We Had Parents and Kids Test Out the Best Lunch Boxes Ahead of the School Year

Final Verdict

The Bentgo Kids' Lunch Box is our top choice, particularly for younger children, thanks to its durable and leakproof design. Foods stay in their designated compartments during travel, and the box comes in a variety of bright colors that kids are sure to love. For a classic lunch bag, we recommend Wildkin's insulated box. It comes in a wide variety of bright designs, including dinosaurs, horses, butterflies, safari animals, and more.

How We Tested Lunch Boxes for Kids

We tried out more than a dozen lunch boxes and packed a variety of kid-friendly food items—everything from sandwiches and salads to fruit, yogurt, smoothies, and snacks. Adults thoroughly examined the lunch bags and even tested how long they kept food hot or cold; while kiddos also lent a hand to try out the boxes during lunchtime.

We Observed

• How easy the lunch boxes were to clean: After each wash, we noted any lingering odors or food left over in hard-to-reach spaces. We liked a dishwasher-safe product, or at the very least, a water-resistant lining that was easy to wipe out.
• Whether anything leaked: We looked for features like drop-proof edges and latches that are strong enough to avoid spills while thrown around in a backpack, yet easy enough for kids to open. Likewise, we noted if food stayed separated in the different compartments.
• What kids thought: We tested these lunch boxes with real kids to get their thoughts as they brought them to school multiple times, paying special attention to the design and color schemes, how easy they were to carry, and overall convenience.

We Rated

• Design: Although most of the lunchboxes on this list were designed with kids in mind specifically, we focused on products that featured smaller compartments for child-sized portions. Likewise, we highlighted lunch boxes with a selection of different patterns, colors, and styles available to fit all types of personalities and preferences.
• Insulation: For lunch boxes that advertised insulating materials, we tested them with hot or cold meals to see how well they maintained temperature and kept food fresh. We also focused on lunch boxes that included their own ice packs and awarded bonus points to lunch boxes with two temperature zones, allowing you to store both hot and cold foods simultaneously.
• Versatility: We looked for lunch boxes and lunch sets that could fit a range of needs as a child's dietary restrictions or portion sizes change and grow. Some of the lunch boxes on this list could even work for adults in a pinch.
• Size: We focused on lightweight lunch boxes that would be easy for kids to carry on their own and tested each to make sure it was large enough to fit a typical lunch (such as a sandwich, snack, and 12-ounce drink).
• Value: We measured value against quality, especially since a child is more likely to leave their lunch box behind at school or even toss components in the trash by accident.

About Our Testers

Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with almost 15 years of experience researching the best home and kitchen items for various publications, tested a majority of the items on this list with her own children's lunches. She has a culinary degree from The French Culinary Institute in New York City and previously worked as an editor for Real Simple.

Other Options We Tested

• Opux Insulated Dual Compartment Lunch Bag: During testing, we found that this one is well insulated and has a lot of usable compartments, but ultimately decided it's too big and bulky for kids. "I think this lunch box is much too large for children. It's really more of a mini cooler. You could pack a full day's worth of food in here for one person," our tester said.
• LunchBots Large Trio Stainless Steel Lunch Container: This is expensive for a lunch box, and it doesn't provide any real insulation. It also doesn't have room for a drink, and the compartments are fixed. As a result, it's not super versatile and it doesn't have a handle for carrying. This is a long-lasting bento box that would definitely work for some people, but we decided it's not necessarily the best lunch box for kids—particularly given the price.

What to Look for in a Lunch Box for Kids

Size

The age of your children and what they like to eat for lunch will determine how big a lunch box they need. Young children in kindergarten or preschool may be fine with small bento boxes that just hold half a sandwich, but older children may need a larger lunch box that can hold a full-size entree, multiple snacks, or a water bottle. Keep weight in mind as well, as your child will have to carry the box around in their backpack.

Design and Accessibility 

If you’re buying a lunch box for young children, you’ll want to consider whether they’ll be able to easily open all its components. Some lunch boxes are tricky clasps that small fingers can’t manage, and some hot food containers have to be screwed on tightly to prevent leaking—these types of issues can make it frustrating for your child to get to their food.  

Insulation

A lunch box with good insulation is key to keeping food safe until lunchtime. You’ll likely end up putting ice packs into it—though some lunch boxes have built-in gel linings—but the ice can melt quickly if the container doesn’t have enough insulation. On the flip side, kids who take hot lunches will need a thermos or other insulated container that can keep food warm for several hours.

FAQs

What is a bento lunch box? 

Bento boxes originated in Japan, and they’re designed to hold a single serving of food, including a main dish and several sides. These lunch boxes are divided up into multiple compartments—commonly between three and five—and they have a compact form that’s easy to transport in a backpack or other bag. 

How do you wash a kid's lunch box?

At the end of each day, you should wash your child’s lunch box using warm, soapy water, making sure to get into any cracks and crevices. You can then let it air dry. Alternatively, some lunch boxes can be placed in the dishwasher, allowing for hands-free cleaning.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This article was originally written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. As someone who commuted to work for many years, she knows the importance of a well-insulated lunch box, and while selecting products for this list, she looked at each lunch box's size, weight, capacity, and special features. She considered how easy the various lunch boxes would be for children to open, as well as their durability.

This article was later updated by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has spent nearly 15 years researching the best home goods and kitchen items for various digital publications, including The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. Brigitt also frequently contributes to parenting sites like What to Expect, plus has four of her own children, including two preschoolers she regularly packs lunches and snacks for. She personally tested seven lunch boxes for this roundup.