10 Best Meal Prep Bags Review and Buying Guide

Last Updated on August 27, 2021 by TheMealPrepNinja

Top 10 Best Meal Prep Bags – Review and Buying Guide

If you consistently struggle to get fresh food ready and be on time in this busy schedule, then the best meal prep bags are an easy solution. These are convenient to make meal bags that are pre-prepared and stored. These meal prep bags keep your food fresh for long without getting spoilt. So what are these bags? 

Meal prep bags are carry-case insulated lunch bags that are meant to carry your home-made food without getting spoilt. This food is kept fresh for a long time, grab and go for fresh meals every time. They come in different styles and sizes. Some have food-friendly containers for storage. These bags are healthy, easy to use, of food grad variety, and user friendly.

In this article, we review ten of the best meal prep bags on the market. We have a list of the best overall, best on a budget, and the best under $25 dollars. If you are in a hurry, our top recommendations are the ThinkFit Insulated Meal Prep Lunch Box with 6 Food Portion Control Containers, but read on to check out our other favorites.

Best Overall Meal Prep Bags

The best overall meal prep bag goes to ThinkFit Insulated Meal Prep Lunch Box with 6 Food Portion Control Containers because it is the most affordable and durable bag available.

If you are looking for a large bag to store your meal prep for the day, then this bag is for you. This bag includes 6 meal prep containers, a pill dispenser, a protein shaker cup, and two large reusable ice packs. It comes with everything you need to store your food and supplements.

• 6 portion control food containers: This bag comes with six meal prep containers that fit perfectly in this bag. The containers come in two different sizes. The sizes come in small (1.5 cups) and medium (2.5 cups).
• Reuseable and microwave safe: These plastic containers are BPA free and are microwaveable. Not to mention, freezable and dishwasher safe.
• Double insulated to keep meals cold or hot: These meal prep bags are premium lunch bags that are double insulated for consistent temperature control.

This bag is perfect for work or at the gym. It comes with a 23 oz shaker and 7 day pill dispenser.

Con: This bag is a large meal prep bag that carries a full day of meals. Some people might think that this bag is too big to store one or two meal prep containers. So the only con is that it’s a large meal prep bag.

Best on a Budget Meal Prep Lunch Bag

The best on a budget meal prep lunch bag goes to Versal Lunch box For Men Insulated cooler Lunch bag w/ 3 compartment – Includes 3 Meal Prep Containers

This is the best runner up because you get 3 meal prep containers, 2 ice packs, and a great quality insulated cooler at a great price. This is perfect for anyone looking for a great quality bag at a great price range. The bag is a perfect size for the average meal prepper.

• This meal prep bag comes with a top flap mesh pocket and easy access. It also comes with two side pockets to hold your keys and wallet. One of the side pockets are insulated to keep your drinks cold.
• It also comes with 3 separately insulated compartments that can accommodate the three meal prep containers and a fourth compartment to store your fruits and snacks.
• Perfect size: This meal prep lunch bag is 6 inches, by 12.5 inches, and 12.5 inches tall. Easy to store and carry.
• The containers are BPA-free freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe with innovated lids.

This is perfect if you are looking for a great size meal prep bag at a great price.

Con: This bag only fits 3 meal prep containers at one time. If you are looking to pack your entire day of meals then this bag is not for you.

Best Runner Up Insulated Lunch Bag

The best runner up goes to MDMP My Daily Meal Plan Meal Prep Lunch Bag/Box For Men, Women + 3 Large Food Containers (45 Oz.)

This is the best runner up but could have easily been the number one overall best meal prep bags. The reason it is not the best overall is that the price is a little higher than most people’s budget for lunch bags. But if you are looking for a great quality bag then this bag is for you.

• This high-quality bag has two zippered side pockets with plenty of room and a sturdy carrying handle. The inside of the bag has a handy mesh sleeve for your napkins and cutlery.
• It comes with three leak-proof containers that are BPA-free and FDA approved. You also get two large reusable ice packs.
• The bag comes with PEVA insulation, padded with 6mm polyethylene foam, and a rugged out shell.
• This bag also comes with a free bonus shaker with built-in storage. The shaker has three extra cups for storing protein powder, vitamins, and supplements.

This is a perfect meal prep bag for anyone that is serious about meal prepping.

Con: This bag cost more then most bags. Great quality, you get what you pay for.

Best under $25 dollars Bag

The best lunch bag under $25 dollars goes to Fit & Fresh Original Jaxx FitPak Insulated Cooler Lunch Box, Meal Prep Bag with Portion Control Containers, Ice Pack, 28 oz Shaker, Standard, Red & Black

This is a great lunch meal prep bag under $25 dollars. These are great bags for the price. The original Fitpak includes everything you need in a bag. You get a total of 6 meal prep containers, a shaker bottle, ice pack, and a vitamin case.

This bag is perfect for anyone looking for a great bag that has a set budget. You get everything included for under $25 dollars.

Con: It is not a large bag that has extra compartments like most other bags.

Best Luxury Made In USA Meal Prep Bags

Here are the two best luxury (made in the USA) bags. The first bag goes to Isolator Fitness Meal Prep Insulated Lunch Bag – Isobag 3 Meal Thin Blue Line – 4 Fully Insulated Compartment Meal Management System –

This bag is made in the USA with high quality materials. It comes with 4 fully insulated compartments and a meal management system. It also includes 6 reusable BPA-free containers, 2 ice packs, and a padded shoulder strap.

Here is another luxury meal prep bag that is made in the USA from Isolator Fitness. This Meal Prep Lunch Box ISOBAG – Large Insulated 6 Meal Prep Bag/Cooler With 12 Containers, 3 Ice Packs & Shoulder Strap (Black/Black) – MADE IN USA

This bag is not only made in the USA but is also on the best large bags on the market. These bags come in many different colors. This bag weighs 5.5 lbs and is 8 X 9 X 16 inches.

Best Meal Prep Lunch Bags for Women

The best lunch bag for women goes to Fit & Fresh JAXX FitPak Meal Prep Lunch Bag with Portion Control Containers & Shaker Bottle, Commuter Series

Jaxx FitPak is one of the leading portion control systems on the market today for health-conscious women of all levels. This lunch bag comes with 6 reusable meal prep containers, a large ice pack, and a 24 oz active shaker bottle. This bag looks like a women’s purse. Perfect for anyone who has to commute to work.

Another meal prep lunch bag for women goes to Corated Insulated Lunch Bag, Lunch Box Cooler Tote Bags with Removable Shoulder Strap for Women

This is more of a traditional lunch bag for women. The design of the bags are more like panic style bags. The bag is insulated and keeps food cold or warm for up the 8 hours. The bag as a large exterior zipper to store your keys and wallet. It also comes with 2 different straps.

The best traditional style lunch bag for men

The best traditional style lunch bag for men goes to Prep Naturals Insulated lunch box for men

This is a great lunch bag if you are looking for a bag that you can carry your lunch and some snacks. It comes with 3 meal prep containers, 2 ice packs, and 1 shaker bottle. It has a top compartment to hold your personal belongings and a side mesh pocket for your keys.

This bag is not too big and has just enough space for all your meals and snacks.

Here is another traditional lunch bag. This Sable black insulated lunch bag is a perfect size lunch bag.

This bag is multilayered compartments with exterior pockets. The bag has handy exterior pockets to hold napkins and cutlery. This bag is a picnic-style traditional lunch bag.

What makes a great meal prep bag?

A great meal prep bag is one with good storage space, food-grade material, good quality, affordability, and versatile in carrying a combination of things. The insulation should be appropriate for longer storage.

Why use a meal prep bag?

Meal prep bags come in very handy for people who are on the run. These bags enable them to get fresh food without any spoilage. They are suitable for a healthy lifestyle. These bags keep the food suitable for eating for long durations. Meal prep bags are a boon for working people, fitness enthusiasts, businessmen, school children, college-goers, campers, hikers, travelers, and many more.

By having these meal prep bags, you get home-cooked meals on the go. These bags maintain your health without risking the dangers of having too much of outside food. Food is appropriately preserved in these bags that can you can eat during any time of the day.

Meal prep bags come in different sizing, capacities, designs, and quality. You can prep your meal in advance such as sandwiches, easy snacks, quick-cook meals, etc., and carry it on the go. They remain perfectly healthy and fresh without loosing on their nutrients.

The convenience of meal prepping is that it is quick and cost-effective. By meal prepping beforehand, you make sure that neither you nor your family go skipping out on breakfast, lunch, or snacks. They are also handy to be placed in a refrigerator and cook them an hour before lunch or dinner. With pre-prepared meals, you don’t need to juggle around the work, prepare food, be time-efficient, and still get a healthy meal.

Different types of meal prep bags

Meal prep bags come in various sizes and shapes. There are three leading categories of meal prep bags.

Lunch Box Meal Prep-This the basic classic design and is similar to a lunch box. You can portion in sizes in each box and microwave when planning to eat. Easy to use and easy to clean.

Shoulder strapped-This is most common of the three that can be held like a handbag. It is easy to carry. There is room for taking accessories within slots.

Backpack-This is ideal for camping or on a road trip. This bag is spacious, and you can carry various food and other supplies like plates, spoons, water bottles, glasses, etc. For regular use, it is a little bulky.

How to choose the best meal prep bag?

Meal prep bags play a significant role when it comes to food storage. They are very easy to carry around and are very helpful in your work-life. As it is so, it is essential to pick a bag that is compatible with your needs.

Make sure you consider the following while picking one:

Insulation layer: Make sure you get a meal prep bag that does its job correctly. Whatever temperature it might be in, it must have the capacity to maintain that temperature until break-time. Make sure that it is guaranteed to maintain its freshness. Avoid bags made with nylon as its retaining capacity is low. Look for bags that keep the food entirely away from air-contact and maintain food for long.

Size: Meal prep bags come in different shapes and sizes. They are chosen based on your requirement. For instance, travelers and adventurers need extra-large bags while it won’t be the case for office workers. If you happen to pack for three days’ meal, then you will need a bag that can store that amount.

Straps and handles- This attachment is determined by where and how you want to carry the meal prep bag. Some prefer carrying with their hands or over their shoulders, while others don’t need one. Nonetheless, if you are going for a prep-bag with a handle, then it is best to get a durable and strong one.

Weight: Meal prep bags are manufactured in such a way that it is easy to carry around anywhere and anytime. It is essential to make sure that you purchase a light-weight model. Hence, it is best to surf for the light-weight models.

Materials: When you purchase a meal prep bag, you don’t buy it with the intention that you will repurchase it. Although, several considerations are to be made while purchasing a prep bag, the most important one is strength. Make sure you buy a long-lasting one.

Additional features- Currently, there are many different models equipped with various features that might come into use. Some of them include design, ease of transportation, multiple compartments, high-quality zip-locks, etc.

Benefits of having a meal prep bag

Meal prep bags are very beneficial for a variety of people ranging from office-workers to travelers.

If one uses a meal prep bag, then he/she will experience advantages in the following ways:

• Clean packing
• Easy and simple packaging and storage of the food
• Prevention of any food-spill or leak
• Very organized and compact
• Home-made healthy food can be eaten whenever and wherever
• Avoiding eating junk outside
• Save money
• Warmth and taste preservation
• Best when in a diet as food is packed in portions

Conclusion

Meal prep bags are beneficial for having a healthy diet and clean eating. As there are various models and features on the line, you can explore and pick one that caters to your personal needs. As meals and snacks are home-made, one can find ease in maintaining a healthy diet. It aids in proper organization of food, ease of carrying, and prevention of food-spills.

Meal prep bags make sure you save money spent on the outside junk and unhealthy consumption of your home-made food. Diet-plans can be successfully carried out using meal prep bags. Hence, getting yourself a meal prep bag will make your daily life much more comfortable, simpler, and budget-efficient.

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