Inside: The best stainless steel lunchboxes for your child and gritty honest reviews to go with them. You’ll be able to make your decision confidently!
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Then again, I had to send food in something.
“What if it’s junk?”
I threw the on the bed.
Fast forward 8 years. I’ve time-tested so many boxes I can actually provide you with unbiased pros and cons about the best stainless steel lunchboxes for kids (and a few plastic ones too)!
You don’t have to go in wondering what can go right or wrong. I’ll tell you!
I’m into lunchboxes because I have to send lunches with my kids and they can help picky eaters eat better. If you need help with a picky eater, I’ve got a free child feeding guide that will help you.
Ready for the most honest lunchbox reviews you’ve ever read?
Related: Get your picky eater on the road to eating more foods with BetterBites
These are great. They are high quality and have a clean design.
The size is practical and would allow for a good amount of food for a young kid. This brand churns out quality. The layout is visually pleasing with 3 compartments.
After a few years of use, there is a limited show of wear and tear. The lids still fit snug and stay secure in a book bag.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 6″ L x 5″ W x 1.75″ H.
Good for: Preschool, kindergarten, big kid snack.
Leakproof: No.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Flower Sandwich Cutters, Leaf Food Picks.
Related: Everyday Lunches
More of the Lunchbots’ great quality here, but this box is huge. This would be better for older kids or for a family-sized snack box with dried fruit, nuts, etc. Also, the compartments unfortunately do not fit a sandwich (even when it’s cut into quarters or triangles). So, if you ever serve sandwiches on “normal” sandwich bread, this box will bring you back to your high school geometry struggles. However, if you aren’t a sandwich person, you may love it.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 8″ L x 6″ W x 1.75″ H.
Good for: Older kid with very large appetite, adult, family snack box.
Leakproof: No.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Silicone Baking Cups, Animal Food Picks.
If you follow lunch accounts on Instagram, you will find images of the Planetbox Rover. And it is GORGEOUS, but it is PRICEY.
Kids are thrilled to pick out the magnets that go on top. This is a huge selling point. They are fun, and kids love fun. Eventually, the magnets do show a lot of wear though.
The quality is high. The layout is the most aesthetic of all the other lunchboxes making it fun to pack. It comes with 2 round, leak-proof containers. They really are leak-proof and that is impressive.
But the biggest issue we found was that the latches stopped latching within a year. We’ve had people that have reported that they have NOT had this issue, but we’ve had it happen to a few of our boxes. The company offers new latches for purchase, but it’s something to consider given the already initial eye-popping price.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 10” L x 7.4” H x 1.5” W.
Good for: Elementary (2nd graders+).
Leakproof: Yes. Plus, round containers included with purchase are also leakproof!
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Small Animal Veggie Cutters.
While the Planetbox Rover is great for older elementary-aged kids, the Planetbox Shuttle seems like it may be better suited for preschoolers and kindergarteners. We have not tested this one yet, but wanted to include it for consideration since we can definitely vouch for Planetbox’s quality, design and ease of packing.
Dimensions: 7.8” L x 5.2” H x 2.0” W.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
If you are a fan of the original Yumbox or the Yumbox Panino and are ready for a bigger box, the leakproof, stainless steel Yumbox Presto is a good option.
The Yumbox containers are deeper and lighter than other similar lunchboxes like the Planetbox Rover and Bentgo Stainless Steel.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 10” x 8” x 2.25”.
Good for: Elementary (2nd graders+).
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: No.
If you are a fan of Bentgo’s other lunchboxes (the Chill or the 5-compartment), then this one could be a good option for you.
This lunchbox has a practical layout, which is great for packing. However, the compartments are shallow. Over time, the coloring on the outside of the lunchbox chips off and the latch becomes loose. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this review, they don’t offer replacements for the latches.
Pros:
Cons
Dimensions: 9.8″ L x 1.4″ W x 7.6″ H.
Good for: Elementary (2nd graders+).
Leakproof: Leak resistant.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
If your kid is into buses and divided plates, this may be your winning ticket.
This one can double as a plate and a lunchbox. It’s cute. Super cute, and durable.
That said, we don’t have confidence in the lid. It doesn’t always keep food in the original sections if swung around in a backpack, and well, it just seems like it could come off. For lunchboxes, we like 100% confidence that lids will not come off in a backpack.
Also, it’s hard to find a container to put the plate in, so it’s really best for at-home use.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 10.63″ L x 7.13″ W x 1.4″ H.
Good for: At-home preschooler or kindergartener.
Leakproof: No.
Dishwasher safe: Yes (the lid is not dishwasher safe).
Other fun things shown in the picture: Veggie Shape Cutters.
If you’re looking for something that is leakproof and will be a great single-compartment lunchbox forever, this is it. It’s sturdy and comes with a silicone lid.
It may not be good for a small child’s lunch because the box is so big. The compartment is deep, which can be good or bad. If your kid doesn’t have a big appetite, it could lead to food waste. For kids with bigger appetites, it could be great.
One possible downside is that it doesn’t have separate compartments so all the food will touch. This could make it hard to pack different foods, like fruit or other juicy foods.
To help with packing, you could try fun additions, like filling silicone muffin cup liners with small portions of different foods. However, in transport, things may fall out of the muffin cup liners.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 6.5″ L x 4.75″ W x 2″ H.
Good for: Older kid or adult.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Panda Rice Molds.
The Omiebox has some unique features. It’s mostly plastic, but has a stainless steel insulated container inside the box. It can be used to keep foods warm or cold. It can also be used to keep some foods cold while keeping other foods warm.
It’s unique. If you have a small child that likes warm food at lunchtime and needs something easy to open (most of the time – read below), this is it. You can also put the whole lunch into one box – the thermos is included and fits right in. The handle in the lunchbox also makes it like a carrying case, which can be fun for kids.
The lunchbox, however, has a very large volume. So, even a lot of food looks like a little bit of food and you may easily overpack lunch and waste food without thinking.
Also, and this is the big one, several people have had issues with the thermos getting stuck shut. The thermos somehow vacuum-sealed shut and the child and teacher were unable to open it – so the child couldn’t eat the main part of their lunch.
Additonally, the thermos compartment doesn’t hold temperature for very long.
Finally, it’s a royal pain to clean. There are two gaskets, many parts, and some of it is dishwasher safe and some of it isn’t. We use it sparingly for this reason, but still pull it out for warm ravioli lunches or warm soup.
Pros:
Cons:
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 3-Compartment Lunch Box.
Dimensions: 7.5″ L x 8.5″ W x 3″ H.
Good for: Preschoolers, elementary.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Some parts.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Dip Containers, Silicone Baking Cups.
Sometimes you just need a thermos to keep something warm. These two are consistently rated high.
Pros:
Cons:
Foogo:
Volume: 1¼ cups.
Good for: Kindergarten+.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Spoon.
Thermos Funtainer:
Volume: 10 oz.
Good for: Kindergarten+.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended.
Other: Comes with its own spoon!
This is a new lunchbox on the market and we have not had the chance to try it yet.
However, it looks similar to our favorite Lunchbot lunchbox and at a great price!
We will update you as we do more testing!
Dimensions: 7.01 x 5.55 x 2.52 inches.
Good for: Seems good for preschoolers, elementary.
Leakproof: No, but there is a bonus leakproof lid container.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
This is another new lunchbox we are excited to test out. Elk and Friends is the creator of the stainless steel cups we love, so we have high hopes for this one.
We will update you as we do more testing!
Dimensions: 8.5” x 7.1”x 1.6” inches.
Good for: Seems good for preschoolers and elementary school kids.
Leakproof: No, website description does not note it as leakproof.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
If stainless steel is not for you, here are a few of the most popular non-stainless steel lunchboxes.
The Yumbox Original is a good size for kids who like snack-type lunches. There are 6 different compartments that are small.
This Yumbox Panino is about the same size as the original, but only has 3 compartments.It’s a good size for kids who like a sandwich and 3 small sides
But after 2 years of use, these boxes do leak. The silicone coating that makes it leak-proof does pick up odors, so we can’t wash the outer box in the dishwasher. That makes these boxes more high maintenance.
Pros:
Cons:
Original:
Volume: 8.5″ L x 2″ W x 6″ H.
Good for: Preschoolers – 3rd grade.
Leakproof: Initially, but not after wear and tear.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Other fun things shown in the picture: Rainbow Paper Baking Cups.
Panino:
Dimensions: 6″ L x 2″ W x 8″ H.
Good for: Preschoolers – 3rd grade.
Leakproof: Initially, but not after wear and tear.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Bentgo can be found in the bestsellers on Amazon and Target. They are colorful, functional and easy to clean.
The Chill Lunchbox, specifically, comes with a built-in ice pack that is helpful for packing.
The negatives have been that because the Chill Lunchbox comes with the ice pack, it is heavier and doesn’t keep cool for too long. So if you are hoping it will last for an afterschool snack, we’d recommend adding another ice pack.
Pros:
Cons:
5-Compartment:
Dimensions: 8.5″ L x 6.5″ W x 2″ H.
Good for: Kindergarten – 3rd grade.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
Chill:
Dimensions: 8.9″ L x 6.5″ W x 2″ H.
Good for: Preschoolers – 3rd grade.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Yes.
This non-stainless steel lunchbox is the absolute cutest set for kids into LEGO®, blocks or building.
It’s fun! If you have a picky eater who is “blah” on lunch, and you want them to have more interest, this box may help. The smaller containers are great for small sides.
The latches have worked long term, and the fun factor lives on.
That said, the lunchbox itself is on the small side and the larger container is very deep. While this works for traditional Bento styles that are rice-based, it can be tricky to pack a sandwich. It can also be tricky to store.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.6 x 6 inches.
Good for: Preschoolers.
Leakproof: No.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Other fun things shown in the picture: Long toothpicks.
Lunchboxes don’t have to be fancy! These easy-to-pack, lightweight containers are a great option too. If your child loses this container, it likely won’t break your heart.
Pros:
Cons:
Dimensions: 6.6 x 5.7 x 10.1 inches.
Good for: All ages.
Leakproof: Yes.
Dishwasher safe: Yes (may depend on your dishwasher settings).
If you also need help with what to pack for lunch, our Everyday Lunches ebook can help. It includes inspirations for new variations on classics like sandwiches and wraps, and the Grab-Ables Guide to grab-and-go lunches. We’ve also included ideas for fruit and veggies to serve on the side.
The recipe book also features tasty, make-ahead recipes, from muffins to nuggets to veggie-and-fruit roll-ups.
Plus, we share strategies that teach you how to quickly and efficiently pack lunches that kids will actually eat, and tips on how to help teach your child to pack their own lunch.
Finding the perfect lunch box for our kids that meets their needs and style can be a challenge. But don’t worry, we’re here to help with this guide to choosing the best school lunch box for kids!
With so many options out there in terms of size, function, looks and price point, it can feel overwhelming. However, if you break it down by evaluating your child’s preferences.
From insulated bags to dedicated spots and compartments for snacks and sandwiches, explore the ideas that will help keep your child fueled through their busy school days.
Bento Two: Perfect for a child’s first lunch box or a snack box for after-school activities, this bento-two box range is super cute, dishwasher safe and has removable compartments. The removable divider allows you to add extra variety to your lunches, separating dry foods within the leakproof compartments.
View all our Little Lunchbox Co Bento Two designs and colours here
Bento Three: designed to help children who need variety or are fussy eaters. Its built-in compartments seal tight, and its smart design stops foods from transferring, including most wet foods.
View all our Little Lunchbox Co Bento Three designs and colours here
Bento Five: The five fixed compartments allow for endless combinations of snacks for lunch – add fruit, veggies, crackers, yoghurt, sandwich squares… the list goes on
View all our Little Lunchbox Co Bento Five designs and colours here
Add a little style to lunch times, this Montiico lunch bag comes with a self-contained gel ice pack that sits in a separate pocket to keep everything fresh, and is the perfect size to fit a large number of popular lunchboxes. Easy to wipe clean + they are machine washable!
A huge time saver for busy mornings.
Hopefully there are some helpful tips here to help you choose a lunchbox and tick that task off your back-to-school list!
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Katrina Springer, affectionately known as The Organised Housewife, advocates for a harmonious home and balanced living. With expertise in home organising, cleaning, meal planning and managing family life, Kat's mission is to inspire and support her community with practical tips empowering her readers to reclaim control of their homes.
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