In this article
The best lunch boxes make packing a midday meal — and cleaning up from it — easy and straightforward. They also need to be appealing and easy to use for the kids who’ll be toting them every day, no matter their age.
To help you find the best lunch box for you and your family, I talked to teachers, parents, and nutritionists about the lunch boxes and containers they recommend. I also tested several of the options on this list and collected opinions from other Strategist parents who own or have tested them as well. Many of the items here can be used by kids of any age, from preschool to high school — and even adults, too.
Update on October 25, 2024: Replaced the ECOlunch 3-in-1 bento box with a newer silicone-lidded version; replaced the out-of-stock U Konserve trio of stainless-steel food containers with the single version of the same container; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Type of lunch box
There are three main types of lunch container: bento box, insulated lunch bag, and thermos. The right type of container for your kid depends on what they like to eat and will most likely evolve as they get older. Bento boxes are hard-sided containers multiple compartments that keep different foods and snacks separate. Insulated lunch bags are soft-sided and zippered; they usually have an inner mesh pocket and sometimes other pockets for ice packs, a water bottle, and utensils, but you will need to wrap or pack your food in another container first. Thermoses are insulated to keep food hot or cold and usually made of stainless steel. Many bento boxes and thermoses can be used alone or packed within a lunch bag.
Size/capacity
Your child’s age and appetite should determine the size of their lunch box — the older they are and the more they tend to eat, the more space you’ll need. Bigger kids generally need more space to pack snacks and larger portions, especially if they are away from home for a longer period of time. You’ll also need more space if you need to accommodate a water bottle, ice pack, or utensils. For each product below, I have noted either the overall dimensions or the volume of food it can hold, and where possible I have included both.
Material
The safest materials to eat off of are glass, stainless steel, food-grade silicone, and plastics that are BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free. Glass is conveniently see-through and easy to clean, but can be heavy and more fragile. Stainless steel is also easy to clean, as well as incredibly durable. Silicone and food-safe plastics are lightweight, durable, and convenient, but you should always check the label before putting them in the dishwasher or microwave. Many parents I spoke to prefer stainless steel or glass over silicone or plastic because they are less likely to retain food odors or a soapy taste.
Temperature regulation
Anything insulated will help food hold its temperature, whether hot or cold. If your kid prefers chilled veggies or piping-hot macaroni and cheese, look for features like built-in ice-packs, double-walled stainless-steel thermoses, or extra space to include something of the sort. Below, I have listed whether each product has a particular built-in feature for temperature regulation.
Leakproof vs. not
Some but not all lunch boxes have silicone seals and locking lids to keep wet foods from spilling or leaking into your kid’s backpack. Others are better suited for more un-spillable items like PB&J sandwiches and carrot sticks. Many insulated lunch bags have waterproof linings to make them easier to clean, and most bento boxes have securely latching lids. But neither of those features on their own will make a lunch bag or lunch box totally water tight. If there are no leakproof properties mentioned on the label, it’s safe to assume you’ll need to pack only “dry” foods or incorporate additional containers or sandwich bags.
Cleaning
Spills and stains are inevitable, so take note of how easy the lunch box or food container will be to clean, and whether or not it is dishwasher-safe. Many containers, Bento boxes, and lunch bags will require hand washing or spot-cleaning of at least some components, often to help preserve their leakproof qualities.
Best lunch box overall
Size/capacity: 10 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches | Material: Stainless Steel | Temperature regulation: Not insulated | Leakproof: No | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
PlanetBox was the brand I heard about again and again, for kids of all ages. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang has used the stainless-steel PlanetBox Rover for her 8-year-old daughter for almost six years and notes that, despite it being dropped on the ground and crammed into a backpack day after day, it still looks as good as new. (My son is still too young to use it, but based on Yang’s recommendation I recently bought a very discounted PlanetBox to save for later.) The PlanetBox Rover is a bento box with a hinged lid that is easy for kids to open and impossible for them to lose. It comes in three sizes, each with two, three, or five compartments, so you can pick the best one based on your child’s age or appetite. And while the price may seem a little high for a lunch box, the nutritionists and parents I spoke to found that the container was versatile and enduring enough to be used over many years. One potential drawback is that PlanetBox lunch boxes aren’t leakproof by default, so you can’t pack wet foods like yogurt, soup, or pasta with sauce. But the brand also sells lidded stainless-steel containers that fit inside the bento box to store wet foods.
Best bento boxes
Best small stainless-steel bento box
Size/capacity: 4.25 x 5.75 x 1.75 inches, 4 cups total | Material: Stainless steel | Temperature regulation: Not insulated | Leakproof: No | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
Milk Teeth co-founder Rebecca Calavan loves ECOlunch stacking three-piece bento boxes. Instead of different indented compartments like the ones in a PlanetBox, it has three individual containers that nest and stack, so kids don’t have to open up all of the compartments at once and wet foods won’t leak or spill on each other. And because it’s stainless steel, it will never take on a weird smell. ECOlunch also makes stainless-steel bento boxes in a variety of other sizes and shapes, all of which are relatively affordable. This one is smaller than the PlanetBox Rover above.
Best bento box with built-in ice pack
Size/capacity: 8.9 x 6.5 x 2 inches, 3.33 cups | Material: BPA-free plastic and silicone | Temperature regulation: Built-in ice pack | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Food tray is dishwasher and microwave safe
Bento boxes from Bentgo are among the most popular ones for preschool and elementary-school kids because they are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns; are easy to pack and open; and aren’t too much of a pain to clean. While many parents prefer using stainless steel, Bentgo lunch boxes have the added benefit of a leakproof silicone seal, so you can use them to pack wet foods. On hot days, or when she doesn’t want to pack a separate ice pack with her ECOlunchbox bento box, Calavan uses this Bentgo Chill bento box with a built-in ice pack. It’s the same Bentgo lunch box that Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio uses with both of her daughters, ages 6 and 8; Trolio prefers the four-compartment Bentgo Chill over the brand’s familiar five-compartment design since the fifth compartment is so small: a tiny circle that can only hold about ten M&Ms or a small amount of dipping sauce.
Jessica Garza, a kindergarten teacher in Katy, Texas, who runs the blog The Primary Parade uses the Bentgo Chill box to pack snacks for her 4-year-old preschooler and praises how easy it is for kids to open and close on their own, which is especially important for fine motor-skill development. Plus, Garza says, the outside cover comes apart and cleans up easily. The center food tray is dishwasher safe, but to preserve the silicone seal the brand recommends hand washing the clamshell-esque outer casing.
Best large plastic bento box
Size/capacity: 9.75 x 7.75 x 2.75 inches, 5 cups | Material: BPA free plastic and silicone | Temperature regulation: Not insulated | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Food tray is dishwasher and microwave safe
With more space and a removable divider that allows you to use three or four compartments, the Bentgo Fresh has many of the same benefits of the Bentgo Chill — it’s leakproof, with a dishwasher- and microwave-safe food tray — but in a larger format (and without the built-in ice pack). Yang uses the Bentgo Fresh for her 8-year-old, in addition to the PlaneBox Rover, and says it’s easy to fit into a backpack and straightforward to clean.
Best bento box for hot lunch
Size/capacity: 8.5 x 7.5 x 3 inches, not listed | Material: BPA free plastic and silicone | Temperature regulation: Partially insulated | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Hand wash only
Nicole Silber, pediatric nutritionist with FoodieKid, recommends Omie’s “flexible” lunch box, which can hold foods of multiple temperatures at the same time: It comes with a mini insulated thermos that is leakproof, easy for kids to open, and fits snugly into one of the compartments. That’s why Garza can use it for both her preschooler and her tween, packing everything from spaghetti to soup. Nutritionist and Little Eats & Things founder Andrea Mathis is a fan of the OmieBox too, and likes that using it helps eliminate plastic waste.
Best insulated lunch bags
Best insulated lunch bag overall
Size/capacity: 7.5 x 4 x 8.5 inches | Material: Recycled polyester | Temperature regulation: Insulated | Leakproof: No | Cleaning: Spot clean only
Elementary-school kids love to express their personal style through their school gear, and for kids who embrace a “more is more” aesthetic, Pottery Barn Kids’ Mackenzie line has a colorful patterned lunch box (and usually a coordinating backpack) to match just about every interest. When we surveyed kids of all ages about their back-to-school shopping habits, multiple elementary school kids (and their parents) mentioned the fun designs; you can even add your child’s name or initials for an extra fee. The medium-size Mackenzie lunch bag is big enough to hold a bento box, a compact thermos, or a couple of small food-storage containers. You can easily wipe up any spills from the vinyl-lined interior, and the spacious mesh side pocket can hold a small water bottle.
Best (less expensive) insulated lunch bag
Size/capacity: 9.5 x 7 x 3.75 inches, 4.4 liters | Material: Nylon packcloth outer and BPA- and PVC-free lining | Temperature regulation: Insulated | Leakproof: No | Cleaning: Spot clean only
When Yang’s daughter aged out of her Pottery Barn Kids lunch bag, complaining that it was too baby-ish, she swapped it for this slightly less-expensive insulated lunch box from L.L.Bean. It doesn’t fit the PlanetBox Rover, so Yang packs it with stainless-steel U Konserve or Rubbermaid plastic containers for cold items or a thermos for hot pasta or soup. It comes in 10 colors, has an inner mesh pocket and a front zipper pocket, and as with other L.L.Bean bags you can add a monogram for free.
Best large insulated lunch bag
Size/capacity: 12.4 x 10.98 x 6.22 inches, 5 liters | Material: 100 percent recycled polyester | Temperature regulation: Insulated | Leakproof: No | Cleaning: Spot clean only
This extra-spacious, lightweight lunch bag by Hydro Flask is a favorite of former Strategist writer Latifah Miles, who used it for her 10-year-old son. Aside from having plenty of space to fit a Bentgo or PlanetBox bento box and extra snacks, the bag also has an interior zippered pouch that can hold utensils or other small items. It also has two handles, one on the top and one on the side, making it easy to grab it in a hurry. According to Miles, the abrasion- and water-resistant fabric is especially durable and a breeze to clean.
Best (less expensive) large insulated lunch box
Size/capacity: 7 x 8.5 x 6.25 inches, not listed | Material: Recycled nylon and recycled polyfill| Temperature regulation: Insulated | Leakproof: No | Cleaning: Spot clean only
The larger size and trendy designs of Baggu’s puffy lunch bag makes it a great option for high schoolers or packing lunch for a day out with several kids. It is fully insulated, and I love how adorable the patterns are — right now it’s available in punchy fruit, checkerboard, Keith Haring pets, Hello Kitty, and “photo forest,” which is similar to RealTree Camo. It’s also very lightweight, and can be flattened when not in use. The interior will snugly fit a six-pack of seltzer; or, it can easily fit a kids’ straw cup, an apple, a yogurt cup, and a large sandwich bag. The ECOlunch bento box above would also fit inside, with a few small snacks or drinks on top. I have used it for everything from car trips to picnics to trips to the zoo. It’s a bit bulky for my toddler son to carry, but would fit in the bottom of a middle or high schooler’s backpack.
Best thermos
Best thermos overall
Size/capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Stainless steel and silicone | Temperature regulation: Insulated | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
Miles uses this jar to hold meatballs, sauce, and cheese so that her son can build his favorite meatball sub sandwich at lunchtime without suffering soggy bred. He always says that his food is still warm by the time he gets to the cafeteria. To boost its warming powers, fill it with hot water and let it sit for a few minutes before packing it with warm food, or pop it in the freezer the night before if you want it to stay cold longer.
Best (less expensive) thermos
Size/capacity: 11 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Temperature regulation: Insulated | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
Bentgo recently launched stainless-steel bento boxes and insulated food jars with cute patterns. I haven’t had a chance to try the bento box, but I just got my hands on this thermos covered in sharks. I love that it has a silicone bumper on the bottom to keep it from getting dented when my son inevitably throws or drops it. So far we have used it to pack his morning oatmeal and have been practicing screwing on and taking off the lid so that he will be able to do it himself. At the moment — he is 18 months old — his hands are just slightly too small for this. The other day I filled it with some fruit salad from the refrigerator and when I went to eat some three hours later it was still cold. Because it has rounded edges and no seams inside, it’s super easy to clean.
Best reusable food containers
Best stainless-steel food containers
Size/capacity: Available in 5, 9, and 16 ounces | Material: Stainless steel with silicone lids | Temperature regulation: Not insulated | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
Both Yang and Strategist writer Lauren Ro regularly pack food for their kids’ lunches in U Konserve stainless-steel containers. The round containers they prefer are available in three sizes: five, nine, and 16 ounces. Yang has owned all three sizes since 2018 and still uses them on a regular basis. She has a similar set from another brand, but says that the U Konserve containers are better made and the lids are better fitting. She also likes that they are compact to store and easy to clean — she puts the stainless-steel parts in the dishwasher and usually washes the lids by hand.
Best reusable sandwich bags
Size/capacity: 7.5 x 7.25 inches, 28 ounces | Material: Silicone | Temperature regulation: Not insulated | Leakproof: Yes | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
If you’re trying to reduce the number of single-use plastic sandwich bags you go through, Stasher bags are a constantly recommended environmentally-friendly alternative to sandwich bags. They’re reusable, resealable, dishwasher-, freezer-, and even oven-safe, so they can be used for cooking and storage beyond packing lunches. They come in a huge range of different sizes, from small snack bags to ones that would fit a whole sandwich to ones that can store dry goods in the pantry. I have Stasher bags in three different sizes: pocket size for apple slices or cucumber snacks, sandwich size for storing cheese or packing a sandwich, and the medium-size stand-up bag for freezing fruit or storing extra pasta. I bought them because I wanted to curb my plastic use. But I also love the colors and how easy and satisfying they are to open and close compared to a Ziploc bag. It’s so nice to smoosh the two sides together and the seal is impressive, yet it’s never too difficult to open. Silber notes that while Stashers might seem a little pricey, they are actually a great investment that lasts a long time.
Our experts:
• Lauren Antonucci, nutritionist and mom of three
• Stacie Billis and Meghan Splawn, co-hosts of the family-focused food podcast Didn’t I Just Feed You
• Rebecca Calavan, co-founder of kid’s clothing store Milk Teeth
• Jill Castle, childhood nutrition and feeding expert
• Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer and parent
• Jessica Garza, kindergarten teacher who runs the blog The Primary Parade
• Andrea Mathis, nutritionist and Little Eats & Things founder
• Latifah Miles, senior commerce editor at Babylist and parent
• Lauren Ro, Strategist writer and parent
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor and parent
• Winnie Yang, Strategist senior editor and parent
• Ilona Zeltser, site director of the JCC Brooklyn Windsor Terrace
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