The 8 Best Meal Prep Containers For Every Kind Of Lunch

Leak-proof, dishwasher-safe, good for salads, or a combo of all three.

1. Best overall: The Rubbermaid Brilliance containers that are pretty much the Mary Poppins of all lunch containers — practically perfect in every way. They're 100% leak-proof, lightweight, crystal clear, and safe for the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher.

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This salad and sandwich lunch kit can be customized in a variety of ways, with little drop-in trays that allow for multiple foods and toppings to be stored separately in one container — bento box–style. (You can also remove the trays as needed and just use the main container.) They're made of BPA-free Tritan plastic, which is more durable than regular plastic and resistant to stains and odors. You'll basically get all the benefits of glass without the weight or risk of shattering! Reviewers say they look new even after repeated washing and make food appear extra appetizing! The set includes two 3.2-cup containers with lids, one 4.7-cup medium deep container with lid, one 0.5-cup dressing container and lid, two half trays, one salad tray, and one side tray, for a total of 12 pieces. (There are other sets in this same line of containers, and you can choose the right one for your needs!)

Available as a 10-piece set or 12-piece set

2. Best seal: The Joseph Joseph Nest Lock containers to make accidental spills in your bag a thing of the past. You can even pack soups in these without breaking a sweat.

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These BPA-free and food-safe containers feature lockable, airtight, and leak-proof lids. Both the containers and lids are freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and top rack dishwasher-safe (unlike a lot of other containers with lids that can't be machine-washed). And if you choose to buy the different sizes, they can all nest together neatly for storage. Reviewers say these live up to the leak-proof claims, and the 63-ounce size is perfect for a big salad. Elaine Benes would approve.

Available in single color sets, multicolor sets, and various size combos

3. Best for salads: The OXO Good Grips salad container for a convenient way to pack your greens, toppings, and dressing separately, so everything stays dry and fresh until lunch time. When it's time to eat, just dump everything into the main bowl, close the lid, and shake. Doesn't get any easier!

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This two-level salad container is BPA-free and comes with a removable, leakproof 2-ounce dressing container. All parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Reviewers say it's larger than most containers designed for salads and effectively makes soggy greens a thing of the past.

Available in two shapes and a snack size

4. Freezer-proof: The Frego glass and silicone food container, if you're looking for a plastic-free option that can withstand super low (and high) temps. And no weird plastic taste, ever.

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This container is made up of two parts, a two-cup glass bowl nestled inside a cushioning food-grade silicone sleeve. The soft-snap lid keeps keeps food fresh and prevents spills and leaks. In addition to being safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher, you can also pop this into the oven! Talk about versatile. The borosilicate glass has a high heat tolerance (up to 464 degrees F) so there's no fear of shattering. Reviewers say the silicone sleeve makes this container easy to handle when it's hot or cold and protects the glass from impact.

Available in two sizes and four colors

5. Machine washable: The LunchBots stainless-steel sandwich container that'll look brand new even if you throw it into the dishwasher every single day. They're designed to last forever, which means you really only need to buy one.

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There are not a lot of moving parts to these containers but that's exactly what makes them so great — no crevices for food or water to get trapped in and the stainless steel is resistant to odors and, well, stains. One thing to note is because the lid doesn't come with a silicone/plastic seal, it's not leak-proof, but that's also why it doesn't retain any food smells. Still, you can pack more than just sandwiches in these, they're great for any kind of ~dry~ lunch. Reviewers rave about their durability and longevity.

Available with and without a silicone cover

6. Best bulk buy: The Promoze microwavable food containers so you can cook in large batches and have two week's worth of food ready to go in the freezer. The round shape is great for a variety of foods, from salads to pasta to fried rice, and holds a generous amount of food.

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These BPA-free containers can be recycled after one use or washed (on the top rack of the dishwasher) for multiple uses. Reviewers say the lids don't become brittle or crack even when stored in the freezer nor do they become warped in the microwave.

7. Bento-style: The SimpleHouseware reusable three-compartment meal prep boxes for packing different kinds of foods without everything mixing together, because no one wants pesto pasta mixed with apple slices.

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These BPA-free and food-grade containers are designed to stack perfectly on top of each other in the fridge. They have a leak-proof and airtight lid so food ~juices~ don't mingle, lol. They're safe for the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher to make heating up your lunch, meal prepping, and cleanup super easy. Reviewers say these don't leak (even between the compartments) when stored vertically in a bag, and hold up well to frequent use.

8. Glass: The Bayco glass food storage containers to go straight from the fridge or freezer into the microwave or oven (with the lids removed). Plus, they are *completely* leak-proof so go ahead, enjoy an extra ~saucy~ lunch.

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These containers are oven-safe (up to 700 degrees F) and dishwasher-safe (you can machine-wash the plastic lids too, but hand-washing is recommended to help preserve the lifespan of the silicone sealing strip). Reviewers say the glass is thick and durable and doesn't retain stains or smells.