A good desk chair is one of those products that can be infuriatingly expensive – and that’s on top of being an eyesore most of the time. But it’s also necessary, especially for remote workers who spend a non-zero amount of time hunched over a laptop. 

If that describes you, and you don’t have thousands of dollars to kill, this ergonomic high-back chair from the brand JHK a great option. Its modern option is $99 today on Amazon, which is more than 40% off.

Reviewers are a big fan, praising the assembly (most say it takes under half an hour), feel, and adjustment options, as well as the sturdiness and comfort. It has two settings for the backrest (it offers a recline function), as well as adjustable armrests, an adjustable, detachable headrest, and lumbar support. JHK says that this model went on the market after five years of incorporating user feedback, and that as a result, the chair can support adults up to 300 pounds. (It also features 360-degree rotatable wheels.)

Bonus: the chair incorporates mesh, which optimizes airflow through the seat and back. Reviewers mention this in particular — several say that they can handle several hours in it without getting hot or needing to take a break.

It’s hard to do better for $99, and it looks like it costs more. For those who have been sitting on a stepladder to sort through their bills, this chair is the move.

JHK Ergonomic High Back Office Chair

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$99.99 $175

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Between a reclining option and a detachable headrest, this chair has got a surprising number of stealth features.

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When a wooden headboard is too college, a linen one is too Hilton, a velvet headboard is too Hugh Hefner, and no headboard is too sad, you’re left with leather. 

One could do worse: it’s a great way to add texture, clean lines and class to any bedroom set up. The only problem is that real leather is pricey, and many fake leather options are a gamble. This option from Ball & Cast looks great, though, and customers are generally impressed with the quality, considering the price. 

And it’s nearly 50% off today, too, the lowest it’s ever been on Amazon. 

The double-sided Ball & Cast model is extremely versatile, and can be installed at any height, or repurposed to sit behind a bench or other furniture. 

Ball & Cast Wall Mount King Headboard

A cheap, simple, and stylish headboard to lean against at night.

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SPY agents, trained to be discerning and skeptical, are tasked with identifying high value targets for shrewd shoppers. Products curated by The Informant are the best of the best: beautifully imagined and thoughtfully made products that become instantly indispensable.

As someone who has lived in New York for nearly a decade and who would like to continue to do so, I’ve come to terms with an unfortunate reality: Moving in the city is, without fail, the most specific slice of hell. Despite increasingly better planning with each move, I’ve lost pieces of my sanity and dignity, and sometimes both.

Another reality is that every few years, I’ll need to do it, and I’m always in the market for hacks and workarounds. So ahead of my last move, I decided to look for furniture that would make the situation more bearable for the long haul. I scoured brick-and-mortars and the Internet for pieces that could travel with me from place to place: ones that were durable enough to pivot around cramped staircases, easy to disassemble and reassemble, and versatile enough to suit different, sometimes idiosyncratic spaces. 

Now, I can’t tell you when exactly the Thuma Bed entered the proverbial chat, but I will tell you how: Instagram. In the months leading up to my move, Meta’s algorithm read my mind (i.e. my search history) and served me an ad for a bed that looked so sleek and easy to assemble that I didn’t believe it was real. 

It didn’t matter that thousands of online reviewers vouched for its quality. As an editor who’s worked in the product review space for years, I am naturally wary of 1) the veracity of consumer reviews 2) certain stylized direct-to-consumer retailers and 3) hyper-targeted advertising. But, after asking a few friends who had the bed, too, I decided to take a chance. (The brand’s 100-night return policy and lifetime warranty provided some extra assurance.)

Today, I’ve owned a Thuma bed for three years and I’m proud and semi-surprised to say I have not a single regret. One of the bed’s main selling points, and the thing that made me most skeptical — that it’s ultra-easy to assemble because it doesn’t require any tools — turned out to be 100% true. Its pieces fit together like a giant puzzle (credit the Japanese joinery-inspired design), and once built, it feels sturdy and durable.

I’ve also taken the bed apart and put it together twice — including once by myself — and each time, it’s taken less than 15 minutes. Its lines are minimal and clean. Its nine-inch under-bed space is perfect for extra storage (which, as someone who currently lives in a studio, I utilize to its fullest potential). 

Overall, it is some of the best money I’ve spent during my time in New York. And the next time I move, I’ll rest a little easier knowing it’s coming with me.

Thuma Bed

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Starting at $995.00

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It’s been more than three years since the pandemic sentenced millions of us to remote work, and in the time since, most of us went back to the office. Which is to say, it’s been a while since many of us have thought seriously about our home office needs, spending more time in a swivel chair that someone else paid for. 

That said, there’s still a large population that’s still grinding from home. If you’re among them, congratulations, and more power to you – but you’re going to want to be comfortable. At the very least, you’re going to want to avoid turning into the dad from Coraline after a few more years or adopting the silhouette of a construction crane. 

It’s the right time to get an ergonomic desk chair if you’re still parked at a bar stool that seemed cool at a garage sale ten years ago, or at a repurposed dining room chair; the market’s flooding with options as corporations downsize, so you’re likely to score a deal. You can get a really great one for hundreds of dollars, or you can save that money for something more fun and get this respectable SMUG model on Amazon for half off retail price today at $50 (it usually goes for about $88). Reviewers say that it’s good quality for the price, comfortable, and easy to assemble. 

SMUG Home Office Chair Ergonomic Desk Chair

Buy Now $50.55

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It’s not hard – or expensive – to avoid looking like a Spider-Man villain. 

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Prime Day is here, and the home and design deals are coming in droves. Admittedly, while there are ton of great deals to be had, they’re often on more functional items: Crest Whitestrips, dish towels, kitchen utensils under $25. You don’t expect to find things that looks like they came from Design Within Reach, but here we are. Case in point: This camel leather armchair by Sauder has all the Scandi-chic elements you’d expect to see in a Dwell Magazine home tour of the Stockholm archipelago, but is only $111 today — 60% off from its original price. 

This chair can serve lots of purposes. It’s a nice statement lounge chair for a living room, a chic armchair for your study to read in. It’s got the kind of vibe of those chairs that are in the waiting room for your super hip Brooklyn therapist, in the best way possible. Plus, in the sweltering heat of summer, a chair like this is deep enough to impart some relaxation, without any plushy velvet or fabric to overheat you. The leather upper is also easy to wipe down with a damp cloth for easy cleaning. 

Sauder Boulevard Cafe Lounge Chair, Metal Camel Finish

Buy Now On Amazon

$111.25 $289.99

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The base of the seat, at 28 by 26 inches, provides plenty of room to spread out. Also, with the back set on a steeper incline, it encourages the person sitting in it to straighten up and breathe deeper. Although there are four other colorways and fabric options for this model, the camel leather is really the best option in our book. Overall, this is the chair you want to be right there when you get home from a long day of writing Prime Day stories like this one. It’s just a shame Amazon doesn’t have same-hour shipping. 

Are you a stylish but clumsy person? Do you regularly spill Chicken Tikka Masala on your rug while giggling over Sex and the City? (That Samantha! What won’t she say?!) For those who make a habit of spotting their otherwise pristine Persian carpets, there’s really just one solution: Ruggable. Ruggable makes rugs that are both profound ruggable (read: able to rug) and also, more unusually, machine washable.

Ruggable is big with parents for obvious reasons and party people for reasons related to Merlot. On Prime Day, Ruggable gets even bigger because the company offers crazy deals. FThis Oushak-styled rug is marked down 20% to $119.99. At that price, it’s a steal. Consider, for a moment, that whopping 6’ by 9’ area. It’s also made from a microfiber fabric, which keeps dust and debris from settling too deep in the rug to clean, but also keeps it soft enough to walk on barefoot day to day. 

The rug has just enough faded color to it that it can bring some life to a bohemian-inspired home, without being to eye-catching to throw off other elements or art on the walls. For anyone moving into a new place looking to tie the room together, man, these rugs are best paired with lighter wood–toned furniture or coffee tables. Keep in mind though, the whole point of these rugs is that they can just be thrown in the washing machine like any towel or sheets set, so you’ll want to keep enough of it exposed that you can get it out from under furniture easily. 

Valenrug Washable Rug 6×9 – Ultra Thin Antique Collection Area Rug

Buy Now On Amazon

$119.99 $149.99

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It’s Amazon Prime Day and the deals are beating down harder than the sun on a field in Arles. Yes, most shoppers will be looking for basic, but a harvest of unexpected treasures is also available at a discount.

When you’re done stocking up on quip-embroidered throw pillows and Crest White Strips, bring some green to your apartment with this Nearly Natural 82” olive tree. It’s giving dappled grove, but with the pollen or the wildlife.

If you haven’t bought a faux plant before or it has been a while, here’s the thing you need to know: The last decade has seen huge advances in fake tree technology. These trees from Nearly Natural look realistic just centimeters from your face. (NOTE: If someone in your home is observing your apartment plants that closely, do you really want that person in your apartment?)

The faux olive trees are nearly 7 feet tall, which makes them ideal (proportionally speaking) for next to the couch. At the cut rate of only $66, you can afford to group a few together and have a mini grove, or flag either side of a bed or sofa to give a room some symmetrical greenery too. Bear in mind: olive trees, real ones and this variety, are fairly sparse with their leaves. The trees can also give some nice coverage to a gallery wall of art or photographs too. Nobody ever went wrong adding more plants to their home. 

Nearly Natural 82” Olive Artificial Silk Trees 

Buy Now On Amazon

$128.75 $166.99

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Millions of shoppers will be saving big on thousands of deals during Amazon’s annual Prime Day on July 11 and 12, but it’s not the only sale worth shopping in July. Many of Amazon’s biggest internet retail competitors are launching their own sales and discount events to get a piece of the action. We’re talking big savings at Walmart, Target, and Nordstrom, as well as fan-favorite brands like lululemon and J.Crew. 

Amazon is by far the biggest online retailer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other places to save. Check out the best Prime Day alternative sales below and stretch your savings well beyond your Amazon shopping cart. 

Best Prime Day Alternative Deals

1. Walmart+ Week

Walmart, the internet’s second-largest retailer, is holding its first Walmart+ Week starting on July 10, directly overlapping with Amazon’s Prime Day. Walmart will be dropping the prices of thousands of products across their inventory, and the first 24 hours are available exclusively to Walmart+ subscribers. Similar to Amazon Prime, Walmart+ is Walmart’s subscriber program. It costs $12.95/month and comes with perks like free grocery delivery, free shipping with no order minimums, and a Paramount+ login. 

Starting on July 11, Walmart+ Week’s sales are open to anyone and are likely to pull some traffic away from Amazon towards better prices on the same goods. This type of competition will further drive prices down on pricey consumer goods like flat-screen TVs, headphones, and tablets — Bose, Apple, LG, and Samsung are just a few brands we’ll be watching as Walmart rolls out the deals.

2. Target Circle Week

Target Circle Week is another competitor sale that’s available exclusively to members of Target Circle, Target’s loyalty program that allows shoppers to earn 1% back on every purchase and get access to restricted deals. Target Circle Week is running July 9-15, also during Prime Day, and will include a huge swatch of deals across product categories from pool toys to household essentials like toothpaste and laundry detergent. 

A few deals we’re definitely keeping an eye on? Up to $130 off Dyson Vacuums, $350 off Lenovo laptops, and $40 off Keurig coffee makers, among others soon to be announced. 

3. Best Buy Black Friday in July

Best Buy’s Black Friday in July is happening July 10-12 and promises to deliver competitor discounts for the anti-Prime Day crowd. There’s no membership required to cash in on these deals, although members of their membership tiers — My Best Buy, My Best Buy Plus, and My Best Buy Total — will get access to exclusive deals throughout the event. 

They’re offering MacBooks starting at $999 for My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members as well as up to 40% off major appliances as well as installation and haul-away for My Best Buy Total members. Non-Best Buy members can also currently save up to $700 on a Samsung or LG flat-screen TV and $30 on a JBL portable speaker.  

4. J. Crew End-of-Season Sale

J.Crew’s end-of-season sale is currently in full swing with up to 70% off select styles for men and women and no membership required. Shop belts, blazers, accessories, as well as classic designs like their short-sleeve camp-collar shirt and seaside canvas chino pants. 

Fashion may be pivoting to fall, but there’s still plenty of time to wear and appreciate warm weather goods. A few great SPY finds: 31% off this classic piqué polo shirt, 30% off their top-rated 9” tech shorts, and 44% off their statement Chore blazer.

5. Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Technically, Nordstrom’s annual Anniversary Sale doesn’t start until after Prime Day is over on July 17, but they’re already offering a preview of what’s to come. It’s their largest sale of the year and there’s no membership required to save big on menswear as well designer luggage, footwear, fragrances, and more. 

Stay tuned for bigger savings later on, but here are a few deals that caught our eye if you can’t wait. Save 33% off DUER’s Performance Pants, 30% on adidas Swift running shoes, 32% off Brooks Brothers gingham button-downs, and 25% off Beis luggage.

6. Wayfair 72-Hour Clearout Sale

Wayfair is having a huge clearance sale July 10-12, with savings up to 60% off their extensive home goods library. The savings will likely extend across every category they cover — from indoor and outdoor furniture to décor, kitchen fixtures, lighting, appliances, and more. Currently, they’re offering up to 50% off mattresses, 50% off kitchen staples, 60% off bedding basics, and up to 50% off lighting. 

7. Petco

Petco is offering up to 50% off clothing and accessories for dogs and cats starting on July 11. The sale will run through July 13, directly overlapping with Prime Day, and promises plenty of discounted products for four-legged friends.

Even the most social of butterflies spends a majority of his time at home. Like it or not, we sleep there, work there, entertain there, bring dates back there — why wouldn’t you want it to look its best and serve your needs? Oftentimes, that reason comes down to money. According to a recent study, things cost money. Today and tomorrow, though, Amazon is launching its annual Prime Day deals, meaning those things that can make your life easier — or more comfortable, at the very least — are deeply discounted. (Don’t think of a reduced-price mattress topper or vacuum as a treat. Think of it as an investment in your mental health for the future when you’re sleeping better or cleaning easier.)

SPY scoured the deals on offer and found the ones worth taking advantage of, now.

WLIVE 9-Drawer Dresser

Buy Now On Amazon $79.09

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Attention recent graduates: do you have any idea how hard it is to find a normal-looking dresser? Like, one that is just square and doesn’t have curvy edges or isn’t super small or made of papier-mâché? It’s crazy. This one is big — maybe larger than your first apartment’s bedroom would allow for — but at a solid 30% discount, buy it. It’s harder than you’d think to find something both normal-looking and under $1000.

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Topcee Weighted Blanket

Buy Now On Amazon $34.87

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It’s tough to consider wanting a blanket in the middle of July, but the time is going to come when it’s January and you’re freezing and this is going to be the best purchase you made all year. This blanket is heavy enough to help with sleeping, soft enough to stay comfortable in, and can be stowed away until you need it. You can also break it out when the AC runs a little too cold. 

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Dyson Vacuum Cleaner

Buy Now On Amazon $393.99

Buy Now

If you’re the kind of person who’s clumsy with food (or has a lot of rugs that a Roomba can’t scale), you’re going to need to vacuum the apartment the old-fashioned way. This Dyson model is anything but old-fashioned, though, with a powerful motor to pull up everything from food to dust, keeping your floors spotless in the process.

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Casper Sleep Original Pillow for Sleeping, Standard

Buy Now On Amazon $45.50

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Stop having to replace pillows every few months because they keep collapsing. This Casper model is 30% off, and has enough structure that it’ll last longer than any other basic pillow you can find. 

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Hillsdale Fairfox Swivel Bar Stool & Counter

Buy Now $74.96

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A barstool is always useful, even if you don’t have high counters. Also, extra seating is always handy when you have company, and the narrow height of barstools doesn’t take up a big footprint in the home. If this one is a little boring for your taste, consider getting some acrylic paint or markers and customizing it — or having your most artistic friend do as much. 

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GABRYLLY Office Mesh Chair

Buy Now On Amazon $188.65

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Even if you’re only going into the office three days a week, you’re going to want something at home that keeps you aligned and focused on work. This ergonomic office chair is balanced so that you can stay comfortable while working on documents and not on what you’re going to steam on Netflix instead. 

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Humble Crew Toy Storage Organizer with 16 Storage Bins

Buy Now On Amazon $64.00

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Sometimes it’s not about the discount, but finding the product itself. This is labeled as a toy storage rack, but it works for so many other things. Sort your sneakers in this, put books in here, or keep track of games or gym equipment (or other things you don’t want the dog reaching). With wipe-down bins, too, it’s easy to clean out anything dirty or messy. For under $100, this is a steal, even without the discount. 

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SUPERJARE L Shaped Desk with Power Outlets & LED Lights

Buy Now On Amazon $89.99

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Just because companies are bringing workers back on a hybrid schedule doesn’t mean you don’t need a home office setup that works for you. This desk offers plenty of countertop space, but, more importantly, it has enough levels to store books and files that you can reach without shuffling through desk drawers. 

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Safavieh Abstract Collection

Buy Now On Amazon $127.99

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A rug can really tie the room together, man. This one, from Safavieh, is a light enough shade that it can still anchor furniture without bringing a darker, Yale Club-like feel to an otherwise boho-chic setup. It comes at a crazy discount, but buyer beware: this rug is not for the clumsy (or the red wine-lover).

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Casper Dog Bed

Buy Now On Amazon $105.64

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The dog deserves a good night’s sleep too! Think of it this way: you’re giving your best friend a better place to rest, which means they’ll stop waking you up extra early to go outside. In the end, this is going to be a present for you just as much as him or her. 

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Sauder Select Collection 5-Shelf Bookcase, Select Cherry Finish

Buy Now On Amazon $122.96

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When it comes to books, abide by the inimitable John Waters’s best quote. Full stop.

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Lunchtime is arguably the best part of every nine-to-fiver’s work day, but snagging Sweetgreen at every opportunity isn’t the smartest budgeting option. A *treat yourself* moment once or twice a week doesn’t do too much harm, but on the rest of the work days, packing lunch in a bento box is an effective (not to mention cool-looking) way to eat.

For those unfamiliar, bento boxes are lunch box alternatives that originated in Japan. However, unlike lunch boxes, they contain compartments that separate foods from one another, which minimizes cross-contamination and looks aesthetically pleasing. Bento boxes are minimalist. They’re modern. They have a sense of cleanliness to them — a put-togetherness. A vibe that says, “No, I didn’t stay up until 4AM rewatching The Sopranos last night.” Even if that’s a lie.

Smart and savvy snackers, look no further. Below are eight bento boxes built for the ultra-sophisticated lunch box-lover.

BEST OVERALL

Bentgo Modern Lunch Box

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$34.99 $39.99

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Bentgo is one of the leading brands in bento boxes, likely because the brand has mastered the art form. This version in particular is modern yet low-key. It’s also customizable: users can place a divider in the largest section to add a little more room and division if needed. Each box is completely leak-proof and the whole thing is small enough to fit inside work backpacks and briefcases (leaving ample room for a laptop, water bottle, and other work essentials). Lastly, at just $35, it’s a great value for its quality and versatility.

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RUNNER UP

Bentgo Classic All-in-One Stackable Bento Lunch Box Container

Buy Now On Amazon

$16.99 $29.99

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Why It Stands Out: Bentgo’s Classic All-in-One from Bentgo has also taken buyers by storm. It includes two different boxes with three compartments total — one for the main part of the meal and two smaller ones for sides. Oh, and it comes with utensils that are available in several different eye-catching colors.

Made For: Folks who love compartmentalization and funky colors, from pale pinks and pastel blues to bright greens.

What to Pack: Lemony grilled chicken breast, pasta salad, and fruit. Some summer-centric inspo.

Hot Take: It’s currently only $17. No need to say more.

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MOST MODERN

Bentoheaven Premium Bento Lunch Box

Buy Now On Amazon

$26.99 $38.99

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Why It Stands Out: This is a traditional, stackable bento box that holds 40 ounces in total. With two large attachable containers, one smaller non-attachable container, and a space for cutlery (which is included), this bento box is great for lunches both big and small.

Made For: Compact meal preppers who really don’t want their food to touch. With stackable bento boxes, cross-contamination is borderline impossible.

What to Pack: Throw in a homemade wrap with all the fixin’s and a dressing-less salad. Use that tiny side container for dressing (because no one likes a soggy salad).

Hot Take: This bento box is dishwasher-safe, which is perfect for all those lazy dish pilers out there.

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GREAT CAPACITY

W&P Porter Lunch Box

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$25.00

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Why It Stands Out: W&P is known for its sleek kitchenware, and the Porter Lunch Box is no exception. This bento-inspired lunch box includes two stackable containers: a larger bottom one with a divider running close to down the middle, and a more shallow top one for smaller, flatter foods like sandwiches and chicken breasts.

Made For: Because the bottom bowl is so big, this is a great option for larger lunch-lovers.

What to Pack: The Porter Lunch Box is a stellar option for rice or quinoa bowls with proteins. Keep your additives primarily separate and then combine everything the second lunch time begins.

Hot Take: It’s secured by a silicone strap for ultra-easy travel.

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BEST FOR SALAD

Bentgo Salad Stackable Lunch Container

Buy Now On Amazon

$16.99 $29.99

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Why It Stands Out: There are some folks who bring a variety of different lunches to work. Leftover pasta, sandwiches, rice bowls, tacos — the world is truly their oyster. Then, there is the kind of person who only brings salad to work. For those who fall into that category, this is the option.

Made For: Salad lovers. With a large bottom basin for dry leafy greens, the top half of this bento box is ideal for storing various other ingredients, including space for dressings. Nobody! Likes! A soggy! Salad!

What to Pack: Spinach at the bottom, and proteins and other veggies at the top. Or get crazy and throw in some craisins. Peaches. Feta cheese. Whatever!

Hot Take: A whopping 54-ounce capacity means that this bento box can hold the largest salad the office has ever seen.

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BEST WITH THERMOS

OmieBox Bento Box

Buy Now On Amazon

$44.95

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Why It Stands Out: The majority of the time, bento boxes are created for either cold meals or meals that are to be heated up at lunchtime. That’s not the case with the OmieBox Bento Box. By including a leak-proof thermos in its design, OmieBox keeps the main portion of the meal hot all day long and separates cold foods in different compartments.

Made For: Anyone who loves hot food without the hassle of reheating it. It’s plain and simple. Hot food has a spot and cold food does, too.

What to Pack: The options here are endless. Spaghetti and a salad, ramen and sushi — even a sandwich and some ice cream. That’s right — the thermos stays cold, too.

Hot Take: Don’t want hot food one day? No worries. Just remove the thermos and get snacking totally thermos-free.

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BEST FOR SMALL PORTIONS

OmieBox OmieGo Plant-Based Plastic Leakproof Lunch Bento Box

Buy Now On Amazon

$22.95

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Why It Stands Out: Not everyone loves a big lunch. If that’s you, consider this bento box from OmieGo. With a larger 22-ounce container and two small snack containers (at 9 ounces each), this one is perfect for those who prefer smaller portions.

Made For: Those who prefer lighter meals.

What to Pack: Keep it low key with a smaller sandwich, some nuts, and a cup of fruit. Nothing too crazy.

Hot Take: Big things come in small packages. Though this isn’t the largest bento box in the world, it can still do everything and more.

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BEST TIFFIN BOX

Indian-Tiffin Stainless Steel Large Tiffin Lunch Box

Buy Now On Amazon

$28.99

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Why It Stands Out: The classic tiffin lunch box is a tale as old as time. While it’s not a bento box, per se, it’s an essential for old-school lunch-lovers. Also, at 6.5 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide, buyers can fit four different meals in here for eating made easy.

Made For: Just as much as it’s made for the office, it’s also great for students, picnic-goers, and campers. Campers, in particular, can heat this tiffin directly over a campfire or stove, meaning they will not have to empty its contents into a different pot or pan beforehand. 

What to Pack: Curry, naan, rice? Lentils, bread and salad? The options are endless.

Hot Take: Just be sure not to set up a campfire in the office to heat it up. That’s probably the best way to get fired.

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