Concerns about all the negative impacts of microplastics are mounting. This is why our family switched to stainless steel lunch boxes years ago. However, with our daughter starting high school, it was time to revisit what’s out there.
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I compared eight different stainless steel lunch boxes to find which one is the best in terms of design, leakage protection, price and plastic percentage. Most of these lunchboxes are Bento style as I have found these to be more fun for my children and also encourage greater variety in their eating. Some of the brands offer non-Bento versions which might be a better fit for teenagers and adults. I have linked all versions just below every lunch box review.
Table of contents
- What I look for in the perfect stainless steel lunch box
- 1. Yumbox Pret
- 2. EcoCocoon Bento Lunch Box 5
- 3. Zero Waste Lunchbox
- 4. Seed & Sprout Crunch Box
- 5. PlanetBox Rover
- 6. Smash – 3 Compartment Lunch Box
- 7. Smash – 5 Compartment Lunch Box
- 8. Lunbengo 2-Tiered Lunchbox
- How the Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes Compare
- Points to consider before choosing a stainless steel lunch box
What I look for in the perfect stainless steel lunch box
After packing lunch boxes for over 11 years, I think I know a thing or two. In the early Kindergarten days, I opted for simple plastic lunchboxes and Tupperware-style containers. However, when our children started school, aka needing a packed lunch daily, we decided to invest in stainless steel lunchboxes. I knew that their food would be sitting in their lunchboxes for hours, often lying around in the sun and being exposed to the Australian summer heat, so it was mainly a health consideration.
Stainless steel lunchboxes are more expensive than their plastic counterparts and they are heavier. Yet, due to their durability though, they’ll save you money in the long run. In addition, the even bigger benefit for me is that they avoid further microplastic contamination of our children’s food. While this isn’t yet on everybody’s mind, the research about the effects of microplastics on our health is mounting, and some of the concerns are alarming! I spare you from all the doom and gloom (you can read more about it here), but trust me when I say it is time for us to rethink our plastic exposure.
The aspects I considered important when testing the eight stainless steel lunchboxes below were:
- Leakage Protection (nobody want’s a soggy, smelly school bag)
- Capacity & Layout (because we all eat with our eyes, too)
- Ease of Use & Cleaning (that’s self-explanatory, isn’t it)
- Weight & Size (it needs to fit into a (school) back bag)
- Durability & Matching Accessories (one’s essential, the other one a nice to have)
- Use of Plastic (well, because this is what we’re trying to get away from, right?)
- Price (because most of us aren’t cash cows)
1. Yumbox Pret
The Yumbox, a New Zealand brand, won for me due to being leakproof and relatively light. My daughter has snatched this one for herself and loves the large compartment to fill up with a salad or a large sandwich.
While the lid is made from plastic, only food-safe silicone touches your child’s meal, and keeps every compartment sealed.
One downside could be its capacity (800ml), which may not be enough for big eaters, older children or adults. The box is also not dishwasher safe, but easy enough to clean by hand.
VERDICT: great product overall. Potentially too small for some children.
VOTE: 8/10
PROS:
- 100% leakproof
- Compartment fits large sandwich
- Fairly light
CONS:
- Lid could break if being dropped
- Handwash only
- Smaller capacity
2. EcoCocoon Bento Lunch Box 5
EcoCocoon’s Bento Lunch Box 5 is similar to the Yumbox, however, its lid is made from stainless steel as well. This means: no breakage issues here! This lunchbox comes in a variety of colours (the silicon insert that is) and is available as a set. The set includes an insulated stainless steel drink bottle, bottle cover, insulated lunch bag, two small snack or sauce containers, and the lunchbox, of course.
As one of the top of the range lunchboxes, the Crunch Box isn’t cheap. But in return you’ll receive trusted quality and are supporting an Australian business with a great mission that considers our impact on the earth as well as on our health.
VERDICT: excellent product overall but pricy!
VOTE: 8/10
PROS:
- 100% leakproof
- Durable
- Australian business
CONS:
- Fairly expensive
- Bento style less attractive for older children
- Fairly heavy
3. Zero Waste Lunchbox
This one surprised me. It was the only lunchbox that came with an insulated bag and a small lunch box cookbook. And while the flexible divider looked flimsy, it actually keeps food separated quite well. The clamps and a silicon seal offer great protection against leakage towards the outside.
My critique with this lunchbox is that it only offers two compartments which is problematic if your child prefers their food clearly separated. And while the divider works, it is not a perfect seal. Saucy meals or salad dressing will leak into the neighbouring compartment when being tossed around in a bag.
VERDICT: very good value for money due to the inclusion of an insulated lunch bag and recipe book.
VOTE: 6/10
PROS:
- 100% leakproof
- Dishwasher safe
- Lunch bag & recipe book included
CONS:
- Only two compartments
- Food may get mixed if tossed around
- Clamps hard to open/close for smaller children
4. Seed & Sprout Crunch Box
Seed & Sprout’s Crunch Box is comparable with the iconic PlanetBox Rover lunchbox: made from stainless steel and available as a whole set including three separate containers with leakproof silicon lids and an insulated lunch bag.
Like EcoCocoon, Seed & Sprout is an Australian business on a mission to reduce our plastic footprint. While Seed & Sprout’s Crunch Box wins for me in the design category, it is quite a considerable investment to buy the whole package.
VERDICT: excellent product overall but pricy!
VOTE: 8/10
PROS:
- Extremely durable
- Customisable, beautiful design
- Australian business
CONS:
- Expensive
- Fairly heavy
- Only small containers are leakproof
5. PlanetBox Rover
We’ve owned two Rover PlanetBoxes since our kids started school. Eight years on, they are still in great nick: 10 out of 10 for durability! Other plus points: no plastic touches your child’s food and they are customisable with magnetic sticker sets and insulated lunch bags.
One of the most significant downsides is the price (especially if bought from and shipped to Australia). However, if you live in the US definitely consider a PlanetBox. Another thing worth mentioning is the durability of the lunch bags: expect to replace them about every two years.
Check out our Amazon & Biome links below for Australian shoppers.
VERDICT: excellent product overall, but very pricy.
VOTE: 7/10
PROS:
- Extremely durable
- Highly customisable
- Great for children who do not like food touching
CONS:
- Very expensive
- Fairly heavy
- Design may be unattractive for older children
6. Smash – 3 Compartment Lunch Box
This lunchbox is highly interesting, especially for older children and adults, due to it’s size and as it’s microwave-safe. Not sure it’s for me but for many this will be the selling feature.
The size of the lunchbox, its price, the fact that it’s dishwasher safe, and that you are supporting an Australian company are all great features.
What let it down for me is that it has a plastic lid (BPA free though), and that, while the actual lunchbox is leakproof, the compartments are not sealed at the bottom.
VERDICT: great product overall. Potentially too big and hard to open/close for small children.
VOTE: 7/10
PROS:
- Leakproof
- Microwave & dishwasher safe
- Australian business
CONS:
- Plastic lid
- Internal compartments aren’t sealed
- Quite large
7. Smash – 5 Compartment Lunch Box
While this lunchbox isn’t microwave safe like the Smash 3 Compartments, it provides more variety. All five compartments are separate through fixed stainless steel dividers and silicon seals within the lid. Like the Smash – 3 lunch box above, it’s dishwasher safe, leakproof and with your purchase you support an Australian company.
The only let-down for me is the plastic lid (BPA free), and that the compartments are not sealed at the bottom.
VERDICT: great product overall. Potentially too big and hard to open and close for small children.
VOTE: 7/10
PROS:
- Leakproof
- Dishwasher safe
- 5 compartments for great food variety
CONS:
- Plastic lid
- Internal compartments aren’t sealed
- Possibly too big for most children
8. Lunbengo 2-Tiered Lunchbox
I really wanted to love this lunch box! All stainless steel with a rubber foot and three distinct food compartments. And the price is at the lower end of the spectrum as well. It is leakproof, doesn’t feel too heavy, and the metal insert keeps meal and sides/snacks separate.
However, unfortunately, it isn’t quite thought through and I believe not suitable for young children: The way the lid opens and how you lift the snack insert isn’t intuitive (and even messy). It is possibly also too large for young children While it comes with a fork and spoon, but they’re a bit of a joke size wise.
I have kept it for myself as I do like that it is just one container with lunch and afternoon snacks clearly divided.
VERDICT: great product in principle, but not ideal for a small child. The stainless steel is fairly thin and may dent over time.
VOTE: 7/10
PROS:
- Leakproof
- Dishwasher safe
- Fairly light
CONS:
- Thin stainless steel could dent easily
- Bulky design
- No matching accessories
How the Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes Compare
| Smash 3 | Lunbengo | Smash 5 | Zero Waste | Yumbox | EcoCocoon Bento 5 | Seed & Sprout | PlanetBox Rover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (AU$) | $24.80 | $31.99 | $32.00 | $48.00 | $68.90 | $79.95 | $89.00 | $126.89 |
| Leakage Protection | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Only if containers are used | Only if containers are used |
| Internal Leaks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes & No | Yes & No |
| Capacity | 1,300ml | 1,400ml | 1,400ml | 1,200ml | 800ml | 850ml | 1,200ml | 1,200ml |
| Compartments | 3 | 1-3 | 5 | 1-2 | 4 | 5 | 4 (+3) | 5 (+2) |
| Ease of Use | Clips may be tricky for small children | Bit messy due to layers; Lid doesn’t open intuitively | Clips may be tricky for small children | Clips may be tricky for small children | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher | Dishwasher | Dishwasher | Dishwasher | Handwash | Dishwasher | Dishwasher | Dishwasher |
| Weight | 390g | 660g | 445g | 690g | 520g | 680g | 665g | 726g |
| Size (L x W x H) | 22.1cm x 15.8cm x 6.2cm | 22cm x 14cm x 8cm | 21.6cm x 16.7cm x 6cm | 18.5cm x 13cm x 5cm | 22.8cm x 17.8cm x 5cm | 25.5cm x 18.8cm x 5cm | 25cm x 21cm x 4.5cm | 25.4cm x 19.1cm x 3.8cm |
| Durability | Medium | Medium – High | Medium | High | Medium | High | High | High |
| Accessories Included | No | Yes (fork & spoon) | No | Yes (lunch bag & recipe book) | No | No | No | No |
| Matching Accessories Available | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Use of Plastic | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes (but only silicon touches food) | No | No | No |
| Design Flexibility | Various clip colours | No | Various clip clours | No | Various lid colours | Different designs available | Different designs available | Different designs available |
| Australian Brand | Yes | No | Yes | No | New Zealand Brand | Yes | Yes | No |
Points to consider before choosing a stainless steel lunch box
To choose whether any of the above stainless steel lunch boxes is the right choice for your child, you may want to consider these points:
- How old is my child and what are its eating habits? Younger children generally prefer Bento-style boxes due to the presentation and smaller portion sizes. Older children may prefer one large sandwich/meal and a couple of snacks rather than a larger selection of smaller food items. Take the number of compartments and internal volume into account.
- How long will my child use the lunchbox for? No need to invest in a top of the range lunch box if your child starts high school next year and will feel embarrassed by its lunch box’s design. Choose with them rather than for them.
- How heavy is my child’s backpack? If your child carries as lot of books, an iPad and a heavy water bottle with them already, maybe choose a lunchbox at the lighter end of the spectrum. Consider the additional weight of the lunch bag and an ice brick.
- Check the return, reclamation and spare parts policies (including applicable shipping). Sometimes as right as something looks, it’s just not for you. And, even though stainless steel is very durable, things to break. Check whether your chosen lunchbox brand accepts change of mind returns, who to contact if something under warranty breaks or if you need to replace a part further down the track.
Please feel free to ask me and other readers questions below and feel free to link any other stainless steel lunchbox you use and love. The market is ever evolving and it’s great to make it a joint effort to support our children’s health and safe our planet from more plastic pollution.
