2 days ago
Skip the brown bag. These are the 11 best lunch boxes and bags, according to meal prep experts
Lunch box quick picks
An alternative to plastic: LunchBots Stainless Steel Lunch Container
Something you can take to the office and the beach: PackIt Freezable Hampton Lunch Bag
A parent favorite: OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
So you don't have to pack a separate ice pack: Bentgo Chill Leakproof Lunch Box You'd think that packing a lunch box becomes less important in adulthood, but if anything, it only gets more complicated. Sure, kids can be picky eaters prone to spilling their meals, but when you have a million other things to check off your to-do list, the last thing you want to think about is preparing your lunch for the next workday and packing it properly so that it stays fresh.
One way to eliminate some of the stress is to choose the right lunch box. To determine which lunch boxes are most worth your money, I spoke to three meal prep experts who highlighted features to look for and also shared their favorite lunch boxes for kids. Whether you prefer a bento-style lunch box or an insulated tote with top-notch temperature regulation capabilities, there's something on this list for you. (Bonus: A lot of these picks are pretty cute too.)
Calpak Insulated 8-Liter Soft-Sided Cooler
'A lunch box with good insulation will keep your food cold for as long as possible (bonus if you can add an ice pack inside) and keep heat out,' Jenn Lueke, cookbook author and recipe creator behind Jenn Eats Goood, said. She recommends this one from Calpak, which is made from water-resistant polyester and has an expandable design. It is on the larger side, which makes it good for people packing multiple meals (or extra snacks) to take on the go.
PackIt Freezable Hampton Lunch Bag
This insulated lunch box has built-in ice packs, so it's a good option not only for long work commutes, but also for beach days and other day trips that call for a packed lunch. Home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel likes its simple, small-space-friendly design. 'The entire lunch bag is freezable and collapsible (it folds up pretty flat and doesn't take up much space), so I simply pop it in the freezer overnight,' she said. 'By the morning, it's fully frozen and ready to go.' PackIt sells freezable lunch bags in other styles too, like this classic version that has shorter handles and similarly folds our review
Hydro Flask 5-Liter Insulated Lunch Bag
Lueke also likes this insulated bag by Hydro Flask, which is a smaller size that's good for students or people who don't want to carry a heavy tote on their commutes. Like the Calpak lunch box, it's also made from water-resistant polyester and has an interior lining that's easy to wipe clean. The zippered pocket under the lid is convenient for napkins, utensils and sauce packets. (FYI: It also comes in an 8-liter size.)
Nol Natural Organic Lifestyle Insulated Lunch Bag
This Amazon find — another recommendation from Lueke — sports a similar design to the Hydro Flask lunch box, though it's a bit less expensive. It comes in three sizes and a bunch of fun colors. What's more, you get a detachable shoulder strap, so you can either wear it like a crossbody bag or carry it normally.
Bentgo Modern Leakproof Lunch Bento Box
Bento boxes are a solid option for kids and adults alike. 'If you love to snack or prefer smaller, frequent meals, look for boxes with multiple compartments so you can bring a variety of options,' Rossini Perez, cookbook author and recipe creator behind Tina Takes Lunch, said. The brand Bentgo has lots of different styles. Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus loves this leakproof, BPA-free box. It has a removable interior tray (with an adjustable divider!) that you can throw in the microwave and dishwasher.
Bentgo Kids Leakproof 5-Compartment Lunch Box
If you pack lunches for your little ones, Bentgo has thoughtfully designed lunch boxes made especially for kids. Perez recommends this one because it's lightweight and easy for young children to open and close by themselves. '[It's] securely sealed so food doesn't spill even if it's tossed in a backpack,' she said. Plus, your child can choose from lots of playful prints, like fairies, rockets and unicorns.
OmieBox Bento Box for Kids
Jenny Paliotti, a digital content creator behind Lunch Box Mafia, seconds the assertion that kids' lunch boxes should have big closures that they can easily close by themselves to prevent leaks. She likes this lunch box for that reason, and for its small size, which can help prevent food waste. 'What might be a snack box for a high school kid would be a lunch box for an elementary school kid,' she said. This particular container is also cool because it comes with an insulated stainless steel jar for hot food.
Yumbox Tapas 5-Compartment Bento Lunch Box
Similar to Bentgo, the brand Yumbox makes several bento-style boxes in different sizes for kids and adults. The Tapas box has five separate food compartments and is a good size for teens and grown-ups. 'Not only do they keep food visually appealing (especially for picky eaters who don't like foods touching),' Perez said of this box's compartments, 'but they help contain smells to their section.'
Bentgo Chill Leakproof Lunch Box
When it comes to keeping food fresh for as long as possible, Perez likes the Bentgo Chill kids' lunch box, which has a removable ice pack that keeps the contents cold for hours. She also suggests storing the packed lunch in the fridge until the last moment before heading out the door. There's also a larger version of the Bentgo Chill for adults, which Paliotti recommends.
PlanetBox Launch Stainless Steel Lunch Box
Stainless steel lunch boxes are arguably the best low-maintenance option because they're usually dishwasher-safe and don't take up a ton of space. Perez has used the stainless steel lunch box from PlanetBox, which comes with a leakproof condiment container and a hinged lid that won't get lost.
LunchBots Stainless Steel Lunch Container
Whereas the PlanetBox lunch box is suitable for younger children, this rec from Paliotti is a better size for teens. Some Amazon reviewers note that they switched to the brand because they wanted a safer alternative to plastic. The snap-on lid adds a fun pop of color too. Features you should consider when choosing a lunch box include the size and number of compartments, as well as durability and whether it's insulated, Lueke said. 'Having enough room and compartments for different containers ensures you can bring everything with you and keep components separate to keep everything fresh, and a durable outside will keep things from breaking (especially if you use glass containers) and be long-lasting,' she added.
Above all, Perez said, you should choose a lunch box that fits your lifestyle. She gave the example of people with busy lifestyles who prefer to toss everything in the dishwasher after a long day. In that case, 'go with a durable, dishwasher-safe stainless steel box,' she said.
On a more fun note, make sure you like how the lunch box looks. 'A lunch box you find visually appealing and fun to carry around might just get you to bring your lunch versus leaving it behind for an overpriced salad!' Lueke said.
The following FAQs have been answered by Jenn Lueke, Jenny Paliotti and Rossini Perez.
What is the best way to keep food warm in a lunch box?
What is the best way to keep food warm in a lunch box?
To keep your meal warm until lunchtime, you'll want an insulated lunch box. Perez also recommends picking up an insulated thermos, which you can use to prevent soup, rice and other eats from getting cold.
Are all lunch boxes insulated?
Are all lunch boxes insulated?
No, not all lunch boxes are insulated. If you're using a plastic or stainless steel bento-style box, for example, it won't maintain your food's temperature. If that is important to you, you should look for a lunch box labeled as insulated. These are usually made from materials like nylon and polyester.
How can you keep your food fresh all day in a lunch box?
How can you keep your food fresh all day in a lunch box?
Both Perez and Paliotti recommend using ice packs when you can — either with a lunch box that has a built-in ice pack or by placing individual ice packs on top of and below food containers to keep the contents cold if you don't have fridge access.
Another hack you can try is prepping individual ingredients and putting them together when you're ready to eat. Not only can this preserve their freshness, Lueke said, but it also prevents them from mixing together before lunchtime. 'This means prepping individual components, like cooked proteins, vegetables, grains or sauces, and storing them separately,' she said. 'This also helps with meal prep boredom because you can mix and match components to keep things interesting!'
On the flip side, certain ingredients are not ideal when it comes to meal prep. Lueke named avocados, lettuce and seafood as examples because they tend to spoil quickly or turn brown or mushy. 'Opt for cabbage or kale over lettuces like romaine or arugula; use vegetables that stay crisp and crunchy like peppers, carrots and celery; and try incorporating meal-prep-friendly proteins like beans, lentils and shredded chicken,' Lueke said. 'When you can, leave a sauce or dressing on the side until mealtime.'
For this article, I consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
Jenn Lueke, recipe creator behind Jenn Eats Goood and author of the upcoming book 'Don't Think About Dinner'
Jenny Paliotti, writer and digital content creator behind Lunch Box Mafia
Rossini Perez, recipe creator behind Tina Takes Lunch and author of the cookbook 'Kids in the Kitchen: 70+ Fun Recipes for Young Chefs to Stir Up!'
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate home and gifts editor Nikol Slatinska talked to three food content creators to get their lunch box recommendations.
