It’s New Year, and we’re all getting geared up and ready to tackle school and work, and what better way to prepare than invest in the ideal lunch box to assist with all your refuelling needs throughout the day. From insulated lunch boxes and compartment lunch boxes to the perfect kids’ lunch box and bento lunch box, there’s a product out there for you.
Although there are many outstanding options available to you, it’s always a good idea to compare your options first. That way, you’ll be able to find the perfect choice for your little one, and you won’t find yourself replacing lunch containers halfway through the year.
How we pick our top brands
Our top picks are selected from a wide range of products. We compare over 20 leading brands, 217 products, with 50 or more reviews on Productreview.com.au, Amazon and other top product platforms.
After careful examination of all of the options, we selected the eight products that we believe offer the best value based on our criteria.
Learn more about our methodology
Top 8 lunchboxes in Australia
Insulated
Built-in insulation keeps the food fresh no matter the weather, doubling up as a lunch cooler bag:
Bento
Bento lunch boxes have many differently-sized compartments for the various treats you’re giving your children:
Traditional
A traditional box provides a simple yet effective form of transporting food for your children to snack on during their school day.
HOMESPUN Cute Lunch Box — Most versatile
Pros
- Stainless steel and silicone materials for containing freshness and avoiding leakage.
- Felt and foil design for extra insulation.
- Detachable hand strap.
- 2-in-1 bowl and cap for outdoors.
- Comes with cutlery and chopsticks.
- Three tiers for cleanliness and ease of use.
- BPA free.
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe.
Price (RRP): $43.40
Source: Amazon
Whether you’re purchasing a kids lunch box, one for yourself, or to take with you on an outdoor adventure, this insulated box is your ideal choice. With three tiers large enough to hold a decent amount of food, and durable materials, this is the best option for versatile and fresh meals.
Features
- Materials: Stainless Steel; Felt; Silicone.
- Size: 12.7 x 12.7 x 27.94 cm.
- Weight: 861.83 Grams.
Customer Reviews
Customers love this versatile box, its ease of usage and cleaning, and the quality of the product as a whole.
Khaki 350ml Insulated Stainless Steel Food Pod — Ideal for soups
Pros
- Twist top lid of ultimate freshness and security.
- BPA Free.
- Soft-touch finish.
Cons
- No handle.
- No additional features.
- Only one compartment.
Source: Target
This elegant insulated box is designed specifically to accommodate those hearty soups and broths for winter days. Whether this product is for your children or yourself, you’ll be able to transport and enjoy your warm soups in style.
Features
- Materials: Stainless steel and silicone.
- Size: 350ml
Customer Reviews
No ratings have yet been added for this product.
Pinnacle Insulated Leak Proof Lunch Box — Perfect for preventing leaks
Pros
- Lightweight but large.
- Superior thermal technology to seal in the freshness and keep food either warm or cold.
- New and improved vacuum knob to release excess heat to ensure your food remains at the best temperature.
- Easy to fasten lid that stores freshness and avoids leakages.
Cons
- Not the most elegant design.
Price (RRP): $27.05
Annoyed when your food leaks from your lunch container, making a mess everywhere you go? Well, with this thermal and insulated lunch box, fear no more. With an upgraded latch that seals tight everything contained inside, you’ll never have to worry about spillage again.
Features
- Size: 14.22 x 13.97 x 9.4 cm
- Weight: 295 Grams
Customer Reviews
Customers like the size of this product and praise its lightweight structure, but complain that it doesn’t efficiently keep their food warm.
DaCool Kids Lunch Box — Most spacious
Pros
- BPA Free.
- Five separate stainless steel compartments.
- Double lids with a seal-proof ring to avoid leakages.
- Comes with a spork and bag.
- Carry bag with handle making this item easy to transport and pack.
Cons
- Heavier than most lunch containers.
- Not dishwasher friendly.
Price (RRP): $39.78
If you’re planning a long day away, or your child has a busy day of school ahead, there’s no better way to fuel the body then by using this lunch box packed with goodness. With a large space and many different sized containers, you’ll be able to fit in every kind of food you need.
Features
- Materials: Stainless steel.
- Size: 24.89 x 20.32 x 7.62 cm.
- Weight: 816 Grams.
Customer Reviews
Customers love how easy to use and clean this product and the many compartments that allow for entirely different types of food.
Sistema Bento Lunch To Go Lunchbox — Best for those on a budget
Pros
- Phthalate and BPA Free.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Microwave safe.
- Three separate compartments and a yogurt container.
- Lightweight.
- Air-tight sealing.
- Easy locking clips.
Cons
- No additional features.
- Not durable.
If you’re looking for a practical, lightweight lunch box with separate containers for an affordable price, this is the bento container for you. Costing only $6.00, you’ll be able to transport your or your children’s lunch without breaking the bank.
Features
- Materials: Plastic.
- Size: 16.6 x 18.6 x 7.7 cm.
- Weight: 0.314 kg.
Customer Reviews
Customers love the size and lightweight materials of this product, as well as the various compartments it comes with, but complain that the material tends to break easily.
Hoopla Bento Lunch Box — Ideal for children
Pros
- BPA Free.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Three separate compartments.
- Comes with a carry bag with a handle in many different designs.
Cons
- Not durable.
Our children need to refill their energy levels to continue learning when they’re at school. There’s no better way to provide them with the nutrients they need than with this kids lunch containers. With four compartments and an easy to transport bag, your children will be ready to tackle school in no time.
Features
- Material: Plastic.
- Size: 21 x 16 x 4.5 cm.
Customer Reviews
There are no reviews for this product yet.
FlowFly Lunch Box — The perfect travel lunch box
Pros
- Durable material that seals in freshness.
- Travel-friendly design with a built-in bad and handle.
- Spacious and lightweight.
- PA and Phthalate-free, making this eco-friendly.
Cons
- Not dishwasher or microwave safe.
Price (RRP): $28.03
Source: Amazon
If you and your kids are frequently on the go, you’ll need a lunch container that suits your lifestyle. With a built-in carrying bag equipped with a handle and an incredibly lightweight design, you’ll be able to snack easily while on the move.
Features
- Material: Polyester.
- Size: 26.9 x 11 x 19.6 centimetres.
- Weight: 159 g.
Customer Reviews
Customers love the lightweight design and size of this product, especially for its affordable price, but complain about how difficult it is to clean.
Go Green Lunch Box — Best features
Pros
- Five compartments.
- Comes with an insulated carrying bag, a beverage bottle, and an ice pack.
- A Turn-‘n-lock technology ensures remaining freshness and prevents spillage.
- Carrying bag includes a whiteboard and marker, a name tag, and pockets to store utensils.
- BPA and Phthalate free.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Heavy.
Price (RRP): $58.04
Whether you’re looking for a lunch container for yourself or your child, this traditional snack box comes with the best features and add-ons to suit your lunch needs. With an additional bottle, whiteboard, ice pack, and utensil storer, you won’t have to purchase anything else once you’ve decided on this item.
Features
- Materials: Plastic.
- Size: 35.9 x 24.6 x 8.6 cm.
- Weight: 1.01 kg.
Customer Reviews
Customers love the designs and additions that come with this purchase and its ability to prevent any leaks.
What to consider before purchasing
- Size: When choosing a lunch container, either for your kids or yourself, you need to make sure it will fit your bag when travelling to your destination. For children, you’ll want a lightweight and compact kids lunch container to fit in besides all the school books while remaining big enough to hold a decent amount of food.
- Ease of use: It’s not pleasant to struggle to unlock your lunch box when you’re hungry. Try opening and closing the product before purchasing to make sure it’s easy to use.
- Easy to clean: It would be disappointing if you don’t want to use your lunch box again because you’ve had problems cleaning it. While most lunch boxes are dishwasher safe, make sure all compartments are easy to unassemble and clean.
- Sealing ability: Leaking and spilling is a big hassle when it comes to lunch boxes. Not only do you want to prevent losing food, but you also want to avoid messing up your bag. The lunch boxes with the best sealing abilities often contain silicone sealing.
- Compartments: Whether you’re purchasing a lunch box for yourself or your children, make sure to check how many cases the lunch box has. Many containers mean your child can have a wide variety of snacks throughout the day.
Compare 2021’s best lunch containers
| Name | Best For | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOMESPUN Cute Lunch Box | Versatility | $43.40 |
|
| Khaki 350ml Insulated Stainless Steel Food Pod | Soups | $15.00 |
|
| Pinnacle Insulated Leak Proof Lunch Box | Leaking | $27.05 |
|
| DaCool Kids Lunch Box | Space | $39.78 |
|
| Sistema Bento Lunch To Go Lunchbox | Budget | $6.00 |
|
| Hoopla Bento Lunch Box | Children | $12.99 |
|
| FlowFly Lunch Box | Travelling | $28.03 |
|
| Go Green Lunch Box | Features | $71.00 |
|
Sources: Amazon, Big W, Target, Aldi, January 2021
Our methodology
20 brands examined
217 products compared
8 products chosen
- Our team researched a variety of backpack brands available in Australia that produce the best kids backpacks.
- We poured over thousands of online reviews (as of January 2021) to see which products gave customers the best results.
- Our editorial team selects the products on this list based on their benefits and features. Items are not chosen because of any commercial relationships we may hold.
Brands compared
To determine the best school lunch containers, we examined these brands:
- Décor (38)
- FloFly (1)
- Globite (1)
- Go Green (1)
- Homespun (3)
- Hoopla (1)
- Hot Topic (17)
- House & Home2
- Khaki (1)
- MB Active by Michelle Bridges (2)
- Mambo (15)
- Minecraft (1)
- Minnie Mouse (3)
- Nude Food Mover (6)
- ONE Active by Michelle Bridges (1)
- Paw Patrol (2)
- Pinnacle (3)
- Sistema (12)
- Smash (84)
- Zak (23)
We then read hundreds of reviews given by customers who have bought and tried these products. We looked at the features of each box to see how they performed.
We then chose the eight best lunch bags for kids regarding their quality, comfort levels, and price based on our research.
Please take note: We may receive some reimbursement when you click links on our site or purchase products or services from partners. However, we value our independence, and all reviews reflect our unbiased opinions regarding this topic.
Conclusion
It’s time to go back to school and work, and we all need sustenance to keep us going throughout the day. If you’re looking for a lunch box on a budget, then the Sistema Bento Lunch to Go Lunchbox is the choice for you, but if you’re looking for the ideal kids’ lunch box, the Hoopla Bento Lunch Box with funky designs could work perfectly. However, it’s always a good idea to review a variety of products before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is a bento lunch box?
A bento lunch box is a container that contains many different compartments, perfect for fussy eaters or for storing a variety of snacks.Which lunch box is better plastic or steel?
Steel is both more durable and provides better insulation than plastic. Therefore, steel is better than plastic.Do bento boxes need to be refrigerated?
No, but it is recommended to add an ice pack into the bento lunch box when at school or work for an extra level of freshness.Where to buy the best lunch box?
There are many places where you can order and buy lunch containers, but the best place for variety and quality is Amazon.Which is the best bento lunch box?
DaCool Kids offers the best lunch box as it contains many differently sized steel compartments, a carrying bag, and utensils for an affordable price.
