The Best Lunch Boxes (Review) in 2020

Features to Look for in a Lunch Box

• Storage capacity

Always look for a lunch box that is larger than you think you need. This way, you’ll have added space when you need it most- such as those long days away, family trips out or extended trips. You also need the added space to make up for food kept in storage containers, before being placed within the lunch bag or lunch box.

• Dividers and pockets

Depending on how you like to store your food, you may need more than one extra storage department or pocket. Depending on how you like to stack or place your food, you’ll need fewer storage spaces and more overall room, as you’ll likely need to use your own food containers- unless you invest in a lunch box that allows for stackable storage, or imitates it.

• Insulation

This is important if there is no fridge at your work or destination but can still be helpful if you’re thinking about taking your food container elsewhere. Having insulated lunch bags will keep your food cold and therefore give your dinner a longer life since bacteria won’t be able to settle so quickly and multiply. Not to mention that the result is a fresh sandwich, that is much more appealing!

• Material

You’ll want a lunch box that ideally will last at least a year, whether that’s the academic year for your kids or just one to take with you to work. Grab a lunch box that has been created with a heavy-duty material that will remain sturdy enough to last with daily use, for an extended period of time.

• Handles and straps

Just like the material, the handles and straps of your new lunch box will need to be tough enough to handle everyday use, trips and daily commutes, without getting in the way or breaking down over time. They should be strong enough to hold your lunch without any issues, too and remember that all of the weight will be placed on the area where the handle is attached to box itself.

• Ability to contain spills

There’s nothing worse than opening your bag, only to discover your drink or yogurt has made a mess all over your work, as well as the rest of your food. If you like to bring along liquids, be sure to find a lunch box that is airtight, or waterproof either as a whole or with a storage compartment designed to hold liquids.

• Cleanliness

You’ll need to clean up your lunch box regularly, so be sure to grab one that is washable. At the very least, it needs to have the ability to be handwashed, although dishwashing is a huge benefit- if more than a little rare.

Hard-sided lunch boxes will be considerably easier to clean, should something happen in your lunch box, but you’ll likely find that many soft-sided lunch bags will have a soft plastic or foil that is just as easy to wipe down.

• Style

Young kids will always go for a lunch box with characters they love on the front, which will go a long way to convincing them that what’s inside is lots of fun. For adults, however, there is usually less choice- although you can still find some great options that are stylish or have a novelty design on the sides in adult lunch boxes, if you so choose.

Why You Should Use a Lunch Bag

• Convenience

Having a lunch box for the office means you’re not dictated lunch times or stuck with the same stuff your office kitchen wants to present as a warm lunch, every day. It’s all about being able to make food that you enjoy and eating it when you deem it appropriate.

• Freshness

Keeping your lunch cool and fresh is one of the biggest reasons many people choose not to bring in their own lunch. However, if they knew that it was super-easy to keep their food fresh and delicious- simply by choosing the right lunch containers- their minds would soon change.

In particular, insulated boxes will keep the cool air in the container, which means your food will last twice as long as it would without the insulation, so it’s much better to invest in an insulated lunch bag.

• Health and wellbeing

Having control over your own dinner means that you’re much less likely to buy unhealthy foods in the heat of the moment. Instead, you can focus on filling your lunch box with healthy alternatives, which will have a greater effect on lifting your mood and keeping your body happy and healthy.

• Save money

Buying your lunch on-the-go can almost triple your spending within a week, whereas having control over your lunch allows you to search for cheaper alternatives, while you’re in the supermarket. You’ll also be less likely to impulse buy while on your lunch break, which will help both your waistline and your wallet.

Different Kinds of Lunch Boxes

• Bento boxes

The iconic bento lunch box is rising in popularity again and can be seen everywhere from your local store to Pinterest. They were originally designed to hold food for warriors who would March for extended periods, without weighing them down with unnecessary add-ons. They have firm walls and are a little trickier to store, when not in use.

They were created to hold simple portion sizes of a variety of food, making them leak-proof and lightweight, while giving soldiers all they needed to be at their healthiest. These days, they are used all over the world to hold many different types of food, although they still have their roots in providing portion sizes to users.

• Lunch bags

If unlined with harder layers, these lunch containers tend to be a little more flexible and fold down well to fit pretty much anywhere, when not in use. They can also be worn in the same way as you would with many other bags, such as the backpack, depending on the style chosen. On top of this, they tend to have a greater variety of styles available, as many cater to younger people, whereas bento boxes are usually designed as an adult lunch box.

• Cooler bags

Very similar to lunch bags, the lunch cooler bag is flexible and can be easily stored when not in use. The main difference is that there is an extra lining within the bag, which is used as an insulator- keeping hot food hot and cold food cold, throughout the day.

Unfortunately, the flexibility of bags means that they’re less likely to be waterproof and/or airtight when compared to bento boxes or lunch boxes. However, if you choose a bag large enough, you can often negate this by using both lunch boxes and bags, together.

Tips for Using a Lunch Box

• Mix and match bags and boxes to find the best combination for you. You can also find flasks that work for holding soups and various liquids, which you can then place inside your lunch container, to ensure that you receive the benefits of airtight containers and lined bags.
• Always follow hygienic preparation methods, such as cleaning the area before making sandwiches or chopping items, and washing your hands so that your food remains as fresh as possible before eating.
• The best time to pack your lunchbox is the night before you’re due to start work. Add everything you’d like in your dinner container, then place in the fridge overnight before taking it with you when you travel or go to work.
• If your bag or box isn’t insulated, freeze a bottle of water and place this in the container before you leave in the morning. This will keep everything as fresh as possible and keep your lunch cool.
• Don’t try to clean your box with baby wipes or tissues, as some lunch bags will be coated with antimicrobials, and you will simply be moving the dirt around the box. Instead, use simple dish soap and warm water when hand-washing.
• Use your lunch box to it’s full abilities- adding extra fruit and veg in those added compartments to make for a healthier lunch AND snacks.

Lunch Boxes Buying FAQ:

Q: Can I Pack Wet Foods in My Lunch Container?

A: You can absolutely pack any liquids or wet foods in your container- just be sure to grab a lunch box that is airtight and/or waterproof, so that any spills can be contained within the area placed and you don’t end up with yogurt all over the rest of your dinner.

If you don’t have a suitable lunch box, combine your box with an insulated flask, which will help you cut down on waste, as well as being great for holding wet foods until dinner time.

Q: Can I Pre-Pack My Lunch Box the Night Before?

A: Yes- in fact, this is possibly the best time to pack your lunch box, as you won’t be hungry after dinner and therefore will be less likely to add sugary foods and drinks, which can make you healthier in the long run. Simply get everything together the night before and add to your fridge before going to bed to maintain freshness.

If your bag or box isn’t insulated, you can always freeze a bottle of water overnight and add this to your refrigerated food in order to maintain its freshness throughout the day, until you’re ready to use it.

Q: Can I Put My Lunch Container in The Microwave or Freezer?

A: This depends on the material of the lunch bag or box that you’re using. Bags and boxes that are lined with insulation are a definite “no”, as are many lunch bags or boxes that contain foil or metallic outers or possibly contain gel.

In order to get the best answer for this, you should always check with the manufacturer, to ensure that your new item is safe to microwave and/or freeze. If you aren’t sure, then you would do well to stick with food items that do not require microwaving or freezing, as avoiding these is a much safer precaution to testing it!

Q: How Do I Clean My Lunch Bag?

A: The method you should use to clean your lunch bag depends on the material used. If the sides are firm, this can make things a lot easier but the general guidelines for cleaning your lunch box are as follows:

1. Shake away any excess crumbs or dirt that has been left inside the bag, over a bin.
2. If you see anything stuck to the sides, dislodge these to make sure your bag remains empty (use a spoon if you don’t fancy using your fingers to pick up these delights)
3. Some boxes and bags might be suitable for a dishwasher- but you would do well to check this is the case with your lunch bag before trying this out. If this is the case, you can add these hard-walled containers to your next wash as normal, paying attention to heat guidelines given by the manufacturer.
4. If you aren’t able to run your bag through the dishwasher or notice there is still grease left over after a wash, then give your lunch box a wipe with warm, soapy water.
5. You can also sprinkle some baking soda inside your lunch box to get rid of any unpleasant smells or stubborn stains, before wiping with warm, soapy water again.

Remember to NEVER use chemicals or cleaning sprays inside your lunch box, as these can leave a residue which may be harmful to the person who is eating their lunch from this container.

Our Top Pick

A veritable Swiss Army Knife of the lunch box world, the insulated lunch box from ThinkFit is possibly the most versatile option around. With 6 different storage containers, all of which fit perfectly inside the many compartments and pockets, you have the option to bring along food for multiple days at a time, or simply bring along a feast-for-one, when you really want to push yourself.

Made with heavy-duty materials that are designed to last through the daily commute, for a lifetime, this is a lunch bag that will keep your food as fresh as you feel. The handles are double-stitched so you don’t need to worry about splits or problems as you carry a weighty lunch around, and the material is double-insulated to keep everything as fresh as it could possibly stay.

It’s not hard to see why we chose this lunch bag from ThinkFit as our top pick, especially when you consider the hundreds of happy customers who have given this an overall rating of 4.7/5 stars online. This is currently available at a great price, so grab yours before word really gets out about how great this lunch box really is.

Source:

1. How to Select a Lunchbox, WikiHow
2. Why your kids should use a bento lunchbox this year, She Knows