’re empty, so they won’t eat up a lot of storage space, and they stack nicely when they’re full.

Price at time of publish: $15

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 24 ounces | Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 2 inches | Compartments: 2 | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer

Best Bulk

SimpleHouseware 2 Compartment Food Grade Meal Prep Containers

4.2

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When you need a larger quantity of food prep containers to freeze meals or to feed a large group, this pack of 40 will come in handy. The two compartments will let you keep your mashed potatoes separate from turkey or a serving of soup separate from crackers—the lids are designed to be snug and leakproof. They hold a total of 28 ounces and feature a smaller and a larger section to keep foods separate.

Our tester took advantage of the higher profile of these containers to store bulkier foods, like a veggie burger on a bun with a side of raw carrot sticks, or a piece of roast chicken on the bone accompanied by sauteed spinach. The drawback of having such tall containers is that they need more vertical space to stack and store, but as a trade-off, their overall footprint in the fridge is minimal. They're also freezer-safe as well as microwave-safe (without the lid).

While these handy containers are top-rack dishwasher-safe, they are definitely meant for short-term use and may show signs of wear sooner than some other models—our tester noticed a small crack forming on a lid after being put through a complete wash cycle. That being said, they're what you want to use for taking food on the go, field trips, or road trips—since they’re so inexpensive, it’s not a huge loss if one gets tossed, damaged, or left behind.

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 28 ounces | Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 2.5 inches | Compartments: 2 | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer

Best for Snacks

Good Cook 2-Compartment Meal Prep Containers

4.2

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Snack planning is just as important as meal planning when it comes to meal prep, and these small containers are a perfect tool to get the job done. Featuring two half-cup compartments, they’re a convenient way to carry a variety of snacks to tame your appetite between larger meals. 

Our tester used these to recreate her favorite coffee shop snack boxes, filling one side with chicken and the other with cubes of cheese and grapes. The slim design of these containers made them very convenient for slipping into a work tote or gym bag, though since they aren't leakproof, it's best to stick to dry or very well-drained foods. They're also microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe—our tester noted no signs of warping or cracking after putting the containers in all three environments.

For those concerned with the versatility of such small containers, fret not: they can be used to store herbs, to create a mise en place, or for kid-sized meals when an adult-sized container is too roomy. They stack well in the fridge and also nest for easy storage.

Price at time of publish: $12

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 8 ounces | Dimensions: 7.13 x 4.84 x 1 inches | Compartments: 2 | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer

Best 3-Compartment

Doura 3-Compartment Meal Prep Containers

5

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These three-compartment containers by Doura offer a little more versatility than two-compartment models, and a touch more room—particularly useful for those who want larger quantities of food. The large compartment can hold a full sandwich or a serving of protein and veggies, and the two smaller compartments are ideally sized for sauces, dressing, or smaller snacks.

Our tester noted that these containers were very rigid and sturdy, and had plenty of room to hold a serving of grilled chicken, steamed broccoli, a side of rice, and kimchi—a complete meal in a quantity that would satisfy a healthy appetite. These containers take up more room in the fridge than some others, but they stack well to maximize space. They showed no signs of warping or damage after being used in the microwave and dishwasher, and are also freezer-safe so you can prep frozen meals way in advance.

Price at time of publish: $26

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 32 ounces | Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 2.2 inches | Compartments: 3 | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer