Taking your lunch with you to work or school is a great way to save funds. You’ll also know exactly what to expect in terms of taste, unlike a hit-or-miss restaurant. There are lots of ways for you to pack it, although you may have seen some people (or even yourself) do so with an ordinary plastic bag. If you can, always avoid this since the thin plastic won’t keep your food hot or cold.
Having a reusable lunchbox is the best solution, whereby you can store food items inside the container without the need of throwing it away. Below are ten such items, chosen for their durability and quality of materials from which they were made. When you’re done with the reviews, look over the Buyer’s Guide for additional time-saving tips that’ll ensure you’re happy with the one that you end up picking. The absolute best products are shown in the summary towards the end.
| Eco Lunch Box - Best Overall | 31 oz | 1 lb | No | Stainless Steel | Check Price |
| Thermal Insulated Lunch Box | 40 oz | 11 oun | Partially | Cotton | Check Price |
| Enther Meal Prep Containers | 36 oz | 2 lbs | No | BPA-free Plastic | Check Price |
| Cosfash Neoprene Lunch Tote | 40 oz | 5.6 oun | Partially | Neoprene | Check Price |
| Bizz Large Travel Bento Box Set | 20 oz | 2 lbs | Yes | BPA-free Plastic | Check Price |
| LunchBots Small Protein Packer | 6 oz | 8 oun | No | Stainless Steel | Check Price |
| Prep Naturals Pack | 24 oz | 4 lbs | Yes | Glass | Check Price |
| Bento Box Containers | 25 oz | 12 oun | Yes | BPA-free Plastic | Check Price |
| BentoHeaven | 30 oz | 1 lb | No | BPA-free Plastic | Check Price |
| Likenware 3-Pack | 67 oz | 6 lbs | No | Glass | Check Price |
10 Best Reusable Lunch Boxes Reviewed
The Eco Lunch Box set is an all stainless steel container that’s great for people who love to take warm sandwiches with them on the go. Food inside with say at the temperature to which you prepared it for hours. And since it’s not made with metal, you never have to worry about rust forming on the inside or outside. You can put it virtually anywhere, and it will easily fit into totes or a small purse..
The lid is also nice, although it would have been better if it would seal completely. Because of this, you won’t be able to put any liquid foods or beverages inside without it coming out from the top. It’s best for people that need something for solid food only. Any fruits, vegetables, or meats should go and remain in good condition so long as nothing is frozen..- Doesn’t rust or corrode
- Very compact and fits and will fit in small bags of all kinds
- The seal is good enough to prevent food from losing its coolness (or heat)
- Unable to place soups into the container without it leaking
The Thermal Insulated Medium Lunch Box is a tote bag, just big enough to bring a meal for one person. However, you could fit more than one drink on the inside if you wanted to. There are three different colors that you can choose from, all of them designed and manufactured to a high standard. Some of them have a zippered pocket on the outer portion, so look at those if you want a spare pocket to store miscellaneous items. It has a shoulder strap too, so there’s no need for you to haul it with your hands. But if you were to do so, don’t worry about the handle breaking. It’s very strong, able to lift a heavy load without coming apart over time.The lid is also nice, although it would have been better if it would seal completely. Because of this, you won’t be able to put any liquid foods or beverages inside without it coming out from the top. It’s best for people that need something for solid food only. Any fruits, vegetables, or meats should go and remain in good condition so long as nothing is frozen..- The bag can be bought in three different colors
- The shoulder strap is useful for carrying the bag when there are heavy items inside
- Can hold up to three drinks inside with more room to spare
- Portions of the bag could have loose threads that could become longer if not cut
The Enther Meal Prep Containers is recommended for anyone that wants to get reusable lunch boxes for more than themselves. With 20 of them total, your whole family will be able to take food on the go. Two of each from the set are the same size. When you’re done with it for the day and are back at home, simply throw it in the dishwasher until the next day. They will come out clean, and foods such as spaghetti never stain the plastic. Microwave your meals with it if you want; nothing will melt ore age no matter how many times you use it to cook food this way.However, if you’re looking for a lunchbox that doesn’t leak, think twice on this product. While not every lid may seep out liquids, some of them could be hard to close, popping off due to the difficulty in closing the top. If you don’t think this will bother you, then the Enther Containers will definitely do you a lot more good than harm- Has a total of 20 compartments, with two of each being identical in size
- Safe to wash in a dishwasher or place in the freezer
- Can be placed in a microwave without the plastic getting damaged
- Up to ten containers will stack on top of one another
- Some of the container lids are hard to get on without them popping off
The Cosfash Neoprene Lunch Tote is another bag for you to place your fresh food inside. With it, food will linger at the temperature it was in when you put it in the bag. The best thing about it could be the fact that you don’t have to hold it when you’re actually putting things inside. It will stand up entirely on its own. Multiple drinks will go in, along with a couple of sandwiches to boot.But unlike the other bag that was reviewed already, there’s no shoulder strap featured on this one. You must carry it with the handle alone, although it shouldn’t be too much of a burden. This bag isn’t large at all. Try it out if you want something that won’t tear at the slightest brush with a jagged object.- The handle is large and doesn’t tear when the bag is full
- Will stand in an upright position without holding it
- Keeps hot and cold drinks cool (or hot)
- Doesn’t have a strap for carrying it around the shoulders
The Bizz Large Travel Bento Box Set is for kids, and will easily fit small portions of enough food to make them full during their lunch break. Upon close inspection, you’ll notice that the lunchboxes are divided, so gauging your child’s portions is a lot easier. And unlike some of the products that have been shown, this one surprisingly doesn’t leak at all. Your kid could shake it and nothing would ever come out of each container as long as it was closed.The dividers cannot be taken out of the frame, so it might be difficult for you to get soup inside. As a result, most of the contents you give them will probably be solid foods. Still, that’s not to say this the Bezz Banto Set shouldn’t be avoided. On the contrary, it might just be your little one’s favorite item they bring to school with them!- Easy to portion off or find rooms for various foods due to the different sizes of dividers
- Doesn’t leak or seep out liquid contents at all
- Can hold some small drink boxes
- The compartments have a low depth, which could force users to force it down when closing
The LunchBots Bento Box is another stainless steel container that can be used by kids or adults. It’s compartmentalized, able to fit in about one ounce in the smaller sections and two ounces each in the larger squares. Feel free to take it out in the rain, as no moisture or water will ever result in rust around the body. Again, this is perfectly acceptable to use for small children, especially those that don’t take a liking to lunch boxes that look to childlike in appearance. There is no sharp point anyone on the container, so fill it up favored snacks of any kind. Although it does seal well, you still shouldn’t place in liquids inside.- Easy to control portion sizes with the four dividers
- No sharp point along the corners; safe to use for children
- The container is TSA compliant and can be taken with carry-on luggage
- No rusting
- Doesn’t form a leak-proof seal along the edges of the lid
Glass is making a comeback. This is evident from the number of companies that are selling lunch boxes made partly or entirely from glass material. The Prep Naturals Glass Containers come in a set of three. There is another set containing five if you think that you’ll need more. The lid is the only plastic part on the product, and that contains no BPA (plastic that has no Bisphenol-A). You can put it in the freezer and nothing would shatter. If you’re trying to make your home a bit more green, a product like this could be a must-have. You won’t have to rely on any pollutant items such as plastic bags any longer when those lunch boxes are around.- Each container is microwave-safe
- The glass makes it a perfect item to have for a more eco-friendly household
- Lids contain no BPA
- Like all glass products, shattering is a possibility
The Bento Box Container is ideal for children and adults. Some kids may not like the pale-pink hue, while others wouldn’t mind it. In any case, the key attribute here has to do with the dividers. This is two boxes in one when you take out the interior piece that has the compartments. It also comes with its own. The fork and spoon are made of plastic, having no pointy ends anyone on their bodies. Overall, there’s not much to dislike about this Bento Box. You may have to take your time when washing it by hand due to the way food sometimes sticks to the container, but it’s nothing that a little scrubbing pad couldn’t handle.- Comes with a plastic spoon and fork, which have their own separate holders
- The tip of the fork is blunt, making the product safe for children
- The dividers can be taken out, great for placing larger food items on the inside
- Red-colored foods leave stains on the inside that won’t come out easily
The BentoHeaven Leakproof Box is another one with an additional container. It’s pretty easy to figure out how to open them. The entire getup is held together with a small strap that goes around both containers. If you’re thinking that this might hinder your ability to place it in some bags or purses, you’re wrong. It will fit inside large travel pieces securely, yet you should take heed to content that is inside before you do this.While the product’s description claims that it won’t leak, this isn’t entirely the case. Some liquids that are very thin could seep through. Anything that has a high viscosity, such as clam chowder, won’t get through the cracks. But don’t try to push your luck if you’re unsure.- Has two separate areas that can hold food, which is placed together with a strap
- Will fit into most purses or small bags of all kinds
- Doesn’t stain
- Liquids may seep out of the lid if the container is knocked over on its side
The final product on the list is the Likenware Glass Food Storage Containers. They are high in quality, having lids made out of bamboo. It doesn’t stain at all. And no matter how many times you wash or scrub it, scratches will never show. The same applies to the glass containers.They’re also divided, something that you may not see often in lunch boxes that are made of glass. Put them in the freezer, or keep hot foods warm until your lunch break. You’ll find that food stays fresh for a long time with the Likenware. Starting with the largest, stack the other two on top to save room in your carrying bag. Just don’t take any runny soups or other foods with high water content. They will surely leak if you’re not careful.- Lids are made from real bamboo
- Won’t shatter or break when placed in a freezer
- Has dividers, a feature that isn’t commonly found on glass containers
- The slightest tilt will make fluid come from underneath the lid
Buyer’s Guide
The information below will help you quickly choose one of the products that were shown in the reviews.
How to Choose the Best Reusable Lunch Box
First, take into consideration who will actually use the lunchbox. It is for you or a child? Some of them shown in the list are obviously tailored for adults and/or children. Others could be more suitable for girls or boys. If you’re getting this for a loved one and it’s not a surprise gift, show them the product to see if it would suit the type of food they like to eat most. When you have that figured out, it’s time to move on to the size. A full-grown adult would do well with the largest that were evaluated, although some of the biggest in ounces can only be purchased in sets. For a family, such products might be the best to settle on.
Knowing which are good For Kids
If you have a child that will be using one of the lunchboxes, check to see how safe it is. Like anything that you’re thinking of getting for a kid, it shouldn’t have anything on it that could end up injuring them. Look at the forks and spoons in the product’s description to see if they’re blunt. Also, how long will the product last? Children can sometimes wear things down quickly, so plastic might go longer than glass. If you are going to buy a plastic container, check to see if it’s BPA free. Usually, the brand will list this within the details on the product’s page.
Food Content you plan on Taking with You
Will you be packing fruits, vegetables, or a combination of both? If you know that you’re going to eat various foods of different consistencies, getting a lunchbox that has dividers is your best option. However, some of them have dividers that are you take out. If you see a product like this, you’ll be able to place larger food inside due to having more room to spare. For a soup lover, your main priority should be to find a lunchbox that won’t leak. And just because one claims to be leakproof doesn’t always mean that it won’t do so. Look at what others have said about it; chances are high that there’s someone who knows firsthand how well a specific container will hold up to liquids.
Getting a Lunchbox that’s Travel-Friendly
If you’re planning on traveling soon and wish to take your lunchbox with you on the plane, you should first confirm with your airline that you can do so. But even then, follow up with the airport that you’ll be leaving out of. Items that you can and cannot carry with you on a plane is subject to change at a moment’s notice. Fortunately, you most likely will have no trouble getting nearly all of the containers evaluated with you past the x-ray machine.
Would a Bag be Good Enough?
Sometimes, all that one needs to hold their lunch is a good bag. There are several shown above that are in this category. When in need of a bag alone, check to see if the handle is adequate. That means there should be no flimsy fabric alone in the area where your hand will be holding it. Even better are shoulder straps. But above all, your lunchbox bag should be able to stand up and pack/unpack without you holding it. You can quickly get to your food this way, without anything spilling over.
Summary/Conclusion
You are ready to pick on the products that are shown in the reviews? If you haven’t done so already, it’s suggested that you read over the Buyer’s Guide. There’s good information there, and you’ll be able to get a better idea of which lunchbox you want the buy. But if you still aren’t sure yet, there are no worries.
Two from the list have the highest recommendations. They are the Eco Lunch Box at number 1, and the Thermal Insulated Lunch Box is shown immediately after. But maybe you already have your mind made up on one of the other eight shown. They are perfectly fine, particularly if there’s something that you need that isn’t available on the top picks. At the end of the day, nothing you choose would be a bad choice here. You may even enjoy packing your lunch and much as you like eating it!
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