Best Hard Side: Klein Tools 55600 Work Cooler

When it comes to heavy duty lunch boxes, you have two basic options: hard or soft side. We looked at a dozen options of both varieties for this article before picking this reader favorite for the best hard-side lunch box: Klein Tools Work Cooler.

We loved the quality—and the fact it can double as a place to sit. That’s an important bonus if you are using it on a construction site.

What We Liked

• Sturdy.

• Durable.

• Makes a decent seat when there is no place to sit on the job (weight limit: 300 lbs.).

• Lid compartment is well designed.

What Needs Work

• Heavy at 6.8 lbs.

• Doesn’t keep things as cold as insulated coolers.

• Some folks wish it had more room (this one holds 18 cans, while other brands we looked at have a 24 can capacity).

• Pins holding the strap can break—one tip to avoid this is to rethread the strap, taking pressure off the pins.

Best Waterproof: Gelugee 15L Large Black Tactical Lunch Box for Men

We liked this lunch box by Gelugee as the best waterproof heavy duty lunch box—yes, it is big enough to hold two meals but is weatherized to survive that sudden rain storm.

What We Liked

• Good quality materials.

• Easy to clean.

• Good size—holds 15 liters and the top holds up to five beverage cans.

• Waterproof.

• Insulated lining.

• Bottom is rubberized to protect against elements.

• Two-way zipper.

• Side pocket with elastic can hold water bottle.

What Needs Work

• Small size compared to other brands we researched.

• Zipper can be frustrating.

Best Lightweight: Lifewit Large Lunch Bag

Heavy duty lunch bags often live up to their name—they are quite heavy! This one by Lifewit features rugged construction, yet weighs just 1.15 lbs. That is half or less than other brands we researched for this article. This model got high marks from our readers for ease of use and cleaning.

What We Liked

• Side pockets are helpful.

• Easy to carry.

• Cleaning is simple

• Stays cool with foil lined interior.

• 15 liter capacity.

• Affordable.

• Zipper compartment on front is helpful for small items.

What Needs Work

• Fabric is water resistant, not waterproof.

Best No Zipper: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler

Zippers are the weak link for many lunch boxes—they break, get stuck or just otherwise cause havoc.

That’s why we liked this model by Arctic Zone . . . yes, it is zipperless. That’s great if you have a demanding work environment. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Durable cover.

• Easy to access.

• No zipper!

• Easy to clean.

• No leaks.

• Drinks stay cold all day, thanks to insulated liner.

• Side mesh pockets are handy.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• A bit tippy thanks to narrow base.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!