Having a best lunch cooler is great because they preserve perishable foods, that could go bad quickly especially on hot summer days. They are also great for school children and company employees alike especially for individuals that conduct different meetings around the city.
Nowadays, there are many good options of lunch coolers at an affordable price that have great and convenient features such as controlled temperature, several compartments and comfortable straps.
Comparison of 10 Best Lunch Coolers in 2022
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Arctic Titan Titan Freeze Cooler |
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Stanley Adventure Cooler |
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eBags Crew Cooler II |
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MIER Insulated Cooler Backpack |
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ThinkFit Meal Prep Lunch Boxes |
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Stanley Heritage Cooler |
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MOJECTO Cooler Bag |
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HDS Lunch Bag |
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CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag |
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OlarHike Lunch Cooler Bag |
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Top 15 Best Lunch Cooler Reviews 2022
1. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Hardbody Cooler
Arctic Zone Titan is a hard body lunch cooler bag that has several hard lined compartments that offer lots of storage. Moreover, it has a comfortable and padded shoulder strap that can be adjusted as need plus lots of customers have reported this lunch cooler bag maintaining desired temperature for up to 6 hours.
Overall, it can fit up to 2 sandwich bags and 2 lunch containers plus there will be space left to place a drink. The hard body of this Arctic Titan lunch cooler will mean you can place your drinks without worrying that they will squash.
Furthermore, the inner hard lining can be removed to give more space to larger food containers, however, keep in mind that this lunch cooler is too big to be placed in regular sized backpack or work bag. The mesh pockets at the sides can be used to store utensils, tissue paper and other miscellaneous things.
- Several compartments
- Hardline inner lining
- Mesh pockets
- Adjustable straps
- No warranty
- Available in one color only
- Not suitable for school as it is too big
2. Stanley Adventure Lunch Cooler
Stanley Adventures Large Green Lunch Cooler will be great for family weekend picnics as it is large enough to accommodate many sandwich bags and drinks.
It is also convenient and portable to carry around the park and place in the car as the hardbody will prevent food from spilling and squashing. The latest tests have shown that this lunch cooler can maintain cold temperatures between 15-24 hours on a hot summer day.
Stanley Adventures best lunch cooler boxes can maintain temperatures for such periods thanks to their great designs that include thick rubber seals and roto-molded technologies.
- Hardbody will prevent drink spilling and food squashing
- Affordable
- Trusted brand
- Maintains temperatures for a long period of time
- Large
- Very heavy even when empty
- No mesh pockets
- The strap is not adjustable
3. eBags Crew Cooler II Bag
eBags Crew Lunch Cooler is a durable and high-quality cooler that is manufactured to comply with the FDA’s standards for lunch coolers in the United States.
It is made with double inner lining so as to prevent food leaking plus this makes it much easier to clean as well. Moreover, its size will enable you to pack a full lunch course including two drinks that can be placed on each side of the lunch cooler.
Various customers who have tried lunch cooler have reported loving it as it maintains a cool temperature for up to 4 hours on a hot day. Sadly, the ice packs are not included but you could always buy them separately for a reasonable price.
- Large lunch cooler
- FDA compliant
- Mesh pockets
- Lots of compartment
- Good customer support
- Soft lined walls
4. MIER Insulated Cooler Backpack
Another best lunch cooler bag for work, school and even picnics as it can fit several large lunch portions including drinks and deserts.
Moreover, it comes with an adjustable strap that is padded for extra comfort plus the inside of the bag will be really easy to clean it the bag is made to have minimal number of seams while the compartment walls can be completely taken out so as to thoroughly clean the bag to avoid allowing bacteria and germs to multiply and spread.
Furthermore, these cooler soft Backpack come in several beautiful colors that men and women will both love.
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Assorted colors
- Good customer support
- Could be bigger
- Not machine washable
Also Read: Best Marine Coolers – Top Buying Guides
5. ThinkFit Insulated Meal Prep Lunch Boxes
ThinkFit is an extra-large lunch cooler that several tiered compartments capable of fitting food bento food trays. It was designed to be used by individuals wanting to strictly control their diet by preparing and eating only controlled portions of food at regular intervals of time.
As we all know, our metabolism increases its rate if we eat smaller portions of food but more frequently thus this lunch bag can enable us to pack enough food for 3-4 meals plus snacks and drinks.
Due to its large size, it could take some space in the fridge so make sure your colleagues will be fine with that. Moreover, you could also buy several ice packs separately and place them underneath the compartment to keep the food cool for longer periods of time.
- Great for work
- Great for individuals on a strict diet or weight loss
- Large
- Easy to clean
- Padded and adjustable strap
- Will take a lot of space in the fridge
- No warranty
6. Stanley Heritage Lunch Cooler Box
Stanley Green Heritage Lunch Cooler has a comfortable handle that will make it easy for you to carry it plus it is made from rigid plastic thus you can be sure your drinks will not spill and that your sandwiches will not squash.
Moreover, it will be easy to clean because it has only one large compartment and no soft inner linings that could absorb odors, stains or bacteria.
- Hard outer body will prevent spilling and food squashing
- Trusted brand
- Not suitable to be carried on the shoulder
7. MOJECTO Heavy Duty Cooler Lunch Bag
Mojecto’s best lunch coolers are primarily made for office workers making their own lunches to take to work hence the bag are medium sized so as to fit in the fridge.
Moreover, the strap is made to be extra long in order to be worn over shoulder comfortable while the exterior wall is padded and double insulated to ensure that food does not get squashed and that the needed temperature is maintained. Sadly, these bags are made only in two dark colors- blue and black.
- Manufactured especially for office workers
- Double insulated walls
- Medium sized so as to fit in the fridge
- Available in one size only
- Available in two dark colors only
8. HSD Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
This bag is one of my favorites. I always share food with friends and family whenever we go outdoors. But this is also why I see all types of lunch coolers. This is certainly one of the best lunch bag coolers out there. It has thick 8mm PE foam with added aluminum to keep the food warm or cool.
This is about 3mm more than the average alternative. As a result, the lunch cooler bag is mainly recommended for long days out fishing or camping. If you’re only going out for a few hours, you don’t need it. On the other hand, it keeps food warm and beer cold until you are ready to relax after a considerable catch.
Made with 600D polyester, the cooler also keeps all the food safe and dry in case you have to walk through the rain. A front pocket is also added where you can keep all your accessories such as cutlery. Two side mesh pockets can work to keep your car keys or any other small objects such as a smartphone.
- Made with 600D polyester
- Designed with 8mm PE foam insulation
- Made with 2 mesh pockets
- Small for large families
9. CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
As one of the best insulated lunch coolers, CleverMade’s design is one of the most interesting in its class. Without a doubt, it represents a value proposition for those who love food and who need loads of meals with them. If only used for beverages, the cooler still holds up to 50 impressive cans.
With a collapsible design, you’d think this best lunch cooler for design is not going to stay in place when opened. But with its unique hinge system, it stays upright even when unzipped. Apart from this benefit, the cooler bag is also practical.
You can carry the bag while holding it with your hand. But you can also carry it on your shoulders. The more food you pack, the heavier any of these options feels like. I have too many examples of times when I packed too much food and I had to carry heavy bags and heavy fishing gear together. However, if you’re better organized than me, this bag can save you space as it folds flat when not in use.
- Made with a unique hinge system
- Folds completely flat
- Holds up to 50 cans
- Small front pocket
Also Read: Best Swim Bag – Reviewed by Expert
10. OlarHike Cooler Lunch Bag
If I recommend the previous lunch bag for your solo adventures, the OlarHike 30 is your family-orientated choice. It comes with a large design suitable for lunches for your entire family. I once saw it on a boat packed with beers and ice cubes. I thought it looked fantastic on a warm summer day.
With a 30 liters or 8 gallons storing capacity, this is cooler to consider for small groups as well. One of the best lunch coolers is certainly durable. If you load it up with refreshments it will still maintain its fabrics intact without any tears as I once saw with a similarly-sized lunch cooler pack with drinks.
I’d say the dual zippers are also useful. You don’t need to fully open it to get a drink out. This keeps the food cooler or warmer as you don’t always unzip it completely. With easy cleaning based on wipe with soap and water, this cooler works in almost any situation.
- Stores up to 8 gallons of food and drinks
- Made with durable buckles
- Made with dual zippers
- Not suitable for washing machine cleaning
11. Coleman Lunch Cooler Bag
Coleman Large Red Lunch Box will be great for outdoor picnics as well as local road trips as it has several large compartments that are capable of storing up 3 full lunch courses.
Moreover, it has a waterproof inner lining that will prevent spilled drinks from staining the inside walls. This will also make cleaning much easier as you would only need to wipe down the spilled liquids.
Plus, this Coleman Large Red Lunch Box is FDA compliant and can be washed in the washing machine on a delicate cycle. Furthermore, customers can choose from 3 different colors and 2 more sizes hence you can be sure that you will find the right sized best Coleman Lunch Cooler.
- Pretty design
- Warranty
- Good customer support
- Zip was reported to break after some time
- Does not hold temperature for too long
12. Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler
Coleman Blue Excursion Portable Lunch Cooler has a comfortable handle that will make it easy for you to carry the best lunch cooler around. Moreover, it is made from rigid plastic thus you can be sure your drinks will not spill and that your sandwiches will not squash.
Plus, it will be easy to clean because it has only one large compartment and no soft inner linings that could absorb odors, stains or bacteria. Furthermore, thanks to thick rubber seals it is 100% waterproof.
- Keep low temperature over a long period of time
- Hard outer body will prevent spilling and food squashing
- Trusted brand
- Not suitable to be carried on the shoulder
- Available in one size only
13. Igloo Playmate Gripper Maxcold
Igloo lunch coolers are made from durable fabric and are double insulated so as to retain needed temperature for a longer period of time. Plus, these lunch cooler bags come with ice packs hence you would not have to buy them separately.
Moreover, you could choose from two different sizes and several colors. Also, the sides of this lunch cooler have mesh pockets that you could use to either store your drinks or other stuff such as utensils, toothpicks, gum and tissues.
Furthermore, the manufacturer gives a 1 year warranty period and provides great customer support in case you might get a question or a problem.
- Beautiful design
- Durable and reliable
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
- Available in several colors
- Mesh pockets on the sides
- Padded shoulder strap
- Available in one size only
- Soft walls hence food can get squashed and drinks could get spilled
- Compartments can be hard to clean
- Exterior can get easily scratched and scuffed
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14. Lifewit Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
This lunch cooler is made with PEVA materials. Known for their resilience, these materials are highly suitable for improved durability. They don’t easily melt whenever you put in something very hot. As a result, it is one of the best rated lunch coolers from the perspective of durability.
Made with the popular 600D water-resistant Oxford fabric, the lunch box is sufficient for your lunch and possible on more persons’ lunch. It’s not made for families but rather for the solo fisherman or couples. This is why it’s small and practical.
On the other hand, you need to know that even such a small cooler still keeps food warm for up to 5 hours. Countless times I’ve had a nice warm sandwich when taking a fishing break. I’ve even borrowed such a bag from a friend of mine when I went hiking. I knew I wanted a quick lunch when I reached the mountain peak and it seemed like a good choice. With an included shoulder strap, it is also easy to carry no matter where you need to go.
- Keeps food warm up to 5 hours
- Excellent modern design
- Includes a zipped front pocket
- Too small for families
15. KATO Tirrinia Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
The best lunch cooler reviews mention this bag due to its practicality. I know a coworker who has one and all I heard as soon as he got it was how good this cooler lunch bag is. This bag suits someone younger, especially with so many bright colors such as red or yellow.
But when you’re going fishing, I’d stick to some low profile colors. The fact is this cooler keeps 1-3 lunches and it is just what you need when wandering off on your own. It has a simple design with straight angles and no puffy pockets to worry about. Its zipped top closes well and it keeps beverages cold for at least a few hours.
As I said, my friend has one and he brings it into work as well. He told me he once had a soup accident and that the bag saved his car’s seats. There were no soup leaks outside the bag which made me think about getting one myself.
- Elegant design
- Leakproof construction
- Made with dual zippers
- Only suitable for one person
How to Choose a Good Lunch Cooler?
Lunch coolers might cost a bit more than regular brown bags at first, however, they will turn out to be much cheaper in the long run. Plus, the accumulation of waste coming from brown bags around the country is not good for the overall environment.
Moreover, a good lunch cooler can last for years provided it is taken care of and cleaned regularly. Furthermore, a best lunch cooler should be big enough to accommodate your usual lunch whether it is just one sandwich bag or several tapware containers.
Normally, a standard lunch box will be large enough to fit the main course, possibly a side dish, a drink and some dessert or fruit. Never go for the largest one you can find because if you share a refrigerator with your co-workers, you are going to have to think about their right to fridge space as well.
Depending on your personal needs, you might need a lunch box with one or several compartments plus you could also buy a best lunch cooler with a separate side pocket designed to hold utensils and wet wipes. Moreover, some premium class lunch coolers have separate compartments for cold and warm food.
Lastly, look for lunch coolers that are durable and made from reliable materials that will not tear, wear out or lose color. Pay special attention to the interior lining to make sure it won’t tear and create a good breeding ground for various germs and bacteria. Speaking of bacteria and germs, make sure to clean and wash the lunch cooler on a regular basis even if you don’t see any visible stains and don’t smell odors.
Lunch Cooler Extras
Some lunch coolers can come with extras such as several ice packs to keep the lunch cooler for longer periods of time. Of course, you could purchase such things separately but then you would need to make sure that they will fit the size of your lunch cooler. However, there is a downside to this as well because such extras are usually of not very good quality.
Regardless of what ice pack you have and how well insulated your lunch cooler is, try to always keep it in the fridge if you have the chance especially if you intend to eat after several hours of leaving your home. Also, the rule of thumb is to place heavier things at the bottom so as to not crush the lighter ones plus always wipe down the lunch cooler with antibacterial wipes every day and give it a thorough cleaning every fortnight.
Also Read: Best Waterproof Duffel Bags – for Your Travelling Needs
What are Bento Lunch Boxes?
Bento lunch boxes look like compartmentalized trays and will be great for individuals wanting to control their portion size especially for weight loss and blood sugar control. Moreover, the removable trays of bento lunch boxes can be placed in the dishwasher.
Conclusion
Before you decide on buying a new best lunch cooler for yourself, think about what you normally eat at work. Moreover, think about whether your workplace has a large fridge or whether space is limited because if your work pantry has a small fridge then it will be inconsiderate for you to bring a large lunch cooler to work. Plus, think about how many dishes you normally have at lunchtime as this will largely determine how many compartments you are going to need.
Furthermore, some lunch coolers come with a rigid plastic outer body while other bags are made from softer nylon material. The plastic lunch coolers will be great for individuals who have their own vehicles as you would only need to place the lunch cooler on the floor of the car or on the seat.
However, if you take the bus to work then holding a plastic lunch cooler throughout the journey is probably going to be not very fun. On the other hand, soft-walled best lunch coolers are great because you could carry them over your shoulder or back but they will not protect your food from getting squashed or the drinks from spilling.
Lastly, always check to see how easy the lunch cooler will be to clean because lunch bags tend to quickly go dirty and smelly. Ideally, you should wipe down each compartment after every use plus thoroughly wash the lunch cooler at least once a week. Also, you could purchase ice packs separately if you normally travel for work a lot or if your work pantry has a small fridge and you prefer not to place your lunch cooler there.
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