Photographer: Nic Gossage / Stylist: Natalie Johnson
If you’re an avid meal-prepper and regularly pack a lunch for work or for school, investing in one of the best lunch boxes will be a purchase that sparks joy on the daily.
A good quality lunch box will not only help you transport your meals from A to B, but it will also help keep your food fresh and your bag dry and free from leaks and spills. Unlike a lunch bag that can hold your food, drinks and snacks, a lunch box is designed to hold just your meal, and while some are designed with just one compartment, there are also options with dividers for those who like to pack their savoury with their sweet but keep the flavours separate.
To help you find the best lunch box for your next break, we’ve rounded up the best options available below, from durable stainless steel containers to cute options in appealing patterns.
2024’s top lunch boxes
- Villeryoy & Boch To Go and To Stay lunch box, $59.95, Villeryoy & Boch (here’s why)
- Ever Eco Stainless Steel Stackable Bento Box, $34.05, Amazon (here’s why)
- Modular oval lunch box with band, $39, Tupperware (here’s why)
The best lunch boxes in Australia 2024
01
Villeryoy & Boch To Go and To Stay lunch box
$59.95, David Jones
Bring it with you to the office or use as a storage container in the pantry – this lunch box from Villeroy & Boch is crafted from premium porcelain and robust glass to ensure it’ll last for years to come.
Key features:
- Crafted from porcelain and glass
- The entire lunch box is dishwasher safe
- The body is oven and microwave safe
Also available at:
- $59.95, Temple & Webster
02
Ever ECO Stainless Steel Stackable Bento Box
$34.05 (usually $44.95), Amazon
With two tiers and a separate mini container, this stainless steel bento-style lunchbox allows to keep the components of your lunch separate and fresh in one simple and sustainable container. Sadly it’s not leakproof, so you’ll need to pack your liquids or dressings separately.
Key features:
- Premium food-grade stainless steel
- MPA-free
- Top-rack dishwasher friendly
Also available at:
- $44.95, Flora&Fauna
03
Modular Mate oval with band in Mint Ice
$39, Tupperware
This cute stackable set is sure to brighten up your lunch break and if the mint hue isn’t your colour, Tupperwear’s ‘Modular Mate’ range also comes in candy pink and sorbet lilac. The two boxes stack neatly and come with a handy wrap around Bento Band to help keep everything together tightly.
Key features:
- Stackable set features boxes of two sizes: 500ml and 300ml
- Air tight seals keep food fresh
- Removable and adjustable Bento divider included in the smaller box
04
Boutique baby designs twin-pack bento box
$49.99 (usually, $59.95), Myer
Lightweight, compact, and stylish. This three-tiered lunchbox set is crafted from wheat straw making it an ideal choice for the eco-consicious, too. Available also in pink, green or blue colourways.
Key features:
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
- Environmentally friendly
05
OiOi mini insulated lunch bag
$69.95, Hardtofind
In a gorgeous beige gingham design, this mini insulated lunch bag will ensure you’re the most stylish come lunch time. Plus, its compact design means its can fit easily in your work tote or school bag. This cute lunch bag also comes in a pretty Wildflower which is available from The Iconic.
Key features:
- Durable and water resistant RPET fabric
- Features an inside mesh pocket for an ice pack to keep your lunch cool
- Free shipping from Hardtofind
Also available at:
- $59.95, The Iconic (Wildflower pattern only)
06
HmoeFmily Bento Lunch Box
$48.67, Amazon
This is not your average bento lunch box! The lid, made of bamboo, can be used as a cutting board or tray and it also comes with a sauce box and cutlery set.
Key features:
- Removable and detachable dividers
- BPA-free
- Leak-proof
07
Lorne stackable picnic set in Sand
$59.95, Country Road
Perfect for picnics or the office, this stackable bento box from Country Road features a terrazzo-like design and is available also in a white colourway.
Key features:
- Stackable design
- Body container is dishwasher safe
- Comes in a set of two
Also available at:
- $59.95, The Iconic
- $59.95, Myer
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How to choose a good lunch box
When choosing a new lunch box, aside from the obvious considerations such as budget and aesthetic preferences, it’s also important to think about what you’re likely to want to transport in your container. Dry foods can be popped in most lunch boxes, but if you’re likely to want to pack liquids or foods such as a salad with a dressing, you need to ensure that the lunch box you buy is leakproof. It’s also worth considering durability when you make your purchase. Lunch boxes made from materials such as glass or stainless steel will last much longer than containers made from fabrics or plastics.
What is the most hygienic lunch box?
The most hygienic materials for a lunch box in terms of being easy to clean or able to be put in the dishwasher are either stainless steel or glass. While washing your lunch box in hot and soapy water does kill germs, putting something in the dishwasher set at over 65 °C is a more effective way of ensuring your lunch box gets a deep clean. Plus, stainless steel and glass are both virtually rust-proof and less likely to stain than plastic, too, which are added benefits.
