Lunch Box Comparison Chart: How 6 Popular Boxes Stack Up

NOTE: This post has been completely reviewed and updated — from top to bottom — as of August 2015.

As a lunch box aficionado and…ahem…collector, I am regularly asked to recommend a lunch box to friends, family and readers. While I would love to have a quick, easy answer to give people, I actually have a very hard time answering this question because there are so many variables that determine which box is the best option for any given kid (or adult). How old is the child? What’s her appetite like? Are you only packing lunch or do you need to include food for snack breaks too? Are you OK with plastic or do you prefer to avoid it? What’s the budget? Do you hate managing lots of pieces? I could go on and on…

I decided what was needed was a handy dandy chart that showed all these different variables side by side, so parents could make their own informed decision easily. I knew I couldn’t include all of the dozens of lunch and bento boxes in my collection, so I needed to narrow it down a bit. Here are the criteria I settled on for the boxes I included in my chart:

Each one is easy to purchase online or from retail stores . I love my imported bento boxes, but I know not everyone has access to those.

. I love my imported bento boxes, but I know not everyone has access to those. Each one is divided into 3 or more sections . Many children are not interested in different foods touching and many parents are not interested in dealing with silicone cups and decorative baran.

. Many children are not interested in different foods touching and many parents are not interested in dealing with silicone cups and decorative baran. My kids and I like them. There is not a single stinker in this bunch. I’ve only included boxes that I reach for repeatedly and that my kids like. These boxes have all been used dozens — if not hundreds — of times and are all still in great shape.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

Ready? Here we go!

* Disclosure: Though this post contains affiliate links, I have not been compensated in any way for writing this post or pulling this information together.

A few more notes:

Data in this chart: This chart was originally compiled in 2013. I have completely reviewed and updated it from top to bottom as of August 2015. I try to stay on top of the info in it but occasionally manufacturers make changes I’m not aware of. Please be sure to double-check information before purchasing!

Durability: All of these boxes are durable. The have been all been used continuously for 2+ years. The stainless steel boxes look practically new after years of use. I had a hinge break when I dropped the first generation Yumbox a couple years ago, but it has since been redesigned and I have not had any problems since then.

Ice packs: With the exception of the Yubo, none of these boxes or their bags comes with an ice pack. I highly recommend that you invest in several ice packs to place inside your lunch bag, along with the lunch box to keep the food at a safe temperature until you or your child sits down to eat.

Did I miss something? Do you have a question about these boxes that I didn’t answer? Please leave it in the comments below and I’ll do my best to find the answer.

Have you got your lunch boxes all lined up for the new school year? Which boxes will you be using?

Do you need a bag to put your lunch box in? Get the details about seven popular lunch bags — and which lunch boxes fit in them — here:





Interested in packing bento lunches? Check out my book:

