A good lunch box for work should suit the type of lunch you normally bring with you. For most adults, a lunch box with a capacity of around 800–1,000 ml is a good starting point, while larger models of around 1,400 ml are better suited to generous portions, meal prep, or long working days. Size is not the only thing that matters. You should also consider whether you need one large compartment, a removable divider, or several fixed compartments.
How big should a lunch box for work be?
For an everyday lunch, a capacity of approximately 800–1,000 ml is suitable for many adults.
A smaller lunch box may be sufficient for open sandwiches on rye bread, regular sandwiches, or a light lunch, while larger salads, leftovers, and meal prep often require more space.
| Capacity | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|
| Approx. 550 ml | A small lunch or snacks |
| Approx. 850 ml | An everyday work lunch |
| Approx. 1,000 ml | A larger lunch or a lunch with separate sections |
| Approx. 1,400 ml | Large portions, long days, and meal prep |
However, it is important to consider both capacity and the shape of the lunch box. A low, wide lunch box can work quite differently from a taller model with the same capacity.
850 ml or 1,400 ml for work?
An 850 ml lunch box is suitable for most everyday work lunches. A 1,400 ml model provides more space for larger meals or multiple portions.
SteelMate offers both sizes with removable dividers.
An 850 ml lunch box is a good choice if you typically bring a sandwich, open sandwiches on rye bread, salad, or an ordinary portion of leftovers.
A 1,400 ml lunch box is more suitable if you have a large appetite, work long days, or want to bring both lunch and extra food in the same container.
However, a larger lunch box is not automatically better. If you rarely fill it, it simply takes up more space in your bag.
A lunch box with compartments or one large compartment?
For work, a flexible compartment layout is often practical because your lunch can vary from day to day.
A lunch box with one large compartment works well for salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, and leftovers from dinner.
A removable divider allows you to divide the lunch box when needed and remove the divider on days when you want to use the entire space as one large compartment.
This can be useful, for example, if you want to keep vegetables or side dishes separate from the main meal.
Fixed compartments, on the other hand, are best if you almost always pack your lunch in the same way and prefer to keep several portions separate.
Lunch boxes for meal prep
For meal prep, a larger lunch box is often the most practical option because prepared meals tend to take up more space than a regular sandwich or an open sandwich on rye bread.
A lunch box of around 1,400 ml provides room for larger portions and can be used for rice dishes, pasta, salads, or leftovers from dinner.
A removable divider makes it possible to keep two parts of a meal organised without committing to a fixed compartment layout.
If your food contains a lot of liquid dressing or sauce, however, remember that a removable divider is not necessarily liquid-tight between sections. In this situation, a separate small snack box may be a better solution.
Stainless steel lunch boxes for work
Stainless steel is a practical material for a lunch box that is used and transported every day.
SteelMate's lunch boxes are made from 304 (18/8) stainless steel. The material is durable, corrosion-resistant, and easy to clean.
A stainless steel lunch box may develop minor scratches and signs of wear over time. This is normal with everyday use and does not, in itself, affect its functionality.
The main limitation is that a stainless steel lunch box must not be used in a conventional microwave oven. If you need to heat your lunch at work, you must first transfer the food to a suitable plate or container.
Should a lunch box for work be leakproof?
It is an advantage, particularly if you carry your lunch box alongside a computer, documents, or other belongings in a work bag.
However, there is a difference between the lunch box itself being leakproof and an internal divider being leakproof between sections.
A lunch box with a sealed lid can prevent liquids from leaking into your bag, while a removable divider is primarily intended to organise the food.
If you regularly bring dressing, dips, or other liquid ingredients, using a separate leakproof snack box may therefore be practical.
One lunch box or several smaller containers?
A single lunch box is often the simplest solution for work, but smaller containers can provide additional flexibility.
For example, you can use a large main lunch box for your meal and a smaller snack box for dressing, dips, nuts, fruit, or an afternoon snack.
This allows you to keep certain ingredients separate without choosing a lunch box with multiple fixed compartments.
Which SteelMate lunch box is best for work?
To make the choice easier, use the following as a starting point:
550 ml is suitable for a small lunch or snacks.
850 ml is suitable for an everyday work lunch and offers good flexibility with its removable divider.
1,400 ml is suitable for large portions, long working days, and meal prep.
If you prefer to keep many separate items in your lunch, a lunch box with fixed compartments may also be worth considering.
Frequently asked questions about lunch boxes for work
Is 850 ml enough for lunch?
Yes. For many adults, 850 ml is sufficient for an everyday work lunch.
Is 1,400 ml a large lunch box?
Yes. A capacity of 1,400 ml is suitable for large portions, meal prep, or people who need to bring several meals with them.
Can a stainless steel lunch box go in the microwave?
No. Stainless steel lunch boxes must not be used in a conventional microwave oven.
Is a lunch box with compartments best for work?
Not necessarily. If your lunches vary considerably, one large compartment or a removable divider may be more flexible than fixed compartments.
Conclusion: choose a lunch box that suits your working day
For most everyday work lunches, a lunch box with a capacity of around 850 ml is a good starting point.
If you regularly bring large portions, prepare meals in advance, or need to take several meals with you, a model of around 1,400 ml provides more space.
The most important thing is to choose a size and compartment layout that suit the food you actually bring to work. A flexible lunch box with a removable divider is therefore a good choice for many adults because it can be adapted to different types of lunch from one day to the next.
