Best Thermal Containers for School Lunches

Find out why most didn't pass our test.

By Philip Friedman/Studio D

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When the kids go back to school, you have to start thinking about school lunches. Perhaps you'd like an alternative to pricey, not-so-eco-friendly juice boxes. Or maybe you're thinking it would be nice to send the kids to school with homemade soup (or more economical to send along last night's leftovers). We tested 19 new options to find which thermal containers can keep cold drinks cold and hot foods hot from the time they leave the house until they're opened at lunchtime.

This isn't just about whether the temperature “seems” right: We're talking about cold or hot enough to prevent illness-causing bacteria from growing — below 40°F or above 140°F. Considering the school bus could arrive as early as 7 a.m. and lunch could be as late as 1 p.m., drinks or food may remain in a thermal container as long as six hours before eating. It's only safe for foods and drinks (yes, that includes juice once the bottle's been opened) to be stored above 40°F or below 140°F for two hours — doing the math, we can only recommend products that maintained the right temperatures for at least four hours.

Unfortunately, in our test, we found only one container that could be safely used for both hot and cold foods and beverages.

Watch the experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute explain how they decided the winners of the test.

The Winner

The Sigg Thermo Bottle Fashion Line ($35) Of all the containers we tested, only the Sigg maintained both hot and cold temperatures for longer than four hours (meaning food is safe for up to six hours). With a 25-ounce capacity, this thermal bottle is too large for a young child but would work well for a sporty teen who wants to stay hydrated with a cold drink all day. It's also a good option for a young adult who wants to carry coffee, tea, cocoa, or soup. In painted zebra, paisley, or plaid prints or solid black or white patterns and colors. (
Pictured above.


Hot-Food Find

Thermos Funtainer Food Jar ($15) This 10-ounce stainless-steel jar can be used to safely store hot foods (but not cold ones) for up to six hours. It has a wide mouth, so it's great for one-dish meals like stews, pastas, and soups. There's lots of styles for kids to choose from, including Superman, the Jonas Brothers, and Tinker Bell. (

Container Smarts

  • Help your container keep food hot or cold by letting it stand filled with hot or cold water. Empty the water just before adding your food or beverage.
  • Heat hot beverages or food until they're steaming hot. Stir the item at least once during heating to equalize the temperature.
  • Make sure cold beverages or foods are as cold as possible before filling a container. If you make lunches well before you leave the house, refrigerate the filled container until you send it off to school.
  • When sending a small child with a jar of hot food, suggest she ask an adult to open the jar come lunchtime. This will protect her from burns if the hot contents splash out.

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