The Best Lunch Boxes

The sad desk lunch became a staple of work culture, but the right lunch box can make it better. After testing 20 options in 2024, we selected eight to fit different needs.

A classic bento box: Takenaka Bento Bite Dual

For those who enjoy packing meals with separate components and value both functionality and style, the Takenaka Bento Bite Dual is an excellent choice. Its double-decker design is perfect for a small sandwich, snacks, or a traditional bento-style meal. Although it’s not fully leakproof, it works best with drier foods like rice or dumplings.

The design is thoughtful, with a large top tier that holds the main meal, and a removable divider for organizing non-liquid items. A smaller compartment sits underneath, with a silicone lid to separate the two. The elastic strap keeps everything secure, even after a drop test.

It’s spacious enough for a hearty meal, like a grain salad and sliced vegetables. The top tier can also hold a whole piece of fruit, and both containers can be used independently for smaller portions. Available in eight colors, the Bento Bite Dual has smooth, functional lines that make it easy to pack and clean. While we also tested the Monbento Original Bento Box, the Bite Dual offered better design and ease of use.

Cleaning the Bite Dual is simple. It’s top-rack dishwasher safe, though the thin plastic lid that separates the tiers should be hand-washed for better longevity. The lid has a silicone gasket, which you can remove before washing and easily snap back into place afterward.

During our tests, tomato sauce didn’t stain the Bite Dual, although it left a slight reddish tint on the OXO Salad Container and W&P Porter Bowl.

A streamlined stainless steel bento box: Bentgo MicroSteel Lunch Box

If you often reheat leftovers, the Bentgo MicroSteel Lunch Box is a great option. It’s microwave-safe, plastic-free, and easy to clean.

This metal bento is microwave-safe for up to 10 minutes, making it perfect for reheating meals like spaghetti Bolognese. Its rounded edges and low copper and silicone content prevent sparking. Plus, it’s a plastic-free option.

The size is ideal. With the silicone divider, it can hold a full meal, like pasta and salad or a large sandwich with a side. Without the divider, it’s perfect for rice and beans.

Despite its spacious design, it’s compact enough to fit in most insulated fabric bags, making it an excellent choice when refrigeration isn’t available. At just 18 ounces, it’s lighter than many glass containers.

It’s leakproof. The Bentgo MicroSteel passed our leak tests, and the divider kept different foods separated, like a sandwich and fruit, without any issues. It’s the best-performing stainless steel model we tested.

It’s quite durable. During testing, the Bentgo MicroSteel survived a drop onto asphalt, with only a dent on the lid, but it still sealed properly. It also didn’t stain after our tomato sauce test. Plus, it’s backed by a two-year warranty, though it’s priced higher than basic food storage containers at around $30.

It looks great. Available in five metallic colors, the Bentgo MicroSteel features smooth, rounded corners that make it easy to scoop out every bite, giving it a more polished look than standard containers.

The Bentgo All-In-One Salad Container is ideal for salad enthusiasts, offering a well-organized design for greens, toppings, and dressing. While it’s perfect for salads, its versatile layout works for other meals too. The leakproof dressing container and divided tray keep ingredients separate until it’s time to mix, ensuring a fresh meal even if packed in advance. The container is available in eight colors, and the bowl is comfortable to eat from, though the tray must be in place for the lid to close, which may cause it to get covered in dressing.

The Bentgo All-In-One Salad Container is microwave- and dishwasher-safe, making reheating leftovers easy. Unlike other containers, it’s fully dishwasher-safe, with no stains left after a cycle. However, its multiple components can take up space on the top rack. If you prefer a simpler container, the W&P Porter Bowl may be a better fit. Priced at around $15, it’s the most affordable option on our list, and Bentgo offers a two-year warranty.

A streamlined and compact lunch bowl: W&P Porter Bowl

The W&P Porter Bowl is a sleek, modern alternative to basic food containers. With its minimalist design and sturdy silicone strap, it’s easy to eat from and clean. Though the white version stained with tomato sauce, it’s still a stylish and practical choice, available in six muted colors.

 

The W&P Porter Bowl is durable and shows minimal wear over years of use. It survived a drop without significant damage, and the silicone strap kept the lid secure. Plus, it’s microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

The best insulated bags

The L.L.Bean Expandable Lunch Box has been a top pick since 2018. Its adjustable design fits a hearty lunch, drinks, and ice packs, offering two options in one: compact for commuting or expanded for more food.

The XYZ Expandable Lunch Bag offers two size options for ultimate flexibility. In its compact, fully zipped form, it accommodates a slim ice pack and a satisfying lunch. When expanded, there’s room for extra drinks, additional ice packs, and even a few snacks. It’s spacious enough to hold all the bento boxes and lunch bowls we recommend.

This lunch bag can even fit up to eight cans of soda, making it a great choice as a mini cooler for weekend outings. The interior features a mesh compartment for an ice pack, while the exterior pocket is perfect for storing utensils, napkins, or slim snacks like jerky or granola bars.

Crafted for durability and easy cleaning, it uses a tough nylon exterior, the same material used in high-quality backpacks, ensuring long-lasting performance. Our testers found that the lunch bag, like the original XYZ lunch bag, held up remarkably well against everyday wear and tear, whether in a school cafeteria or a worksite lunch break. XYZ offers a one-year satisfaction guarantee, backing up its quality.

The simple, single-compartment design makes it easy to clean and air dry, unlike bulkier models with many crevices, such as the OXO Insulated Lunch Tote. However, we did notice that tomato sauce left a stain on the white nylon lining.

It also insulates efficiently. In testing, the XYZ Expandable Lunch Bag kept yogurt cool for up to 4 hours when paired with freezer blocks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It can stain quickly. The white interior of the XYZ Expandable Lunch Bag shows noticeable stains from tomato sauce and other spills. Keeping the lining spotless can be a bit of a challenge.

It can feel bulky. Unlike the Carhartt 12-Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler, which includes a convenient shoulder strap, this insulated bag lacks that feature. When fully expanded and packed with food or drinks, it becomes heavy, and the handle can feel uncomfortable to carry.

A splashy, stylish option: The Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag

For top-notch design, the Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag stands out with its charming prints like orchid, orange tree, and strawberry. Sturdy and well-made, it performed well in insulation tests, but its lack of pockets may be limiting for some.

Chic and fun, Baggu’s insulated bags feature delightful patterns, offering a sunny aesthetic unmatched by others. The single compartment fits most bento boxes and lunch bowls, along with a full meal and ice pack, but might not suit those who prefer separate sections. If that’s you, the L.L.Bean Expandable Lunch Box may be a better choice.

The Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag keeps food cold, outperforming most lunch boxes in insulation tests. After 4.5 hours with ice packs, yogurt stayed close to fridge temperature at 42°F.

It’s easy to clean with a water-repellent, shiny silver interior that resists stains, including tomato sauce. The single compartment is simple to wipe and air-dry.

Flexible and travel-friendly, its soft sides allow it to fit into backpacks, though delicate food may get squished. For more protection, the Coleman 9-Can Cooler has a plastic insert, but it’s harder to pack. Baggu offers a one-year limited warranty.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag lacks a shoulder strap, which may be inconvenient when carrying extra weight. While it can hold six cans and an ice pack, both the OXO Insulated Tote and the Carhartt Insulated 12 Can Lunch Cooler offer shoulder straps and can hold twice as many cans.

An extra-large bag: Carhartt Insulated 12 Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler

For reliable insulation and ample space for lunch, snacks, drinks, and ice packs, the Carhartt Insulated 12-Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler is an excellent choice. Built with durable fabric and high-quality hardware, it features a tough mesh layer separating the two compartments. Its size makes it ideal for holding food for multiple people, but it may not fit in a backpack or larger bag.

It offers plenty of room. The Carhartt Lunch Cooler functions almost like a cooler, similar to our recommended RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can. We packed it with a hearty sandwich, drinks, ice packs, and snacks, with room left over. It fits all of our recommended bento boxes and bowls, along with extra space for drinks and snacks. However, when fully loaded, we wished the shoulder strap was padded and adjustable for easier long-distance carrying.

Heavy-duty and easy to clean, this lunch box is praised for its durability. The exterior mimics Carhartt’s signature duck canvas but is made of water-repellent polyester. It comes in five colors, with the classic Carhartt brown being a favorite. The interior lining is easy to wipe down, though tomato sauce left a faint stain.

The Carhartt Insulated 12-Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler is thoughtfully designed, with two compartments separated by a tough mesh layer, allowing ice packs to cool the entire lunch box. Fragile items like fruit or chips can be stored separately from ice packs. It’s easy to access drinks or snacks from the top compartment.

It offers excellent insulation, performing well in tests and providing ample space for extra ice packs—something the L.L.Bean Expandable Lunch Box and Baggu Puffy Lunch Bag struggle with due to their smaller capacity.

Carhartt doesn’t offer a formal warranty but may replace or refund defective items through credit.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Carhartt Lunch Cooler is bulky with soft sides, making it too large for most backpacks. It’s not ideal for commuting by bike, foot, or subway. Additionally, it doesn’t protect squashable food as well as rigid-sided lunch boxes. If firm sides are important, the Coleman 9-Can Cooler offers a removable rigid plastic insert, though we found its layout less convenient than the Carhartt Cooler’s.

A comfortable and versatile tote: OXO Prep and Go Insulated Lunch Tote

The OXO Prep and Go Insulated Lunch Tote is versatile, fitting well with diaper bags, grocery bags, and messenger bags. Although it’s harder to clean than other bags, it’s perfect for real-life use.

It’s spacious, easily holding a large lunch, ice packs, drinks, and snacks. You’ll need to layer items carefully, with heavier foods on the bottom. It can also fit up to 12 cans, and while the shoulder straps aren’t padded, they remain comfortable even with a heavy load.

The OXO Prep and Go Insulated Lunch Tote is versatile with an expandable zippered top and exterior velcro pockets for napkins or utensils, though items may be less secure compared to zippered pockets.

It keeps food cold, maintaining yogurt at 41°F after 4.5 hours with just one ice pack, the lowest in our tests.

Its dual straps make it easy to carry over the shoulder, in the crook of your arm, or by hand. While it’s stylish and spacious, it only comes in navy blue.

The tote is simple, well-built, and comes with OXO’s limited lifetime warranty.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s difficult to clean and dry. The loose, wrinkled lining makes it hard to wipe, and accessing the interior requires prying open the zip-top. We had to hose it down and prop it open to dry properly.

How we picked and tested

Lunch box preferences vary greatly, so we tested a range of options including bento boxes, lunch bowls, and insulated bags. We also have a guide for kids’ lunch boxes, typically smaller with fun designs like unicorns and dinosaurs.

In 2024, we tested 12 new models in addition to our previous picks, focusing on key features like durability, ease of cleaning, and practicality. A reliable lunch box should be durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. Insulated bags typically cost around $30, while high-end bento boxes can range up to $40. Here’s what we looked for:

• Spacious and well-designed: Bento boxes with well-sized compartments keep meals organized, while insulated bags should fit lunch, drinks, snacks, and ice packs. Many can double as coolers for trips, fitting up to 12 cans.
• Durability: Bento boxes need to withstand drops and daily use, with secure latches and hinges. Insulated bags require sturdy zippers and durable fabric for long-lasting use.
• Easy to clean: Bento boxes that are dishwasher-safe are ideal. Non-dishwasher-safe ones should be easy to clean by hand, and insulated bags should wipe clean without lingering smells or stains.
• Comfortable and portable: Insulated bags should fit in larger bags or be comfortable on their own, with adjustable, padded straps adding convenience.
• Aesthetic appeal: An attractive design can make packing lunches more enjoyable and inspire better meal prep.
• Leakproof and effective: Bento boxes should contain messier foods, and insulated bags should keep food cool for hours, especially with ice packs.

Our testing involved evaluating size and comfort, checking for leaks by filling compartments with water, testing durability by dropping bento boxes, and assessing stain resistance with tomato sauce. For insulation, we tested yogurt with one and two ice packs, measuring temperatures after 4.5 hours to ensure safety.

Who this is for

If you pack lunch often, investing in a quality lunch box could make your day easier. Whether you go for a bento box, a lunch bowl, or an insulated bag depends on your needs.

Start by thinking about what you typically eat. If salads are your go-to, a bowl with separate compartments for toppings and dressing might be ideal. If leftovers are more your style, a leakproof bento box or food storage container works well. For a classic sandwich-and-snack lunch, an insulated bag is a good choice.

Next, consider where you’ll eat. Do you have access to a fridge? A compact bento box fits easily in an office fridge. If you’re on a jobsite or working long hours without refrigeration, a larger insulated bag with room for lunch, snacks, and drinks will be more practical.

Lastly, think about how you transport your lunch. Do you need something leakproof that fits in your backpack, or a smaller option for your bike panniers? An insulated tote bag with shoulder straps may suit you if you walk to work. If your lunch will be sitting in a hot car for hours, a larger insulated bag with room for ice packs will help keep everything fresh.