Best Lunchbox in Australia
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Choosing the best lunchbox in Australia for your child can be an overwhelming experience so we have put this Bento guide and comparison table together to help make the task that bit easier for you.
Lunchbox Comparisons: A Bento Guide
Bento style lunch boxes have become very popular. Not only do bento style lunchboxes make it easier for your child to access their lunches, they promote waste free healthy lunches.
Its a win for our children, us parents plus the environment!
- What is a bento lunchbox
- What is the difference between a lunchbox and a bento box
- Can you put hot food into a bento box
- How to choose the best lunchbox for kids
- Which is the best lunchbox in Australia
- Which Bento Boxes we use
- Lunchbox comparison table
What is a bento lunchbox
In short, a bento lunchbox is a lunchbox with built-in compartments.
Originating in Japan, a traditional bento box should contain a complete meal, carefully prepared with different textures, tastes, and representations of all the food groups.
Western bento lunchboxes are designed to be lunchbox with just one lid, however multiple compartments within. Some have a few larger compartments while others have smaller compartments. Taking inspiration from the traditional Japanese bento, these lunchboxes are designed to hold a variety of foods. For this reason, Creating healthy, balanced lunches is easier with a bento box.
What is the difference between a lunchbox and a bento box?
A traditional lunchbox is typically a one-compartment for all your child’s foods. These foods may be individually wrapped so as not to mix. A bento box has multiple compartments, designed to keep different foods separate from one another.
Can you put hot food in a bento
While most boxes are deigned with keeping lunches cool, Omie Life boasts two temperature zones. These dual temperature zones allow you to keep both warm and cool foods in the same lunchbox.
Separate from an inclusive lunchbox, insulated food jars make a great alternative for hosting lovely warm lunches. have portions made in the freezer, ready to reheat, or put last night leftovers to good use.
How to choose the best lunchbox for kids
Choosing a lunchbox for your child can be an overwhelming task however it doesn’t have to be. For instance, here are a few things to consider to make the choice easier:
- Child’s appetite – What capacity will suit your child’s needs?
- Material
- Cleaning
- Fastener – Will your child be able to open their lunchbox?
- Size – Will it fit into their cooler bag?
- Wet foods – Would it be useful to have sealable sections?
- Crunch and Sip – Does your child require separate recess/crunch and sip containers?
Which is the best lunchbox in Australia
- Planetbox
- Bentgo
- Ever Eco
- Monbento
- Omie Life
- Love Mae
- Bento
- B. Box
- Yumbox
- Go Green
- Bright Star Kids
- Stuck On You
Which Bento Boxes We Use
Personally, we use a Planetbox Rover and a Yumbox Original in our house.
Planetbox
Miss 5 has used her Planetbox Rover for 18 months of school so far and it still looks like new. She has been able to open the clasp with no assistance since she was 3 and loves being able to help pack her lunchbox. The Rover is easy to clean and store when not in use.
EDIT: Fast forward two years and our Planetbox is still as new although used every school day! Each year Miss 7 has chosen a different set of magnets to freshen up with a new look. In saying that, we still have the original set to swap around for something different.
My only critique is the weight of the lunchbox. It is quite heavy which is why when the time came to get Miss 2 her lunchbox, we got a Yumbox instead.
Yumbox
Miss 2 has been using her Yumbox for 6 months. I love the layout of the sections and the easy-to-open clasp. The inner tray is easy enough to remove for cleaning but can be a bit annoying compared to the Planetbox.
I store the lunchbox open to prevent mold growth after it has dried (I have never had a problem but had seen others on social media with similar style leakproof boxes develop an issue).
EDIT: Fast forward two years and Miss 4 has been using her Yumbox for almost a year at Kindergarten. Although the base has slight signs of wear, her lunchbox is still going strong!
Lunchbox Comparison Table
Here is a breakdown of some of the popular bento-style lunchboxes on the market.
Each of them is free from lead, BPA, and PVC.
Please don’t limit their use to just the kid’s school lunches.
These also make a great solution for packing healthy lunches for Mum and Dad to take to work too!
| Lunchbox | Capacity (Approx) | Dimensions | Material | Discount Code | Cost |
Planetbox Launch | 6.5 cups | 26.5 x19.7 x 5cm | Stainless Steel | – | Tap to Shop |
Planetbox Rover | 4.5 cups | 25 x 19 x 3.75cm | Stainless Steel | – | Tap to Shop |
Planetbox Shuttle | 3 cups | 19 x 12.5 x 5cm | Stainless Steel | – | Tap to Shop |
| Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel | 4 3/4 cups | 19.3 x 24.89 x 6.35 cm | Stainless Steel & Silicone | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Ever Eco Stainless Steel 2 Compartment | 5.6 cups | 21 x 16 x 6cm | Stainless Steel | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Monbento Original | 4 cups | 18.5 x p 9.4 x 10cm | BPA-free BPS-free | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Monbento Square | 6.8 cups | 140 x 14 x 14cm | BPA-free BPS-free | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Gel-Cool Rectangle | 2 cups | 8.6 x 17.8 x 6 cm | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop | |
| Omnie Life | 6 1/4 cups | 18.29 x 18.29 x 7.37cm | BPA-free, Phthalate Free Plastic | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Bentgo Kids | 3 cups | 21.6 x 16.6 x 4.6cm | No BPA, Vinyl, Lead, or PVC | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Bentgo Fresh | 4.9 cups | 18.29 x 10.16 x 6.1cm | No BPA, Vinyl, Lead, or PVC | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Love Mae Lunch Box | 6 cups | 30 x 14.5 x 5.5cm | BPA, PVC, Phthalates and metals free | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
| Bento Five | 4 cups | 17.5 x 17.5 x 5.6cm | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop | |
| Bento Three | 4 cups | 17.5 x 17.5 x 5.6cm | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop | |
| B. Box Lunchbox | 8 cups | 23.5 x 21.5 x 6.5cm | Polypropylene and Silicone | Playinspiredmum | Tap to Shop |
Yumbox Panino | 3 cups | 21.5 x 15 x 5cm | BPA Free Plastic | – | Tap to Shop |
Yumbox Original  | 2.5 cups | 21.5 x 15 x 5cm | BPA Free Plastic | – | Tap to Shop |
Yumbox Tapas  | 4.2 cups | 24.5 x 17 x 5cm | BPA Free Plastic | – | Tap to Shop |
Yumbox Mini Snack  | 1/3 cup 3/4 cup sections | 15 x 10 x 5cm | BPA free Plastic | – | Tap to Shop |
Go Green Medium  | 6 1/3 cups | 21.5 x 16 x 6.5cm | Polypropylene | – | Tap to Shop |
Go Green Snack Box  | 4.5 cups | 24.5 x 16 x 5.5cm | Polypropylene | – | Tap to Shop |
Go Green Original  | 8 cups | 29.5 x 17.5 x 5.75cm | Polypropylene | – | Tap to Shop |
| Bright Star Kids Bento | 21.8 x 15.7 x 6cm | BPA-Free, PVC-Free & Phthalate-Free | – | Tap to Shop | |
| Stuck On You Large Bento | 4 cups | 23 x 18 x 5 cm | Free from BPA and phthalates | – | Tap to Shop |
| Stuck On You Mini Bento | 17 x 15 x 5 cm | Free from BPA and phthalates | – | Tap to Shop |
I hope this breakdown is helpful when choosing your child’s next lunchbox.
If there is another style that you think needs to go onto the list, please feel welcome to let us know!
Now you have your lunchbox sorted, time to get the freezer stash stocked up 😛
Would you like to get more veg into your kid’s lunchbox? Check out these great recipes!
