If buying yourself the best cute lunchbox and finally curbing your Pret addiction in 2023 was on your New Year's resolutions list, then look no further. Reader, we fully understand the chokehold that Pret, Itsu, Starbucks et. al have on us. It's 12pm. You're hungry, you've lost your morning zestiness and the call of fresh sushi or an overpriced salad is strong. But when you're popping to one-of-the-above several times a week, those £15 salad pots start to add up. Enter: the most organised version of yourself that makes double-the dinner portions and cuts back on the Pret caesar baguettes (cry). The only redeeming factor of this plan? The new cute lunchbox we're going to pack it all up in.
When it comes to transporting your lunch, there's a whole host of food-on-the-move options. You've got your lunch bags, your flasks, your plain, tomato pasta-stained tupperware and, in recent times particularly, bento boxes. These easy, stackable Japanese-style lunch boxes have been thriving on TikTok of late and we're keen to jump on the trend. No more will our leftover salad go soggy as the cucumber slowly wilts the spinach. Indeed, a bento box is divided into handy sections, so you can store your croutons, leaves, protein and dressings in their own compartments for an actually decent lunch the day after.
Elsewhere, we're seeing a rise in eco-friendly lunch boxes, with bamboo and rice husk materials beginning to champion the field, knocking plastic out of its previously top spot position. For us, we're eyeing up this Hip bento box, made from ocean bound plastic bottles or, alternatively, if you're more of a packed lunch, sandwich and crisps gal, this waxed canvas bag gets top marks on the style front. So, what are our winning lunch boxes for 2023? Let's get into it…
Skip to the full round up | Which lunch box company is best?
The best cute lunchbox: our top picks
Which lunch box company is best?
Of course, this will depend on your requirements and whether you value practicality most versus style and appearance. That said, in our experience the Bodum Bistro lunchbox combines both of these factors, with an appealing transparent and deep green design, paired together with a bento box, secure makeup. Then again, if we had to pick a top brand for practicality and style alone. We'd put Brabantia's Make + Take range in top spot for the former and, for the latter, we'd have to side with the chic Porter range from W&P Design.
After more pieces from our GLAMOUR interiors team? Make sure to check out our round up of the best vacuum cleaners, our guide to the best bubble plates and the best wake-up lights.
Keep scrolling to find the best cute lunchbox for everything from salads to soups in 2023
1. Best overallBistro Lunch box with cutleryComplete with one large capacity bottom compartment plus a top tray with smaller sections for your salad toppers and snacks, this Bodum reusable lunchbox is BPA-free and even includes cutlery for ease of use.
Save money on your lunch and snack box with these Bodum discounts
2. Aesthetic lunch boxes for high-end fanaticsPrada logo-print stainless steel lunch boxIt may cost a bit more, but if you're after more of a statement take on your traditional stainless steel lunchbox, then this Prada collaboration with Black+Blum will be just the ticket for you.
Save money on designer lunch box containers by using these Farfetch discounts when you checkout.
3. Cute lunchbox for adultsHip Bento Box, Made From Ocean Bound PlasticWith a fun elastic to secure your packed lunch, this eco-friendly bento box is made from ‘ocean bound’ plastic bottles and includes a divider to separate your hot and cold, or even wet and dry options. Not to mention that same divider can be reused as a plate.
Save money on food storage boxes with these Wayfair discount codes
4. Women's cute lunch boxSpode Italian Food Storage ContainerSpode China will always be timeless and this storage container is not only dishwasher safe but, without its plastic lid, can be repurposed in your home as a snacks or crisps bowl for guests.
5. Cute and sweet lunch boxesStojo Collapsible Bowl 700mlMade from food grade silicone and with a spill-proof lid, this collapsible lunch box will save space in your tote bag or backpack, concertinaing into a flat disk once emptied, and it'll hold up to 700ml of food when expanded, too.
6. Cute lunch boxes for toddlers and adultsPolka Dot & Bee Set Of 3 Round Rice Husk Storage TubsWith three different size food storage containers so you can box up your meal prep and your little one's snack bags and fruit in one fell swoop, these Emma Bridgewater polka dot and bumble bee picks are both cute and an eco-conscious choice, made from rice husks which will biodegrade within 90 days.
7. Cute lunch boxes for workLakeland Bamboo Lunch BoxMade from eco-friendly bamboo and currently on sale at a very reasonable price point, this sandwich box from Lakeland is available in a gorgeous sage colourway. The only downside? It's handwash only.
8. Cute lunch box ideasGBBO Showstopper Ditsy Glass Storage BoxGlass lunchboxes are always an excellent choice in terms of how washable they are, time and time again (a must if you're a tomato pasta fanatic), this Cath Kidston collaboration with The Great British Bake Off is sealed with a silicone ring and makes for a fun and modern picnic storage box, as well.
Save money on more fun alternatives to plain plastic tupperware with these Cath Kidston discounts
9. The best lunch boxes for office daysBrabantia Make & Take lunch box 1 LWe've tested this one personally and, as a leakproof and minimalist lunch container, this Brabantia Make & Take salad box is excellent. It'll protect your wallet, phone and valuables from spills and messes, and the unique top tray with three sections plus a sauce pot is ideal for salad toppers and dressings.
10. Cute lunch boxes for school kidsOmbre Rainbow Stripe Bento Lunch BoxWith a rainbow lid plus an environmentally friendly recycled plastic makeup, this Paperchase ‘kawaii-style’ bento box (a Japanese term for something that's cute or endearing) makes for a great kids lunch box for all their school lunches and trips.
Save money on lunch bags and back to school kit for kids with these Paperchase discount codes
11. Cute lunch box accessoriesFood Pots - Blush PinkA flask is a great way to transport hot food and soups to work with minimal fuss and this blush pink one from Chillys will keep all your pastas and chillies hot for up to six hours. And it can also be used for cold items - who needs the faff of a cool bag and ice pack, eh?
12. Cute lunch bagsDuck Canvas LunchboxThis cotton canvas lunch bag from Dickies is both a style choice and a practical one, providing buyers with a shoulder strap for easy manoeuvring and extra pockets for all your luncher's needs, be it a banana or a biscuit - no judgement here.
13. Best lunchbox for women and men at workThe Porter Bowl - Ceramic - CreamWe included this in one of our weekly editors' picks round ups and it's no surprise, really. Ceramic? Check. Available with a matching water bottle? Check check. The Porter bowl is as sleek as a lunch box for adults gets and we're snapping up the entire W&P Design lunch selection today, cutlery set included.
14. Best adult lunch boxSmash Camo Lunch Box with BandWith an air vent for reheating and a divider to keep food items separate as you require, this olive green lunch box is gender neutral, practical and going straight in our shopping bag this fine Monday.
Save money on insulated lunch bags, cooler bags and more with these Argos discounts
15. Best cute lunchboxes that double as a water bottleThermos Guardian 530ml Food FlaskThermos is a tried and tested brand when it comes to fully insulated lunch boxes and flasks and this one, with its newer, more minimalistic design, is at the top of our wishlist. Just as perfect for last night's hot pot as it is a coffee in the morning, the Thermos Guardian range is super cute and, if you've got Prime, it's available at Amazon, too.
Save money on lunch totes, insulated bags and more with these Amazon discounts
16. Adult lunch boxes with a luxury feelHarrods x Black + Blum Transparent Lunch BoxYou might think of Harrods as the place to buy the YSL crossbody and not a high-end lunch box, but this Black+Blum collaboration has got us hooked. Complete with a sauce pot, cutlery and a leakproof design, this compartment lunch box is a great choice.
17. Clever adult lunch boxes for 2023Mepal Bento Lunch Box, 1.5L, Nordic BlueA bento lunch box with removable sections for reheating, snacks and dressings, this Mepal brand lunch box is a popular choice on the John Lewis website and, with a total 1.5L capacity, it's big enough for a substantial lunch without the hassle of having to worry about spills, keeping - by comparison - a lunch box bag upright for the entirety of your commute.
Save money on reusable lunch bags and boxes with these John Lewis discounts
18. Personalised lunch bags and boxesTreat Republic Personalised Bamboo Lunch Box, WhiteWith the option to add your name or initials, this personalised bamboo lunch box is super lightweight, very cute with its pink elastic and highly reviewed by buyers. It's a win, win, win.
19. Cute lunch bags for women and men on the goWAAMIndustries The Original Waxed Canvas Lunch BagThese waxed and wipeable canvas bags remind us of grabbing a filled New York bagel on your lunch break and, being foldable and all, they're super easy to stash away once you've finished your lunching. Wonderful.
20. Most popular lunch boxes for 2023PrettyTiffin Hand Painted Scandi Chic Bento Eco LunchboxCombining the practicality of stainless steel with the cuteness of a patterned bento box, this layered lunch box is a ‘star seller’ on Etsy and comes in enough colours for you to find one that's just to your liking - we're going for the soft pink.
21. Our favourite sandwich boxes for office lunching in 2023DarkMysticDesertCo Vintage Bumble Bee PLA Bento Box with Band and UtensilsWith its gorgeous bumble bee print and understated charcoal grey colourway, this Etsy lunchbox from DarkMysticDesertCo is not only a great way to support a small independent business, but it's eco-friendly being made from bioplastic, generously sized and comes with cutlery, too.
22. Lunch boxes for men and women that are as stylish as they are practicalbeegreenerShop Eco Friendly Stackable Bento BoxLeakproof and with a unique wheat straw cutlery set, this slightly bigger bento set is one we'd certainly recommend to our fellow snackers. Yep, we're looking at you Ms. I can't make it to 11am without a bite to eat; it's time to stop eating your tomato pasta before midday and start packing some mid-morning snacks in your handily divided new lunch box. You're welcome.
23. Cute lunch boxes for high school-age teensYVONNE ELLEN Multicolour Animal Patterned Matte Picnic ContainersWith three different sizes to suit their needs - be it some blueberries or mum's leftover chicken salad - these animal pattern food boxes from TK Maxx are ideal for young teens (and adults, too) being dishwasher friendly and, in a pack of three, not reliant on them remembering to bring it home each night…
For more from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.
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