Many of us prefer home-cooked food over outside food. Be it self-cooked or by someone, the joy of eating food prepared at home is fulfilling. This is where the best lunch cooler bags are a lifesaver by letting us carry our food freshly and conveniently. They keep the food fresh for longer and are healthier alternatives to steel or plastic boxes.
In addition to this, they are also a great help in carrying the food without leaks and spills and are available in fashionable designs. We have listed some best lunch coolers for you to choose from.
Our Top Picks
Benefits Of Using Lunch Coolers
Let us take a look at why lunch coolers can be helpful for you.
- Temperature balance: Insulated lunch coolers help regulate the temperature of the food, both hot and cold.
- Environment-friendly: Polyester-insulated lunch coolers are easy to wash and maintain than plastic, which is not biodegradable. Reusable cooler bags will help reduce the use of plastic bags.
- Versatile size: Available in different shapes and sizes, these lunch coolers are multipurpose.
15 Best Lunch Coolers
1. Best Heavy Duty: Carhartt Deluxe Lunch Cooler Bag
The lunch cooler box from Carhartt has dual compartments constructed from heavy-duty fabric. Its water-resistant fabric will prevent your food from spoiling on rainy days. The bag’s insulated main compartment helps regulate the temperature of your hot and cold food. With a mesh-zippered compartment on the flap and an outer pocket, you can use it to keep utensils or other storage. It features YKK zippers with metal hardware, and the triple-needle stitching helps protect it from wear and tear.
Pros
- Shoulder strap for easy carrying
- Durable
- Long-lasting
- Large main compartment
Cons
- Carry strap is not detachable
2. Best Water-Resistant : Lifewit Large Lunch Bag
Lifewit’s gray lunch bag is designed to hold large food quantities. This cooling tote is suitable for carrying food to the office or picnics. Its wide opening design makes it easy to access the food without spilling. With four insulation layers, the bag helps maintain the temperature of hot and cold food for at least five hours. It is made of durable oxford fabric, has strong zippered compartments, and the handles are made of heavy-duty nylon and linen that are wear-and tear-resistant.
Pros
- Water-resistant fabric
- Leak-proof
- Food-grade PEVA foil inner lining
- Easy to carry
Cons
- It may sag when loaded
3. Best Long-Lasting: High Speed Daddy Lunch Bag
Available in a ranger green color, this insulated cooler bag can keep your food at a uniform temperature for hours. It is constructed from 600D waterproof polyester to help prevent leakage and keep your food safe. The bag has heavy-duty handles with reinforced stitching for extra durability and a large zippered front pocket for keeping napkins and plates. Its YKK zippers allow smooth movement and keep the content secure.
Pros
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Long-lasting
- Phthalate- and formaldehyde-free
- Lead-free
- CA65-certified
- Foldable
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Netted pockets may be small
4. Best Easy-To-Carry: Lokass Lunch Bag Cooler
Constructed from environment-friendly, high-grade nylon material, this multipurpose, leak-proof, and insulated bag helps prevent your food from spilling. It is also equipped with an outer pocket to keep napkins and utensils.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Easy to carry
- High-quality metal zipper
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Portable
Cons
- Might not have long-lasting insulation
5. Best Easy-To-Clean: Venture Pal Lunch Bag
The insulated lunch bag from Venture is made of high-quality water-resistant Oxford fabric. The inner lining is made of EPE foam and PEVA insulation to keep your food at a uniform temperature. It features a main zippered compartment to keep food and drinks and an outer compartment to keep extra stuff. You can also use the two mesh pockets on the side for holding water bottles. The handle is ergonomically designed for easy carrying.
Pros
- Leak-proof
- Convenient
- Portable
- Easy to clean
- Long-lasting
- Detachable shoulder strap
Cons
- Zipper might not be long-lasting
6. Best Multipurpose: Opux Insulated Dual Compartment Lunch Bag
The double-deck lunch cooler bag has two separate compartments to keep your hot and cold food separate. It is constructed from rip-resistant polyester fabric with reinforced zippers to ensure durability. The bag is also equipped with two front pockets, and side mesh pockets to keep extra stuff. Its eco-friendly PEVA lining helps prevent leakage and is easy to clean.
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Spacious
- Easy-to-use
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Unisex
Cons
- Strap placement may need improvement
7. Best PVC-Free: PackIt Classic Lunch Box
Packlt’s easy-to-use lunch box has a unique built-in cooling feature. The walls of the bag are filled with freezable non-toxic gel to keep the food chilled for hours. You can keep it in the fridge overnight, and the walls will be completely frozen and ready to use. The large zipper allows you to remove and pack food easily. Its top handle with buckle clips makes it easy to hang it with backpacks.
Pros
- Collapsible
- Easy to clean
- Long-lasting
- PVC-free
- Phthalate-free
- BPA- and lead-free
Cons
- Might be heavier
8. Best Portable: Versal Lunch Cooler
The practical and spacious lunch pack from Versal allows large food storage. Its interiors are made of plush EVA lining and high-quality metal hardware. The compact bag can store three large meal boxes included with the set. You can use the top section to keep reusable ice-packs and the top flap mesh pocket with two mesh side pockets for extra necessities. The insulated side pocket is locked with a chain to keep cold drinks.
Pros
- Portable
- Detachable strap
- Freezer- and microwave-safe
- Dishwasher-safe
- BPA-free
Cons
- Lid of the container may be tight
9. Best Leak-Proof: Tiblue Insulated Cooler Lunch Bag
Tiblue’s tote bag is constructed from a triple insulated lining made of aluminum foil, 5mm pearl foam, and water-resistant matte fabric. The high-quality insulation can keep your food warm for at least four hours. It has multiple pockets in the front and the back for extra storage. The metal buckle of the zipper ensures good grip to allow smooth running.
Pros
- Leak-proof
- Durable
- Dustproof
- Reinforced dual-zip
- PVC- and BPA-free
- Phthalate- and lead-free
- Adjustable shoulder strap
Cons
- Main compartment may not be spacious
10. Best Waterproof: Mier Insulated Lunch Box
The spacious lunch bag from Mier with four layers of protection helps keep your food fresh for eight hours. It can hold at least 18 cans of cola at once. The square-shaped box is constructed from BPA-free food-grade material, and the insulated lid on the top has a wide opening that allows you to keep and remove your food easily.
Pros
- Versatile
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Multiple handles
- Durable zippers
- Multi-compartments
Cons
- May not be long-lasting
11. Best Lightweight: Vera Bradley Cooler Lunch Bag
With colorful prints, this quilted cooler bag from Vera Bradley is compact and can keep your food fresh for hours. It is constructed from durable cotton fabric and is suitable for picnics, long journeys, etc. The bag’s inner PEVA lining helps regulate the food temperature, and the broad shoulder strap is adjustable and does not feel heavy on the shoulder.
Pros
- Foldable
- Easy-to-clean
- Spacious
- Lightweight
Cons
- Zipper may not be durable
12. Best Dishwasher-Safe : Five One Nine Fitness Cooler Lunch
The Five One Nine Fitness meal backpack is equipped with a dual-padded wide shoulder strap that is lightweight and helps reduce the pressure on the shoulder. It consists of a laptop chamber, a food storage section including six lunch boxes, and three zippered sections to keep multiple things. This multipurpose bag can help keep your food fresh for 12 to 16 hours.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Dishwasher- and microwave-safe containers
- Durable
- Portable
- BPA-free
- Phthalate- and lead-free
- Recyclable icebox
Cons
- Containers may be hard to close
13. Best Eco-Friendly: Lekesky Insulated Lunch Bag
The lunch bag from Lekesky has a sophisticated design that adults can use for both work and picnics. It is constructed from five layers of high-density and water-proof fabric for extra durability. The inner lining is made of EPE foam to provide great insulation to keep your food fresh. You can use the mesh pocket on the flap to keep utensils, and the ones on the side, front and back pockets to accommodate essentials.
Pros
- Leakproof
- Spacious
- Detachable strap
- Lightweight
- Wide opening
- Eco-friendly PEVA lining
- Padded velcro-handle
- Dual zipper
Cons
- May be heavier
14. Best Wear And Tear Resistant: Tomule Insulated Lunch Bag
With three insulation layers, this lunch cooler can keep your food warm and cold for long hours. The interiors are padded with thick insulated pearl foam. It is eco-friendly, and the waterproof PEVA material helps prevent any leakage. The adjustable belt is broad and long to reduce weight on your shoulders. This lightweight and compact box can store a large number of meals for convenient traveling.
Pros
- Wear-and tear-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Multipurpose
- Multiple compartments
- Durable metal zippers
Cons
- Doesn’t have freezing gel in the lining
15. Best Abrasion-Resistant: Akaso Cooler Bag
Durable and easy to clean, the Akaso lunch bag uses closed-cell NBR foam insulation to keep your food warm or cold throughout the day. It is manufactured from nylon Oxford fabric coated with TPU film, making it water-resistant and helps prevent any leakages. The vertical grid design allows you to adjust the bag’s size.
Pros
- Adjustable strap
- Abrasion-resistant
- Foldable
- Mildew-proof
- Convenient magnetic closure
Cons
- May not be spacious
How To Choose The Right Lunch Cooler?
Look for these features when you buy a lunch cooler.
- Capacity: A good lunch cooler should have enough capacity to store your food, drinks, and a few utensils for all your needs.
- Features: Multiple storage compartments make it easy to keep the food divided and safe. Additional side pockets are also helpful for keeping multiple things.
- Size: If you need a lunch cooler for your office, a regular-sized bag would be suitable, but if you need it for traveling or picnics, you might need a larger size.
4. Good insulation: A high-grade insulation is essential as it helps keep your food fresh for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do insulated lunch coolers need ice packs?
Yes, insulated lunch coolers need ice packs if you want your food to be cool for a longer time. For example, if you store a cold drink at a normal temperature, the ice pack will keep it cool.
2. How long does food stay cold in a lunch cooler?
The food can stay cool for at least two to four hours at a normal temperature depending on the insulation material.
3. Can I put hot food in a lunch cooler?
Yes, hot food remains hot in a lunch cooler.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Sakshi John is an experienced writer with a special interest in furniture and kitchen products. She undertakes detailed research and reviews several products across the market to bring the best ones for you. Her list of the best lunch coolers includes the pros and cons of each product to help you choose the right one. These lunch coolers can keep your food fresh for longer and are long-lasting and functional. You can also check out the buying guide for a better purchasing experience.
Get your hands on the best lunch coolers and enjoy nutritious and fresh food wherever you go. These coolers provide good insulation, thus allowing your food to remain cool for hours by maintaining a constant temperature. When choosing a lunch cooler, make sure it is made of food-grade material and is free of BPA, phthalates, and other harmful materials. The lunch cooler should also be leak-proof, portable, easy to clean and maintain, and water- and mildew-resistant. You may also consider one that comes with several compartments, quality zippers, and a durable and adjustable strap.
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