Zip Top Containers Review: Are These Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags Worth It?

Zip Top Containers Review: Are These Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags Worth It?

This Zip Top containers review was originally sponsored by Zip Top. As always, opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.

If your kitchen cabinet has ever looked like a lid convention gone wrong, you are not alone. Food storage sounds simple until you are standing in front of a drawer full of mismatched plastic lids, stained containers, and bags that never seem to stay upright when you are trying to fill them.

That is where Zip Top containers come in. These reusable silicone food storage containers are designed to stand up, stay open, and zip closed without a separate lid. They are part container, part reusable bag, and part “why did no one think of this sooner?” kitchen helper.

But are Zip Top containers actually worth it? After trying them in real-life kitchen situations, I think they are a smart option for certain households, especially if you want reusable food storage that is easy to fill, easy to wash, and less chaotic than traditional containers. They are not perfect for every storage need, though, so this review breaks down what works, what does not, and who will probably love them most.

Quick Verdict: Are Zip Top Containers Worth It?

Zip Top containers are worth considering if you want reusable silicone food storage that is easy to fill, easy to clean, and does not require hunting for matching lids. Their biggest strength is convenience: they stand upright, stay open while you add food, and can go from refrigerator to freezer to microwave to dishwasher.

They are especially helpful for leftovers, snacks, lunch prep, small portions, chopped produce, and foods you want to grab quickly from the refrigerator. I also like them for storing small batches of homemade favorites, like leftover easy hot dog chili, extra Copycat Pizza Hut pizza sauce, or toppings for a backyard burger night with homemade hamburger buns.

Where they are less ideal: stacking a full fridge or freezer. Because they are soft-sided silicone containers, they can flex or smush if you try to pile heavier items on top of them. If your storage style is all about neat stacks, rigid glass or plastic containers may still work better for some foods.

What Are Zip Top Containers?

Zip Top containers are reusable food storage containers made from platinum silicone. Unlike traditional food storage containers, they do not use separate lids. Instead, the top seals closed with an attached zipper-style closure.

The design is meant to combine the flexibility of a reusable storage bag with the convenience of a container. They stand upright on their own, have wide openings for easy filling, and nest together when empty.

That lid-free design is the feature that makes them stand out. There is no separate top to lose, no warped plastic lid to wrestle with, and no mystery pile of mismatched pieces taking over the cabinet.

What I Like About Zip Top Containers

They Stand Up While You Fill Them

This is the feature I noticed immediately. Traditional reusable bags can flop over while you are trying to spoon in leftovers, sauce, soup, or chopped fruit. Zip Top containers stand open on the counter, which makes them much easier to fill.

That matters when you are transferring something saucy, like chili, pizza sauce, or cooked vegetables. It also helps when kids are helping pack snacks or when you are prepping several containers at once.

There Are No Lids to Match

I cannot overstate how nice it is to skip the lid hunt. Zip Top containers close on their own, so you are not digging through a drawer trying to find the one lid that fits the one container you already filled.

For busy kitchens, that one change can make food storage feel less annoying.

They Nest Well When Empty

When they are not in use, Zip Top containers can nest together, which helps reduce cabinet clutter. They are soft enough to tuck into each other but structured enough that they do not feel flimsy.

They Work for Refrigerator, Freezer, Microwave, and Dishwasher Use

One of the biggest advantages is that Zip Top containers are designed for everyday kitchen use. They can be used in the refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and dishwasher, which makes them more flexible than disposable bags or containers with lids that may warp over time.

That makes them useful for meal prep. For example, you could store burger toppings while making easy black bean burgers, chill homemade dessert toppings like homemade whipped cream, or portion extra chili for baked Coney Island chili cheese dogs.

Zip Top Containers Pros and Cons

How Do Zip Top Containers Compare to Regular Food Storage Containers?

Zip Top containers are best thought of as a hybrid between reusable silicone bags and traditional containers. They are easier to fill than flat reusable bags because they stand on their own, but they are softer and more flexible than rigid containers.

If you like stacking perfectly square containers in the fridge, Zip Top may not replace every container in your kitchen. But if you are constantly using disposable bags for snacks, leftovers, chopped produce, or small portions, Zip Top containers can be a practical upgrade.

Feature	Zip Top Containers	Traditional Containers
Lids	No separate lid	Requires matching lid
Filling	Stands open	Usually easy
Stacking when full	Limited	Usually better
Cabinet storage	Nests when empty	Can get bulky
Best for	Snacks, leftovers, sauces, small portions	Meal storage, leftovers, stacked fridge organization

Best Ways to Use Zip Top Containers

Zip Top containers are most useful when you reach for them as everyday kitchen helpers instead of trying to make them replace every container you own. Here are the uses where they shine:

• Storing cut fruit, berries, grapes, or apple slices
• Packing crackers, pretzels, nuts, or lunchbox snacks
• Saving leftover sauces or dips
• Portioning soup, chili, or pasta sauce
• Holding chopped onions, peppers, or pizza toppings
• Freezing small portions of leftovers
• Prepping ingredients for pizza night
• Keeping toppings organized for cookouts

For pizza night, I like the idea of using them to portion toppings while making Copycat Pizza Hut pizza dough. One container can hold shredded cheese, another can hold sliced peppers, and another can hold pepperoni or chopped vegetables.

Are Zip Top Containers Good for Meal Prep?

Yes, Zip Top containers can work well for meal prep, especially for small portions, ingredients, snacks, and leftovers. They are not my first choice for perfectly stacked full meals, but they are very useful for the parts of meal prep that usually end up in disposable bags.

Think chopped vegetables, fruit, sauce portions, toppings, nuts, crackers, hard-boiled eggs, or small freezer portions. They are also helpful if you prep homemade ingredients in batches and want to store extras without using single-use bags.

Can Zip Top Containers Go in the Freezer?

Zip Top containers can be used for freezer storage, but there is one important thing to know: because they are soft-sided, they can shift, flex, or smush if your freezer is packed tightly.

For best results, freeze them upright until the food is solid. Once frozen, you can move them around more easily. I would avoid placing heavy items on top of them while they are freezing.

Do Zip Top Containers Stain?

Like many food storage products, Zip Top containers can stain if you use them for deeply colored foods like tomato sauce, beets, curry, or chili. This does not necessarily affect how they work, but it can change how they look over time.

If staining bothers you, use darker-colored containers for tomato-based foods and lighter colors for snacks, fruit, or dry items.

Do Zip Top Containers Hold Odors?

Silicone can sometimes hold onto food odors. If your container smells like garlic, onion, or tomato sauce after washing, try soaking it in warm water with baking soda. Let it sit, rinse well, and air dry completely before storing.

What Sizes Do Zip Top Containers Come In?

Zip Top containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including smaller containers for snacks and larger containers for leftovers or meal prep. The smaller sizes are great for lunchboxes, berries, sliced fruit, and sauces. The larger sizes are better for leftovers, chopped vegetables, soups, and freezer portions.

If you are new to Zip Top, I would start with a small set instead of buying every size at once. Use them for a week or two and see which size you reach for most often.

Who Will Like Zip Top Containers Most?

Zip Top containers are a good fit for people who want a reusable, low-fuss food storage option and do not want to deal with separate lids. They are especially useful for families, lunch packing, snack prep, and anyone who wants to cut down on disposable plastic bags.

You may like them if:

• You pack lunches often
• You save small amounts of leftovers
• You prep snacks for kids or work
• You want a reusable alternative to zip-top plastic bags
• You hate searching for matching lids
• You like containers that can stand open while filling

Who May Not Love Them?

Zip Top containers may not be the best fit if you prefer rigid containers that stack neatly when full. They are also not ideal if you want every food storage piece to look brand-new forever, because silicone can stain or hold odors depending on what you store.

You may want to skip them if:

• You need perfectly stackable full containers
• Your freezer is usually packed tight
• You mostly store large family-size portions
• You dislike any staining on food storage containers
• You prefer glass containers for reheating

Zip Top Containers Review: Final Thoughts

Zip Top containers are not a perfect replacement for every container in your kitchen, but they are a clever, practical upgrade for many everyday storage needs. I like that they stand up, stay open, close without a separate lid, and work well for snacks, leftovers, sauces, and meal prep ingredients.

The main trade-off is stackability. If you need rigid containers for full meals or tightly packed freezer storage, keep some of those on hand. But if you want to reduce disposable bags and make small food storage jobs easier, Zip Top containers are genuinely useful.

My final verdict: Zip Top containers are worth it for snack prep, leftovers, lunch packing, and anyone who wants reusable silicone food storage without the lid chaos. Start with a small set, use them for the foods you store most often, and see how they fit your kitchen routine.

More Kitchen-Friendly Recipes to Store, Prep, or Save for Later

If you are using Zip Top containers for meal prep or leftovers, these Mommy’s Memorandum recipes are great places to start:

• Homemade Hamburger Buns — perfect for cookouts, sandwiches, and freezer-friendly batches.
• Easy Hot Dog Chili — store leftovers in small portions for chili dogs, fries, nachos, or baked potatoes.
• Baked Coney Island Chili Cheese Dogs — a fun family dinner when you already have chili ready to go.
• Copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Dough — prep toppings ahead and keep pizza night organized.
• Copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce — portion extra sauce for future homemade pizza nights.
• Easy Black Bean Burgers — a quick meatless dinner that pairs well with prepped toppings.
• Homemade Whipped Cream — keep chilled for topping fruit, pies, cakes, and cozy drinks.

FAQs About Zip Top Containers

Are Zip Top containers reusable?

Yes. Zip Top containers are designed to be reused instead of tossed after one use. They are a reusable alternative to disposable food storage bags for many everyday kitchen needs.

Are Zip Top containers better than plastic bags?

For many uses, yes. Zip Top containers stand upright, stay open while filling, and can be washed and reused. Disposable plastic bags may be cheaper upfront, but Zip Top containers can reduce single-use plastic waste over time.

Can you microwave Zip Top containers?

Zip Top containers are designed for microwave use. Always open the seal before microwaving so steam can escape, and use caution when removing hot food.

Can you put Zip Top containers in the dishwasher?

Yes. Zip Top containers can go in the dishwasher. For best drying, place them open and upright so water does not collect inside.

Do Zip Top containers leak?

They are designed to seal, but like any flexible food storage container, make sure the zipper is fully closed before storing liquids. I would still keep liquid-heavy foods upright, especially in lunch bags or a crowded refrigerator.

Are Zip Top containers good for freezer storage?

Yes, they can be used in the freezer. Freeze them upright first, and avoid stacking heavy items on top while the food is still soft.

Do Zip Top containers stain?

They can stain from foods like tomato sauce, chili, curry, or beets. Use darker colors for strongly colored foods if staining bothers you.

How do you remove odors from silicone food storage containers?

Try soaking the container in warm water and baking soda, then wash, rinse, and let it air dry completely before storing.