The Verdict
The OmieBox UP is a thoughtfully designed, larger-capacity insulated bento box for kids ages 9 and up that allows you to pack hot and cold foods in a single container. By combining a 12-ounce thermal jar with a dedicated cooling compartment, it serves as a practical, long-term solution for parents who want a reliable insulated bento box for kids who have outgrown standard lunchboxes.
Why We Love It (Key Features)
- Integrated Temperature Control: The built-in 12-ounce thermal food jar keeps hot meals warm for up to 4 hours, while the removable ice pack ensures cold items stay chilled for hours, allowing for a variety of meal combinations without extra containers.
- Built for Longevity: Constructed with 18/8, 304-grade stainless steel and designed to be BPA and Phthalate-free, this box is a durable investment that eliminates the need for separate vacuum-insulated containers.
- Smart Maintenance: The box is dishwasher safe and features removable rubber seals that can be replaced if damaged, ensuring you can keep the lunchbox hygienic for years rather than replacing the entire unit.
- Maturing Design: With a new look specifically tailored for older children, it balances functionality with the growing independence of kids aged 9 and up.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Capable of packing hot and cold foods in one compact unit.
- Removable seals extend the life of the product through easy maintenance.
- High-quality materials like 304-grade stainless steel provide durability.
Cons
- The premium price point makes it a more significant initial investment compared to non-insulated lunch containers.
- The specialized size and integrated components may require specific care and handling, particularly when managing hot food.
Who Should Buy This?
This lunchbox is ideal for parents of children aged 9 and older who need a more substantial meal capacity and want to move away from using multiple plastic baggies or small containers. It is perfectly suited for families looking for a durable, all-in-one system that can handle both warm main courses and fresh, chilled sides in a single, easy-to-clean package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group is the OmieBox UP designed for?
This version is specifically recommended for children 9 years of age and older.
Can this insulated bento box for kids handle both hot and cold food at the same time?
Yes, the design allows you to pack hot food in the 12-ounce thermal jar and use the removable ice pack to keep other items in the bento box cool simultaneously.
How do I handle maintenance for the rubber seals?
The rubber seals are removable for thorough daily cleaning in the dishwasher. If they ever become worn or damaged, you can purchase replacement seals separately to keep your unit in good condition.
5.0 out of 5 stars Big Kid Lunch Box We have the smaller Omni lunchboxes and I wanted a bigger option for my growing son. These lunch boxes are awesome because they have the thermos option to keep lunches warm and dividers for different items. There’s only enough room for 2 sides, which is actually easier for my 8 year old—too many options means longer lunch and less recess.He sometimes has a hard time closing the lunchbox so I’ll get it back and whatever he didn’t eat will have spilt all over but other than that I love the durability and when it is closed correctly it is super leak proof. Not to mention it’s super cute and modern looking, love the colors and solid feel. I highly recommend this lunchbox for big kids.I also love that it has a little cold pack that goes inside the lining of the box to keep sides like fruit and salad cold. Everything comes apart easily making cleaning a breeze, love that!Variation: Color: Galaxy Purple
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Durable, and Perfect for Kids’ Meals The OmieBox UP Insulated Bento Box is one of the best lunch solutions for kids I’ve come across. It’s designed thoughtfully with separate compartments, making it easy to pack a variety of foods—snacks, fruits, sandwiches, or even warm meals—all in one box.The built-in insulation works well, keeping hot foods warm and cold items fresh until lunchtime, which is a huge plus compared to standard lunch boxes. The materials feel sturdy and high-quality, able to withstand the daily wear and tear of being tossed into a backpack.It’s also easy for kids to open and close on their own, which is important for independence at school. Cleanup is straightforward, and the colorful, kid-friendly design makes it a hit with children.For parents looking for a reliable, versatile, and kid-approved lunchbox, the OmieBox UP is an excellent choice. Highly recommended.Variation: Color: Graphite
5.0 out of 5 stars Customer for Life We’ve had the original Omie since 2022, starting in 4K, and use it multiple days each week. It’s held up great and makes it easier for our kiddo to eat quickly and completely because all their food is assessable and appetizing. Imagine being little and trying to open multiple bags and containers while getting distracted with friends and what you all have to eat and you have less than 20 minutes. The thermos option expands the meals rotations available and the online community of meal ideas is so helpful. Teachers always comment how impressed they are with Omie lunches and they make it easy to send nutritious, filling options that kids actually eat.They are easy to care for and have a small learning curve. We hand wash the pieces with hot soapy water. We use boiling water in the thermos for about 10 min prior to filling it. If you send something like chicken tenders, we put a papertowel on the bottom to soak up steam and avoid soggy food. You need to FILL the thermos. A vacuum can form if there is too much air vs food in the thermos. When the steam cools, it creates low pressure and it results in difficulties opening. We’ve had it happen twice and lunchroom staff were able to help resolve. For littles, practice opening and closing all the items before sending to school.We upgraded to the Omie Up in fall 2025 for 2nd grade because certain meals kiddo wanted a bigger main portion. We love it and still use both 5 days a week! Especially love the ability to buy replacement parts like when the garbage disposal ate a gasket or the dog chewed a divider.Now on to why I’m a customer for life. We recently had a warranty claim for a broken latch and Omie literally responded to the claim photo in 3 minutes, approving the claim, with minimal effort on my part, and had the part ordered and in the mail.Variation: Color: Graphite
4.0 out of 5 stars A very solid choice! I’ve been using the OmieBox UP in Cherry Pink for my 5-year-old for a few months, and it’s made school lunches so much easier. The standout feature is the vacuum-insulated stainless steel food jar in the main compartment. I pack hot pasta or soup in the morning, and it’s still warm at lunchtime. The bottom cooler ice pack keeps yogurt and fruit cold—no need for extra ice packs. The two compartments are the perfect size for a main dish and sides, and the entire box is completely leak-proof. I’ve tossed it in a backpack sideways with no spills.Pros: Keeps hot foods hot and cold foods cold for hours. Easy for little hands to open the latch and spoon. Dishwasher-safe parts (top rack) make cleanup simple. The silicone seal is sturdy and hasn’t worn out.Cons: The overall size is a bit bulky for small bags. The thermal jar capacity (around 8 oz) is fine for a young child but might be small for older kids. Also, the price is higher than basic bento boxes, but the insulation justifies it.I absolutely recommend this to parents who want one container that handles both hot and cold items without leaks. It’s durable, cute, and actually works as advertised. My daughter loves the color, and I love not packing separate thermoses. Worth every penny if you need a reliable hot/cold lunch solution.
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the money So nice! We have the first Omie box and just got this one as well. My daughter is able to open this one much easier for some reason so she is very excited to use it soon ! 🙂Variation: Color: Pop Pink
1.0 out of 5 stars Not practical for children (or anyone for that matter) This lunchbox is causing marital conflict in my household. My wife raves about it based partly on the reviews, but after using it for a few weeks for our kids’ school lunches, I have to say, what are you people thinking?First of all, the compartments are so small, that for a lunchbox that prides itself on flexibility, it’s anything but flexible. Try fitting a normal sized yogurt drink in here – not gonna happen. And the ice pack is so small, it barely does anything. The first few days I started using this, I started taking different dividers out…by the second week, I had taken the entire divided structure out and just put the food in the box itself (where the ice pack is stored).Second, cleaning this is a nightmare compared to a normal insulated box with a few partitions or just an open space. The rubber seal that goes over the top edges comes off easily, and it takes 10-15 seconds or more to push it back on to make sure it’s sealed. And there are so many compartments to clean… and then reassembling everything takes time as well.Nice idea, but not practical at all for children’s lunches, both from a time perspective, and also flexibility perspective. 1 star just to offset some of the 5 stars (which can’t be serious).My wife takes it personally that I hate this lunchbox, but I’m not wavering – don’t buy.Variation: Color: Graphite
3.0 out of 5 stars Okay lunch box It’s okay. The thermos fits a pack of ramen which is my daughter’s lunch of choice. It does keep the food warm for a good amount of time. I pack my child’s lunch at 7 am and she eats at 12:50 pm and she hasn’t had any complaints about it not being warm. She says that the lid for the thermos is fairly easy to open, which I guess is nice. To me the plastic feels super cheap though. It looks okay, it’s definitely nothing special. The little divider for the cooled section does well at separating the food and not sliding around. The ice pack that comes with it is honestly too small to be effective for long. The box is absolutely NOT leakproof like it claims. The gasket only goes in one way so it’s certainly not operator error. That part is very frustrating because it definitely limits what can be placed in the box. Overall, the only great thing about this box is the thermos. That part works beautifully.Variation: Color: Cherry Pink
5.0 out of 5 stars We are fans I got this for my kindergartener, and the size is perfect for him. I realize it’s marketed for ages 9+, but honestly, I find this one more suitable for us than the standard square OmieBox with all the extra compartments and smaller jar.I originally planned on getting the standard OmieBox, but quickly realized he really doesn’t need all the extra separate compartments. He’d much rather have more hot food in the larger jar. On days when I’m not packing a hot lunch, I use our silicone separators to create additional compartments in the large space, which works out perfectly.To be honest, the main reason I love the OmieBox is the square securing insert piece that keeps the jar anchored in place. Otherwise, my son would try to open the lunchbox with both hands, and I can already picture the entire contents spilling onto his lap. I couldn’t find any other lunch boxes (dupes and all) with anything similar.A minor complaint would be the silicone name tag holder. This falls off quite easily but it was fixed by replacing it with a small metal carabiner.Overall, this setup works really well for him and gives us the flexibility we need for different types of lunches.Variation: Color: Jade Green