Lunch boxes are something most associated with kids going to school. But when you think about it, why isn’t the same logic applied to adults going to work? There are many reasons for adults to prepare lunchtime meals ahead of time and make the most of one of the best lunch boxes for adults.
Taking your own lunch to work offers numerous benefits, and not just to you. Here’s a selection of the most impactful reasons to think about switching to personal daily meal prep:
- Money – Making and taking your own food to work can save you hundreds of dollars versus eating out every day. The cost of a homemade salad or sandwich against the cost of a store-bought option can differ significantly, especially if you are smart about what you buy. For most people, this is the most appealing and number one benefit of taking your own meals to work.
- Environment – Buying foods in bulk and preparing single-portion meals from them can cut down on single-use plastic use. Over the course of a year, this can add up to a huge difference to your personal impact on the environment. If you’re environmentally conscious, it’s definitely worth seeing how much you could cut back on your waste production.
- Health – With the right mindset, carrying your own lunch can help you eat healthier and stay on track with your dietary goals. It also helps to prevent the temptation of fast food, high-fat snacks and general overeating as there’s no need to expose yourself to shelves full of delicious treats around every corner.
The best thing about having one of the best adult lunch boxes is that they have all sorts of handy, day-to-day uses. Taking it to work is the most obvious, but they’re also extremely useful when it comes to things like road trips, picnics and family days out.
Related Stories
In addition, as these lunch boxes are designed with adults in mind you won’t need to compromise your style. Unlike the versions most commonly used by children, these bags and boxes have sleek, grown-up designs. Some have dividers for carrying more than one type of food while others have pockets for silverware and condiments.
Scroll through the list of our favorite lunch boxes for adults and choose the one which suits your dietary preferences and work habits best. Whichever adult lunch box you choose, you’ll be happy you did when you see the lifestyle and financial savings you make.
1. Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Tote
BEST OVERALL
Large enough for a weekend picnic yet small enough to carry to the office daily, the Hydro Flask 8L Insulated Lunch Tote is a very grown-up version of the childhood staple. This muted tote includes lightweight insulation that keeps food cold for up to four hours. It also easily collapses on itself for storage when it’s not in use. Plus, the durable fabric and build construction mean this bag is going to be carrying your lunch for years to come. And, Hydro Flask is willing to back up that claim with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.
2. Gloppie Small Lunch Bag
MOST COMPACT
One for the sandwich lovers out there, the Gloppie Small Lunch Bag is a compact adult lunch box suited to carrying a sandwich and snack or three regular cans of soda. Measuring only 10 by 6.4 by 3.2 inches, this is the most compact adult lunch box on our list and is ideal for packing into your rucksack or day bag. It’s available in seven colors and different patterns so you can select the one best suited to your style. Plus, the durable materials used in the bag’s construction ensure this portable box will be your meal container for many lunches to come.
3. MAZFORCE Original Lunch Box
BEST VALUE
Available in 12 different colors and with a price tag of under $15, the MAZFORCE Original Lunch Box is a versatile option suited to everyone. In addition to the main compartment, it features two mesh pockets, one on the exterior side for a water bottle and the other on the inside for separating snacks or condiments. Furthermore, the unisex style makes it easy to share with other friends or family members in the household, should they need to borrow one.
4. Attican Hango Adult Lunch Box
BEST SET
If you want to try taking your food to work but don’t want to invest heavily, try the Attican Hango Adult Lunch Box. This set comes with two different lunch boxes, one of which is six inches by 10 inches while the other is five inches by seven-and-a-half inches. The larger can hold up to six cans of soda. Each of these boxes is made from high-density polyester to ensure food temperatures don’t escape easily. Plus, the attractive black exterior and brown, faux-leather handle mean you’ll actually want to carry these adult lunch boxes to work every day.
5. Simple Modern Adult Lunch Bag
BEST FOR PICNICS
Save money on your lunches and give money to charity by investing in the Simple Moden Adult Lunch Bag. Ten percent of the brand’s profits are donated to not-for-profit charities such as Water4 and The Spero Project. Not only is this adult lunch box suited for work, but its generous size also makes it a great asset for picnics, too. The triple-insulated main compartment is generously sized and can be carried over your shoulder using the adjustable carry strap. Plus, it’s available in a range of patterns and colors as well as even larger sizes.
6. Clear Handbags Large Lunch Bag
BEST FOR EVENTS
If you’ve been to an NFL game or festival recently, you’ll know many venues have shifted to a clear-bag-only policy. Therefore, if you want to take lunch to an event, it’s best to buy a clear lunch bag, like this one from Clear Handbags. It features two pockets and adjustable straps for carrying ease. Additionally, it’s made from thick vinyl and has sturdy zippers to ensure durability.
7. Jane’s Hardware Plain Metal Dome Lunch Box
BEST VINTAGE-INSPIRED
Reminiscent of lunch boxes carried in the 1950s, but made from a slightly lighter tin, the Jane’s Hardware Plain Metal Dome Lunch Box will put its whole being into protecting your lunch. It’s big enough to carry a sandwich, fruit and drink. Plus, it can be customized with stickers or etchings to help your lunch box stand out from the crowd.
8. Carhartt Deluxe Lunch Cooler Bag
BEST BRANDED
The Carhart Deluxe Lunch Cooler Bag brings style to the lunch box aisle by sporting an attractive and stylish design. The bag features dual insulated areas and is well-suited to all kinds of lunch setups. There’s a larger area for Tupperware or a main meal as well as a smaller compartment for snacks and smaller-sized treats. And, if lunch in a box isn’t really your thing, the bag is just the right size for housing a six-pack of beer.
9. LOKASS Insulated Lunch Box
BEST REVIEWED
With over 14,500 reviews and a five-out-of-five star rating, the LOKASS Insulated Lunch Box is one of the most popular adult lunch boxes available on Amazon. It’s generously sized at 11 by 10.5 by six inches and is ideal for carrying multiple pieces, including boxes and bottles. In case of spillages, the main compartment is lined with water-resistant material to prevent flooding and facilitate easier cleaning. There’s also a further storage pocket on the front of the bag which is ideal for storing cutlery or other utensils you want to carry.
10. Black+Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box
BEST STAINLESS STEEL
The Black+Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box can seemingly do it all. The box itself can go from oven to table to freezer with ease, and it also has a stainless steel divider to keep different foods apart. Furthermore, the set includes a stainless steel fork and a leak-proof, vacuum-sealed silicone lid to prevent accidental spills. Altogether, this is a very environmentally friendly way to carry your lunch to work every day.
11. Grub2Go Original Bento Box
BEST BENTO BOX
Based on the traditional Japanese bento design, the Grub2Go Original Bento Box comes with two large containers that can each be divided or used simultaneously. The set also includes utensils, giving you everything you need for lunch on the go in one place. Furthermore, this particular lunch box also comes with a guide on bento food ideas, to help you learn from the healthy habits of the Japanese.
12. VERSAL Lunch Box
BEST FOR MULTIPLE MEALS
The VERSAL Lunch Box is a precision piece of lunchtime kitchenware that features a main compartment made up of three, precisely fitting, individual containers. Its black, rectangular design is split into a top section for individual items and a lower zone for the Tupperware boxes. It also comes with two, reusable ice blocks which can be used to keep your food cool throughout the day.
13. COROTC Electric Lunch Box
BEST HEATED
Prevent your food from going cold by investing in the COROTC Electric Lunch Box. This genius design takes lunch box innovation one step further and features an integrated heating system to keep your lunch warm throughout the day, even when you’re on the move. To power the lunch box, you can plug it straight into any car or truck cigarette lighter. Inside the box, you’ll find two compartments, making it an ideal choice for chili con carne, curries or any other lunchtime meal which is best kept separate until it’s ready to be eaten.
14. TriCloud Sports Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag
MOST ATTRACTIVE
As an adult, you don’t necessarily want to have the coolest superhero bag at school, but you can still create lunch box envy among your coworkers by carrying the stylish TriCloud sports Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag. This insulated, waterproof tote comes in green and sports a satchel-like appearance. Plus, the thermal insulation can keep food fresh for hours, and the secret back pocket provides somewhere to carry your keys or phone when you don’t want to carry a separate bag.
15. Onyx Divided Airtight Storage Container
BEST DIVIDED
The Onyx Divided Airtight Storage Container doesn’t look like a typical lunch box, and it doesn’t act like one either. This metal container is divided into four sections, so you can keep each part of your meal pristine. Plus, the airtight lid allows you to throw the container in your briefcase or bag for easy transportation, and the bottom of the box is dishwasher safe. Weekly meal prep is especially easy if you have one of these stackable containers for each day of your workweek.
16. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Ms. Bento Vacuum Lunch Jar
BEST FOR LIQUIDS
Taking your lunch to work doesn’t always mean packing sandwiches and fruit. When the occasion calls for soup or other liquid foods, look no further than the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Ms. Bento Vacuum Lunch Jar. This jar comes with three bowls of varying sizes which can all fit inside the car and a convenient carrying bag. It can keep food at 149 degrees Fahrenheit for up to six hours, or it can keep food cold at 50 degrees Fahrenheit for six hours as well. The set also comes with a forked spoon and its own carrying case.
17. W&P Ceramic Porter Bowl Lunch Container
BEST FOR SALADS
Ideal for salads and grain bowls, the W&P Ceramic Porter Bowl Lunch Container is a premium lunch box for adults. The ceramic bowl is protected by a silicone wrap and accompanied by a rigid, plastic lid and a tight silicone strap for keeping everything secure. Because this set is entirely plastic-free, it’s a great way to eliminate single-use plastics from your lunch routine. And, as it’s free from metal, you won’t get any annoying metallic taste in your food. This stylish container will ensure you look forward to eating lunch every day.
18. ONIVA Pranzo Dallas Cowboys Lunch Bag
BEST NOVELTY
Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you don’t want your lunch box to show off your personality. If you want a bag that’s essentially you and you’re a huge NFL fan, consider buying the ONIVA Pranzo Dallas Cowboys Lunch Bag. This bag is available for every NFL team and would make a great gift idea for coworkers, partners and friends. It has plenty of sections for both hot and cold food, and the adjustable strap makes this bag easy to carry.
19. YETI Daytrip Lunch Box
BEST SPLURGE
The YETI Daytrip Lunch Box showcases a classic design with a large brand logo and top grab handle. It also has a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap to ensure you have a range of carrying options. The main briefcase-like compartment measures 12 by ten by 5.5 inches and has plenty of space for your lunch. Coldcell flex walls ensure your food and drinks are well insulated and will keep for longer in a food-safe environment. Furthermore, the box is available in seven colors and a versatile yet reliable lunch box option for all adults.
Quench Your Thirst with a Cool Drink From One of the Best Insulated Water Bottles