Lunch-boxes are an essential way of getting through a work or school day without getting hungry. However, the burden of carrying them can be quite tedious. Collapsible lunch containers have provided a solution to the disadvantages of regular containers. Once you’re done eating, you can simply fold the container into a more compact version that’s easier to pack in your bag. However, there are so many different containers on the market. To help you navigate all the various options, we will be discussing some of the best collapsible lunch containers.
The Best Collapsible Lunch Containers
Here are some of our favorite collapsible containers that are perfect for taking your food on the go.
1. Keweis Silicone Lunch Box
These high-quality food-grade silicone lunch containers are eco-friendly, non-toxic, SGS, and LFGB certified.
The material used for this container is much safer than general plastic. Additionally, it’s microwave, oven, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
This container comes in three different sizes. The smallest one is 350ml and is most suitable for nuts and candy. The medium-sized container is 550ml and can hold fruit or cake. The 850ml container (large) is perfect for sandwiches, salads, or meal prep.
These boxes also have valves to prevent hot gas and water vapor from building up in the boxes. However, it’s vital to note that when using the microwave or oven, this valve needs to be open. However, soups and salad dressings might leak through the valve.
You can fold this container to a thickness of 1.2 inches, which saves more than 60% of your kitchen storage space. It also makes them much easier to pack up and take home after eating the food you’ve packed.
The Keweis silicone lunch box can also withstand a 1.3 tonne car driving over it and it has passed a 60 meter drop test.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly and non-toxic
- Comes in many sizes
- Saves 60% of storage space
- Microwave, oven, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Prone to leaks – especially with liquids
2. COFFLED 6 Piece Collapsible Bento Box Set
Bento-style lunch boxes are extremely popular because they allow users to separate meals into smaller compartments and portions. This set comes with four boxes (of varying sizes) and two cups.
These containers stand out because – unlike others on the market – they don’t retain smells, are easy to clean, and are made up of a thick silica gel material.
These containers collapse to almost one-third of their size.
Pros
- Enables you to separate and portion food
- Comes in many sizes
- Includes cups
- Don’t retain smells
- Easy to clean
Cons
- The lids aren’t too sturdy
- not 100% silicone
3. FLEX&LOCK Collapsible Insulated Lunch Bag Set
This set comes equipped with its own collapsible carrier bag, which is made of waterproof oxford fabric and has an adjustable strap.
The set also includes two small boxes (350ml) and one large box (1200ml). FLEX&LOCK has made these containers BPA-free.
Unlike the previous containers mentioned, this one is made of foam and polyester. These materials keep the contents of the containers insulated, allowing the food to remain at its initial temperature for up to 12 hours. This material is also toxin-free.
These lunch boxes are leakproof, which makes them suitable for soup. They’re also microwave, dishwasher, and freezer-friendly.
The one downside is that compared to other containers the collapsed size is a little larger. However, the size of the containers is still 50% of their usual size when collapsed.
Pros
- BPA and toxin free
- Comes with a waterproof carrier bag
- Leak-proof
- Insulative properties
Cons
- Aren’t as compact as other options
4. Drying-Natural Collapsible Food Storage Container
One of the issues with plastic or silicone containers is that they sometimes stain. The benefit of this container is that it’s stain resistant. Additionally, it’s also dishwasher and freezer-safe. There are four sizes available; 300ml,600ml,750ml and 1000ml.
This container has been laboratory tested and can withstand 7000 folds. This means that it’s durable and can be used for a long time. Furthermore, it’s leak-proof.
The Drying-Natural container is BPA-free, making it non-toxic, non-stick, and easy to clean. The reason for the container’s durability is that it’s made of polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). TPE is stronger than silicone which aids the container in keeping its shape.
Pros
- BPA free
- Easy to clean
- Microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe
- Can withstand 7000 folds
- Durable
- Stain resistant
- Leak proof
Cons
- Susceptible to thermal expansion. Therefore, not recommended for long-term storage of hot liquids.
The Benefits of Collapsible Lunch Containers
- They cut down on spending. For example, taking a packed lunch to work is much cheaper than buying lunch every day.
- Collapsible containers allow you to save space both during storage and while carrying them at the end of the day.
- They are a great way to meal prep for the week.
- These containers can be used to store leftovers.
- They are relatively inexpensive.
How to Choose the Right Collapsible Lunch Container
If you decide that you need a lunch container, you should keep these factors in mind:
Size
Your daily routine and eating habits will impact the size of the lunch container you need. Those who have smaller appetites might be satisfied with a medium sized lunch box. On the other hand, people with longer work days might need larger containers.
Functionality
Some lunch boxes have additional features. For example, some lunch boxes have insulation properties, or come with utensils. If you need your food to maintain its temperature, checking the properties of the container is essential.
Durability
Some containers are easier to damage or break while others have been drop tested and designed to withstand multiple folds.
Material
The container’s material often has a large impact on the properties of the container. It’s also important to ensure that the container is food safe and non-toxic.
Additionally, if you’re worried about your environmental foot-print, there are many lunch containers that use environmentally friendly materials.
It’s also important to note that not all containers are made using dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator safe materials. This is an important factor to consider before making a purchase.
Compactness
Different containers have different levels of compactness. Some containers collapse to one-third of their erect size while others only collapse to half their erect size. This might be an issue for people with limited storage space.
Conclusion
In conclusion, food containers have become a staple and can be used for both children and adults. However, they can take up a lot of space both in your kitchen and the bag used to carry them. Collapsible lunch boxes enable users to make the most of their storage space.
We found that the best container we reviewed is the FLEX&LOCK Collapsible Insulated Lunch Bag Set. It comes with a carrier bag which has an adjustable strap making it much easier to transport. Additionally, these containers are BPA-free. They also has insulating properties, which enable the food to stay at its initial temperature for up to 12 hours. The lids of the containers are also leak-proof.
We hope this review has been useful. Enjoy your portable meals!