Best Microwavable Containers in 2023

In a Hurry ? Quick Look at our Top Picks:

A good kitchen is an organized kitchen, but having a place to store everything can be an absolute nightmare. 

Good storage is hard to find. It’s either too expensive, too flimsy, or just too damn small. But having the right container makes all the difference. You can store perishables for significantly longer, keep liquids and sauces locked away so they won’t spill, and even better, the right container will let you store leftovers, which can be reheated instantly, without even changing the container. 

Best Microwavable Containers

Popit! Little Big Box

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This kit packs the maximum variety in a small package. 8 containers, each one a different size, but all fantastic. 

Solidly made, the lids lock down with a 4 way clasp, kept airtight by a silicone seal. Popit! containers use their patented lid system, which uses a hollow seal for a near impenetrable barrier. 

Freezer safe, microwave-safe up to 120C, completely dishwasher safe, and stackable, even though they’re all different sizes, this set is a great general option if you know you need storage, but don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, and why. 

FineDine 24 Piece Glass Hinged Container Set

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A 24 piece set with a wide range of options perfectly suited for any kitchen. There are 12 containers, divided into three sets of four, square, rectangular and circular. 

Each set has three different sizes, one large, one medium, two small, and all are made from the same borosilicate glass that’s tough, temperature proof, transparent and stain resistant. 

Oven, freezer and dishwasher safe, these can be used almost anywhere, and the hinged seals and rubber gasket lead to an almost completely airtight finish, keeping food fresh for longer. Leak proof, they’re great for the gym, for cooking, and for general storage. 

Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak-Proof Containers

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Rubbermaid make great products, and these containers are no exception. Advertised as absolutely leak proof, the seal is basically bulletproof, locking in place and leaving a completely airtight seal. 

The plastic body of each container is almost completely transparent like glass, so you can see the contents with perfect clarity, no matter what. 

Absolutely microwave safe, with venting under each latch that lets out excess pressure and reduces spatter, each container is also safe to use in the dishwasher and freezer. 

Our recommended set is a 14 piece kit, with one large, two medium and four small boxes. Other options include 24 and 44 pieces, for major storage. 

Lastly, the lids and bottoms of these boxes are designed to stack perfectly, so no matter how many you buy, you’re always going to be able to store them without any problems. 

Healthy Packers Extra Thick 24 Pack Containers

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Designed for snacks and meals on the go, like jello, granola, fruit salads and more, these containers are an awesome way to get your fix, no matter what you love.  

Each cup holds a pint (16oz) of food, solids or liquids, without spilling or leakage. Made of thick, durable, restaurant quality plastic, these are tough enough to be reusable, microwave safe, freezer safe, and fine in the dishwasher. 

Only 3 inches tall and 4.5 inches in diameter at the rim, these easily fit inside lunch boxes, fridges and more, and they’re also great for crafting and organizing items around the home. 

Chef’s 1st Choice 3 Set Microwave Containers

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If you’ve ever tried to microwave an entire meal while keeping everything separate, you know how hard that is. Which is why these containers are specifically designed to make that easier. 

All 3 are identical, just under 10 inches in diameter and around 2.5 inches deep. The inside is divided into three equal sections, letting you keep, for example, rice and curry apart from each other until it’s time to serve. 

Made from tough plastic, each one is freezer and dishwasher safe, and the lids also have a heat vent to help with microwaving.

TBMax 10 Liter Large Airtight Food Container

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Storing large amounts of certain things in your home can be a pain. Rice, flour, pulses, grains, they’re all generally bought in bulk, because they’re cheap and widely used. 

Enter this container. With a large capacity, (this model has a 10 liter capacity, but 5 and 15 liter options are also available,) it’s equipped to take on heavy storage needs in your kitchen. 

Made from BPA free PP plastic, it stays airtight and won’t leave any tastes, smells or residue in your food, even after a long period of time. It’s also easy to move around and store, both because of the tall, square shape and the built-in carry handle on top. 

Perfect for pantry shelves, the refrigerator, or even the microwave, if you’re looking to store your basics for the long term and keep them safe, there’s a lot to love here. 

Rubbermaid Easy Find Set of 30

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A ridiculously large set of long lasting containers for a really good price, if you’re looking for long-term storage options that are going to last, this Rubbermaid set will cover almost any kitchen and pantry.

Made from thick, durable BPA free plastic, these containers are super tough and long lasting, even after multiple washes in the dishwasher. 

The set has 30 different boxes arranged in 7 different sizes. The largest 3 sizes also have built-in venting, helping to stop steam built-up and microwave spatter. Plus, like most Rubbermaid containers, these all lock together lid to base for easy stacking. 

50-Pack Meal Prep Containers

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Sized for single meals and built like single use containers, but strong enough to be easily reusable, this set is great for meal prep, as the name suggests, but also diet control, healthy eating, batch cooking, and more. 

Made from hard plastic, they’re completely freezer safe, and strong enough to resist the dishwasher, as long as you put them in the top rack. 

This is a pack of 50 identical prep boxes, which all hold 28oz. Not just for home use, they’re also a great option for food trucks, deli’s, restaurants and more. 

Freshware 2 Section Prep Containers

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Perfect for a two week meal prep, each one of these two section bento style boxes holds up to 25oz of food, divided into twin compartments that are sized for perfect portion control. 

Most meal prep boxes are cheap and flimsy, but these aren’t. They can withstand temperatures up to 120C, and all the way down to -40C, so they’re absolutely freezer proof. 

Best of all, there are multiple choices available when it comes to storage options, including single, double and triple compartments, as well as single large round bowl style containers, all of the same high quality and finish. 

PrepSealer Vacuum Storage Containers

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Vacuum containers are amazing for keeping food fresh for longer, with a properly sealed vacuum storage box keeping food fresh for up to 4 times longer than ordinary containers. 

Flexible, they are safe to store meat, fish, veg, nuts, pulses, and more, easily and safely. Made from BPA free, tough and hard wearing plastic, these containers will last a long time if looked after. 

Each set contains two containers, one large 1.5 liter volume, and one at half that size, as well as a manual vacuum pump. Pumping is simple, working exactly like a bicycle pump, and you can break the seal and open them again with one touch. There’s also a built-in calendar wheel so you can mark the exact date these were stored, just in case you forget. 

Fully stackable, if you’re getting into vacuum sealing, these are the perfect starter options. 

C Crest 10 Pack Glass Containers

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Simple, budget friendly, effective. That’s the best way to describe these containers. 

A set of 10, 5 large (34oz) and 5 small (12oz,) they’re perfect for meal prep, especially since you can pull the airtight lid off and throw it straight into the microwave or the oven, (they’re heat proof up to 370 degrees C.)

The lids are held on with a set of 4 seals, and kept airtight and spill proof with a silicone rim. Stackable for simple storage, they also nest inside each other when not full, so you can store the remainder in the minimal space possible. 

Also, despite the budget price, these are completely covered by a 1 year warranty, so if something goes wrong, you can exchange it, no issues.  

Best Microwave Containers Buyer’s Guide

Cost

Obviously, cost is always a concern when buying something new. As much as we’d like it to be true, no one has an infinite budget, so getting something cheaper is normally better. 

But containers like these aren’t usually expensive, so in our opinion, if you’re buying containers for longer term use, it’s always worth splashing out a little more. 

The reason is simple. The product you get is going to be much better, which generally translates to a more closely fitting lid and stronger material, so it’s just going to last that much longer and actually save you money in the long term.  

Material

The two most common materials used for microwave safe containers are plastic and glass. 

Glass tends to be more hygienic, easier to clean, and it can be put into the oven as well as the microwave, but the obvious trade-offs are weight and cost. 

Plastic is also much more resilient than glass, and far less likely to be damaged if dropped, which might be a concern if you work outside or throw your lunch-bag around. 

The seal

If a lid doesn’t seal, there’s literally no point in buying the containers. 

There’s two types of lid. Push seal, and clasp seal.

Push seals work only on friction and pressure. You force the lid shut, and the shape of the lid and container edge keeps everything pressed together and tightly sealed. 

Clasp seals instead use two or more clasps to hold their lids down. Clasp seals tend to have a better seal than simple push fit, but it takes a lot more work to close them, the added space of the seals takes up more room, and they’re more expensive overall. 

Shape

There are two general shapes for food containers. Round and rectangular, an occasionally square, though square containers tend to be smaller, and part of a set. 

Round containers are generally better for salads, liquids or deserts, but rectangular is generally better, because they can hold almost anything, and they’re much better when it comes to stacking or putting them next to each other. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of food containers?

Flexible or Disposable Plastic

Cheap and cheerful, containers like these are mostly designed to be used once and then discarded. 

Despite that, if you wash them out and you’re careful, there’s nothing stopping you from using a container like this several times. 

Because they’re relatively inexpensive, damaging or losing a container like this isn’t a big deal, but they just don’t offer the same performance as any other option. 

Hard Plastic

Harder plastic containers, like Tupperware, are much more solidly built and could last years if looked after. 

Tough enough to be used daily, containers like these are generally also completely dishwasher safe, although it’s worth bearing in mind that dishwasher detergents and water pressure could dull or scratch the finish. 

Glass

Glass is heavy and more vulnerable to a sudden spill or droppage than plastic, but comes with its own massive advantages. 

One, glass can be used in almost all kinds of cooking. Throw it in the oven, the microwave, probably even the freezer with none of the issues you would face from plastic. 

Two, glass is a much more hygienic option, being far more resistant to staining and unlikely to have stubborn odors cling to it. 

Glass is generally more suited to home containers, for example to stock a cupboard or pantry, rather than a daily use container. 

What is a vacuum storage container?

Vacuum containers are designed so that you can attach a pump or other specially designed device to suck out the majority of the air inside, creating a sealed vacuum. 

The point of this is to store food for much longer periods, including nuts and pulses, flour, and whole grains. You can also use smaller containers like these in the refrigerator or freezer, to store meats, cheeses or veg. 

Containers like these are more expensive than the normal types, and are only really suitable for their specific use, so only buy vacuum storage containers if you plan on using them for their purpose.  

Safety concerns with storage containers

There’s two things to consider regarding safety when you’re buying containers. One. If it’s plastic, it needs to be BPA-free. 

The vast majority of plastic containers are now completely BPA free, but it’s always worth double checking, especially if you’re buying a brand you’ve never used before. 

Second, you always need to double check if your particular containers are actually safe for microwaves, ovens, dishwashers and freezers. All of the picks on our list are microwave safe, (because they wouldn’t be on the list otherwise) but might not be suitable for some or all other uses. 

What is the best way to keep your containers clean?

Most containers don’t require any sort of special method to keep them clean. Most will be dishwasher safe, but a normal hand wash can clear more stubborn stains and smells.