Not everyone has the luxury of going to a restaurant or coming home during their lunch break. The ideal way to avoid wasting time and limit expenses is to buy a heated lunch box. Basically, it's like a lunch box, but it has a keep-warm function and can heat up your food before you eat it. Read our guide to the best heated lunch boxes to learn more.
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Our selection
"This Travelisimo heated lunch box is the reference of the moment on the market. Thanks to it, you will have everything you need to enjoy…"
"Choose this Nifogo 1.05 L heated lunch box whose success is a testament to the quality of the product. This functional model has 2 compartments…"
"Keep your meals warm and comfortable with this set that includes a heated lunch box and a cooler bag with an exceptional design."
"Homeasy offers you a heated lunch box, to ensure good hot meals when you are stuck in the office, in the car, or camping."
This Travelisimo heated lunch box is the reference of the moment on the market. Thanks to it, you will have everything you need to enjoy a hot meal, including cutlery.
23,99 £ on AmazonSay goodbye to cold meals with this heated lunch box designed by Travelisimo. After plugging it into a power outlet or the car's cigarette lighter socket, you only need to wait 30 minutes to heat up your meal. It is also an isothermal model. Thus, you will sometimes not need to warm up before tasting. Note that this heated lunch box comes with a stainless steel fork and knife which, unlike plastics, are reusable. Moreover, this material allows you to fully appreciate the food.
One of its compartments of the lunch box chauffange Travelissimo is dedicated to desserts and snacks, in case you have a little hungry between meals. Finally, you should know that the interior has a removable tray made of stainless steel, which optimizes the preservation of food while facilitating the cleaning task. Indeed, this part is dishwasher safe.
Choose this Nifogo 1.05 L heated lunch box whose success is a testament to the quality of the product. This functional model has 2 compartments of 500 and 700 mL.
14,86 £ on AmazonAt home, on a job site or in the car, this heated lunch box will allow you to enjoy hot meals in all circumstances. Made of stainless steel, it will keep your meals at the right temperature so you can enjoy them at any time of the day. Moreover, you have the possibility to reheat them, an operation that will last 30 to 50 minutes depending on the dishes. The Nifigo 1.05 L has 2 compartments of 500 and 700 mL, more than enough to hold a full meal, a snack and a dessert.
Nifogo has taken into account manual workers and truckers who may not have the time or means to wash their hands before lunch with the pair of gloves included in the kit. You should also know that the shell is made of polypropylene, a material known for its strength. You will appreciate the presence of the handles which allow you to easily handle your heated lunch box without the risk of dropping it.
Keep your meals warm and comfortable with this set that includes a heated lunch box and a cooler bag with an exceptional design.
37,05 £ on Amazon
Homeasy offers you a heated lunch box, to ensure good hot meals when you are stuck in the office, in the car, or camping.
23,19 £ on AmazonNo more cold meals and fast-food style lunches when you buy the Homeasy 1.5 L heated lunch box. This model allows you to heat all your meals in 50 minutes or less, depending on the type of food and the temperature to be reached. In addition, it is made with environmentally friendly materials while resisting high temperatures. The heating process is guaranteed to be odorless and free of harmful substances.
The manufacturer of this heated lunch box has equipped it with silicone gasket ornaments to prevent food from spilling. These seals, as well as the stainless steel container, lid and cutlery, also make it easy to clean your lunch box, as they are dishwasher-safe.
Any specific needs?
The best heated lunch box in 2021
The best entry-level heated lunch box
The best high-end heated lunch box
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
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7/10 |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Travelisimo heated lunch box 1,5 L
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Nifogo heated lunch box 1,05 L
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Set lunch box chauffante + sac isotherme Spice
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Heated lunch box Homeasy 1,5 L
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This Travelisimo heated lunch box is the reference of the moment on the market. Thanks to it, you will have everything you need to enjoy a hot meal, including cutlery.
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Choose this Nifogo 1.05 L heated lunch box whose success is a testament to the quality of the product. This functional model has 2 compartments of 500 and 700 mL.
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Keep your meals warm and comfortable with this set that includes a heated lunch box and a cooler bag with an exceptional design.
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Homeasy offers you a heated lunch box, to ensure good hot meals when you are stuck in the office, in the car, or camping.
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Dimensions
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24.6 x 17.4 x 11.4 cm
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24.6 x 17.4 x 11.4 cm
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27.8 x 21.2 x 20 cm
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17 x 11 x 23 cm
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Weight
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700 g
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700 g
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1.34 kg
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719 g
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Capacity
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1.5 L
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1.2 L
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1.5 L
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1.5 L
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Material of the removable tray
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Stainless steel
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Stainless steel
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Stainless steel
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Stainless steel
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Heating time
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30 min
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30-50 min
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30 to 60 min
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50 min
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The chosen lunch box should offer enough space to contain at least a whole meal, including dessert. Generally speaking, a model with a capacity of one corresponds to this. However, to avoid surprises and in anticipation of days when you would like to bring more meals, it is better to opt for a model with a capacity of 1.5 L.
The heating time is another determining criterion to estimate the quality of a heated lunch box. Indeed, given that lunch breaks in a professional environment last 1 hour on average, it would be better if this heating time does not last too long. Moreover, the longer it takes, the more energy it will consume. A model that heats between 30 and 60 min will be perfect.
The materials that make up the heated lunch box determine its sturdiness and heat retention quality. First of all, models made with polypropylene or resistant plastic should be preferred. More importantly, the removable tray should be made of food-grade stainless steel and not plastic as on some models. Finally, pay attention to the bill of joints and handles.
This fourth criterion is definitely one of the most important to consider. Indeed, it determines the conservation capacity of the bowl, both in terms of heat and the contents themselves. To check this aspect, we must look at the seals and closing systems. If these are well in place, we can rest assured, because this device will do the job perfectly.
Since the heated lunch box will be used almost every day, it will need to be cleaned every time. To avoid having to scrub every nook and cranny, it would be interesting if the various parts of the lunch box were removable including the lid, the seals and especially the main tray. In this way, you can simply send them to the dishwasher and it's done.
Apart from the types, brands or prices used to classify the different lunch boxes present on the market today, they are also differentiated by their style, of which here are the most fashionable at the moment:
Lunch box for women
The model for women is often designed to imitate a handbag with elegant pastel colors. You can find hot lunch boxes decorated with floral patterns, Japanese symbols and even vintage ones. This provides a wide range of choices for women.
Lunch boxes for men
The majority of heated lunch boxes for men are designed in the image of a sports bag. Some imitate a satchel and others look like a camera bag and a toolbox.
Lunch boxes for children
The market of lunch boxes for children is the one that offers the most choice because we find sober models and others more playful with fun decorations. The ones with heroes, animals and favorite characters are the most popular at the moment.
As its name suggests, the heated lunch box with compartments is equipped with several compartments. Most of the available models have a minimum of two compartments. The first one is used to contain main dishes while the second one is usually used for desserts and snacks.
The lunch box with compartments is very popular because it is compact, light and offers enough space to contain its food. On the other hand, it restricts the amount of food you can take with you, which can be inconvenient for someone who is used to enjoying assorted dishes at lunch.
The tiered heated lunch box is also divided into several compartments. However, it has 2 to 3 tiers within which these compartments are divided. This type of lunch box is a little less sought after by users than the model described above, as it is more cumbersome and very bulky.
In addition, the heated lunch box is also less easy to clean than the version with compartments, as the surface to be polished is increased. On the other hand, its capacity of reception and variation of dishes is much more important, which will delight the gourmets and the amateurs of Asian dishes.
The heated lunch box is a food box equipped with a circuit allowing to heat the dishes before tasting them. In addition to this possibility of heating, it is made with isothermal materials ensuring the preservation of food while heating them. The heated lunch box has everything to please, except for its slightly higher price than an isothermal lunch box.
The isothermal lunch box is characterized by a design that keeps food hot for several hours. It can be a round or rectangular box or a thermos. It is mainly designed to keep food fresh such as fruits and drinks. Thus, it is not really recommended for those who want to have food at the right temperature for their lunch.
If you want or need dishes at the right temperature for your meals, the choice is clear: you need a heated lunch box. On the other hand, if you can be satisfied with a hot dish, as long as it has not cooled down too much, an isothermal model accompanied by a bag of the same quality may suit you.
To enjoy hot food at work
The main interest of having a lunch box capable of heating food is the possibility of eating hot, even if the dishes were prepared 3 to 4 hours before. Since this equipment is designed with isothermal materials, the food is preserved to keep it delicious, as if it had just come out of the oven or the pan.
To enjoy reheated food at a picnic
Some dishes are best enjoyed when they are piping hot, like spaghetti and cheese. So if you're planning to take it on your next picnic, it's a good idea to put it in a heated lunch box. This way, you preserve a maximum of flavour while having the option of reheating the dish before enjoying it.
For simple pleasures in the car
You like to go alone in the car to quiet and relaxing places with good music, sublimate these moments by preparing a dish that you like and put it in your heated and insulated lunch box so that you can enjoy it whenever you want. It is also possible that during these moments, you will meet someone and you will be able to offer him to share your meal, a gesture that could be the beginning of a friendly relationship.
For more hygienic snacks
You like to enjoy some egg rolls, sandwiches, doughnuts and other snacks distributed by a street vendor but have some doubts about their hygiene given their exposure? Put the snacks in your lunch box and warm them up for a few minutes. Also, if you want to put them aside to enjoy them later, the heated lunch box will be very useful.
To surprise your loved ones
Your spouse, your brother, your sister, your father or your child works in a place where you know that it is not very easy to find good food, surprise him with his favorite dish that you will keep in this lunch box. If you're lucky, the dish will still be warm when you arrive at your destination. If not, that's what the warming function is for.
In our opinion, the best brands of heated lunch boxes in 2022 are :
Homeasy has made a name for itself with consumers thanks to a range of appliances that combine perfect convenience and affordability. In addition to the heated lunch boxes, it also produces steam straighteners and electric choppers.
Travelisimo is one of the undisputed leaders in the European market for heated lunch boxes. The manufacturer addresses its products particularly to itinerant workers such as truckers or home repairmen.
Besides the heated lunch boxes, Janolia has become known thanks to its headlights of pool covers, its automatic drip irrigation systems as well as sets of barbecue utensils.
Autopkio is a real specialist in heated lunch boxes for cars and trucks. Its models are so sought after that it has become difficult to find them, except in stores and on a few specialized sites.
The Yissvic brand specializes in the design of various kitchen appliances including juicers, multifunction blenders and of course remarkably efficient heated lunch boxes.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Choose a heated lunch box in your style
The lunch box market offers various models, especially in terms of style. There are standard models as well as more surprising ones. Some lunch boxes imitate handbags, which will be perfect for women, while others are designed to imitate toolboxes or saddlebags, which will appeal mostly to men.
Pour in boiling water before filling
By pouring boiling water into your heated lunch box, the walls will be heated, this will optimize the storage capacity of the lunch box. After pouring the water, wait 30 seconds before emptying it. By applying this tip, you will save electricity, which is always good to take in these times.
Don't overload your heated lunch box
Even if your heated lunch box is waterproof, don't abuse by filling the compartments to the brim. By doing so, you risk a seal failure leading to a food explosion. In addition to depriving you of a good meal, this will give you a painful chore of cleaning. The risk is less, but it is better to be careful.
Use the heated lunch box to heat up your snacks
The heated lunch box is not exclusively reserved for ready meals, you can perfectly use it to heat nuggets, samossas, various fritters and other snacks that you want to enjoy hot. This will come in handy when you want to go somewhere where such food is scarce or even non-existent.
Bring extra cutlery
At some point, you'll want or need to share your meal. That's why it's a good idea to bring along one or more extra place settings. These kinds of moments create convivial bonds, especially when you're faced with a succulent meal, or not. An extra fork will make a big difference.
This will depend on the model used and its design. Isothermal lunch boxes can keep the heat for a minimum of 3 hours. However, it would be wiser not to wait these 3 h before plugging in the power supply, at the risk of ending up with inedible dishes, even after heating.
In principle, yes. The majority of the models available at the moment also provide cutlery including at least a fork and a knife. Favour heated bowls that offer stainless steel cutlery over plastic. This will allow you to better enjoy your meals and reuse the cutlery.
Yes, indeed. This type of device is designed with isothermal materials that maintain an optimal temperature for the preservation of fresh foods such as raw vegetables and fresh fruits. In short, the heated lunch box is simply a versatile appliance designed for all types of solid foods.
The heated lunch box is composed of removable elements including the trays, the lid, the cutlery and, on some models, the seals. These are normally dishwasher safe. It goes without saying that with the motor, you must avoid water. Instead, use a cloth to clean the inside and outside of the appliance.
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