Omie OmieBox Bento Box for Kids – Insulated Lunch Box with Leak Proof Food Jar – 3 Compartments. 2 Temperature Zones – (Meadow)
Original price was: CAD $89.99.CAD $52.99Current price is: CAD $52.99.
1000 in stock
About this item
- KIDS EAT BETTER -- Your kids will gobble lunch up when it’s their favorite food served warm inside OmieBox. OmieBox has an INSERT that lets you easily pack hot food. Send their favorite pasta, soup, or last night’s leftovers - your kids will have more variety and build healthier eating habits
Description





Specifications
- BrandOmie
- Model NumberB9099
- ColourMeadow
- Product Dimensions20.07 x 20.07 x 6.35 cm; 794 g
- Capacity1390 Milliliters
- MaterialStainless Steel Plastic Silicone
- Special FeaturesLeak Resistant
- Item Weight794 g
- ASINB017S9L3A6
- Date First AvailableNov. 13 2015
- ManufacturerOmieLife
- Place of BusinessOmie
Additional information
| color | Blue Sky, Meadow, Pink Berry, Purple, Sunshine |
|---|---|
| size | 8.5 Ounces |









It is very heavy. When I fill it with food and put it in the backpack, the backpack becomes too heavy for my child.
After regular use and washing, water stays on the rubber seal, and later small spots of mold start to appear in its corners.
The round removable container is made for hot food, but steam goes into the lid and creates a vacuum. Because of this, my child cannot open it alone. The teacher tried to help and accidentally broke the handle, even though the plastic is strong.
The square lid became loose after constant use.
One time my husband put the lunch box in the dishwasher, and one side became deformed.
In general, after this year of use, it is clear that the lunch box is not convenient and did not meet our expectations for this price.
It is really easy to clean and we have not any any leaks.
It is on the larger side so I would make sure you check the measurements to know if it will fit in your lunch box!
The lid seals tightly and doesn’t leak, which gives me peace of mind when I pack yogurt or sauces. It’s also easy to clean; I just rinse and pop the parts in the dishwasher.
The only small downside is that it’s a bit heavier than a regular lunchbox, but the quality and convenience make it worth it. Overall, this bento box is sturdy, practical, and stylish — highly recommend it for kids or adults!
Edit they sent me a new one changed to 5 stars
My daughter loves it because it’s easy to open, has separate compartments so her food doesn’t mix, and the design is really cute. As a mom, I love the peace of mind knowing her food stays fresh and ready to enjoy.
Honestly, it’s an investment that’s worth it. I’ll be making a video review soon because this lunchbox is truly wonderful and I want to share my experience with more parents looking for something practical, safe, and long-lasting.
Update:
After more use, I’m even more disappointed. The OmieBox is too expensive for what it delivers. If you pack anything sauce based, it leaks……no matter how carefully you close it. It looks nice, but for the price, it really should be leakproof and better insulated..
In the beginning
The OmieBox Bento Box has been such a great investment for my kindergartener, who is also a very picky eater. What I love most is the insulated compartment that keeps hot foods warm until lunchtime. It gives me peace of mind knowing I can pack his favorites—like pasta, rice, or even soup—without worrying they’ll be cold by the time he eats.
My son was so excited when he first got it, and he actually looks forward to opening his lunch every day. The different compartments make it easy to pack a variety of foods, so I can balance hot meals with fruits, snacks, or small treats in one box. The design is sturdy, leak-proof, and simple enough for him to open and close by himself, which is important at his age.
As a parent of a picky eater, this box has really made lunchtime less stressful. I know he’s eating foods he enjoys, and it has encouraged him to try a few new things since they’re presented in a fun, organized way.
Overall, the OmieBox is high-quality, practical, and kid-friendly. It makes packing lunches so much easier and keeps me confident that my son is eating well during his school day.
As a mom to a kindergartener, I’ve tried several lunch boxes over the years—and this is the one that finally checks all the boxes. I bought the OmieBox during Prime Day, and it’s been in daily use ever since.
Keeps Food Warm for Hours
The built-in insulated thermos is the real MVP. I pack hot food (like soup, pasta, or curry) at 6:30 a.m., and by 11:40 a.m., it’s still warm—perfect for my daughter’s lunch schedule. Just be sure to pre-warm the thermos with hot water for 15–30 minutes before adding food.
Leak-Proof and Durable
This lunch box is sturdy and well-built. It holds up to daily use, even with a rough-and-tumble kindergartener. The thermos doesn’t leak, and the main box seals tightly. We’ve had no spills in her backpack.
Kid-Friendly Compartment Design
I love how easy it is to pack a balanced lunch. The compartments are perfect for sides like fruit, nuts, or a sweet treat. The thermos sits securely in its own space and doesn’t affect the other food.
Easy to Clean
The main box is hand-washed, while the thermos, gasket, lid, and insert all go in the dishwasher. Everything dries overnight, and there are no tricky corners where food gets stuck.
A Few Things to Know
The thermos lid can be hard for younger kids to open on their own.
The box is a bit heavier (1.7 lbs), but the built-in handle makes it easy to carry.
There’s a short learning curve with reinserting the lid seal—nothing major.
Bonus: Lunch Bag Pairing
Instead of the Omie tote, I use the Pottery Barn Cold Lunch Pack, and it’s a perfect fit. It’s insulated, easy to wipe clean, and has pockets for utensils and extras.
If your child enjoys hot, home-packed meals and you’re looking for something durable, leak-proof, and easy to clean, the OmieBox is 100% worth it. I would absolutely buy it again.
They are good at keeping her food cool and the thermos keeps warm food warm. It has great capacity and the sections were well thought out and offer a lot of flexible options. The seal keeps them well separated. I hand wash and they have lasted 2 years already. I will admit I hate washing it but it’s well worth the little extra labor. They are not too much more heavy compared to other options of bento type boxes although this seems much more sturdy.
I can now make his food everyday and rest assured that the temperature stays good so that when he goes to have lunch it’s nice and warm! Super easy to carry, secure close, the seal I was hesitant about, but let me tell you even though you are able to remove and reattach it works rather well! This product is durable and I’m super pleased I invested in it. Thank you to the creator of this! Making mother’s mornings easier!
One last note - I love the color I selected!
I was looking online for a long time to find a lunchbox with the thermos, leakproof and durable with bigger compartments. I’m happy I bought this one(actually ended up buying 2 of these because my younger baby saw his brother having it and wanted to have one too even though he doesn’t go to school but I bought it to make him happy). I didn’t try to put soup in the thermos to be able to tell how leakproof it is but I can tell it keeps everything hot for long enough for my kiddo to have a warm meal. I feel like it could be a bit bigger, have more separate compartments and the sealing rubbers is keep on falling out while washing it. Also the water and pieces of food gets under that rubber so that’s why it’s 4 stars but other than that it’s an amazing item.
I’m a huge lover of Omie products for starters , it’s convenient to send my kiddos to school with their hot lunch separated by fruits/veggies & snacks one of my favorite features the omie box includes. I also love how you can purchase the add on accessories such as utensils & pouch & extra dividers & containers to separate sauces or gummies etc… they even now offer replacement parts such as the removable leak proof seal for easy cleaning however this option wasn’t available when I first began purchasing Omie boxes so my toddler lost it at school and I was forced to buy an entire new box , so I think it’s cool they now offer that. BUT my biggest thing with kids is definitely DURABILITY it’s essential with kids all the way up to their teen years believe me lol so to my surprise after purchasing my now 4th graders second box it didn’t even last for a year ! These pieces in the back that allows it to close and lift with ease if it’s dropped for whatever reason a child might drop it for or placed in a lunch basket with other kids lunch pales one of those pieces break easily leaving the box completely vulnerable for the other piece to eventually break leaving the lunch box useless and in need to buy another . For as much as they cost I would hope for it to at least last my elementary kid at least a year ! I’d just like it to be more durable especially when appealing to kids.
It is cute and nice. I just wish the lid area of the thermos wasn't so cumbersome. My 5 year old didn't know how to really use it. Had to keep practicing. She had trouble putting it back on. I think it would be best if it was like a lever or a button to open and close.
I like that the seal is removable, but I also think it would get annoying each time to remove and put back. For the steep price I think they should have included another set of seal.
Will update when we really start using it.
For starters the thermos doesn’t keep foods warm what so ever, even I when packing into an insulated lunch bag it doesn’t keep it warm for 4.5 hours so I stopped using that accessory and opted for an separate thermos from another company
Washing and drying this is a bit tricky, it’s fine if the box has time to fully dry over night. But if you happen to forget to wash it out the night before and get stuck having to the morning of it’s an absolute pain to get completely dry since there’s a super tiny grove for the silicone seal all around the edges that holds water really well
The other issue is that the silicone seal is removable for cleaning and it’s super easy to take out however it’s a little too easy to remove. My son has removed it during his lunch periods and lost it while at school 2x now, thankfully it was found but it’s a bit of a design flaw since this could become a strangulation risk rather quickly if a child was to put this over their heads since the material is thick rubber
I have the accessories like the dip containers and travel silverware as well for this and they both work really well, but again the silver wear pouch is hard do dry due to the design
Over all it’s definitely better than a lot of bento style boxes on the market it’s definitely heavy duty and has large compartments. It is a really good lunch box and would be even better if those few things weren’t a problem.
***update***
Have had this box for a 2nd year of school for my daughter. The container was not holding the heat like my traditional bento box and I figured out a hack…make sure to not only heat the inside with hot water for some time but to also put the container on a warming plate. The food stayed warm by the time lunch came around. This worked well for our road trips so I wondered how much time it took to use the plate warmer and it appears to be about 30 minutes is enough time.
My daughter loved to take hot food for lunch and this is perfect for that. The thermos keeps her food warm from 8am to 1pm when they have lunch. I love that o can also put other items in there and it keeps it at a good temperature as well. She loves to pack sides such as carrots, tomatoes, sometimes chips and cookies and the extra compartments in it allow for her to place everything in the one box! Which helps her keep up with everything!
The color options are endless! We settled on the pink and orange but will ordering another one in blue for her middle schooler brother who is jealous of her box!
If you are on the fence about this lunchbox - this is your sign to get it!!! 10/10 highly recommend!
Ive also put chicken salad that stayed cool in the thermos. Whenever he wants a simple sandwich i can take the thermos out and just use it with out it. You can fit different kinds of snacks, fruits or veggies as the divider it comes with helps them stay separated. Love this lunch box so much that i already bought my pre-schooler a blue colored one. Easy to clean and loving the colors as well. Definitely recommend ☺️
We love this lunchbox for our kiddos!! So much that we purchased a second one for our 2 year old who goes to a part time 2K program. It’s so easy to clean and the colors are adorable!! It has enough room for their drink, an entree and a side or two for lunch. Perfect size!! I just add super hot water in the thermos for about 1 min while I heat the food they are eating in it later. My 5 year old says his food is still warm when he eats lunch, approximately 4-5 hours later!!! Can’t say enough good things about this product!! Oh and do yourself a favor and buy the attachable spoon/fork, sooo worth it!! It’s also super easy to clean and so convenient! My 5 year old knows to put it back in it’s attached case and not throw away. Thank you OMIE for making my life and lunchtime so much easier!!
Pros: love the size, perfect for our child. Love the design- it just makes so much sense! And it seemed as if my 4 year old could open the box and the thermos pretty well. We packed some warm items in the thermos (my favorite part) and a little packaged Bare Fruit roll and a fork on the side (haven't yet purchased the cutlery set - I love the holder, not crazy about plastic cutlery) Which brings me to the biggest con for me- plastic! I'm going to be careful not to put anything too warm in the compartments and also will likely choose to handwash as recommended.
Wanted to order the little silicone insert containers but see the color we prefer is no longer available so will be ordering those if possible.
Will look forward to seeing how the OmieBox holds up over this year and will update the review as needed!
We're more of a hot lunch kind of packer & it was getting hard to stuff multiple lunch containers into the lunch bag along with the breakfast & snack, we were also "graduating" up to eating more & this lunch box allows me to conveniently pack more all in one container including the hot dish. The little divider that came with it is great, I wish it came with 2 more though or that there was an option to purchase more separately; however, we also bought the tiny snack silicone containers and they work to help divide up the larger spaces.
I thought removing the silicone sealing pieces would be a pain (this was my biggest hesitation in purchasing); however it's actually not that bad. It's harder for me to get my adult hands down in the skinny rectangular slots for cleaning (it's not bad, but not exactly easy), the silicone sealing pieces actually goes in & out quite well & there is a clear silicone sealing piece on the actual thermos lid itself that isn't bad at taking apart for cleaning either.
The lid seams to latch well & so far its held up great, if you're your a hot-lunch packer, I definitely 10/10 say it's worth it to go this route~
I have been looking for all kinds of lunchboxes for my soon to be Kindergartener, since the school doesn't have catered lunch.
I have seen so many reviews about Omie, and when the deal was on, I knew I had to make the purchase.
So far so good, my daughter loves it. She is excited to bring lunch to school.
The only downside is that the box itself is already quite heavy, and it doesn't come with utensils (seperate purchase for the set) and the thermo jar lid is kinda fidgety, can get it on right, seems to be slanted. I was able to close the jar after a few attempts but I don't know if my 5yo would have the patience and time to do so, especially if she doesn't finish the food inside, my concern is the food will spill everywhere or she'll jam the box and break it somehow. Perhaps some improvement on that will be helpful.
Just received it for my soon to be kindergarten, it’s a nice size. It looks like it will fit everything for her school lunch. We’ll see how long the food stay cold her hot when we use it (will test it out next week). If you want to put this in another lunch pal I haven’t found one that will fit it into. But overall it looks durable & hopping it’ll work for all her hot & cold foods. Will update if needed
Here’s an example: sometimes he wants chicken nuggets, ramen noodles or Mac and cheese and you need something that will keep it hot for a long period of time.
And also if he doesn’t want hot food you can take out the thermos and have a sand which.
I tested this out before writing the review so I can decide to keep it or not.
I boiled some water and put it in the thermos part and I left for a while. I came back 6 hours later and it was still SO SO hot, I put my finger in to test it and it burnt me.
I am very impressed!! The price is steep but I’ll pay anything so my son can have a lunch for school. I’d definitely recommend this product to everyone I know and would purchase again!
We ended up sticking with cold lunches and it was mess after mess and "yucky lunches". I kept an eye on this one for a while because I didn't care for the price, but after getting a bentgo box and seeing how small the compartments were, I was done with the shopping around and just bought this one. Game changer!!! This bento box is perfect and really makes packing a lunch really easy! I love everything about it!
The Omiebox has been a great alternative to multiple containers. The warm food area will keep food warm for several hours which is perfect for kindergarten lunch. The compartments are really deep and hold a lot of food. To make best use of them, I do recommend getting the Omiebox sauce containers too. Without the extra sauce containers and dividers, the large compartments don’t allow for a lot of variety to send for lunch. This lunchbox is so contained that I just send it as is with a spoon or fork inside. It has a convenient carrying handle so my kid just grabs this all in one to lunch, not having to worry about lunch bag, extra containers, utensils etc.
We love it! The price is steep but getting it on Cyber Monday and using it every day has made the price worth it.
The leakproof seal works well but has to be removed and cleaned after every use. Thus makes cleaning a little more involved. The leakproof seal can be replaced if it gets moldy. Overall, a very good lunchbox option.
My biggest concern was keeping foods hot or cold since he goes early in the morning to school. And of course needing portions perfect for him. This box is amazing! I warm up the thermos with boiling water first and then throw in chicken, pizza, pasta, pancakes after I dump the water out etc. the sections are PERFECT for portions for a toddler. Fits his yogurts, and I throw in slices of fruits, goldfish, muffins, you name it I try it! He gets a nice variety for lunch and his meals are never mixed or soggy.
The other concern I had was being able to fit a lunch box in his small skiphop backpack. It goes right in with plenty of space left. It is a little heavy but that’s ok because I carry his things anyway, and he is still able to take it out himself and bring it to the table. Highly recommend!
Tips for the reviews that are not so great:
1. Read the instructions! This is not meant for the dishwasher. My husband is a huge culprit of putting things in the dishwasher that are not supposed to, so I was sure to give him "the eyes" and stress this is not dishwasher safe.
2. The lid seal only goes on one way and if you start in the corners of each section and gently press them in, it works perfect.
3. The seal for the thermos lid comes off and needs to be washed each time. Comes off and on easily, too.
4. Also in the instructions- Fill the thermos with hot or cold water for 5 minutes before adding wet food.
5. Assembling the thermos into the box, first, screw the thermos to the square that holds it in place, screw on the lid, and then add it to the lunch box. I find this is the best way to make sure the lid is on well. Once the kiddo is done eating and putting the lid back on, it's not so important to worry if it is sealed as well.
6. Always wash it when it comes back home and let it completely dry before reassembling. I store mine slightly open and unassembled to allow air in and out.
We have had no problems with portion sizes.
No problems closing the lunch box (don’t wash them in the dishwasher with dry heat turned on)
No leaks
We put them inside of a lunch kit bag which has room for their drink and utensils
Now that they have separate containers which fit into the bento box it’s even better
When my youngest starts going to school I’ll be getting one for him and I’m probably going to get one for myself to take to work so I can have warm soup/chili/fajitas etc for lunch.
1) always preheat the thermos with hot water before putting anything in it to keep it warm for up to 5 to 6 hours.( remember to keep to warm, not hot)
2) Take out the liner and wash it . I personally don’t mind that the line is removable I actually do appreciate it more control over 🦠 bacteria buildup germs 😖.
3) I find getting these silicone cupcake cups
And dipping cups very easy for things like ketchup or separating mushy snacks from the dry ones.
My kid tells me her lunch is still warm at lunchtime but I’m not sure HOW warm? I do preheat the thermos with boiling water and make sure to pop the food in as soon as it’s cooked to lock in the heat. I also put the box inside an insulated lunch bag.
As for portion sizes, I think it is PLENTY big enough for an average 5 year old with a good appetite. I have a hard time filling it up! Especially as I don’t use juice boxes. If you didn’t use the thermos, that area of the box is large enough for a full size sandwich. I really don’t get why some think this is way too small??! Kids have small stomachs…. I see this being good for us for at least 2, maybe 3 years. My kid loves the design and likes the colors. With this and a bentgo, I don’t see me buying anymore lunch boxes for several years. Fingers crossed!
The children dislike this lack of warmth as much as I do. Schools do not provide healthy or even good-tasting food. The children are used to good and healthy food from me, both hot and cold and that is what they want, or they simply do not eat.
I have a 9 year old girl and a 4 year old boy that is just starting pre-school this year. We got these before summer so he could practice using it all summer before school started. He has rarely been able to open the thermos, but he will surely have more strength in his hands by next year, so I do not worry about that so much, just be aware. He has not lost his divider, but the 9-year-old lost her by the 3rd week of school. A small removable part is a bad idea for kids. I imagine I will have to stop using it for the 4-year-old by next year or I can see he and friends could be flicking it across the table, eventually. Just a very bad thought on the part of the designer.
For now, I put a packet of Hot Hands into the lunch box for the 9-year-old, but wouldn't dream of that for the 4-year-old. He will probably be 9 before I could trust him not to tear it open. My solution initially has been to wrap foil, then a paper bag, around the bowl, which worked to keep food minimally warm. I have now gotten a 2" piece of styrofoam to cut out and place around the bowl. All of this is hidden due to the colored ring around the bowl. I will see how this works (it has not been done yet), as I would prefer this to the Hot Hands even for the 9-year-old because putting the Hot Hands packet in the Omie Bento Box, or even in the thermal lunch bag that they carry their Omie's in, prevents me from being able to put cold food in the same bag. ALWAYS be sure to fill the bowl with boiling water and put the lid on to get it hot before putting the hot food in. BUT, DO NOT screw the lid down, just a half-turn only, or you will never get the lid off. Strong suction is created with the heat. For now, the Pre-school teacher removes my 4-year-olds lid, but the 9-year-old has no issues because it has cooled down before lunch, even with the Hot Hands packet. Also, the Hot Hands packet works on being exposed to air, so I have to have her take it out and shake it in the air when she gets her morning snack out of her backpack (which is a separate bag from the Omie Box) so that her lunch is still warm by the time she eats it.
All other features of the Omie Box we really and truly love, such as:
1) The children love using it.
2) The children love the colors
3) The children and I love the convenience of doing everything in one organized box
4) The rubber seals that keep the areas separated and does not allow food to spill over into other areas, even juicy foods.
Overall, it is a good product, but it needs some design changes to make it a 5-Star great product.
It is filled up and placed in a lunchbox of his choice and then carried in. You may ask why it is placed in another lunchbox though it is supposed to have a carrying handle? I do not trust this method because my son can never get it closed all the way. I close it in the mornings for him but every time I open up the other lunchbox after school, it is left unlatched.
A few other things I have issues with:
- The seal around the round food section is hard to get sometimes. This morning I thought it was secure enough but the ramen noodle water leaked out. It DOES seal, it just takes trial and error sometimes to get it right based on what's in that section.
- The Omniebox inside of out other box has caused actual wear on our other lunchbox. We haven't used it more than 3 weeks and it's already cut indentions (two on each "corner" of the part of the handle, and then one long line on the bottom of the handle section (will attach pictures)). I assume it's because this is the side that is always facing the "bottom" when he's carrying the other lunchbox, but I don't want to risk switching them around and him being confused with having to turn the whole box/bag around to open, or potential wear on the other side of the other lunchbox.
- Given that he can never latch the bottom of the box, I assume he does have trouble with actually opening the warm goodness each day. However, he has not seemed to have an issue with asking the teacher for help each day.
- The thermos section is small for some things, like it's hard to fit a descent amount of ramen noodles inside the container, maybe 1/5 of the actual bag of ramen you'd get from the store (and my kid can eat nearly all the ramen from one of those).
- It's kind of heavy, but I can't imagine it being smaller and being as efficient.
Positives:
- This is a convenient option to have everything "in one place" while also having a warm section.
- The thermos is the PERFECT size for those Velveeta and Kraft macaroni single bowls.
- FIts great inside of a regular sized lunchbox, mine even has enough room for a drink if you don't put it inside of the Omniebox.
- The adjusting portion on the side helps me fit a fork on top of the drink when I need to include one.
- My son doesn't ever provide me with any actual complaints from it. If he's had issues, he doesn't express them in this product. I imagine he'd have more difficulty with things split up in different containers.
I think that is all. 😅
The thermos is definitely leak-proof, but his teachers have to help him get it open, so that part of it isn't friendly for a little guy. The small divider piece can fit in either the long side compartment or short top compartment, which is great for adjusting to different foods that are packed. If I am packing a liquid (such as ranch dressing, ketchup, syrup, etc), I put that in a small separate condiment container that fits in the Omie. We LOVE this for his lunches!
Pros:
Food division, leakproof, fits enough food for preschooler
Cons:
Heavy, have to hand-wash, preschooler unable to unscrew the thermos lid on his own
In the end, I'm glad we purchased this and am very happy with it!
and it was fine. I prefer to hand wash everything for preservation. Overall I am extremely happy with this product and delighted with all the cute and healthy lunches I prepare. Wish I had this when I was little! :)
The box fits a lot of food. You just need to get creative if you want to pack runny foods (like applesauce) in one of the compartments since it isn't leak proof. Be sure you purchase SMALL containers w/lids so the lunchbox can snap shut.
The parts are really easy to clean. See picture attached. Be sure you hand wash to avoid loosening the seal.
The only downside is that it's a bit heavy and the latch and lid may be difficult for a kindergartener to open/close with ease. Once unlocked and you try to open the lid, it's a bit hard to open all the way because the tension will lift up the bottom of the box (where the food is stored). I had to teach my son how to hold down the base with one hand and gently open the lid with the other so his food wouldn't spill.
I've been practicing with my son for a few days now and he seems to be getting the hang of it.
- He is 3.5 years old and super easy for him to open and access his meal
- without the thermos you have lots of space for a sandwich, fruits, box juice, etc.
- love the divider option
- the thermos lid has a huge flat handle which is easy for him to open, and with a bit more practice he can close it without assistance
- easy to pull apart and clean it
Now to the areas I wish it was better.
- my son does not like sandwiches, he loves pasta specially spaghetti dishes my biggest issue is the size of the thermos, super small so for me is not even worth trying to pack some for him. It fits a mini bagel perfectly, so you can get an idea see picture attached
- the seal is removable so you can clean it however once I started removing the seal, the lunch box became harder to close. If I press hard I can closed it all the way ensuring it has a great seal however once he unlocks the lid it doesn’t sprang up which makes it hard for him to try to open so I leave as it is. Added photo and video so you can see what I’m referring to.
*** They do state that is not for soups/or items that contain juice, perhaps because they are aware of the seal issues..
I did pack watermelon once and as watermelon releases some water it did get into the other sections so now I only pack dry items.
- I do wish they had a divider available for the section that is for the thermos/sandwich section as it is the biggest section however Overall I am happy with my purchase and my son enjoys it very much!
EDIT: I have now been using this lunch box for my preschooler for over 5 months and LOVE IT. It really does keep her food warm or cold. Some things to note.. to keep food warm make sure to boil water and let that water sit in the closed thermos for 10 minutes. I do this and my daughter says the food stays warm until lunchtime. For cold foods I wash the thermos with cold water and place it in the freezer overnight. I have forgotten once or twice and placed it in the freezer the morning of and the fruits still stayed in good condition for her lunchtime. I love the versatility of this lunch box, maintenance has been okay so far. I wish it by hand thoroughly during the week and one day of the weekend I throw it in the dishwasher (removing the rubber linings first). I am very happy with this lunchbox and so is my little one. I have added an additional photo to show what I usually pack for her (and it stays in good condition until lunchtime 5 hours later).
Over all the quaity seems solid. I had a difficult time opening the lunchbox at first. Once i popped open the small latch, i actually had to pry it open with a knife. But then afterwards it seemed ok. I knocked off one star because i fear the tiny latch used to “close/seal” the lunchbox is a bit flimsy and may wear very fast over a short period of time. Looks like you can just snap it off and break easily. It just doesnt seem durable enough to hold it together and closed without it coming apart once there is food in it and it gets a bit heavier? Or what if i drop it or my kid drops it? I dont believe it will stay together but id rather not test it to find out. My hope is that this lunchbox will last for at least 3-4 yrs and get him thru preschool and TK (with minimal use of course i plan to switch back and forth between this one and the Bentgo brand)
I LOVE that you can squeez a small milk, juice or water box in there for a truly complete lunch and carry everything all in one place. I actually purchased the Squeasy bottle (3oz bottle) that they use in the demo video -from a different vendor - and it fits perfectly with still enough room to add a food above it!!
Over all, Im in love with the practically of the lunchbox and the concept of this invention! I think its Brilliant!! Im sooo happy with this purchase and cant wait to use it!!
Everyone wants to know are the meals hot or warm after 4 hrs? My daughter always tells me her lunch is warm when she eats. So, I decided to put the OmieBox to the test. In our school district, Elementary School starts at 0900 and her lunch period is 1230, so I always finish preparing her hot lunch between 0815-0830.
The OmieBox Test
I poured boiling hot water into the thermos container and let it sit for 10 mins (per guidelines) and then I poured her hot meal into the thermos container and measured the temperature. (All temperatures were measured in Fahrenheit). As evidence from the beginning temperature, the food was 166.1 degrees. I then accounted for the time duration from the food preparation (0815) and school start times (0900) and her lunch period (1230) and other possible delays (15 mins). So, I tested the food temperature at 4.5hrs from the food preparation time (0815). As evidence from the ending temperature, I was surprised that even at 4.5hrs, the food was decently warm at 101.3 degrees.
Cleaning?
I've never had any problems cleaning the OmieBox. Everyday, I remove the rubber gasket from the thermos lid and gently clean it with warm soapy water, so mildew or mold doesn't grow underneath, and I clean the rest of the OmieBox in similar fashion. I've yet to replaced any broken parts of the OmieBox from daily cleaning. However, there is one thing I don't like about the lid. Sometimes while washing the lid, water does get inside the lid and its not easy to drain (pictured), so I wonder if mildew and mold is growing inside.
Suggestions?
Although I am very pleased with this product compared to other products on the market, I wish the thermos and the thermos lid was better insulated, so one does not have to use boiling hot water to help food stay warm 4 hours later.
The thermal container fits nicely into the Omi box and keeps food nice and warm. The overall design is a kid-pleaser and my son can open the lid and screw-top thermal lid by himself (as long as I don't twist it too tightly shut)-- the twist-handle is very well designed.
Overall, aside from the ability to send a warm lunch, I like the Yumbox better. The Yumbox seals off each compartment when you close the lid, so no leaking sauces or juices. I'm used to being able to easily include yogurt and hummus and sauces in the Yumbox, but with Omi I need to buy separate sauce containers-- more to open and keep track of. I don't like the movable partition in the Omi (things move around) and since we don't use juice boxes I don't need the compartments to be as large as they are. With the Omi you get three large compartments (two if you take out the partition) plus the hot food section; with the Yumbox you get six smaller compartments-- smaller portions of more options, which my son seems to prefer. The Omi is also a lot heavier-- tough on little shoulders in the backpack.
All that said, I'm using both lunchboxes regularly now, and I give the Omi four stars because it really is a thoughtful design, and the best option I've seen for a lunch box that lets you include hot food in a container a small kid can easily operate.
Why bento? I wanted to have all his food laid out in one go vs. having to open various containers. Not only does this save time, but I also feel it's less wasteful (don't have to toss multiple baggies). I pack an Honest Kids juice box which fits perfectly in one of the compartments - see photo. I use the side compartment to pack fruits and a sweet treat, the slider can be moved to divide this into two spaces.
Keeps food warm - I prepare the thermos container by letting hot water sit in it for about 10 mins. I microwave food till it's piping hot, dump the water and wipe the container, put the hot food in and seal it. I've successfully sent pasta, meatballs, chicken nuggets, rice, etc. My son claims that his food is "really warm" at lunch time (~4 hours after packing). I will say that the thermos bowl formed a "vacuum seal" a couple of times, likely from too much steam sucking the cover in, and my son had to ask for help opening it. To prevent this form happening, I make sure not to screw the lid on too tightly - just enough to keep the warmth in.
Leak-proof: we've had the Omiebox for almost two months and have had zero leaks! I haven't packed broth soups, though - while the bowl is supposed to be able to hold them in without leaking, I just don't think I'd risk it. Some reviewers have mentioned that they experienced some leaking when they packed "juicy" fruits like peaches, kiwi, etc. I guess it depends on where you put the fruit. It's true that while the side container as a whole is supposedly leak proof, using the divider does not give you two leak proof spaces - liquid from one side could still seep into the other side. To prevent this from happening, I use Glad Press and Seal to cover the side compartment. This also allows me to put a napkin and a small set of utensils on top of the fruit/treat area.
Easy to use: my son takes this to school in his backpack then puts it in his cubby in the classroom. The handle is super convenient for taking it in-out of the backpack, and also for carrying the Omiebox on its own from the cubby to his eating area. The latch, which is located at the bottom of the lunchbox when held by the handle, is surprisingly strong (has not flown open when carried, as I feared). My son is able to open the thermos cup on his own - I just make sure that the "collar" (square plastic part) around the stainless bowl is attached tightly and correctly. This ensures that the cover can be screwed on/off with no issues. As for maintenance, we handwash this container everyday, remove all rubber gaskets and wash them and let everything air dry. No issues with mold, staining or stinking in the 2 months we've had it. I think my use of the Press and Seal also helps keep the moisture off the rubber gasket, at least for the side part, so hopefully it won't get moldy.
Some reviewers mention that this holds too little food. I guess it really depends on your kid's appetite. My son is 5 and in the 95th %ile for both height and weight - he definitely has a good appetite but hasn't complained about needing more food at lunch. As his appetite increases, I figure I can use the space that currently holds his juice box for more food. We've also been able to use this without the thermos and it works just as well! You can technically put a sandwich directly into the slot where the thermos cup would be, but I typically Saran Wrap mine to keep it fresher for lunch. I also use silicone cups to divide that thermos slot as needed.
I do wish this had a small sleeve or something attached to the outside that could hold utensils and a napkin. While I'm able to cram them inside for now, I'll eventually need to put in more food and will have to put the Omiebox in a bag along with other lunch paraphernalia.
I do, however, have a few complaints:
1. The thermos is the perfect shape but it's very small. It's perfect size for a 3yo but it won't be enough when he is older.
2. It's kinda heavy when it's filled, but not so much that a little kid can't carry it. But that increases the chance of dropping it. He dropped it on the side walk and it popped open (luckily it was empty), and put some serious scratches on one of the corners. Some rubber bumper might be nice.
3. It needs at least an extra divider (only comes with 1) to divide even the shorter compartment. I use silicon cupcake liners but it's not high enough to keep things in each liner from going into the other.
4. It can't stand up right. You have to lay it flat or it'll fall over.
Finally, I would strongly suggest to take the rubber seal (for the bento box and thermos lid) off each time you wash it, so that it doesn't trap water inside. When all parts are dry, you will not get problems with mold. The seal is very easy to be put back in place, so don't get intimidated by it.
ROOM WISE:
I bought it for my daughter that is 9 yrs old. and yes it is a bit small for her age but i had a solution anyway because i bought her a lunch bag to put the omiebox in and i can add extra snacks, also my daughter doesn't like juice boxes so that also saves room inside to only put food in the omiebox.
THERMO:
the thermo actually works! my daughters lunch is at 11:30am and we leave the house at 7am, and i was worried her lunch would be cold but my daughter said it was warm not hot but warm and still yummy. so far i have tried it with spaghetti, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot dog. all have stayed warm enough for about 4.5 hours. i followed the instructions on boiling water and pouring it in the thermo for about 5-10 minutes and after draining that water put the hot food in and you are set.
WEIGHT:
the reason why i gave it 3 stars is because it lost a star on the fact that it is really heavy for my 9 yr old and the intended party are 4-5 year olds.
UTENSILS:
there is no room for utensil if you are filling the box with food unless its really thin, but this didn't bother me because like i said i got a lunch bag where i am putting the omiebox inside and the utensil fit in the other lunch bag. but if you were planning to use just the omie box alone then that's a problem.
REMOVABLE DIVIDER:
Not spill safe, i put sausages on one side and Cheez it on the other and my daughter said the sausage juice got into the cheez it and made it soggy and gross. also i put cinnamon toast cereal as a dry snack and oranges on the other side and again she said her oranges had cinnamon (see pictures). reason star was taken off. and the divider curbs with the box so you gotta make sure its put the right way but even then it was still not keeping food separate.
CLEANING:
this is another reason why it lost a star. i hand wash it and its a little difficult because it doesn't come apart at least it doesn't look like it correct me if i am wrong. the only thing i cant take apart is the rubber on the lid, the thermo and the divided but i have to wash the entire box and it is heavy and bulky.
COLOR AND STYLE:
i got the green one, and it is exactly like in the picture.
Eventhough the side compartment is only a couple of inches wide, Horizon milk boxes and Great Value milk bottles fit perfectly with some room above for a little sweet treat too! We also found that the small Sunny D bottles fit great as well (we empty them out and fill with our own milk or smoothie). I am looking for a reusable bottle that fits (I noticed one in their product video), so if anyone has suggestions on this, please let me know!
The only thing that doesn't work as well is that if you try to use silicone baking cups to make extra dividers in the large compartment, they aren't always tall enough to reach the top. When I use my triangle-shaped ones, I end up having to bunch some napkin underneath to lift them up enough so they reach the lid and don't mix up contents while being transported. However, I did get some taller, thinner ones at IKEA that work great (see attached photo - they are more tulip shaped than normal ones)!
When we send hot lunches in the thermos compartment, we follow the directions and pre-heat the container with hot water for 5 or so minutes and it seems to keep food plenty warm! Especially for a younger kiddo where you don't want the food to be too piping hot that they'll burn themselves or won't eat it at all.
I love the size and shape of this lunch box as well. Everything for his meal fits in (including drink or fruit/veggie pouch), and it's all protected with the hard casing, and he can carry it easily by the handle for transporting. I've shared this lunchbox with many friends for their littles, and we all agree that we want them for ourselves too!