The 5 Best Collapsible Food Storage Containers for Anyone Short on Space

Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm was the Tools Editor at The Kitchn. A professional kitchen equipment tester, she's worked for America's Test Kitchen, EatingWell, and Food52. Her goal: to find the best gear for your kitchen so you don't waste time or money on anything else. She lives…read more
updated Mar 12, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Walmart

Fact of life: Food storage containers are bulky! I know you get me. Even storage containers that are conveniently designed to nest still take up a decent amount of space. However, food storage is a necessity, so what are you supposed to do when you’re short on cabinet space? This brings me to, you guessed it, collapsible containers.

There are a ton of containers out there that expand to fit copious amounts of food and then squish down into barely-there, flat discs for easy storage. This squish factor is especially helpful when you’re bringing empty containers back home after work. So, which collapsible food storage containers are worth the precious cabinet space? These are the best ones to stock up on.

Do you have collapsible food storage you swear by that we missed? We want to hear all about it! Tell us about your favorite finds in the comments below.

1 / 5
Amazon
$24.95

Stojo has cornered the market when it comes to collapsible containers be it water bottles, sandwich containers, or this silicone food storage container, which has actually sold out many times before because it's that good. Made from food-grade silicone, it has a 4.5-cup capacity, plus four latches to prevent spills. It's also dishwasher-safe and available in eight super-pretty colors.

2 / 5
Amazon
$19.99
was $29.99

If a collection of collapsible containers is what you're after, then this colorful set from Thin Bins fits the bill. It comes with four different sizes of containers and costs under $25, making for an affordable set. The small, medium, large, and extra-large containers have snap-on lids complete with vents; the containers are microwave-safe. They're available in round and rectangle shapes, too.

3 / 5
Amazon
$17.99

These round containers are available in a few colors, each with latches on the lids to prevent spills and available in four different sizes. They're also safe for the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer.

4 / 5
Amazon
$22.95
was $25.99

This colorful trio comes in 1.5-cup, 3-cup, and 5-cup sizes to hold small and large quanities. They're dishwasher-safe but the lids don't have latches, so they're best for things that don't have the potential of leaking or for storing leftovers that you don't plan on toting anywhere.

5 / 5
Amazon
$21.77
was $24.19

Available in a few colors and in a rectangular shape too, this set comes with secure snap-on lids that vent for microwaving. Reviewers note that they're better for dry food than wet and that they have a tendency to stain. However, others call them a "space-saving must" and a "terrific collapsible bowl set."