No more scattered food containers, mismatched lids, and the struggle to find that one missing piece because this year, we’re getting ORGANIZED.

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From back to school shopping for clothes, to wranging school supplies, to packing lunches every day, checking folders, and maybe even managing homework – your plate is about to fill up with those school year tasks that can make your days just a little more hectic. 

I want to majorly simplify one of these areas for you – packed lunches! I have some resources available on Mama Knows Nutrition to help lighten some of the mental load out of lunch packing (like my Meal and Snack Survival Guide for starters!), and today I’m going to do a deep dive into my favorite lunch box containers for daycare and school. 

So if you’re wondering what’s best- the best lunch box for toddlers and kids alike (a metal lunch box? a plastic lunch box, an insulated lunch box, a stainless steel lunch box? the options are endless!) – we’re going to cover it here! 

Since many of us are packing lunches 5 days a week for, I don’t know, 36 weeks a year, it’s VERY important to me to have the right gear. That’s why I have personally tested and reviewed tons of lunch boxes and am going to give you my honest opinion on the pros and cons of each. 

I’m looking for a lunch box that’s going to stand the test of time (aka being tossed into my kids’ backpacks, onto my countertop, probably dropped on the floor, thrown into the dishwasher, etc.), keep their food temperature-safe, and be easy enough to open, close, transport, and clean. 

So here we go, let’s start the hunt for the best bento box/lunch box out there!

Shop all my favorite lunch packing supplies on Amazon here!

First up: Bentgo Kids Bento Box

Pros:

1- Emilia LOVES the colorful options of this one

She’s always stoked when I pack the Bentgo Kids Bento Box with the mermaids on top! I think kids love to have things in their daily routines that reflect their likes and interests- so I personally love any chance to opt for the most kid-appealing items. It may seem like a small thing, but I think it adds some excitement to mealtime!

2- Leak proof compartments 

Arguably the most important thing about a lunchbox?! 

I tested this with cottage cheese and it didn’t leak out of its compartment at all, so you don’t have to use an extra container inside for these types of things. 

The last thing you want is the cottage cheese mixing with the PB&J and suddenly your picky eater will eat NONE of it. It’s not uncommon for kids to have aversions to certain things touching each other on their plates, not to mention it can just get downright messy- so this is a big pro in my book!

3- Feels sturdier to me than other brands with similar styles that I tested

This checks the box for my “will stand the test of time” criteria. I don’t want the mental load of replacing a lunch box every few months, so I love the sturdy feel of this one!

4- The right size for a toddler/preschooler

I talk about this a lot in my picky eater content, but kids- especially picky ones- can get overwhelmed by large portion sizes. If young ones are taking lunch boxes to school with way more food than is normal for them to see on their plates, it may make them less likely to eat. 

That being said, I do usually err a little bit on the side of MORE versus LESS in the lunchbox overall, because you aren’t there with them to give seconds of something they liked, I like to make sure they have enough quantity and variety in case they are really hungry. I find that this Bentgo Kids box allows for that while still being the appropriate size for a toddler/preschooler lunch box. 

5- Easy for little kid to open

Again, super important if your child can’t or doesn’t have help at meal times! You can have peace of mind knowing this box is super kid-friendly!

Cons:

1- Doesn’t really have space for a whole sandwich

This may not be too big of a deal to you if you aren’t often packing sandwiches or only usually packing half a sandwich, but for kids who enjoy a whole PB&J or turkey sandwich, there isn’t room for the whole thing to fit comfortably if the bread is on the larger size. You could cut it up into smaller shapes/pieces, but just something to be aware of.

2- They will probably outgrow it by 1st grade, especially if they have a larger appetite at lunch

While it’s a great size for little ones, it may not have the longevity to grow with them. If you’re looking for a long lifetime in a lunch box, this may not be your top pick. 

BUT THERE’S GOOD NEWS! If you loved this box for your littles, but they grew out of it and needed more space, Bentgo heard you! They have a bigger leakproof size for big kids (and teens) now, as well as a larger, more modern take for adults and older kids/teens (they call this one leak-resistant, so interpret that how you will!).

Bentgo also got smart and made the Bentgo Chill Max– which is the kids Bentgo we all know and love (best for kids ages 3-7) with a reusable ice pack that goes on the bottom of the box to keep lunch cool! No more digging out separate ice packs from the bottom of the freezer.

My Overall Rating: 4.75/5! It’s the one I reach for most often.

Shop the Bentgo Kids Bento Box on Amazon

Planetbox Rover

Pros:

1- Feels very durable/well made

Test of time! You know that’s a big one for me. I like the feel of this, and it seems very high quality, unlike a lot of products made for kids. These things go through the wringer, so I appreciate a high-quality, durable product, and will always be willing to pay a little bit more for things that are going to last! 

2- Stainless steel

In addition to stainless steel being really durable, it’s also a breeze to clean, and is more temperature controlled material than, say, plastic. I tend to like glass and stainless steel food containers best, but we’re obviously not sending glass to kindergarten- so stainless steel it is! (I do, however, give my kids glass at home- these glass smoothie cups have silicone sleeves around them to make them less breakable, and they are our favorite cups!)

3- Child could open it themselves

Same as above- if it’s important to you to be sure your child can open the box themselves- this one passes the test!

4- Nice size for toddlers/preschoolers

Easy for them to tote around in a backpack and eat from without getting overwhelmed by the size. It’s got plenty of room for a good size toddler/little kid lunch without being too roomy and things sloshing around everywhere!

Cons: 

1- Not leakproof (but you can get little containers to put inside)

Okay, hear me out! It’s not leakproof. That sounds bad. BUT, you may already have or could easily get some small containers to put inside. We have plenty of those laying around, and I find that they work really well for keeping things contained inside this lunchbox. And in some ways, it’s a little less of a mess anyway! 

2- The small middle section feels too small

Like I could maybe put 4 m&ms there? Just doesn’t feel like the most useful space to me. 

3- It’s not very tall 

It looks like you could maybe fit a yogurt cup or something like that inside, but it’s not tall enough, so you’d need their extra containers. I wish the compartments were deeper so I had more options on the type of items I could fit inside. 

My Overall Rating: 4 / 5 

Shop the Planetbox Rover on Amazon

Lunchbots

Pros:

1- Stainless steel

You know that thing isn’t breaking, no matter what! 

2- Less expensive than the Planetbox

A very similar stainless steel competitor at a lower price point- you love to see it!

3- Deeper than the Planetbox 

This means you can fit larger serving sizes and a larger variety of pre-packaged items like yogurt. This does also mean it’s a bit bulkier, but I like the freedom that comes with the added depth!

4- Different models

The Lunchbots lunch box is available in different configurations- so you can get one with 3 compartments or 5 compartments. I think that’s such a great feature so you can choose that one that fits how you most often pack lunches! I personally like the 5 compartment one so I can weave in a little more variety- that works best for my kids!

Cons:

1- Not leakproof

Again, not necessarily a fatal flaw, but you do need to buy containers to put inside. 

2- May be harder for a toddler to open themselves

The lid stays on nice and tight, but there aren’t latches for a toddler to grab onto like some of the other lunchboxes have.

My Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5! These are a great everyday lunch box and are at a great price point for quality stainless steel.

Shop Lunchbots lunchbox on Amazon

EasyLunchboxes Bento Boxes

Pros:

1- The most affordable reusable option

This pro cannot be overstated. If you’re buying multiple lunch boxes for multiple kids, it can really add up! Even one of the stainless steel ones can run you about $50. So the EasyLunchboxes being under $15 is a killer deal. 

2- Versatility

If you like to prep lunches ahead of time, the EasyLunchboxes Bento Boxes come in clutch. You can either make a sandwich and freeze it right in this container and finish the rest of the lunch packing in the morning, or you could make a few lunches and keep them in the fridge without having to buy several of the more expensive lunch boxes. The price allows for more versatility and could make your lunch packing much easier if you buy multiple. 

3- ALMOST leak proof

They aren’t 100% perfect, but they do a pretty good job at keeping leaks at bay. I would still feel comfortable tossing this in a backpack (as long as none of the containers are pure liquid). 

Con:

1- Not quite as durable

It’s made of plastic rather than stainless steel, so it lacks the durability and potential longevity of some of the other options on this list. But if the price point and the other pros outweigh that for you, this is a great option! 

My Overall Rating: 4 / 5! 

Shop EasyLunches Bento Box on Amazon

Sistema Bento Box

Pros: 

1- Good for older kids, especially kids who like to have a sandwich in their lunch as well

It’s spacious and you can remove the optional tray to fit a sandwich on the bottom. I have also found that it fits most single serve yogurt containers. 

2- Has a lot of different spaces

I personally love this feature because it allows you to throw in a lot of variety for my elementary aged kid. When kids are away at school, we won’t know exactly how hungry they are, what they want, how much they eat, so I find that offering a modest (read: not overwhelming) amount of a handful of things leads to more consumption versus going all in on a full sandwich and carrots and they don’t touch it. 

3- Can fit a lot 

I’d also call this one the most adult friendly on this list (if you’re not reheating anything – good for a sandwich and sides!) The size makes it able to accommodate a variety of appetites, so this is a potentially a very versatile purchase! 

Cons:

1- Too big for preschoolers/toddlers

This one is pretty roomy, so if you’re looking for a lunchbox for a toddler for daycare, this may not be your ideal size. 

2- Not great for snack-tray type lunches

If you typically pack lunches that are more of a charcuterie board style, these compartments may not make sense, as they’re larger and more spacious than some of the stainless steel bento boxes with smaller, snack-friendly compartments.

My Overall Rating: 4 / 5!

Shop Sistema Bento Box on Amazon

Miss Big Bento Box

Pros: 

1- Large and deep compartments

This box is spacious and can fit a good-sized main dish- sandwich or otherwise. The larger compartments mean you can fit more things for larger appetites, making this box a good option for bigger kids, too!

2- Durable and lightweight

This bento box is surprisingly durable for how slight and lightweight it feels. It holds up well to daily use and is still appropriate to stick in a toddler or young child’s backpack for school. While some of the stainless steel options can be a bit heavy, this box is light and easy to carry.  

Cons:

1- Leak-resistant, maybe not the most leak-PROOF

Most lunchboxes aren’t perfectly leak proof. If you pack lots of liquid-based items that can get leaky, you might run into some seeping. But if you pack mostly things that are dry/in their whole form/packaged, then you likely won’t have a problem!

2- Not great for snack-style lunches

Similar to the Sistema boxes above, these larger compartments are better for 3 larger portions of food, rather than smaller snacky type lunches. If you typically pack a variety of things in smaller portions, this box may not be best for you.

My Overall Rating: 4 / 5!

Shop Miss Big Bento Box on Amazon

Favorite Accessories

In addition to the lunch box itself, you may find that you need a few accessories to make sure things are temperature controlled and safe.

Some of my favorites are these slim ice packs that I find fit really well on the outside of a lunch box to help keep the contents cold. We also use these Simple Modern insulated lunch box containers- I find that they fit a bento box really well, and I just stick the icepacks around it and zip it up! If you’re looking for a lunchbox you can throw in the freezer and it will act like the ice pack itself, check out this Packit lunch box!

Some of my other top recommendations would be these stainless steel containers and a set of Stasher bags that are great for food storage at home and for lunches and snacks on the go!

Everything mentioned in this post is linked in my Amazon storefront, so follow that link to find the items that will help make those hundreds of lunches you’re about to pack a breeze!

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