The 8 Best Meal Prep Containers for Quick and Easy Meals, According to Customers

So you're going to start meal prepping (maybe with the help of this 30-day meal-prep guide for beginners). Go you! But now you need meal prep containers — and you may not know where to start. Should you invest in expensive glass meal prep containers? Or is it okay to use leftover takeout containers? And how many do you *actually* need to buy?

We chatted with a meal prep pro to find out answers to these questions and more — because your meal prep is only as good as the containers it's in, right?

In a hurry? Scroll down for the best meal prep containers you can buy on Amazon, according to customer reviews. (Great news: They're all BPA-free.)

The Best Meal Prep Containers of 2021

• Best Glass: Pyrex 18-Piece Glass Meal Prep Containers
• Best Plastic: FitPacker 16-Pack Meal Prep Containers
• Best Leak-Proof: LocknLock 14-Piece Containers
• Best Mason Jar Containers: Sewanta 6-Count Ball Mason Jars
• Best Container Lunchbox: Bentgo Classic Stackable Bento Lunch Box
• Best Divided Container: Prep Naturals 3-Compartment 5-Pack Storage Containers
• Best Value: FineDine 24-Piece Glass Storage Containers
• Best for Snacks: EasyLunchBoxes Bento Snack Boxes

Plastic vs. Glass Meal-Prep Containers

One of the biggest debates in meal prep is whether it matters what material your containers are made from. Plastic and glass are the most common choices. The answer? It depends on your priorities.

"Glass meal prep containers are obviously better for the environment, but when it comes to our bodies, both are safe if you know what to look for," explains Talia Koren, founder of Workweek Lunch. (

"Plastic containers that are BPA-free and made for food storage are totally safe to use and put in the microwave," she says. Food-safe containers will have the number 1, 2, 4, or 5 on the bottom. This indicates the type of plastic used to make the container. If a container has 3, 6, or 7 on the bottom, it's not safe to use.

BPA-free plastic containers only become unsafe when they're cracked; then it's time to throw them out, says Koren. Personally, Koren says she prefers plastic because they're more budget-friendly, lighter, and easier to carry around. "They're also easier to store and if you drop them, they won't break!"

However, glass is ideal if you're frequently reheating meals in the oven, she adds. You don't need to transfer your food to a new container to reheat it, the way you need to with plastic. Bonus: They're also less likely than plastic to stain, says Koren.

Stainless steel is also an option, but it can be a pricier (and non-microwave-friendly) choice.

How Many Meal Prep Containers Do You Need?

Many people are unsure of exactly how many meal prep containers they need when they're first getting started. Ultimately, it depends on how many meals you plan to make ahead of time. Try starting with six containers, says Koren. That should be plenty to work with if you're not prepping every single meal.

"With six containers, you can do five lunches or a couple lunches and dinners for the week," she explains. If you're planning to prep three meals a day for five days, though, you might want to consider grabbing a few more. (

Meal Prep Container Layouts and Sizes

There are many different size and shape options out there for meal prep containers, but what's most important is that they fit the meals you want to prepare and fit into your fridge or freezer easily.

"Start with cheaper containers because it might take some time to figure out which size is best," suggests Koren. "I started with 40-ounce containers, which were way too big. Now I use 25-ounce (about 3 cups) containers and they're perfect. You have to experiment to find the best size for you!" (

And while single-compartment meal prep containers work just fine for most people, bento-style boxes do have their advantages. "If you're someone that likes to keep veggies separate from your protein, the containers with compartments are great. They're also good for the times you want to reheat part of a meal, but not the whole thing, or want to keep salad ingredients separate to avoid sogginess."

The Best Meal-Prep Containers to Try

Best Glass: Pyrex 18-Piece Glass Meal Prep Containers

Always a classic, glass Pyrex containers might be worth investing in once you know your meal prep container sizing needs. Since they're made from nonporous glass, you won't have to worry about stains and food odors lingering in your containers.

They have more than 9,300 five-star ratings, so they're clearly an Amazon shopper favorite. One customer ditched their plastic containers for these and said, "Huge pros are that you can microwave them (though leave the lids off), freeze them, they are easy to see the contents in the fridge so leftovers don't get lost." Snag this set with nine containers of different sizes to get started.

Buy It: Pyrex 18-Piece Glass Meal Prep Containers, $32, was $44, amazon.com

Best Plastic: FitPacker 16-Pack Meal Prep Containers

For a budget-friendly option, these microwave-, oven-, and freezer-friendly plastic containers are sized to help with portion control. What's more, they stack up nicely in the fridge, preventing spills.

Amazon shoppers have gone as far as to say these containers are a "life-changer." "These are EXACTLY what I was looking for, my husband and I are both active duty military with two very active boys. We were tired of the chaos of trying to meal plan for two people working 12-hour shifts… Buying these really sealed our commitment to meal prepping," one reviewer wrote.

Buy It: FitPacker 16-Pack Meal Prep Containers, $21, was $27, amazon.com

Best Leak-Proof: LocknLock 22-Piece Containers

Having food leak in your bag is such a hassle. These leak-proof containers, though, utilize a sealing system and silicone lid that keeps food (and juices, and sauces) locked in. This 22-piece set has containers ranging in capacity from 10 to 78 ounces, and they can go in the freezer, the microwave, and the top rack of the dishwasher.

"The functionality of the containers itself, air tight, leak-proof with easy to open and close lids is fantastic. Cleaning the containers has been fine both in the dishwasher and washing by hand. I would purchase these again," said one shopper.

Buy It: LocknLock 22-Piece Containers, $49, amazon.com

Best Mason Jar Containers: Sewanta 6-Count Ball Mason Jars

Don't discount Mason jars as just a trendy way to drink lemon water or iced coffee. Grab an affordable six-pack and use them to prep these Mason jar breakfasts and lunches, or use them to take your smoothies with you on the go. Bonus: The vertical design means they slip easily into backpacks and totes.

An Amazon shopper purchased these jars to make portable breakfasts. "I use these little guys to make overnight oats. They hold 2 scoops protein, 1 cup oats, mixed berries, 1/4 banana, and 1-1.5 cups soy milk," they explained.

Buy It: Sewanta 6-Count Ball Mason Jars, $20, amazon.com

Best Container Lunchbox: Bentgo Classic Stackable Bento Lunch Box

If you prefer to keep certain parts of your meal separate from others, then try the Bentgo Classic Stackable Bento Box. Almost every part of the bi-level lunch box is functional, with the first container holding ¾ cups of food, the second holding 2 cups, and the lid holding utensils. It also comes in eight fun colors, from sage green to fuschia, and is the current best-seller in the bento boxes category.

"Honestly, these were exactly what I was looking for. The food stays separate and neatly tucked away, and it doesn't even take up much room in the fridge," one reviewer wrote.

Buy It: Bentgo Classic Stackable Bento Lunch Box, $15, amazon.com

Best Divided Container: Prep Naturals 3-Compartment 5-Pack Storage Containers

For a glass option, Prep Natural's three-compartment containers are a crowd favorite. They're microwave-, oven-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe. The 8,000+ five-star ratings don't lie.

One reviewer said these storage containers were comparable to other quality meal prep containers: "I absolutely love these! They are thick and durable glass just like Pyrex and the lids have a nice air-tight seal on them. I'm highly impressed with the fact that they are oven and microwave safe without the lids on."

Buy It: Prep Naturals 3-Compartment 5-Pack Storage Containers, $45, amazon.com

Best Value: FineDine 24-Piece Glass Storage Containers

This 24-piece glass container set from FineDine is undoubtedly the biggest bang for your buck. The containers are made from borosilicate glass that won't warp, crack, or absorb stains, and the lids' airtight seals prevent leaking.

This set has more than 23,000 five-star ratings, and Amazon shoppers say it's "well worth it." "They are good quality glass containers with plastic tops that seal perfectly. The locking is cool, too, because it doesn't rely on repeatedly bending and unbending plastic parts like other containers we have… I'm super happy with this purchase," wrote an Amazon shopper.

Buy It: FineDine 24-Piece Glass Storage Containers, $45, amazon.com

Best for Snacks: EasyLunchBoxes Bento Snack Boxes

Why have just one kind of snack when you can have four? The built-in compartments in these bento-style containers make it easy to pack multiple munchies without them turning into trail mix. The set of four containers also has a user-friendly (but secure) lid design that children can easily open and close.

"These make AMAZING personal protein snack packs," one shopper wrote. "I make snacks for the week (for me) that include hard boiled egg, almonds, lunch meat and some cubed cheese. It's great (and cheap) to grab when running out the door. I've already ordered another set."

Buy It: EasyLunchBoxes Bento Snack Boxes, $13, amazon.com

Reheating, Freezing, and Washing Your Meal Prep Containers

Not all containers have the same rules for reheating, washing, and freezing. "When you're buying containers, it will say on the package how to wash them properly and if they can be frozen," says Koren. The package should also explain which heat methods are safe.

In general, most glass and plastic containers can be put in the dishwasher and microwave. "The only time it's not safe to do that is with plastic containers you get from takeout places; they're not microwave- or dishwasher-friendly and they shouldn't be reused to store food." (These types of containers aren't meant for reuse, so they aren't made according to the same safety standards as reusable plastic containers.)