The best lunchers
Lunch Boxes – Buying and Comparison Guide in 2022
More and more people prefer to take their lunch to work instead of buying it on the street and for this they need a suitable lunch box that maintains the temperature of the food and allows good organization, so its capacity is really important. For this reason, we have researched the best products in this category and found Travelísimo 2 in 1, an electric lunch box that you can connect to the cigarette lighter in your car or at home and that has a 1.5-litre capacity. On the other hand, the PuTwo Classic cooler bag is very popular because it is very spacious with its 8 liter capacity, and an easy-to-carry design.
Opinions on the best lunch boxes
To take your food to work or for a walk, you need one of the best lunch boxes of 2022 and if you still don’t know what they are, we invite you to continue reading so that you know their main characteristics and decide which one suits your needs.
electric lunch box
Very travel 2 in 1
The possibility of using an electric lunch box that you can connect to a conventional plug or to your car’s cigarette lighter to heat food makes this model the best lunch box for many users.
With a capacity of 1.5 liters, this lunch box allows you to carry a good amount of food to satisfy your hunger during a trip, walk or lunch at work. Additionally, it includes a separate container in which you can store other portions of food that you do not want to mix with those on the main tray.
As for the construction materials, this lunch box is made of resistant plastic on the outside and the main compartment is stainless steel, which is also removable so that cleaning is much easier.
This lunch box has a power of 40 W, so in approximately 20 or 30 minutes it can heat the food to a suitable temperature, highlighting the fact that it supports two connection modes, increasing its versatility.
According to user reviews, this could be the best lunch box of the moment, so we mention its main pros and cons below.
Pros
Capacity: The lunch box has a 1.5 liter capacity, as well as an independent container to avoid mixing the food.
Connection: It can be connected to the conventional plug or the car cigarette lighter to heat the food while you are traveling.
Utensils: A spoon and the compartment to store it in the lid of the lunch box are included.
Cleaning: The removable containers can be easily washed because the main container is made of stainless steel and the smaller one is made of plastic.
Cons
Liquids: The lunch box is not completely airtight, so it is not suitable for storing liquids.
thermal lunch box
PuTwo Classic
For those who prefer an insulated lunch box, PuTwo presents the Classic model with a large 8 liter capacity and a conventional design, made from 600D Oxford fabric on the outside, because it is more durable and water resistant.
For its part, the interior has a high-quality aluminum coating approved by the FDA, which certifies its safety for food. With this construction, users affirm that it is a completely safe insulated bag because it also incorporates a resistant YKK zipper that slides efficiently even with continuous use.
If you are wondering which is the best lunch box, this model may be the answer, especially if you are looking for the highest thermal capacity, since it has a 10 mm expandable polyethylene foam, which can maintain the temperature for up to 8 hours.
For those who have doubts about which lunch box to buy, this model has qualities that are worth knowing to make an informed decision.
Pros
Transport: This lunch box can be easily transported with a main handle and also includes a shoulder strap, or if you prefer as a crossbody bag.
Compartments: Inside it has enough space to store food containers, cans of drinks and fruit, while on the front it has pockets in which you can store napkins and forks.
Materials: It is made of Oxford cloth, polyurethane foam, aluminum coating and a resistant zipper.
Colors: The lunch box is available in different colors and some printed models so you can choose the one you like best.
Cons
Size: Due to its capacity and large size, some users claim that it is too large to take lunch to work.
child lunch box
Skip-Hop 252481
Children also need a special compartment to take their snack to school or daycare, that’s why we recommend this children’s lunch box from Skip Hop, a brand specialized in thermal bags and backpacks for children with very attractive, pretty and colorful designs that children like so much. adults and children alike.
The lunch box is made of BPA-free plastic, which is also resistant and dishwasher safe. As for the lid, it has a non-drip design that improves the functionality of the container.
Regarding space, the lunch box measures 17.1 x 13.6 x 5.7 cm and includes a smaller container with a lid that fits inside and serves to separate the fruits of the sandwich, for example.
In addition, since it is a lunch box for children, it has an easy closing system that does not prevent the little ones from opening and closing the lunch box safely.
If you are interested in knowing more about this product, it should be noted that it is one of the cheapest lunch boxes in the selection, so we will talk about its pros and cons in the next section.
Pros
Separation: The inner container with a lid allows food to be separated so that the juices do not mix with each other.
Easy closing: The opening system is very easy and specially designed for children.
Cleaning: Because it is made of BPA-free plastic, it can be washed in the dishwasher without problems.
Price: It is one of the cheapest models, backed by a very popular brand in the category of children’s lunch boxes.
Cons
Colors: A user comments that the lunch box has lost the color of the printed design.
electric lunch box for car
YISSVIC YY-3166
If you work as a taxi driver, you are a transport professional or you travel frequently, you should have an electric car lunch box in which you can carry your food and heat it up in a short time, using your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. For these cases, we recommend the YY-3166 model, a 1.05 liter lunch box, made of plastic and with a removable stainless steel tray.
Additionally, another removable container with a 0.45 liter capacity and with a lid that allows food to be separated from the main compartment is included. The best thing about the two trays is that they can be completely disassembled and washed to prevent accumulation of grease, dirt and odors.
We must mention that this model has a power of 40 W and the heating time can vary according to the time of year, being for summer a period of 25 to 40 minutes, while in winter it can be 40 to 60 minutes for a efficient heating.
You can see the characteristics of this model summarized in the following list of positive and negative aspects that we have prepared to help you in your purchase.
Pros
Power: The lunch box is 40 W and offers uniform heating to maintain the good taste of food.
Indicator: The electric unit has a light indicator to know that the heating process has started.
Grip: The lunch box has a wide and resistant handle that favors grip without risk of burns, even when the food is heating.
Capacity: The stainless steel tray is 1.05 liters and the container with lid has a 0.45 liter capacity, so you can take a good portion of food for lunch.
Cons
Care: This product cannot be used in the microwave or stored in the refrigerator.
stainless steel lunch box
Yosoo GOMUKASINSUD35606
Resistance, conservation efficiency and ease of cleaning are aspects that stand out in this Yosoo stainless steel lunch box, a compact and colorful model, with a two-layer stacked format that allows you to carry enough food for one person.
Each container has an internal lining of high-quality stainless steel and on the outside it has recycled polypropylene insulation that offers greater durability and resistance, in addition to its thermal effect to keep food warm.
This two-layer model has dimensions of 14.5 x 15 x 14.5 cm, being suitable for most commercially available lunch bags. Due to its colorful design, Yosoo affirms that this product is suitable for children’s lunch.
Regarding the closure, the containers have an efficient locking system that prevents the compartments from accidentally opening or the food juices from spilling.
From this model we can highlight the following characteristics, separated into pros and cons to better identify its qualities.
Pros
Design: The stackable design of this lunch box makes it more compact and easy to carry in any cooler bag.
Fastening: The coupling between each layer of the lunch box fits securely, and the upper handle allows you to take the set of containers without risk.
Compartments: The space of the two-layer lunch box allows you to separate foods and carry enough portions for one person’s entire menu.
Colors: This model is available in an attractive green and blue color, suitable for children.
Cons
Limitation: The lunch box is not suitable for the microwave, despite having a propylene lining.
Valira lunch box
Valira Nomad
Many users already have airtight containers to store their food, but they need a compact and functional bag like the Valira Nomad One City lunch box. This hermetic bag, in addition to being one of the cheapest, has been designed with a discreet, unisex style and adaptable to the most hectic lifestyles of city users.
The metallic and insulating interior favors the stability in the temperature of the food, keeping it fresh inside. It is worth mentioning that this model does not include containers or utensils, so you must purchase them separately or use the ones you already have.
The flexibility of this bag allows you to easily carry it inside your backpack, briefcase or your casual bag, being easy to store, because it does not take up much space, thanks to its measurements of 26 x 11 x 8 cm. In addition, you can choose it in any of its presentations: brown, black and gray.
Valira has a line of good quality airtight preservatives and thermal bags, which is why many users claim that it is the best brand of lunch boxes. So we stop to evaluate the characteristics of this model to corroborate this information.
Pros
Space: According to its dimensions, this bag can store a large and a small container or portions of fruit to accompany lunch.
Design: It is a flexible bag, easy to store and with a resistant handle.
Opening: The bag has a good quality and colorful zipper to contrast with the outside fabric.
Coating: Inside the bag has a metallic and thermal coating that efficiently preserves the temperature of the food.
Cons
Accessories: This model does not include food containers or other utensils that could complement its use.
metal lunch box
IBILI 720620
If you are looking for something durable and functional, this metal lunch box may be a good choice for you, since it is a model made of 18/8 stainless steel that stands out for its resistance.
With a diameter of 20 cm and 8 cm in height, this lunch box has a capacity of 1.8 liters distributed in two plates with a stackable design that allow you to carry food separately.
Many users claim that this classic and traditional model is still useful for children who go camping. However, it can also be your everyday lunch box to take to work in a nice insulated bag to keep your food piping hot and ready for lunch.
As for washing, this product is completely dishwasher safe, as its material is resistant and its construction is backed by the two-year guarantee offered by the manufacturer.
Below, we summarize the highlights of the Ibili metal lunch box.
Pros
Size: The plates have a diameter of 20 cm and the lunch box in total offers 1.8 liters of capacity.
Material: 18/8 stainless steel is used in this lunch box to provide greater strength and durability.
Cost and utility: It is a cheap product, of good quality and that you can use daily or to take camping.
Cons
Depth: This lunch box is not suitable for soups or creams because the plates are not deep and the closure is not airtight.
lunch bag
TATAY 1167500
For many users, this is the best quality-price lunch box because it is a very complete investment, since for a low cost you can buy a lunch box made of durable and resistant materials, which contains 4 airtight containers, BPA-free, for a total of 1.4 liters capacity.
Without a doubt, it is a very attractive offer, since the bag has an insulated interior that keeps your meals hot or cold for a long period of time to preserve food. Additionally, the exterior is made of a semi-rigid material that protects the interior from bumps and impacts, or the normal swing while you are walking with the bag in your hand.
For greater ease during transport, this bag incorporates an adjustable strap, so you can carry it as a shoulder bag, without forgetting that it barely weighs 620 grams, so it does not cause any fatigue to carry it hanging or by the handle.
We advise you to review the pros and cons of this model so that you have more useful information when deciding which lunch box you are going to buy.
Pros
Packaging: Four containers are included inside the bag: two oval ones of 0.5 l each and two small ones of 0.2 liters, respectively.
Variety: This model is available in 9 different colors and designs, and each group of containers is combined with the color of the bag.
Transport: The bag has a top handle and an adjustable strap so you can choose your favorite way to transport.
Materials: The semi-rigid structure of the bag protects its interior and is easy to clean, while the interior has a good quality thermal lining.
Cons
Hermeticism: Several users comment that the containers are not completely hermetic.
glass lunch box
Nerthus FIH 466
Although plastic and stainless steel containers are very receptive in the food preservation market, we cannot forget the virtues of a glass lunch box like this Nerthus model.
It is a glass container with an airtight plastic lid and a capacity of 0.64 liters that comes inside a classic and functional thermal bag, whose high-quality insulating material helps keep food warm.
Among the benefits of this glass lunch box we can mention that it is capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -40°C to 600°C. In addition to being suitable for the microwave and the dishwasher, without forgetting that it is completely free of BPA, as it is made of borosilicate glass, a material with high thermal resistance.
As far as the bag is concerned, it stands out for being very light to carry, as it incorporates a top handle and a removable strap to carry it as a shoulder bag, if you prefer.
The summary of the characteristics of this model is appropriate to compare it with the other products on this list and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Pros
Manufacturing: The lunch box is made of borosilicate glass, a material that withstands high and low temperatures, so it can be frozen or microwaved without risk.
Bag: The bag for the lunch box has a metallic coating to better preserve the temperature of the food and that does not absorb liquids or odours.
Opening: The zipper allows a total opening to have a better access to its interior, which also facilitates the cleaning of the bag.
Compartment: Inside the bag there is a mesh compartment, suitable for storing cutlery or napkins.
Cons
Variety: A greater range of bag colors is missing, as it is only available in black.
Guide to buying a lunch box
The usefulness of lunch boxes has been proven by all members of the family, from the little one who goes to school to the adults who take their food to work, and although it seems like a common product, we bring you a guide to buying the best lunch box for you. It will help to know the most outstanding aspects that this utensil must have to be efficient, durable and functional.
Shopping guide
Materials
When starting a comparison of lunch boxes we can find a wide variety of materials used in the manufacture of these. If we refer specifically to the preservatives, we can choose between plastic, stainless steel and glass. The first is the most common, however it is important to verify that it is free of BPA, in this way we are sure that it is a harmless material for contact with food.
Regarding stainless steel, we cannot doubt its resistance, durability and easy cleaning. But, it has the downside of not being microwave safe. Compared to glass containers, these are easier to clean, resistant to heat and cold and include airtight lids to prevent spills. However, great care must be taken not to bump or drop them.
electric lunch boxes
Currently, there are products designed to preserve food and at the same time be able to heat it without relying on a microwave oven, and these are electric lunch boxes.
These models are made up of an electrical unit that connects to the plug and that inside has a stainless steel tray in which the food is. Of these lunch boxes there are models exclusively for connecting to the car cigarette lighter and other more versatile ones that accept a 220 V or 12 V connection.
In these products it is important to review the power and specifications, to know the heating time that the food needs according to the time of year, as this is a factor that has a considerable influence.
Ability
When we buy a lunch box, the first thing we see is how much it costs or if it is pretty, but we rarely review the most important thing: capacity. This aspect will indicate the amount of food that we can store in it, and it is usually measured in liters.
Obviously, the choice of a larger or smaller capacity will depend on your eating habits, as well as the purpose of the lunch box, as there are compact models that are sized for one person’s food, but there are also larger models that are suitable for two or more people, which include separate sections or stackable trays, so that the food juices do not mix with each other.
Consequently, you can choose between lunch boxes with a capacity of 0.5 liters up to models with a capacity of 2 liters or more, if you are looking for a family size to go to the beach or camping and carry all the food in one place.
bags
The concept of a lunch box goes beyond the container for food, as it also encompasses thermal or transport bags in which you can store your favorite Tupperware.
In this sense, you can look for a good and cheap lunch box, and along with it buy a resistant, versatile and durable bag that has a thermal coating and maintains the temperature of your food.
To choose a bag it is necessary to verify the quality of the materials, if its structure is rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, identify its measurements and ease of cleaning as well.
As for the opening, they generally use zippers, so these must be of good quality to offer efficient sliding, since you will have to continually open and close the bag to remove the containers, wash them and store the food again.
In your search you will find versatile products that combine the containers with the thermal bag to make a single investment, something that your pocket will appreciate.
Transport and hygiene
In the market there are options and products for all tastes and needs, so manufacturers offer lunch boxes that have a fastening system and handles that facilitate their transfer.
Other more basic containers only have an airtight or leak-proof lid because they must be stored inside a lunch bag. In this case, the bags mostly include a main handle and adjustable straps to carry as shoulder bags. Some models are more compact and can be stored in your backpack or everyday bag.
As for the cleaning of the lunch box, many users prefer that they be dishwasher safe, but this is a specification that you should check carefully before buying the product to know what care it needs.
In this regard, we must mention that most thermal bags are easy to clean inside and out, and they do not get excessively dirty either, so it will be enough to pass a damp cloth over the fabric or the stains so that it is very clean.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to use a lunch box?
We usually use the lunch box to take lunch to work and for children to take their snack to school. But, we can also use them to carry food during a car ride and avoid stopping on the way to buy food on the street or in places of questionable hygiene.
On using a lunch box for the first time, we recommend washing it with soap and water, or if it is dishwasher safe, place it there for your initial wash. A general recommendation is to prepare the food the night before and store it in the lunch box, leave it open to temper and when it is no longer so hot, cover it for its respective cooling, and the next day take the lunch box and store it in the bag.
Q2: How is a lunch box that keeps warm?
The lunch boxes that keep the heat can be electric, that is, containers that connect to the power network to heat the food without using the microwave. But, they can also be bags with a thermal coating, in which the containers with the hot food are kept and because it is an insulating material, it helps to conserve the heat of the food until the moment of its consumption, as long as it is keep the bag closed.
Q3: How to clean the lunch box?
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning the lunch box, however most plastic, stainless steel and glass models are dishwasher safe so it’s no problem to run them through a wash cycle for complete sanitisation.. Even so, care must be taken with some models that do not allow excessively high temperatures, such as those for sterilization.
Q4: How to prepare a Japanese lunch box?
The idea of a Japanese lunch box lies in the preparation of rich and nutritious food as a complete menu for lunchtime. Traditionally, Japanese lunch boxes have partitions to separate food, but with your everyday lunch box you can prepare a Japanese bento using paper muffin cups in which you can place portions of vegetables, meats, rice, among other foods, all separated to follow the oriental style. You can also make it more eye-catching by using fun ways to cut food, an idea that children will really enjoy.
Q5: How does an electric lunch box work?
This type of lunch boxes are devices that, although they are not as fast as a microwave, are connected to an electrical source to introduce heat to the food gradually, achieving a very pleasant texture and flavor, maintaining the homemade taste. In these devices, the power is the element that determines the speed of heating. That is why it is so important to review the technical specifications and know how long it takes to heat the food, as some models can last from 15 to 30 minutes in this process. Generally, the food tray is made of stainless steel to distribute heat evenly and because it is a safer material for contact with food.
Q6: Can I clean a lunch box in the dishwasher?
Most of the lunch boxes currently available are dishwasher-safe, and if it is an electric model, only the removable trays can be washed, without the heating unit.
Q7: Which material is safer for a lunch box?
As it is a product that will come into contact with food for human consumption, the lunch boxes are made with materials that are safe for people. The plastic used in these utensils is completely BPA-free, while the stainless steel and glass offer total safety. However, each material has its pros and cons with regard to heating, washing, or resistance to drops or shocks.
Q8: Can I transport liquids in a lunch box?
If the lunch box has been designed with a deep format, anti-spill lid and hermetic closure, in addition to being indicated by the manufacturer, you can keep soups or creams. However, the most popular models do not allow the storage of liquids because they are not very deep or the lid is not completely airtight, so you should specifically look for a lunch box for liquids and secure your investment, in addition to avoiding unpleasant accidents.
