Updated on Jun. 05, 2025
We tested six produce keepers against DIY storage methods to determine the best ways to store produce. Spoiler: Five options outperformed classic storage hacks.
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Tired of lettuce wilting after five days? What about mushy berries? Nothing stings more than newly-purchased produce spoiling ahead of its time. But when it comes to finding the best produce keepers, there’s a lot to consider. “It’s important that any container that touches the food you’re going to eat is safe,” says Abby K. Cannon, founder of Abby’s Food Court. “Knowing which fruits and vegetables can be stored together is also helpful.”
In order to find the top options, we scoured reviews to find the best produce keepers online, then tested them against DIY storage methods. The results are in, and these five produce keepers are—well—keepers. Next task: Learning to organize the fridge.
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The key to a delicious salad is fresh leafy greens, and this Oxo Good Grips GreenSaver is the best place to store them. While glass storage containers can also keep produce fresh, the airtight-or-breathable technology of this keeper makes it ideal for storing greens, berries and any other foods that grow from the ground. Its flexibility when it comes to storage makes it our favorite of the produce keepers we tested.
A removable, mesh-like colander insert makes it easy to rinse produce before stashing it. It also allows air to circulate throughout the container and reduces moisture buildup, which is a must for berries. Additionally, a carbon filter in the lid keeps bacteria and fridge smells at bay, meaning no more sad, soggy salads. Each filter, which lasts approximately 90 days, is also useful for absorbing ethylene, a gas that produce releases. Excess ethylene speeds up ripening and shortens produce’s fridge life.
Where this produce saver really shines is in its top vent where the carbon filter lives. A handy guide printed on the filter housing gives clear instructions for whether the vent should be open, closed or midway open based on the produce inside. This helps regulate humidity. Using this guide, my kale and cilantro stayed supermarket fresh for over a week—an impressive feat!
For a similar gas-absorber for the pantry, try the Blueapple.
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These compact, stackable produce savers are an ideal option for those with tight fridge space. Airtight seals with optional vents offer a climate-controlled environment that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh longer. Bonus: The produce keepers’ colorful design makes it cute enough to show off.
Unlike large airtight containers that are best saved for washed lettuce, this set is optimal as fruit storage for berries, fresh-picked cherry tomatoes and other tiny fruits and veggies. For those with an apartment-sized fridge or minimal room, the stackable nature of these BPA-free bins is super useful. One of my favorite aspects of this set is the removable colander that also functions as a berry bin. Between this and the airtight seal, it’s totally possible to use these in the pantry, too!
I use both the single-bin and the double-bin containers, and they perform equally well keeping both greens and grapes fresh for over 10 days. They can also be used for meat, since they don’t retain odors or bacteria! I love that the double-bin design allows for multiple types of produce. Plus, the bins are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and freezer-safe for preserving berries.
Need a space-saving option for herbs? Try the editor-loved Prepara Herb Savor Pod.
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This cute berry keeper beats hosting blueberries in their grocery store containers. It boasts a sleek design made from BPA-free recycled plastic, plus a removable inner colander basket to prevent soggy berries. Just plop the berries in this produce keeper, rinse and they’re good to go!
iDesign’s berry keeper comes in three pieces, including the container, lid and a slotted insert. Use the insert as a colander and keep the berries nestled inside to avoid over-ripening. Or, remove it entirely using the imbedded handles for other types of produce. The generous 8.32″ x 6.32″ x 3.88″ size offers abundant space for greens and grapes, while still being fridge-friendly.
After ten days, my berries showed zero signs of spoilage. There wasn’t any juice in the bottom of the container, and the blueberries themselves felt nice and firm. The berry bin isn’t dishwasher-safe, but it does clean up easily with a little soap and water. While it also works as general fridge storage, the permanent vent means that it can’t hold cut fruits without a risk of drying them out. That said, it still works great for produce that requires a bit of air circulation!
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The sign of an all-star produce keeper? The seal of approval from two of our Test Kitchen staffers who can’t stop talking about this lettuce keeper. An adjustable vent allows for proper air circulation while the drip tray catches every last bit of moisture to keep greens crisp. Bonus: It’s safe for all produce, including grapes, broccoli—you name it.
It comes with a center divider, which is ideal for multiple types of produce. I especially enjoy the wheel-style breathing system, which comes with a handy guide for different produce printed next to it. While I wish that you could adjust it to only open on one side, it’s still a handy feature. Additionally, the removable drainage tray turns the bin into a handy colander for easy rinsing.
This is also the largest of all the containers I tested, volume-wise. It quite literally can fit multiple romaine lettuce heads or several pounds of grapes. That said, it’s understandably bulky, and it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as the others. Because of this, I’m afraid to wash it in the dishwasher, but it cleans up pretty easily by hand.
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Everyone has heard of Tupperware, but did you know that the brand has its own produce keepers? The pieces in the Tupperware FridgeSmart System functions as both produce keepers and airtight containers for leftovers. This makes them a great choice for folks who only buy produce on occasion. It’s also perfect for folks who don’t know much about ventilation for different types of produce.
Instead of offering a written guide, there is a multitude of colorful produce pictures present on the exterior. Each comes coupled with the necessary lid position, so it’s a super easy reference point at a glance. Bonus: They’re printed inside the layers of the keeper, meaning they won’t fade with time. That said, while the three-position vent on the lid is handy, it can be a bit tricky to see which position is which.
In addition to ease of use, the Tupperware containers are incredibly durable—something we’ve come to expect from Tupperware. Simply toss the in the dishwasher when it’s cleanup time. The bins also nest for easy storage. While there aren’t drainage holes, each type of produce tested fared well over the course of 10 days. Because of its superior performance, we’re willing to overlook that small sticking point.
In your search for produce-saving fridge containers, keep these factors in mind:
“The safest materials to store food in are inert materials like glass, stainless steel and fabrics like cotton or linen,” says Cannon. Containers made from these materials prevent chemicals from leaching into foods. You can also opt for BPA-free plastic, which is generally safe.
“Different vegetables require different environments to stay fresh,” says Cannon. Adjustable produce keepers allow you to control airflow and moisture based on the fruit or vegetable. Without adequate ventilation and moisture control, produce spoils quickly.
“For most people, stackable designs are efficient because you can transfer the produce to the containers and easily find them when in the refrigerator,” says Cannon. Choose containers sized to match your weekly produce needs. Smaller containers may not hold everything, while oversized ones can lead to overbuying.
“Any barrier to proper food storage, like having to hand wash, will ultimately decrease your likelihood of using the produce keeper,” says Cannon. Opt for dishwasher-safe containers for convenience, and look for those with fewer parts for easy maintenance.
“Ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and bananas, should be stored away from ethylene-sensitive produce like leafy greens and cabbage,” advises Cannon. For items that can be stored together, consider space-saving containers that accommodate multiple types.
We began by studying the science of produce preservation, including materials extending freshness and chemical byproducts accelerating spoilage. This insight guided us in evaluating various options on the market, focusing on trusted brands and highly-rated products from both professional and customer reviews. From this research, we curated a list of our top picks.
Once we secured our top contenders, we purchased kale, grapes, cilantro and blueberries. Each was divvied up into the containers. For options like the PrepWorks Progressive Lettuce & Produce Keeper, which only had two sections, we opted to go with one type of leafy green and berries or grapes. From there, we followed any instructions provided in terms of ventilation and stored them in the fridge. Waiting 10 days gave us a pretty accurate idea of which containers fared better for which types of produce.
As a control, we tested each produce keeper against produce in their original packaging stored in the crisper, in an airtight Mason jar and in plastic freezer bags. Each of the options we tested outperformed all three DIY methods of storage. The grocery store’s produce bags produced wilty greens after a week thanks to too much air. On the other hand, the Mason jar and baggie methods didn’t allow the produce to breathe, trapping off-gassing and creating a very humid environment that led to over-ripening.
Yes, when made from quality materials, produce keepers can effectively extend freshness. They reduce packaging waste and maintain food quality better than disposable containers.
Containers with strong ventilation and moisture control best preserve fruit. Glass, stainless steel and cotton or linen fabrics are ideal materials for fresh produce keepers.
Yes, you can keep some fruits and veggies in mason jars as a viable storage option. They are airtight, made with durable glass and some are large enough to fit multiple fruits and veggies. However, our testing revealed that some produce requires ventilation. For berries and other breathing produce, opt for a dedicated produce keeper.
Fruits and vegetables should be stored in a cool place, in sealed containers or produce keepers and with a paper towel to absorb any lingering moisture. They should also be stored separately from other varieties of produce to keep them fresh.
While you may think refrigerating vegetables in a produce keeper is the best move, it can spoil some veggies faster. Consider keeping these veggies in a basket or bowl outside the fridge:
Emily Way is a shopping editor for Taste Recipes and is an expert at curating the internet’s best gifts, kitchen appliances, cleaning gear and viral home buys. She’s also a founding member of the Taste Recipes shopping team. She has reviewed hundreds of products in the home space, including kitchen appliances, cooking gear, cleaning gadgets, furniture and home decor.
We consulted Abby K. Cannon, JD, RD, CDN, founder of Abby’s Food Court for this article. Abby is an integrative and functional dietitian with a private nutrition practice. She helps her clients optimize their health through realistic and doable diet and lifestyle interventions, coaching and functional testing. She’s also an expert in non-toxic and sustainable living and weaves this into her work with her clients.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste Recipes, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
