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Our collective return to the office (and sad farewell to working in our PJs) means the humble work packed lunch is officially back. If you're going into work for some (or all) of the week, chances are you've been getting firmly back into the swing of meal-prepping your lunches in advance. A smart move, we'd say.

Sure, you could reprise your spenny Pret sandwich habit, but if lockdown has taught us anything, it's that we can save loads of money by switching to homemade options (we've even kicked our coffee shop latte habit by buying a coffee machine).

For lunches, we'd recommend investing in an insulated cooler bag that you can stash by your desk. No office fridge? No problem. Cooler bags can work just as well, and they mean you can save your money for more exciting things than pre-made salads — like developing your new summer work wardrobe, obv.

So, here's our picks of the best lunch cooler bags, boxes and thermal flasks for taking into the office.

This 7-litre bag has the potential to fit a whole lot of lunch inside it. More space = more snacks. The dream.

If you don't have space in your handbag to fit your lunch box, this cute little insulated tote bag is for you.

We're obsessed with the banana design on this cleverly thermal lunch bag. Made from insulated material (even though it doesn't look like it!), your food will stay at the right temperature until it's time to eat. And it looks v cool too.

So, this isn't the cutest bag on the list, but it's a bargain price and it's super roomy, so we think it's a good choice for both working lunches and weekend picnics in the park. It's insulated and also comes with an ice pack, unlike others out there.

We're getting some old school vibes with this insulated paper bag-style lunch bag. It's available in a classic brown or a pretty blue terrazzo-ish option — and there's a handy pouch for your used cutlery, so you won't get it all gross.

We spotted this on Etsy and thought it was just really gorge — vegan, minimal and chic. The top rolls down a lot or just a little, depending on what you put in it. Adding an ice pack will keep things fresh 'til you're hungry.

Delve into major summery vibes with this insulated lunch bag from Next.

Something a little different now, but we still think it's useful. Firstly, if you don't have a reusable water bottle yet, why not? And secondly, these babies are good for keeping both cold liquids cold AND hot liquids hot. That means it's a good option for bringing in soups you want to keep warm until lunch while the office microwave is off limits.

Using a good old flask is another way to keep soups and hot liquids warm for hours and this one is only a tenner.

This one isn't insulated, but I couldn't not include it — I have this lunchbox and I really don't know what I did without it. It has a divider so you can keep different items separate (like curry and rice, for example) and you can use it as an oven dish, meaning you can take your leftovers and put them straight in the oven (yay for saving on washing up!). The best part, though, is the airlock which keeps things SERIOUSLY FRESH. Honestly, I put lettuce leaves in this, stuck it in the fridge, and three days later they were still properly crunchy. So good.

These stacking boxes mean you can separate items (e.g. your lunch and some fruit snacks). Plus, it's a great way of saving space if you only have limited bag/fridge storage.

This will match your backpack so you'll be all set for hikes and your staycation camping trip this summer.

Heading off for a picnic in the park? Keep your bevs topped up with fresh ice by popping your ice cube trays in this insulated cooler bag. It's got a built-in cup holder, too, so theres somewhere to keep your cocktail handy (not on the lumpy grass!) while you're chilling out, as well.

This one is on the pricey side, but it's huge, so it's a good one for those big group dos or large family picnics. Plus, we love the hidden lemon detailing on the inside.

This one is cute, summery and covered in strawberries – what's not to like?

Erm, this is an absolute bargain at just over five quid! There's a sunflower print one, too.

Another roomy one here – there's loads of space for a bottle of wine or a large water bottle in here, or lunch for you and your partner if you're heading out for the day. Available in both yellow and blue (brb, just buying both).