Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
The best lunch containers for school combine practicality and durability while keeping food fresh. In this post, we’ll guide you through a curated list of the best lunch containers available, ensuring your kiddo’s meals remain delicious, organized, and ready to enjoy so you can say goodbye to soggy sandwiches.
Together Blair and I have researched an array of lunch totes, traditional lunch boxes, thermos mugs, insulated lunch boxes, and containers for salads to suit kids and adults alike. We focused on easy-to-use and easy-to-clean options to help your meal prep time run smoothly. Being moms ourselves, our aim was to find lunch boxes that save time and would make packing school lunches go a little more smoothly. There are so many great lunch containers out there, but the ones we’ve listed below stood out, including the lunch bags that Blair and her family use regularly.
Our Top Picks:
- What Blair Uses: Femuar Lunch Bag – $13.99 at Amazon
- Best Insulated Lunch Container: Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Bag – $35.99 at Amazon
- Best Salad Lunch Container: Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set – $22.99 at Amazon
- Best Leakproof: Bentgo Lunch Bag – $24.99 at Amazon
- Best Lunch Containers for Toddlers: OmieBox – $44.95 at Amazon
- Best Freezable: PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag – $23.99 at Target
Reviews of The Best Lunch Containers
1. What Blair Uses: Femuar Lunch Bag
Blair and her family regularly use the Femuar Lunch Bags (which are designed for older kids and adults) as they’re lightweight, affordable, easy to clean, and roomy enough to fit a lunch container, 3 drink cans, and snacks. The side pocket can also hold an additional water bottle, and it comes in a variety of different fun colors to suit any style.
“These are our favorite lunch bags,” says Blair. “They have a holder on the outside for a drink or water bottle and plenty of space for food inside without being bulky. We love the Femuar lunch bags because they’re inexpensive, so you don’t feel bad if they get lost or if you need to buy a new one each year.”
Blair’s Pro Tip:
“I use these flat ice packs in the lunch boxes to keep the food cold. These ice packs fit perfectly in the lunch boxes, and you can use one on top of the food (in the upper pouch) and one on the bottom.”
The Specs:
- Capacity: 6 Liters
- Material: Nylon
- Size: 10.2 x 4.5 x 8.7 inches
- Age Group: Older kids, Adults
The Pros:
- Easy wipe-clean lining
- Extra pockets
- Heavy duty
- Keeps food hot or cold
- Easy to use
The Cons:
- Not designed for kids under 12
What Others Are Saying:
The Femuar Lunch Bag has a 4.7-star rating from over 5,400 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Femuar Lunch Bag:
2. Best Insulated Lunch Container: Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Box
The Hydro Flask lunch box has a hard-shell structure and two layers of insulation, meaning it will keep your food cold—with the addition of an ice pack—or hot for longer (up to 4 hours). The exterior is a coated nylon fabric that is both durable and waterproof, and the flip-top, zippered lid makes it easy to clean and easy to pack. The interior consists of a BPA-free plastic shell, plus a mesh pocket that’s good for holding an ice pack or two.
You can choose from large (5 liters) or small (3.5 liters), and it comes in a range of colors. This lunch box would be perfect for meal prep lunches. Although extremely durable, it’s a little more expensive than the other options.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 3.5 liters
- Material: Nylon and Plastic
- Size: 10.5 x 4.15 x 9.69 inches
- Age Group: Older kids / Adults
The Pros:
- Two layers of insulation
- Easy to clean
- Flip-top lid for easy packing
- Can fit small ice packs
The Cons:
- No outer pockets
- No drink holder
- Pricey
What Others Are Saying:
The Hydro Flask lunch bag was voted one of the best lunch boxes by NBC News, Real Simple, Esquire, and The Spruce Eats.
Buy the Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Bag:
3. Best Salad Lunch Container: Bentology Lunch Bag and Box Set
The Bentology lunch bag and box set is great for kids who enjoy a selection of different foods for lunch, or who want to take a salad without the lettuce getting soggy. The set contains one insulated lunch bag tote, 5 different plastic food storage containers with leak-proof lids (including one large plastic lunch box), and a reusable ice pack. It has a handy front pocket for storing utensils or a napkin and a side pocket that fits a small drinks bottle.
There are lots of different designs to choose from, with unique styles for both boys and girls, and the containers are both microwave and dishwasher-safe, making this set really easy to clean. However, the lids can be a little tricky to open, and when the set is fully loaded, it may be a bit heavy, especially for toddlers.
The Specs:
- Capacity: .48 liters
- Material: Polyester, BPA-free plastic
- Size: 8.5 x 9.5 x 3.25 inches
- Age Group: Kids
The Pros:
- Comes a lunch bag and a lunch box
- Dishwasher & microwave
- Insulated
- Includes ice packs
- Many patterns and designs
The Cons:
- Toddlers may struggle to open the lids
- Heavy when fully loaded
What Others Are Saying:
Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Eats both voted the Bentology Lunch Bag and Box set one of the best lunch boxes.
Buy the Bentology Lunch Bag & Box Set:
4. Best Leakproof: Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag
The insulated Bentgo Deluxe Lunch Bag is fully leakproof and is designed to fit a variety of different-sized plastic bento boxes, but it can fit your existing food storage containers, too. The Bentgo bag has an interior mesh pocket for snacks or an ice pack, and the exterior pocket is great for storing utensils. Plus, the top handle makes it easy to tote around and it comes with an additional strap for over-the-shoulder carrying. The only drawback is it may be a bit big to fit inside preschool backpacks.
Buying this lunch bag helps children in need—Bentgo is a proud supporter of Feed the Children.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 6.63 liters
- Material: Food-Grade Safe PEVA Insulation and Nylon EVA Polyester
- Size: 10 x 7 x 7 inches
- Age Group: Older kids
The Pros:
- Leak-proof
- Thermal insulation
- Exterior pockets
- Fits a drink in the lid
- Long shoulder strap
- Great for rectangular containers
The Cons:
- Slightly bulky so may not fit in backpacks
What Others Are Saying:
The Bentgo lunch bag has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon out of more than 7,200 reviews, and Good Housekeeping included it as one of their choices for the best lunch bags for kids.
Buy the Bentgo Lunch Bag:
5. Best Lunch Container for Toddlers: OmieBox
This trending, insulated lunch box is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. The removable container can be used for warm or cold food, or you can take the container out if you want to pack a sandwich instead. The rectangular compartment has a divider that can be moved to suit the food, and the lunch box itself is leakproof. There are 5 vibrant colors to choose from, and its compact size is easy for little ones to carry. Need some lunch inspiration? Take a look at Blair’s Toddler Lunch Ideas. The one downside is that you have to take the pieces out to hand-wash them.
The Specs:
- Capacity: 1.64 liters
- Material: Stainless steel, food grade silicon, plastic
- Size: 8.5 x 7.5 inches
- Age Group: Toddlers
The Pros:
- Can hold warm and cold food at the same time
- Small & compact
- Removable bowl for liquids
- Large compartment fits a sandwich
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Hand washing recommended
What Others Are Saying
The OmieBox is recommended by Good Housekeeping, The Strategist, The Spruce Eats, and Very Well Family. It has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon from more than 28,680 reviews.
Buy the OmieBox:
6. Best Freezable: PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag
The PackIt lunch bag contains a freezable gel liner that has been specially designed to keep food below 40˚F, which is the safety benchmark for perishable items, eliminating the need for ice packs. Store the lunch bag in your freezer overnight, and it’s good to go in the morning. It comes in a range of different colors and patterns to suit your child, and the entire bag folds flat, so it doesn’t take up space in your freezer.
The Specs:
- Brand: PackIt
- Capacity: 4 Liters
- Material: Non-toxic poly canvas
- Size: 5.25 x 8.5 x 3 inches
- Age Group: Kids
The Pros:
- Built-in freezable gel liner keeps foods cold for hours
- Folds flat to save storage space
- Spacious interior
- Can hold a kid’s bento box and a 12-ounce drink
The Cons:
- The gel liner make it heavier
- Not suitable for hot food
What Others Are Saying:
The Packit Freezable Lunch Bag was voted the best overall kids lunch box by Good Housekeeping. It has a 4.7-star rating out of over 8,800 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag:
Other Lunch Storage Containers to Consider
PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunchbox
PlanetBox consistently gets good reviews online, but it is expensive compared to other brands. This stainless steel lunch box is very durable and easy to clean, and it’s dishwasher safe. PlanetBox also offers a 5-year warranty. It’s worth noting that it’s not fully leakproof so it may not be suitable for certain types of foods, and it’s heavy for younger kids to carry. The PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunchbox is available at Amazon for $50.
Thermos 10-Ounce Funtainer Food Jar
If you’re in need of a lunch container for soup then take a look at the Thermos Funtainer Food Jar. This wide-mouth, easy-to-use thermos keeps food hot or cold and is also kid-friendly. It can hold up to 10 ounces of food and comes in a variety of different colors. Ideally, it needs hand washing which may be a problem for some. The Thermos 10-Ounce Funtainer Food Jar is available at Walmart for $15.97.
These colorful and fun insulated lunch boxes are perfect for little kids. They come in a range of different patterns and prints and are extremely kid-friendly. Easy to open and containing a BPA-free liner, these lunch bags easily fit a Bento box, or equivalent lunch box, inside them. The only downsides to these lunch bags (that we found) are that the lining can get stained easily, and the interior pocket doesn’t close. The Wildkin Insulated Lunch Box is available at Walmart for $22.99.Â
Bentgo Classic Stackable Lunch Box
If you’re looking for the best microwavable lunch containers then the Bentgo stackable lunch box is a good option. All the containers are microwave safe, but the dividers are not, meaning they need to be removed before heating. It has a compact design and is dishwasher safe. The Bentgo Classic Stackable Lunch Box is available at Amazon for $16.97.
L.L.Bean makes a range of insulated lunch boxes and bags. One of their most popular is the standard insulated lunch box. It’s a good price compared to other brands and has a compact design that is easy to clean. If you’re in need of a larger lunch bag, then consider the L.L. Bean Expandable Lunch Box, which has all the features of the standard but with an extra 2 inches of space. The one downfall with these lunch bags is there is no drink holder. The L.L. Bean Insulated Lunch Box is available at L.L.Bean for $19.95
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Georgina Caro, an award-winning freelance writer, eco-living expert, and certified vegetarian and vegan nutritionist. Over the course of my writing career, I have researched and written an assortment of different product guides to empower my readers to make more informed purchases. I’ve been featured in various home and lifestyle publications, including Huffpost, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Ethical Consumer, Impakter, and many more.
Blair Lonergan, a busy home cook, freelance recipe developer, and founder of The Seasoned Mom, believes that the key to someone’s heart is through their stomach. She regularly makes her delicious, Virginia-inspired recipes for her friends and family and shares her creations for others to enjoy. You can find out more about Blair on her About page. If you’re stuck in a lunch rut, check out Blair’s lunch ideas for inspiration.
Together, Blair and I created our top picks list of the best lunch containers for school and adults. We started with the lunch boxes and bags that Blair and her family use, and then we researched the most popular brands and the products others were recommending. We then compiled an in-depth analysis comparing the specifications of each product, including the size, style, cost, material, and care instructions, to bring you our list of the best lunch containers.
What to Know About Lunch Containers for School
Things to Consider When Choosing a Lunch Container for School
Dishwasher friendly: Remember that lunch boxes get dirty and messy easily, so it’s important to find options that can either go in the dishwasher or that are easy to wipe clean. The more compartments and containers, the more challenging this becomes! Blair always opts for one big compartment, which allows for flexibility in the foods that she packs. She says, “I don’t have time to fill 6 to 8 little holes with different snack-like foods.”
Size and Style: Think about your lunch box’s ideal size and style and what you plan to put in it. Do you want to pack whole sandwiches or is a finger-food bento box more your thing? If you’re planning to send soups or sauces, you’ll need to ensure that the lunch box and any included containers are leakproof.
When shopping for a lunch box for a toddler or preschooler, you’ll need to take into account how heavy it is for them to carry. Whereas older children need lunch containers that hold enough food to fill them up. Also worth investigating is whether or not the lunch bag can fit into your child’s backpack, thereby making it somewhat less likely that their lunch box ends up in the lost and found.
Leak-Proof: If you plan on packing a lot of liquid foods, such as yogurts or soup, you need to make sure the unit is 100% leakproof.
How to Clean School Lunch Containers
If your lunch box is dishwasher safe then all you need to do is pop it in the dishwasher. However, depending on the style, you may need to disassemble it beforehand. If it isn’t dishwasher safe, then clean it using a cloth and soapy water. For stubborn stains, you may need to use a stronger stain remover product.
What is a Bento Lunch Box?
A bento lunch box is a traditional Japanese meal container designed to hold a single portion of a balanced and visually appealing meal. It typically consists of multiple compartments or dividers, allowing you to separately arrange different types of food, such as rice, vegetables, and fruit, resulting in a delightful and convenient on-the-go dining experience. They are particularly popular with fussy toddlers.
Tips for Packing a School Lunch
Blair’s top tip for packing a school lunch is to “keep it simple.” The more complicated you make it, the more stressful it’s going to be. Stick to simple recipes that can be made within a few minutes, such as sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Bento-style lunches can be fun, but they are time-consuming.
You may find meal prepping all of your food at the beginning of the week helpful. Blair says the key to success for meal prepping lunches is to use perishable ingredients at the beginning of the week and save the stay-fresh options for later. Don’t forget to include leftovers too, which saves you time, money and reduces your food waste!
For even more tips for packing school lunches, read Blair’s top tips for meal prep lunches.
Best School Lunch Recipes
If you need some inspiration for new lunch ideas, check out Blair’s family-friendly recipes below:
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
