A week of burrito-bowl lunches starts on Sunday: a pot of rice, a pot of black or pinto beans, chicken tinga or carne asada, a tray of fajita peppers and onions. By Sunday night it all has to be portioned into containers that keep the rice from soaking up the beans, reheat without a mess and survive the trip to work.
This guide covers eight meal prep containers with compartments, in glass and plastic, from single glass boxes to a 20-piece plastic set for a family. We used the makers’ specifications, the Amazon listings, America’s Test Kitchen’s storage container reviews and a university extension’s guidance on how long cooked food keeps, which matters more for meal prep than most people expect.
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Quick verdict: which meal prep containers to buy
For most people, the best meal prep containers are the Rubbermaid Brilliance 2-Compartment Containers, from the line that won America’s Test Kitchen’s plastic review: light, with a latching lid Rubbermaid calls 100% leakproof and airtight, and a main and a side in 2.85 cups. For a full three-part burrito bowl in glass, choose the Bentgo Glass 3-Compartment Lunch Box. For a family’s worth of lunches, the Bentgo Prep 20-Piece Set. For glass with a big and a small side, the Pyrex Glass Meal Box, and for salsa that must not leak into the rice, the OXO Prep & Go Divided Container, whose three compartments each seal.
The cooking comes first: a good rice cooker and a slow cooker for beans or shredded chicken make a week of bowls far less work.
Five meal prep containers compared
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of meal prepper, with compartments, capacity and material as each maker or listing states them. All eight containers are reviewed in full below.
| Container | Best for | Compartments | Capacity and material | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rubbermaid Brilliance 2-Compartment ContainersBest overall
|
Light, leakproof lunches | 2 | 2.85 cups, plastic; 5 per pack | View on Amazon |
Bentgo Glass 3-Compartment Lunch BoxBest glass lunch box
|
Burrito bowls in glass | 3, sealed | 5 cups, glass; sold singly | View on Amazon |
Bentgo Prep 3-Compartment 20-Piece SetBest value
|
A family’s week of lunches | 3 | 4 cups, plastic; 10 trays | View on Amazon |
Pyrex Glass Meal Box, 4-Cup DividedBest two-part glass
|
A main and a side | 2 (large and small) | 4 cups, glass; 5 per pack | View on Amazon |
OXO Prep & Go Divided Container, 4.1 CupBest sealed compartments
|
Salsa and sides kept apart | 3, each sealed | 4.1 cups, plastic; 1 container | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities and care instructions are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best meal prep containers
These eight cover the real choices: glass that can go in the oven, plastic that is light to carry, two or three compartments, sealed compartments for wet foods, and packs from a single container to ten. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. Rubbermaid Brilliance 2-Compartment Containers – Leakproof Plastic That Stays Clear
Rubbermaid’s Brilliance line won America’s Test Kitchen’s plastic storage review, where its latching seal was “so tight that no drops of water escaped.” ATK tested the line’s standard containers, not this divided version, but these use the same latching lid system.
Each container holds 2.85 cups in two compartments, a main and a side, and Rubbermaid calls them “100% leakproof and airtight.” The plastic is what Rubbermaid calls StainShield, described as stain- and odor-resistant, with clear lids and bases so you can see which day’s lunch is which. Vents under the latches let you microwave with the lid on and the latches open, according to the maker. This listing does not mention the freezer or the dishwasher, so check the packaging before freezing.
At 2.85 cups, these suit a lighter lunch: rice and beans in one side, chicken in the other, with salsa packed separately. ATK, for its part, suggests never microwaving food in plastic containers.
Why we like it
- From ATK’s winning plastic line
- “100% leakproof and airtight,” per Rubbermaid
- Vented for microwaving with latches open
- Lids fit other same-size Brilliance containers
Key specifications
| Container | Rubbermaid Brilliance meal prep (2185417) |
|---|---|
| Material | StainShield plastic |
| Compartments | 2 |
| Capacity | 2.85 cups |
| Count | 5 |
| Lid (as stated) | Latching; leakproof and airtight |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | Microwave with latches open; dishwasher and freezer not stated |
| Oven | No |
Why we recommend it
It is our first choice for most people: light containers from a proven line, with a seal made for a work bag.
Skip it if you eat big lunches; 2.85 cups is the smallest capacity here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong seal on the Brilliance line, per ATK
- Light and clear
- Stain- and odor-resistant, per Rubbermaid
Cons
- Smallish capacity
- Freezer and dishwasher use not stated in the listing
- Not for the oven
2. Bentgo Prep 3-Compartment 20-Piece Set – Ten Trays for a Busy Household
When two or three people take lunch every day, five containers are not enough. Bentgo’s Prep set has ten three-compartment trays and ten fitted lids, each tray holding 4 cups, with embossed measurements to help with portions.
Bentgo lists the trays as microwave-, freezer- and top-shelf dishwasher-safe, and says only the trays go in the microwave, not the lids. It recommends washing the lids by hand for best results. The lids are clear and the trays stack in the refrigerator. Bentgo does not call these leakproof, and the lids fit rather than latch, so they are for food that is not swimming in liquid: rice, beans drained of most of their broth, grilled meat and vegetables.
Think of these as lighter-duty containers for food that stays upright in a lunch bag.
Why we like it
- Ten trays with lids
- Three compartments, 4 cups each
- Embossed portion measurements
- Freezer- and microwave-safe trays, per Bentgo
Key specifications
| Container | Bentgo Prep 3-compartment (BGPRP3) |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Compartments | 3 |
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Count | 10 trays, 10 lids |
| Lid (as stated) | Custom-fit; no leakproof claim |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | Trays only in microwave; top-shelf dishwasher (hand-wash lids); freezer-safe |
| Oven | No |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you prep for a whole household and want enough identical containers to fill the refrigerator in one go.
Skip it if your lunches include soupy beans or salsa; the lids are not sold as leakproof.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Ten containers
- Generous 4-cup size
- Stackable
Cons
- Not leakproof
- Lids out of the microwave
- Lids best washed by hand
3. Pyrex Glass Meal Box, 4-Cup Divided – A Main and a Side in Glass
Pyrex’s Meal Box is a 4-cup glass rectangle with two compartments, one larger and one smaller, which Pyrex designed for a main dish and a side. For a Mexican lunch that is enchiladas with rice, or carne guisada with beans.
The BPA-free plastic lids lock, according to Pyrex, which calls the seal airtight and leakproof and says it “keeps liquids inside with no spills.” The listing describes the set as microwave- and dishwasher-safe and stackable. It does not mention the freezer or the oven, so we would not assume either; if you want to freeze lunches, check the packaging first. The pack has five containers.
Pyrex states that the containers and lids are made in China.
Why we like it
- Glass with a large and a small compartment
- Locking lid, leakproof per Pyrex
- Five matching containers that stack
- 4-cup size for a full lunch
Key specifications
| Container | Pyrex Glass Meal Box (PX10073) |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass, BPA-free plastic lids (maker) |
| Compartments | 2 (large and small) |
| Capacity | 4 cups |
| Count | 5 |
| Lid (as stated) | Locking; airtight and leakproof |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | Microwave and dishwasher; freezer not stated |
| Oven | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want glass containers with a leakproof claim and a split that fits a main and a side.
Skip it if you plan to freeze the week’s lunches; the listing does not say these are freezer-safe.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass from a long-established maker
- Leakproof claim
- Stacks
Cons
- Freezer and oven not stated
- Only two compartments
- A new line with little track record
4. OXO Prep & Go Divided Container, 4.1 Cup – Each Compartment Seals
In most divided containers, the dividers stop short of the lid, so salsa can creep into the rice if the container tips. OXO says all three sections of this Prep & Go container “seal securely to keep the whole container leakproof and keep ingredients from mixing,” thanks to a silicone gasket and two locking clips.
That makes it the pick for wet-and-dry lunches: pico de gallo or salsa verde in one section, rice in another, chicken or beans in the third. The total capacity is 4.1 cups, and OXO lists it as microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe. A clear window in the lid lets you spot it in a crowded office refrigerator.
This is a single container, not a set. In America’s Test Kitchen’s plastic review, OXO’s Prep & Go 20-piece set kept liquid in “without spilling,” but ATK found the plastic became brittle when frozen and one corner chipped after a short drop, so handle frozen containers with care.
Why we like it
- All three compartments seal, per OXO
- Silicone gasket and two locking clips
- Microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe, per OXO
- The Prep & Go line held liquid in ATK’s test
Key specifications
| Container | OXO Good Grips Prep & Go divided (11424700) |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic, silicone gasket |
| Compartments | 3, each sealed |
| Capacity | 4.1 cups total |
| Count | 1 |
| Lid (as stated) | Two locking clips; watertight, leakproof |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | All three (maker) |
| Oven | No |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your lunch always includes something wet that must stay away from the rice or tortilla chips.
Skip it if you want five matching containers in one box; this is sold singly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sealed compartments
- Gasket and clips
- Window in the lid
Cons
- Sold one at a time
- ATK found the line’s plastic brittle when frozen
5. Bentgo Glass 3-Compartment Lunch Box – Glass That Seals Between Sections
Bentgo’s glass lunch box is the glass equivalent of the OXO: a 5-cup container with three compartments and a lid with an airtight seal and locking clips that, according to Bentgo, make it “leak-proof all-around and between compartments.” That last part is the useful one, because it means beans with a bit of broth can sit next to rice.
Bentgo lists the glass as dishwasher-, microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe, so a lunch can go from the freezer to the office microwave or a home oven in the same container. At 5 cups it is the largest single container here, which suits a big appetite or a bowl with rice, beans, protein and vegetables all at once.
Like the OXO it is sold one at a time, so a week of lunches means buying several.
Why we like it
- Leak-proof between compartments, per Bentgo
- 5-cup capacity
- Glass is microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe, per Bentgo
- Locking clips
Key specifications
| Container | Bentgo Glass lunch box (BGOGLS) |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass, plastic lid |
| Compartments | 3, sealed |
| Capacity | 5 cups |
| Count | 1 |
| Lid (as stated) | Airtight seal, locking clips; leak-proof |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | All three (maker) |
| Oven | Glass oven-safe (maker); temperature not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want glass and sealed compartments in one large container.
Skip it if you need to fill five containers on Sunday; buying them singly adds up.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sealed sections in glass
- Largest capacity here
- Freezer to oven, per Bentgo
Cons
- Sold singly
- Heavy when full
6. Ello Duraglass Divided Meal Prep Set – Glass With a Protective Sleeve
Ello’s Duraglass containers are tempered glass wrapped in a removable silicone boot, which Ello says protects against chips and breaks. For anyone who drops a lunch bag on the way out the door, that is reassuring. This set has five 3.4-cup containers with two compartments and five locking plastic lids.
Ello says the snap-on lids are airtight and leak-proof, and that the glass is oven- and microwave-safe without the lid, freezer-safe, and top-rack dishwasher-safe without removing the boot. It also says the glass resists stains and odors.
America’s Test Kitchen tested Ello’s Duraglass storage containers in its glass review and rated them Recommended with Reservations: they “didn’t leak at all,” but the gaskets were hard to reinstall, the sleeves added cleanup and some gaskets and containers held on to odors and stains.
Why we like it
- Silicone boot protects the glass, per Ello
- No leaks in ATK’s review of the Duraglass line
- Oven- and microwave-safe without the lid
- Five containers
Key specifications
| Container | Ello Duraglass Refresh divided (169-8010-001) |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass, silicone boot, plastic lids |
| Compartments | 2 |
| Capacity | 3.4 cups |
| Count | 5 |
| Lid (as stated) | Snap-on locking; airtight and leak-proof |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | All three (microwave without lid) |
| Oven | Yes without lid (maker); temperature not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want glass but worry about breaking it in transit.
Skip it if fiddly cleaning bothers you; ATK found the gaskets hard to put back and the sleeves added work.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Protective sleeve
- Leakproof in ATK’s review
- Glass for reheating
Cons
- Gaskets hard to reinstall, per ATK
- Odors and stains in gaskets, per ATK
- Only two compartments
7. Glasslock Duo Divided Glass Containers – Tempered Glass With a Glass Divider
Glasslock’s Duo containers hold 1,000 milliliters (about 4.2 cups) each, split by a glass divider into two sections, and the set has three. The lids snap down with four side tabs, and Glasslock says they shut air out.
The tempered glass moves from refrigerator to freezer to microwave to dishwasher, according to Glasslock, but the maker is clear that these bases are not oven-safe, and points to its Taper sets for baking. For meal prep that is reheated in an office microwave, that is no loss.
With only three containers, this is a set to add to rather than the whole week’s supply. The listing does not make a leakproof claim, so keep salsas in their own small jar.
Why we like it
- About 4.2 cups each, two sections
- Four-tab snap lids
- Fridge, freezer, microwave and dishwasher, per Glasslock
- Flat lids that stack, per the listing
Key specifications
| Container | Glasslock Duo divided |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass, plastic lids |
| Compartments | 2 |
| Capacity | 1,000 mL (about 4.2 cups) |
| Count | 3 |
| Lid (as stated) | Snap-close, 4 tabs; no leakproof claim |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | All three (maker) |
| Oven | Not oven-safe (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you reheat lunch in a microwave and want glass with two generous sections.
Skip it if you want to reheat in the oven; Glasslock says these bases cannot go in.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good capacity
- Clear maker guidance
- Stackable lids
Cons
- Not oven-safe
- Only three containers
- No leakproof claim
8. Sistema Nest It 2-Compartment Containers, 10-Pack – Nest Away When Empty
Ten meal prep containers take up a lot of cupboard space when empty. Sistema’s Nest It containers nest inside one another, and the ten-pack gives you two weeks of lunches for one person or one week for two.
Each container holds 3.7 cups in two compartments, and Sistema’s clips make them “airtight and leak-resistant,” according to the maker. Sistema says they are made in New Zealand from virgin plastic, and lists them as freezer-safe, microwave-safe without the lids and top-rack dishwasher-safe.
Leak-resistant is not leakproof, so pack wet salsas separately. For rice, beans, grilled chicken and roasted vegetables, the two sections are plenty.
Why we like it
- Nest when empty
- Ten containers
- Locking clips, airtight per Sistema
- Made in New Zealand, per Sistema
Key specifications
| Container | Sistema Nest It meal prep (2166387) |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Compartments | 2 |
| Capacity | 3.7 cups |
| Count | 10 |
| Lid (as stated) | Clip-on; airtight and leak-resistant |
| Microwave/dishwasher/freezer | All three (microwave without lid; top-rack dishwasher) |
| Oven | No |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if cupboard space is tight and you want a lot of containers that store compactly.
Skip it if you need a fully leakproof seal for soupy food.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nesting design
- Ten-pack
- Clip lids
Cons
- Leak-resistant, not leakproof
- Lids out of the microwave
How to choose meal prep containers for a week of lunches
Plan for the three-to-four-day limit
This is the part most meal prep advice skips. North Carolina Cooperative Extension, following USDA guidance, says leftovers keep “for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, or 3 to 4 months in the freezer.” A Sunday cook-up therefore covers Monday to Wednesday or Thursday from the refrigerator; Thursday’s and Friday’s lunches should go into the freezer on Sunday and come out the night before. That is a reason to buy containers the maker rates for the freezer.
Count the compartments you actually use
A burrito bowl wants three: rice, beans and a protein, with the vegetables tucked in with the meat. Two compartments suit a main and a side, like enchiladas with rice. Cold toppings such as pico de gallo, guacamole and crema are better in a small separate container, because they should not be reheated with the rest; our guide to reheating Mexican leftovers explains why.
Leakproof, leak-resistant or neither
Makers choose these words carefully. “Leakproof” containers here have gaskets and latches. “Leak-resistant” containers seal well but are not promised to hold liquid when tipped. Plain fitted lids are for dry food. If your beans travel with their broth, buy one of the leakproof options.
Glass or plastic
Glass is heavier, but most of the glass here can go in the oven, and Ello says its glass resists stains and odors. Plastic is lighter to carry. America’s Test Kitchen suggests never microwaving food in plastic containers, and notes that acidic foods like tomato sauce can interact with plastic over time. If you follow that advice, reheat plastic-packed lunches on a plate, or choose glass.
Capacity
Most lunches fit in 3 to 4 cups. America’s Test Kitchen, writing about OXO’s glass containers for meal prep, suggested a 3.5-cup rectangle or a 4-cup round for anyone buying several of one size. Smaller containers suit lighter eaters; the 5-cup Bentgo suits big ones. A kitchen scale makes it easy to portion rice and meat evenly across the week.
How we chose these eight meal prep containers
We started with America’s Test Kitchen’s current reviews of glass and plastic food storage containers, which named the Rubbermaid Brilliance line its plastic winner, tested Ello Duraglass and OXO Prep & Go, and found that press-down lids without gaskets leaked. We then looked for compartment containers from established makers, in glass and plastic, in packs from one to ten, and took every specification from the Amazon listing or the maker, writing “Not stated” where they were silent. Every pick was in stock on Amazon when we checked.
We left out low-cost bulk packs of thin black takeout-style trays and divided sets sold under unfamiliar brand names with little maker information. We have not used these containers ourselves, and we did not read Wirecutter, Serious Eats or The New York Times for this guide, so we do not quote them.
Meal prep container questions, answered
What type of meal prep container is best?
For reheated lunches, glass with a latching or locking lid is the most versatile: it goes from freezer to microwave, and often the oven, according to its makers. For carrying light lunches, a latching plastic container like Rubbermaid Brilliance is lighter. Choose compartments to match the meal.
What are the best meal prep container brands?
Rubbermaid’s Brilliance line won America’s Test Kitchen’s plastic review, which is why it is our best overall. Pyrex, OXO, Bentgo, Glasslock, Sistema and Ello are established makers that state their materials and care instructions clearly.
Does America’s Test Kitchen recommend any meal prep containers?
ATK’s storage reviews are not specific to meal prep, but its plastic winner was the Rubbermaid Brilliance set, and in an article on OXO glass containers for meal prep it said it could recommend all the containers it tried.
Are glass meal prep containers more eco-friendly?
Any container you reuse for years replaces many single-use ones. Glass tends to last if you do not drop it, and makers like Ello add a silicone sleeve to protect it. The greener choice is the set you will keep using rather than replacing.
How long do meal prep lunches last?
Three to four days in the refrigerator and three to four months in the freezer, according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Freeze the lunches you will eat later in the week.
Our final pick for packed lunches
Buy Rubbermaid Brilliance for light, leakproof plastic. Choose the Bentgo Glass lunch box for a three-part burrito bowl in glass, the Bentgo Prep set for a whole household, the Pyrex Meal Box for a main and a side in glass, and the OXO Prep & Go when the salsa has to stay out of the rice.
More storage guides: food storage containers, flour containers, canister sets, spice jars, beeswax wraps, bag clips.
Prefer glass? See our guide to the best glass meal prep containers.
On a budget? See our guide to the best cheap meal prep containers.
For more on the beans you are likely to pack, read our guide to charro beans and refried beans. And on the days nobody prepped, see our menu or call to order.