Comparison: Best Microwave Lunches (Updated | Dec 8th)
Let’s be real—lunch breaks are short, and nobody wants to spend them cooking. That’s where the trusty microwave saves the day. Whether you’re stuck at your desk or just craving something warm and satisfying, a great microwave meal can make all the difference. I’ve tested dozens of quick, tasty options—from hearty bowls to clever meal kits—so you don’t have to waste time on bland or soggy lunches. Ready to upgrade your midday meal? Here are the **best microwave lunches** that actually taste good and won’t leave you hungry an hour later.
- Best for portion-control plates: Dependable Industries inc. Essentials 2-Pack Microwave Lunch Plates with Lids – 3-Section BPA-Free Plastic – Vented
- Best for airtight bento stack: Ello 2-Pack Lunch Stack Plastic Food Storage Container Bento Box with Airtight
- Best for mug meal guide: 250 Best Meals in a Mug: Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes
- Best for portable car oven: Aotto Portable Oven
- Best for fish smell tee: Funny Microwave Lunch – Seafood at Work – Fish Smell T-Shirt
- Best for eco wheat bento: buluker 4 Pack Bento Lunch Box Set 3 Compartment Food Storage Containers Wheat Straw Meal Prep Lunch Box Plastic Food Storage Containers
- Best for four-compartment pro: Bento Box Adult Lunch Box
- Best for stackable nordic plate: Nordic Ware 8-Inch Lunch Plate
- Best for stain-resistant bento: Ello 2-Pack Lunch Stack Plastic Food Storage Container Bento Box with Airtight
- Best for mug recipe book: Meals in a Mug: Homemade Quick and Easy Delicious Microwave Meals in Minutes
Product Comparison: Best Microwave Lunches
Dependable Industries inc. Essentials 2-Pack Microwave Lunch Plates with Lids – 3-Section BPA-Free Plastic – Vented, Dishwasher Safe – Meal Prep, Office, School Use – Assorted Colors
- 2-Pack Set with Lids – Includes two vented microwave-safe lunch plates with lids, perfect for prepping meals ahead or packing lunches for work, school, or travel.
- Divided for Portion Control – Three individual compartments keep foods separated, making them ideal for meal planning, healthy eating, or accommodating dietary needs.
- Microwave, Freezer & Dishwasher Safe – Reheat, freeze, or clean with ease—these plates are made to handle your daily routine without warping or breaking.
- Safe & Durable Construction – Made from BPA-free plastic for food safety and long-term use through repeated microwaving and dishwashing.
- Compact and Convenient Size – Each plate measures 8.75″ x 8.75″ x 1.25″ deep, fits in most standard microwaves, and stacks neatly for space-saving storage.
Ello 2-Pack Lunch Stack Plastic Food Storage Container Bento Box with Airtight, Leak-Proof Locking Plastic Lids and Silicone Base, BPA-Free, Freezer, Microwave, and Dishwasher Safe, Blueberry
- LUNCH STACK: Includes (1) 2 cup container, (1) 3 cup container with removable divider, (1) stainless steel fork, (1) stainless steel knife, and (1) machine-washable strap
- QUALITY DESIGN: Premium plastic containers are made to resist stains and odors. Forget about scrubbing to get rid of stains and smells.
- LEAK-PROOF AND AIRTIGHT: Snap-on airtight lids lock to ensure no spills and keep food fresh longer. Lids are BPA-Free and freezer and top rack dishwasher safe.
- EASY TO USE: All parts top rack dishwasher, freezer safe, and microwave safe without lid. Do not cook or boil. High temperatures can damage the container and lead to microplastic release. See care and use for detailed instructions.
- MEALPREP ON THE GO: The Ello Lunch stack has everything you need for any meal, making packing food to go a breeze with trustworthy containers and utensils that work just as hard as you do.
250 Best Meals in a Mug: Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes
Aotto Portable Oven, Electric Lunch Box Food Heater – 12V/24V/110V 3-in-1 Car Food Warmer – Mini Personal Microwave Heated Lunch Box Warmer for Car, Truck, Travel, Office & Home Use – Black
- ✅ 3-IN-1 MULTI-USE PORTABLE FOOD WARMER: Heat your food evenly without drying out and preserve moisture and nutrition. A mini portable oven with 12 volt & 24 volt (2 in 1), and 110 volt connectors, works in the lighter port of a car, truck & more vehicles, wall outlet in work, travel, bedroom, camping, home, and more. Enjoy less hassle with hot tasty food anytime and anywhere you can plug it in
- ✅ NO MONITORING REQUIRED W/AUTOMATIC TEMP CONTROL: This personal portable oven uses heating conduction technology to reheat leftovers, cook meals, and keep food warm for hours without overcooking, or producing bad odors. Just put your meal in the warming tote & plug it in, go about your day, back to enjoy your food whether you’re ready in an hour or hours later
- ✅ COMPATIBLE WITH MULTIPLE CONTAINERS: Our portable lunch box warmer is compatible with heatable flat bottom containers like glass, foil, metal or stainless steel, ceramic, and cardboard. Accommodate with larger containers up to 9.76″ L x 7.01″ W x 3.94″ H, 1.8 quarts of food. Aotto heating lunch box car food warmer packaging is included a lunch bag & shoulder strap, a heating plate, and 2 power cords
- ✅ PORTABLE AND CONVENIENT: This portable oven lunch box comes in a collapsing design with an adjustable shoulder strap and carrying handle. You can put Aotto portable food warmer lunch box in your backpack and carry it to any place. It is a great choice for taking to in a car, truck, office, hotel, or home etc., perfect for truckers, drivers, patrolmen, teachers, busy moms and dads, nurses, and more
- ✅ A WARM GIFT FOR YOUR BELOVED: The Aotto portable lunch box warmer is a thoughtful present for those who take their lunch to work. Whether it’s for your husband, father, mother, or another special person in your life, a mini personal portable oven will give the gift of a warm meal wherever they are
Funny Microwave Lunch – Seafood at Work – Fish Smell T-Shirt
- Stern message says: Do not microwave fish at work. Features a fish, someone’s lunch, no doubt, sitting in the microwave waiting to get zapped so it can smell up the entire lunch room.
- Makes a great gift for the anti-sea food friend who cannot stomach the aroma of warmed over fish. Perfect for anyone who wants to keep the lunchrooms of the world odor free.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
buluker 4 Pack Bento Lunch Box Set 3 Compartment Food Storage Containers Wheat Straw Meal Prep Lunch Box Plastic Food Storage Containers, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe (light colour)
- 【3 Compartment Design】 Three perfectly portioned compartments for the bento box allows you to store different food separately, there’s enough room for you to separate fruits and veggies, healthy snacks and dipping sauces according to your balanced diet.
- 【Safe and Reusable】 The straw bento box is made of high-quality polypropylene and wheat fiber materials, which is safe and healthy
- 【Lightweight and Portable】 Wheat straw bento box is lightweight which can be carried easily in a backpack or lunch bag when you go out or preparing for a picnic. It keeps the food fresh and you can eat healthy and delicious food even in the wild!
- 【Stack Up】These meal prep containers have a stack-able design, with this stacking bento box that will carry your home-cooked lunch, salad, fruit and dessert to the office, perfect for storing while saving space for your place.
- 【Microwave & Freezer Safe】Their safe temperature range is -4 ° F to 248 ° F (-20 ° C to 120 ° C), which is sufficient for our daily use。(Please remove the lids before heating).
Bento Box Adult Lunch Box, Lunch Containers for Kids Girls Boys with 4 Compartments, Lunchable Food Container with Utensils, Sauce Jar, Muffin Liners, 40 Oz/5 Cup, Microwave & Dishwasher Safe, Gray
- Tips: The cover image of the packaging box is a teal bento box, but inside is the the correct color bento box you choose. If you have any questions or suggestions after you receive the bento lunch box, please get in touch with us
- 8-in-one: You will get 1 Gray Bento Box, 1 Spoon, 1 Fork, 1 plastic Sauce Jar and 4 silicone Muffin Liners. This bento box set can meet your needs for daily dining accessories
- With 4 Compartments: Bento box adult lunch box has 1200ml / 40oz capacity, with 4 compartments for different kinds of food. Separate compartments to maintain the original flavor of the food. Perfect capacity size is suitable for all ages
- Sturdy Plastic & BPA-free: The bento lunch box is made of premium PP plastic. Thickened material, sturdy and drop resistant. Just pack food with confidence
- Leak-proof Design: The lunch box’s lid has embedded silicone gasket and 4 locking buckle. Each compartment has a corresponding silicone gasket. All-round seal, no worry about food leak out
- Microwave & Dishwasher Safe: Bento box’s lid and container are separable, and the container can be put in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The lunch box containers is microwavable, be at ease for heating your meal. Note: Container part only, without lid
- Recommended Age Grading: Suitable for age from year 6 to 99.
Nordic Ware 8-Inch Lunch Plate, Set of 2, White, Microwave Safe Polypropylene
- Our 8-inch plates are not only practical and stylish, but they are also incredibly versatile
- Mix and match them with our bowls and larger meal plates to create a clean-lined, modern table setting that will impress your guests
- Our dinnerware is stackable, durable, microwave and dishwasher safe
- Each plate exterior measures 7.7 inches in diameter and has a 0.8 inch lip. The interior diameter measures 7.5 inches.
- Proudly American Made since 1946
Ello 2-Pack Lunch Stack Plastic Food Storage Container Bento Box with Airtight, Leak-Proof Locking Plastic Lids and Silicone Base, BPA-Free, Freezer, Microwave, and Dishwasher Safe, Mint Chip
- LUNCH STACK: Includes (1) 2 cup container, (1) 3 cup container with removable divider, (1) stainless steel fork, (1) stainless steel knife, and (1) machine-washable strap
- QUALITY DESIGN: Premium plastic containers are made to resist stains and odors. Forget about scrubbing to get rid of stains and smells.
- LEAK-PROOF AND AIRTIGHT: Snap-on airtight lids lock to ensure no spills and keep food fresh longer. Lids are BPA-Free and freezer and top rack dishwasher safe.
- EASY TO USE: All parts top rack dishwasher, freezer safe, and microwave safe without lid. Do not cook or boil. High temperatures can damage the container and lead to microplastic release. See care and use for detailed instructions.
- MEALPREP ON THE GO: The Ello Lunch stack has everything you need for any meal, making packing food to go a breeze with trustworthy containers and utensils that work just as hard as you do.
Meals in a Mug: Homemade Quick and Easy Delicious Microwave Meals in Minutes
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What should I look for in a microwave‑safe lunch container?
Prioritize BPA‑free plastic or food‑grade materials that can withstand repeated heating without warping. Look for airtight or vented lids to prevent spills while still allowing steam to escape, and check that the container is dishwasher‑safe for easy cleanup. Size matters too—choose a plate or bento that fits comfortably in your microwave and offers enough compartments for balanced meals.
How do the Dependable Industries 2‑Pack plates compare to the Ello Lunch Stack set?
The Dependable plates feature three built‑in compartments and vented lids, making them ideal for quick reheating and portion control, while the Ello set includes two different sized containers, removable dividers, and stainless‑steel utensils for added versatility. Both are BPA‑free and microwave safe, but the Ello’s snap‑on airtight lids provide superior leak protection for transport. If you need a compact, stackable solution, the Dependable plates win; for a more modular system with extra cutlery, the Ello set is preferable.
Is a portable oven like the Aotto Food Heater worth the extra cost over a simple container?
The Aotto 3‑in‑1 heater offers plug‑in heating at 12 V, 24 V, or 110 V, letting you warm meals in a car, office, or campsite without a microwave, which adds convenience for on‑the‑go lifestyles. It also includes temperature control and compatibility with various container types, but it’s bulkier and requires a power source. If you travel frequently or work in environments without microwaves, the added flexibility can justify the price; otherwise, a standard microwave‑safe container is more economical.
Can I safely freeze and then microwave the buluker wheat‑fiber bento boxes?
Yes, the buluker boxes are rated for temperatures from –4 °F to 248 °F, so they can be frozen and later microwaved, provided you remove the lid before heating to avoid warping. The wheat‑fiber material is lightweight and biodegradable, offering an eco‑friendly alternative to pure plastic. Just follow the manufacturer’s guidance on heating times to prevent uneven warming.
What are the benefits of having multiple compartments in a lunch container?
Multiple compartments keep foods separate, preserving distinct flavors and preventing soggy textures, which is especially useful for salads, sauces, or protein‑rich dishes. They also aid portion control by visually dividing the meal into balanced sections, supporting healthier eating habits. For meal‑preppers, compartmentalized containers simplify batch cooking and reduce the need for extra containers.
How do the Nordic Ware microwave plates differ from standard plastic plates?
Nordic Ware plates are made from durable polypropylene with a sleek, white finish and a slightly raised lip that helps contain sauces, while many plastic plates focus solely on function. They are stackable, dishwasher‑safe, and carry the heritage of an American‑made brand, which can appeal to shoppers seeking a more polished look. However, they lack the vented lids found on some dedicated lunch plates, so they’re best for foods that don’t need steam release.
Is it worth buying a novelty item like the ‘Fish Smell’ T‑shirt for a microwave lunch gift?
A novelty T‑shirt adds humor to the lunch‑room culture and can be a fun, low‑cost gift for coworkers who enjoy light‑hearted office banter. While it doesn’t improve food quality or convenience, it can boost morale and serve as a conversation starter. If you’re looking for practical value, pair it with a functional container for a balanced gift.
What cleaning tips help extend the life of my microwave lunch containers?
Rinse containers promptly after use to prevent food residue from hardening, and place them on the top rack of the dishwasher to avoid high heat exposure that can warp plastic. For stubborn stains, soak in warm, soapy water and use a non‑abrasive sponge; avoid bleach or harsh chemicals that can degrade BPA‑free materials. Regularly inspect lids and seals for wear, replacing any that no longer create a tight closure.