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Mar 15, 2025

The 15 Best Lunch Bags

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Select from a variety of leakproof, sturdy, and stylish picks. In This Article Real

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Select from a variety of leakproof, sturdy, and stylish picks.

In This Article

Real Simple

Gone are the days of lugging cumbersome and clunky lunch boxes—with so many options available, your lunch bag can keep your food cold and contained without sacrificing style. Whether you're headed to the office or packing a sandwich for your little ones, the right lunch bag makes taking food on the go supremely easy.

To determine the best lunch bags and boxes, we researched dozens of options while considering factors like price point, material, size, and the number of compartments. We also spoke to Abigail Koffler and Erica Adler, authors of Meal Prep Made Simple, to get their tips on what to look for in a lunch bag or box.

“We both prioritize containers that are leak-proof,” they say. “There’s nothing worse than your lunch leaking all over your bag (we have laptops to protect). Beyond that, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, as everyone’s lunch needs are a little different.”

It’s sturdy, well-insulated, easy-to-clean, and has plenty of space for snacks and utensils.

The design is very basic and doesn’t have multiple inner compartments.

The classic, durable Hydro Flask Insulated Reusable Travel Lunchbox earned our top pick for its versatility, high-performing insulation, and durability. Its vertical design makes it extra-easy to bring everything you need, including a water bottle or thermos. The lightweight insulation ensures your food stays cold (or hot) for hours until you get around to your lunch break, all without adding extra bulk.

With a BPA-free, FDA food-grade liner that’s easy to wipe down, cleaning any spills or leaks is no problem. For extra convenience, there’s a zippered pouch on the inside of the lid to store your utensils and napkins, plus a sturdy handle for carrying on your commute. If you’re looking for an eye-catching design or multiple inner compartments, however, this might not be the best pick for you.

Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 13.3 x 11.81 x 5.75 inches | Compartments: 1

Its purse-inspired design comes in a wide array of colors and offers plenty of style points without sacrificing function.

It only has one compartment.

This medium-sized lunch bag has the silhouette of a purse and comes in 24 patterns and colors, so there’s something for every taste, whether you want a simple white bag or would prefer multi-colored stripes. Though it may look on the smaller side, it can actually fit a surprising amount of food—the brand says it will hold a complete lunch or breakfast, plus a couple of cans and some snacks. All that food can be heavy, but this lunch bag is soft-sided and lightweight at 0.36 pounds.

The interior lining is triple-insulated to keep food and drinks cold or warm, and you can easily wipe down the aluminum interior. The exterior is water-resistant, but if this lunch bag gets dirty, you can easily hand wash it.

Material: Tarpaulin with aluminum interior | Dimensions: 10 x 6.6 x 8.5 inches | Compartments: 1 (exterior)

It's compartmentalized and durable without the added weight.

The leak-proof seal relies on an external strap that may break off.

Although this bento box-styled lunch container is hard-sided, it’s lightweight enough to toss in a larger bag for organized and convenient snacks on the go. This lunch box is ideal for those who don’t want to use multiple containers to bring their lunch and snacks to work or school. The main container is made from BPA-free plastic and has a silicone strap that snaps securely into place to ensure your food doesn’t leak or spill while on the go.

This lunchbox comes in three shades: blush pink, charcoal gray, and soft mint green. It has three compartments to keep your food organized, including a top tray with two smaller, shallow compartments and a large bottom compartment. We also love that this pick is microwavable and dishwasher-safe.

Material: BPA-free plastic and silicone | Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.2 x 3.2 inches | Compartments: 3

The bag can be easily popped into the freezer for long-lasting cooling, and it’s completely collapsible.

It lacks a shoulder strap, which can make it difficult to carry around.

Touting themselves as the makers of the original freezable lunch bag, PackIt has a full line of collapsible and easily freezable products. You can fold this bag flat to conserve food storage space and pop it in the freezer so your food is chilled and ready to go. Plus, it’s very roomy and has lots of space for a full day’s worth of snacks and food.

This bag comes in nine colors and patterns, with some prints suitable for children (like the unicorns) and others made for adults (like the stripes or solid black). The zip closure locks in cold air to keep your food and drinks fresh and is able to stay chilled for hours thanks to gel-lined walls—think of them as thin ice packs. The interior can be wiped down and has a food-safe lining that is also BPA-, PVC-, and lead-free. A handy buckled strap can clip onto a backpack or stroller, but it doesn’t have a shoulder strap, so consider that if you have a long commute and would prefer to sling it over your back.

Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 6.25 x 8.5 x 9.75 inches | Compartments: N/A

The purse design and large size combine for a fashionable option that still offers plenty of room and insulation.

The price point is considerably higher than many competitors.

Modern Picnic has become synonymous with fashionable lunch bags, turning what used to be utilitarian into something chic. The Large Luncher’s impressive size can fit plenty of food, snacks, and drinks without bursting at the seams. Since the price coincides with the quality of this lunch bag, it’s not the most affordable option and may not be suitable for kids.

This bag has many functional features, including an insulated, roomy interior to keep everything cool, a removable shoulder strap, and a short handle you can adjust. The interior and exterior are easy to clean—we recommend using warm water and mild soap. This lunch bag comes in ten vegan leather colors, and if you want extra personalization, you can also select a monogrammed option. The heavy-duty magnetic closures keep your food and drinks in place when on the go.

Material: Vegan leather | Dimensions: 7.25 x 12 x 10.5 inches | Compartments: Utensil holders; 1 interior pocket

It’s a reusable and easy-to-clean classic paper lunch bag.

There’s no strap or handle, making it harder to carry.

This clever take on the traditional lunch bag is made from wax canvas that keeps foods from leaking through, unlike paper bags which get wet and easily break. If this bag gets messy, just wipe it down with a cloth or sponge. We also love how versatile this waxed bag is—it’s handy for everything from storing cut veggies in your fridge to carrying your lunch.

These are also ideal for kids who need a handy, easy-to-clean lunch box. There are a range of color options, (including classic brown), fun, vibrant colors, and pastel shades. Take note that if you need a lunch bag or box with a handle or strap then this may not be the right choice.

Material: Waxed canvas | Dimensions: 4 x 7 x 12 inches | Compartments: 1

The bag is very roomy and features a wide shoulder strap for convenient, hands-free transportation.

It’s on the larger side and may be tricky to store.

Thanks to its puffy, insulated material, this bag from Built keeps your lunch and drinks cool for whenever you want to eat. The polyester material is durable, lightweight, water-resistant, and resistant to tears and pulls. If the tote gets dirty, the brand suggests cleaning it with soap and water, so it’s very easy to take care of. It also features a zip closure to securely keep all your lunch, snacks, and drinks in place.

This bag comes in five colorways: solid black, yellow with a stripe, light blue with a stripe, geometric blue pattern, and black and white tie dye. This lunch bag also allows you to organize snacks and utensils, thanks to two side pockets and one interior mesh pocket.

Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 12.5 x 9 x 4.25 inches | Compartments: 3

It has plenty of space, multiple compartments, and an expandable upper pocket.

The sides aren’t particularly firm and may sag or lean.

If you’re looking for a multi-tasking, high-performance bag at a low price point, this lunch bag is for you. It has the capacity to hold all the food and drinks you need for a day at the office or even an outing to the beach. The main compartment is roomy and leakproof, so you can toss in ice packs to keep food and drinks cold for up to seven hours. The upper compartment is suitable for non-perishables or dry snacks that don’t need to be kept cold, like chips or nuts. If you want an all-in-one bag, you can also throw your keys, wallet, and phone in the top or exterior pockets.

The upper compartment is expandable, so you can make it larger when you’re carrying extra snacks and collapse it when you don’t have as much to store. This lunch bag also has two carrying options: a shorter strap and a detachable shoulder strap. With five exterior pockets and an interior mesh pocket, you can easily stash keys, utensils, or trash.

Material: Cotton with PEVA liner | Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 10.5 inches | Compartments: 8 (including pockets)

It’s sturdy, stackable, and comes in eight different colors.

It’s on the larger side for a bento box.

This microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe bento box offers a versatile and compact way to pack your lunch. The top container has two sections that hold up to ¾ of a cup, the middle container holds utensils, and the bottom compartment can store up to two cups of food. A strap snaps around the sections to ensure everything stays in place.

With eight colorways, there’s a Bentgo Classic for every style. We’re partial to the khaki green, but you can also choose a brighter color, like kiwi green or cobalt blue. While bento boxes are ideal for packed lunches, this pick might not work for storing large amounts of snacks or trekking to the beach.

Material: BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: 7.12 x 4.68 x 2.7 inches | Compartments: 4

It’s a durable, environmentally-friendly lunch box with convenient dividers.

It lacks flexibility and doesn’t have extra insulation.

With two removable dividers, the bento-style Blockhütte Stainless Steel Lunch Box offers a sleek, sturdy solution for bringing meals with multiple components. The dividers allow you to customize the box into one, two, or three sections of any size and proportion needed for your meal. Plus, the box is made from lightweight stainless steel for easy cleanup and an environmentally-friendly, long-lasting solution.

A silicone seal and two external clasps keep your food secure and free from leaks. The individual dividers, however, aren’t quite as good at keeping ingredients 100% separate, especially if thin liquids, like dressings or soups, are involved. Also note that since the lunch box isn’t insulated, there may be issues with keeping foods hot or cold.

Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 6.69 x 4.72 x 2.36 inches | Compartments: up to 3

The design allows you to save space while still being able to pack delicious, multi-part lunches.

It’s not the largest bag, which can limit how much food you can carry.

Although the TAKENAKA Bento Bite Dual Lunch Box is fairly compact, it also has a surprising amount of room. The two-tiered design provides you with a larger, single compartment on the bottom and two smaller, divided ones on the top, allowing you to pack multiple components easily. An airtight seal suctions the two pieces together, and an elastic band wraps around both tiers to ensure that no spills occur.

Not only is the box compact and leak-proof, it’s also stylish and environmentally friendly. It’s made from 100% BPA-free recycled plastic bottles, and it comes in three pastel colors—mint green, ice blue, and pink—as well as white. If you pack larger items or need space for a water bottle, this won’t be your best bet, but for a multi-part lunch on the go, you’ll be surprised how much you can fit in this lunch bag.

Material: Recycled plastic | Dimensions: 6.85 x 4.33 x 4.29 inches | Compartments: 3

Its foldable design allows you to save space while still having plenty of room to carry food in containers.

It’s exterior materials aren’t the sturdiest.

If you don’t have a lot of space to store a lunch bag but still want the ability to pack a solid lunch, the soft, flexible, and foldable iknoe Insulated Lunch Bag is an excellent choice. With flexible sides and a fold-down storage option, this bag is easy to maneuver and can shrink down for effortless, space-saving storage. A waterproof inner pocket lets you separate individual items, and the mouth of the bag opens wide to accommodate wider containers.

The tote bag-style design comes in over 30 colors and patterns, so you can pick a design to match your preferences. Each bag also comes with a wide, soft shoulder strap to make carrying it back and forth convenient. When it comes to the inside of the bag, you’ll find a combination of cloth and aluminum insulation that will help keep your food at its ideal temperature. However, you may find that the bag’s softer material might not stand up to wear and tear like other sturdier options.

Material: Oxford cloth and aluminum foil | Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.8 x 10.23 inches | Compartments: 2

The multi-tier cylinder design is easy to carry and keeps food components separate.

It’s a bit on the heavier side.

Where most compartmentalized lunch boxes use section dividers to keep individual components separated, the Lille Home Stainless Steel Stackable Compartment Lunch Box offers a different type of solution. This box features three individual tiers, all stacked together into a single, easy-to-carry cylinder. Each tier is made from food-grade stainless steel so that the box doesn't rust or absorb food odors, plus each tier has its own lid and a secure silicone seal to avoid spillage.

Clocking in at just over two pounds, this is definitely a heavier lunch box than other options on our list. However, the box’s tough material ensures that this is a box that will definitely last. In addition to its solid durability, both the outer and inner layers of each container are microwave-safe. For extra personalization, the lunch box comes in three colors—pink, blue, and green—and includes a gray lunch bag that fits the whole cylinder for extra insulation and convenience.

Material: Food-grade plastic; stainless steel | Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.6 x 9.4 inches | Compartments: 3

Multiple power cables and a reliable heating system make heating food on the go hassle-free.

It’s heavy and not well suited for carrying cold food.

When simple insulation isn’t enough, an electric lunch box like the STN Heated Lunch Box offers an alternative option to using a microwave. This spacious bag provides plenty of room to pack all your favorite foods, along with different power cables to plug in at home or in a vehicle. The 75W heating system is designed to warm food quickly and evenly—just remember to stir food, like you would on the stove, to prevent the bottom layer from overheating or scorching.

The food-grade stainless steel inner container is durable, conducts heat well, and is easy to clean. The kit also comes with a secondary, smaller container for heating up sides, plus a cutlery set and a bag to pack everything in. While its three pound weight may make it a little heavy to tote around, this box is a convenient option if you’re someone who frequently eats leftovers that need reheating.

Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 10.71 x 7.48 x 5.2 inches | Compartments: Up to 2

It comes in a variety of bold styles and features multiple compartments for meals and snacks.

The box’s print isn’t protected and can fade away after enough wear and tear.

With 23 print and color options, there’s something for every kid, whether they love unicorns or rocket ships. This Bentgo option is just the right size for children, with five perfectly portioned compartments to divide their healthy snacks, protein, and veggies. While the outer box should be hand-washed, the inner tray snaps out and is dishwasher-safe for simple clean-up.

This interior tray is also microwave- and freezer-safe, so you can heat up leftovers or keep food ice cold. This lunch box is also leak-proof, so you don't have to deal with messy spills in your kid’s backpack.

Material: BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: ​​8.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches | Compartments: 5

Our top pick overall is the Hydro Flask Insulated Reusable Travel Lunchbox for its versatile design, impressive insulation, and durable construction that can withstand daily wear and tear. If you’re shopping on a budget, the Baloray Lunch Bag is another fantastic option—plus the adorable design and range of patterns add some stylish flair.

When shopping for a lunch bag, first consider whether you want a traditional option with no compartments, or a bento box-styled bag where everything has a place. “I love to be able to separate different components of a meal, like the dressing or a dip for veggies,” says Koffler. “That way things don’t get soggy in transit. Containers like a bento box or tiffin work well for this, or you can use a few different Tupperware or jars. (I love using old Talenti jars to transport a soup or salad, since they close tightly).”

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You’ll also want to consider how small or large you want your lunch bag to be. If you’re commuting or going to school, you’ll need a compact lunch box that can easily be thrown in a bag or backpack. On the other hand, there are some stylish lunch bags that can easily be mistaken for a tote bag, like the Modern Picnic Large Luncher.

If you’re looking for a lunch bag that basically acts as a mini cooler for beach trips, hikes, or road trips, then look for something that’s larger yet still easy to transport, like the Built Puffer Lunch Tote or the Miycoo Lunch Bag.

You might also think about the size of the meal you intend to pack when looking for a lunch bag. Portions can be hard to estimate with a lunch box, but Koffler suggests packing generous portions. “You can eat some of it at meal time and some of it as a snack,” Koffler says. “If you’re trying to save money by packing food, packing a little extra might save you from buying a 3 p.m. snack.”

“I tend to favor a glass option because I frequently reheat in the microwave and trust myself to be relatively careful with it,” says Adler. “However, I do have a little one on the way, and know I’ll be in the market for some nice, BPA-free plastic containers in the very near future.” It’s good to consider how long your commute is—if you have a long walk to work you may want to stick with a lightweight, BPA-free plastic choice.

Overall, though, be sure the bag you’re choosing is made of a water-resistant, leak-resistant, and easy-to-clean material. Nylon and polyester are good exterior materials for fabric lunch bags, and tend to come with a waterproof lining that can be wiped clean if spills happen.

“My tip on insulation is to really consider your own personal lunch set-up. If you’re in an office setting with access to a fridge and microwave, insulation will likely fall low on your priorities list,” says Adler. “But packing lunch for a kiddo or an on-the-go situation definitely warrants an option that will keep your lunch cool (or hot!) for a few hours.”

Some bags are freezer-proof (like the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag), while others have a gel lining that offers great insulation for cold foods.

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The duration your lunch box will keep food cold depends on the insulation, use of ice packs, and outside temperature. If you add an ice pack to your insulated bag, your food should stay cold for three to five hours. If you don’t use ice packs, your food will likely stay cold for around two hours.

Always check the manufacturer's recommendation on your bag. While some bags can be machine washed, you can clean most lunch bags with a cloth, soap, and warm water. If your lunch bag is machine-washable, it’s best to skip the dryer and let it air dry. If you’re unsure, opt for hand-washing to be safe.

The lightest lunch boxes are usually those made from softer materials, although some plastic boxes are surprisingly lightweight. In contrast, heavier boxes tend to be made of sturdier materials, like stainless steel. Although soft-sided lunch boxes and bags may be light on their own, they may end up weighing more if you’re using ice packs.

Most lunch boxes today are made with materials designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily commutes and frequent use. For serious durability, though, you can’t go wrong with a classic stainless steel model. This material is tough and made to last, although it may be heavier than other lunch boxes and bags that are made with lighter mediums like polyester or plastic.

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This article was written by Hannah Baker, a writer and editor with a decade of experience researching and writing about home products, and updated by Amanda Prahl a contributing writer for Real Simple with over five years of writing lifestyle content. To make this list, both writers considered a variety of lunch bags and boxes and considered versatility, cost, material, size, and number of compartments. Hannah also spoke with meal prep experts Abigail Koffler and Erica Adler, authors of Meal Prep Made Simple.