The Best School Lunch Boxes

inside: My personal list of the best school lunch boxes to buy. Kids tested bento style boxes tried and tested for you and info where to buy.

**updated 7/22**

I may have a bit of a lunch box obsession… {haha} I’m always on the hunt for the best school lunch boxes for my kids and husband. I pack lunches and snacks for the boys {and now my daughter} and breakfast and lunch for my husband, so I’m using many boxes every day.

Today I thought I’d share my favorites from the past few years and what has held up for us. Please let me know if you have a favorite as well!! While I’ve tried many kinds, you will notice I have a favorite brand as you read through my picks!

Fun things to sew for School Lunches

• Lunch bags to sew
• DIY lunch box labels
• Lunch box name tags
• DIY insulated lunch bag
• reusable snack bags

The Best School Lunch Boxes reviews

Over the years I have tried many many boxes. We use many every day, so the wear and tear on our lunch boxes is a lot, but I also have a good sense which ones hold up well since we use them so much. My newer reviews are at the top and the older ones are below. I have updated all the links so you should still be able to find all these products.

First up is a three section bento style box. We have two of these and they are heading into their second school year. The box comes with a fork and a place to put the fork under the lid. I hardly every use it with this box, although I have sent this nice small fork with some thermos meals. All the snap edges work great and all my kids can open on their own. Great size for a sandwich and two sides. Would totally purchase again! Buy it <<HERE>>

As you read though these reviews you will see I have a huge love for sistema! this box is another one of our favorites. It has one big opening and two smaller ones and also comes with a cup for sauce/yogurt. The large opening has an insert that makes it two level, but I forgot to put in the photo. I think I got this at a TJ Maxx style store but you can also find online. We have had this one for several years. It was first for my son Max, then I scratched out his name on the sticker and just made it a general family box. This one is large enough for big kids and adults. Buy it <<HERE>>

Here is another sistema option and I cannot find this one for sale on Amazon. I think I found it at our local Home Goods store, so you can check there or TJ MAXX for these type of boxes, them seem to carry them. This clip storage box has four large containers and is another large lunch option. A full sandwich can fit in a single pouch, so there is plenty of room for sides or other things. I have put small yogurt containers in these before and it fits. These have been through two school seasons and I think are retiring this year {haha} the lid seals keep coming out in the wash and are harder and harder to put back in the lid. GREAT for a few years though and were about $5 each when I bought them, so well worth it.

This one I just picked up this summer in a Prime Day sale. It came in a pack of four and the lids feel thin. I don’t expect them to last forever, but the price was right and I like the four compartments. This may be more on the kids size lunch end, but I could for sure use it for my husband as well. The lid is NOT leak proof, so that’s a small con, but for dry lunches I think this will work great. We like to do fancy cheese and cracker and meat lunches and I think this will be perfect. You can but it << HERE>>

Need reusable bags for snack and sandwiches… I’ve tried several kinds and I love these smelly proof bags. they come in all sizes and in clear and black… perfect for sandwich packing. You can buy them on Amazon <<HERE>>

Another new box, I love the soft silicone style of this box. I have one with three openings and one with just one. These are more of the snack or small kids lunch size, but I’m so excited to give them a try. Will have to report back with how they hold up. They have gorgeous colors and BPA free and leakproof! Buy them <<HERE>>

Last year I discovered the bentgo brand and I love them! We’ve had the purple box for a full year and I just got the bigger ones this summer. These are more on the pricey end, but you can find sales online or in stores around back to school. I got a good Prime Day deal and I know they hold up, so I bought two larger ones. The smaller one is too small for the boys, but I like all the small openings for Rose. It also has a leak proof dip holder which is perfect for her. The big boxes are great for adults and big kids and I’m excited to have this option when school starts. But the big box <<HERE>> and the smaller size <<HERE>> be sure to watch for sales.

I bought this lunch box for the kids, but I use if more for my husband. Made by Sistema, it’s really just too big for the kids. I love the three openings on the top though and the big bottom pocket. The lid is removable so when my husband has to heat up his main meal, he takes off the top and keeps his veggies and fruit out of the micro.

This has also held up really well and we’ve had this particular box for 2 years, although it’s not used daily. We had another one that the hinge did break from taking off the lid so much. A great option for larger lunches. Buy it <<<HERE>>>

Also from Sistema, these are more like snack boxes, but I cannot recommend them enough!!! We have had the one on the left for 4 years and the one on the right for 3, used every day during the school year, and they still look and work perfectly! Two small sections, these are perfect for snacks… We will be using these again this year and hoping they continue to go strong. Buy them <<<HERE>>> I’ve also seen these at Old Navy, which is handy! This has the Sistema Klip it sides with are easy for kids to use, but seal the box very well. 

I got this bento style box from Pottern Barn kids and it held up great for the whole school year. PROS: I like all the little spaces and the lid closes easily. Durable.  CONS: too many spaces for me really. I send a sandwich a couple sides, I’m not a true bento packer {ha!}

Of all the ones I have bought and tried this box {also by Sistema} is the one I pull out the most. It’s the perfect size for a sandwich, fruit and veg, my go to simple lunch. Not too big and not too small it worked great in KG and 1st grade for my son. Eventually it may be too small, but for not its perfect. The two little side compartments are great for fruit and veg, although sometimes I remove the green lids to fit more in. They slide on and off easily and I love the option of both. Comes in lots of colors.. I just bought two more this summer {haha!} Buy it <<<HERE>>> This has the Sistema Klip it sides with are easy for kids to use, but seal the box very well.

This is one I bought for myself, but have used it for all the family members at one time or another. It’s a salad box with built in fork and knife and a big main bottom space. The top tray is removable and has spaces for salad toppings. We’ve used it for all sorts of foods, but it has been a great option to have. Also by Sistema buy it <<<HERE>>> This has the Sistema Klip it sides with are easy for kids to use, but seal the box very well. Okay, moving to other brands.. This dressing bottle is perfect for all types of dips and dressings. I use it for soy sauce when I send my son sushi, or ketchup with a burger. My husband takes a lot of salads and its great for dressings too. I got this one at Walmart, but you can buy it <<HERE>>

This was a new box to me last year. I loved that it collapses down for storage as we don’t have a lot of space. It’s made from flexible silicone.  It also comes with a spork and a little spot for dip {which is too small for any real purpose} The three places are a great size and I have used this for both my son and husband. The lid has 4 clips to attach and our only issue was that one clip partially cam loose. It’s still attached and works fine and we have two of these, the other hasn’t had an issue. Great for storage as it collapses to under an inch. Buy it <<HERE>>

So that’s my take on the best school lunch boxes… I should mention that are reasonably priced.. I’ve seen some I would like to try, but just can pay so much for a lunch box. Let me know your favorites!!!