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Save your food and cut down on plastic waste with our top picks. home storage vacuum compression bag
If you're trying to cut down on single-use plastics, reusable food storage bags are a great place to start. Made of materials like silicone, PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) and fabric, these bags can be reused hundreds of times, which helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills. Not only that, but they can also save you money over time.
Reusable food storage bags are available in numerous sizes, from tiny snack bags for kids' backpacks to gallon-size bags perfect for stowing meal-prepped veggies or leftover soup. A good reusable food storage bag should seal tightly with no leaks and be durable over the long haul. It should also keep a wide variety of foods fresh without picking up odors or stains. The most versatile bags are safe not only at room temperature but also in the fridge, freezer, microwave, and even the stovetop and oven. Many—but not all—can also go in the dishwasher.
To find the best reusable food storage bags, our panel put 12 different sets through their paces, conducting leak tests, freshness tests and stain tests. In addition, we used the bags in their everyday lives to see how they performed. We also assessed the ease of use, durability, ease of cleaning, design and cost. Read on to learn more about our favorite reusable food storage bags, whatever your needs, desires and budget.
What we like: These sturdy, seemingly indestructible bags seal tightly and keep foods remarkably fresh.
What to know: They're a bit tough to thoroughly dry.
We're longtime fans of Stasher products at EatingWell, so it's no surprise that the brand's reusable silicone bags topped our list in our most recent round of tests. This four-item set includes two sandwich bags and two snack bags so you can pack up lunch and snacks for the day. These bags are also great for storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer, and you can even use them in the oven (up to 425°F) and for sous vide cooking.
In our tests, these Stasher bags preserved a variety of foods impressively well in both the fridge and freezer, including cookies, bananas, cornbread and sliced apples and pears. Plus, the bags showed no signs of damage, warping, sealing issues or lingering smells, even after being subjected to boiling, baking and the dishwasher. And after storing super-staining foods like beets, we found no stains or discoloration on our Stasher bags.
The seal is particularly impressive, with no leaks whatsoever in our tests. However, the “Pinch-Loc” mechanism that makes these bags seal so tightly does have the small downside of making them difficult to clean and dry thoroughly. We ended up using a straw cleaning brush to get all the leftover bits out of the seal, and since the seal took quite a while to dry, we hand-dried some of the bags to speed up the process. All things considered, though, we think this is a fair tradeoff.
We liked the bag sizes in this particular set, which are ideal for packing sandwiches, snacks and leftovers for one or two people. If you'd prefer a wider range of sizes and don't mind paying a bit more, check out the Starter Set, which also performed very well in our tests and includes one snack-size bag, one sandwich bag, one 64-ounce bag and one 56-ounce bag.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 2 sandwich bags (28 fl. oz) and 2 snack bags (12 fl. oz.) | Materials: Silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Yes
What we like: A wide variety of sizes makes these sturdy bags good for storing leftovers as well as taking food on the go.
What to know: You'll need two hands to close these bags, which can make them cumbersome to use.
A close runner-up to the Stasher bags, this 6-piece set from Homelux Theory contains a variety of bags in vibrant colors. Made of food-grade silicone, each set includes two small (2-cup), two medium (4-cup) and two large (6-cup) bags. They're also available in 16-cup sizes, which are sold separately from the set. These bags utilize a unique plastic slider bar to keep them sealed, and there's a little loop in the corner of each bag that allows for hanging storage.
These sturdy bags showed no signs of leakage during our test, and they kept various foods fresh at room temperature, in the fridge and in the freezer. While the bags are dishwasher-safe, they do require some extra soaking to remove tough stains, such as marinara—unlike the Stasher bags, which came clean easily.
Similar to the Stasher bags, these silicone Homelux Theory bags are safe to use in the microwave and for sous vide cooking. However, according to the manufacturer, the plastic slider bar must be removed before the bags are heated. (We found out the hard way that the bar will, indeed, melt if it touches a hot pot.) Also, we'll note that these are difficult to get completely dry—a common problem among most of the reusable bags we tested.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 2 large bags (1.5L/50 fl. oz./6 cups), 2 medium bags (1L/30 fl. oz./4 cups) and 2 small bags (500 ml/15 fl. oz./2 cups) | Materials: Silicone, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes (except for the plastic slider bar) | Freezer Safe: Yes
What we like: These flexible but sturdy bags come in a range of sizes, and they stand up on their own, making it easy to fill them with food.
What to know: These bags aren't safe for high-heat cooking.
Polyethylene vinyl acetate, or PEVA, has become a popular alternative to PVC in products like shower curtains. It's also BPA- and phthalate-free, making it an ideal material for food storage bags—like this five-piece set from (re)zip, for example. These versatile bags range in size from 1 to 4 cups, making them great for storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer, storing dry goods in your pantry and taking snacks and meals on the go.
In our tests, these bags were very easy to fill, since they stand up on their own. They're also flexible around the lip of the bag, similar to most disposable plastic freezer bags. We were impressed at how easy these (re)zip bags were to seal, and they performed well in all of our leak tests, with no drips escaping the tight seal. This makes them good for families with kids or anyone else who might struggle to close and seal some of the other bags on our list. They kept foods fresh at room temperature, in the fridge and the freezer, and didn't warp or stain.
There are a few drawbacks to these PEVA bags, though, compared to the silicone bags on our list. They're not microwave or high-heat-safe, so you won't be able to use them in the oven or for sous vide. And, while they are technically top-rack dishwasher-safe, the instructions recommend hand-washing the bags for best results.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 1 quart bag (4 cups/32 oz.), 2 sandwich bags (2 cups/16 oz.), 2 snack bags (1 cup/8 oz.) | Materials: Food-grade PEVA | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top-rack) | Microwave Safe: No | Freezer Safe: Yes
What we like: If you have a big family or do a lot of meal prep, you can't beat the price of this multipack.
What to know: These are not safe in the microwave or other high-heat cooking methods like sous vide/boil in the bag. They are also not dishwasher safe.
These economical Qinline bags are great for families with kids or anyone who does a lot of meal prep. Made of PEVA, these bags are cheap enough that you won't be devastated if they go missing but are still sturdy and durable enough that you should get years of use out of them (if they don't get left on the school bus). And this set is a steal compared to some of our other favorites, which can be upward of $10 per bag.
In our tests, these Qinline bags did not leak at all, and they kept a wide variety of foods fresh including keeping an avocado from browning even better than an avocado keeper. We loved how neatly these bags kept produce and meal prep items organized in the fridge, too.
Like other bags made of PEVA, these bags are safe for room temperature, refrigerator and freezer storage, but they're not safe to use in the microwave or for other high-heat cooking methods. Also, the manufacturer recommends handwashing these bags instead of putting them in the dishwasher, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 2 gallon bags, 4 sandwich bags, 4 snack bags (capacities not specified) | Materials: Food-grade PEVA | Dishwasher Safe: No | Microwave Safe: No | Freezer Safe: Yes
What we like: This versatile five-piece silicone set is more stylish than food storage should be allowed to be.
What to know: The bags didn't perform very well in our leak tests with water, so we recommend reserving these for storing foods that aren't too liquidy.
The five sturdy silicone bags in this set range in size from 10 ounces to 50 ounces, so it really is a great starter set if you're making the switch from disposable plastic bags. The sets come in various attractive colors, with one side of the bag opaque and the other transparent so you can see what's inside.
The bags performed admirably in our freshness tests and were great for storing cut-up produce, cheese, heads of lettuce, dry snacks and more. Unfortunately, the bags did leak in our tests with water, and it was difficult to remove stains from them in our tests with tomato sauce.
However, we still love these bags for their good looks and ability to keep various foods fresh, dehydrated goods, meal-prepped veggies and snacks. And though the brand is a bit pricey, they have great sales.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 3 flat bags (10 oz., 34 oz. and 46 oz.) and 2 standup bags (36 oz. and 50 oz.) | Materials: Silicone, plastic | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Yes
What we like: You're not likely to run out of storage containers with this large, budget-friendly 20 set of bags that includes snack bags, sandwich bags and gallon-size bags.
What to know: These bags are not dishwasher safe, but even with handwashing, they got a bit warped.
If you have a large family or like to take lots of meals and snacks on the go, this Ideatech set could be the one for you. It includes six snack bags, six sandwich bags, and eight gallon-size bags made of flexible but sturdy PEVA. These bags are ideal for fridge and freezer storage, and they're great for meal prep, as well. You can even use these bags to hold toiletries if you're traveling.
The bags in this set passed our leak tests with flying colors, and they kept a wide variety of foods fresh, from kale to carrots to cookies. Unfortunately, like most PEVA bags, these are neither dishwasher-safe nor heat-safe, which means you can’t use them in the microwave or for sous vide cooking.
When testing these bags, we found no lingering visible stains after washing, although they did hold onto the scent of tomato sauce. A few bags also warped slightly after we hand washed them, but they still closed properly despite the warping.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 8 gallon bags (128 fl. oz./16 cups), 6 sandwich bags (30 fl. oz./4 cups), 6 snack bags (10 fl. oz./1.23 fl. oz.) | Materials: PEVA | Dishwasher Safe: No | Microwave Safe: No | Freezer Safe: Yes
What we like: Available in over two dozen designs, these cute cloth bags will get kids (and adults) excited to dig into their sandwiches and snacks.
What to know: These bags are not leakproof, so they're best for dry snacks.
If you're looking to add a dose of whimsy to your daily meal prep, look no further than these Bumkins cloth sandwich and snack bags. Made of polyester with embedded thermoplastic polyurethane (or TPU), these bags feature printed designs like unicorns, wildlife and popular cartoon and comic book characters, to name only a few. These bags couldn't be cuter, and we think they're perfect for families with kids.
In our tests, these Bumkin bags did a great job of keeping dry snacks fresh, including pretzels, cheese crackers, veggie straws and more. Fruits like grapes stayed fresh for about three days—about what you'd expect for a plastic storage bag. These bags clean up nicely with no lingering stains or odors, and you can wash them in the top rack of the dishwasher or a standard washing machine. (You can also hand-wash them if that's more your speed.)
Because of the zipper closure, these bags are not leakproof (nor are they advertised as such), so you wouldn't want to store anything too liquidy in them. However, the waterproof material is fine for damp items. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these bags are not microwave-safe, and since they're not airtight, Bumkins does not recommend using them in the freezer.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 1 sandwich bag and 2 snack bags (capacities not specified) | Materials: Polyester with embedded TPU | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack) | Microwave Safe: No | Freezer Safe: No
What we like: These sturdy silicone bags stand up on their own, so you can pour or spoon food into them without having to use your hands to hold them open.
What to know: In our tests, these bags did not seal well, and we noticed a lot of leakage.
Transferring liquids into food storage bags can often be a bit of a pain. First, you have to find a way to hold the bag up and keep it open with one hand, and then you have to carefully pour said liquid into the bag without making a mess. Luckily, these reusable Zip Top bags make this process exponentially easier. Made of thick, sturdy silicone, these Zip Top bags stand up on their own and have a wide, bowl-like opening that makes transferring foods like soups and stews to them as easy as can be.
These bags are microwave-safe, although you'll need to leave them open or partially unzipped when microwaving them. We used the large bag to make a batch of turmeric rice, which came out perfectly. The bags can also go in the freezer and dishwasher, so they're quite versatile. Additionally, they did an admirable job of keeping food fresh. These bags nest inside one another for easy storage, but their bowl-like shape means they do take up a fair amount of space. They also hold less food than you might think based on their size.
While these bags are sturdy and did not warp in our tests, they did hold onto stains when we placed tomato sauce in them. These bags were also difficult to seal completely, and when we placed the bags on their side, there was a lot of leakage. So, while it's easy to get liquidy foods into them, you'll want to be absolutely sure to keep them upright in the fridge or freezer to prevent spills.
Pieces Included & Capacity: 1 small bag (16 oz.), 1 medium bag (24 oz.), and 1 large bag (32 oz.) | Materials: Silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Microwave Safe: Yes | Freezer Safe: Yes
When it comes to reusable food storage bags, you can't do better than this Stasher Silicone Lunch/Travel Bundle (view at Amazon). These versatile, super-sturdy bags are both leak proof and stain-proof, and they can go in the microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer with ease. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly pick, and you don't mind bags that can't go in the microwave or dishwasher, we recommend this 10-pack of Qinline Reusable Food Storage Bags (view at Amazon).
There are quite a few options out there when it comes to reusable food storage bags. Keep these points in mind when shopping:
The majority of the food storage containers we tested were made of either silicone or PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate). Silicone tends to be a bit thicker and sturdier than PEVA, while PEVA is typically less expensive than silicone. In addition, silicone can typically withstand high heat, which means it can go in the microwave and dishwasher, while PEVA often cannot.
In addition to silicone and PEVA, reusable food storage bags also come in cloth versions, such as Bumkins' polyester bags with a waterproof coating. While these bags don't seal as tightly as silicone and PEVA, they're great for toting dry snacks in backpacks, lunch boxes or purses.
When choosing a set of reusable food storage bags, think about what size and capacity will be most useful to you. Do you need small bags for your kids' (or your own) snacks, or are you looking for large containers to squirrel away big batches of leftovers or meal-prepped ingredients? Also, consider whether you prefer bags that lay flat or stand up on their own—the former typically takes up less storage space, but the latter is excellent for pouring in things like soup and stew.
If having to hand-wash your food storage bags is a dealbreaker for you, be sure to read the specs carefully before buying. All the silicone bags we tested can go in the dishwasher, while many PEVA bags must be hand-washed. Meanwhile, fabric bags can typically go in the top rack of the dishwasher or into a standard clothes washer. If lingering stains and odors are going to really rankle you, look to our picks that withstand staining the best (our top pick, Stasher, fits the bill—it sheds stains and odors like a boss).
Most of the bags in our tests stood up well to use and cleaning, and we think they'll all hold up well for the long haul—particularly the sturdy silicone bags. That said, consider potential weak points, such as zipper closures, that could break down over time.
Reusable food storage bags can be pricey—especially the silicone ones—but over time, they can ultimately save you money compared to single-use plastic food storage bags. As noted above, silicone tends to be more expensive than PEVA, but it also typically seems sturdier and more durable, so you might save some money in the long run by choosing silicone.
For each of the 12 sets of bags we evaluated, we conducted a series of three tests: a leak test, a stain test and a freshness test.
After the initial testing, we incorporated the bags into our cooking routines and day-to-day lives. We used them for meal-prepping ingredients and storing leftovers, we took them to work packed with snacks, we sent them along with our kids to school and we used them to freeze produce—among many other things. After digesting the results of each test, we assessed factors like ease of use, durability, capacity, ease of cleaning and design to come up with our top picks.
SPLF Reusable Storage Bags ($15 at Amazon): While these PEVA bags sealed tightly and kept foods fresh for days in our tests, they also stained very easily. The manufacturer does not recommend putting hot foods in them or placing them in the dishwasher or the microwave, which may be deal breakers for some folks.
Xomoo Reusable Silicone Food Bags ($20 at Amazon): Made from silicone, these bags can go in the dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven. You can even use them on the stovetop, such as for sous vide cooking, according to the manufacturer. While this versatile set kept our foods nice and fresh, the bags didn't fare so well in our leak tests.
Lunchskins Reusable Zippered Food Storage Bag Set ($11 at Amazon): These pretty little fabric bags are an attractive way to take dry snacks on the go. However, the zipper seals are not airtight, and they leaked badly during our tests.
(re)Zip Reusable Flat Bag Storage Bag Kit ($20 at Amazon): These bags are made by the same company that makes our “Best Multipurpose” pick—the (re)zip 5-Piece Stand-Up Leakproof Resusable Storage set. Like that set, these bags performed very well in our leak and freshness tests. However, we found the stand-up set more versatile than this flat set.
When it comes to the safety of silicone, PEVA and TPU-coated reusable food storage bags, there are no easy answers. "Although some of the compounds might seem to be safer than previous plastic bags, it's hard to know without actual testing data," says Michael Hansen, Ph.D., senior scientist, advocacy, with Consumer Reports.
Similarly, Samara Geller, senior director of cleaning science for the Environmental Working Group, says that, when it comes to materials such as silicone, more studies are needed to identify what chemical additives and materials might be left behind from processing and to assess the levels at which these chemicals might migrate into food that's stored in the bags. For that reason, Geller says, "We currently recommend glass and stainless steel as the best options for reusable food ware." She adds, "If these options aren't available or you're set on using silicone, try platinum-cured silicone products, which may help to minimize the potential for harmful impurities."
Another way to mitigate potential risks when using reusable or disposable food storage bags is to follow the usage instructions from the manufacturer—for example, if the manufacturer says not to put a bag in the dishwasher or microwave, follow those guidelines.
This varies from bag to bag, but in general, you should get hundreds of uses out of any of the bags on this list. Unless your reusable bag is visibly damaged or begins to smell bad, there's no reason not to keep using it. The Stasher website, for one, calls its bags "endlessly reusable," and while we can't speak to endlessness, we can say that several EatingWell editors have been using their silicone bags for years with no signs of damage.
You can extend the life of your reusable storage bags by following the instructions from the manufacturer about how to use and care for them and heeding the instructions about whether they can go in the dishwasher or the microwave.
This will also vary depending on the bag, and you'll want to follow the manufacturer's directions about the best way to clean your bag of choice. For example, most silicone bags can go in the dishwasher, while most PEVA bags need to be hand-washed (although some can go on the top rack of the dishwasher). Ditto for drying—the manufacturers' instructions are your best bet. We will say that, for most of these bags, finding a way to hold them open while air drying—whether that's by putting them over a glass or on a special drying rack—helps to get them completely dry. Some bags can be turned inside out for drying, while others will warp if turned inside out. So, again, following the instructions given by the manufacturer will point you in the right direction.
We'll say it again: When it comes to microwaving your food storage bags, it's important to consult the manufacturers' guidelines. As a general rule, though, most silicone bags can go in the microwave, while the majority of PEVA bags should not be zapped, as they could potentially leach harmful chemicals into the food contained in them. Fabric bags (especially synthetic) are another no-go for the same reason—and if they have metal zippers or other hardware on them, it's a double "no."
All but one of the bags on our list can go in the freezer, and they do a great job of protecting foods from freezer burn. The exception is the Bumkins brand, which does not recommend using its bags in the freezer because they are not airtight. That said, it’s more of a freshness issue with the Bumkins bags rather than a safety issue.
Megan O. Steintrager is a former food editor for EatingWell and is now a freelance writer with more than 20 years in the food space. She's previously worked at Epicurious, the Kitchn, TODAY Food, AOL and Consumer Reports. In addition to her own expertise, Megan consulted Michael Hansen, Ph.D., senior scientist for Consumer Reports, as well as Samara Geller, senior director of cleaning science for the Environmental Working Group for their insights on the safety of reusable food storage bags.
transparent inflatable packaging bag This article was edited by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes.