mybest
Kitchen & home appliancesHelping You Find the Best
mybest
Kitchen & home appliancesHelping You Find the Best
  • 10 Best Lunch Boxes 2024 | UK Chef Reviewed 1
  • 10 Best Lunch Boxes 2024 | UK Chef Reviewed 2
  • 10 Best Lunch Boxes 2024 | UK Chef Reviewed 3
  • 10 Best Lunch Boxes 2024 | UK Chef Reviewed 4
  • 10 Best Lunch Boxes 2024 | UK Chef Reviewed 5

10 Best Lunch Boxes 2024 | UK Chef Reviewed

Preparing a packed lunch means you won't be tempted by a meal deal every time you walk past the supermarket! To make sure you stick to home-cooked food though, you're going to need something that'll protect your lunch and keep it hot (or cold) and fresh until you're ready to eat. Or, you might be after a cute and sturdy box for kids that'll stay secure in your child's backpack on the way to school. 


Whatever the reason, it's essential to find a container that meets your requirements in terms of size, material, compartments, and budget. To help you decide on the right one, we've compiled a list of our favourites to buy at Amazon and John Lewis. Whether you'd prefer an insulated stainless steel flask set for adults, a kid-friendly plastic tub with a matching bag, or an eco-friendly glass container for meal prep, we've got options aplenty! Moreover, we have partnered with chef Ryan Yen for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.

Last updated 25/03/2024

Quick List - Top Lunch Boxes

1

WayEee

Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon Purple
Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon

Insulated and Leakproof Flask Designed to Keep Food Hot or Cold for 12 Hours

2

Sistema

Microwave Medium Soup Mug
Microwave Medium Soup Mug

Affordable, Microwave and Dishwasher-Safe Tub, Perfect for Soups, Pastas and Salads

3

Chilly's

Compact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot Grey
Compact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot

Sturdy and Stylish With a Leak-Proof, Sweat-Proof Design That Keeps Food Fresh for up to 5 Hours

4

Skip Hop

Zoo Insulated Food Jar Bee
Zoo Insulated Food Jar

Animal-Themed Container With Built in Holder and Spork, Perfect for Little Ones

5

Lock & Lock

Ovenglass Square Container Clear
Ovenglass Square Container

Leak-Proof Glass Lunch Box Thats Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher and Freezer Safe

Ryan Yen
Expert
Chef Tutor/Formal Restaurant Chef
Ryan Yen

Ryan is a trained chef with experience in several restaurants (with various kitchen supplies across the restaurant experience) and hotels, he also attended le cordon bleu to further his training in cuisine and patisserie and focus on creating simple and delicious dishes. Ryan is now formally working as a chef tutor.

Ryan Yen's Profile
…Continue reading
mybest Editing Team
Guide
mybest UK
mybest Editing Team

A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.

mybest Editing Team's Profile
…Continue reading
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.

Table of Contents

Fact-Checked & Approved by Chef Ryan Yen

Fact-Checked & Approved by Chef Ryan Yen

Ryan is a trained chef with experience in several restaurants (with various kitchen supplies across the restaurant experience) and hotels.


He also attended le cordon bleu to further his training in cuisine and patisserie and focus on creating simple and delicious dishes. Ryan is now formally working as a chef tutor.

How to Choose a Lunch Box in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Consider the Types of Food and Temperature When Selecting a Material
  2. Choose an Insulated Lunch Box to Keep Your Food Hot or Cold for Extended Periods
1

Choose the Material Based on Your Lifestyle, and the Temperature and Types of Food You’re Storing

Choose the Material Based on Your Lifestyle, and the Temperature and Types of Food You’re Storing

If You’re Looking for Something to Save Time, Opt For a Durable Plastic That Is Microwave and Dishwasher Safe

Plastic is a durable material that's usually suitable for use in both microwaves and dishwashers, so it's an excellent choice if you like to take leftovers to work or school but don't fancy scrubbing away at the sink afterwards. 


As it's also very lightweight, it won't make your bag too heavy - even if you like to bring several meals' worth of food or snacks with you on your travels! Just make sure that the lunch box you select is made from BPA-free plastic, to ensure that it won't contain potential toxins and is safe to eat from.

If You Need Something to Keep Your Food Cool in the Summer, Go For Sturdy Stainless Steel or Metal

Lunch boxes made from a metal like stainless steel are great at keeping your snacks cool until lunchtime; they're a real life-saver in the summer for food like salads and fruit! They're also much sturdier than other materials, so will survive even a long day of travelling.


However, this type of container is not suitable for use in the microwave - you'll need to opt for a different, non-conducive material if you want to reheat leftovers, or go for an insulated metal food flask instead.


For convenience, you can always have layered thermal lunch box to put different components to have a balanced meal throughout your day. For example, a 3 to 4 layer thermal lunch box can easily fit soup, salad, rice or noodles with a main and sometimes fruit for extra space.

For Storing Strong-Smelling Foods, Glass Works Best as It Is Non Porous and Microwave and Dishwasher Safe

Glass is an eco-friendly material that's safe to use in both the microwave and the dishwasher, as well as a traditional oven. Plus, it's non-porous and therefore isn't affected by whatever food you plan to store inside it (whereas plastic can become stained over time or may absorb food odours).


Unfortunately though, glass is heavy and breakable so we don't recommend it as an option for children or anyone who plans to take their lunch on a long hiking trip! It's also not as common as plastic or metal.

2

Make Sure You Pick an Insulated Lunch Box if You Need to Keep Your Food Hot or Cold for Long Periods

Make Sure You Pick an Insulated Lunch Box if You Need to Keep Your Food Hot or Cold for Long Periods

No microwave or refrigerator when you're away from home? No problem! An insulated container will keep your lunch hot or cold for several hours, until you're ready to dig in - some can even last for 12 hours! Whilst it might be a little bulky in comparison to a regular lunch box, we're certain that the convenience factor means that you won't mind it taking up extra space in your bag.

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Lunch Boxes in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

WayEee

Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon Purple

WayEee Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon  1

Insulated and Leakproof Flask Designed to Keep Food Hot or Cold for 12 Hours

2

Sistema

Microwave Medium Soup Mug

Sistema Microwave Medium Soup Mug  1

Affordable, Microwave and Dishwasher-Safe Tub, Perfect for Soups, Pastas and Salads

3

Chilly's

Compact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot Grey

Chilly's Compact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot  1

Sturdy and Stylish With a Leak-Proof, Sweat-Proof Design That Keeps Food Fresh for up to 5 Hours

4

Skip Hop

Zoo Insulated Food Jar Bee

Skip Hop  Zoo Insulated Food Jar  1

Animal-Themed Container With Built in Holder and Spork, Perfect for Little Ones

5

Lock & Lock

Ovenglass Square Container Clear

Lock & Lock Ovenglass Square Container  1

Leak-Proof Glass Lunch Box Thats Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher and Freezer Safe

6

Mepal

Campus Lunch Box Turquoise

Mepal Campus Lunch Box  1

Bento-Style Box Featuring Dividers, Perfect for Keeping Your Lunch Cold

7

Pusheen

Unicorn Lunchbox Set

Pusheen Unicorn Lunchbox Set 1

Cute Unicorn Lunch Set Including a Sandwich Tub, a Matching Bag and a Flask

8

Black+Blum

Vacuum Insulated Food Flask Ocean

Black+Blum  Vacuum Insulated Food Flask  1

Robust, Vacuum Insulated and Spill-Proof With an Included Ergonomic Spoon

9

Joseph Joseph

GoEat Space Saving Lunch Box Green

Joseph Joseph GoEat Space Saving Lunch Box  1

A Compact Container Complete With Dividers, Perfect for Sarnies and Snacks

10

Suck UK

Kids Dinosaur Lunch Box

Suck UK Kids Dinosaur Lunch Box  1

A Heavy-Duty, Fun Design Thats Microwave Safe and a Must-Have for Dinosaur Fans

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

WayEee
Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon Purple

Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon  2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Stainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon  3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£14.43
Mid
Reference price
£14.43
Mid

Insulated and Leakproof Flask Designed to Keep Food Hot or Cold for 12 Hours

This double insulated food flask by WayEee keeps food either hot or cold for up to 12 hours, perfect for all year round. As it's leakproof, it's suitable for all types of food - soup, stew, porridge, whatever you fancy! If you want something that'll hold a little more food, it also comes in a larger size of 710ml.


We love that this product is available in a range of colours and is made from easy-to-clean, durable stainless steel. Best of all, it has a foldable spoon that slots into the lid, meaning you don't have to worry about packing cutlery ever again.

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Sistema
Microwave Medium Soup Mug

Microwave Medium Soup Mug  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.99
Low
Reference price
£4.99
Low

Affordable, Microwave and Dishwasher-Safe Tub, Perfect for Soups, Pastas and Salads

You can't go wrong with this cheap and cheerful container from Sistema. It's great for soup, and you can also fill it with pasta, salads and cereals! It's safe to use in both the microwave and dishwasher, so you can easily heat up leftovers and not worry about having to scrub it by hand afterwards.


Sistema's patented easy locking clips and steam release vent  guarantees splatter free heating while keeping the moisture in your food. Simple yet versatile, this product is incredibly budget-friendly and will hopefully save you some cash in the long run - you'll never have to pop out to Pret again!

No.3

Chilly's
Compact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot Grey

Compact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£20.00
Mid
Reference price
£20.00
Mid

Sturdy and Stylish With a Leak-Proof, Sweat-Proof Design That Keeps Food Fresh for up to 5 Hours

This premium quality food flask by Chilly's is sturdy and looks super stylish. It keeps the contents hot for 4 hours and cold for 5 hours - no matter what time of day you feel like eating, your food will be fresh and ready to devour!


Whilst this container is a little on the expensive side, we think it's definitely worth the investment - especially as it's leak-proof, sweat-proof, and lightweight enough to carry round all day. It also comes in a larger size (500ml) if you need a bigger meal!

No.4

Skip Hop
Zoo Insulated Food Jar Bee

Reference price
£23.51
High Mid

Animal-Themed Container With Built in Holder and Spork, Perfect for Little Ones

How cute is this cartoon leopard container by Skip Hop? It holds 325ml of food - just the right size for small tummies! Plus, it keeps meals warm for 7 hours or cold for 5 hours, so there's no need to worry about there being a fridge or microwave at school.


We love that the built-in holder comes with a free spork but can also fit most utensils, in case you need to change things up. The fun design is sure to appeal to your little one, and we're sure you'll agree that this product is fantastic value for money!

No.5

Lock & Lock
Ovenglass Square Container Clear

Ovenglass Square Container  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£6.49
Low Mid
Reference price
£6.49
Low Mid

Leak-Proof Glass Lunch Box Thats Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher and Freezer Safe

With this leakproof glass tub by Lock & Lock, it's never been easier to heat up last night's dinner! As well as being microwave-proof, this tub is suitable for use in the oven, dishwasher, and freezer. It can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius and you can eat straight from it once you've reheated your leftovers.


The only downside to this lunch box is that the glass makes it heavy so it's not ideal for carrying around all day. Still, at less than a tenner, it's a low-priced eco-friendly option that's well worth considering. 

No.6

Mepal
Campus Lunch Box Turquoise

Reference price
£13.99
Mid

Bento-Style Box Featuring Dividers, Perfect for Keeping Your Lunch Cold

The simple, bento-style layout of this box by Mepal is ideal for those who like to have a mix of different foods at lunchtime or post-gym. Use the divider to keep snacks separate or remove it to make space for a sandwich - the choice is yours! When it comes to clean-up time, just pop it all in the dishwasher and relax.


We think this is a great product for any occasion that requires cold food - work, school, or even picnics. During the winter months though, you may prefer something with insulation instead to keep your meal nice and warm.

No.7

Pusheen
Unicorn Lunchbox Set

Reference price
£29.90
High Mid
Reference price
£29.90
High Mid

Cute Unicorn Lunch Set Including a Sandwich Tub, a Matching Bag and a Flask

Looking for a cute lunch set that's designed for kids? This charming Pusheen sandwich tub comes with a matching bag and flask, so you can rest assured that your little one will have everything they need at lunchtime. There's even space on the backpack for you to write their name, which means they should remember to bring it home too!


Sadly this set isn't suitable for dishwasher use, but all of the parts (including the bag) are easy to wipe clean. It may not be the cheapest or most robust option on our list, we think this is a good quality product that kids will enjoy using every day.

No.8

Black+Blum
Vacuum Insulated Food Flask Ocean

Vacuum Insulated Food Flask  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£40.48
High
Reference price
£40.48
High

Robust, Vacuum Insulated and Spill-Proof With an Included Ergonomic Spoon

This robust food flask by Black+Blum will keep your food piping hot for up to 6 hours or cold for 8 hours. It's vacuum insulated and has a spill-proof twist top lid. It also has an ergonomic spoon that's attached to the container with an artificial leather strap.


Although we love the chic, minimalist design of this product, there are other containers in our ranking that are more affordable and can keep food hot/cold for much longer. Still, if you want something that looks unique, this is a good shout!

No.9

Joseph Joseph
GoEat Space Saving Lunch Box Green

Reference price
£15.52
Mid

A Compact Container Complete With Dividers, Perfect for Sarnies and Snacks

This lunch box by Joseph Joseph is all about saving space - it has a large base compartment for sandwiches as well as a top compartment with a divider for snacks. Once you've finished munching, simply pop the top compartment into the base to make the box smaller. It's suitable for microwave and dishwasher use too.


While this container has a silicone lid, it's not completely leakproof so we don't advise storing wet food inside. It's also a little pricey compared to some of our other picks which are cheaper and won't leak.

No.10

Suck UK
Kids Dinosaur Lunch Box

Kids Dinosaur Lunch Box  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£20.00
Mid
Reference price
£20.00
Mid

A Heavy-Duty, Fun Design Thats Microwave Safe and a Must-Have for Dinosaur Fans

If your little one loves dinosaurs then you can't go wrong with this unique lunch box by Suck UK! The eye-catching T-Rex shaped container not only looks good but it's heavy-duty, microwave-friendly, and makes getting ready for school fun.


Sure, this is a bit of a curveball option and it won't appeal to everyone, especially those who would prefer something a bit less garish. It holds plenty of snacks though, and it's easy to carry thanks to the elasticated handle.

Top 5 Lunch Boxes

No. 1: WayEeeStainless Steel King Food Jar With Folding Spoon Purple

No. 2: SistemaMicrowave Medium Soup Mug

No. 3: Chilly'sCompact Double Walled Insulated Food Pot Grey

No. 4: Skip Hop Zoo Insulated Food Jar Bee

No. 5: Lock & LockOvenglass Square Container Clear

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

Most Viewed
Featured Rankings Similar to Kitchen & home appliances

Deep Fat Fryers

10 Best

New Arrivals
Featured Rankings Similar to Kitchen & home appliances

Search by category

mybest

We connect users with the best tried and true products,
tested by our in-house guides and backed by expert insight.

Copyright mybest All Rights Reserved.