Packing a lunch doesn’t have to be a drag, especially when you’ve got the right gear to ensure that your meals and snacks stay food-safe, fresh, and secure. Whether you’re sending a kid off to school with lunch or packing your own food for work, homemade lunches can help save money and time while providing a completely customized meal.
Even the most thoughtful meal planning and cooking can result in a disappointing lunch if it’s packed in the wrong vessel. We tested a variety of styles—including traditional lunch boxes, bento boxes, kids’ lunch boxes, and plastic-free—to find the best lunch containers for different types of meals. Since not all lunches are created equal (and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the perfect lunch container), we also evaluated specific factors like design, size, versatility, and insulation.
Best Lunch Box
Mier Adult Lunch Box
- Large capacity
- Multiple compartments
- Leakproof
- Easy to carry handle or strap
- Top-heavy when bottom compartment is empty
- May be too large for kids
This well-designed, dual-compartment tote has everything you need for taking your meal on the go—especially if you don’t have access to a refrigerator. While it’s probably larger than what most children would need, we love its capacity and versatility for adult-sized lunches. Two insulated areas are lined with food-grade PEVA, which is easy to wipe clean should you have any spills, and they let you store hot and cold foods separately. In testing, food stayed cold for several hours, but if you want it to stay cool all day, you can throw an ice pack in as well.
The upper compartment is perfect for snacks, cookies, or fruit. The bottom is leakproof and large enough to house drinks, sandwiches, and other entrees. You could easily pack multiple meals or snacks for a long workday or outdoor picnic. We were impressed with how much we could fit in both compartments and had no problem fitting multiple water bottles, canned seltzers, food storage containers packed with leftovers, and a full-size tub of hummus inside. We preferred placing heavier items, like water bottles and canned drinks, in the bottom compartment and more delicate items, like crackers and berries, in the top compartment so it didn’t get top-heavy.
The easy-access zipper exterior compartment can be used for stashing utensils and napkins, while a pair of side pockets provide extra storage for miscellaneous necessities. It comes with a detachable cross-body shoulder strap and is available in both medium and large sizes. We found the padded strap comfortable, but the lunch box is a bit bulky to wear over your shoulder. Not to worry, though. There’s also a built-in carrying handle.
Includes: Two-compartment fabric lunch bag with a front zipper compartment for utensils
Best Budget
Jeopace Bento Box
- Three separate compartments
- Simple design
- Leakproof
- Included fork is small
This budget-conscious bento box keeps your lunch organized with three separate compartments and an included fork that attaches to notches inside the container. It’s safe to put in the microwave and freezer (but not the dishwasher), and it’s leakproof. The main section fits larger entree items, while the two smaller compartments are perfect for sides or desserts. We tested it out with an adult portion of spaghetti and meatballs, a large slice of garlic bread, and a side of vegetables—all of which fit comfortably. In total, it fits about 38 ounces.
The entire container is easy to close and leakproof, so you won’t have to worry about it spilling in your bag. And although it comes with a matching plastic fork, we found it to be too small for adult hands (not a problem if you’re using the bento box for kids’ lunches). It’s available in several colors as well as a slightly smaller model that includes a knife, fork, and additional round compartment for sauces or dips.
Best for Kids
Wildkin Insulated Lunch Box
- Over 20 colors and patterns available
- Easy for small hands to carry
- Insulated soft body design
- Coordinating gear sold separately
Kids and kids-at-heart love the bright, fun patterns of these lunch boxes, and parents appreciate the durable, high-quality design. In fact, the Wildkin brand has won a prestigious Mom’s Choice Award.
This kid-sized lunch box features an easy-access zipper front pocket—ideal for grab-and-go recess snacks—and an interior mesh pouch to stash utensils, napkins, or an ice pack. It’s made from materials that are 100 percent BPA- and phthalate-free, and the food-safe PEVA liner is quick and easy to wipe clean.
The interior is spacious enough for an adult-sized lunch and compatible with lunch containers from Wildkin (not included) or other brands. It’s insulated to help keep temperatures food-safe, but Morford says you’ll still want to include an ice pack or fill up a water bottle and freeze it overnight to keep perishables safely chilled. The bottle will act as an ice pack as it thaws and will be drinkable come lunchtime.
During testing, we successfully fit sandwiches, fruit, cheese sticks, and other snacks in this lunch box without having to cram anything in. It fits comfortably into a backpack-style diaper bag and would easily slide into a child’s backpack for school lunches, too. The print is fun and colorful, and the spacious interior can fit a bottle of water or juice box along with regular food items.
Includes: One children’s-sized fabric lunch box; coordinating bags and accessories sold separately
Best Bento Box
Bentoheaven Bento Box
- Spacious and includes divider
- Includes silverware
- Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
- Not insulated
- Lids can be difficult to open
A bento box makes it easy to carry everything you need for lunch in a multi-compartment carrier, and this model is particularly well-made, earning our top spot after we tested a full lineup. One of the selling points of the bento box style is that it encourages a variety of foods by design—and this one is quite spacious. This bento box contains three separate compartments for storing food: There are two large compartments (one features an adjustable divider) and another smaller lidded container where you can put sauces or small snacks, like sweets or nuts.
We appreciated the compact shape of this bento box during testing. It easily fits in the bottom of a tote or backpack, and it has gaskets around the edges of the lids to ensure that the containers are leakproof. (This makes it a bit tricky to open the lids, though.) While it’s not insulated, one standout feature of this box is that you can pop it in the microwave because of the vents in the lids. It’s also dishwasher-safe and very durable, coming out unscathed after a few drops.
This set comes with utensils (a fork, spoon, knife, and mini chopsticks), and the entire set is held together with a thick elastic band. You can choose from several stylish color options.
Includes: Adjustable divider, sauce container, chopsticks, fork, knife, spoon, sealing strap
Best Eco-Friendly
Bee’s Wrap Assorted Set
- Compostable
- Cute prints
- Limited materials
- Durable
- Doesn’t create an airtight seal
- Can only use with cold foods
These plastic-free reusable wraps are made using just four ingredients: organic cotton, responsibly sourced beeswax, organic plant oils, and tree resin. The result is a durable, food-safe alternative to plastic wrap that’s completely compostable at the end of its life (each wrap will last about a year with regular use and proper care).
The Bee’s Wrap starter set became one of our favorites during our beeswax wrap testing thanks to its sustainable materials and attractive prints. It includes one small 7 x 8-inch wrap, one medium 10 x 11-inch wrap, and one large 13 x 14-inch wrap. Simply use the warmth of your hand to mold the wrap around your food to create a breathable seal. We love these wraps for packing snacks like crackers and cheese, but they’re also great for wrapping the tops of bowls or jars to store leftovers, though they are not entirely airtight. Because they are moldable thanks to heat, these are really only suitable for cold or room-temperature foods.
To clean, rinse the wrap in cold water with mild soap and air dry. The brand also makes item-specific products that are perfect for lunch, including a sandwich wrap and snack bag set.