Whether you are packing warm mac and cheese or a cold yogurt parfait for lunch, a good thermos container is a lunchbox essential! If you need a little help deciding which thermos container is best for your family, take a look at the video below, we’ve figured that out for you.

As you saw in the video, we chose best thermoses based on durability, easy use for kids, and how well they hold up for school and office lunches. Here is a quick recap for our top five thermos picks:

#1 Thermos Foogo

10-ounce container with double wall insulation.
Keeps food hot for 5 hours or cold for 7 hours.
Easy to open for younger kids.
Stainless steel and very durable.
Dishwasher safe.
Option to personalize the container with your child’s name.

#2 Thermos Funtainer

10-ounce container with double wall insulation.
Keeps food hot for 5 hours or cold for 7 hours.
Easy to open for younger kids.
Stainless steel and very durable.
Dishwasher safe.

#3 Lunchbots Insulated Container

16-ounce container, it’s a great option for teenagers and adults.
Double wall insulation
Keeps food hot or cold for 5 hours
Wide opening, like a bowl, so it can be harder for young kids to open.
Stainless steel and very durable.
Handwash only

#4 Stanley Classic Food Jar

17-ounce container, perfect for bigger appetites
Double wall insulation
Keeps food hot or cold for up to 12 hours
Leak-proof
Durable with a lifetime warranty
The smaller opening might be a little difficult for younger kids to eat out of.
Handwash only

#5 Kids Konserve Insulated Jar

12-ounce container
Double wall insulation
Leak-proof
Stainless steel and very durable
Handwash only

Need ideas to pack into one of these thermos containers? Get fresh inspiration for lunch and dinner with our family meal plans, which offer a school week’s worth of lunches or dinners your family will love!

If you have any concerns on storing food in thermoses, you’ll find this post on packing thermos lunches helpful.

Honestly, getting the right thermos is all the difference between another PB & J sandwich for lunch or hot, homemade chili, soups, or last night’s skillet lasagna ;).