The Best Reusable Lunch Containers For All Your Individual Needs

A roundup of the best reusable lunch containers including eco-friendly bento box lunch containers, reusable snack containers and thermos containers to meet the needs of everyone in the family.

Reusable Lunch Containers – The Criteria

In the world of lunch-packing, we all have different needs. My favorite lunch container may not work for you – and vice versa. Your older son may want something completely different than your younger daughter. The good news is, there are many different reusable lunch container styles to choose from!

RELATED: Favorite Reusable Snack Bags 

Reusable Lunch Containers – Non-Toxic Materials

When you are shopping for a lunch container, look for these safe, non-toxic materials:

Food grade stainless steel

• Often marked 18/8 or 18/10 stainless
• Advantages: lightweight, dishwasher safe, very durable
• Disadvantages: not microwavable

Food grade silicone

• A synthetic rubberlike polymer that does not leach chemicals or produce hazardous fumes
• Advantages: flexible, does not absorb odors, easy to see through if silicone is translucent/clear
• Disadvantages: can rip or tear if not treated carefully

Glass

• Advantages: tempered glass can be used in freezer, refrigerator and microwave and is dishwasher safe
• Disadvantages: heavier than other materials, will break if dropped

Food safe plastic

• Polypropylene plastic – PP (recycling code #5) and low-density polyethylene – LDPE (recycling code #4) are durable plastics that are considered food safe
• Advantages: flexible and easy to care for
• Disadvantages: not microwavable, plastic production contributes to pollution

Best Reusable Lunch Containers – The Roundup

Scroll through this list of reusable lunch containers, and I bet you’ll find the perfect one for YOUR NEEDS! 

Be assured that all of these reusable lunch containers are all made from safe, non-toxic materials like stainless steel, glass, silicone or food-safe plastic. They are all durable, washable and ready to be used again and again (no single use plastic containers here!)

Any of these reusable food containers will be a very sustainable choice for your lunch-packing needs, whether for school lunch, work lunch or on-the-go.

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Stainless Steel with Silicone Lids

• Food grade stainless steel container
• See-through silicone lid
• Leakproof
• Flexible lids are easy to open

Best feature: Clear lids make it easy to see what’s inside

Stainless Steel Divided Containers

• Durable stainless steel container
• Removable divider
• Safe #4 plastic lid
• Leakproof

Best feature: Removable divider for Bento-box flexiblity

 

Frego Glass Lunch Container

• Plastic-free: lid and sleeve made of non-leaching silicone
• Durable, shatter-resistant glass container
• Oven and microwave safe
• Leakproof
• Freezer safe

Best feature: Perfect for microwaving leftovers at work!

Splash Box

• Plastic-free: lid made of silicone
• Non-toxic stainless steel container
• Mini container (sold separately) great for dips or small items
• Lightweight
• Water tight and leak-proof
• Dishwasher safe

Best feature: Super lightweight and easy-off lid makes it a good choice for kids

Lunchbots Bento Trio

• Both container and lid are food grade stainless steel
• Bento style container with one large and two smaller compartments
• Lightweight and compact

Best feature: Virtually indestructible!

OmieBox

• Insulated bento-box designed for both hot and cold foods
• Includes insulated stainless container for hot foods
• Customize with movable divider
• Made with BPA-free plastic, food grade silicone and stainless steel
• Kid-friendly design makes it a great eco-friendly lunch box for school

Best feature: Attached handle makes it easy to carry.

RELATED: Zero Waste Alternatives to Plastic Wrap

3-Tier Stainless Steel Tiffin 

• A classic eco-friendly bento box with three separate food compartments that stack together
• Made entirely from food safe stainless steel
• Carry the top tier on its own, or both tiers together
• Lid doubles as a plate

Best feature: Holds a lot of food!

Three-in-One Stainless Bento Box

• 100% food grade stainless steel
• Upper and lower food containers clip together
• Includes nesting snack container with lid

Best feature: Different sections keep foods from touching.

Wean Green Lunch Cubes

• Odor resistant tempered glass
• BPA-free plastic lid with silicone seal
• Microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe

Best feature: Leftovers go from freezer to microwave to dishwasher – all in the same container.

Nesting Trio of Round Snack Containers

• Reusable snack containers made from food safe stainless steel
• Leak resistant, BPA-free plastic lids
• Set of 3 snack container sizes that nest together

Best feature: Mix and match a variety of fruits, veggies, nuts and other snacks.  

Insulated Food Canister

• Double wall vacuum insulation
• Keeps food hot for up to 8 hours
• Made from food grade stainless steel, with a silicone sealing gasket

Best feature: Makes taking leftovers for lunch easy

Stainless Container with Clamp Lid

• 100% food grade stainless steel
• Lid clamps tightly on to base
• Dishwasher safe

Best feature: Large container great for leftovers or sandwiches. 

 

What is your #1 requirement for reusable lunch containers?