To determine a suitable treatment method for tomato preservation, antibacterial chitosan (CS) packaging cartons and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) sustained-release treatment were used for tomato storage. Changes in the sensory, quality, cell membrane metabolism, and antioxidant indexes of tomatoes were measured during storage. The results indicate that CS+1-MCP treatment can better reduce the weight loss and decay of tomatoes than pure CS or 1-MCP treatments alone during the 0~18 d storage period. In particular, on the 18th day, the weight loss and decay rate of the CS+1-MCP group are 0.97% and 23.3% lower than those of the CS group, respectively, and are 0.58% higher and 6.67% lower than those of the CK+1-MCP group, respectively. 1-MCP sustained release treatments also help to maintain the physiological and antioxidant properties of tomatoes. More specifically, on the 18th day, the respiratory intensity of the CS+1-MCP group is 3.37 and 11.4 mg/(kg•h) higher than that of the CK+1-MCP and CS groups, respectively, and the hardness of the CS+1-MCP group is 1.93 and 0.64 kgf/cm2 higher than that of the latter two groups, respectively. At the same time, the CS+1-MCP group also maintains a better appearance and color and higher contents of titratable acid, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and total phenols. In addition, CS+1-MCP treatment effectively slows the increase of malondialdehyde and cell membrane permeability, delays the peak activities of peroxidase and catalase, and inhibits the their activity reduction in the later stage. In conclusion, CS+1-MCP effectively improves the preservation of storage quality of tomatoes compared with pure CS or 1-MCP treatments alone. Therefore, CS cartons combined with 1-MCP sustained-release treatment can be successfully applied to the postharvest storage and preservation of tomatoes.