Best Lunch Boxes UK (2026)
A lunch box's real test is whether it survives a commute without oozing into your bag. This guide is based on Expert Reviews' tested lunchbox roundup, where each box was used and reviewed for seal, size and build. That guide has been archived and dates from April 2023, so prices are as reviewed and may have changed. For plain leftovers containers, see our food storage containers guide.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Yumbox Panino
Best leakproof
Expert Reviews found this the most ooze-proof box they tried, with a single moulded silicone lid sealing four compartments from each other so yoghurt, hummus or sauce in the middle can't leak into the rest. The seal wasn't 100% waterproof, so drinks need a separate container, and the silicone means it lasts longer if the outer box is hand-washed.
- Most ooze-proof box tested
- Four sealed compartments keep foods apart
- BPA-free and phthalates-free, dishwasher-safe inner tray
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yumbox Panino | Best leakproof | Four compartments under one moulded silicone lid, 22 x 15 x 5cm, 490g, BPA-free | Check price |
| Black+Blum Sandwich Box | Best sandwich box | Stainless steel box, bamboo lid that doubles as a chopping board, silicone seal, elastic band, 22 x 15 x 5cm | Check price |
| Fluf Organic Cotton Zipper Lunch Bag | Best lunch bag | Double-layer organic cotton with polyester lining, machine-washable, stretchy inner pocket, nine patterns | Check price |
| Umami Original Bento | Best large bento | Two stackable 600ml boxes, clip lids with silicone border, elastic band, cutlery included | Check price |
| Sistema Salad To Go | Best budget | 1.1L BPA-free plastic, KLIP-IT locking clips, dressing compartment, knife and fork included | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best leakproof
Yumbox Panino
Expert Reviews found this the most ooze-proof box they tried, with a single moulded silicone lid sealing four compartments from each other so yoghurt, hummus or sauce in the middle can't leak into the rest. The seal wasn't 100% waterproof, so drinks need a separate container, and the silicone means it lasts longer if the outer box is hand-washed.
- Compartments
- Four
- Size
- 22 x 15 x 5cm
- Weight
- 490g
- Price guide
- £30 (as reviewed 2023)
Pros
- Most ooze-proof box tested
- Four sealed compartments keep foods apart
- BPA-free and phthalates-free, dishwasher-safe inner tray
- Light and easy to carry
Cons
- Seal isn't 100% waterproof, so keep drinks separate
- Outer box should be hand-washed for a longer life
- Bright colours may not suit a boardroom lunch
Best sandwich box
Black+Blum Sandwich Box
Expert Reviews found this roomier than it looks, as big as the Yumbox, with room for a sizeable sandwich plus nibbles. The silicone seal helps prevent spillages and the bamboo lid works as a chopping board, but the elastic band closure feels less secure than a clip lid and the lid isn't dishwasher safe.
- Material
- Stainless steel, silicone, bamboo lid
- Size
- 22 x 15 x 5cm
- Weight
- 390g
- Price guide
- £26 (as reviewed 2023)
Pros
- Roomy for a sandwich plus sides
- Bamboo lid doubles as a chopping board
- Silicone seal helps prevent spills
- Classy, durable steel design
Cons
- Elastic band feels less secure than a clip lid
- Bamboo lid isn't dishwasher safe
Best lunch bag
Fluf Organic Cotton Zipper Lunch Bag
Expert Reviews found this beautifully made and washable, with thick organic cotton and a water-safe lining that helps keep food warm or cold, plus a robust zip and stitching. The price is steep for a bag and you wouldn't put sandwiches straight in without wrapping them, but it could cut lunch spending for years.
- Material
- Organic cotton with polyester lining
- Care
- Machine-washable
- Patterns available
- Nine
- Price guide
- From £38 (as listed 2023)
Pros
- Machine-washable and durable
- Cotton and lining help keep food warm or cold
- Stretchy inner pocket fits a small flask
- Attractive handbag-style design
Cons
- Steep price for a lunch bag
- Food should be wrapped rather than placed loose inside
Best large bento
Umami Original Bento
Expert Reviews found this classic stackable bento, effectively two 600ml boxes, roomy enough to take seconds to work, and one of the most durable boxes on their list, with proper plastic cutlery included. It could be better engineered: the internal separators don't fit snugly, the pieces only stay together with the elastic band, and the wood-effect plastic feels plasticky.
- Capacity
- 2 x 600ml
- Material
- Plastic with silicone seal (dishwasher safe)
- Weight
- 380g
- Price guide
- £30 (as reviewed 2023)
Pros
- Big capacity, two 600ml boxes in one
- One of the most durable boxes tested
- Proper plastic cutlery included
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Internal separators don't fit snugly
- Parts don't stay together without the elastic band
- Wood-effect plastic feels plasticky
Best budget
Sistema Salad To Go
Expert Reviews found this classic budget salad box keeps leaves from going soggy thanks to a separate dressing compartment, and it includes a knife and fork. It's microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe, but the flexible seal isn't leakproof, so they wouldn't recommend carrying soup in it.
- Capacity
- 1.1L
- Size
- 16.7 x 16.7 x 8.7cm
- Material
- BPA-free plastic
- Price guide
- £8 (as reviewed 2023)
Pros
- Very cheap
- Dressing compartment keeps salad from going soggy
- Knife and fork included
- Microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Flexible seal isn't leakproof, so not for soup
Buying guide
Which type of lunch box should I choose?
A bento box, like the Umami here, separates food into compartments or tiers. A sandwich box, like the Black+Blum, has room for bread with space for fruit or a yoghurt beside it. A lunch bag suits softer packing, though it won't protect food from being squashed. For soup, Expert Reviews recommends an insulated food flask instead, as flasks are more watertight than boxes calling themselves leakproof.
What is the best lunch box material?
Good polypropylene plastic is durable, light, cheap and safe in the dishwasher, microwave and freezer, but check it's BPA-free. Silicone seals prevent leaks but wear faster in dishwashers. Stainless steel is naturally antibacterial and durable, and bamboo is attractive but warps and stains easily so is best used for lids.
How leakproof are lunch boxes really?
It varies, and labels can overstate it. In Expert Reviews' testing the Yumbox Panino was the most ooze-proof, but even it wasn't fully waterproof, and the Sistema Salad To Go's flexible seal wasn't leakproof. Keep drinks and soups in a separate container or flask.
Are cheap takeaway-style plastic boxes worth it?
Expert Reviews advises against them: they're little better than single-use plastic, typically can't go in the dishwasher, freezer or microwave, may not be BPA-free, and aren't leakproof. A properly made box costs more but lasts far longer and cuts single-use plastic waste.
Sources
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