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Best Insulated Lunch Boxes

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Box
Hydro Flask
Insulated Lunch Box
Sleek & Insulated

Insulation that keeps contents cold for hours is the main draw of this compact hard-sided lunch box.

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Sleek & Insulated
Bottom Line

Insulation that keeps contents cold for hours is the main draw of this compact hard-sided lunch box.

Pros

Hard-case lunch box is more protective than insulated lunch bags. Double insulation keeps contents fresh. BPA-free plastic interior wipes clean. Four stylish shades.

Cons

Not designed for hot contents. Exterior gets dirty easily.

Best Bang for the Buck
OPUX Insulated Dual Compartment Lunch Box
OPUX
Insulated Dual Compartment Lunch Box
Feature-Packed

A sturdy lunch box with multiple compartments for keeping food at the desired temperature.

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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

A sturdy lunch box with multiple compartments for keeping food at the desired temperature.

Pros

Lunch box is 100% leakproof and features thermal insulation. Has a roomy design. The different compartments allow for separating food. Can be carried via the handles or by using the adjustable shoulder strap. A few color choices are available.

Cons

The zipper tends to get stuck.

Rubbermaid LunchBlox Medium Insulated Lunch Bag
Rubbermaid
LunchBlox Medium Insulated Lunch Bag
Simple Yet Solid

Insulated lunch box for the perfectly designed meal away from home.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Insulated lunch box for the perfectly designed meal away from home.

Pros

Space-efficient, insulated box conveniently designed to carry a beverage and utensils. Can be purchased as a set with modular LunchBlox containers and blue ice pack. Lightweight, attractive black-etch exterior, easy-grip handle, and detachable shoulder strap. Well-known and trusted manufacturer.

Cons

Would be better if there were separate, built-in interior compartments for items instead of needing to buy modular containers and fit them inside the box.

ThinkFit Insulated Lunch Boxes
ThinkFit
Insulated Lunch Boxes
Most Comprehensive

A multi-featured lunch box with containers for portioned food, a shaker cup, a dispenser for pills or vitamins, and 2 ice packs.

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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A multi-featured lunch box with containers for portioned food, a shaker cup, a dispenser for pills or vitamins, and 2 ice packs.

Pros

Durable double-insulated "system" keeps food fresh. Includes 6 microwave-safe storage containers, a 20-ounce BPA-free shaker cup with 3 storage containers that connect to the bottom of the cup, multi-compartment pill box, reusable ice pack, an additional storage pocket, and double-stitched shoulder strap.

Cons

May be more items and features than some require. Also quite expensive.

Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag
Bentgo
Deluxe Lunch Bag
Customer Favorite

Offers space to store your meal, as well as additional room for snacks and drinks.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Offers space to store your meal, as well as additional room for snacks and drinks.

Pros

Come in multiple bright colors. The interior mesh pocket works great for storing an ice pack, and the exterior zippered pocket allows for easy access to items. Has an adjustable shoulder strap and padded handle for easy carrying. Has thermal insulation and is BPA-free.

Cons

The outside stains easily. Zippers can be finicky.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
September 11, 2021
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best insulated lunch boxes

Ola Faleti
Written by Ola Faleti

Updated August 2022

Lunch boxes aren’t just for school children. If you want to save money during the work week, packing a lunch is one of the most economical steps you can take. Paper bags are okay, but if you want your food fresh, consider investing in a insulated lunch box. Insulated lunch boxes will keep your food close to the temperature they were prepared at, so they’re effective at preserving anything from salads to soups.

With all the insulated lunch boxes on the market, there’s quite a bit to choose from. To narrow your search, consider your desired lunch box size, lunch box style, and any features you might want, such as extra compartments or a shoulder strap. Some insulated lunch boxes are machine washable while others aren’t. Certain models are also better at keeping food at a balanced temperature.

Regardless of your choice, an insulated lunch box can help you avoid eating out at lunchtime. They’re great to have on hand for summer picnics, too. Read on to learn more about insulated lunch boxes and our favorite picks.

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An insulated lunch bag comes in handy when you want to take a six-pack of beverages on the go. In fact, many are made explicitly for this purpose.

Key considerations

Size

Insulated lunch boxes range in capacity, from 12 ounces up to 16 quarts. For the single user, a box that holds 12 to 20 ounces typically suffices. Larger sizes are ideal for family outings: beach trips, long car rides, picnics, and such. Additionally, a larger insulated lunch box can accommodate drinks, utensils, napkins, and other extras.

Insulation

Health experts recommend that perishable items such as poultry, fish, or eggs be stored under 40°F. A well-insulated lunch box is made from layers of insulated material such as plastic, fabric, or vinyl. Look for a lunch box that can close completely, either with a zipper or Velcro, to maintain the temperature of your food.

Material

Insulated lunch boxes are made from a thick, hard-to-tear outer layer such as vinyl, nylon, or heavy fabric. Silicon is another popular material. Note that vinyl and plastic lunch boxes aren’t always machine washable like some fabric lunch boxes are.

Color

Neutral shades like black, brown, and grey are common for adult lunch boxes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t branch out. You can find lunch boxes in bright colors like pink, yellow, and green. Your color choice is a matter of personal preference and the environment in which the lunch box will be used. But a simple black bag still has many pros, one of which is hiding food stains.

Features

Compartments

If your lunch goes a step beyond the simple sandwich, storage containers may be necessary. Fortunately, some lunch boxes include small storage containers. Others have several compartments inside, making it easy to pack a complex lunch. Compartments can include space for a water bottle or canned drink, space for utensils, and even a tiny slot for vitamin supplements. But for simple sandwich lovers, there are plenty of insulated lunch boxes that mimic a traditional paper lunch bag in design.

Eco-consciousness

Some insulated lunch boxes are made with vinyl, lead, BPA, and other materials that harm the environment. For the eco-conscious, several insulated lunch boxes are made with a PEVA lining, which is a chlorine-free alternative to vinyl (also known as PVC). With a plethora of options on the market, it’s not hard to find a lunch box that will keep your food fresh without harming the environment. These bags are available in varying sizes and colors, too.

Insulated lunch box prices

Rest assured, buying an insulated lunch box won’t break the bank. You can buy a decent model for anywhere between $15 and $40, depending on size and other factors.

Inexpensive

Between $15 and $25, you will find plenty of no-frills, straightforward lunch boxes. Most lunch boxes in this price range will carry up to 32 ounces of food, if not more. Many contain extra compartments. For one person’s meal, this should be adequate.

Mid-range

If you need enough space to store food for two or more people, the $25 to $35 range provides more options. Here, you’ll also encounter lunch boxes with more features, such as specialized compartments, small storage containers, and reusable ice packs.

Expensive

The average insulated lunch boxes will meet your needs for under $40. You’ll run into more expensive lunch boxes if you care more about the designer of the bag and its aesthetic appeal — or if you’re looking for a military-style lunch box, which the average person won’t need for an ordinary lunch.

Tips

  • Handles are helpful. If you plan to pack your lunch box with food, consider one that has a handle on each side for easier carrying.

  • Look at dimensions before buying. This way, you can avoid being unpleasantly surprised by food containers that don’t fit.

  • Save room when you can. Foods such as chips, canned foods, and other non-perishable items don’t require refrigeration. You can save room in a small lunch box by keeping those items at your desk or in your work bag instead.
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Fruit, when sliced, is perishable. A whole apple or orange will keep much better, whether it’s inside or outside your insulated lunch box, than a sliced apple or orange.

FAQ

Q. Do insulated lunch boxes require refrigeration?

A. No. A well-insulated lunch box doesn’t need to be refrigerated. (Keeping an ice pack or gel pack inside will help keep foods cooler, however.) Besides, if fully closed, the lunch box would actually insulate the food from refrigeration.

Q. Can insulated lunch boxes keep food frozen?

A. No. Insulated lunch boxes mimic refrigeration by keeping food cold. If you store a frozen item in an insulated lunch box, it will eventually thaw, albeit at a much slower rate than if it were left on a countertop.

Q. How long can I expect an insulated lunch box to last?

A. It depends on how well the bag is maintained and the frequency at which it is used. An everyday insulated lunch box, with good care, can last a few years. Of course, less tear-resistant models may not make it that long. And, if it is subject to rough handling from children, the bag may last even less time.

Q. How do you clean an insulated lunch box?

A. Several lunch box models are machine washable, so it’s an easy matter of tossing them in the washer. Otherwise, a rinse with soap and water will do just fine. Baking soda can help remove tough stains; just make sure it won’t damage your lunch box material.

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