Send Them to School with One of the Best Lunch Boxes of 2023

We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, as well as to add updated versions based on testing and research done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. We slimmed down our list to include the 11 most popular products.

You've made a healthy, tasty lunch for your kid's school day. Now you need a lunch box that will help keep the food stored safely so it's still cool (or warm!) when it's time to eat. As we roll into back-to-school season, we looked at thermal lunch bags and lunch boxes with compartments that will help carry your child's midday meal.

When it comes to packing lunches, one of the biggest trends is bento boxes for kids, which are fun to put together because each food gets its own little space. Carrots can be separated from hummus so nothing touches, which delights a picky eater or any kid who likes a little control. Packing food bento-style can inspire you to be creative but even if you're a family that just sticks to a healthy sandwich and a drink, there are great lunch boxes here for you.

Our top picks:

These reusable lunch bags, boxes and totes were top performers when tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. They also boast glowing online reviews from parents who have used them. In a few cases, we updated the item to the new, 2022 version after evaluating them with our team. At the bottom of our guide, you'll find more information about how we test lunch boxes, as well as what you should keep in mind when shopping for them.