If you're getting serious about bringing lunch to work, look beyond flimsy plastic containers. After testing 20 lunch boxes in 2024, we chose eight that fit a variety of lunchtime needs.
Why Invest in Leakproof Lunch Containers for Commuters
Bringing your lunch to work can be a hard habit to get into. Maybe you associate it with floppy, soggy sandwiches or cold leftovers that lose all appeal after an hour in the fridge. Making the effort to pack something you'll actually want to eat when lunchtime rolls around can seem like a losing battle.
But investing in a few good containers can make all the difference. We looked for well-designed lunch boxes with multiple compartments, various sizes and shapes to accommodate different types of food - and leakproof construction to keep your food safe and tasty until you're ready to eat it.
Many of the containers we tested were made by companies based outside the U.S., and some came with symbols certifying their safety standards that might be unfamiliar. and imported products, but we looked for additional certifications, particularly for containers that would go in the microwave. Many of the models we tested had certification from Germany's independent testing organization GS, sometimes marked "GS" or "TÜV GS -" indicating that they're safe for use with food and free of certain chemicals. Others were certified by the NSF, an independent global organization that develops public health standards and certifications, particularly for plastics and metals used in food.
What Makes a Lunch Container Worth Choosing
The best lunch containers are easy to clean and dry, simple to assemble and disassemble, durable - microwaveable, freezer-safe, and made of high-quality, nontoxic materials. They should also have multiple compartments to separate foods and prevent them from mixing, squishing or leaking. And of course - they should keep food hot or cold, depending on what you're eating.
Keeping Foods Cool With Insulated Lunch Bags
If you prefer to pack salads, sushi or other dishes that should stay cool, you'll need a cooler or insulated lunch bag. We tested several of those along with our lunch containers. But since many lunch containers and boxes can be used with a separate cooler insert, we evaluated them separately from the bags.
The best insulated lunch bags are roomy and easy to close and reopen - odor-free, simple to clean, freezer-safe, made of nontoxic materials, and able to keep contents cool for at least several hours. We tested bags ranging from roomy multifunctional models designed to fit a full lunch plus a couple of snacks and drinks to slimmer styles sized just right for a small container and a drink. We didn't test coolers that were too big to fit in a typical backpack - briefcase or purse.
Hints for Packing a Better Lunch Every Day
One of the best things about packing your own lunch is that you're not limited to midday fare. Wirecutter staff members have successfully packed dinner-like lunches such as coq au vin, chicken cacciatore, and pork stew. One tip that makes lunching at work easier is to cook family dinners that repackage well for lunch the next day.
You can also double or triple recipes that make good leftovers, such as stews and casseroles. Cook them on the weekend, freeze them - then thaw a portion in the fridge overnight when you need it, so it will keep throughout the day. Another tipper is to make several entrees that can be mixed and matched.
Over the course of a week, you can pair turkey chili with cornbread, then serve the chili with rice another day, and reheat the cornbread with jam for a third lunch. Still - even when you plan ahead, there may be days when your lunch just doesn't lend itself to a divided container. For those times, consider keeping a reusable silicone bag in your desk drawer or backpack. Our favorite is the LunchBots Reusable Silicone Bag, which holds a half-cup and lies flat for easy microwaving.
Silicone bags come in several different sizes and colors, and while we didn't test them - they should also be freezer-safe. They won't keep foods especially warm or cool, but they will help keep your lunch fresh and tidy.
