What Are The Best Meal Prep Containers in 2020?

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Prepping your meals is one of the best ways to lose weight, control your portions, build muscle, and stay on a budget.

Having a durable and functional meal prep container can either make or break a meal prep routine. Wasting time trying to find the right lid can be exhausting, old Greek yogurt containers are just plain ugly to look at, and stained and warped plastics are just no fun.

Meal prepping has become quite popular over the past couple of years, so before we discuss what the best meal prep container is we will take a look at how meal prepping became trendy.

History Of Meal Prep

Making food and saving it for later has been a part of human history for as long as humans itself. Before refrigeration food was saved primarily through the use of salt. In fact, salt so was important and rare that wars were started over it.

With the advent of both electricity and refrigeration, food could be saved and stored for much longer. This allowed people to make larger batches of food and save them for use later. But meal prep as we know it today didn’t start to become popular until recently:

Part of the phenomenon has been the advent of social media and healthy living. People can now share pictures of what they eat quickly and easily which caused the #mealprep trend. At the time of this article, there are over 5 million #mealprep pictures on Instagram alone.

Meal Prep Container Review Table

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Healthy Meal Prep Containers by LIFT

Meal prepping is an excellent way to eat healthily and save money, but does the thought of wasting time looking for the right Tupperware lid make you cringe?

The Healthy Meal Prep Containers by LIFT make meal prep a breeze. They can be easily transported from the freezer to the microwave to the dishwasher without worrying about them getting warped. using FDA and CFIA approved materials. Plus, you receive a free eBook with tips and recipes upon purchasing a set of containers.

A pack includes seven 28-ounce containers and depending on your preference, you can choose from either a single or double compartment. They are also compact and lightweight and can be easily stacked, allowing you to easily fit them in your lunchbox, fridge, or cupboard.

Although the product claims to be leak-resistant, the lid does feel a little flimsy, so I am a bit skeptical about just tossing the containers in my bag. I would also be a bit wary of putting the lid directly into the microwave from the freezer for fear that it might crack. Nevertheless, the cover does snap on nice and tight.

LIFT’s containers are a straightforward and affordable way to make meal prepping easier. They are durable, versatile, and environmentally sustainable. Plus, the company’s customer service department offers a 5-star experience guarantee, so if you experience any problems with your purchase or are dissatisfied for any reason, you can return the product for a full refund.

3 Compartment Meal Prep Food Storage Containers by Green Bento

Meal prepping is great, but sometimes combining certain foods in one container results in a soggy and unappetizing mess. There’s just something about an aesthetically pleasing dish.

Green Bento’s three-compartment meal prep food storage containers are perfect for when you want to pack distinct items yet don’t want the fuss of getting three separate containers.

These durable meal prep containers are made in China from BPA-free, food-grade plastic. One package includes ten sets of containers (including lids). As a bonus, each container comes with a spork. You can decide between containers with one or three compartments.

The containers can be neatly stacked for easy transport or storage. After prepping your food, you can pop the containers in the freezer. Whenever you’re ready to eat, toss one in the microwave, and when you’re done, rinse it out, and throw onto the top rack of the dishwasher.

There are only two downsides about these containers. The first is that the lid is a little thin and flimsy. Nevertheless, it does secure on tightly, and for the price, relatively thin plastic is to be expected. The only other thing is that, although there are three separate compartments, there is only a single lid, so sometimes contents leak from one compartment to another.

32-oz. Two-Compartment Meal Prep Containers by MiscHome

Fast food is expensive—both for your wallet and your health. Meal prepping allows you to lose weight, control your portion sizes, and provide nutritious meals for you and your family.

These durable containers by MiscHome feature two compartments, allowing you to easily separate entrees from sides. The airtight lid keeps your meals fresher longer and prevents spilling.

Conveniently sized, MiscHome’s stackable food storage containers are freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe. They are made of 100% BPA-free plastic and are certified by the FDA as being safe for food.

Unlike some of the other options, the meal prep containers by MiscHome only offers a 20 pack of double-compartment 32-ounce containers. The large compartment holds up to 20-ounces, and the smaller compartment holds approximate 12-ounces. The photo on Amazon shows the divider as being curved; however, that was an older model, and the newer version features a straight divider.

The products are manufactured in China, but for quality control, they are packaged in the United States. The quality of these containers is not as high as those by Lift and Fitpacker, but for the price (less than $1 per container), it’s understandable. Plus, if you are dissatisfied with your purchase, MiscHome offers a money back guarantee

15-Pack Bento Lunch Boxes with Lid by Freshware

Many people think that working out is the main ingredient in the losing weight equation, but it’s actually proper nutrition. Meal prep is crucial to eating healthy and staying in shape.

These single-compartment 28-ounce containers by Freshware includes 15 containers, but you can also get a set of 150 containers (if you’re meal prepping for the whole baseball team). They are manufactured from 100% food-safe, BPA-free, and Phthalate-free plastic.

They can be easily transported from the freezer to the microwave to the dishwasher (top rack only). In addition to the single compartment, Freshware also offers a 25-ounce double compartment, a 32-ounce triple compartment, and a round 32-ounce container with three compartments. For easy storage, they can be stacked on top of each other, or if you remove, the lid, they can be nested inside each other.

Unlike the containers by MiscHome and LIFT, after placing these in the dishwasher a few times, they start to turn white, so handwashing is recommended.

Freshware’s meal prep containers are affordable enough to hand out at cookouts and parties for leftovers but durable enough to be used several times. Freshware also offers a complete refund within 30 days of the purchase date if you are dissatisfied for any reason.

Premium Meal Prep Containers by Portion Perfect

Sometimes eating the same thing every day of the week can get kind of tiring. Nevertheless, meal prep doesn’t have to be boring.

Portion Perfect’s meal prep containers are probably the sturdiest (besides the glass containers by MealPrep) on this whole list and the coolest looking, too. Their base is tinted, yet you’re still able to see the contents, and they come with five different color lids: yellow, red, purple, green, and blue.

Made from 40% thicker BPA-free plastic, these meal prep containers are built to last. They are stain-resistant and are approved as safe for food by the FDA. Each container is freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe. Each container has three compartments for easy food separation; the large compartment has a two cup capacity, the medium compartment holds 6-ounces, and the small section holds up to 4-ounces.

The compartments do not leak from one to another, and e other if you remove the covers.

Though the lid snaps on tightly, the little tabs on the sides of the lids are a little flimsy, so I anticipate them breaking off in the near future, but even without the tabs, the covers would fit just the same.

These meal prep containers are awesome! Though they are a little more expensive than the other options, they are super sturdy and can last you a long time. However, if for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you can return your new and unused containers to Portion Perfect for a full refund.

Mealcon 3-Compartment Meal Prep Containers

Many people think that spending one hour in the gym every day is hard, but the hard part is controlling what goes into your mouth the other 23 hours of the day. Meal prepping makes that just a little easier.

These multi-colored meal prep containers from Mealcon keep your food separate and make your day (and meal prep) colorful and different. Each compartment is a different size: one holds 2½ cups, the other holds ¾ cups, and the last holds ½ cup.

These three-compartment containers by Mealcon are to make meal prep easier. A single set includes seven containers and seven lids. They are manufactured from 100% food-safe, BPA-free, and Phthalate-free plastic.

The only issue with these meal prep containers is the fact that if you overstuff the containers with food, it is a little difficult to keep the lid on nice and snug.

Medium 3-Cup Collapse-it Food Storage and Cooking Container

A meal prep container that collapses down to half its size?! Is it weird that I was almost moved to tears while watching the demo video on Collapse-it containers?

These silicone containers are dishwasher-, freezer-, oven- and microwave-safe and feature a vented lid for efficient reheating. Their collapsible function makes storage super easy, even in the tiniest of living spaces. They can also be easily stacked or nested inside each other (without the lid).

Crafted from toxin-free, phthalates free, and lead-free medical grade silicone, this container is approved by the FDA as safe for food. The clear silicone allows you to quickly identify the container’s contents, letting you know if you’re grabbing leftovers or tomorrow’s lunch.

The lid features a fancy little button that you can pull out to vent while reheating your food in the microwave or oven. The same button can be pushed down to vacuum seal its contents, providing freshness for up to 52 hours.

The only downside about these containers is the fact that they do not come in a set. Each container must be purchased separately.

Snapware 24 Piece Airtight Box Set

What’s the point of spending hours of your Sunday evening meal prepping if your food is going to spoil by Tuesday? Having an airtight container is a must if you want to preserve optimal freshness.

Snapware’s Airtight Plastic Food Container is 100% airtight and leak-proof. Its easy open-and-close four latch lid keeps food fresh, and its stackable design is convenient and space-saving.

The set includes four 2-cup rectangle containers, four 4.5-cup Rectangle containers, two 1.3-cup square containers, and two .5-cup mini round containers. A snap lock lid with silicone for each piece is also included. The clear design allows you to easily see the contents of each container while the colored silicone gasket on the lids allows you to sort proteins, veggies, grains, etc.

The airtight meal prep containers by Snapware make meal prep a breeze. They can be easily transported from the freezer to the microwave to the dishwasher (top rack only) without worrying about them getting warped. Made in the United States, these products are BPA-free and are manufactured using FDA and CFIA approved polypropylene.

The company also offers a lifetime warranty, promising to replace the plastic lid and vessel if it is found to have a defect in materials or workmanship.

Premium Glass Meal Prep Food Storage Container by MealPrep

Wouldn’t eliminating half of your dishes during meal prep be nice? Glass containers are great because they can be used in the oven, freezer, microwave, and dishwasher, so that same container that you bake your fish in is the same one you can take for lunch.

These meal prep containers by MealPrep are beautiful, non-toxic, and stain-proof. They are available with either a single or double compartment, and both options hold up to 28 ounces. The lids are made from thick and durable BPA-free plastic and are 100% airtight and leak-proof, so you don’t have to worry about your soup spilling.

The great thing about glass containers is their durability and versatility. These particular ones can be placed in the oven and can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit/ 232 degrees Celsius. They can also be used in the freezer. These glass containers are stackable with the lids and can even be nested together without the lids, allowing you to keep your refrigerator, pantry, and lunch box organized.

Although you only receive three containers in your order and they are significantly more expensive than their plastic counterparts, as long as you don’t drop these, they can literally last forever, so they are a great investment. Plus, if you are dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason, MealPrep offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

Pyrex® Storage Plus 20-Piece Container Set with Color Lids

Use the colorful lids of these heat-safe glass containers to your benefit and store meat, fruits, greens, and grains under different colors. Organization has never looked so good.

Crafted from high-quality non-porous glass, these meal prep containers won’t absorb food flavors, odors, or stains. They are easy to clean and dishwasher safe. They are also oven-, microwave-, and freezer-safe, helping you to significantly reduce the number of dirty dishes on your meal prep days.

The 20-piece storage set contains two 2-cup round glass bowls with orange plastic lids, two 4-cup round bowls with blue plastic covers, two 1-cup round bowls with green plastic covers, two rectangle storage containers with green plastic lids, and two 7-cup round bowls with red plastic covers. They can be easily stacked, or if you remove the lid, the containers can be nested inside each other. The lids snap on super nice and snug, ensuring that your contents won’t leak.

These Pyrex storage containers differ from the others on this list in that there are multiple pieces. As such, you will have to do more dishes, and your lunch box may be a little more cluttered. Nevertheless, these containers are great.

Made in the United States, Pyrex offers a two-year limited warranty on their containers/oven bakeware and a one-year limited warranty on their plastic lids.

OXO ® Snap 30-Piece Glass/Plastic Storage Set

If we’re going to be honest, meal prep can sometimes get a little boring. Eating the same thing several times each week can get a little dull. Well, behold the power of preference!

This snazzy set of meal prep containers comes with both glass and plastic containers, and the lids are interchangeable. The set includes 15 interchangeable lids; four rectangular glass containers in 4oz., 2-, 3.5 and 8-cup sizes; four round glass containers in 1-, 2-, 4- and 7-cup capacities; and seven plastic containers in 6 oz. 2-, 3-, 4.5-, 5-, 6- and 10-cup sizes.

You may not think that you need 30, but after a few go missing, you’ll be glad you have extras. However, OXO also, so that’s an option as well.

Meal prep will be made easier with these dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe containers (to increase their lifespan, the lids should not be microwaved). They are also oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The leak-proof tabs safely secure the lids, ensuring that you won’t have any spills as you tote your lunch from home to work or school. The see-through design allows you to see easily in each container.

This versatility does come with a rather hefty price tag. However, these products are made with top-of-line materials, and OXO offers consumers a money-back guarantee or product replacement if for any reason you are dissatisfied.

LunchBots Bento Trio Large Stainless Steel Food Container

Meal prep in style with this stainless steel meal prep container by LunchBots.

With one large section that’s perfect for a sandwich and two smaller compartments intended for your side items, this divided lunch box saves you the hassle of opening countless containers during your lunch hour.

Made from only the highest quality 18/8 stainless steel, the LunchBots Bento Box However, dry foods do work best in this lunch box as it is not leak proof.

This container is super sleek but not an option if you’re one of those chicken and rice people. Since you can’t microwave these, they are best suited for cold lunches including sandwiches and salads or various snacks. Who cares that you can’t heat them up though? They are freaking gorgeous! Who else do you know with stainless steel meal prep containers?

LunchBots offers a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects.