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Who said lunch bags are only for kids? Once you’ve meal prepped for the week, pack your healthy lunch into one of these lightweight adult lunch bags, totes or containers that should help keep your salad fresh and your soup from spilling. Lunch bags for adults come in all sorts of styles, whether you’re looking for one with insulated lining that keeps meals at the right temperature or one that's dishwasher-safe to ensure easy cleanup.
Our top picks:
The product analysts and experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab test everyday kitchen equipment and accessories from air fryers and coolers to portable food storage containers and backpack coolers. To narrow down the best adult lunch bags for your budget, we reviewed each pick below for its materials, design, specs and more. When possible, we had at-home testers weigh in on their experience using each lunch box. Our picks below are comprised of top-performing brands from our product tests, personal favorites and popular styles with rave consumer reviews.
After checking out our top picks, continue reading to learn more about what to look for when shopping for the most stylish lunch bags for work. And if your kids are heading back-to-school, consider purchasing reusable lunch bags to save money and cut back on single-use plastic.
PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag
Pros
- Freezable
- Includes clipable buckle handle
- Collapses to save space in freezer
Cons
- Hand wash only
This freezable lunch bag from PackIt is the best choice if you want to keep your food cold without having to carry around separate ice packs. All you have to do is collapse the lunch bag and freeze it overnight! Offered in multiple designs, this pick is as useful for adults as it is for kids. The flexible material makes it simple to fit in a book bag, or you can use the buckle that's built into the handle to clip it to a tote or stroller. Our pros like that this model features a wider base than other models to make it easier to pack containers, and a zip closure helps trap cold air inside as well as prevent accidental spills.
Deputy Editor Sarah Wharton uses PackIt's Hampton Lunch Bag style and likes its large capacity and long-lasting insulation and notes that the interior is easy to wipe clean.
Pros
- Affordable
- Several stylish designs
- Manufacturer claims it will keep contents cool or warm for about 4 hours
Cons
- Not as flexible
Offered in several colors and patterns, this lunch bag is as stylish as it is affordable. One of our experts says “this lunch bag has lasted for years and fits more food than you’d think. It’s super easy to wash when it gets dirty, and I love how the handles are the perfect size for carrying it around NYC.”
It’s made from an insulating material that helps keep your salads cold, and it also comes with a convenient zippered closure. It even includes an extra front pocket so you can fit your phone or utensils inside!
Bentgo Salad Container
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Multiple compact containers
- Fork included
- Airtight and leakproof according to Bentgo
Cons
- Some online reviewers wish it were larger
A salad container is the perfect lunch box for adults looking for a convenient way to meal prep. Every layer stacks neatly on top of one another, making it easy to take this container on-the-go and a leak-proof design and airtight lid help keep your lunch secure. We love that there’s a separate compartment for your salad dressing and toppings so you can keep everything fresh and mix it in when you’re ready to eat, though some online consumers wish the principal container was a bit larger.
Our pros like that a reusable fork is included, and everything is dishwasher-safe so you can throw it into the dishwasher after work. If you’re looking for fewer compartments we also recommend the Bentgo Classic, a bento-style lunch box with two containers.
Hydro Flask 8 L Lunch Tote
Pros
- Large capacity
- Waterproof coating
- Manufacturer claims it keeps contents hot or cold up to 4 hours
Cons
- Narrow design might not work for all containers
Hydro Flask knows how to keep things cool, and this large insulated cooler bag will do just that. It has a fully lined interior to help keep your meal warm or cool, and the exterior coated fabric is durable and waterproof, according to Hydro Flask.
We like how the tote has a flat bottom to help keep everything upright and that the bag is big enough to store a few small groceries items on your way home (especially in the 20 or 35 liter size). If you’re looking for a more traditional, structured lunch bag with a handle, you can also opt for this 8L Hydro Flask insulated lunch bag.
BUILT Gourmet Getaway Soft Neoprene Lunch Tote Bag
Pros
- Lightweight, flexible material
- Machine washable
- Zippered closure
Cons
- Slightly narrow
The Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab experts love that this adult lunch bag is affordable, lightweight and easy to carry. It’s a practical pick that easily fits all sorts of containers and snacks inside, and it includes a zipper to keep items from falling out while you’re rushing to the office.
Since it’s made from flexible neoprene material, this lunch box is easy to stuff into a larger bag or backpack; plus, it’ll help keep your food cool or warm. Best of all, it comes in several fun colors and patterns and can even be thrown in the wash should anything accidentally spill.
OXO Good Grips Prep & Go Insulated Lunch Bag
Pros
- Straps for easy transportation
- Roomy interior
Cons
- Only available in one color
OXO's lunch bag tote is as practical as it gets. Though we wish it was offered in more colors, we love that it comes with long straps so you can comfortably sling your lunch on your shoulders. It’s insulated to keep everything cool and has a roomy interior to fit your lunch and more with an expandable top section. For extra storage, there’s an exterior pocket that can fit little treats, utensils and condiments.
Dagne Dover Axel Neoprene Lunch Box
Pros
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Stylish design
- Multiple pockets
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Expensive
Our experts love that with a detachable shoulder strap in addition to the handle, this lunch box is extremely portable. The main compartment is insulated to help keep foods cool. It even comes with extra pockets to organize everything. While our pros found it a bit narrow and not the best lunch box for soups or liquids that need to be kept upright, we love its classic, sleek design.
Modern Picnic The Backpack
Pros
- Hands-free design that can accommodate other items
- Stylish
- Includes laptop sleeve
Cons
- Expensive
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute are already fans of the highly functional Luncher bag from Modern Picnic, but we all know that a backpack is oftentimes the most comfortable hands-free option.
The Backpack lets you carry your lunch to work along with any personal belongings. It comes in a stylish vegan leather material, features magnetic closures for easy access and includes an insulated interior compartment so your food and beverages stay cool. Our Media & Tech lab pros were fond of the padded laptop sleeve, which is separated from the insulated compartment in case of any spills.
Vera Bradley Lunch Bunch Bag
Pros
- Cheerful patterns and colors
- Machine washable
Cons
- Consumer complaints of poor insulation
If you want a lunch bag that flaunts your style, this selection from Vera Bradley is for you. It includes an insulated lining as well as slip pockets for ice packs so your lunch can stay cold, but what our experts love most are the cheerful, colorful patterns. Its lightweight and unstructured shape also make it extremely easy to shove in your bag once you’ve emptied it. On top of being easy to carry around with a handle, it’s machine washable.
Coleman CHILLER 9-Can Soft-Sided Portable Cooler
Pros
- Large capacity
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Removable plastic liner
Cons
- Not insulated
Need to pack lunch for the family? Grab this roomy lunch bag, which has space for lunch, snacks and nine beverage cans. It’s perfect for tailgates or picnics in the park and is easy to carry thanks to an adjustable shoulder strap. Our experts love that there’s a plastic liner inside that keeps this lunch bag upright and that it’s a breeze to remove for easy cleaning.
How we tested the best lunch bags for adults
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our pros have tested at least 50 lunch bags for adults as well as lunch boxes for kids. To find the best ones, each lunch bag is tested for its ability to retain a safe temperature, ease of use, durability, ease of opening and closing, packing, carrying and cleaning as well as resistance to leaking and staining of the box or bag.
To select the best lunch bags for adults, staff writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski collaborated with Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou. Together they reviewed and evaluated each lunch bag for criteria such as style, size, insulation and portability.
What to look for when shopping for a lunch bag for adults
When shopping for an adult lunch bag or box to bring to the office, on hiking trips or even to a picnic, there are a few key factors to consider in addition to how much you want to spend.
✔️ Style: Do you want a lunch bag that is soft and flexible, or do you prefer something sturdier, such as a container or a bento box? Also, consider how you plan on getting your lunch bag to your destination and whether portability is important. Several lunch bags come with a strap or handles for easy carrying, while lunch boxes or containers may not.
✔️ Size: Adult lunch bags and lunch boxes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are large totes or bookbags so you can throw in a few extra items, while others are smaller and have only enough space for your food. Before purchasing a lunch bag, you'll need to decide whether you want room inside for a water bottle, snacks or utensils along with your lunch or whether you'd prefer something smaller and more compact.
✔️ Material: Once you've narrowed down whether you want a lunch box that's a bag or container, you'll have to choose from materials like glass, plastic, stainless steel or something softer like neoprene, cotton or polyester. You should also check whether your lunch bag is stain-resistant, water-resistant, leak-proof or dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup and protection from spills. Keep in mind that not all lunch bags are insulated, so also look out for an insulating lining to help keep your food at the right temperature. This is especially important if you don't have access to a fridge or don't have room for ice packs. We also recommend looking for lunch bags with smooth vinyl or plastic interiors, which are easier to clean on a daily basis.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Olivia Lipski covers everything from camping gear to smart home devices across appliances, travel, home and fitness for GH. She frequently collaborates with the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab to help readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best kitchen tools and gadgets to hit the market.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
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