Have you ever pulled out your sandwiches, salad, or fruit from your bag only to discover that your food is squashed and soggy? This will never happen to you again when you have a lunch box. Sturdy, portable, and available in bright colors, a lunch box is perfect for adults, teenagers, and kids.
Pack Smart with a Portable Lunch Box
A lunch box is a smart portable solution for on-the-go food storage needs. You might be thinking that a lunch box is just for kids but it’s not. There are different designs, styles, and colors to choose from. Plus, a lunch box is extremely versatile. It can be used for sandwiches, wraps, sushi, pasta, rice, fruit, nuts, and other types of snacks.
So whether you are looking for a lunch box for yourself, your partner, or your kids, the whole family will benefit from keeping their food in a lunch box.
As well as holding your lunch and snacks in one handy container, a lunch box will transform your lifestyle by offering you the following features.
- Help you to kickstart and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Health experts recommend that we practice healthy eating by avoiding fatty, sugary food and eating fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts, and wholemeal fiber, as well as other life-enhancing superfoods. Packing your lunch box full of tasty nutrient-rich food will help you to maintain healthy eating habits at home, work, college, and school.
- Allow for safe storage during transport. Instead of storing sandwiches, fruit, and salad in a sweaty plastic bag or a leaky paper bag, a lunch box will keep your food fresh and safely stashed away in your everyday carry backpack, tactical backpack, or briefcase.
- Be money smart. Buying your lunch at a café or sandwich bar can be expensive, but when you pack your own homemade fresh, healthy, and tasty lunch in a lunch box, you will save money.
The 9 Best Lunch Boxes
- Bentgo Kids Children’s Lunch Box
- BentoHeaven Bento Box Bundle
- EasyLunchboxes Bento Lunch Boxes
- Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit (Our Top Pick)
- OSK Japanese Traditional Rabbit Moon Bento Box Set
- ThinkFit Meal Prep Lunch Box
- PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box
- LunchBots Lunch Container
- Stanley Classic Lunch Box
Our Top Pick for the Best Lunch Box
Our top pick for the best lunch box is the Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit. We highly recommend the Rubbermaid Lunch Box Sandwich Kit for you and your family. For nearly 80 years, the Rubbermaid brand has been delivering innovative, high-quality products that help simplify life.
Rubbermaid offers you a smart way to organize and carry a homemade lunch anywhere: to work, school, college, hiking, fishing, or a picnic. You will be able to enjoy hot or cold delicious healthy food that is safely stored inside the 4 solid plastic leak-free lunch boxes.
There are 2 extra bonuses with this lunch box kit, the free ice pack that keeps your food cold on a hot day, and the vibrant color choices.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Lunch Box
There are 3 main types of lunch boxes available. A basic sandwich lunch box, a Bento lunch box, and a cooler lunch bag lunch box.
Basic Lunch Box
A basic lunch box is ideal for a single lunch such as a sandwich, salad, pasta, or fruit. The only downside to this type of lunch box is that the container may not have separate compartments to hold different items. However, the good thing about basic lunch boxes is that they usually come in a set such as the Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit.
Bento Lunch Box
Originally from Japan, bento boxes offer you a lot of food storage versatility. Bento boxes usually come with individual compartments, such as the Bentgo Kids Children’s Lunch Box or the EasyLunchboxes Bento Lunch Boxes.
Bento lunch boxes are ideal for kids who are fussy eaters, or if you want to encourage your children to eat healthy food at school. A bento box is an excellent dieting tool for adults who want to eat calorie-controlled portions.
If the bento box does not have multiple compartments, it may have a movable and removable food divider, such as the Bentoheaven Bento Box Bundle.
The only complaint about bento-style boxes is that the box may only contain small portions which may not suit everybody.
Cooler Bag Lunch Box
An insulated cooler bag lunch box is perfect for a family or people who need to keep their lunch cold for a long time. This type of lunch box has freezable gel built right into the lining such as the PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box.
Outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate a cooler bag lunch box as some manufacturers include lunch boxes as well as an ice pack with the bag, such as the ThinkFit Meal Prep Lunch Box. However, it is a smart idea to have more than one ice pack, so have a look at our helpful ice pack review article.
Plastic
Most lunch boxes are made from plastic which is the lightweight easy-carry option. These days plastic is quite strong and more importantly BPA-free and toxin-free. The only problem associated with plastic is that it can crack over time and the plastic can stain easily from some foods.
Metal
Lunch boxes that are made of stainless steel or another type of metal, such as the Stanley Classic Lunch Box, are very durable and quite stylish too. Metal is safe for your food and naturally BPA-free. However, steel can dent if you drop it on a hard surface and it might be heavy when full of food items.
Kid-friendly Lids
If you are looking for a lunch box for your child, consider the lid’s design. While a lid might be easy for adults or teenagers to open, younger children may struggle to open the tightly fitting lid. A kid-friendly lid means they can proudly open the lunch box easily by themselves.
Portability
A lunch box should be portable and fit well in your bag, especially if you are traveling to work, college or school via public transport. A lunch bag that has a handle or shoulder strap makes it easier to carry your lunch wherever you go.
Microwave and Freezer Safe
A lunch box that is microwave safe is a great feature to have when you have to reheat food. Some lunch boxes may not be suitable for the microwave so always read the details first. You will also need to check that the lunch box is safe to put in the freezer.
Spill-Proof
While most lunch boxes have a leakproof design, this will depend on what you put inside the box. Lunch boxes are primarily designed for dry ingredients but you may be able to pack hot pasta, sushi, or rice inside. Food items that have sauces or a salad with dressing may not be suitable for a lunch box so again, read the details before you buy the product.
Dishwasher Safe
Plastic lunch boxes are usually dishwasher safe which offers you the quickest and easiest way to keep the container clean. Insulated lunch boxes may need to be hand-washed.
Also, if you wash a lunch box in the dishwasher a lot, you may find that the leakproof seal is not as reliable as it was when you first bought the container. So it is best to handwash the lunch box.
Accessories
Many lunch boxes come with a variety of containers that you can use to store lots of different types of food. The lunch box may come with extra small containers for sauces, dressings, and dips.
9 Best Lunch Boxes – Reviews
1. Bentgo Kids Children’s Lunch Box
Inspire your kids to eat healthy food with the fun and practical Bentgo Kids Children’s Lunch Box.
Particularly designed for active kids, the Bentgo lunch box is made from sturdy, durable drop-proof FDA-approved, BPA-free plastic, and the heavy-duty rubber-coated edges provide extra safety.
Your child can experiment with endless combinations of nutritious food as the 5 practical compartments are perfectly proportioned for a child’s appetite and encourage balanced eating. The large compartment can be used for a sandwich, wrap, or salad. Store fruit, veggies, or their favorite snacks in the 3 mid-sized compartments.
The smallest compartment is just right for dipping sauces.
With leak-proof technology, meals and snacks will be kept fresh and mess-free in their bag. The 2 kid-friendly latches are easy for little hands to open and close.
Although the Bentgo Kids lunch box is recommended for children ages 3-7, it can be used by anyone who is looking to pack a portion-controlled lunch.
The removable compartment tray can be used to heat food safely in the microwave. To clean the lunch box, it can go into the dishwasher but hand washing is recommended to maintain the leakproof design.
The lunch box is quite compact at 8.5 x 6.5 x 2-inches so it will fit in most sized backpacks.
Your kids will love the fun bright colors that are on offer: blue, green, or purple.
Bentgo offers a 2-year warranty on the lunch box.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Fun and functional
- Durable and sturdy plastic
- Drop-proof
- Rubber-coated edges for extra safety
- FDA-approved
- No BPA, Vinyl, Lead, or PVC
- Five compartments are perfectly proportioned for a child’s appetite
- Leakproof technology keeps meals and snacks fresh and mess-free
- Two kid-friendly latches that are easy to open and close
- Microwavable and dishwasher safe removable compartment tray
- Compact design
- Three fun colors
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Plastic latches are not overly durable
- Hand washing is recommended for the outer shell to preserve the leak-proof seal
2. BentoHeaven Bento Box Bundle
Stylish and functional, the Japanese-inspired BentoHeaven Bento Box Bundle is an excellent choice for people who want to kickstart a healthier lifestyle by eating calorie-controlled portions.
The bundle includes two 20-ounce reusable airtight food containers with lids, a moveable and removable food divider, a pair of chopsticks, and a cutlery set that includes a fork, knife, and spoon. The boxes can be kept securely together with the black elastic strap.
Made from premium food-safe, BPA-free materials, the durable microwavable plastic lunch box bundle is perfect for eating cold or hot foods. You can use one lunch box for sushi and the other box with the food divider for salad and pasta or store salad in one container and fruit in the other one.
Each lid has a ventilation cap for quick heating. For mess-free carrying, the 100% leak-proof silicone sealed lids make sure that there will be no spills or nasty smells in your backpack, handbag, or briefcase.
Cleaning the boxes is effortless due to the rounded corners and high gloss inner surface. You can store the boxes in the freezer and wash them in the dishwasher, but hand washing is recommended.
You will eat in style as the lunch box bundle is available in bamboo black, outer space, and bamboo white.
Bentoheaven also includes FREE lunch box notes that you can use to send a personal message to your friends or family.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Stylish Japanese inspired design
- Durable food-grade BPA-free plastic
- Two bento lunch boxes with ventilated lids
- Can use the food divider to make 2 individual compartments
- Pair of chopsticks
- Fork, knife, and spoon
- Black elastic strap
- Can be used for cold and hot food
- Ideal for sushi, pasta, salad, and fruit
- Perfect for calorie-controlled portions
- Reusable
- Microwavable and freezer safe
- 100% leakproof mess-free silicone sealed lids
- Airtight to keep food fresh
- Lids have ventilation caps for faster heating
- Compact
- Easy to clean design
- Dishwasher safe
- Free lunch box notes
- Comes in bamboo black, outer space, and bamboo white
Cons
- Compartments are not very deep
- Lid can be a bit hard to open when the boxes contain liquid
- May leak if you overfill the boxes with liquid
3. EasyLunchboxes Bento Lunch Boxes
Packing all your favorite lunch items is made simple with the EasyLunchboxes Bento Lunch Boxes.
This convenient set of 4 lunch boxes are ideal for adults and kids. Made from strong and sturdy FDA-approved BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free polypropylene, the containers are safe to use.
As this set comes with 4 lunch boxes that have 3 separate compartments, you have loads of food versatility. You can use the larger compartment for a sandwich, a wrap that is cut in 2 halves, or pasta. Use the other 2 smaller compartments for fruit or nuts. Or use one container for dessert and fruit and the other containers for salad and fruit, or snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, and biscuits.
However, the containers are not suitable for carrying liquids or runny foods.
Ideal for hot or cold food, the lunch boxes are microwave and freezer safe. For easy cleaning, they can go straight into the dishwasher.
You will be 100% organized with the brightly colored kid-friendly lids. These colorful lids can be used to assign a different color to family members or select a different color for each day.
Storing the lunch boxes is made easy too as the compact containers are stackable, which saves on space in your backpack or kitchen cupboard.
The boxes are available in 4 different sets. The Classic set has lids that come in red, orange, green, and blue. The Brights set comes in pink, purple, yellow, and green. The Brights set can also be purchased with mini dipper containers that have leak-resistant seals, which are excellent for dips, sauces, or dressings.
The Urban set comes in gray, brown, dark green, and black.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for adults and kids
- Can be used for cold and hot foods
- Strong and sturdy polypropylene plastic
- FDA-approved, BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free
- Kid-friendly easy-to-open lids
- Three compartments
- Ideal for calorie-controlled portions
- Microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe
- Compact stackable design
- Available in 4 sets with different color combinations
- One set comes with mini dipper containers with leak-resistant seals for dips, sauces, or dressings
Cons
- Not ideal for liquids or runny food
- Lids can warp and crack in some dishwashers
4. Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit
The Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit is a smart way to organize your lunch and snacks.
With just the right amount of containers for a satisfying lunch, the LunchBlox Sandwich Kit is the best way to pack a healthy lunch every day.
You can do a lot more than store sandwiches with this kit. The kit contains 4 different-sized containers. You can use the 2.6 cup container for a sandwich or wrap. The 1.2 cup side container can be used for pasta, rice, or a salad. Love fruit, pretzels, and nuts? You can store your healthy treats in the two 0.5 cup snack containers.
All the lunch boxes are made from durable BPA-free plastic, and they are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
Your lunches will stay fresher for longer with Rubbermaid’s clever design. The blue ice pack snaps onto the containers to keep food chilled, while the durable, leak-proof lids keep freshness locked inside until lunchtime. Once you bring the containers home, the ice pack can be re-frozen in the freezer until you need it again.
Plus, it stays frozen longer than traditional ice packs, up to 4 hours.
Smarter lunches start with better organization! As the compact, lightweight modular containers snap and stack together, you will save space in your backpack, briefcase, handbag, and kitchen cupboard. Matching the right box to your food is easy with the handy measurement guide on each box.
The lunch box kit comes in 4 bright colors: green, blue/orange/green, green/blue, and purple/pink/green.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Great price
- Perfect for work, school, or backpackers
- Four different sized containers for sandwiches, wraps, fruit, and snacks
- Durable BPA-free plastic
- Secure lid seal prevents leakage
- Smart convenient organizational design
- Modular containers snap and stack together
- Compact and lightweight
- Each container is marked with a handy measurement guide
- Blue ice pack snaps directly onto the food containers
- Ice pack lasts up to 4 hours
- Microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe
- Four bright colors
Cons
- Small food storage space
- Washing the containers in the dishwasher can affect the lids’ seal
5. OSK Japanese Traditional Rabbit Moon Bento Box Set
This cute and colorful OSK Japanese Traditional Rabbit Moon Bento Box Set is a great choice for people who want to eat healthier, smaller meals.
Made in Japan, the strong hard plastic bento box comes with a sturdy lid.
You have a lot of food storage versatility with this 620ml box set. Store rice, vegetables, meatballs, or salad in the top 345ml container that has a removable divider. Put sushi rolls or rice in the bottom 275ml container or use it for snacks such as nuts and fruit.
This bento box set can also be used to store hot food, but it is not ideal for liquids. The boxes are not microwave-safe and you cannot put them in the dishwasher but they are easy to clean.
Its attractive red color, pretty moon/flower motifs, and cute rabbit in peaceful contemplation will brighten up your mealtime. Portable, the bento box comes with a black elastic band to attach the boxes and a matching red drawstring carry bag.
OSK also includes a bonus pair of chopsticks so you can eat in a true oriental fashion.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Made in Japan
- Strong and sturdy hard plastic
- Attractive bright red color
- Cute oriental moon and flower and rabbit design
- Two lunch box containers have separate lids
- Removable divider
- Compact portable design
- Black elastic band
- Matching drawstring bag
- Bonus chopsticks
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for liquids
- Cannot be used in the microwave or dishwasher
- Packaging and instructions are in Japanese
6. ThinkFit Meal Prep Lunch Box
The ThinkFit Meal Prep Lunch Box is a total meal preparation solution for adults and kids.
Whether you are kickstarting a healthier diet or you want your kids to have quick access to healthy food and snacks, this lunch bag has everything you need.
The pack comes with 6 portion-controlled storage containers. You can use the four 2.5 cup containers to store sandwiches, salad, pasta, or rice, and the two 1.5 cup containers are perfect for snacks such as fruit and nuts. If meal replacement shakes and powder supplements are on your diet list, you can pop your shake into the shaker bottle which has 3 storage containers that connect to the bottom of the shaker cup.
Perfect for hot and cold meals, the double insulated bag is made from heavy-duty material and the comfortable handle has been double-stitched to avoid tearing.
Safe to use, the durable blue plastic containers are BPA-free. A 4-sided snap lid design ensures leak-proof security and easy removal. The containers can be used in the microwave and placed in the dishwasher. You can even use the lunch boxes without the lunch bag.
Highly versatile, the lunch bag also has an additional side storage zipper pocket, a drink holder pouch, and a reusable ice pack to keep your food fresher for longer. You can even store your vitamin pills in the push-button pill-box that has 7 compartments. For easy carrying during transport, use the shoulder strap.
The lunch box tote bag comes in blue, black, purple, or red.
ThinkFit offers a 100% lifetime guarantee on the lunch bag lunch box set.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Total meal preparation solution
- Ideal for adults and kids
- Perfect for a family
- Double insulated bag is made from heavy-duty material
- Comfortable handle has double-stitching
- Convenient shoulder strap
- Perfect for hot and cold meals
- Six portion-controlled boxes
- Two different sizes
- Shaker cup has 3 storage containers attached to the bottom
- Push-button pill-box has 7 compartments
- Sturdy durable long-lasting BPA-free blue plastic
- Additional side storage pocket
- Reusable ice pack
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Four-sided snap lid design allows for leakproof security and ease of removal
- Can be used with or without the bag
- Available in blue, black, purple, or red
- 100% lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Bag and lunch boxes are quite small
- Shoulder strap may not be suitable for kids
7. PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box
Stylish, compact, and functional, the PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box is an excellent choice for kids and adults.
Whether you are heading off to school, the office, or planning a hiking trip, the PackIt lunch box will keep your food fresher for hours.
Designed in California, this cooler bag-style lunch box is made from sturdy and durable 100% polyester so it will hold up to daily wear and tear. Your lunch will stay nice and cool inside as the lunch box has a freezable non-toxic PVC, BPA, phthalate, and lead-free material gel that is permanently built into the lining of the box, which keeps food and drinks chilled for hours after it has been in the freezer for 12 hours.
It has a spacious 10.25 x 4.5 x 8-inches interior where you can store sandwiches, a small drink bottle or thermos, a small tub of yogurt, a muesli bar, a packet of cookies, salad, and small pieces of fruit.
There is also an exterior zip pocket where you can store a multi-tool, napkins, and cutlery. You can store Bento boxes inside but the boxes have to be small to fit well.
The large zip opening not only allows for easy storing and access to your food and drinks but also locks in cool, dry air. For easy carry, the adjustable buckle handle is comfortable to hold and you can also use it to attach the lunch box bag to a backpack or sports bag.
It cannot be heated in the microwave or cleaned in the dishwasher. Make sure that you do not use abrasive cleaners or cloths or submerge the bag in water. However, as the bag has rounded corners, the bag is very easy to clean with a damp sponge and mild soap, then dry with a towel.
You will love this lunch box bag not only for its durability, versatility, and portability but it is available in a range of different colorful designs.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very affordable price
- Designed in California
- Can be used by kids and adults
- Durable and sturdy polyester
- Freezable gel is permanently built into the lining of the box
- Gel is non-toxic, and PVC, BPA, phthalate, and lead-free
- Keeps food fresh and cold for 6-10 hours
- Good spacious interior
- Ideal for sandwiches, a drink bottle, salad, fruit, yogurt, and snacks, or small Bento boxes
- Exterior zipper pocket
- Large zip opening allows for easy storage and access
- Adjustable buckle handle
- Can be attached to a backpack or a sports bag
- Compact
- Easy to clean
- Range of colorful designs
Cons
- Needs to be placed in the freezer for 12 hours to be effective
- Not to be cleaned with abrasive cleaners or cloths
- Cannot be submerged in water
- Not microwave or dishwasher safe
- Zipper can be hard to close or break if you overpack the bag
8. LunchBots Lunch Container
The LunchBots Lunch Container is a great way to carry a healthy lunch and snack to school or work.
As the lunch box is made from durable, virtually indestructible 18/8 food-grade FDA-approved stainless steel, you or your kids can safely store your lunch inside without having to worry about any toxic chemicals leaching into your food. Even with the colorful covers, the 18/8 stainless steel is all that touches your food.
For healthy lunches on the go, this versatile bento box makes it so easy with its 3-section design. The 5 x 6-inches section is ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or burgers, while the 2 smaller 3 x 3-inches sections hold your favorite sides such as veggies, salad, nuts, chips, or fruit pieces.
The reusable lunch box is very easy to clean, just pop the containers into the dishwasher.
The lunch box is available in 5 pretty colors: aqua dots, blue dots, green, pink dots, and stainless steel. LunchBots also offer the stainless steel box in a value bundle. The bundle includes 2 silicone bento cups, 1 1.25-ounce condiment container, and one 2.5-ounce dip container, all of which are specially designed to fit into the 3 sections of the lunch box container.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal for kids and adults
- Durable and virtually indestructible 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Food safe
- FDA-approved
- All-in-one 3-section design for food and snack versatility
- Reusable
- Easy to clean
- Kid-friendly lids
- Dishwasher safe
- Five pretty colors
- Value bundle contains 2 silicone bento cups, one 1.25-ounce condiment container, and one 2.5-ounce dip container
- Small containers are designed to fit into the 3-sectioned lunch container
Cons
- Expensive
- Very young children may find it hard to open the small containers
- Box is not designed for liquids such as salad dressing
- Colored covers can crack
9. Stanley Classic Lunch Box
If you need a tough spacious lunch box for the construction site, a fishing or hunting trip, then the Stanley Classic Lunch Box is for you.
Featuring a timeless classic design, this lunch box harkens back to the simpler days when grandad took his lunch to work or out fishing on the lake.
The BPA-free box is made from solid 0.6mm cold rolled steel which provides superior durability for rough outdoor conditions. Its large interior holds a hearty lunch and you can store a Stanley 16-ounce vacuum bottle, 17-ounce food jar, or mug behind the metal bracket inside the domed lid.
The sturdy latches and hinges offer additional durability. You can carry it anywhere as it has a strong handle.
The lunch box is available in Hammer Tone Green or Hammer Tone Navy.
Stanley offers a lifetime warranty on the box.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Solid 0.6mm thick cold rolled steel
- Superior durability
- Large capacity holds a hearty lunch
- Domed top and metal bracket can fit a Stanley vacuum bottle, Stanley food jar, or mug under the lid
- Sturdy latches and hinges for additional durability
- Strong handle
- Naturally BPA-free
- Available in Hammer Tone Green or Hammer Tone Navy
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Bit pricey
- ¼-inch gaps on the back corners can let dust and dirt inside the box
- Paint can chip
Our Top Pick for the Best Lunch Box
Our top pick for the best lunch box is the Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit. We highly recommend the Rubbermaid Lunch Box Sandwich Kit for you and your family. For nearly 80 years, the Rubbermaid brand has been delivering innovative, high-quality products that help simplify life.
Rubbermaid offers you a smart way to organize and carry a homemade lunch anywhere: to work, school, college, hiking, fishing, or a picnic. You will be able to enjoy hot or cold delicious healthy food that is safely stored inside the 4 solid plastic leak-free lunch boxes.
There are 2 extra bonuses with this lunch box kit, the free ice pack that keeps your food cold on a hot day, and the vibrant color choices.
Check the price on Amazon
