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The 9 best insulated lunch bags and boxes for keeping your food fresh all day
Fresh food = sorted
One of the biggest commitments to adulthood you can make is bringing a packed lunch to work. There are lots of perks to prepping your own lunch – obviously saving money, but also knowing exactly what's going into your food, and not having to go outside in the inevitable summer shower.
Whether you've got a fridge in your office or not, it's always a good idea to have an insulated lunch cooler bag. If you do, it will help with keeping your dinner leftovers fresh on the journey to work. If you don't? You can at least be confident in the knowledge that your pre-prepped salad is still good to eat come 1pm.
So if you haven't invested in a lunch cooler bag or box for your mid-week lunches already, these are our pick for the best lunch bags and boxes to take into the office in 2026. And hey, they also double up as a picnic companion or to keep cans cold at the weekend! Win, win.
Black+Blum Insulated Lunch Bag
Black+Blum Insulated Lunch Bag
Black+Blum products are beautiful quality and this looks very smart. It's wipe-clean, leakproof (always a plus when you're putting it in your lovely handbag) and also freezer-safe, so you can chill it efficiently overnight before placing your pre-packed lunch and ice packs in the morning.
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 20 x 15 x 31cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6.7 litres |
| How to clean | Hand wash only |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Elements Sutton Square Lunch Bag
Elements Sutton Square Lunch Bag
This is just so cute and we love it. A shoulder strap makes it easy to carry, the full zip keeps things secure, and the colour is so on-trend
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 22 x 14cm x 17cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 litres |
| How to clean | Wipe clean only |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Kind Bag Lunch Bag In Confetti
This lunch bag really does have it all: magnetic roll top and snap-together handles, two pockets inside for cutlery or a napkin - and it's water-resistant and machine washable!
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 22 x 14 x 33cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Not described |
| How to clean | Machine wash at 30 degrees on gentle |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Bellroy Lite Cooler Caddy
Bellroy Lite Cooler Caddy
Yes, you could use this for your lunch. But it's also the perfect size for a six-pack of beer – and it comes with a built-in bottle opener. One for your summer picnics!
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 22 x 26 x 15 cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 litres |
| How to clean | Wipe Clean Only |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Insulated Lunch Bag
So, this isn't the cutest bag on the list, but it's a bargain price and it's super roomy, so we think it's a good choice for both working lunches and weekend picnics in the park. It's insulated and also comes with an ice pack, unlike others out there.
| Dimensions | 24 x 15.5 x 24.5cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 litres |
| How to clean | Wipe clean only |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Tatay 5-Piece Urban Lunch Pack with 4 Food Containers – Black
Tatay 5-Piece Urban Lunch Pack with 4 Food Containers – Black
Not only is this lunch bag completely insulated with a durable outside fabric, it also comes with four individual food containers. Say goodbye to your flimsy takeaway containers. We also like the mesh pocket you can store your utensils or napkins in.
| Capacity | 3 litres |
|---|---|
| How to clean | Bag is wipe clean, containers are dishwasher proof |
| Adjustable strap | Yes |
Insulated Food Container
Insulated Food Container
If you don't want a full lunch bag, and just need a container to bring in a meal, then we'd opt for one of these insulated food containers from Frank Green. The come in two sizes - 475ml or 295ml and four different shades (our favourite is this blushed shade). It can keep food or drinks hot or cold for a number of hours, perfect for bringing in last night's leftovers.
| Capacity | 475ml or 295ml depending on pick |
|---|---|
| How to clean | Hand wash only |
Oxford Quilted Convertible Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
Oxford Quilted Convertible Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
If you don't have space in your handbag to fit your lunch box, this cute insulated tote bag is for you. It's got enough space for ice blocks and snacks should you need them, and is a great choice for carrying alongside your usual bag.
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 18 x 16 x 24cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 litres |
| How to clean | Wipe clean only |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Picnic Sandwich Bag
Picnic Sandwich Bag
Okay, so you're probably not packing Fortnum's finest treats into your lunchbox every day, but at least you can still feel a bit fancy if you're sitting with this particular bag at your desk.
| Dimensions | 9.5 x 25 x 17.5cm |
|---|---|
| How to clean | Wipe clean only |
| Adjustable strap | No |
Charley is former Homes Ecommerce Editor. During her time at Hearst UK, Charley wrote over 300 buying guides and reviews, getting her hands on as many new launches as possible to help you find the best products for your home.
Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK’s Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she’s interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
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