7 Best Reusable Lunch Bags
Keep foods fresh with these snack and sandwich bags that help reduce waste.
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We updated this article in July 2022 to ensure all products recommended were available, along with adding more information about each product. While our original top-rated recommendations remain the same, we have added a new pick from Bee’s Wrap.
As interest in sustainable living grows, more people are switching to reusable straws, reusable water bottles and reusable produce bags. Another easy and popular swap to help cut down on single-use plastic? Reusable lunch bags for your sandwiches and snacks.
Reusable lunch bags can take the place of hundreds of plastic baggies (and therefore stop them from ending up in landfills and oceans). These replacements are often made of silicone or cloth, and some are even microwave and dishwasher safe, so you can use them to reheat foods and they're easy to clean. Plus, many of these reusable bag options come in sets with a variety of sizes, making it easier to find the ideal fit, whether you’re packing a sandwich, tossing a snack in your bag or storing food at home. The recommendations below are favorites of the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab experts and best-sellers from brands we love with great reviews.
Our top picks:
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- 2
- 3
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- 5
Read more below on how these top picks were evaluated, plus key features to look for when shopping for reusable lunch bags. (Psst: Don't forget to check out the best adult lunch boxes to store your packed lunches. You might also consider making your own reusable food wraps with this beeswax wraps DIY.)
Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag
Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag
Pros
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Easy to seal
- Variety of transparent colors
Cons
- Pricier than other options
These reusable lunch bags are made of silicone and are super popular on Amazon (they've racked up over 22,000 5-star ratings!). They're slim, and they seal securely. The stylish design comes in fun transparent colors, so you can see what's inside.
These bags are available in several different sizes, ranging from pocket (4 fl. oz.) to half gallon (64.2 fl. oz.). Plus, they're dishwasher and microwave safe.
Rezip Lay-Flat Lunch Bags Set
Pros
- Thick and sturdy
- Easy to seal
Cons
- Not microwave safe and handwash recommended
If you want to ease into using less plastic without breaking the bank, opt for Rezip's lunch bags that come with cute colored ziptops. At just $20, this set of five reusable plastic lunch bags comes out to $4 per bag. The lunch size is perfect for sandwiches and other meals, but they're also available in a smaller snack size and larger gallon size. Just keep in mind that Rezip bags aren't safe for use in the microwave, and it’s recommended that bags are washed by hand for the best care.
Zip Top Stand-Up Reusable Snack Bag Set
Zip Top Stand-Up Reusable Snack Bag Set
Pros
- Dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe
- Standup design allows for eating straight from bag
Cons
- Some foods may stain the material over time
Our kitchen appliance experts were seriously impressed with Zip Top's reusable bags when they first saw them at the International Home and Housewares Show. These bags can stand up and stay open so you can actually eat out of them, which makes them great for snacks. The set comes with one small, one medium and one large bag, or they can be purchased separately. The brand also makes cup-shaped bags that are ideal for car cup holders! Bonus: These bags are safe to put in the dishwasher, microwave and freezer.
Nordic By Nature Sandwich and Snack Bags Set
Nordic By Nature Sandwich and Snack Bags Set
Pros
- Colorful patterns to choose from
- Easy zipper-closure
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not leakproof
These stylish lunch bags from Nordic By Nature come in a handful of fun patterns and are made of food-safe cotton and polyester, so they're a great option for people who prefer a fabric reusable bag over silicone. The set comes with one small, one medium and two large bags.
Since the zippers are made of metal, these reusable sandwich and snack bags are not safe for use in the microwave. When it comes to cleaning, you can easily rinse them out with water, and the brand says you can place them in the dishwasher.
Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Bags
Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Bags
Pros
- Available in an assortment of patterns
- Compostable once no longer usable
Cons
- Not microwave safe and hand wash only
These reusable bags from Bee’s Wrap are a clever alternative to plastic bags. Made from organic cotton and beeswax, they’re not only plastic-free but silicone-free as well. The set includes two bags — one snack bag and one sandwich bag — which can last for a year with proper care, according to the manufacturer. Keep in mind that these bags aren’t heat-safe (the beeswax can melt) and that you’ll need to hand wash them in cold water.
LunchSkins Reusable Food Storage Bag Set
LunchSkins Reusable Food Storage Bag Set
Pros
- Easy-access Velcro seal
- Moisture and grease-proof lining
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not leakproof
These cute lunch bags from LunchSkins have a Velcro closure so they're easy for kids to open. They're made of cloth in a variety of fun patterns, and they're dishwasher safe. The set comes with two different-sized bags, so you can pack a sandwich and a smaller snack for lunch.
The brand also makes recyclable, sealable sandwich bags made of paper. Plus, when you buy LunchSkins, the brand donates to help fight plastic pollution in oceans.
PackIt Freezable Snack Box
PackIt Freezable Snack Box
Pros
- Freezable built-in liner to keep foods cool
- Collapsible
Cons
- Not leak-proof
Our experts love PackIt because the brand's collection of products are made with a freezable gel liner to keep food cool until you get to work or school – no ice pack needed! This particular model is shaped like a rectangular box, so it'll fit your snacks and even a 12-ounce bottled drink. Plus, it’s collapsible for easy storage.
The same freezable technology is also available in a smaller, more compact reusable snack bag. And PackIt's freezable lunch bag was our top pick in our test of best lunch boxes for kids.
How we chose the best reusable bags
To determine the best reusable bags, we considered a variety of materials, sizes and closures. We assessed products based on cleanability and whether they were dishwasher safe or required hand washing. We also looked at whether they could be used in the freezer, if they can withstand heat when reheating leftovers and whether they are leak-resistant for using them with liquids.
What to look for when shopping for reusable sandwich bags
✔️ Material: Reusable bags are made out of a variety of materials, including cloth and silicone. When shopping, consider the type of food you plan to store in the bags. “Silicone reusable bags are more versatile compared to cloth or beeswax because they offer more airtight protection,” explains Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institutes Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. “They're also sturdier, which is helpful when transporting.”
✔️ Size: If you'll be using reusable bags to pack sandwiches and afternoon snacks as well as to store food at home, look for sets that offer a variety of sizes so you will always have the right fit on hand.
✔️ Type of seal: Choosing the best type of seal is important. Velcro and zippers are easier to open and close, but they won’t prevent liquids from leaking. Ziptops are a better option for wet foods to prevent leaking. “Bags that press to seal likely offer more protection than those that use Velcro or ties, and Velcro can be harder to clean,” notes Papantoniou. Beeswax bags are easy to fold and close but don't provide a leak-resistant seal.
✔️ Cleanability: If you love the ability to simply throw things in the dishwasher, silicone and some cloth bags will be your best bet. Reusable options made from beeswax or fabric that isn’t dishwasher safe will require hand washing for proper care.
✔️ Heatability: Some silicone reusable bags are microwave-safe, making it easy to heat up food straight out of the fridge. Silicone and some cloth options are also freezer-safe, making them an ideal food-storage solution at home.
Why use reusable lunch bags?
The main reason for choosing reusable bags is to reduce waste. Investing in silicone food storage bags is more eco-friendly (and wallet-friendly!) than reusing traditional plastic baggies since they'll last much longer. Even though Ziploc says its bags are "reusable by hand washing and thoroughly drying prior to reuse," the material in silicone reusable bags is much more durable (so you won't have to worry about the plastic degrading). Plus, silicone bags are easier to clean, meaning you can store all kinds of food over and over again. Cloth bags or beeswax bags can also help to reduce waste when they’re used for packing or storing sandwiches, chips or nuts instead of traditional disposable bags.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amina Lake Abdelrahman is a former Good Houskeeping editor who worked with the GH Institute to write product-driven stories.
Molly Allen is a contributor to the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. A recipe developer, food writer and former bakery owner, she has years of experience in both home and commercial kitchens.
Nicole Papantoniou has run the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab since 2019; she oversees all testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances and gear. Previously she worked in product development for small kitchen appliances and tools since 2014 as well as in several test kitchens. She's overseen many food storage container tests in the lab as well as used nearly all of the products on this list.
Amina is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Lab experts' product testing and analysis. Amina graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in communication studies and journalism.
Molly Allen is a freelance writer at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she covers food products. A former bakery owner, she has written about food and beverage topics for more than 5 years with work appearing in a variety of publications including Insider and Taste of Home. She is a graduate of Central Washington University with a degree in English Language and Literature. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking or paddleboarding near Hood River, Oregon where she calls home.
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