Whether you’re looking for a bento box, thermos or insulated food bag, we’ve rounded up the best lunch boxes and containers for school, work, travel and more.
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The daily dilemma of deciding what to eat for breakfast and lunch can make or break your day. While it’s easy to opt for expensive (and often unhealthy) takeaway, packing homemade food is really the best way to go for your health, wallet and the environment.
But deciding on the right containers and bags to pack your meal in so that it remains fresh and edible throughout the day is just as important as choosing what food to take, which is why it’s important you invest in the right lunch box.
According to founders of professional organisational company TIDEE, Emma Rosham and Michelle Rubin, there are a couple of options that trump all others.
“Stainless steel lunch boxes are a great, safe and durable option,” they told news.com.au.
When it comes to plastic, “look for food containers which are BPA-free, with multiple compartments for storing different foods and can be easily cleaned.”
Here, we’ve rounded up the best lunch boxes, easy-to-open and dishwasher-safe containers, insulated bags and sturdy thermoses for kids and adults of any age.
BEST STAINLESS STEEL BENTO BOX
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This sturdy, leakproof lunch box is the perfect plastic-free option. It’s made from the highest quality stainless steel, it’s incredibly lightweight and its simplistic shape means it can be easily stacked in any lunch bag you already own. It features two tiers — the thinner top layer is perfect for smaller snacks and the thicker bottom layer can be used to store bulkier food items like sandwiches, salads and pasta. It also comes with a seven-piece bamboo cutlery set (again, sustainability in mind) that includes a fork, spoon, sliver, reusable straw, set of chopsticks, straw cleaner and a rollaway canvas pouch. You’ll also be glad to know that every purchase cleans up 26m2 of the ocean so you can feel good every time you use your environmentally-friendly container.
BEST BENTO BOX FOR KIDS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Bento boxes are a great choice for kids because they feature separate compartments that allow you to pack a variety of foods. This one comes with four compartments — the largest is perfect for a sandwich or other main meal, two mid-sized compartments for everything from fruit to vegetable sticks and nibbles, and a small round compartment located in the middle for dips and sauces. Close the box up and nothing leaks between sections or the box itself. In fact, it’s been labelled “toddler-safe” by various users who have admitted it has remained intact after being thrown, dropped and even chewed on. The wheat fibre material it’s constructed from is BPA-free and stain-resistant and given you clean it after every use, it won’t get mouldy. The box also comes with a petite plastic fork and (child-safe) knife so you don’t have to stress about your kids handling their food with their hands. It comes in larger sizes and a variety of colours so really, your kids aren’t the only ones who can enjoy the benefits of this handy bento box.
One of the 2,100 five-star reviewers on Amazon said: “I really like this for kids lunches! I always like to pack a variety of foods to hit all of the food groups. It’s easy to pack a snack style lunch or a ‘main course’ style with sides. I’ve packed sauces and dips in this lunch box and it does not leak. My kids are 7 and have no problems opening and closing these containers. They’re heavy duty and the spoon and fork that come with are good quality.”
Another person added: “This is microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher safe. I’ve tried all three and it works a treat. Looks small – packs lots of food! I added veggies, coleslaw, pickles and rice and it was more than enough for lunch.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
There’s no need for multiple containers to store your food during the day — this spacious Sistema bento box will keep all your food fresh and separate until ready to eat. Lift the secure lid off and inside you’ll find various compartments including a 150ml pot with a seal-tight screw-top lid, perfect for yoghurt, sauces, spices and spreads. The top compartments can easily be removed if you need more room.
It’s available in a variety of sizes – all designed with different compartments – to suit everyone’s unique needs but this specific 1.65 litre one has to be our (and thousands of others) favourite. Also, did we point out the price? A bargain, if you ask us.
One person summed it up, saying “Ideal size for adult portioned lunches. I really like the removable trays so you can separate foods if needed depending on what you are taking and also the little yoghurt pack which is also great for dressing or dips like hummus. Easy to clean either in a dishwasher or by hand.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
When it comes to glass containers, it’s pretty hard to look past the beloved brand Pyrex. This set of three containers is especially good for those who prefer not to use plastic or stainless steel. Yes, glass is susceptible to damage, however, the high-tempered glass these Pyrex ones are made of isn’t exactly fragile. Sure, a few chips here and there may occur if you’re rough with them but they won’t break so easily, even after being thrown around in your handbag. Being glass, it won’t pick up smells, flavours or colours from food and the entire container can be placed in the microwave for reheating and also into the dishwasher. When storing, we love nesting them inside of each other to cut down on space.
“They come in three sizes and are fantastic product to store food,” a five-star reviewer wrote. “The sizes are handy and I like the fact that they are made of glass. It keeps your food fresh, prevents stains and odours, is durable and easy to clean.”
Another person simply said “These dishes last for years.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
With a name like Thermos, it’s hard to imagine anything but superior thermos quality. Whether you’re taking last night’s minestrone, creamy yoghurt or piping hot coffee, this select takes the top spot in durability, leakproof capability, design and temperature retention. The patented double-wall stainless steel vacuum insulation keeps food and liquid hot for nine hours and cold for 14. It comes with a full-size folding stainless steel spoon that neatly sits into the lid, eliminating the need to pack separate utensils, and the lid even doubles as a convenient built-in serving bowl. The brand also carries food-specific thermoses but we think this 470ml jar is the perfect all-rounder for travelling near and far.
A satisfied user said “It keeps food hot for very long times! it is sturdy, yet good looking!!! Highly recommended. Wide mouth and spoon are a plus!””
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Much like the adult version above, this mini-sized Thermos made from premium food grade stainless steel has a double-walled construction to keep food and liquids hot for up to five hours and chilled for up to seven hours. This means you don’t have to worry about your little one not having access to a microwave or refrigerator at school. It’s been designed with a wide-set mouth that’s easy to fill, eat from and clean. You and your kids can choose from a variety of fun prints like an astronaut and his rocket, unicorns and hearts, dinosaurs and even a Disney collection.
One reviewer said: “My daughters use these to take leftovers or warmed spaghetti, noodles, rice etc to school. So easy to clean and doesn’t stain,(providing you wash it as soon as they get home), simple to use and a big money & time saver! I no longer have to clean out lunchboxes every day from foods that have leaked or buy numerous containers because of that too!”
Many users also have a handy tip for keeping food warmer for longer, as one person explained: “I pour hot water into it whilst heating up food. Tip it out and add the hot food. Kids say it’s warm at lunchtime around 5 hours later.”
BEST FOOD CONTAINER FOR SNACKS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
When it comes to packing snacks, this container from Frank Green is the perfect size. Constructed from food-grade stainless steel, it’s designed with triple-wall vacuum insulation to retain temperature, a ceramic lining to lock in flavour and an airtight lid that’ll stop any leaks from occurring. You could stash yoghurt or dip in it, a handful of nuts, olives, cheese cubes or crackers, or even pasta salad or mash potato. Really, the options are endless. It comes in three dreamy colourways – a classic black, refreshing green and elegant pastel pink – so the only dilemma is choosing which one to buy.
Best Of Editor Edwina Carr Barraclough loves the Frank Green Ceramic Food Container as a spill-proof option for keeping snacks cool: “There’s nothing worse than packing some cut up fruit in the morning and eating it warm later in the day. This genius container needs just a quick few minutes in the freezer to keep snacks cold for hours. It’s also a decent enough size to pop a serve of warm soup in, too, and it’s completely spill-proof”.
BEST FOOD CONTAINERS FOR MEAL PREPPING
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Meal prepping can be challenging, especially for beginners. But that’s why it’s important to have the right tools — and one of the best places to start is with the right meal prep storage containers. This set of 10 is made from highly durable food-safe plastic that is safe to use in the microwave, freezer and dishwasher. The airtight lids seal securely to keep food fresh for longer (read: from Sunday till Friday) and won’t leak everywhere when you take your healthy meals to work. Each container features three perfectly portioned compartments to help you stick to your diet plan. But if you’re looking for fewer or more compartments, Igluu also carries various shapes and sizes on Amazon to suit your preferences.
One person summed it up, saying: “The container is made from such high-quality plastic and oftentimes with containers I find the lids quite floppy, but not this! The lids click in so nicely too and they stack beautifully! Plus they pop in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher! BEST meal prep boxes and has definitely changed my meal prepping game and made me a lot more excited!”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Ditch the single-use zip lock bags for this set of life-changing reusable silicone plastic bags. Although the price tag may seem a bit pricey for a plastic bag, keep in mind that you’re actually paying for a set of six, which can be reused over and over again so you actually end up saving a lot of money in the long-term. They can also be used beyond just packing lunches — in fact, the largest-sized bag in the set is perfect for storing food in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer. The seal also gets a big tick of approval from us as it’s tight enough to keep liquids and air out (or in). In fact, you may even find them more leakproof than your trusty airtight containers. The only minor downside is that they’re not dishwasher safe so you will need to handwash them with cool water and then leave them out to air dry. However, this hasn’t seemed to bother reviewers plus, it’s a very small hiccup for such a revolutionary product you’ll fall in love with using.
With a 4.5 out of five-star average rating on Amazon, hundreds of reviewers have expressed their joy in using these reusable bags.
“They are great quality, nice and thick, easy to lock and open and are leakproof,” one satisfied customer admitted.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you’ve ever owned a neoprene tote bag, you’d understand why this material is so popular. For starters, it’s waterproof and weather-resistant, extremely durable, flexible and stretchy to fit in extra items, has an antibacterial property and is lightweight. Now, you can enjoy all of these benefits with this lunch bag from Adairs. It comes in a range of adorable pattern options and for an additional price, you can also add a drink bottle and bamboo cup in the matching print.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This well-designed insulated bag is everything you need to take your meal on the go — especially if you don’t have access to a refrigerator. It features a roll-top closure and adjustable buckled closure to make it easy to snugly fit everything from a few snacks to a larger lunch and even stacked containers. And when not in use, simply flatter it down for effortless storage. Countless users have also noted that the material is “easy to spot clean”, which is a hard quality to come by with lunch bags. The Iconic stocks it in a Camo print – which is great if you’re after a subtle look – as well as a bright Turquoise that’ll definitely stand out in a sea of other lunch bags (read: no more lost lunches!).
A five-star reviewer summed it up, saying: “Love this lunch box! So roomy and portable it’s awesome! Also keeps food at a great temperature! Expands and contracts depending on how much is in it! Highly recommend!!”
BEST LUNCH BOWL FOR SALADS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The problem with packing salads is that by the time you get around to eating it for lunch, it’s not in the freshest state and there’s a good chance your dressing has spilled everywhere. All you’re left with is an unsatisfying lunch. However, that’s where this savvy lunch box comes in handy. It features a spacious 1.5 litre salad bowl that fits up to four cups of healthy fruits and vegetables plus, a removable four-compartment tray for toppings of your choice, a leakproof container for salad dressings and a reusable fork. Now that’s one way to ensure you get your daily dose of vegetables, plus some.
One of the 3,900 five-star reviewers said “I’ve been using this every day for two weeks now and it’s amazing! It has never leaked and all my salad toppings are kept perfectly separated until I put my salad together. The crunchy bits stay crunchy! Nothing ever gets soggy! I feel like the size is great. I have a nice, hearty salad without overdoing it. You can just toss it in the top rack of the dishwasher to clean.”
WHICH IS THE BEST QUALITY LUNCH BOX?
The best lunch box for you will depend on your unique needs. Factors to consider when purchasing the right one for you include the following:
Shape and size: Do you want a sturdy lunch box that can handle being thrown around in your bag or will a soft lunch bag suffice? Do you prefer a box you can keep your whole meal in or do you like to keep foods separately? What size would be suitable for you and your eating habits?
Temperature regulation: Keeping your food at the right temperature is vital. Will you be able to store your food in a refrigerator or warm it up in the microwave? If not, your lunch box will have to do most of the temperature-regulation work. An insulated lunch box that comes with a heat or ice pack can definitely come in handy.
Maintenance: There’s a good chance your lunch box will take a beating throughout the day, making food spills and container explosions inevitable. So, ensure you consider how easy your lunch box or food container will be to clean. Is it dishwasher or washing machine safe? Moreover, do you need your lunch box to have a leakproof seal? Many softshell containers can only be wiped down, whereas hard shell containers can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR LUNCH BOX?
Given you take proper care of your lunch box (by washing it regularly and not letting it accumulate mould and bacteria), it should last a minimum of one year. You can expect this to be a bit longer if you paid good money for a high-quality one.
Rosham and Rubin recommend replacing your lunch box and food containers when “they’re broken or discoloured.”
On the hunt for more kitchenware? Make sure to check out these ‘super handy’ freezers for the kitchen and camping plus, the best pasta machines starting from just $45.
Then, don’t miss the news.com.au Coupons site for all the best deals and discounts on your favourite brands.
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