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Average Ratings (from 155 ratings)
Overall star Rating
I found the site easy to navigate
The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
Completing my customer profile was easy
I would recommend My AGL IQ
Advice was practical and could help me save
My AGL IQ :
4.01 out of 5 based on 155 reviews.

As mums, energy consumption in the household is always a concern.

Which is why we’re excited to announce the AGL product review of  My AGL IQ® – A new online way to track and help reduce your energy usage.

AGL is proud to tell you about a new way to help you achieve your energy savings goals by allowing you to monitor your energy usage.

My AGL IQ is a world class energy reporting tool, developed by AGL in Australia specifically for Australian customers. It is available to gas and electricity customers^, including solar customers.

We’ve made it easy for you to see how much energy you’re using and how this translates to dollars and cents for your household.

My AGL IQ can help you in three important ways.

1. See – how you use energy.

  • Track how much energy you are using and how much your usage charges are.
  • Compare your usage with Similar Homes*.
  • Compare your current bill to previous bill periods.
  • See how the temperature can impact your energy usage.

2. Act – make a plan to do something about it.

  • Build a personal energy saving action plan.
  • Complete your home profile to receive more targeted energy saving advice and tips.
  • Set goals and track how you are performing against them.

3. Save – reduce your energy use.

  • Reduce your energy use by taking practical steps.
  • Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions using energy saving tips.
  • Save on your energy bills by reducing your energy use.

Not an AGL customer yet?

If you’re not an AGL customer, you can click here to sign up to a great energy deal in 3 easy steps. Just use this VIP code: aMOMS.

As an AGL customer you’ll receive a great discount on your household electricity and gas market rate usage charges# plus:

  • 24/7 Access to AGL Energy Online
  • Earn 1 flybuys point per $1 spent on your home energy bills. Simply link your AGL account(s) and flybuys membership and sign-up for AGL Energy Online and eBilling.~

And of course you’ll have 24/7 access to My AGL IQ to track and help reduce your energy usage.

Please note, this is an online offer only and may be subject to change.


To get started, simply log on to AGL Energy Online and you can start filling out your My AGL IQ profile straight away.

If you haven’t registered yet for AGL Energy Online, don’t worry – it’s easy. Remember to have your account number and name as it appears on your bill to complete your online registration. In a few minutes you’ll be on your way to tracking your energy usage.

Smart electricity meters – If you have a smart meter that is not manually read, then your energy usage is updated daily and you can monitor your usage in 60 minute intervals. This means you can see how your usage changes when you turn on your TV, or use your washing machine.

Basic meters – electricity and gas. If you have a manually read electricity meter or a gas meter, your usage information for each billing period is displayed in an easy to read graph. This allows you to compare your energy usage and usage charges to previous billing cycles.

Compare your usage – With My AGL IQ, you are able to compare your usage to Similar Homes* and see if you’re using more or less energy on average. And with a completed home profile we can provide you with more relevant energy saving advice and tips, which are more in line with your energy usage and lifestyle.

Set targets to save – Once you’ve created a home profile and begun monitoring your energy usage, you can start making changes to lower your energy usage and save on your bills. By monitoring your energy usage and bill amounts, setting goals and implementing practical tips, you could reduce your energy usage. If you’re an electricity customer with a smart meter that is not manually read, you could also monitor your bill projections as you go.

It’s as easy as:

  • Setting a goal.
  • Reducing energy usage by taking practical steps.
  • Tracking how you are performing against your goals.

My AGL IQ is free and exclusive to AGL customers and is accessible 24 hours a day via AGL Energy Online to:

  • Residential and small business customers.
  • Gas and electricity customers^, including solar customers.
  • Customers in NSW, QLD, SA and VIC.
  • Customers with smart electricity meters, or basic electricity and gas meters.

For more information about My AGL IQ, visit: www.agl.com.au/MyAGLIQ


^My AGL IQ is not available for certain accounts including bulk hot water.
*Similar Homes means homes of AGL customers which, based on data we have collected from various sources and our statistical modeling, we deem to have similar usage characteristics to yours. Our statistical modeling may be recalibrated and refined from time to time. Any comparisons to Similar Homes are based on your current rates. My AGL IQ is a registered trademark of AGL Energy Limited.
#The discounts apply to peak, off-peak and shoulder energy usage charges, and will appear as a separate credit (GST exclusive) on your bills. The discounts do not apply, for example, to fixed daily energy supply charges, demand charges or AGL Green Choice™ charges. Different energy tariffs apply to solar customers. For full details visit agl.com.au/AGLVIPoffer.
~Offers only available in VIC, SA, NSW and those parts of QLD where AGL operates. ActewAGL, Powerdirect and AGL business customers are not eligible for points from AGL. Terms and conditions and eligibility apply. See flybuys.com.au/AGL for more details. Customers must link their AGL household account and flybuys membership, and sign up to AGL Energy Online and eBilling, to receive flybuys points.

Published 17th June 2013


  • AGL IQ is great

    Love the features and how easy it is to use, being to see how my power usage compares to other similar homes is great too. The power saving tips are awesome and i love the save setting too, overall a great tool and so easy to use :)
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • wonderful company

    I have been with a few different electricity companies before I settled on AGL. They are a fantastic company that are leading the way in the future of electricity.

    Their costs are low, we have seen nowhere near the jump some of our friends have. This site allows you to monitor what you are doing and when, putting you in full control of your bill! Highly recommend!
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • great product

    i found this really handy great for money concious/savvy people.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Wow this is soo helpful

    wow I completed the first 2 stages then logged on a week later and I have saved $74 from my last bill period..it definately works in helping to save money!! five stars!!!
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Fabulous product to help save money and the environment

    I just registered for My AGL IQ online. It was quick and easy to do and it has lots of handy little tips on how to reduce my energy consumption. I've only just received a bill, so given I follow through with AGL's tips, it will be interesting to see how the changes made effect the next bill.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • My AGL IQ is wonderful

    I found everything so easy to set up and to use it only takes a few minutes and after you enter all relevant details it helps to calculate your electricity usage and ways to save on your usage ultimately saving you money well worth the time and I spent setting it up
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Easy as 1, 2, 3.

    I wasn't chosen for this review, but I have been using the AGL IQ for over a month now. I found it very easy to set up and use. It's pretty much dummy proof. I think the other electricity companies should look into doing this. I have personally recommended this to many friends and families. I love the graphs, they allow you to compare over time and in different ways and compare to others similar.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • This is a great way to start saving money

    So far I have done my IQ home profile and it was so easy to set up it only took a few minutes and the questions asked were very practical and easy to answer.

    I think it is great that AGL is creating a program to help families break down their bills and save money
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Easy to use and a great way to save

    I was already registered for AGL online so setting up the MY AGL IQ was fast and easy. I love that I can go back and look into my history and also compare my energy usage with similar homes.

    Setting up the profile was simple and it gave me some great tips on saving power. With not having off-peak my bills are always huge, so this is great. One thing I did find by using the history comparison is that although my bill was higher last quarter compared to the same time last year, my usage was a lot lower, so it showed that the increase in my bills is not caused by consumption, but rising prices.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Absolutely fantastic. I love the agl iq. Helped me to save money on my energy bills

    As an agl customer this is fantastic for me. It has taught me ways to save on my energy bills. And all energy saving tips I can do in my home. Which I never knew before. I have saved heaps on my bills.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Very useful and has helped me save

    The tips were great and very practical. I find the site easier to use than previous company, I also like that it counts toward my flybuys points
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • helpful and useful

    Ive tried to use this and I found that this site is very helpful and there are heaps of useful tips. I used to not understand my household electricity use and how it goes being a first time home owner. It was hard navigating through other sites and there were so many technical terms. But this site was easy to understand with simple terms and comparisons that I can get to know easily. Its a great site and very informative. Great idea for such a simple thing.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Great energy saver

    Great for saving energy at home ideas. And also great information and articles available.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Smart Ideas

    There's a heap of smart advice once you've figured out the app. I set up the app a short while ago, I'm already doing a fair bit of what they suggest and have initiated the big one of reducing the pool filtering time now it's winter. Will be interesting to see how much we reduce out power bill by when it next comes in.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Great site

    This site is a useful initiative by Agl great tips and ways to reduce your power bill. Comparison to other households useful too
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • AGL IQ is great

    Love the features and how easy it is to use, being to see how my power usage compares to other similar homes is great too. The power saving tips are awesome and i love the save setting too, overall a great tool and so easy to use :)
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • A better way to manage bills and bussiness expenses

    I switched to AGL at the beginning of the year and find that access to usage details helps me monitor and stay on buduget as far as costs go. a new age of billing and monitoring is transparent with so many stories of how electricity companies have technical errors its a necessity
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • fantastic navigation system

    I have one of these and use it every day it's fantastic and always gets me to where I want to go. It always takes me the quickest route to my destination and very easy to use. It never plays games and always work with what I want it to do.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • wonderful company

    I have been with a few different electricity companies before I settled on AGL. They are a fantastic company that are leading the way in the future of electricity.

    Their costs are low, we have seen nowhere near the jump some of our friends have. This site allows you to monitor what you are doing and when, putting you in full control of your bill! Highly recommend!
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • easy app

    I find this app very helpful in saving engery and money. Really made me think about how we our power. Its a easy app to use and the kids even get involved with it. The tips are generally practical and easy to put into place. I found I have saved a fait bit of money from using this app
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Great to keep up to date with your usage and handy tips

    I found this to be a great way to monitor our usage and while it didn't really tell me anything new or anything that common sense couldn't provide it was a great way to discuss with the family ways we could all chip in to cut down out usage.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • I have saved on my bills

    I had my gas with AGL and have since changed my electricity to AGL so that I can use the app to monitor my usage. It's brilliant knowing what you are using and where you can save money etc. I would recommend changing to anyone that needs to watch what they are spending.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Easy to use but obvious tips

    Its easy to use and the layout is great. It was easy to set up my profile and I especially liked the way that I was able to establish a profile of my house and compare it to other, similar properties.

    I found the energy saving tips very obvious and generic. This would have been more helpful if the tips were specific to my profile. Still useful in terms of keeping track.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Not too bad

    I found this site took me a little while to get used to. I've just recently switched to AGL for my power and gas and being able to keep track of my bills and payments made, as well as electricity usage is very handy. The energy saving tips are amazing and have already helped us to see a decrease in our bills.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • AGL is AOK

    I used this app with my kids, just to show them how little things they do can change how much our bills are each quarter. 3 of my kids are older and had a good understanding, thanks to the app, of how the items they personally use are running up our bill and how just switching on the fan instead of the aircon can save us $$. I'd recommend for that purpose. For educating an already educated mum...not so much.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Priceless tool for a single Mum of 4!

    Right from the start I liked the idea of My AGL IQ. The endless tips that you would not even think about that can save you money by lowering your electricity usage is wonderful. I also purchased the clothes dryer balls from the AGL shop and even though I have a very efficient dryer these balls have cut the drying time in half! They are amazing. All in all I couldn't be happier with this lifestyle improvement.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Pretty good

    I found it easy to use and an now paying weekly

    Agl take money from my account every week

    So by the end if the 3 months I don't owe anything

    At all, it's great!
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • Interesting

    The hint's are helpful if your not already using common sense in energy saving and to bring awareness those who are care free with electricity usage,but for those who are doing all of that already it is a bit frustrating because you want to save money but your limited when you have a family on some things to implement
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • not THAT amazing

    I think this site is only helpful to see how much you owe and that's about it,

    even then that's difficult, they don't even have an easy way to see your account balance or owing,

    the advice is also not that helpful, its all over tv anyway so no use going to this site for it,

    sorry but not that helpful!
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save


  • AGL IQ BRING IT TO WA

    While this was tested at my son's home as we do not have access to it here in WA. I found out that I enjoyed it and yes he was saving on costs and it was handy for his partner to point out how he could save doing things differently. I just wish we could have it here, never thought I would miss smart meters or the ability to use other electric companies for power.
    I found the site easy to navigate
    The Ways to Save Tips were helpful
    Completing my customer profile was easy
    I would recommend My AGL IQ
    Advice was practical and could help me save

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The right lunch box helps keep little humans nourished while making life a lot easier for mums and dads! So to help you find the perfect one faster, we’ve put the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia in one handy spot.

Kids’ lunch boxes have come a very long way. No longer just plastic boxes for toting treats, they’re now durable, washable, droppable and best of all, easy for kids to use. There are heaps of different styles to choose from, and if you head to the bottom of this article, you’ll find more information on what to look for, how to choose the right one for your child, and even what to put in it!

Whether you’re after a colourful lunch box to match that new drink bottle, or a machine-washable option that saves you time, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.

The Star Patrol Mini Lunch Case.
The Star Patrol Mini Lunch Case. Image: The Somewhere Co.

Lunch Box Comparison Table

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to lunch box shopping, check out our comparison table below as a handy guide. (Use the bottom slider to see all brands)

The table below is a guide only. Products are subject to changes by brands.

MontiiCoB.BoxFrank Green Lunch ContainerYumboxSky Gazer Bentgo ModernThe Somewhere Co. MiniEcoCocoonBright Star KidsStuck On YouCountry Road ElysiaOmieBox
StyleBagBentoBoxBentoBagBentoBagBentoBagBentoBagBento
Colour variationsYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES
MaterialFabric & aluminium liningPP & siliconeStainless steel & siliconeABS, tritan & siliconeFabric & PEVA liningBPA-free plasticRPET & aluminium foil liningStainless steel & siliconeFabric & insulation liningBPA-free plastic100% cotton canvas & insulation liningStainless steel, plastic & silicone
Start price$42.95$27.95$79.95$49.95$34.99$39.95$38$84.95$39.95$54.95$59.95$89.95
Loved for itsRoomy size & machine washable designCustom divider3-in-1 designPortion-controlled sectionsUnique designsRemovable sandwich dividerShoulder strapDishwasher-safe partsPersonalisationLeak-proof silicone sealInternal name labelStorage for hot and cold food
Mouths Of Mums Kids’ Lunch Boxes Comparison Table. (The products above are featured in our shortlist below.)

How to choose the best lunch box for school

When you’re searching for a kids’ lunch box, take the time to work out what will best suit their needs. If you make the right choice and invest in a quality one, it will last many years.

  • Box, bento or bag? If your child doesn’t like different foods touching, a bento lunch box is a great choice. Also, think about whether they prefer cut-up or whole fruit; a bento is better suited to cut food, while bags and boxes suit whole fruit. Bags are fantastic if you like to pack separate containers, like smaller bento or snack containers.
  • Freshness is a must – An insulated bag or box will keep everything cool and fresh until snack and lunchtime. But you can also get boxes that come with cold and ice packs. Remember, kids’ lunches often sit at room temperature for up to 5 or 6 hours before they’re eaten, so insulation and coolness are important. Check out how to keep school lunches safe in the heat.
  • Easy-to-clean design – Check if the box is dishwasher-safe, or for lunch bags, if they’re machine-washable.
  • Leak-proof – The last thing you want is a soggy mess at lunchtime, so if buying a hard lunch box, look for designs that are leak-proof with proper seals.
  • Child-friendly – Depending on your child’s motor skills and independence, you may need to start with a product that’s simple to open and close.
  • The right size – We tend to pack way too much in our kids’ lunches, so think about how much realistically you’ll need to pack for your child when choosing the size of their lunch box. You may also need to consider the size of their school bags.

12 Best Lunch Boxes For School Kids In Australia

Ready to get back-to-school sorted? From stainless steel gems to beautiful bentos, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. So sit back and enjoy our curated Mom Guide of the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia.

Any included reviews come via the Mouths of Mums Facebook Page.

MontiiCo Large Lunch Bags, $42.95

MontiiCo Large Lunch Bags.

These award-winning lunch bags have sold over 200,000 units – and it’s clear to see why. The interior of each large bag measures 29cm x 23.5cm x 7.5cm, making them big enough to fit multiple containers and even many popular bento boxes. Each bag comes with an ice pack for up to eight hours of cooling – and you have a massive range of designs to choose from.

Pros:

  • Interior name label
  • Fabulous large size fits everything!
  • Comes with an ice pack for day-long cooling

“A vote for montii co lunch boxes, lunch bags and freezer bricks (they really do stay frozen all day!!” (Megan)

“Montii lunch bags are the best and the freezer brick can stay frozen for ages I forgot one day and it was still cold after 24hrs” (Sarah)

Where to buy it: MontiiCo, Lime Tree Kids


b.box 2L Kids’ Lunch Box, $27.95

B.box 2L kids bento lunch boxes.

Tired of apples not fitting in hard lunch boxes? b.box has solved this with its flexible ‘whole fruit holder’ that bends around the fruit rather than squashing it – genius! If you’re not keen on cutting up a fruit salad every day, this multi-compartment two-litre lunch box has handy homes for everything. It also comes with a gel cooler pack (a must for Aussie summer!), and it’s freezer-safe. Choose from a range of colours.

Pros:

  • Leak-proof silicone seal
  • Comes with a gel cooler pack
  • The square section is big enough for a regular sandwich

“B-box lunch boxes are the best…all parts come out so you can wash them super easy! So many awesome accessories available for them too!” (Kerrie)

“BBox lunch boxes are great and they fit in the large Montiico lunch bags. As someone has said, the ice brick that comes with it is amazing too” (Tash)

“I really like the B.Box lunch boxes.” (Kendal)

“Bbox is the winner in our community on repeat.” (Mums On A Budget)

Where to buy it: Kitchen Warehouse, Woolworths, b.box


Frank Green Lunch Container, $79.95

Frank Green coloured lunch containers.

Got a Frank Green fan on your hands? This is the lunch box to match their drink bottle. It comes in a gorgeous range of colours suited to all ages and uses 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel and quality silicone lids. Monograms, bumper guards and ice bricks are all available separately.

Pros:

  • Leak-resistant design for mess-free travel
  • Comes with two microwave-safe removable containers
  • Customisable with your choice of bumper, ice brick and monogramming (at an additional cost)

Where to buy it: Frank Green


Yumbox Kids’ Compartment Lunch Boxes, from $49.95 

Yumbox Kids Bento Box shown in pink and purple options.

With the option of four, five or six compartments, it’s easy to see why Yumbox Bento Lunch Boxes are such a hit with Australian kids. They feature handy, pre-measured half-cup serving compartments to help pack a healthy lunch and contain absolutely no BPA or phthalates. Pop it straight into the dishwasher on the top rack for easy cleaning.

Pros:

  • Top rack dishwasher-safe
  • Includes five half-cup sections for portion control
  • Sections are labelled to help parents with a balanced lunch

Where to buy it: Biome, Yumbox


Sky Gazer Insulated Lunch Bag, from $34.99

Sky Gazer Insulated Lunch Bags.

If your little (or not-so-little) one wants a lunch bag everyone will comment on, this is it. Available in a range of stunning designs, they come with a long and strong handle and easy-use zippers. But good looks aside, what’s winning heart about these is their capacity – they hold up to seven litres of food!

Pros:

  • Water-resistant
  • PEVA internal lining
  • Side pocket for a water bottle

Where to buy it: THE ICONIC, Sky Gazer


Bentgo Modern Bento Boxes, $39.95

Bentgo Modern Lunch Boxes.

After something a bit more mature? Bentgo’s Modern lunch boxes are a great option. They have a sleek matte finish in a choice of four stylish shades, including Mint Green, Orchid, Dark Grey and Navy. Each is cleverly designed with a removable divider that allows you to choose between using three or four compartments. Even better, they are leak-proof, microwave-safe and fine to pop in the dishwasher.

Pros:

  • Kid-friendly latch
  • Antibacterial silicone seal
  • Includes four large compartments

Where to buy it: Kitchen Warehouse, Amazon


The Somewhere Co Mini Lunch Case, $38

The Somewhere Co. Mini Lunch Bags.

Colourful and easy to carry, these bags are insulated, eco-friendly and secure. It features aluminium foil lining that keeps food fresh all day long, and it comes with top-level carry handles and a shoulder strap, which is brilliant for those days when kids have a lot to tote. Choose from a range of styles.

Pros:

  • Roomy and stylish
  • Shoulder strap makes carrying easy (and great if schoolbags are too full!)
  • Zip-front pocket handy for cold packs or notes from mum

Where to buy it: The Somewhere Co.


EcoCocoon Leak-Proof Bento Lunch Box, $84.95

EcoCocoon Leak-Proof Lunch Box with a bagel and fresh food inside.

Large enough for the hungriest of school kids, this stainless steel wonder has a removable silicone seal in the lid to stop thick liquids from leaking. No more soggy anything! There are five handy compartments to make sure all of the food groups are ticked off, with a large compartment perfect for sandwiches, and smaller ones for snacks.

Pros:

  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Every compartment is leak-proof
  • Easy to open and close (suitable for younger kids)

Where to buy it: Biome, EcoCocoon


Bright Star Kids Personalised Lunch Bags, $39.95

Bright Star Kids insulated lunch bags in a row.

Practical and customisable with your child’s name, these insulated bags tick all the boxes. You have a choice of five bag colours, and from there you get to choose from a huge range of designs and fonts to personalise it! Each comes with a mesh pocket for ice bricks, a top carry handle, a secure zip closure and enough internal space to fit a medium bento box.

Pros:

  • Machine-washable
  • Internal mesh pocket for an ice brick
  • With their name on it, you won’t need to visit lost property!

Where to buy it: Bright Star Kids


Stuck On You Large Personalised Bento Lunch Box, $54.95

Stuck On You Large Kids' Bento Boxes.

With a leak-proof silicone seal, these colourful lunch companions keep sauces and dips right where they belong. They come with six compartments, which convert to three for easy washing on the top shelf of the dishwasher. They’re free from any nasties and customisation with your child’s name – no more lost property, yay! Choose from box colours of Matte Navy, Pink Lemonade, Dusky Blue or Seafoam Green- if you can!

Pros:

  • BPA and phthalate-free
  • Top rack dishwasher-safe
  • Separates into three parts for easy cleaning

Where to buy it: Stuck On You


Country Road Elysia Lunch Pack, $59.95

Country Road Elysia Lunch Packs in pink and green.

Uber stylish and as roomy as can be, these contemporary bags are perfect for kids of all ages who prefer to pack several separate containers. It has a 100% cotton canvas outer, an insulated lining and comes with a super handy internal name label. Just as great for preschool as they are for high school.

Pros:

  • Easy-carry handle
  • Internal name label
  • Stylish design, great for kids who prefer muted shades

Where to buy it: THE ICONIC, Country Road


OmieBox Hot/Cold Bento Lunch Box V2, $89.95

Omiebox hot and cold kids' lunch boxes in pink and blue styles.

Finally, a kids’ lunch box that stores hot AND cold food in one place! Designed out of necessity by a problem-solving mum, the OmieBox encourages low-waste lunches and ends the need to use multiple clunky containers (which always get lost!). The spill-proof individual compartments mean no mixing of savoury and sweet, and the  280ml double-wall thermos keeps soups and pasta hot for up to six hours!

Pros:

  • Keeps food hot for up to 6 hours
  • Fabulous for ‘nude food’ lunches
  • Awesome carry handle for younger kids

Where to buy it: Biome, Woolworths


What to put in kids’ lunch boxes

Health professionals agree that kids need a good balance of lean protein, grains, fruit and vegetables throughout the school day. Skip the processed food and try to reach for whole foods that pack a punch in the nutrient department. Here are some great ideas:

  • Grilled chicken or turkey wraps with fresh salad
  • Crackers and vegetable sticks with healthy dips like hummus
  • Whole-grain pasta with cherry tomatoes and your choice of cheese
  • Zucchini slice cut into rectangles for easy stacking in an insulated box
  • Almond-meal slice with raspberries or blueberries – or both!
  • Vegetarian sausage rolls – these freeze well and make a great meat-free lunch when cold.

Top image: MontiiCo

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Do your kids hate sandwiches? Check out these 10 sandwich alternatives that dial up the YUM! 

  • That lunchbox comparison table is handy to have. It helped me make a decision on which lunchbox to buy next for my daughter who is starting kindergarten. I needed to upgrade her lunchbox but wasn’t sure which way to go. The table helped me with my decision. I ended up going with the BBOX and have found a cheaper lunch bag from a department store that it fits in.

    Reply

  • I do not know if anyone else has picked up on this or not, but every bag mentioned in the table above is a ‘designer’ brand. There are plenty of more affordable options that aren’t over $40. I have never spent that much on a lunchbox – even from Smiggle. The cheaper brands last just as well too.

    Reply

  • Getting ready for the return to school has started to kick in so this was a timely read. We have the yum box and i love it, it is so easy for my daughter to open and close on her own. I find the lunch cooler bags also a great idea however some days depending on what else needs to go to school, they can be quite bulky to include in the school bag. I need to do some more research this year as i like the idea of being able to watch it in the washing machine, that is a clever idea.

    Reply

  • Along with all of the other back to school products; there is also a good range of lunch boxes available for people to buy. It has been fun to see the wide range of bottles and lunch boxes that are available for the new year for school and for work.

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  • Lunch boxes have come such a long way since my eldest was a kid, he’s now 26! There’s really a solution to everything from food heating, cooling, dividers, pockets etc etc. Lunch boxes are a real fashion accessory and so on-trend these days. I personally love the Bento lunch boxes. They save on plastic and separate different foods.

    Reply

  • I am such a huge fan of Bento lunch boxes and Bento. Food should be so many wonderful things; including delicious, fun, colourful and nutritious too. Lunch is a favourite meal because the body is ready for some more calories and a boost of energy. Food looks so good in Bento lunch boxes.

    Reply

  • So so many fantastic options! We use the montii co ones for our kdis and swear by it. Its lasted 3 years so far and still standing strong, like new since the first day using it. They are so durable and i find cleaning them to be the easiest for us.

    Reply

  • There are so many great lunch box option out there indeed ! I’ve always liked the Bento style lunch boxes for my kids. It reduces the use of plastic lunch bags and packaged food which aren’t very good for the environment and it encourages to present a good variety of foods (which is not only better nutrition wise but lao to prevent our kids from getting bored with same foods all the time.

    Reply

  • There are some really fabulous options here. So many variations of colour, shape and size. I love the bento style lunch boxes, so handy to keep food separate and eliminate the use of plastic packaging. The machine washable bags are a great idea too. They can get grubby so fast, this would be so much easier to maintain

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  • This has gotten much easier since my kids hit high school – they have strong opinions about their lunch boxes, so I don’t have to think about it so much anymore! However, I am strongly in favor of bento style boxes regardless of their age. They’re easy to clean, easy to pack, and invite appropriate sized portions.

    Reply

  • Great article! Our kids are so lucky, when it comes to lunchboxes, they really are spoilt for choice. There are so many to pick from. Regarding sandwiches, my eldest son, used to hate sandwiches for school lunches. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that he’d throw out his sandwiches in the playground bins. My son’s an adult now and he still hates sandwiches. He only likes “hot” lunches. So glad he lives on his own now and can make his own “hot” lunches just the way he likes them.

    Reply

  • This is an extremely useful article!! 2 schppl going kids and third starting kinder soon means we are always on the lookout for lunch ideas and lunch boxes. This is a great list with features and prices listed to make the search easier and help with decision making for purchasing of the lunch boxes

    Reply

  • This is super useful article and thank you. I can see so variety of lunch boxes from every store. Always wonder which one would be more convenient to use by little hands. I love some of these lunchboxes to give it a try for this year. And then decide to go with suitable ones

    Reply

  • Wow, lunch boxes have really come such a long way from when I was taking a lunch box to school. Feel old, like “back in my day”, but we were lucky to have options like are available now. While I like some of these designs, I feel like they aren’t super practical.

    Reply

  • These lunchboxes are beautiful but are they really worth the expensive price tag? I have been through so many lunch boxes and bags over the years and found the best it to use an insulated lunchbox bag with ice brick and use small containers to keep individual items fresh and assessable.

    Reply

  • I love the bbox lunch boxes. They are so reliable and tough when kids throw their bags around. Easy to wash and store. I have used the we can be tiny snackies at home too. The boys love choosing a certain animal shape. They wash well, are durable and great quality.

    Reply

  • My kids are old enough now to pack their own lunches and I am so happy to see the great choices they are making. They take left over meals, cook food in the morning to take and now I am confident they aren’t throwing away sandwiches! I do have the chilly bags for them, I find they fit better into bags

    Reply

  • Love our bento b.boxes. So easy to pack. I do however worry that they’re made of plastic, not metal….

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  • My daughter uses a bento box now for work and sometimes an insulated bag in summer, but when she was at school it was a rectangular lunch box with no compartments. It was very easy to wash each day, just the box and lid, and it could still be filled with rolls/sandwiches and snacks.

    Reply

  • Lunchboxes are so important these days. Back in my day it was a brown paper bag or the exact same lunch box that everyone else had and there were three compartments. Today its such a fashion statement and as much as the lunchbox itself is judged so are the contents.

    Reply

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