Best lunch boxes for every meal

We’ve tried and tested five lunch boxes to suit any meal you're packing

A reliable lunch box isn’t easy to find. It has to be durable yet lightweight; leak-proof and easy-to-use and most of us want it to look good and be microwavable and dishwasher-safe too. That’s a lot of boxes to tick, so we’ve sought out the top picks for your meal transport.

For sandwiches: black+blum sandwich box

black+blum

Why we love it? The stainless steel and bamboo lid combination looks very cool, especially with the bright orange strap (also available in green and blue). It’s the perfect size for sandwiches and a few crudités and is 100% plastic-free. The best thing is definitely the bamboo lid that doubles as a chopping board in case you need it.

Any drawbacks? It’s more on the heavy side and is also quite shallow so many snacks won’t fit (our tangerine sadly had to stay at home), however, if you opt for carrot or celery sticks, it works well. The silicone strap is also a bit awkward but it does keep the lid firmly in place.

Where can I buy it? Available online for £29.95.

For soups: JosephJoseph GoEat soup pot

JosephJoseph

Why we love it? After surviving cycle rides to work, we can attest that this soup pot really is 100% leak-proof. The larger base compartment carries a single soup serving and the smaller top compartment prevents squished bread rolls or soggy croutons. The pot is both microwave- and dishwasher- safe, however, you have to remove the locking collar and the silicone lid.. The top compartment can also be turned upside down and screwed inside the larger pot to save storage space.

Any drawbacks? The underside of the top compartment does get covered in soup when screwed on top. Caution is advised when opening.

Where can I buy it? Available online for £12.

For hot meals and salads: Lakeland leak-proof lunch box

Lakeland

Why we love it? It’s a compact, leak-proof lunch box that easily slots into a handbag or a backpack thanks to its slender, elongated shape. Both microwave- and dishwasher- safe, it’s easy to clean and the pot for keeping the dressing separate is generously-sized. A larger version with two inner pots and space for snacks is also available.

Any drawbacks? The lunch box is on the heavy side, mainly due to the thick and sturdy lid. We found the compartment with the plastic fork a bit pointless as it takes up valuable space, however, it would come in handy if you don’t have access to cutlery.

Where can I buy it? Available online for £7.49.

For snacks and lunches together: sistema bento box

sistema

Why we love it? There’s many different compartments in this bento-style box for packing lunch and snacks in one container. There are two small lidded compartments on one side that are not leak-proof but are great for nuts, carrots, croutons and the like, while a 150ml yogurt pot keeps liquids separate. The main compartment is designed to carry salads and has a sandwich tray on top. There’s even enough space to fit a small apple or a tangerine on the side. It’s also freezer-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Any drawbacks? The lunch box itself is not leak-proof and the tray doesn’t double-up as a lid so it can’t be used for saucy pastas and curries. It’s biggest drawback is probably the size. It’s not too heavy but it’s almost seven by eleven inches, making it quite a feat to fit it into a handbag or a small backpack.

Where can I buy it? Available online from Amazon and major supermarkets for £11.99.

Alternative to plastic: LEON round bamboo lunch pot

LEON

Why we love it? This bamboo lunch pot appears to be neither large enough to hold a single lunch nor leak-proof. We were delighted to be proved wrong on both counts. It dealt with sizeable portions of oily pasta and saucy curry and we particularly liked how the lid doubles up as a tray for the pot once out of the microwave. We were also impressed with the plastic-free, biodegradable and sustainable eco-chic design, reflecting LEON’S ethos.

Any drawbacks? The lid stains with certain ingredients (like turmeric), and both the pot and the lid have to be hand-washed so it’s not easy to get the stains out. Over time it would most likely have a permanent stain. When microwaved, the pot itself heats up more than traditional Tupperware so careful handling is recommended. We also wonder whether after prolonged and continuous use, the elastic band would become loose and the pot would begin to leak.

Where can I buy it? Available exclusively from John Lewis for £13.

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