Mepal Lunch Boxes vs Storage Boxes: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?

Quick Answer

If you need a portable, compartmentalized container for meals on the go, a Mepal lunch box like the Campus or Take a Break is the right choice. If you're looking for airtight storage for leftovers, meal prep, or pantry items, a Mepal storage box such as the Lumina or Omnia is better suited. The main difference lies in portability and compartmentalization versus airtight sealing and stackability.

When organizing your kitchen or packing a lunch, you might wonder whether a lunch box or a storage box is the better investment. Both are essential, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the key differences helps you choose the right tool for your daily routine.

Mepal offers a wide range of both lunch boxes and storage boxes, each designed with specific use cases in mind. In this comparison, we'll break down the design, portability, and storage capabilities so you can decide which one fits your needs.

Design and Portability: Lunch Boxes Are Built for Travel

Lunch boxes are designed with portability in mind. They often feature compartments, secure closures, and lightweight materials that make them easy to carry in a backpack or tote. The Mepal Campus Lunch Set, for example, includes a pop-up drinking bottle, lunch box, and fruitbox, making it a complete solution for school or outings. The bento-style compartments help separate different food items, so your sandwich doesn't touch your fruit.

Storage boxes, on the other hand, prioritize airtight sealing and stackability for efficient use of fridge or pantry space. They are typically rectangular or square, designed to fit neatly on shelves. While you can carry a storage box, they are not optimized for on-the-go use. The Mepal Omnia storage box, for instance, is described as airtight and stylishly organized, perfect for keeping tea, pasta, or snacks fresh at home.

• Consider how you'll use the container: if you're carrying it with you, a lunch box is more practical; if it stays in the fridge, a storage box is better.

Compartmentalization vs. Airtight Sealing

One of the biggest differences is compartmentalization. Lunch boxes often have separate sections to keep foods from mixing. The Mepal Take a Break midi lunchbox, for example, comes with bento inserts that help organize meal components. This is ideal for packing a balanced lunch with different food groups.

Storage boxes, however, focus on airtight sealing to keep contents fresh. The Mepal Lumina 750 ml storage box is described as the perfect size for a salad or leftovers, with endless possibilities. Airtight seals prevent moisture and air from spoiling food, which is crucial for meal prep and storing leftovers. While some storage boxes have dividers, they are not as common as in lunch boxes.

• If you like to keep foods separate, look for a lunch box with compartments. If you need to store large portions or liquids, an airtight storage box is more versatile.

Capacity and Versatility

Storage boxes come in a variety of sizes, from small 750 ml containers to large 3-liter serving bowls. This makes them incredibly versatile for storing everything from a single serving of leftovers to a large batch of soup. The Mepal Silueta serving bowl, for example, holds 3 liters and is stackable and dishwasher safe, making it a great choice for big families or meal prepping.

Lunch boxes, meanwhile, are typically sized for a single meal. The Mepal Campus lunch box is designed for a child's lunch, while the Take a Break midi is a compact option for smaller appetites. While you can use a lunch box for storage, it's not as efficient for bulk storage as a dedicated storage box.

• Think about the quantity of food you typically store or pack. If you need to store large portions, a storage box is more practical.

Lunch Box vs Storage Box: The Trade-offs

• Portability: Lunch boxes are designed for carrying, with secure closures and lightweight materials. Storage boxes are bulkier and less convenient to carry. Choose a lunch box if you need to take your meal with you.
• Compartmentalization: Lunch boxes often have separate compartments to keep foods from mixing. Storage boxes typically have a single open space, though some may have dividers. If you like to keep foods separate, a lunch box is the better choice.
• Airtight Sealing: Storage boxes prioritize airtight sealing to keep food fresh for longer. Lunch boxes may not be fully airtight, especially those with flip-top lids. For long-term storage or keeping dry goods fresh, choose a storage box.

Product Facts: Mepal Lunch Boxes vs Storage Boxes

• Set inhoud bento lunchbox Take a Break midi - Nordic sage: This set contains the bento inserts for the Mepal Take a Break midi lunchbox in the Nordic sage color. It is designed to help you organize and separate your meal components while on the go. If you already own the Take a Break midi lunchbox, these inserts let you customize the compartments to keep different foods separate, which is great for picky eaters or balanced meals.
• Storage box Lumina 750 ml - Nordic black: Storage box Lumina 750 ml. The perfect size for a delicious salad or portion of leftovers. The possibilities for using the Lumina storage box are endless. This size is ideal for a single serving of salad or leftovers, making it a practical choice for meal prep and portion control at home or work.
• Lunch set Campus (pop-up drinking bottle, lunch box and fruitbox) - Paw Patrol Pups: Make lunchtime a fun adventure with the Mepal Campus Lunch Set featuring a cheerful Paw Patrol Pups design. This convenient set includes a leakproof pop-up drinking bottle and a bento-style lunch box, perfect for school or outings. This all-in-one set is perfect for parents looking for a complete lunch solution for kids, ensuring they have a drink, main meal, and fruit in one convenient package.
• Omnia storage box rectangular 700 ml / 23 oz - Nordic sage: Airtight and stylishly organised: this sleekly designed storage box keeps tea, pasta, granola, or snacks fresh for longer. The airtight seal is key for keeping dry goods like granola or pasta fresh, making it a versatile addition to your pantry or fridge.

Which One Fits Your Needs?

Best for

• People who pack meals to take to work, school, or outings and need a portable, compartmentalized container.
• Parents looking for a complete lunch solution for their kids, such as the Campus Lunch Set.

Not for

• Those who primarily need to store leftovers or meal prep in bulk at home – a storage box is more practical.
• Anyone who needs to store liquids or soups – storage boxes with airtight seals are safer.

In the end, the choice between a Mepal lunch box and a storage box comes down to your daily routine. If you're on the go and need to keep different foods separate, a lunch box is your best bet. If you're stocking your fridge or pantry, a storage box offers superior sealing and stackability. Many households find they need both to cover all their food storage and packing needs.