The Best Insulated Lunch Box Totes of 2021

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Preparing your own meals at home rather than consuming fast food/take-out has many advantages. Not only will preparing your meals save you hundreds of dollars a year but it will also gives you total control over the calories you consume. So, whether you are in a bulking phase or a cutting phase you will have far more success if you prepare your own meals rather than eating mystery meals multiple times a week. Those hidden calories are the killers of dreams mon ami.

One question should immediately come to the forefront once you decide to take control of what you put in your mouth (insert Beavis and Butthead laugh here): how do you keep your food cool/warm? Standard lunchboxes and brown paper bags don’t do much to keep your meals cold as they have an insulation factor of 0. This allows nasty bacteria like staphylococcus aureus and bacillus cereuso to fester, grow and thrive in a fury of binary fission which would make Ron Jeremy blush. The unfortunate results of improperly stored food can be cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you’ve ever tried to avoid eye contact with your co-workers as you slink out of the shared company bathroom you may have already had a run in with Mr Staphylococcus Aureus and Mrs Bacillus Cereuso. Therefore, the first rule of meal prep is: “BUY A DAMN INSULATED LUNCH TOTE. The second rule of meal prep is: “BUY A DAMN INSULATED LUNCH TOTE.”

Besides avoiding food poisoning, knowing exactly how many calories you’re consuming and saving money: an added bonus when you incorporate an insulated lunchbox tote into your life is that your choice of meals multiplies exponentially (insert binary fission joke here if you’re an over achiever). Want to eat your Grandma’s famous chicken salad recipe at work? Don’t let the possibility of the spicy mayo spoiling strike fear in your heart. Toss an ice pack in your new insulated lunch tote and you’ll be eating your O.G’s (Original Grandma) chicken salad at work like a B.O.S.S without a care in the world.

1. Isobag 6 Meal Insulated Bag – Best Overall

Food prepping can be serious business, and that’s why the Isobag 6 Meal Insulated Bag takes the number one spot. It doesn’t pull any punches with its features. For example, it can handle a 6-meal food prep schedule. That’s just the main compartment. The top portion unzips into additional space for extra goodies. Along the side are also two smaller compartments for drinks and shaker cups. The Isobag comes with twelve BPA-free, microwavable, dishwasher-safe and recyclable comtainers.

2. Thinkfit Insulated Lunch Box – Editor’s Choice

If you’re preparing meals several days in advance, then you’ll love the Thinkfit Insulated Lunch Box. One of the best aspects is there are 6 BPA-free food containers included. The Thinkfit is big enough to carry all six containers. There’s even a spot for a shaker cup! Lastly, two ice packs are included; however, some users found they aren’t the most durable. However, you can swap them out for better quality ice packs when they wear out.

3. Versal Insulated Lunch Bag – Best Budget Option

But let’s say you still want to do food prepping on a small scale. The Versal Insulated Lunch Bag is like taking our best overall option and shrinking it down. You still get plenty of space for food prepping and several compartments for various foods. There’s even a second storage area at the top, aside from the main area. To sweeten the deal, you also get 3 large BPA-free containers and 2 reusable ice packs.

	Isobag 6 Meal Insulated Bag	Thinkfit Insulated Lunch Box	Versal Insulated Lunch Bag
Price	$109.99	$44.95	$22
Size / Volume	18″ x 8″ x 9.5″	16.5 x 7.5 x 8 inches	12.71 x 10.51 x 7.6 inches
Insulation	industry-rated material	double insulation	PEVA lining, EPA foam
Insulted Compartments	4	2	3
Carrying Options	Shoulder strap + Handle	Shoulder strap + Handle	Shoulder strap + Handle

4. Rubbermaid LunchBlox Lunch Bag

A strong contender for the best budget option is the Rubbermaid LunchBox Lunch Bag. It doesn’t have separate containers like the Versal Insulated Lunch Bag (our choice for budget options), but still knocks it out the park with necessary features. It’s insulated, has BPA-free lining, and a special place for utensils. Unfortunately, it isn’t the best option for meal prepping, though it does have a medium size. You can still get away with preparing for two, maybe three days.

5. MIER Adult Lunch Box Insulated Lunch Bag

The MIER Adult Lunch Box Insulated Lunch Bag comes in handy if you want to separate hot and cold meals. You can’t place them in the same compartment, right? By using the zipper at its center, you’ll reveal another compartment. This is accomplished by its food-grade safe PEVA lining. It’s easy to clean, but not always the most durable.

6. Self Cooking Electric Lunch Box

Prefer hot food? The Self Cooking Electric Lunch Box is right up your alley. When you’re missing a microwave to heat your food, so long as you have an outlet, this will do the trick. It comes with two layers, with the bottom of the lunch box for cooking. It does pretty well cooking evenly, too, which you certainly want! Of course, its convenience does come with a few hiccups. For starters, it needs power. Without an outlet, you’ll need to purchase an adapter for your car.

7. HSD Lunch Bag

For those working at constructions sites (or similar vocations), the HSD Lunch Bag is a great option. It does exceptionally well at handling wear and tear, thanks to military-grade material. There’s even extra stitching for stronger durability. More over, the 8 millimeter PE foam insulation will keep your foods warm or cold (whichever you prefer). The only gripe you might have with it is its size; it’s a bit on hte smaller size.

8. Cute Lunch Box Insulated Lunch Bag Bento Box

There’s something oddly enticing about the Cute Lunch Box Insulated Lunch Bag Bento Box. Name aside, its design is incredibly unique and durable. That’s not plastic you’re looking at, it’s stainless steel containers. With the lid included, there’s 7 containers altogether! It is BPA-free and non-toxic, but cannot be used in the microwave or dishwasher.

9. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler

Looking for something more friendlier to drinks, in addition to food? The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler has you covered. Many boxes and bags attempt to hold the temperature in. Outside forces, however, can heat or cool the contents. The Artic Zone actually has a radiant heat barrier to reflect heat. The bummer here is the lunch box being on the smaller size.

10. MAZFORCE Original Lunch Box Insulated Lunch Bag

Need something affordable, personal, and stylish? The MAZFORCE Original Lunch Box Insulated Lunch Bag fits right in that category. You don’t get a crazy amount of space for several days worth of food, but it isn’t deep. It’s design is smart. Aside from the main compartment, there’s secondary space on the lid and a place for a drink. Its weakness is rigidity. Soft foods might get crushed if there’s no packaging to push against the lunch bag.

No matter which of the insulated lunch box totes you choose, you’re going to benefit from having one. Not only do you have better control over what foods you eat, it’ll be easier to count calories and save money. Lastly, it’s just better for time management. Would you rather wait 30 minutes at a restaurant or a few minutes heating your food that’s already prepared? That’s an easy choice!