We Tested 12 Lunch Boxes to Find the Best Ones for On-the-Go Meals

Sure, having lunch at home has its perks. You don’t have to get dressed up, there’s no awkward decision-making about where to sit, and you can control the thermostat. But there are so many reasons to take your meal on the go—be it work, school, a day at the beach, or a road trip. While we’ve reviewed bento-style lunch boxes and food thermoses in the past, it’s high time for us to do a proper lunch box review.

Gone are the days of flimsy plastic containers and lackluster designs. Today’s lunch boxes have evolved into a diverse array of culinary companions, offering durability, insulation, organization, and style. With thousands of options on the market, selecting the perfect lunchbox can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we delved deep to curate a comprehensive list of the finest lunch boxes available. After testing 12 boxes and bags, we were able to find three lunch boxes we highly recommend.

The Winners, at a Glance

The lunch bag from Hydro Flask aced our tests and won’t break the bank as far as price goes. It kept ice cold for hours and packed a lot of food and cans for its compact size.

This stylish lunch box is durable, practical, and, best of all, under $20. It also comes with a handy food storage container and perfectly fits six cans.

For those willing to shell out a bit more for the best tech on the market, the Yeti Daytrip can’t be beat in terms of capacity and cold retention. The heavy-duty waterproof exterior is tough as nails and the inside liner is completely stain resistant.

The Tests

• Can Capacity Pre-Test: We filled each bag or box with as many cans as would reasonably fit to determine its maximum capacity.
• Capacity and “Use” Test: We packed a lunch consisting of a simple sandwich, apple, bag of chips, and can of soda in each bag to determine how much would fit. We then lifted and carried the bag around to simulate what it would be like using the lunch box in a real-world setting.
• Cold Retention Test: We filled each model with a sealed plastic bag containing four cups of ice. We assessed temperature changes (using an instant-read thermometer) over the course of an 8-hour day and at the end strained out any water and weighed the remaining ice to determine how much melted.
• Stain and Smell Test: We smeared two tablespoons of spaghetti sauce inside each lunch box and let it sit for four hours. After washing per manufacturer instructions, we looked for stains and gave each a sniff to see if any odors lingered.
• Closing Mechanism Durability Test: We opened and closed each model 10 times to determine how difficult it was and if any zippers got easily stuck or caught.

What We Learned

Empty Space Was Dead Space

While a roomy lunch box might seam appealing for capacity reasons, models with too much interior space ended up doing worse in our tests. In terms of cold retention, excess air contributed to more heat loss, as all of that air had to be cooled down, too. And when it came to actual food, apples and cans moved around in these capacious models, leading to smashing and bruising.

Bags that were adjustable offered the best of both worlds, like the Yeti Daytrip. It lets you choose how tightly closed you want the bag to be so you can load it up with 10 cans or close it up tight and snug on a small sandwich.

Latches Were Better Than Zippers

It took nine to 43 seconds to open and close each lunchbox 10 times. While a few extra seconds opening a lunch box may not exactly be a huge deal, no one wants to waste precious break time fiddling with an uncooperative closure. Our testing revealed that latch and hook closures, like the Stanley Classic Lunch Box and Yeti Daytrip, were consistently quick and easy to open and close. Also worth noting: lunch boxes that had to round corners offered more opportunities for the zipper to catch.

Of the zippered models, the Hydro Flask Lunch Bag was one of the fastest to open and close. At just 16 seconds, it averaged at less than two seconds per zip. The zipper glided along its track smoothly and without effort. This is likely due to a variety of factors, like a protected canvas seam that separates the zipper from the bag lining, preventing it from snagging. The bag itself is also sturdy enough to offer support when zipping, unlike flimsier bags that collapsed when we tried to get leverage.

The Right Material Deterred Stains and Smells

While most of the lunch boxes we tested were made of some kind of nylon or polyester, the way this material is made has a direct effect on its ability to hold onto stains and smells. No surprise that stainless steel and hard plastic had no issue, but we saw a big difference between the liners of some bags versus others. 

Of course, white tended to show stains, but that wasn’t the only factor. Almost all the bags were lined with some kind of polyester or nylon, but the exact construction of this material is proprietary and the companies we reached out to were hesitant to dole out exactly what their liners were made of. What we did notice is that smoother fabric liners were less prone to hold onto stains, perhaps due to an extra coating of something that repels moisture and oil (the most common culprits of staining). Price didn’t necessarily equate to quality, in this case, as one of the cheapest bags outperformed others at higher price points.

Special Features Divided The Pack

At the end of the day, things like size, shape, cost, and durability may come down to a decision based on personal preference and habits. Many of the bags we tested offered certain accessories and special functions to set them apart from the rest, such as an accompanying food storage container, loops for attaching the bag to a backpack, or a collapsible design. Depending on how and where you plan to take your bag, a shoulder strap may come in especially handy. Super-techy functions like the magnetic closures on the Yeti lunch boxes were a nice touch, as were extra pockets and pouches to keep things nice and organized (though they’ll generally cost ya). 

The Criteria: What to Look for In a Lunch Box

While lunch boxes come with all kinds of various bells and whistles, there are a few things to look out for when choosing one. First, make sure that your box can hold at least six cans. Any less and we found you won’t have enough space to carry a full meal.

When it comes to material, we overall preferred those with soft-yet-sturdy sides. Thin, flimsy fabric collapses when you try to open and close the latch or zipper and does a much worse job at cold insulation. Hard-sided boxes didn’t do well enough in our testing to warrant any special attention, but could be a good option for those looking for extra durability or who have an extremely challenging commute (like kayaking over a waterfall or driving the Rubicon trail). 

We liked lunch boxes that were lightweight, as in under a pound or close to it. We also enjoyed boxes that offered a choice of handles for carrying, such as a hand strap on top or a shoulder strap (or both!). 

Maybe it goes without saying, but make sure your lunch box is made with food-safe materials on the inside. Some brands offered this as a “feature,” though it should really be the bare minimum in a product designed to hold, you know, food. Look for item descriptions that say so and are BPA-free. 

What we liked: We were impressed by the amount of cans we could fit in this seemingly tiny bag (nine!). Even full to the brim, the fabric didn’t sag and the handle was still comfortable to grab and carry. Overall, the size is just right for packing a sizable lunch. 

This bag strikes the right balance between rugged and stylish, making it a great option for hiking or taking to the office. It comes in a few different colors and the fabric is both abrasion and water resistant. There are two extra compartments, one on the exterior side and one on the interior of the lid, which comes in handy for organizing utensils and other small items. The sides are rigid enough for the bag to stand upright without having to be held open with one hand, which makes packing it a cinch.

What we didn’t like: The liner did stain slightly from spaghetti sauce during our test. No smell remained, but some residue just wouldn’t budge no matter how hard we scrubbed. The bag is maybe a bit too large to stow inside of a backpack or tote bag, but it could be clipped onto the outside thanks to the handle.

Price at time of publish: $34.

Key Specs

• Weight: 8 pounds, 3 ounces
• Dimensions: 11 3/4 x 6 1/4 x 9 1/2 inches
• Materials: Polyester
• Can capacity: 9

What we liked: An added plastic food container is a nice extra none of the other lunch boxes offered. It’s handy to have one already perfectly sized to the box instead of having to measure and scout around for something sized just right, and it still leaves room for more food or an ice pack. The color scheme is cute and the box is designed to snugly fit six cans, which makes it a good choice for toting to the beach or park.

We also liked the adjustable shoulder strap, which frees your hands up to carry other things. There are also two Velcro straps on the inside of the lid that wrap around to hold the lid open to make packing easy. There’s also a pocket on the front that’s big enough to hold napkins or utensils. Even though it’s a quarter of the price, this lunch box was beaten only by the Yeti in the cold retention test. That’s an impressive feat!

What we didn’t like: The zipper was on the slower side compared to other boxes we tested, especially in the corners, but did not snag or jam at all. We could detect the faintest hint of smell after the spaghetti sauce test, but only because we were looking for it.

Price at time of publish: $15.

Key Specs

• Weight: 9 ounces
• Dimensions: 9 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 6 inches
• Materials: Polyester
• Can capacity: 6

What we liked: Yes, this bag is pricey, but it delivered on quality when it came to keeping ice cold. After eight hours, we only saw 40% overall ice meltage, compared to others that were at 50-60% (and even 90% in one case). The latch closure is simple to use and adjustable so you can keep things nice and snug. You won’t arrive to your lunch break to find that a can has rolled around and smashed your banana, for example. 

What we didn’t like: The price is a bit prohibitive, for most. At $80, it’s a significant investment for such a simple item. There are no pockets or compartments for organizing and you need to hold the bag open with one hand to pack, which is a tad annoying. Still, that’s a worthy trade-off for superior cold retention which is ultimately one of the most important aspects of any lunch box.

Price at time of publish: $80.

Key Specs

• Weight: 1 pound, 1 ounce
• Dimensions: 8 3/4 x 6 x 8 1/4 inches (at the smallest size)
• Materials: Proprietary DryHide Shell
• Can capacity: 10

The Competition

• Hydro Flask Large 5 L Insulated Lunch Box: Despite the insulation, this lunch box did not do well at preventing ice from melting. It could only hold five cans and the interior left room for a can to roll around and smash delicate things.
• Carhartt Deluxe Dual Compartment Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag: This lunch box holds a ton of cans or food, but the zipper can be a bit tricky to work. We did appreciate the multiple compartments that come built in, which can be used to sequester away heavy or fragile items.
• YETI Daytrip Lunch Box: If we HAD to pick a hard-sided lunch box, we’d choose this one. It did fairly well at cold retention and the tough exterior is as durable as they come.
• Stanley Classic Lunch Box, Hammer Tone Green, 5.5-Quart: This lunch box did extremely poorly during our ice test. While the stainless steel is durable, this one just couldn’t compare to others that offer insulation.
• LL Bean Expandable Lunch Box: This bag lacks the space to pack a simple lunch without crushing your bag of chips, and the liner stained heavily.
• LL Bean Flip Top Lunch Box The lining took too much damage during the stain test for us to recommend it, and the zipper was very slow to operate.
• Igloo Modern Lunch: This Igloo saw far more temperature loss and melted ice than the other one from this brand that we tested, though the hard shell is sturdy and the zipper was easy to use.
• Coleman Chiller Series Insulated Portable Soft Cooler: The zipper snagged on the liner almost every time we opened and closed it. While the hard plastic insert is an interesting feature, it makes the lunch box bulky.
• REI Co-op Pack-Away 6 Soft Cooler: This one is worth an honorable mention for its genius collapsible design. While it didn’t dazzle us during any of the tests, this lunchbox could make a great option for stowing under the seat of your car for last-minute grocery store trips.

FAQs

What is the difference between a lunch box and a lunch bag?

There aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to the difference between a lunch box and a lunch bag, but we tended to see lunch boxes as having hard (or at least firm) sides, whereas bags tended to have softer sides and may even resemble a brown paper lunch bag, at least when it came to the Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag.

Are lunch boxes usually insulated? 

Many lunch boxes on the market today are insulated, but not all. Technically, a lunch box is any kind of container that can house a packaged meal. Some lunch boxes are not insulated but made using steel or hard plastic, both of which are completely resistant to any kind of stain and may even be dishwasher-safe. 

What foods can you put in a lunch box? 

We wouldn’t recommend putting frozen foods into a lunch box (unless you pack it with plenty of ice). Other than that, it is totally up to you what you put in yours. Most lunch boxes can easily house a sandwich, a can of something fizzy, and a few snacks. Large lunch boxes were able to hold as many as 10 cans, while others were more compact. There are plenty of great, make-ahead meals that hold up well to traveling in a lunch box.

Are lunch boxes microwaveable? 

None of the lunch boxes we tested were microwavable. In general, this product is designed to house, ferry, and insulate food—not act as a storage container. If you need to microwave your lunch, consider investing in some plastic, microwave-safe containers that fit into your lunch box.

What are the different sizes of lunch boxes?

There are dozens and dozens of different sizes of lunch boxes on the market, from one to two liters and all the way up to eight. Any more than that and you start to verge into cooler territory.

What is the best material for a lunch box?

During our testing, polyester and nylon fabric performed the best in terms of both cold retention and durability. An extra bonus is that these materials are lightweight and often rigid enough to withstand punctures or stains (depending on the construction).