Our Picks for Best Lunch Cooler – Lunch Boxes that Keep your Food cold

As we continue to march forth into this new year, you should make sure that you’re following through on at least two of your resolutions. First, you resolved to save more money, and second, you decided to eat healthier.

Although there are a few different ways to achieve success with these resolutions, we believe that one of the simplest solutions is to start bringing your lunch to work. This one change can make a profound impact on both your wallet and your waistline, which is why we cannot stress it enough.

But in what are you going to bring your lunch, you ask? It’s easy - one of the best lunch coolers, of course. Today we’re going to show you some of the top models on the market today that will make your resolutions effortless to keep. Whether you prefer sandwiches or something more gourmet, you will agree that these lunch coolers are the ideal method of keeping them fresh all morning long.

10 Best Lunch Cooler - Comparisons

When picking out the best lunch cooler, there are two primary options. First, you can go with something soft and flexible, allowing you to carry more items since it won’t be as rigid. Second, you can have something like this Heritage Cooler from Stanley. It operates like a standard ice chest, only smaller.

What we like about this cooler is that it’s built for harsh environments. That means that no matter where you work, it will be able to keep your contents safe and secure. It also comes with two layers of insulation, which will ensure that your food doesn’t spoil.

One of the primary selling points of this cooler is the fact that it comes with its own Thermos. Not only is the vessel as durable and rugged as the rest of the chest, but it’s so well insulated that you can keep either hot or cold beverage at temperature for up to 24 hours. If you have ice in your drink, then it will stay frosty for several days without any significant changes.

The other remarkable thing about the Thermos is that it locks into place when you’re carrying the cooler. This allows you to bring both items securely and efficiently, wherever you go. The Thermos also has its own carrying handle and the lid doubles as a cup, making it even more convenient for your next meal.

Cleaning this cooler is a breeze, thanks to its slick interior surface. Inside, it comes with two compartments, and they can both be cleaned quickly with a few wipes of a damp towel. Although we would prefer for the divider between them to be adjustable, it should provide more than enough storage space for most lunches.

Although bringing your lunch is going to save you money in the long run, if you’re really serious about making a lifestyle change, then you can start meal prepping instead. This process involves cooking or preparing enough food for the week and then labeling each meal based on the day you plan to eat it. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, then this meal prep bag from Prep Naturals is going to make things so much easier for you.

Rather than relying on a rigid ice chest to keep your food from spoiling, this prep bag is made of durable and flexible 1680D nylon. Not only that, but it has much more storage and many more compartments, allowing you to bring as much or as little food as you like.

In the center section, there are four dividers. These are perfect for placing a variety of Tupperware inside so that you can utilize portion control (a big part of meal prepping). Although you won’t usually need all four sections, it’s nice to have them, just in case. What makes this part of the cooler even better is the fact that you can unzip the sides all the way to the bottom, ensuring that you don’t have to reach down to grab whatever you need.

On the other sides, there are two additional zippered compartments. One is for water bottles, and the other is for any other peripheral materials that you may want to bring with your lunch. There is also a top section for things like silverware and napkins so that they don’t get cold from your food.

So far, we’ve seen models that are designed and built for lunches. However, if you prefer to bring a lot of food and drinks with you wherever you go, then you will appreciate this model from Arctic Zone instead. There are three sizes to choose from, and each one will allow you to carry a ton of stuff. Thus, whether you use it for lunch or your next outdoor adventure, this cooler is perfect for any occasion.

What’s nice about this model is that the outside is flexible and stain-resistant fabric, while the inside is a single insulated piece. The reason that we like this setup is that the interior is leak proof (since there are no seals or cracks), and the exterior comes with two separate zippered pockets. This way, you can bring almost anything with you, from food to drinks to valuables.

Another selling point of this particular cooler is that it doesn’t have a zippered top. Instead, it uses Velcro, enabling you to open it and access its contents much faster and more efficiently. Although you may not need that for lunchtime (depending on how hungry you are), it makes it an ideal choice for the beach or any road trip.

The last feature that we like about this unit is the flexible insert shelf. This piece creates a barrier so that you can separate the contents of the cooler much more easily. For example, you can put your beverages on the bottom and the food on the top without them touching, which helps ensure that your food doesn’t get soggy. Both the inside of the cooler and the shelf are easy to clean and just take a quick wipe to get rid of any messes or spills.

Also Read: 5 Best Soft Sided Cooler – Keep Your Food Safe in Outdoor!

As we’ve seen already, Stanley is a brand that makes high-quality, rugged coolers. Although we’re talking about models that work for your lunch break, Stanley Coolers are meant for outdoor job sites, like construction. Nonetheless, if you want something durable, reliable, and compact, then this model is an ideal choice.

Overall, this cooler is pretty basic, meaning that there aren’t a lot of additional features and functions. The sides are foam insulated to help keep your contents cold, and it comes with a thick rubber gasket to ensure that the frigid air doesn’t escape quickly. The outside of the cooler is sturdy and can take a beating, should you ever wind up dropping it.

The lid also comes with some elastic tie downs so that you can hold a water bottle or a Thermos on top without any problems. This feature is perfect if you already have a Stanley Thermos and you want to combine the two without having to buy them together.

If you’re looking for a lunch cooler that will provide you with the comfort and quality that will allow you to bring it with you day in and day out, then we suggest getting something like the Crew Cooler II from eBags. This is a traveler’s model, which makes it ideal for constant back and forth between the office and your home fridge.

The first thing that we like about this unit is how easy it is to carry. The material is durable yet lightweight, and the whole thing flattens out rather easily, especially compared to other “soft” coolers. We appreciate that you can use either the top handle or the padded shoulder strap as well.

Inside, this model is not meant for ice cold items, but it’s perfect for keeping your lunch at a crisp temperature for a few hours. The inside has a removable food-grade liner, which enables you to clean any messes that may occur.

The other thing that we appreciate about the Crew Cooler II is the fact that it comes with so much storage. There are four pockets in all, with a dry mesh pocket on top for anything that you don’t want to get cold. The sides are made for beverages, and there is even a “pass-through” pocket in the back so that you can attach the cooler to your suitcase when you travel.

As far as cooler brands go, Coleman is one of the most well-known and the most respected. No matter what kind of model you get, you know that it will do its job well and keep the contents cold for hours on end.

In this case, the Excursion Cooler is a small camping model that can be re purposed for daily lunch. There’s nothing too exciting about it, except for the fact that it comes with the same quality control as any other Coleman product. The outside is rugged and durable, and the inside is polished and easy to clean. There isn’t much more to say about this unit beyond that.

If you want a Coleman Cooler that can do more than just hold your stuff, then you will prefer having this unit instead of the Excursion model above. This is another combo model that has a rigid interior and a soft exterior. This makes it an ideal choice for lunches as it is much more comfortable to carry.

One thing about this cooler is that it’s quite large. It can hold up to 30 cans of soda (or beer), so it will be much bulkier than other options on this list. However, the size also ensures that this can double as a weekend or camping model as well.

What we like most about this unit is that the inside has a removable PEVA liner. Not only does it make cleaning it much easier, but the material itself is designed to keep odors and stains at bay. It is both antimicrobial and antibacterial, so you shouldn’t experience the “old cooler” smell that comes with so many other models.

Other features that we appreciate include a soft padded shoulder strap, outside pockets for convenience, and a leak-resistant design. As long as the size isn’t too much for you, this could make a great lunch cooler.

One of the primary issues with most coolers is that they are a pain to carry. Usually, they have a top carrying handle, which means that you have to use one hand at all times to bring it with you. Even if there is a shoulder strap, it can be uncomfortable, especially if you have a lot of stuff packed inside.

Fortunately, there is an easier way. This model from MIER is designed as a backpack, meaning that it will be much easier to bring with you to work and any other outings you may want it for. Adjusting the straps is super easy and enables you to walk with it for much longer, such as if you're going to bring it to the beach or camping. Best of all, there is padding on the backside so that it’s even easier to carry for extended periods.

The inside of this cooler is also excellent as it comes with mesh dividers and it’s much taller than most other models.Thus, you never have to worry about your beverage container (i.e., water bottle) being too large to bring along. Not only that, but the bottom is leak-proof, so even if there is a spill, you don’t have to worry about it.

The exterior has three zippered pockets for your convenience, and they ensure that you will always have the right amount of storage for your needs. Overall, this is an incredible cooler that will become your go-to for lunch.

Along with Coleman, Igloo is another brand that’s synonymous with high-quality coolers and materials. This particular model is designed specifically for lunchtime, so you will be able to bring all kinds of meals with you to the office or job site.

The insulation of this unit is incredible, and it will keep your food and drinks cold for hours. It doesn’t have a rigid interior, however, so that does mean that it may sag if you load up too much inside. Fortunately, though, the liner is made of PEVA, which is both stain and odor-resistant, as well as removable so that you can clean it better.

Another feature that comes with this cooler is the top pocket in the lid. This compartment is perfect for soda cans or other peripheral items that you may need for lunchtime. The soft grip handle and the shoulder strap are also designed to make carrying much more comfortable overall.

If you liked the Crew Cooler II from eBags that we featured above, but you were afraid that it would be too big for your lunchtime needs, then this model is the perfect alternative. This cooler comes with all of the excellent features that make the II so amazing, but it’s just a size smaller so that you don’t have so much extra space.

Some highlights of this unit include a soft and flexible design, rugged 840D nylon exterior, extra storage for your convenience, and many colors and styles from which to choose. Overall, this is a perfect accessory if you are really trying to eat healthy, as the smaller size ensures that you don’t bring too much for lunch.

Final Verdict 

Although we’ve seen some excellent coolers on this list, many of them are made for more versatile outings, not just lunchtime in the break room. That being said, if you’re looking for a model that can work both at the office or on your next camping adventure, then something like the Arctic Zone or Coleman 9-quart will be your best bet.

When we’re talking about lunchtime specifically, though, then our top pick is either the eBags Crew Cooler II or the Meal Prep model. Both of these units are designed for the break room, which means that they are easy to carry, work well for a variety of lunch options, and aren’t too bulky or heavy to bring on a daily basis.

When it comes to saving money and eating healthier, the Crew Cooler II or the Meal Prep Cooler are the ones to get.

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