Finding the correct lunchbox for your kids is an essential task, but it can be a confusing one too! There are a lot of varieties of school lunchboxes, so finding that perfect product often involves searching through endless products online. We've got your back! We combed through the internet and pored over reviews to find the top 10 best lunchboxes for kids.
We love a good bento box, so the number one spot has to go to Bentgo's Childrens Lunch Box. It has five separate compartments, including one for sauces. Plus, it's insulated and leakproof! Keep reading to see the rest of our list and check out the buying guide for tips on how to choose the right lunchbox for your family's needs.
These lunchboxes tick all the boxes when it comes to aesthetics, utility, and ease of use. This is a great place to start looking for a new lunchbox for the kiddos in your life!
$24.99
Material | BPA-free plastic, rubber edges |
---|---|
Size | 8.5 x 6.5 x 2 in. |
Capacity | 560ml./19 oz. |
No. of compartments | 5 |
Cleaning instructions | Dishwasher-safe, hand washing recommended for outer shell |
$9.58
Material | Nylon |
---|---|
Size | 5.4 x 8.8 x 8.9 in |
Capacity | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 1 |
Cleaning instructions | Not provided |
$25.00
Material | 420D polyester bag, PEVA lining |
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Size | 4 x 10 x 8.25 in. |
Capacity | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 1 |
Cleaning instructions | Wipe clean |
$18.99
Material | Plastic, silicone |
---|---|
Size | 9 x 6.75 x 1.75 in. |
Capacity | 950ml./32 oz. |
No. of compartments | 6 |
Cleaning instructions | Dishwasher-safe, hand washing recommended for lid |
$15.00
Material | Fabric |
---|---|
Size | 4 x 7.5 x 9 in. |
Capacity | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 1 |
Cleaning instructions | Machine washable |
$19.99
Material | Stainless steel |
---|---|
Size | 4 x 5.5 x 1.5 in |
Capacity | 475ml./16 oz. |
No. of compartments | 4 |
Cleaning instructions | Hand washing recommended, dishwasher-safe |
$11.59
Material | 600D polyester bag, PEVA lining |
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Size | 10.6 x 4.3 x 7.7 in. |
Capacity | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 1 |
Cleaning instructions | Not provided |
$12.99
Material | Polyester |
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Size | 10.8 x 9.9 x 3.4 in |
Capacity | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 2 |
Cleaning instructions | Wipe clean |
7 pack
$15.89
Material | Plastic |
---|---|
Size | 6.6 x 5.7 x 10.1 in |
Capacity | 1150ml./39.29 oz. |
No. of compartments | 3 |
Cleaning Instructions | Dishwasher-safe |
$9.50
Material | Fabric bag, PEVA lining |
---|---|
Size | 3.25 x 8.75 x 9.75 in. |
Capacity | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 1 |
Cleaning instructions | Wipe clean |
Image | 1 ![]() Bentgo | 2 ![]() Rubbermaid | 3 ![]() Under Armour | 4 ![]() Kinsho | 5 ![]() Lunchpets | 6 ![]() LunchBots | 7 ![]() Flowfly | 8 ![]() Bentology | 9 ![]() Lucentee | 10 ![]() Thermos |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Childrens Lunch Box | LunchBlox Lunch Bag | Scrimmage Lunch Box | Bento Box Lunchbox | Insulated Kids Lunch Box | Small Protein Packer Toddler Bento Box | Thermal Meal Tote | Insulated Lunchbox Bag | Bento Lunch Box | Novelty Soft Lunch Kit |
Features | Keep Each Food Item in Its Place | A Soft Insulated Bag With a Shoulder Strap | A Lunchbox That Can Handle Rough Use | Perfect Kid-Sized Portions Every Time | A Stuffed Animal Pal and Lunchbox in One | The Perfect Size for Toddlers | A Versatile Tote for School or Travel | Extra Protection for Bento Boxes | Stackable, Heatable Bento Style Boxes | Fun for Kids and Convenient for Adults |
Price | $24.99 | $9.58 | $25.00 | $18.99 | $15.00 | $19.99 | $11.59 | $12.99 | $15.89 | $9.50 |
Material | BPA-free plastic, rubber edges | Nylon | 420D polyester bag, PEVA lining | Plastic, silicone | Fabric | Stainless steel | 600D polyester bag, PEVA lining | Polyester | Plastic | Fabric bag, PEVA lining |
Size | 8.5 x 6.5 x 2 in. | 5.4 x 8.8 x 8.9 in | 4 x 10 x 8.25 in. | 9 x 6.75 x 1.75 in. | 4 x 7.5 x 9 in. | 4 x 5.5 x 1.5 in | 10.6 x 4.3 x 7.7 in. | 10.8 x 9.9 x 3.4 in | 6.6 x 5.7 x 10.1 in | 3.25 x 8.75 x 9.75 in. |
Capacity | 560ml./19 oz. | Not provided | Not provided | 950ml./32 oz. | Not provided | 475ml./16 oz. | Not provided | Not provided | 1150ml./39.29 oz. | Not provided |
No. of compartments | 5 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Cleaning instructions | Dishwasher-safe, hand washing recommended for outer shell | Not provided | Wipe clean | Dishwasher-safe, hand washing recommended for lid | Machine washable | Hand washing recommended, dishwasher-safe | Not provided | Wipe clean | Dishwasher-safe | Wipe clean |
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Although aesthetics may be a significant factor in your selection, don’t forget to think about the more practical aspects of the lunch box as well. Keep these four points in mind to help you decide!
We've broken down the benefits and drawbacks of commonly used lunchbox materials so you can choose which one suits your needs! A mix of materials is often used for added functionality.
Plastic lunchboxes are either made of polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and both are recyclable and easy to wash. They are durable and flexible too, so they can withstand regular knocks and bumps without breaking apart.
Not all plastic is microwavable or insulates food well, so make sure to double-check those points if they are important to you.
Plastic containers usually come in a variety of colors, which makes them aesthetically pleasing and appeals to kids. Customers should make sure that the box they buy is non-toxic, BPA-free, and made from food-grade materials.
BPA is an industrial chemical that has been shown to leak out of plastic and into food. The FDA says it's safe at low levels, although there are growing concerns that it can negatively impact your health if consumed. Most people agree it's best to steer clear of BPA just to be safe!
Stainless steel boxes have a longer shelf life and are non-toxic. These boxes are slightly heavier than plastic but are more durable and rigid when compared to other boxes. They might get dented if dropped or knocked regularly.
Steel boxes are usually housed in leak-proof containers to ensure cleanliness and the safety of other items inside a school bag. They are usually easy-to-clean and dishwasher-safe too! Food doesn’t tend to stick to the box, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to remove any waste.
Fabric lunch bags are usually made of 420D polyester or 600D polyester, which helps to insulate food. These lunch bags come in various aesthetically pleasing varieties and are surprisingly lightweight. They're also easy to carry, even though most have a higher capacity than other boxes.
However, they may be more difficult to clean and don't always provide the same protection compared to lunchboxes made of rigid material.
Picking a lunchbox size for your child can be a tricky business! There is no certainty on what amount of food they might consume. The amount of physical activity your kid has to go through the day might make a huge difference in their appetite too!
We generally advise picking a larger lunchbox. As your kid grows, their appetite will grow as well. Plus, sometimes kids like sharing food with their friends, and a smaller lunchbox might limit this social fun!
However, getting a lunch box that is too big could be a problem. Kids might find it difficult to carry around, and it may not fit in their backpacks. Some boxes have extra pockets to store utensils, drinks, and other small items. This can add convenience and can help maximize the storage of smaller lunchboxes.
Having one big section in a lunch box is convenient for a child who likes to have multiple servings of only one or two types of food per meal. This can also be good for packaged foods, as the packaging tends to take up more space.
However, for parents who like to pack multiple things in a lunchbox per meal for your kid, having multiple compartments can be a blessing. You can pack a balanced meal and little ones don't have to stress about their food touching!
There is much less of a chance of food getting mixed up too! Plus, for eco-conscious families, multiple leak-proof compartments can save you from using plastic baggies to store food.
Insulated lunch boxes are a must for parents who like to provide their kid with a hot meal or cold drinks for lunch. These lunch boxes usually have a layer of vacuum between the two walls of the box or use insulating materials to make sure that the desired temperature is maintained until lunchtime.
This makes it super easy to carry around extremely hot or cold food. The box itself will not be affected by the temperature of the food inside due to the insulation. You don't have to worry about hot handles or freezing sides!
Some lunchboxes come with insulated compartments inside as well. These are amazing as they allow you to store all kinds of food in the same box. This can save you from having to pack an extra thermos for hot dishes.
If you’re going to be cleaning the box, you’ll want to make sure it’s easy to clean. Along with the material, the structure is also important in determining the elbow grease required.
For example, a box with many nooks and crannies might end up taking a significant amount of time to clean, as those areas of the box might not be very accessible. Sharp corners and small grooves can be hard to get to, which means extra effort and time for you.
If want to use a dishwasher, make sure all parts of the lunch box are dishwasher-safe or are easily removable if not. Most dish-washer safe lunchboxes are top rack only, as being exposed to hot water directly or for too long may warp plastic or other soft materials.
Fabric lunch bags are often recommended to be dry cleaned, which is usually impractical for most parents. Usually, a good wiping-down with an antibacterial cleaner is enough!
With any lunchbox, it's recommended to let it dry completely after washing to avoid mold. Moisture can easily get trapped in grooves or hinges, especially since this a product that gets used and washed almost every day.
Running out of lunch ideas? We don't blame you! If you're packing your kid's lunch every day it can quickly start to feel monotonous. Check out this video from The Family Fudge for some creative and delicious hot lunches that will fit perfectly into a bento box.
For more high-quality products geared towards helping kids be happy and healthy, check out these other top ten lists!
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