Review: EasyLunchboxes

Recently Kelly Lester at EasyLunchboxes.com asked me if I was interested in reviewing her lunch box system. I’ve been seeing these lunch boxes on the bento blogs for a while now and I was curious to see how they would work for my family so I was happy to accept the offer. I was sent a set of four lunch boxes like the ones pictured above and a cooler (mine was red, not blue) to try out.

The boxes consist of two pieces. The main component is the box designed to hold food which is divided into one large and two small sections. A single lid covers all three sections. The boxes are dishwasher and microwave safe and they stack neatly when the boxes are full. They also can be stacked in a nested fashion to take up less cupboard space when they are stored.

I’ve been using these boxes for about two months now, so I’ve really put them through their paces. I’ve sent them to school with my six-year-old many times and I’ve packed lunches for my husband a few times. I’ve also used them to pack meals for my toddler and I to share two or three times.

Some of the things I particularly like about this product:

These boxes really do make lunch packing easy. Packing bentos requires a bit of planning and strategy to get everything in the box and keep it from moving around in transit. I’ve been doing it for long enough now that it’s second nature to me, but the divided sections in this box allow me to relax a bit and add items to the lunch a bit more recklessly. Yep — you read that right. I said “recklessly”. Woooo!
The boxes are good quality. They’ve been through my dishwasher many times now and haven’t warped at all. My husband also heated his lunches in the microwave a few times and the boxes didn’t get bendy or wobbly in that disconcerting way that makes you feel like you’re eating melted plastic.
I like that they stack. Since these boxes are on the larger side, they could have a really big footprint in my lunch box cupboard, but when they’re stacked they don’t take up much room at all.
I also appreciate that I can send a full day’s worth of food and without having to pull out several boxes and lids.
They’re plain enough looking that big kids and grown men aren’t going to be embarrassed by them.

Some of the things I didn’t particularly like:

The big box can be tricky to pack bento-style because of it’s large size. It’s obviously designed to hold a sandwich and if I’m actually sending a sandwich it works wonderfully, but when I’m sending a more bento-style lunch I’ve occasionally had trouble getting enough food in there to keep everything from moving around in transit.
I’m not so keen on the cooler bag. While it works just fine at holding the lunchbox and keeping it cold, its square shape made it tricky to get the zipper around the 90 degree angles at the corners. My six-year-old brought it home partially unzipped a few times because he had trouble with it and stuff spilled out into his back pack. It’s also kind of blah looking which makes it a tough sell with my kid.
The large size of the lunch box makes it almost impossible to fit it into any other cooler bag. So even if you’re not so keen on the cooler bag, you’re kind of stuck with it.

In Conclusion:

I really like these lunch boxes! They very quickly became staples in my lunch box collection and I find myself reaching for them several times per week. There are a couple minor annoyances but they’re just…er…minor. Whether someone is new to bento-packing or lunch box collector like myself, I think these boxes are an excellent option. At $13.95 they are also priced very well — especially compared to similar options.

Another thing you should know: due to a very busy back to school season, the boxes have been back-ordered for a few months, but they’re just about to come back into stock. As a thank you for being patient while they’re back-ordered, EasyLunchboxes.com is running a deal — order a set of boxes by Wednesday, November 10, they’ll throw in a lunch cooler for free. So if you’re thinking about ordering, now is a good time to do it.

And now for the good part!

EasyLunchboxes.com has offered to give one of you a container set and a lunch cooler in the color of your choice.

To enter: Sorry — this giveaway is closed now!

Disclosure: EasyLunchboxes.com sent me one of their sets of four lunch boxes and a red cooler bag to test out for this review. I only have three of the lunch boxes now though because my husband (ahem…not my 6-year-old!) left the cooler with a lunch box in it on the train.

I also am participating in the EasyLunchboxes.com affiliate program. If you purchase a product from their site by following the links on my blog, I will earn a small commission from the sale.

Peeko621

I use these my self, and the only thing I don’t particularly like about them is that you have to be careful if on of your items has any liquid in it (pears for example) will sometimes leak into the other compartments. Other than that, I love them!
JNGmom

They’re BPA free, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Ejmorton

so…where did you find the light green silicon mini loaf container? I have been searching for something larger than the cupcake size and have not had any luck..thanks! love your blog!
http://www.wendolonia.com/blog wcopley

I got that at Daiso one awesome lucky day. I’d never seen it before and haven’t see it since.
http://twitter.com/MsHuisHerself MsHuisHerself

I learned that 3 will fit in the cooler. That would be great for those days out-at-the-museum-with-my-two-kids!
http://savorysolutions.blogspot.com Lkatrin

I didn’t know it was no BPA, etc. Love the cooler colors! I have a feeling their free one might be olive green… all the other colors are so bright and cheerful I’m sure they are snatched up quickly! I posted a link to their site on Prader Willi problem solving… my daughter has PWS and someday I will need to make her food wherever she goes. She can not be left alone to eat.
Stephaniejskye

I love that they are free from any nasty toxins!!

These would be great for me, the busy college girl on the go! :]
TheresaO

Thanks for another unbiased review. These work out to only $3.48/container! ~~The bonus is they were invented by a mom~~
Nkdolin

I love that there is only one bottom piece and one top piece to wash! And bpa free!
Grocersdaughter

Good to know that the lids are not super tight fitting. No liquid-y items going into the EasyLunchBox.

Thanks for the chance to win
TheBaker

Hmm – not a very original “system.” This is nothing more than a couple of Ziploc containers (I have ones that look just like these, except the lids are all blue) and a soft-sided lunch cooler. I could recreate this “system” in minutes with supplies I already have on hand. A two-pack of the Ziploc containers is priced at less than $3 at Target. Who really needs four of them for one lunch?
Annalie

The thing I liked/ learned while on their site was their section with the pics of some lunches that could be packed in the box. They had some really good ideas! I would love to win some of these!
Combatjulie

I learned that since the boxes have easy opening lids they can fall off if turned to the side. They recommend a rubberband for putting the lunch sideways in a backpack. I don’t know if I like that or not. I want my preschooler to be able to open the box but I don’t want her lunch contents all over her backpack or lunch box either.
Jk Bragg

There is one lid that fits securely on all of the lunchboxes and they are stackable- which makes them super easy to store!
Ali B.

I am impressed with this product because they are easy to open. My 5 year old son has to ask for help opening certain containers at school. I would be happy to have a box he can do all by himself.
Meera

BPA Free, Microwaveable & Dishwasher safe AND you thinks its great and have been featuring it in your blog. Im totally convinced
Jamie

Happy to see that they are both dishwasher and microwave safe! Yay!
Supergrlisneverwrong

I like these easy lunch boxes. My oldest will be in kindergarten next year. I think it is neat the Easy Lunchboxes is available for fundraising efforts. Sounds a lot more interesting to sell than cookie dough.
Darby

I learned that they are PBA free! These look so awesome for a lame-oh-trying-to-pack-cooler-lunches… Mom like me!
Turtle Mom

I love how there are no nasty chemicals in these and they are dishwasher safe!
melanie

love that they are bpa-free, dishwasher-safe, and that the lids are easy for littles to open!
http://www.lifehappensbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/ Donna R

Thanks for the review…I placed an order a couple of weeks ago after seeing you use these. Just got an email that they are back in stock and looking forward to getting them. I’m hoping they will actually encourage me to pack a lunch once in a while instead of always eating out at work.
http://cyberschoolmomdiaries.blogspot.com/ Chrissi Radvon

Actually, I thought I was pretty well-informed about these lunch boxes until I read this. I had no idea they were large enough for an adult lunch. Which is excellent news because I homeschool and mostly pack lunches only for my husband.

~ ChrissiHR
Jamie Ali

Absolutely love the idea of the container staying flat all day. Most others are carried sideways in a regular lunch box. Sometimes things spill onto the lid and the kids dont enjoy that. Also love that the cooler bag is large enough to hold two drinks, an ice pack, and their afternoon snack. Its tricky getting it all to fit into our coolers we have now. Would love to try this.
http://insidethebento.blogspot.com/ Jenn

Hooray for being able to be lazy and not having to handwash! I love that these are dishwasher safe!
Juniper918

I posted below but missed the “what i learned” part. lol.
I learned that if you order now- while they are on back order you get a free cooler. YAY!!
Sara

Wendy – I read your review and then read the info on the lunchbox site. What’s there to “learn”? Your review was so comprehensive. I think I would use it to store dinner leftovers all in one container to warm up for lunch. Thanks for introducing me to a product that I need but never would have found without your blog.
Clistyb

for bento’s, these are pretty inexpensive. The picture on the splash page shows 4 to a pak. These may have to be my first purchase in bento world, as I have 4 of my 5 kids attending full day school.
http://kjoslyn78.blogspot.com/ ~Kris

I learned that you can use wax paper of the side dish sections to hold in stuff like yogurt! excellent for kids who love yogurt but not it getting everything messy!!
Jomatt

The one thing that I was glad to see was the BPA free and I didn’t clue in that it was under 14$ for a set not just one. I paid almost 3 times that for one.
Abeaudry

I love that these boxes are food safe, dishwasher safe and my preschooler can still open them! Yay- thanks for the info!
Lauren

Love that the cooler has room for extras…thermos for cold days or that all important after school snack for days when she is heading straight off to activities. Also like the simplicity of it-can use the same system for my girls or my husband!
Audra Roberts

I like how it is safe plastic. How fun it looks to assemble.
Karol

If the lids are easy enough for a child to operate, maybe I will be able to shut them properly. Am I the only one? I work really hard on putting those tops on!! How ya’ doing, Wendy? I have been busy lately and not commented, but I am still here, reading and appreciating you!!
Christina

I am impressed that they’ve been designed so carefully…not only no BPA, but thankfully no PVC and no lead. I can rest easy with this product knowing that my kids will be safe from toxins. Hooray! And I also like that they stack so neatly…my messy tupperware drawer will be ever so thankful.
Kstehman

I like that it specifically states that the lids are kid friendly to open!
Jillgormanturner

I usually use these to pack lunches for my 6th and 8th grader. They are the perfect size for the amount of food that they eat, and they are very well made. I agree that the large section sometimes need further division with a silicon cup though. I do wish the lids snapped on more tightly, so that foods like yogurt wouldn’t leak. My husband uses the plain black cooler bag from easy lunchboxes, but my girls and I use similarly sized (a tiny bit bigger) made by Scout. (the “Ice, Ice Baby”) It has different design options, and it has a double zipper.
Jillgormanturner

They also have favulous ideas for lunch packing on the site. They aren’t as creative as yours, but I like having the variety of ideas.
http://www.wainmanpartyof4.blogspot.com Missy

I’ve been dying to get some of these to try for my son’s lunches. I wonder if they’d fit into his fire truck lunch box that he takes to school though. I like the tip about the wax paper to cover one of the sections if there’s yogurt or other runny foods in there. That helps to expand my son’s lunch repetoire!
Elena

I like that they are BPA, PVC, phtalates, lead and vinyl free! And dishwasher and microwave safe. The 3 compartments are perfect for lunch.
montims

They are BPA-free and dishwasher and microwave safe. These look great! Thanks for the contest!
http://familyblog.spritzerleyba.com Carrie

My favorite part?! No BPA etc! These looks great.
Anabelmay

you have totally inspired me to make-over my daughter’s preschool lunches. I have some things already in the kitchen, silicone baking cups and little cookie cutters, so I have started with her lunch for tomorrow.

There containers look great for the whole family, we all pack lunches everyday. But best of all the lid can be removed by younger children. A plus for my daughter and her teachers when lunch rolls around.

Anna
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Heather Collaco Stark

BPA free – yea!!
Mcfamily

How did you get te star wars Cookie cutters to press the impressions so perfectly? I issued a soft wheat bread and the shape came out but the face impressions would not. Any suggestions for me that could help?

Maria
http://www.wendolonia.com/blog wcopley

Hi! The key to getting a good face impression with the Star Wars cutters is to press the plunger down on the bread very firmly and then cut the shape out. Your bread will get a little flat, but it will have a great impression on it.
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