Are you tired of eating fast food at work? I will help you find the perfect lunch box and start leading a healthier life!
We spend most of our day at work, so there is no point stacking our fridge with fruit and veggies and eating healthy at home if we are going to ruin it all by eating fast food at lunch break.
I know that most of you are too sleepy in the morning to cook something and then pack it up and take it with you, but a little effort on your side can go a long way. There are simple and quick recipes that will take only a few minutes of your time but can do wonders for your health, so why not try them out?
You know that people say that when you dress up for some occasion, you immediately feel more enthusiastic and eager to take part in it?
Best Lunch Box
My suggestion is similar to yours regarding your lunch at work. If you invest in a high-quality, attractive lunchbox, you’ll be motivated to pack your own meals rather than shelling out a lot of cash on subpar fare.
After all, you can make the cuisine you love with passion and attention at home since you get to select what to prepare. Even the best restaurants cannot compete with that. What are you waiting for? Such a dinner will unquestionably be less costly and more nourishing.
See my list of my top 5 lunch boxes available right now, pick one, and start bringing wholesome meals to work! Encourage your coworkers to live healthier lives as well; they will appreciate it later. You are the first to change!:)
Who Should Buy a Lunch Box?
Everyone who goes to work or spends most of their day out and about for whatever reason.
Lunch boxes are especially useful for people who work in remote locations and have no access to refrigerators or food vendors. The insulated box can be a real-life-saver in such a scenario.
With an ice pack or two, your food will be safely kept at an optimal temperature until you are ready to enjoy it. Of course, it goes the other way around, too; a well-insulated lunch box will keep the food hot in the cold winter season.
Lunch boxes are also a great way to cut down on your expenses. An average salad at a mediocre restaurant costs around 10-20 $, but you can make one at your home for a fraction of that cost. Moreover, you can choose organic produce, and always make sure that the ingredients are fresh or at least adequately stored and thus further enhance your health.
Believe it or not, lunch boxes promote ecological awareness too. How come? Well, when you carry your lunch from home, you do not need any single-use plastic containers or utensils, and that means that you produce less waste and help keep our planet green.
How to Choose the Best Lunch Box?
There are lunch boxes of different shapes, sizes, and materials, and at the end of the day, it is up to you to choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.
Before you buy one, try to answer the following questions:
1. Is it easy to carry?
You do not want a lunch box that is too bulky or too heavy as you need to carry it with you, and you don’t want to get tired after a few steps.
2. Is it easy and safe to eat from?
The perfect lunch box should open and close easily & securely, as well as be pleasing to eat out of. It should not alter the way your food looks, smells, or tastes.
The lunch box you choose should be made from food-grade, non-toxic, BPA-free materials.
3. Is it leak-free?
Your lunch box should be able to keep all kinds of food safe, be it cold sandwiches or warm soups. Everything you place in it should survive the usual jostling around without leaking all over you, your car, or your furniture. No one likes a sticky mess!
4. Is it well-designed?
The perfect lunch box should, in my humble opinion, have at least a few separate sections or, to be precise, at least one section for the main meal, one for the salad, and one for your favorite sauce, dip, or dessert. It should be designed to hold your food contained so that different food would not mix or become soggy.
5. Is it easy to clean?
You want your lunch box made from materials that you can wipe clean or wash easily. It would be perfect if it is a dishwasher or washing machine safe.
Avoid containers with too many nooks and crannies as they are a tiresome chore. You should also stay away from lunch boxes that take ages to disassemble and reassemble.
Most Recommended Lunch Boxes: My Honest Reviews 2022
ThinkFit Insulated Lunch Box
ThinkFit lunch boxes might not come in as many color options as PackIt, but they come with an array of useful accessories instead.
Besides the insulated lunch bag (16.5 x 7.5 x 8 inches), you will receive six plastic storage containers that are both microwave and dishwasher safe, a shaker cup with three small containers that can be attached to its bottom, one ice pack, and a push-button vitamin pillbox. Quite a lot considering the price, isn’t it?
The containers and the shaker are both made from safe and durable materials that are BPA-free. The lids fit tightly, so there is no need for you to worry that your food will leak inside the lunch box. They are not difficult to remove, however.
Unfortunately, the ice pack that comes in the package seems to be of poor quality and insufficient if you want to keep your food cold for a couple of hours, you might need to invest in at least one additional ice pack.
The bag is made from high-quality materials, and it has been double insulated to keep your food cold or warm for longer. You can use a double-stitched bag handle to carry it in your hand or the shoulder strap that comes with it too (it is a bit short for an average guy like me though).
Pros
- 100% lifetime guarantee
- Double insulation
- Suitable for both hot and cold food
- Durable
- Leak-proof
- Containers are both microwave & dishwasher safe
- Drink holder pouch
- Measures
Cons
- The shoulder strap is a bit short for an average man
- The size and quality of the ice pack
PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box
Although I am a simple guy and I always choose the most basic design, which is, in this case, the plain black, some of you will be pleased to know that the PacIt lunch box comes in fourteen different designs and color options for you to choose from- some of them are artistic!
This lunch box is made from poly canvas and lined with a food-safe waterproof material that will prevent any leakage. The box is not only BPA-free but also PVC-, lead, and phthalate-free, which means you can use it to transport baby food as well.
The best feature of this lunch box? Built-in freezable gel walls that keep your food fresh and safe from bacteria for hours. You will not need to invest in ice-packs! By the way, the PackIt lunch box measures 8.25″ H x 10″ W x 4.25″, and that means that you will have no trouble carrying your lunch and some refreshment at the same time. Unfortunately, it is not designed to keep our food warm.
It is evident that PackIt has considered your convenience at all times. For starters, there is a handy buckle handle that you can clip onto your bag or backpack, as well as a mesh pocket to carry a water bottle. A slim zip pocket on the front allows you to pack some documents or money for an after-lunch treat.
Pros
- An array of different designs to choose from
- No ice packs needed
- Convenient top load design
- Made from food-grade and safe materials
- Easily-accessible wipe-clean interior
- Keeps food cold for up to 10 hours
- Can fit multiple food containers or zip bags
Cons
- Not meant to keep the food hot.
Under Armour Lunch Box
There are over forty different designs of the Under Armour lunch boxes, and that makes them a perfect choice for kids or teenagers wishing to express their individuality. Moreover, they are made from durable 420D polyester and feature an extra-strong crush-resistant Flex-A-Guard liner so that they can survive the most mischievous, playful, or sportive among them.
The IsoTec premium foam insulation is there to maintain internal temperature, but you will need to buy the ice packs separately. The same goes for containers as they are not included either. It was quite challenging to find appropriate containers, water bottles, and ice packs that will fit the hard shell inside well as the shape of the box are irregular.
On the bright side, the hard interior makes this lunch box super easy to clean – simply wipe it off. The round corners make the job even more comfortable.
There are both exterior and interior pockets for added storage. The box is compact (4 x 10 x 8.2 inches) and easy to carry due to the adjustable ergonomic rubber handle and a side clip you can use to attach the box to your bag or a backpack.
Pros
- Crush-resistant & easy to clean
- Exterior zipper pocket
- Interior mesh pocket
- Molded rubber handle
- Side clip
- PVC-free
- Easy to clean hard interior
Cons
- Irregular shape
Related: Favorite Lunch Bags in 2022
Wildkin Lunch Box
The Wildkin lunch boxes are primarily designed for kids and teenagers, and that is quite clear as soon as you browse the available designs. However, I have found a couple of options that can suit grown-ups as well, especially if they are searching for a smaller lunch box (9.75 x 7 x 3.25 inches). If you do not mind a bolder design, continue reading!
The Wildkin lunch box is made from high-quality materials, and it appears sturdy and durable. It is PVC, BPA, and Phthalate-free, which makes it suitable for baby food and eco-conscious people. The insulation is satisfactory and will keep your food hot or warm for a couple of hours. The ice pack is not included.
Although compact, this lunch box is spacious enough for almost any average-sized lunch. There are elastic tabs on the inside that will help secure a water bottle as well as the ice pack. The bag is also compatible with most bento boxes so you will have no trouble finding the appropriate combo.
This lunch box is easy to clean, but it is not dishwasher or washing machine safe. Instead, it would be best if you cleaned it by hand with mild soap or wipe it clean with a damp washcloth.
Pros
- Interesting designs
- BPA free
- Inner elastic tabs
- Handy inner mesh pouch
- Coordinates with other Wildkin products (backpacks, sleeping bags, etc.)
- Reliable replacement warranty
Cons
- Recommended age 3-15
- Not dishwasher safe
Related Read: Most Recommended Soup Thermoses
Lunch Bag Insulated Cooler Lunch Box
If you like to keep things perfectly organized I highly recommend you consider the Zuzaro lunch box. It comes with three 8″ by 5.1/2″ by 2″ containers that are perfectly lined up inside its main compartment. Besides that, you also receive two ice packs that will make sure your food stays fresh and crisp for at least a couple of hours.
The two insulated bottle holders on the back allow you to carry your fav drinks too. Furthermore, there is an additional top compartment you can put to various uses – either add the fourth container or an extra snack or drink.
The MIYCOO bag is quite durable too thanks to the ultra-thick and strong 840D polyester material on the outside and the extra thick Eva lining on the inside. The zippers are also of high quality. The detachable and adjustable padded shoulder straps make this lunch box super easy to carry around.
The containers are made from BPA-free food-grade material and can not only be safely washed in your dishwasher but also used to freeze your food or defrost or heat it up in your microwave. Unfortunately, the lids are not microwave-safe; I have learned that the hard way and ended up with two deformed and useless covers I now need to replace.
Pros
- Compact and well organized
- Durable exterior
- Double stitches
- High-quality SBS zippers
- Four individual compartments
- Detachable padded shoulder strap
- BPA free containers that are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe
Cons
- The lids should not be used in the microwave
My Final Verdict: The Best Lunch Box
It was not an easy task to choose the perfect lunch box from this list as all the reviewed boxes are highly practical and help keep food at the desired temperature. However, I am a bit of a neat freak, and thus, I give my final vote to the Zuzuro lunch box.
MIYCOO truly delivered on all the aspects of the best lunch box. Their insulated bag is compact and made from high-quality materials; the containers are BPA-free and dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe, and, finally, the two ice packs make sure that your food stays cool for long – and that is the main point isn’t it?
If you have made a different choice, you are surely not wrong, as all the lunch boxes I have reviewed are worth investing in. Choosing the right lunch box is, therefore, just a matter of personal opinion and taste. So, let me know what you have decided!