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The Best Lunch Box | 2023

Last updated on October 24, 2022

We looked at the top 10 Lunch Boxes and dug through the reviews from 34 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Lunch Boxes.

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Our Picks For The Top Lunch Boxes

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  Top Pick

Lifewit 4-Layer Thermal Lunch Box

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Lifewit

4-Layer Thermal Lunch Box

Overall Take

Two Ways to CarryYou can get this lunch box is 8.5, 15 and 24-liter capacities.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus 10 Best Product, iPerfect List, Products Browser and 1 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" Made from Oxford fabric, this cooler bag is one that you can count on when it comes to durability and reliability. It has an interior lining with soft but thermal-resistant padding, and it is a water-resistant bag that makes it..."
  Runner Up

BALORAY Oxford Cloth Lightweight Lunch Box

BALORAY

Oxford Cloth Lightweight Lunch Box

Overall Take

Most AffordableWhen shopping on a budget, this economical lunch box is the way to go.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  We Also Like

Simple Modern Blakely Easy Clean Lunch Box

Simple Modern

Blakely Easy Clean Lunch Box

Overall Take

Bucket-Style Lunch BagThis chic option has a large single interior compartment.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon and Walmart.
  Strong Contender

Versal 3 Compartment Lunch Box With Containers

Versal

3 Compartment Lunch Box With Containers

Overall Take

Durable Material with Tough ZippersThis lunch box is made to last with ultra-thick and strong material with double stitching.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus wd-50, Balding Beards. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" High levels of portability, durability, and safety."
Cons
"Small ice-packs."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the lunch boxes available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

34

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: 10 Best Product, iPerfect List, Products Browser, BestReviews, The New York Times.

98,053

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Lunch Boxes and also dug through the reviews from 34 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Lunch Boxes.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

Lifewit 4-Layer Thermal Lunch Box


Our Expert Score

0.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.4
567 user reviews

Our Take

Whether you plan on taking a cold sandwich with fresh fruit or a hot soup with a warm bun to work, this lunch box has you covered. It's made with four layers to keep food insulated and features front and side pockets for drinks and condiments. You can get the lunch box in either black, gray or leopard print.

What other experts liked

Made from Oxford fabric, this cooler bag is one that you can count on when it comes to durability and reliability. It has an interior lining with soft but thermal-resistant padding, and it is a water-resistant bag that makes it...
- 10 Best Product
This is a very convenient bag which comes with a padded handle. There is also a detachable shoulder strap, and you can carry it in different styles. Furthermore, you can easily fold the bag for storing it.
- iPerfect List
And with a total capacity of 15 liters, you can be sure that it will accommodate all the food or beverage you need. It comes in form of a bag to improve handling and portability. Since it is made of...
- Products Browser

The Best Bang For Your Buck

BALORAY Oxford Cloth Lightweight Lunch Box

User Summarized Score

9.4
39,962 user reviews

Our Take

Available in 26 fun prints, you're sure to find this lunch box is a style that matches your personality. The lunch box is fully insulated to keep your food fresh throughout the morning. It's also outfitted with a front pocket for utensils and a set of handles for easy transport.

Overall Product Rankings

1. Lifewit 4-Layer Thermal Lunch Box

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 5

2. BALORAY Oxford Cloth Lightweight Lunch Box

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 1

3. Simple Modern Blakely Easy Clean Lunch Box

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 3

4. Versal 3 Compartment Lunch Box With Containers

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 3

5. Amersun Padded & Insulated Lunch Box

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 2

6. OPUX Adjustable Strap Seamless Lunch Box

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 2

7. MIER Detachable Strap PEVA Lined Lunch Box Tote

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 12

8. MAZFORCE Fresh Food Professional Lunch Box

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 9

9. Carhartt Waterproof Zippered Lunch Box

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 11

10. Sable Insulated & Reusable Lunch Box

Overall Score: 7.9
Reviews Included: 3

Our Lunch Box Findings


Lifewit 4-Layer Thermal Lunch Box

What We Liked: Whether you plan on taking a cold sandwich with fresh fruit or a hot soup with a warm bun to work, this lunch box has you covered. It’s made with four layers to keep food insulated and features front and side pockets for drinks and condiments. You can get the lunch box in either black, gray or leopard print.


BALORAY Oxford Cloth Lightweight Lunch Box

What We Liked: Available in 26 fun prints, you’re sure to find this lunch box is a style that matches your personality. The lunch box is fully insulated to keep your food fresh throughout the morning. It’s also outfitted with a front pocket for utensils and a set of handles for easy transport.


Simple Modern Blakely Easy Clean Lunch Box

What We Liked: This bucket-style lunch bag has a large capacity. It is well constructed and has reinforced stitching, so it’s highly durable. Generosity and excellence are the company’s core values, and they give away 10% of their profits.


Versal 3 Compartment Lunch Box With Containers

What We Liked: If you’re looking for a well-constructed and durable lunch box, this is a good option. It includes three large meal prep containers and two ice packs. The lunch box has three separately insulated compartments with a large capacity.


Amersun Padded & Insulated Lunch Box

What We Liked: You can ensure this lunch box stays in good shape, thanks to the durable materials which are water resistant and dirt proof. It contains an adjustable divider so you can separate the main compartment into two sections. It includes an internal mesh pocket for cutlery and condiments.

Our Lunch Box Buying Guide

Ever hear your stomach yearning for lunch around noon? If you have a good lunch box, then you know your next meal is just a few steps away. A lunch box is a hand-held container where students or workers keep their midday meal. It can be made out of plastic, fabric or metal, and has a convenient handle for carrying. Inside, there are compartments for food or space to put smaller containers. Some lunch boxes are insulated to keep food hot or cold until it’s time to eat. Some also have leak-proof qualities so you can avoid making a mess in your bag while transporting your lunch to its destination.

Simplemost Media

There are many good reasons for bringing your lunch to work or school with you in a lunch box. One of the biggest advantages to taking your lunch in a lunch box is that it is often a much cheaper option than buying your lunch from a café or restaurant. A small salad or sandwich can easily set you back close to $10, especially if you add on a juice or soda and a side. However, if you pack your meal in a lunch box yourself, it likely costs around a quarter of that.

Simplemost Media

Bringing your lunch to work or school is also a healthier choice than purchasing lunch. Most restaurant food has a lot more fat and salt than the food you cook at home. When bringing your own lunch, you’re more likely to add in extra servings of fruits and vegetables. You can also use up leftovers from dinner or breakfast so you reduce food waste at home. Plus, when you have a perfectly good lunch with you already, you’re less likely to go grab something unhealthy from the vending machine.

Simplemost Media

DWYM Fun Fact

At the beginning of the 19th century, working-class men used heavy-duty metal containers to carry their lunch to work. They often worked in hazardous conditions like quarries and mines, so needed a protective case for their food. Around 1880, school children began using metal tins for cookies or tobacco as their lunch containers. It wasn’t until 1935 that companies began manufacturing lunch boxes with bright colors and captivating images. Mickey Mouse was the first pop culture figure to grace the front of a lunch box.

The Lunch Box Tips and Advice

  • When you’re on the hunt for a perfect lunch box, keep size top of mind. You want the lunch box to be big enough to take all of the food you need, but you also don’t want it to be too big so that it takes up extra room in your bag. You’ll also want to make sure that the lunch containers you use to keep your food in can fit inside the lunch box easily and right side up. If they have to be tiled, for example, you may end up with leaks.
  • Consider whether the lunch box comes with small containers for your sandwiches, fruits and veggies. You’ll also want to see if the lunch box has outer pockets where you can stash a water bottle or drink can.
  • Leakproof and spill-proof are key elements of a good lunch box. Make sure that the outer box will not leak through if something inside spills. This way, you can protect your clothes, bag, car and other things from your food.
  • An insulated lunch bag ensures your food stays at the right temperature. Some lunch boxes also come with ice packs that are designed to fit perfectly inside. This is a good choice if you like to make sure your food stays cold until lunchtime.
  • Opt for a lunch bag that has both hand-carry and shoulder straps. This gives you flexibility for how you want to hold your bag. Shoulder straps allow you to have free hands, while the hand-carry straps offer better maneuverability for getting in and out of your backpack.
  • Lunch boxes can get messy. Choose one that is easy to clean. Some cloth or soft lunch bags can go in the washing machine, while hard ones can go in the dishwasher. You can also wipe them down with a wet cloth on a daily basis to prevent any bacteria build-up.

About The Author

Anam Ahmed 

Anam Ahmed is a professional copywriter and essayist based in Toronto. She has been writing on technology, travel, parenting, and business for over 10 years, and works with a number of high-profile organizations. As an avid home cook who loves making magic in the kitchen, she values finding the best products to make people's lives easier. Anam earned a master's degree from the University of Toronto and a bachelor's degree from Queen's University.