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Oct 17, 2024

7 best lunch boxes for sandwiches and salads

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Here’s the best way to carry your lunch to work. Tupperware filed for bankruptcy in the US last week. The iconic plastic

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Here’s the best way to carry your lunch to work.

Tupperware filed for bankruptcy in the US last week. The iconic plastic food containers, often in shades of orange, yellow, greens and browns, were first introduced over 70 years ago as a solution to food waste. They soon rocketed in popularity and Tupperware parties became the highlight of the suburban social calendar. Simpler times.

While the party might be over, there are lots of alternatives out there to choose from. Whether you want something sturdier to handle the heat of the dishwasher, or something collapsable to save on space in the cupboards, our household advice team have found the best lunch boxes and food containers you can buy.

I personally stick to using collapsible silicone containers over plastic ones. They take up much less space when not in use and feature a stackable design for easy storage. They can still go in the dishwasher, microwave and freezer for ease of use too.

The lid snaps on at each edge for an effective seal, and the plug in the lid is removable to create a vent while microwaving. The pack comes with four size options ranging from 350ml up to 1200ml.

Glass is another popular alternative to plastic, with the bonus that it tends to be oven safe. This 7-piece set from Amazon features a range of shapes sizes to suit whatever you’re prepping, with three round dishes as well as four rectangular ones.

In terms of use as a lunch box, the weight and overall fragility give it a disadvantage compared to plastic as well as silicone, but the presentation and resistance to staining as well as odours makes it a favourite for food storage. It is dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe, and the glass base is oven-safe up to 230 degrees.

If you just want something to carry your sandwiches, this is the one for you. The Sistema Lunch Sandwich Boxes are sized specifically to carry a single sandwich (15cm x 14.5cm per container to be precise), meaning you’re taking up minimal space in your bag if that’s all you need.

There’s three in each pack with pink, green and blue exteriors; handy if you’re making sandwiches for more than one member of the household. And with a plastic finish, they’re dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. Once your container has served its purpose, you can recycle it through terracycle.com too.

If you want a durable and premium finish from your lunch box, we recommend the Black + Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box. It’s a good size at one litre and features a slider/divider to create two compartments within. A steel fork is included and held in place with a coloured silicone strap (Orange, Ocean, Olive and Black colour options available).

As it’s made of metal, it cannot go in the microwave, but the base is oven and dishwasher safe (lid and strap needs washing by hand). It’s suitable for the freezer too, although the brand warns that liquids will expand once frozen. It’s heavier than usual at 460 grams, but the quality will give your lunch a touch of elegance which few other brands can offer.

To keep your food fresher for longer, you can vacuum seal the packaging to remove residual air. This food container set from Zwilling offers such technology. It comes with three glass and three plastic containers (including two dedicated lunch boxes) as well as seven pouches, all of which can be vacuum sealed with the portable vacuum pump.

The plastic containers are suitable for the microwave, freezer and dishwasher, while the glass containers (base only) are also oven-proof. By vacuum sealing your food, you can limit the air exposure for your leftovers and keep freezer burn at bay too. This ultimately makes your food taste better for longer.

If you want to do your bit for the environment, this Bento box is made from 100% plant-based materials including a bamboo lid. It features two stacked compartments as standard, so you can double up or remove a level, or even purchase an additional one should you choose.

Each level comes with a removable divider and there’s two separate silicone lids which fit onto each container. A stainless-steel spork and a set of chopsticks are also included. It’s microwave safe and dishwasher safe (excluding the bamboo lid for both). It comes with a decent capacity as well, at 400ml per level.

For those who love a fresh salad, this lunch box features a large compartment at the base for leaves with four smaller compartments in a separate tray above for toppings, along with a pot for dressing. It comes with a knife and fork which attaches to the tray for easy storage.

The capacity is generous at 1.1L, although there is a 1.63L version available if you want more space. It’s microwave (without the lid), dishwasher and freezer safe too. It’s available in Ocean Blue and Minty Teal.

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