An electric portable food warmer (heated lunch box) is a game-changer for giving you hot homemade meals -without using a microwave.
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You just plug it in, set the temperature and heating time, and come back to have your delicious homemade meal.
We set out to research and find the best portable food warmers for the price – in 2021.
👉 In a hurry? See our short comparison table below. or jump to the full portable food warmer reviews!
| Good For | Containers | Time to Heat | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Logic Food Warming Tote  | 120V | Any flat-bottomed container (not included) | 40 - 90 minutes to heat | Check price on Amazon |
YOHOOLYO Electric Lunch Box  Best for Students | 120V/12V (car) | Stainless steel containers (included) | 30-40 minutes to heat | Check price on Amazon |
UUTO Electric Heating Lunch Box  Best Stainless Steel | 110V/12V | Stainless steel containers (included) | 25-40 minutes to heat | Check price on Amazon |
Heige portable food warmer  Best for Travel | 110V/12V | Stainless steel containers (included) | 15-30 minutes to heat | Check price on Amazon |
Skywin Portable Oven  Best Budget | 120V | Any flat-bottomed container (included) | 30 minutes to heat | Check price on Amazon |
Rottogoon Personal Portable Oven  Best Portable Oven | 110V | Heat-resistant flat containers (not included) | 30-40 minutes to heat | Check price on Amazon |
Contents
How Do You Choose a Portable Food Warmer?
Here are the most important features to check before you buy a lunch box cooker:
1. Size and capacity – make sure the size and capacity fit a good-sized meal
2. Container material – choose nontoxic containers (preferably glass/stainless steel) to ensure food safety. Some food warmers come with a container and some don’t, so you’ll have to find a right-size heat-resistant container to place inside.
3. Power plugs – some mini ovens can be plugged in a car/truck, some can only be used with a 110/120V, and some come with both plugs for multi-use.
4. Price and warranty – portable food warmers price range is about $29 – $39, depending on what’s included inside (containers/spoons/forks), power plugs, and brand reputation.
The 6 Best Portable Food Warmers (Lunch Box Cookers)
And now, here are the top 6 heated lunch boxes, with their pros and cons:
1. YOHOOLYO Electric Lunch Box (110V/12V) Best for Dorms
- Size – 9.45 x 6.69 x 4 inches
- Weight – 2.2 pounds
- Container – only use with stainless steel container (included)
The YOHOOLYO 110V electric lunch box food heater comes with a convenient and toxin-free stainless steel container – divided into 3 compartments to separate your food the way you do at home.
It’s a dual-use food warmer that can also be used in a car/truck.
In about 30-40 minutes it will heat your homemade meal to 158 F, while the handle stays cool (in wintertime heating may take 40-60 minutes).
The food stays hot until you are ready to eat it, but we recommend not to leave it in for more than 2 hours to avoid overcooking. The container is easy to clean and fill, and when you order from Amazon, you’ll also receive a fork and spoon inside the package.
While this a great portable food warmer, keep in mind that you have to keep it bottom down to avoid leaking when you carry it.
✅ Price – check today’s price on Amazon
3. UUTO Electric Heating Lunch Box (110V/12V) Best Stainless Steel
- Size – 10.39 x 7.83 x 4.57 inches
- Weight – 2.37 pounds
- Containers – only stainless steel
The UUTO dual-use electric lunch box features both 12V for car and 110V for home/work heating, which means you can use it while driving, at the office, at school, on picnics, when camping, and for fieldwork.
The 3-part design includes a high-quality heating plate, stainless steel container (with 3 separate places for rice, vegetables, meat, etc.), and anti-leakage food grade cover that is highly heat resistant.
(👉 Check out the top 6 mini rice cookers for personal use/travel!)
This safe and reliable portable oven is easy to carry, use, store and clean, and only requires about 25-40 minutes of heating – depending on the food and surrounding temperature.
However, if the food is just taken out of the refrigerator, heating may take a bit longer. The only downside is you can only use a metal container inside it and no frozen meals in cardboard boxes, or plastic microwave meals.
(See the TOP 7 Mini Microwaves for small spaces – in 2021!)
✅ Price – best price found on Amazon
3. Hot Logic 120V Food Warming Tote
- Size – 8.75″ x 6.75″ x 2.5”
- Weight – 1 pound (lightweight!)
- Containers – any flat and heat resistant container – Glass/foil/plastic/cardboard/metal (not included)
The Hot Logic portable oven and food warmer can cook your food (even frozen food) evenly or just warm it – without drying or burning it – in up to 1.5 hours.
And:
It will also keep it warm (at 165 F) for 12 hours.
It works with a 120V plug, but if you want to use it in your car – just get a 75W power inverter (that will work even if the car is not running).
You won’t need to monitor your food. You just place your meal inside, plug it in, and come back when you are ready to eat it.
Through our research, we’ve found that the heating plate can get up to 200 F, and uses only 0.11kWh electricity over a 3-hour use (without releasing any smells while heating!).
The Hot Logic food light and compact warming tote come in 9 beautiful colors to choose from and is a highly rated, fantastic, and reliable little meal helper.
However:
We recommend smearing/browning your meat before placing it inside it.
✅ Price – check today’s price on Amazon
4. Heige 2-in-1 Electric Lunch Box Best for Travel
- Size – 9.5 x 6.8 x 4.5 inches
- Weight – 1.65 pounds
- Containers – stainless steel only
The Travelisimo electric lunch box is another excellent 2-in-1 portable food warmer – that can be used in your car (12V plug) and at home/work/travel (110V plug) and takes only 15-30 minutes to heat your food.
It comes with a stainless steel container (1.5 liters capacity), and a removable food-grade plastic container that is heat resistant so you can use the steel container when it’s hot – safely.
Both containers are easy to clean and dishwasher safe, and you even get a spoon in a dedicated spoon compartment.
Heating/cooking your food takes only about 30 minutes!
Another unique feature is the steam outlet, which allows you to add water to your food (when needed).
And:
If something goes wrong, the company offers a lifetime warranty. However, the majority of consumer reviews are very high.
✅ Price – best price found on Amazon
5. Skywin Portable Oven and Lunch Warmer (120V) Best Budget
- Size – 10 x 7.2 x 4.7 inches
- Weight – 1.8 pounds
- Containers – any flat-bottomed containers (leak-proof)
The lightweight and fast-heating Skywin lunch warmer oven comes with a 12v hot plate that any flat bottomed container (size up to 9″x7″x4″) can be used on, and with a stainless steel container (with cover).
Through our research, we’ve found that the Skywin heats your delicious homemade meals in no more than 30 minutes, and automatic temperature (up to 180 F) keeps it warm for when you are ready for your lunch break.
Raw vegetables will be cooked to perfection. Meats and seafood do not dry out and get rubbery.
The food pan is big enough for a good-sized meal, but you’ll have to be careful to not burn your fingers when you take it out – it gets really hot.
However:
You won’t be able to use it in a car unless you add a 75W power inverter.
For a fair price, this portable food warmer is highly rated on Amazon and is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to enjoy a healthy homemade meal – on the go.
✅ Price – check today’s price on Amazon
6. Rottogoon Personal Portable Oven Best Portable Oven
- Size – 9.4” *7.2” *3.9”
- Weight – 1.4 pounds
- Containers – heat resistant flat containers (not included)
The Rottogoon unique and multi-functional belt-lock mini portable oven of Rottogoon allows you to carry it in 3 different ways: grabbed in your hands, as a shoulder bag (with the adjustable shoulder strap) or hanging on the straps of your backpack.
It’s extremely lightweight and compact, (only 1.4 pounds) easy to carry around.
This powerful mini oven slowly heats your food to 239 F (in only 30-40 minutes!), then auto reduces the temperature to 149 F and keeps it at this temperature – until you want to eat.
On the other hand, raw food will take about 2 hours to cook.
It can be used with almost any heat-resistant flat-bottomed containers, including glass, plastic, Tupperware, metal, and foil – up to 9″W x 6.75″L x 3.5″H.
✅ Price – check today’s price on Amazon
portable Food Warmer FAQ
How do you keep food warm when traveling or at work?
The portable food warmer is the best way to warm/cook your homemade meal on the go while keeping the original taste and without waiting in line for microwave heating at work. Just plug it in your car/home/work, and come back when you are ready to have lunch
