The Best Insulated Lunch Bags

Packing a lunch can save you money and help you eat better compared to eating out when you're hungry. But, if you don't put your food from home into the right container, it'll spoil long before lunchtime rolls around. To help keep things safe and tasty, you need a high-quality insulated lunch bag. These bags use a layer of special insulation to keep the contents at the right temperature for hours. And since they're fairly compact, it's easy to tuck one under your desk at work or set one on a shelf until it's time to eat. Our team did the research to find the best ones available on the market today, so take a look and see what you think.

MAZFORCE Original Insulated Lunch Bag

Space-Saving Design

This lunch box might look a little small, but you can fit so much food inside thanks to its efficient design.
Best Overall

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You need an insulated lunch box you can count on for the long haul. If you’re looking for a durable option, this one from MAZFORCE is incredible. The outer layer is made from waterproof oxford fabric and the inside has a leak-proof layer, so you won’t have anything dripping out if something spills in there. All of the materials used are PVC-, BPA-, phthalate-, and lead-free for your safety.

In addition, there’s a removable handle on top that has a buckle on it, so you can clip it onto a bag or briefcase you’re already carrying. This can free up some hand space for you and give you one less thing to hang onto on hectic mornings. Even though it’s fairly compact in size, you’ll be amazed at how much food you can put inside. There are mesh pockets inside to hold some things, and on the side, you’ll find an expandable water bottle holder. All in all, it’s the perfect lunch box for students or professionals.

Pros

  • Lots of color options to choose from, so you can find one that you or your kids like
  • Zipper pocket on the back for additional storage
  • Ultra-thick foam insulation to help keep everything cold and fresh

Cons

  • Because of the shape, this won’t hold round containers well. It’s designed for rectangular or square ones
  • The sides aren’t rigid, so if the lunch box gets smashed, your food won’t fare too well

Tiblue Insulated Lunch Bag

Lunch Boxes Don't Have to Be Boring

This insulated lunch box comes in some fun patterns and colors.
Runner Up

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If you don’t want your lunchbox to look like everyone else’s, you’ll appreciate the design options on this one. You can select one with beautiful flowers, fall leaves, different colors of camouflage, and more. You’re sure to find one you love.

This lunchbox not only looks great, but it also features a lot of storage space. Before you open it up, you’ll have plenty of places to tuck things in. There are mesh pockets on both sides, a zipper pocket on the front, and an open pocket on the back. Inside, you’ll find another mesh pocket that offers the perfect place to tuck a napkin and fork. In addition to all of the pockets, the interior capacity is large. It can hold a dozen cans of soda, which gives you plenty of room for a couple of rectangular containers of food, some sides, and a drink. It’ll definitely hold enough food to keep you going all day.

Pros

  • Two different handles so you can grab it or sling it over your shoulder
  • Many rectangular food containers (such as Tupperware) fit inside easily so you can use what you have
  • Keeps your food cold like a cooler would, but is much smaller and easier to carry for everyday use

Cons

  • The shoulder strap slides easily and is kind of a pain to adjust, so you’ll have to use some patience with it.

Bentgo Insulated Lunch Bag

You're Hot and You're Cold

Your child's food will stay the perfect temperature until lunchtime, whether they're bringing hot soup or a cold sandwich.
Best for Kids

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This Bentgo lunch bag will hold up to everyday use all year long. It’s the perfect way to send your child to school with healthy food. The handle is cushioned and easy for little (or big) hands to grab and carry around. The fabric is washable, so you can quickly wipe it down each day. This keeps smells from building up and helps prevent stains. That way, your child’s lunch box still looks great when the end of the school year rolls around.

You’ll find plenty of room inside for packing all of your child’s lunch and snacks. The spacious interior has enough for a Bentgo lunch container (or some other brands). There’s also a good-sized zipper pocket on the front that can hold napkins and utensils. This is a great place for slipping in little notes of encouragement or tiny treats. Your child will love bringing their lunch to school in this insulated lunch bag,

Pros

  • Bright, kid-friendly color options that help make the lunch box harder to lose
  • Keeps things cold for four hours without an ice pack, and colder for longer with one to ensure your child’s food is still safe to eat at lunch time
  • Adjustable and removable shoulder strap to give your child carrying options
  • Great option for keeping hot food hot if your child prefers to eat leftovers or other warm options at lunch

Cons

  • A little on the heavy side, so small or young students may struggle to carry this once it’s full
  • The zipper isn’t super strong, so if your child is rough on it, it could fall off the track

LOKASS Insulated Lunch Bag

Ready for Work or Play

You won't look like you're carrying a lunch box when you come equipped with this beauty.
Most Elegant

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If you’re looking for an insulated lunch bag that doesn’t scream, “lunch box” to the world, check this one out. It looks so nice, almost like you’re carrying around a designer bag instead of a bag stuffed with food. The zippers feature genuine leather pulls, and you can get the bag in many elegant patterns and colors. And this bag doesn’t only look great, it also works extremely well. It features a wide-open design that allows you to put containers in without tilting them. This helps prevent leaks and spills.

The cute handles are extremely strong. They are reinforced well, too, so you aren’t going to have a handle pop off of this bag. The inside lining is insulated to help keep your food warm or cold for several hours. This is the perfect lunch bag for professional women or older kids who don’t want to be seen as babyish for carrying around a typical lunch box.

Pros

  • Looks nice, so no one will mind bringing their own lunch
  • Spacious interior to hold lots of food and drink options
  • Durable lunch bag that can withstand every day use

Cons

  • This isn’t a waterproof or leak-proof bag, so if you spill something, it’ll seep through the bottom of the bag

HSD Insulated Lunch Bag

Keeps Food Cold Longer

You can fit a six-pack of soda (or other liquids...) in this large, insulated lunch bag and keep it cold for hours.
Best Insulation

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If you’re packing a lunch for a long day on the job or out on an adventure, you’ll appreciate the insulation in this insulated lunch bag. It has a combination of thick PE foam and an aluminum lining that really will keep your food at the right temperature for hours.

It’s a rugged lunch bag that holds up well to being tossed in the car or accidentally dropped on a job site. The handle is reinforced for strength, and the bag is made from a good-quality waterproof polyester fabric that’s tough. The back features webbing that you can use to attach keys or other small objects to with a carabiner. It’s quite a handy feature that you’ll find a lot of uses for. Inside, you’ll find a zippered mesh pocket for tucking in ice packs or sliding in extra bagged snacks. The interior is large enough to hold a six-pack of soda, so you can fit a lot of food in there.

Pros

  • Rugged components that aren’t going to fall apart on the first few uses
  • Zippers that can be opened and closed with one hand so you don’t have to drop everything to access your food
  • Strip of Velcro on the front so you can add your own morale patches

Cons

  • Not a good lunch bag to use with a baggie full of ice. Use an ice pack instead since this one has air holes to help improve air circulation and keep your food fresh. Water will leak through those same holes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my lunch stay cold in an insulated lunch bag?

While each brand may vary slightly, you can typically count on your lunch staying cold for four hours in an insulated lunch bag. If you need to keep it fresh longer, add an ice pack.

How do you clean an insulated lunch bag?

Since most insulated lunch bags have aluminum foil insulation, you cannot put them in the washer or dryer. They would be destroyed. Instead, gently wipe out the inside to clean up any spills. Then, use a damp rag to spot clean the outside fabric. If you do this regularly, you will keep your bag looking nice.