No time for lunch or dinner at home after work? No longer want to rely on your office cafeteria or microwave? It's time to invest in a heated lunch box.
Keeping prepared food warm when you're on the go is no easy task. Typically, storage boxes are not able to hold the heat of meals over the long term. However, if you are a person who loves to enjoy the taste of a hot meal, you will need a small appliance. This includes the heated lunch box, which is one of the most sought-after products on the market.
There are a variety of them, but the best lunch box heater is the one that fits the capacity of your choice. It should also match the power source you have, including a mains, car or truck.
To help you make the right choice for your needs, this article will present you with a comparison of the meal warmers currently dominating the market. And to broaden your knowledge, a buying guide will be made available to you. So don't waste any time and let yourself be excited by the originality of the products.
What is a lunch box ?
Basically, a lunch box is a lunch box that allows you to keep food warm. Contrary to an insulated airtight box, this one does not only keep the heat. It manages to produce heat to reheat and steam food without drying it out. Technically, the hot box for meals is powered by a wired plug or a car or truck adapter. You can recognize them by their ultra precise voltage: 220v, 12v and 24v. These clever power sources rely on water to create steam at the bottom of the lunch box.
It's super simple to use: just put the food in and then plug in the lunchbox for 1 hour or 30 minutes before lunch. A light is usually integrated on the device to ensure that it is turned on. The heated food box is also very easy to clean. Simply take out the metal bowl to wash it with its lid.
Top 5 best hot lunch boxes
The Green Electric Lunch Box (Car/Home)
This warming lunch box is one of the best-sellers of the Healthy Lunch brand. Not sure? Just click on the product poster to access the customer reviews.
Specifically, the warming box comes with two adapters to plug into a wall outlet or a car cigarette lighter. This gives people with busy lifestyles a little more flexibility and convenience.
The set includes a lid and a heat-resistant BPA-free plastic container. This is complemented by a waterproof ring under the lid that can also serve as a built-in folding handle. It has a high pressure closure system so the contents don't spill.
Plus, the heated lunch box's stainless steel container is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. You can also take advantage of its capacity to eat hot, because the heated lunch box has a large capacity of 1 liter. In addition, you have 3 internal compartments to better organize your food.
For more convenience, the Healthy Lunch box has a storage space for your various cutlery. To this end, the product comes with an accessory kit consisting of a fork and a spoon.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 24 cm x 17 cm x 11.5 cm
- Storage capacity: 1 liter
- Power: 45 W
- Heating time: about 20 minutes
- Power source : wall socket (220v) + car socket (12v)
- Accessories included : spoon + fork
Strong points
- Totally hermetic for a better peace of mind
- Storage space for cutlery + 3 compartments
- Compatible with wall and car plugs
- Fast heating lunch box
- Secure delivery
Weaknesses
- No truck adapter included
The Green Heated Lunch Box
This heated lunchbox includes a large container essentially compartmentalized into 2 tiers. Upon purchase, you are free to choose either the 400ml or the 800ml heated lunchbox. Alternatively, the store also allows you to combine the two stages for more capacity in storing your meals. Moreover, it is a great way to divide your breakfast and lunch so that the flavors do not mix.
In addition, the heated lunch box has a pressure tight lid. Better yet, it comes with stainless steel compartments to keep food warm when the unit is not plugged in. To that end, this product is a heated home lunch box, as it only has a 220v adapter. In other words, this choice is compatible with wall outlets.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 25.5 cm x 14 cm x 17 cm
- Storage capacity: 400 ml (1 stage) l 800 ml (2 stages)
- Power source: wall outlet (220v)
- Material: food grade stainless steel
Strong points
- Heated food box with a handle for easy transportation
- Possibility to get a steam cooking
- The container of the heated bowl is easily dishwasher safe
- Double capacity for more food options
- Secure delivery
Weaknesses
- The heating time is not specified
- The product is not a heated car lunch box, as it does not come with a 24v adapter
The Heated Lunch Box (Truck / Car)
Totally the antipode of the previous model, this food box is a real heated lunch box for truck. It is also compatible for car connection if you use the 12v cable provided in the delivery pack. With the help of its stainless steel compartment and PP plastic lining, your food will be heated up in just 20 minutes. This is a real time saver for truckers and other nomadic workers during breaks.
On the other side, the 24v truck warming bowl has a lid that opens wide for easy loading and removal of your meals. It also makes room for a nice 1.5 liter capacity to accommodate a variety of dishes. Without a plug-in system, the Quick Warming Bowl can also be used as an insulated lunchbox. So you don't have to constantly plug it in to keep your delicious food warm.
Finally, the handles on the ends of the heated lunch box make it an easy bowl to carry. We also can't forget to mention that Healthy Lunch has thought about the convenience of its customers by enhancing the delivery package. Obviously, the heated lunch box comes with a knife, fork, spoon and a small storage bag.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 23 cm x 10.5 cm x 16 cm
- Storage capacity: 1.5 liter
- Heating time: 20 minutes
- Power source : 12v (car) and 24v (truck) cigarette lighter cable
- Accessories included : spoon + fork + storage bag
Strong points
- Solid and resistant lunch box
- Large capacity for a hot and balanced meal
- Four folding handles for a perfect seal
- Best heated lunch box for travelers
- Secure delivery
Weaknesses
- No AC adapter included
The Orange Heated Lunch Box (Car/Home)
With 5 stars, this electric hot box is perfect because of its versatility. Available in an orange color, it features a large 1-liter compartment split into three spaces for better organization. And despite this capacity, the warming lunch box remains compact enough to take you anywhere. Moreover, it is made from a fully recyclable plastic that optimizes its weight.
To that end, you have a removable wall power cord at your disposal. It's a mains powered hot plate that you simply plug into your workspace and turn on using a built-in button. So you no longer need to "fight the employer's microwave" with your colleagues.
If you work on a job site that doesn't have an outlet, the Healthy Lunch brand has also thought of you. Simply plug your hot plate into your car using the 12v adapter provided. This way, you can heat up your food without any pressure and feed yourself for a whole day.
And if you can't finish your meal, the stainless steel lid and sides can keep it warm.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 24 cm x 19 cm x 10 cm
- Storage capacity: 1 liter
- Power source: 12v cigarette lighter cable (car) and mains cable (220v)
- Material: food grade stainless steel + reusable plastic
Strong points
- Stainless steel heated lunch box
- Integrated storage space for cutlery
- Lid with locking handles at the ends
- Possibility to check the operation with the indicator light of the machine
- Secure delivery
Weaknesses
- No truck adapter included
- No utensils included
The Original Green Heated Lunch Box
The main strength of this heated lunch box is its original design. It has an oval shape with a lightness that facilitates its transport. A strap is also available to facilitate the grip of the food box. It has nothing to envy to the previous models, because its characteristics make it the ideal choice to enjoy hot food.
In this regard, the electric hot box has a 220 adapter that you can connect to your wall socket. It is therefore a utensil designed for domestic use, especially for people who want to eat hot and fast. You even get 360-degree steaming, which means all the contents will be impacted by the heat. No more half-cold cooking! In just 15 minutes, you have the time to heat up any food product.
We also don't forget to mention that the lid of the heated meal box is secured to prevent leaks. This is one of the common features of all Healthy Lunch products.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 26 cm x 14.5 cm x 15.3 cm
- Storage capacity: 1 liter
- Heating time: 15 minutes
- Power source : mains cable (220v)
Strong points
- Ideal for soups, stews and pasta
- Fast heating meal box
- Steam cooking technology
- Light weight that makes the warming box less bulky
- Secure delivery
Weaknesses
- No car or truck adapter included
- No utensils included
How to choose a warming box for meals?
There are two main factors that should define the choice of your heated lunch box:
- Where you plan to use it;
- the capacity you need to hold your food.
In addition, there are a few other features to keep in mind as you evaluate your options.
Choosing your warming food box based on its power source
Heated food boxes usually come with different types of plugs. Some models are specifically designed for home use with a standard wall outlet (220v). At the same time, others offer cigarette lighter plugs for cars (12v) and 12v cables for the trucker lunchbox.
Depending on where you want to use your heated food box, choosing the power source becomes easier. This way, you are sure to keep your meals warm at any time of the day. However, be sure to use each energy source according to the designer's instructions. This will prevent you from discharging your vehicle's battery quickly.
One is also tempted to mention the subject of the heating time of the device. However, this remains a subjective criterion. While some models claim to heat up or cook in 20 minutes, others promise a cooking time of 15 minutes. Here, the most important thing is to have a rechargeable lunch box heater capable of ensuring a 360° temperature uniformity.
Choose your lunch warmer according to its container
The best lunch box heater should come with a container. The latter should serve as a jar offering the possibility of eating hot food directly from the dish itself. Moreover, this container should be designed with a double wall of stainless steel. This is a material that will not stain or absorb the flavor or smell of your hot food. Best of all, it's usually dishwasher safe for no-hassle cleaning.
Some electric hot boxes also have internal compartments to separate liquid and solid foods. A little further down the line, you can even find models with storage space for kitchen utensils.
Choosing a food warming box according to its storage capacity
On the market, heated lunch boxes vary in volume from about 500 ml to 1.5 liters. So you have a choice when it comes to finding one that suits your lifestyle or diet. At home, it's easier to control what you eat. You can choose a meal box of about 800 ml for your domestic needs.
However, if you are a nomadic worker, you will need a 1 to 1.5 liter hot food container. In general, more space is better than less. Whatever the capacity of your container, it should also be easy to heat and stir food. There is no need to have a stainless steel lunch box that is unable to promote an even temperature distribution.
Conclusion
It's obvious: a heated lunch box will never be as fast as a microwave oven. However, if you are looking to enjoy a hot meal wherever you are, the heated lunch box is useful and practical. Plus, it won't dry out your food like a microwave would and can fit your lifestyle. Whether you're working in a local office or on a construction site, the lunchbox blends in with any decor. Technically, it would be difficult to define one model as the best warming box. However, for excellent value, we recommend the Lunch Box Electric Green (Car/Home). You can also check out the other models in the Healthy Lunch Store catalog.