The Best Dry Food Storage Containers We Tested

Jun 06, 2025

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No more stale snacks and cluttered countertops.

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Food storage containers are a lifeline for anyone looking to keep food fresh (which is everyone, right?). While some are best for preserving leftover wet foods, others are designed to protect dry items from going stale, exploding across the floor when dropped, and being eaten by pesky pests.

To find the best dry food storage containers for cereals, dried pasta, baking ingredients, and snacks, we tested 28 different sets, including plastic and glass options. The ones that made our list are durable, airtight, spill-resistant, and easy to clean.

Glass is more eco-conscious and best for heating and freezing foods, but plastic containers are more likely to have airtight lids, which helps with maximum food preservation. Think about where you’ll keep the containers: “If you’re storing them in a pantry or a really low shelf and the family has little kids, you don't want glass to be potentially broken,” says Ashley Coleman, a professional organizer. Ahead are the only dry food storage containers that deserve a spot in your space.

The turn-style twist lock makes the seal airtight and wide openings make filling and scooping easy.

The set includes taller containers that might not fit in a standard cabinet nor on the top rack of the dishwasher.

If there were an award for versatility, it would go to this Amazon food storage container set. We found it perfect for storing nearly anything we could think of: grains, dry beans, lentils, nuts, crackers, cereal, chocolate chips…the list goes on.

We were fans of the turn-style locking mechanism, which helped create a strong airtight seal. Our foods remained incredibly fresh, the crackers and cereal as crisp as if they had been sealed in their original bags. The clear plastic made it easy to see what was inside and track how much we had left—ideal for busy kitchens and big families.

We liked the stackable, square design and the indentations on the lids, as they prevent slips and help us maximize storage space for a super neat-looking pantry. Wide openings in the containers made scooping and refilling a breeze, so we didn’t have to deal with messy spills.

The set is dishwasher safe (top rack) for easy cleanup. While it may include more sizes than you may need, the everyday practicality makes this one a standout for organizing dry goods.

Included Sizes: (2) 3.2 qt., (2) 2.5 qt., (2) 1.9 qt., (2) 1.2 qt., (2) 0.5 qt. | Material: BPA-free plastic | Lid Type: Twist lock | Safe For: Freezer, dishwasher

You can store large amounts of flour, rice, beans, sugar, pasta, etc.

All four containers are the same size.

If you need storage containers to store your favorite foods in bulk, this set from Vtopmart is a solid option. Each of the four containers in this set measure the same size (7.5 x 7.5 x 9 inches), with the ability to hold close to 22 cups of food (or 5.5 cups each).

This is a great choice for families who cook a lot and need a large amount of staple ingredients and foods on hand, such as flour, sugar, pasta, oats, or rice.

Although this set is intended for dry goods, we found that it can handle liquids, too. The airtight lids had no leaks and no liquid crept into the seal. However, when we dropped these, one side came open and they leaked a little. Still, not bad for dry food containers.

We appreciate that this set comes with labels, markers for the labels, and a scoop set, the latter of which isn’t a common accessory with food storage containers. While the containers are dishwasher safe, the brand recommends you clean the lids by hand.

Size: (4) 5.5 cups | Material: BPA-free plastic | Lid Type: Side lock | Safe For: Dishwasher (containers only)

It has measurement markings on the outside for easy tracking and comes with a scoop that is also marked with measurements.

It’s not dishwasher safe due to the rubber seal and doesn’t come in a set.

Cereal lovers know how important it is to keep cereal in bulk around the house. Instead of having multiple boxes taking up space in your cabinets or pantry, use the PrepWorks Grain ProKeeper to keep everything fresh for longer.

We particularly like the lid, as it has a rubber seal and latch that keeps everything airtight; nothing will fall even if you turn it upside down. The container also has measurement markings, so you know the exact amount you have left without lifting the lid. Plus, it comes with a scoop that also has measurement markings: a win for other dry foods like sugar, flour, or pasta. It’s difficult to see the markings on the product images but in person, you can see them.

The wide mouth makes pouring, filling, and scooping easy (and less messy) and the plastic feels durable. It’s also large enough that you won’t need to refill it often. During testing, we found that although the description says it’s OK to put the container in the dishwasher, it’s easier to clean by hand, as the rubber seal doesn’t do well in the dishwasher.

Size: (1) 2.5 qt. | Material: BPA-free plastic | Lid Type: Side lock | Safe For: Freezer

The containers can be vacuum-sealed for maximum freshness, and the set is stackable.

The openings could be a little wider, and the tallest containers may not fit on standard shelves.

We used this cube container set to store different types of flour and a variety of essentials for bread baking, and can confirm that it’s a great pick for bakers. It kept our dry goods fresh with airtight lids and is a much easier system for keeping things organized, thanks to its vacuum sealing feature, which helped with long-term freshness.

The containers are stackable and spill-proof lids meant that we could store them flat if necessary, further saving on storage space. We found the variety of sizes functional; the largest one could fit half a bag of flour.

The set comes with reusable labels and a chalk pen; though we didn’t use these, we did vacuum-seal some containers to compare. Both the vacuum-sealed containers and the non-sealed ones retained incredible freshness.

Size: 4 containers, vacuum sealing pump, 4-in-1 measuring tool | Material: BPA-free plastic | Lid Type: Vacuum seal | Safe For: Dishwasher

The cylindrical shape means it’s super slim, so it doesn’t take up much space, and the press-down lid makes it incredibly airtight.

While the press-down lid is innovative, it takes more effort than your classic snap lid; a more normal lid may feel easier.

If you’re trying to reduce your use of plastic or prefer the clean look of glass, opt for glass food storage containers. They can keep food fresh just as well as plastic, and are known to stain less and keep smells at bay.

What sets this one apart are its cylindrical shape and interesting adjustable press-down lid feature; the lid acts more like a plug with a rubber rim that you push down to seal off the container. Though this means it’s not stackable, it’s slim and compact, and the seal actively removes air, keeping your dry foods exceptionally fresh (which comes in handy for items like cereal and coffee beans).

The opening is wide enough to fit in a measuring spoon, so it’s super easy to pour, fill, and remove foods. It’s dishwasher safe, but you can also wash the glass base by hand, making it a breeze to clean. The lid, however, requires a bit more care and dry time: We recommend handwashing and letting it dry for 24 hours, since it has holes to release air, and you want to ensure no water gets trapped in your container—that would lead to soggy foods.

The glass is fragile and can be prone to breaking if you drop it from the countertop (so maybe keep it out of little hands). We’re not big fans of having to press the lid all the way down until it hits the contents of the container— it ends up being more work than a simple snap-on lid. Still, it’s a standout for anyone looking for glass storage. And unlike other food storage containers, which tend to be lacking in the style department, these glass canisters can double as kitchen countertop decor.

Size: (1) 1.4 qt., (1) 0.75 qt., (1) 0.5 qt. | Material: Glass | Lid Type: Press-down adjustable lid | Safe For: Dishwasher, microwave, freezer

We love the Amazon Basics Food Storage Container Set because it’s super versatile, with a stackable, square design and wide openings. It also comes with a nice variety of sizes that can be used in the freezer and dishwasher.

We tested 28 different food storage containers and sets, some made of plastic and some of glass. First, we filled each container with a cup of tomato sauce and chopped yellow onion. We let that sit in the refrigerator for three nights, emptied the contents, ran it through the dishwasher, and then noted if any stains developed or if there were any lingering smells.

We then tested the containers that claimed to have a tight seal or claimed they were spill-resistant to see if any leakage occurred. We filled the containers up with water mixed with food coloring, wrapped them in a towel, and shook vigorously to see if any of the dyed liquid appeared on the towel.

For the plastic containers, we tested durability by filling them with liquid and dropping them on the floor to see if they broke or if the lid popped off.

We then took the containers home and used them to store our own pantry goods, like cereals, coffee beans, pasta, nuts, and more, to see how the containers held up.

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Most food storage containers are either made of glass or plastic. “Plastic is lighter weight and ideal for frequent use, such as dry goods in the pantry,” Alejandra Costello, a professional organizer says. “Likewise, plastic is the safer choice when children are present and handling containers.”

They also often have more tightly fitting lids than glass containers and are less likely to break on impact. However, plastic containers are more likely to stain and scratch, and they aren’t as good as glass at hiding odor. If you’re using plastic, Costello says to make sure it’s BPA-free. All of the picks on our list are made of BPA-free plastic.

Glass is durable, less likely to stain from stored food, and keeps smells at bay. Its durability makes it better suited for microwaving and freezing than plastic containers because it's less likely to crack. For pantries with critter challenges, Costello recommends opting for glass containers.

The downside is that if they’re not made with a strong type of glass, these containers may break easily on impact. Some glass containers also don’t have as tight-fitting lids as plastic ones do, making them more susceptible to leakage.

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Food storage containers come in all kinds of sizes, each suitable for different purposes and quantities. Consider what you want to store and how much of it, and then think about how much space you have to fit containers in your pantry, cabinet, or elsewhere.

If you need to store a small amount of snacks or have anything readily available that you use often, canisters are an excellent storage option. Since many canisters come in stylish designs, they can double as counter decor.

Large bins are good for storing large amounts of dry cereal, pasta, and flour. The partially open boxes or bags that typically contain these kinds of foods leave them susceptible to pests and air that will inevitably make them go stale, so it's particularly useful to transfer those out of their original packaging and into an airtight space.

Most of the options on our list come as part of a set. These can include containers of the same exact size, like the Vtopmart Large Food Storage Containers, or a variety of sizes, like the Amazon Basics Food Storage Container Set. What you need depends on what you plan to store.

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This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a writer who focuses on home and lifestyle for Real Simple. After moving to the city last year, food storage containers have become her go-to. She relies on durable glass containers for storing leftovers in her fridge and uses lightweight plastic ones to pack lunch for the office. The article was updated by Nusrat Sultana, an editor for Real Simple with six years of experience covering lifestyle.