Are you preparing for a return to the office? Many of us are, and as well as sorting out our workwear and the new list of safety essentials and face masks we'll need, we’ll need to think about what we’re going to do for lunch. Gone are the days of whipping up a quick something at home in the moment, now the best option for most will be to prepare a packed lunch to eat at your desk.
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If you’re in the packed lunch gang, you'll want to make sure you have a lunch box that’s up to the job. We've gathered together the best adults lunch boxes that are not just practical, but stylish too – no reason why you can’t tick all the boxes, right? Whether you're after a bento box style, a space-saving lunch box or something that'll keep your food hot or cold all day long we've got you covered, just keep scrolling...
Best bento-style: Lékué LunchBox to go
Best stainless steel: Black + Blum reusable stainless-steel lunch box
Best space saver: Joseph Joseph GoEat space-saving lunch box
Best lunch pot: Mepal lunchpot ellipse
Best quirky: Alessi Food à Porter lunch box
Best budget: Winmax lunch cooler bag
Best breakfast jar: Kilner breakfast jar with spoon
Best for keeping food hot/cold: S'Well Teakwood Eats food bowl
Best for salads: Joe Wicks' salad container
Best electric: Vovoir electric heating lunch box
Best bento box style lunch box
Capacity: 1l (500ml per recipient)
Size: 19 x 10 x 11cm
The lovely minimalist design of this one is sure to get some admiring looks in the office. It’s 100% airtight with a built-in valve so no messy spills and safe to use in the microwave. Comes in teal, coral pink or mint green and for an extra
LunchBox to go,
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Best stainless steel lunch box
Capacity: 600ml
Size: 6.5 x 15 x 20cm
No chance of yukky orange stains on this lunch box. Black and Blum’ sleek lunchtime offering is made of durable stainless steel and is oven and freezer safe and well as being leak-proof thanks to the silicone valve. The silicone band holds a handy stainless steel fork in place and there's a slider to separate food. This one is on the smaller side for those thinking about portion control or wanting a handbag-ready compact design
Black + Blum reusable stainless-steel lunch box,
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Best space saving lunch box
Capacity: 1200ml (top compartment 500ml, base compartment 700ml)
Size: 6 x 19 x 13.5cm
Homeware expert Joseph Joseph’s cleverly designed space-saving lunchbox includes three different compartments to store the different elements of your lunch. Once you’re done eating, pack away the top compartment into the base and lock together and slip the compact package into your handbag. Neat!
Joseph Joseph GoEat space-saving lunch box,
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Best lunch pot
Capacity: 700ml
Size: 10.7 x 10.7 x 15.1cm
If you’re more a soup or curry or stew kinda person then you need yourself a lunch pot. Mepal’s is easy to clean, is dishwasher safe and the main compartment can be heated up in the microwave. It opens with a twist and has a smaller compartment to store food such as croutons separate – you could even fill the main compartment with yoghurt and the top with museli for a delicious and healthy breakfast option.
Mepal lunchpot ellipse,
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Best quirky lunch box
Capacity: 1.25l
Size: 19.5 x 10 x 19cm
I guess you could call this cute little number a "lunch clutch"? It’s made from thermoplastic resin and is fairly roomy with three compartments that are fastened with its wide handles. Two with an airtight lid and a third central compartment.
Alessi Food à Porter lunch box,
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Best budget lunch box
Capacity: 6l
Size: 24 x 15.5 x 18cm
If you’re not looking for anything super fancy to transport your lunch to the office, this spacious insulated cooler bag does the job perfectly and is available in a number of pretty prints.
Winmax lunch cooler bag,
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Best breakfast jar
Size: 20 x 11 x 14cm
If you're getting to work early, this is a must to kick start your day. Marks and Spencer's pretty Kilner breakfast jar has a clip-on spoon, so it's perfect for eating on the go. Matching jars are also available in a range of different sizes too for all your food storage needs.
Kilner breakfast jar with spoon,
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Best lunch box for keeping food hot/cold
Capacity: 620 ml
Size: 12.2 x 12.2. 11.1cm
Not only will this vacuum-insulated bowl keep your food hot for seven hours (or cold for 11) it looks absolutely gorgeous!
S’Well Teakwood eats,
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Best lunch box for salads
Capacity: 950ml
Size: 16 x 16 x 10.2cm
If you’re taking a salad to work you don't need anything high tech from your lunch box, you just need to make sure you keep your dressing separate until you eat to avoid soggy salad situations. The nation’s favourite PE teacher Joe Wicks has you covered with this budget option.
Joe Wicks salad lunch box,
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Best electric lunch box
Capacity: 1.05l
Size: 23.62 x 9.91 x 16.51 cm
This is a great option if you're going back to a workplace with a no-kitchen rule enforced. Simply plug it in and heat up your lunch. Sorted!
Vovoir electric heating adult lunch box, 20.91, Amazon
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