The 10 Best Lunchboxes for Kids and Adults That Will Keep Food Fresh for Hours

“I tested this lunch cooler about two years ago, and it was awesome!” says editor Katrina Cossey. “It’s a great size if you work long hours and need something to keep your food cool all day.” The thick insulated walls maintain cold temperatures even in the sun, and the sturdy design is durable enough for regular use.

Its portability makes it the best option for commuters, whether traveling by train or in a car to work or class. The handle doubles as a lock: Lift it to secure the cooler, and fold it down to open it. It’s a handy feature, but it can occasionally be finicky if the handle isn’t fully up or fully down. Once you get used to it, however, it’s easy to operate. 

Packing school lunches can get old fast, especially when you’re stuck choosing between only hot or cold food — but that’s where the OmieBox saves the day. It has a built-in insulated thermos and multiple compartments that let you send warm and cold food together, all in one box. “Pasta stays warm in the thermos, and his food stays well separated,” shares editorial director Simone Scully, whose son uses this bento box. As parents who have experienced leaky lunches many times, we’re thankful that this one keeps everything contained.

While we wish it were dishwasher safe, it’s a solid lunchbox for kids. “It’s easy to use, can be carried on its own as a lunchbox or fit into a larger lunchbox (which is what my daughter likes to do), and it keeps food hot and cold for hours,” says editor Ashley Ziegler, whose kiddo also uses this lunchbox. Plus, it comes in fun color combinations that our kids loved.

Some insulated food jars we’ve tried either lose heat too quickly or take up too much room in a lunchbox, but this b.box pick provides a great balance. It offers reliable insulation and has a nice design that makes it stand out from the rest. The lid features handles and a bumper, making it easier for kids to open, while keeping the jar protected in backpacks or lunch bags.

The jar is dishwasher-safe, and we love that the stainless steel doesn’t hold smells either. While the design is wider than other insulated food jars for kids, we still recommend it because it retains heat well, fits easily in a lunchbox, and helps kids feel independent at school.

The Built Insulated Food Jar is our top pick for adults due to its large 16-ounce capacity and ability to hold heat throughout the day. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe, which is practically a requirement for busy adults.

We love how well it keeps food warm or cold for hours (yes, it does both). Our kiddos have also used this food jar when theirs were dirty. Just note that it might be harder for smaller kids to open. That said, as long as we we didn’t put the lid on too tightly, we had no issues. There’s a soft rubber grip on the exterior, which makes it easier to hold the jar while twisting off the lid. It’s also fully leakproof; we’ve never had our lunches leak from the jar while into our bags. And the wide-mouth opening is a useful feature that leaves plenty of room to maneuver a fork or spoon for just the right bite.

If you want a lunchbox container that will last through summer camp and beyond, look no further than the Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Lunch Box. The material is durable, making it suitable for everything from school lunch tables to picnic tables at the zoo. Kids love the playful designs, like unicorns or dinosaurs, which easily make lunchtime more exciting. Its durability, organization, and style are why we chose it as a top pick for summer camp lunchboxes.

The three compartments and a removable silicone container allow you to pack various items, such as a sandwich, fruit, and nuts. “The lunchbox doesn’t have any internal cooling features or ice, like some of the others I tried, but it does stay pretty cool if you pack it in a lunch bag with some ice packs,” says Scully. Be sure to include at least two ice packs to keep perishable foods at a safe temperature until lunchtime.

I’ve been using this insulated lunch bag nearly every day for the last two years, and it’s quickly become my go-to choice for work lunches. It’s the perfect size, and I love that it keeps my food, like a ham sandwich, cold as long as I add ice packs. I also like how cute it looks, which makes carrying it a little more fun than some other adult lunchboxes. Cleaning is simple — I can just wipe it down on the inside for a quick clean.

Packing meals is a breeze, with a main compartment that offers ample room for my favorite foods, plus side pockets for other needs like silverware or a piece of gum. I can quickly toss in several items, zip it up, and head out the door each morning. The design makes it easy to grab and go, which saves time when things get hectic.

“What I like most is that it’s very easy to clean,” says Sabrina Rojas Weiss, an editor and parent whose 12-year-old son handpicked this lunchbox. “Most of the time, you just need to wash the insert, but you should definitely wash the rest of it regularly too.” While the compartments are likely too small for teenage kids, Weiss’s son “liked the idea of having a lot of different compartments for his food.” Weiss also mentioned that it made him excited to pack different snacks.

The lunchbox by itself is not heavily insulated, so we recommend using ice packs or packing room-temperature foods that don’t need to stay hot or cold. Still, for preschoolers and elementary-school-age kids who love variety and snack-style lunches, this is a really great option.

“This lunchbox comes with a small ice pack below the compartments that helps keep those berries (or kiwis, grapes, cheese — you name it) cool all day long, even right next to a thermos full of warm pasta,” says Scully. It gives you peace of mind, knowing that the food will remain at a safe temperature until lunchtime.

Our only issue is that just the inner tray is dishwasher-safe; all of the other pieces must be hand-washed. 

If you want a lunchbox that is long-lasting and easy to clean, you won’t want to miss these Pura Lunch Containers. The 100 percent stainless steel is durable and safe for daily use. “From a medical and food-safety perspective, stainless steel is one of the safest materials for daily use because it doesn’t leach chemicals, resists bacterial buildup, and can be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized,” says Kristi Ruth, RDN, a registered dietitian in Pennsylvania and owner of Carrots and Cookies.

We appreciate the separate containers for various snacks or for your main dish and a side. An elastic band secures the outside to prevent leakage during transport. “However, there were times when it leaked, and my son struggled to get the bands on himself after he was done,” Scully notes. On the plus side, these lunch containers are dishwasher-safe and oven-safe.

One of the best lunch bags for kids is this Bentgo pick, which comes in a wide range of colorful prints that make it easy for kids to spot and show off at school. “My son has used this lunch bag for school every day for the past two years!” Cossey says. “It’s incredibly durable, and I appreciate the carrying options (a top handle and a strap).” The top handle unclicks to attach to a backpack for easier portability.

It also has an insulated interior to keep food at a safe temperature for hours. We just recommend popping in ice packs. It’s also easy to clean. “I prefer machine-washable lunch bags, such as those made by Vera Bradley, or lunchboxes with a smooth lining so they’re easier to wipe down,” Ruth says. “Once you notice wear and tear in the lining, it’s time to find a new lunchbox.”

There’s a side pocket that’s big enough for a bottle of water or snacks. We appreciate that it’s big enough to hold a lunch container, a thermos, utensils, and maybe some small snacks, thanks to an interior zipper pocket. Although it does feel slightly bulky, and the zipper can be tricky at times, we still think it’s ideal for school-age kids who pack full lunches.