Updated on 3 November 2022
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Emsa Clip & Go
Despite its low price, it has all the essential features of a good lunch box and is the only one in this selection to comply with the Babycare standard, certifying that it can contain baby food.
Dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe, this lunch box feature large dimensions of 22.5 x 16.3 x 6.5 cm and a large capacity (1.2 L). Although it is mainly made of plastic (TPE and PP), it is BPA-free. In our tests, we found the three removable compartments and the plate very practical. It was shock resistant and proved to be very airtight. However, it is true that if you put a fairly liquid sauce in one of the compartments, it is better to keep it upright at the risk of finding it scattered in your box. On the other hand, it is the only one that has the Babycare standard, certifying that it can contain baby food.
The lunch box has become a more economical and environmentally friendly way to take your lunch to work. Both plastic and glass lunchboxes can usually be put in the microwave and fridge without any problems. To make your life easier, choose a lightweight but durable model. Choose a lunch box that is compact enough to fit easily into your bag. Boxes with compartments allow you to vary the food without it getting mixed up. Boxes are sometimes accompanied by accessories such as sauce jars or elastic bands.
Noa Home Deco
This lunch box offers one of the best quality/price ratios on the market. It is also the only one in this selection perfectly suited for salads.
During our tests, we realised that this plastic lunch box is suitable for preparing mixed salads or even pasta salads thanks to its large capacity. It can hold up to 1.5 litres without the compartments (1.2 litres with them). The compartments are located on one level at the top of the box. It has three compartments, space for a saucepan and even a fork. However, the jar is not the most airtight, as we found the sauce that we had put in it all over the place. Apart from that, we can’t complain too much, as it is perfectly airtight and resistant to discolouration.
If it has managed to convince European consumers, it is above all thanks to its aesthetics. As well as taking the shape of the traditional Japanese bento, it is available in a wide range of styles and colours.
Monbento MB Original
Made in France, this 18.5 x 9.5 x 10.5 cm (1 L) lunch box is very popular with users. It is predominantly made of plastic (PBT) without BPA and BPS. During our tests, we saw its uniqueness lies in its bento style, as it is effectively spread over two levels. In terms of space, its width allowed us to place two sushis and a maki side by side (by squeezing them a little), in length up to 5 or 6 makies depending on their size. It is sold separately for cutlery and dividers, but the sauce tray comes with the purchase. It is microwave and dishwasher-safe, and the elastic band keeps it closed.
UMAMI Bento
This bento lunch box offers a wide range of accessories (dividers, sauce boats with lids, cutlery, etc.). All in all, an economical design model.
With its 1.2 L capacity and lightweight (420 g), this lunch box passed our tests, with its resistance to shocks and discolouration standing out. In terms of practicality, the set is dishwasher and microwave safe. Our waterproofing tests were also conclusive. All in all, it is a very good alternative for lovers of this style. Finally, it also comes with two sauce jars which proved to be perfectly airtight during our tests.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best mid-range | Best budget | Best high-end | Mid-range alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Emsa Clip & Go | Noa Home Deco | Monbento MB Original | UMAMI Bento |
| Despite its low price, it has all the essential features of a good lunch box and is the only one in this selection to comply with the Babycare standard, certifying that it can contain baby food. | This lunch box offers one of the best quality/price ratios on the market. It is also the only one in this selection perfectly suited for salads. | If it has managed to convince European consumers, it is above all thanks to its aesthetics. As well as taking the shape of the traditional Japanese bento, it is available in a wide range of styles and colours. | This bento lunch box offers a wide range of accessories (dividers, sauce boats with lids, cutlery, etc.). All in all, an economical design model. |
| £ 20.20 on Amazon | See the price on Amazon | See the price on Amazon | £ 29.99 on Amazon |
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How did we do the tests?
To test the lunch boxes, we used each one in a real-life situation (preparing a meal at home to take to the office). This gave us the first impression of their practicality (capacity, accessories, ease of opening/closing) and their waterproofing.
We then carried out some specific tests: falling from a height of 1 m, resistance to discolouration (with carrots, paprika and ketchup), and waterproofing (we put water in it and saw if it leaked after shaking the lunch box). Finally, we checked its compatibility (freezer, dishwasher, and microwave) and the quality of its materials.
How to choose a lunch box?
The lunch box has been a fixture in the daily lives of working people for some years now. As a means of contact between home and office, it is often used for economic reasons (you can say goodbye to meals in the canteen), for ecological reasons or simply because it is very practical.
As there are many reasons why consumers turn to such a container, it is easy to understand why the market is currently full of all kinds of models.
So, to help you make the best possible choice among all the solutions available to you, we have set out a list of criteria to consider.
First of all, you should know that the lunch box can be made of various materials:
- The plastic lunch box: light and resistant, it is very popular with users for its ease of maintenance and use. They are generally dishwasher safe and are usually perfectly sealed. However, always make sure you choose BPA-free models and look for those that are suitable for storing food, to protect your health as much as possible.
- The stainless steel lunch box: is more ecological than its plastic counterpart, this one is just as light and resistant. Unfortunately, its design does not allow it to be used in the microwave, but there are insulated versions that can keep food warm. It’s just a shame that it is rarely airtight.
- The glass lunch box: this type of lunch box is more fragile and heavier to transport than the others. However, it is also less expensive, more durable and healthier because, thanks to its design, no harmful substances migrate to the food. It is also microwave and dishwasher-safe.
- The wooden lunch box: obviously, it has an aesthetic appeal that cannot be matched. However, it is almost completely unsealed and cannot be put in the microwave or dishwasher.
Once you have identified which of these materials is most likely to meet your requirements, you can then look at:
- Size and capacity: your lunchbox should be compact enough to fit in your bag, but you should be careful to ensure that the space is appropriate for the shape and quantity of food you are carrying.
- Organisation: it is not yet systematic, but most boxes now have various compartments that give those who wish to do so the opportunity to prepare meals that are as rich as they are varied.
- Accessories: manufacturers compete with each other in terms of inventiveness, and lunch boxes are sometimes sold with a few accessories, such as cutlery, sauce pots, elastic bands or even cooling systems, to avoid serious heatstroke during transport.
Other recommended lunch boxes
At the moment, there are no products available on the European market that we feel have the necessary qualities to be included in our main selection. We will be sure to provide you with interesting alternatives as soon as we become aware of them.
Other lunch boxes tested
Igluu Meal Prep (£15.95 / 10 containers upon publication): boxes that are far too fragile. Although not strictly speaking a lunch box, these food boxes were so popular that we wanted to test them for you. And we were right to do so because their very light plastic is so fragile that it didn’t take more than three openings and closings to break one of them. In short, it’s a bad deal in our opinion.
Black + Blum Original (£16.46 upon publication): with clips that can be unclipped. Several times we had the clips stuck in our hands when we tried to close the lid. If it was unclipped and not broken off, there is something more practical (especially when you are in a hurry in the morning). However, his little boxes with lids are both well-sealed. It’s a pity…
Translated by Ramsés El Hajje
