The Best Brands of Reusable Lunch Boxes

Moonmoon stainless steel lunch boxes (use code NATURALLY 10 for 10% discount) are a quality brand of lunch boxes made from high-grade stainless steel, available in mix-and-match designs including:

• Lunch boxes
• Snack pots
• Sauce pots
• Leakproof containers

Do not use for children under 36 months, due to small parts which could be choking hazards. Steel lunchboxes are not microwave-safe (never heat baby or pet food in microwaves). Read our post on food safety for people and pets.

The leakproof options have silicone lids, and are sold in various sizes, perfect for meal prep, freezing leftovers or even weaning pots. The larger sizes are ideal for packed lunches, the smaller sizes can fit inside to hold dips, dressing, sauce or yoghurts.

Designed for stacking to take up minimal space, they are also ideal for picnics or taking to the zero waste shop to fill up with goods. Dishwasher-proof too, some boxes have removable dividers.

To wash, remove leakproof seals then push back into place when dry. You can use the boxes for leftovers, serving and freezing (you can reheat food in the oven, but not on the stove – and leave the lid off, to prevent explosion from heat). 

Elephant Box (Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes)

Elephant Box is a quality brand of lunch boxes, roomy enough for all your eats and snacks from sandwiches to meals. In a wide range of designs, one investment saves wasteful purchase of disposable clingfilm sandwich bags (nurdles end up in our seas, which are eaten by marine creatures who think they are fish food).

The range is mostly stainless steel, from small lunch pots to large boxes with clip lids, and there is also a range of small stylish toughened glass bowls with stainless steel lids and removable silicone sleeves for easy handling.

Unlike plastic, these won’t stain with food and are easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher (obviously don’t put metal in the microwave, but they are freezer-safe.

The soft silicone lids nest together when not in use, and the boxes are easy to open and close for children. Responsibly-made in China, they are sold with a 15-year guarantee and a portion of sales benefit environmental non-profits.

You can also buy a spork to eat your lunch with, which is sold in a handy cork carry sleeve (no trees are cut down to strip cork bark from trees).

Leak-Resistant Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes

A Slice of Green is one of the best brands of stainless steel lunchboxes. Not only are these good to replace plastic wrap and clingfilm (which can’t be recycled and drops nurdles in the sea that look like fish food).

But they are also leak-resistant (not for soup, but they can handle a few slops from burritos!) All the items are fairly made in India, and sent in sustainable packaging.

These dishwasher-safe boxes are in a range of designs, depending on size and what you take to work. Designed to last  for years, some have removable silicone seals, to further protect from spillages.

The tiered lunchboxes enables you to add layers. Say a curry and then rice on top, with a removeable container to use for side orders. Then use the tight clamps on top, to keep your lunch safe until you eat it!

U-Konserve (reusable silicone lunch containers)

U-Konserve is a B-Corp certified company that makes quality lunch containers, mostly made from silicone. This is made with sand and fossil fuels, but does not break into microplastics, is food-safe, lasts for years and is easy to recycle. It looks, acts and feels like plastic, but isn’t!

The range includes:

Bounce Box is a versatile food container for snacks, storing leftovers in the freezer, taking porridge to work or even baking cakes.

Made from platinum silicone, it’s a safe durable material that can withstand hot and cold temperatures, and also ideal for batch cooking, as you can take it straight from the freezer to thawing in the fridge, to baking in the oven.

The insulated lunch tote is made from recycled plastic. In Grey or Seafoam, it keeps food cold for hours using an ice gel pack (keep away from children and pets) and has a zipper closure to pack meals for picnics or the office. The inside pocket also holds utensils, and the shoulder strap adjusts to fit.

Mintie Steel Lunchboxes (to last a lifetime)

Mintie Lunchboxes are made from quality stainless steel, one purchase designed to last for life (sold with 10-year guarantee). An alternative to single-use plastic, stainless steel is food-safe and does not absorb stains or odours.

The range includes stackable mini snack pot food containers and large metal lunchboxes, with something suitable for snacks to sauce to sandwiches. Some boxes have a removable divider, to separate sandwiches say from salads.

To wash, remove leakproof seals then push back into place when dry. You can use the boxes for leftovers, serving and freezing (you can reheat food in the oven, but not on the stove – and leave the lid off, to prevent explosion from heat). 

Lunch Bots (created by a mum engineer)

LunchBots is a company that makes quality stainless steel lunch boxes. The company was founded by the mother of two young boys, who became concerned not about the planet, but about the health impacts of her children eating from plastic lunchboxes.

Fortunately, she also happened to be a trained engineer, so she put her thinking cap on! These lunch boxes are not just quality, but stand the test of time. Plastic-free lunchboxes have no seal, so these are for sandwiches, not soup!

The Small snack box has two compartments, and recommended for dry foods like fruits, veggies, crackers, nuts and vegan cheese. The other boxes are all similar, simply divided (so you can find boxes that house two, three or four compartments to keep dishes separate).

Qwetch Lunch Box with Comfy Carry Handle

Qwetch lunch box is super-sturdy and leak-resistant, able to transport salad with dressing or high-liquid meals like curry. The box carries a whopping 850ml and has a comfortable carry handle, that folds down for easy storage. The insulated design keeps food warm for up to 5 hours, or cool for up to 7 hours.

Black + Blum Lunch Boxes and Food Flasks

Black + Blum is a quality brand of stainless steel lunch boxes, insulated food flasks and reusable water bottles. Each purchase is designed to last years, then is easily recycled.

The 1 litre lunchbox is made from quality stainless steel. It includes a leakproof sauce pot and a stainless steel fork.

The meal prep containers are ideal for the freezer and dishwasher, good for food storage and eating on the go. They are also leakproof and airtight (the maker says these are unique in being microwave-safe due to special design, but don’t use with metal utensils, or just use for food storage). 

The insulated lunch bags (wipe-clean only to avoid microplastics leaching from machines) are made from recycled plastic bottles. When stored upright, the roll top and welded lining construction is leak-proof and the insulated inner lining will maintain temperature of foods for a little-while. Easy to carry, even on bicycle handlebars!

The Insulated food flasks can keep food hot for 6 hours, or cold for 8 hours.  Includes a spoon for soup, and an elastic strap (wipe-clean only). Sold in a zero waste gift box. The Explorer Flask includes two steel cups and a carry handle, ideal for camping.