Keep your sandwich and soda cool—and carry them in style.
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? stand up zipper pouch
Lunch boxes are an eco-friendly alternative to a single-use bag or throw-away plastic container, and there a ton of options on the market to consider. Of course, you have the old-school variety, with a matching thermos and culturally relevant cover for the young set. Upgraded lunch boxes feature cooling or heating elements (or both) and many are designed with multiple compartments to keep your eats organized. There are also lunch bags disguised as a stylish totes and ceramic lunch bowls that look like regular dishes.
We sought out the best lunch boxes and bags for kids and adults, at several different price points. Read on for our top picks, plus a few questions to ask yourself before you shop.
A lunchbox is something you’ll look at and use every day, so there are several considerations you should take into account before making a purchase. We’ve listed the essentials here.
Temperature control: Do you want food hot, cold, or both? Some lunchboxes are insulated and retain heat or cold better than others, and many include zippered pockets or pouches for an ice pack or integrated cooling. There are even electric lunch boxes that warm up or cook food, a great choice for hot lunch on the go.
Materials: Many of the lunchboxes we feature are BPA- and phthalate-free, and several are leak-proof or water-resistant. Materials run the gamut, from polyester and neoprene to ceramic and plastic.
Size: The size of lunchboxes vary considerably. Think carefully about how much food you realistically need to pack, and whether you want to carry it in-hand or on your shoulder (some come with a detachable, adjustable strap), or stash it inside a backpack or tote.
We reviewed hundreds of lunchbox options, keeping aesthetics and practical needs in mind, and cover lunch boxes for both kids and adults. We compared features of each, including size, capacity, and durability of materials, plus took into account aesthetics and overall design. Every lunch box in our selection has an average customer rating of 4 stars or more.
This durable Hydro Flask lunch box will appeal to all ages. It's streamlined and modern, with a functional design that includes a fully-lined interior. The 3.5-liter box is made of BPA-free, food-grade materials and features a flexible carrying handle so it's comfortable to tote around.
There's also inside pocket for utensils and an ice pack, plus it has a two-way zipper. The lunch box comes in two sizes (small and large) and is available in six colors.
Wildkin's soft-sided lunch boxes are a customer favorite, with an impressive 4.8 stars from more than 3,300 reviewers. That's no surprise, with 10 fun designs to choose from and plenty of kid-friendly features.
The extra-padded bag opens like a mini suitcase and is covered with a durable 600-denier polyester fabric. There's an outer pocket and a moisture-resistant inner lining, plus a mesh pocket on the top half of the case. Wildkin’s lunch box is phthalate-, lead-, and BPA-free.
This lunch bag is specifically designed to house Rubbermaid's line of LunchBlox containers, though you can use any combination of small containers you have at home. The insulated bag features a zip closure with a comfort grip handle and removable shoulder strap, plus there's a bottle holder and utensil compartment.
The lunch bag comes in two sizes (small and large), though only one color, and gets an average 4.5 stars from more than 6,700 customers.
While this container is made to keep salad ingredients and lettuce separate, it works just as well for kid-size portions of fruit, crackers, cereal, or snacks. Features include a 10-ounce compartment, two smaller 5-ounce compartments, and a leakproof 3-ounce container for dips and dressings.
The airtight lid has a rubberized sealing ring and locking clips to keep food fresh, and the Bentgo is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and BPA-free. The container also has a built-in reusable fork and comes with a 2-year warranty, plus a portion proceeds from your purchase is donated to Feed the Children.
If you want to keep your lunch super chill in hot weather, this Packit offers everything you need. This freezable lunch bag comes in 29 eye-catching patterns, featuring a nontoxic, freezable gel built in. It's also BPA-, phthalate-, lead-, and PVC-free.
The bag has a 4-liter capacity and folds and zips closed, plus there's a buckle-style handle so you can clip it onto backpacks, strollers, and suitcases.
This is a great lunch bag for anyone who needs space to pack a midday meals plus drinks and snacks. The 13-liter carryall doubles as a cooler and features two sections to separate sandwiches from liquids inside a no-leak, insulated compartment.
Other highlights include a front zipper pouch to hold things like utensils and napkins, a PEVA liner, and detachable and adjustable shoulder strap.
Fjallraven is definitely having a moment. The fun-loving Scandi brand, founded in 1960 and known for its colorful, streamline bags and other high-quality outdoor gear, has become a popular pick among the young and cool.
This slim foam-padded lunchbox is part of the Kanken collection, with a 2.5-liter capacity and an inside zippered pocket for a soft ice pack. There's also an easy-to-clean PU-coated lining.
This well-designed option is crafted from ceramic, BPA-free plastic, and silicone, and comes in six appealing colors. The sleek minimalist design will transport everything from large salads to pastas to grain bowls in style, plus it's microwave- and dishwasher-safe. The size makes it eminently practical and reviewers love how versatile and durable they are. If you like the look of this container but want something more lightweight, consider the all-BPA-plastic option.
With a surprising 7 liters of space, this neoprene lunch bag holds more than you might think at first glance. It stands upright and stretches, and more than 4,000 reviewers give it an average 4.7 stars.
But what makes this lunch bag a standout is the design, featuring the work of international artists, several of whom donate a portion of proceeds to a charity of their choice. The insulated bag holds food and drink temperatures steady The totes are made of lead-free and PVC-free materials, and come with a one-year warranty.
This cotton canvas lunch bag could easily pass for a small, stylish tote bag. It comes in several graphic, fun patterns (think: cacti, pineapples, and stars), featuring EPE-foam insulation and an aluminum foil lining. It's also BPA-free and easy to clean, plus there's an inner pocket to hold essentials like your smartphone and keys.
It may be hard to believe, but this lunchbox prepares and presents your meal at the same time. It features two stainless steel bowls and an electric plug, allowing you to cook, steam, or heat food on the go.
For a fully cooked meal, set aside about 30 minutes. To kick it into action, pour water into the base, insert the covered containers, close the cover, and plug it in.
The containers are dishwasher-safe and the lunch box is available with two or three tiers, with a white or yellow exterior and top handle.
The 9 Best Cordless Leaf Blowers for Yard Cleanups
Prime Big Deal Days Gaming Deals 2024
The 6 Best Toasters We Recommend
The Best Smart Thermostats We Tried and Recommend
The 5 Best 50-Inch TVs, Ranked
This Greenworks 40V Chainsaw Is 30% Off at Amazon
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
food spout pouch ©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.