Best insulated food jar for baby

The 6 Best Hot Food Thermoses of 2023

Our top pick for hot food on the go is the Thermos Stainless King Food Jar

Rachel Werner

Rachel Werner is a writer and author whose work has appeared in Fabulous Wisconsin, Entrepreneurial Chef, and the book "Wisconsin Cocktails."

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process

Updated on 01/20/23

Medically reviewed by

Sabrina Russo, RD

Medically reviewed by Sabrina Russo, RD

Sabrina Russo is a registered dietitian with nearly a decade of experience in the field. She spent the last several years working as a renal dietitian at dialysis centers in New York City. Prior to that, she worked as a general Clinical Dietitian at New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital, and was later promoted to Patient Services Manager.

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The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

When you're always on the go, it's easy to get into the habit of stopping for a quick-service meal, but relying on fast food can also add up—both calorie- and money-wise. With the right storage containers, taking homemade food along to the office, school, or on a road trip is a cinch.

To help find one that suits your needs, we researched top products suitable for packing up leftovers or make-ahead meals, as well as dishes to add to the kids' lunchboxes. We tested to see how long our best models would keep hot food warm and cold drinks chilled.

Here are the best hot (and cold) food thermoses for the whole family.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Thermos Stainless King Food Jar with Spoon at Amazon

Best for Kids:

Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Jar at Amazon

Runner-Up, Best for Kids:

Thermos 10-Ounce Funtainer Food Jar at Amazon

Best Budget:

Simple Modern Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Thermos for Hot Food at Amazon

Best for Travel:

Fewoo 27 oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Thermos at Amazon

Best Eco-Friendly:

Klean Kanteen 8-Ounce Food Canister at Amazon

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQs
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

Thermos Stainless King Food Jar Review

Thanks to an uber-tight seal, the Thermos King is touted as having maximum temperature retention for hot and cold food. That's thanks to the insulation from two walls of stainless steel. Another significant benefit is that the lid is designed to be used as a bowl in tandem with the included standard-sized stainless steel folding spoon.

Thermos King states this can keep liquids hot for nine hours and cold for up to 14 hours, so we put that claim to the test in a home kitchen. Our reviewer filled all 16 ounces with freshly made mac and cheese and opened the thermos every hour to see if the temperature remained consistent. It wasn't until the ninth hour that the temperature dipped. Additionally, it excelled at keeping water ice-cold, with our tester still observing ice cubes after 14 hours in the thermos.

Our home tester intentionally dropped the thermos and noted that it wasn't damaged in any way. Also, its wide mouth is useful for eating straight from the container, and when you need to quickly hand-wash it. Each component of this model can safely be washed in the top rack of your dishwasher, allowing easy upkeep for busy professionals on the go.

Price at time of publish: $25

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

Capacity: 16 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 9 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 14 hours

What Our Testers Say

"After our test, we were confident that the container would work well for soups and other foods that are even hotter to begin with." — Suzie Dundas, Product Tester

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What We Don't Like

Thermos Foogo Stainless Steel Food Jar Review

Ergonomically designed with kids in mind, the BPA-free Foogo is a favorite with parents, as its cool-to-the-touch 10-ounce body is the perfect size for a kid's lunch. The base and lid are made of rubber to make the jar easier to grip for smaller hands, too. Other perks include cost efficiency and a tough body resistant to scratches.

Our home tester liked the double-wall insulation and its compact size since adults can also use this for hot sides and drinks. But our reviewer focused on one of the most important aspects of a thermos: How long will it keep your food hot? Thermos claims that this keeps food warm for up to five hours, and it fell short in our tests. Mac and cheese only stayed hot for two hours, was still warm enough to eat at four hours, and needed to be microwaved (in a separate container) by hour five. When it came to cold liquids, it did live up to its nine-hour claim, with ice cubes still present after a full workday.

When it came time to clean up, our tester noted that though this is dishwasher safe, you might be better washing it by hand. There was food caught in the lid, gasket, and the container necessitating a scrub-down with a sponge.

Price at time of publish: $25

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

Capacity: 10 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 5 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 7 hours

Prep Tip

On hot days, Kate Bast, nature and forest therapy guide and founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison, recommends hikers bring at least twice as much water as they think they need, even if that means bringing two or more thermoses. She also suggests adding hydration packets to water or filling a thermos with fruits that have high water content, such as watermelon, which can be frozen the night before to maximize coolness. On chilly days, Bast carries one thermos with room-temperature water and another containing a hot or warm beverage.

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Thermos FUNtainer Stainless Steel Food Jar Review

Kids will adore the array of colors and character themes the Funtainer comes in. More importantly, a wide brim makes eating less challenging for little ones getting the hang of using utensils, and the stay-cool exterior won't harm their hands. Best of all, it's lightweight and compact enough for little hands to open and carry in their lunch box.

It's imperative to strictly adhere to the instructions for use, such as warming the interior with hot water for five to 10 minutes before adding any food that will be eaten later. Our home tester found that when you did, this kept hot food warm for five hours, even if it was opened every hour to test the temperature. It also kept cold beverages cool for seven hours, with ice cubes still visible at the end of the test.

Cleaning this in a home kitchen was a little tricky for our tester. It can be put in a dishwasher, though the hot water and detergent might damage the exterior. Washing the interior of the lid does require a sponge and some detailing by hand.

Price at time of publish: $30

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

Capacity: 10 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 5 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 7 hours

Prep Tip

"Think about the sustenance you'll need to match your exertion levels and what will be most digestible," Bast says. Her go-to hot beverages include apple or pear slices steeped in cider with maple syrup, white pine tea, and spruce needle tea. For hot food, Bast suggests bone broth, veggie broth, or other soup which you can add proteins to. For something heartier, she suggests a casserole or stew.

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Look to Simple Modern's Vacuum Insulated Food Jar Thermos for a leakproof and sweatproof vessel on the cheap. It’s easy to clean by hand due to the wide opening at the top and the rubber ring inside of the lid can be removed for more adequate scrubbing to prevent any mold accumulation. And the accompanying handle makes it easy to carry around with convenience.

The exterior color selection includes an array of hues, from a pastel blush and sage to bright and fun patterns that will stand out from the generic. Plus, the premium food-grade stainless steel is resistant to rust. It has an average heat retention of approximately four hours and cold retention of up to 10 hours.

Price at time of publish: $18

Capacity: 16 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 4 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 10 hours

What Our Experts Say

"If you happen to be in a snowy situation after you've consumed your hot thermos items, fill it with clean snow. The residual warmth will help melt it ensuring you have more water at the ready." — Kate Bast, Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and Founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison

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For taking your food on outdoor adventures with peace of mind, consider this highly rated thermos. The 18/8 stainless steel interior ensures no flavor transfer or lingering odors and the 27-ounce capacity is plenty for your soups or on-the-go meals. Our favorite part of this is the handy insulated bag it comes with. It not only protects your container during transport, but extends the heat retention of your thermos and its contents. A small foldable spoon is also included.

The silicone sealing ring ensures no liquids or smells will leak out of the container, which is key for long travels as it gets bumped around in your backpack. Along with the standard gray stainless steel, it comes in a selection of many nice-to-look colors, including rose gold, bright yellow, and jewel-toned blue.

Price at time of publish: $41

Capacity: 27 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 12 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 12 hours

What Our Experts Say

"Always have another thermos or two [in the car] of what you brought into nature with you. You'll be glad to have it and be more likely to consume what you need on the trail knowing there's more waiting at the trail's end. " — Kate Bast, Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and Founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison

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What We Like

Easy to clean
Stylish
Minimal design

What We Don't Like

Pricey

If shopping sustainably is a non-negotiable value, this food canister by Klean Kanteen is an ethical consumer’s best buy. As a certified B Corp, this business has been vetted for meeting the “highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability” within the industry, partially thanks to all of its products being Climate Neutral Certified. It has the capacity to keep both hot and cold eats, like ice cream, at a consistent temperature for up to five hours, and the interior is incredibly easy to clean. Better yet, a portion of each sale is donated to the nonprofit 1 Percent for the Planet.

Price at time of publish: $30

Capacity: 8 ounces | Heat Retention: Up to 5 hours | Cold Retention: Up to 5 hours

What The Experts Say

"Always have another thermos or two [in the car] of what you brought into nature with you. You'll be glad to have it and be more likely to consume what you need on the trail knowing there's more waiting at the trail's end." — Kate Bast, Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and Founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison

Final Verdict

For a decently sized thermos that will keep foods, such as soup, stew, and pasta, warm for up to an impressive nine hours, look no further than the Thermos Stainless Steel King Food Jar. Kids, on the other hand, will love the fun colors and cool touch of the wide-mouthed Thermos Foogo Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Food Jar.

What to Look for When Buying a Hot Food Thermos

By Marshall Bright

Design

Food thermoses tend to be shorter and wider than drink thermoses. This is so you're able to pour contents, such as soup, into the flask—and eat out of it as well. Most have a twist-on lid, which helps prevent spills. Some thermoses will have additional seals or interior lids for further spill protection.

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

Material

Stainless steel is the preferred material for thermoses. It won’t absorb color or scent from hot food that is stored in it for a long time and cleans easily. An inner flask is surrounded by a partial vacuum that won't conduct heat away from the flask, keeping the contents warm. An outer case, usually also steel, allows you to hold the container without condensation or burning your hand. The outer case may also be treated with a coating or surrounded by plastic.

Even inexpensive models tend to be vacuum-seal stainless steel. However, the vacuum-seal method can be used with other materials like glass and plastic. Because they are not as durable as stainless steel, they are not recommended.

Capacity

The size of a thermos largely depends on what you want to use it for. Most thermoses for adults tend to be around 16 ounces, and ones for children are a little smaller. The food will cool down faster if there is excess air in the thermos, so if you want your food to stay hot for several hours, you'll want to use the best size thermos for the amount of food you're putting in it. If you just want the option for a small soup bowl at lunch, you can go with 10 ounces or smaller. If you want to carry a hearty meal in your flask, 16 ounces is likely the better fit.

Price

Thermoses tend to be fairly affordable, and you can typically expect to get a long-lasting one for somewhere between $15 and $30. The more expensive models may boast more fun colors, an extra-strong seal in the lid, or certain accessories, but they all will use the same stainless steel vacuum-sealed design.

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

Brands/Manufacturers

Thermos

Thermos is synonymous with the product it produces—thermoses. But unlike Kleenex and Tupperware, Thermos has not been able to maintain the trademark on the term "thermos." The Thermos company, first started in Germany, was the first to figure out how to take industrial vacuum-sealing techniques and apply them for home use. Today, Thermos makes a wide range of insulated containers, from flasks and mugs to coolers and lunchboxes.

Hydro Flask

Designed for the outdoors, Hydro Flask’s powder-coated flasks and containers are designed to stand up to heavy wear and tear. Available in a wide array of colors, they also come with a lifetime warranty.

Ease of Cleaning

A stainless steel thermos is relatively easy to clean up. Because it won’t absorb scent or color from your food, you can treat it like you would any other dirty dish and wash it with soap and water. Many thermoses are dishwasher safe but not all. This isn’t because of the material but the construction: Dishwashers may mess up the vacuum seal. Interior lids and other accessories, like collapsible forks, may also require additional hand-washing to get rid of built-up grime.

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

FAQs

How do I choose what type of thermos to get?

Before purchasing a thermos, narrow down a preferred size and what it will most frequently be used for. This could range from beverages, like coffee and tea, to meals that need to survive a long day and transport to after-school clubs and sports practices. Perhaps durability is the top concern for long outdoor treks. Check customer reviews to read common raves and complaints about each manufacturer’s products.

How does a thermos work?

Using a stainless steel vacuum-sealed design, an inner flask maintains contents at a consistent temperature, since warm or cold air cannot easily penetrate or escape from the flask. The outer material, usually made of hard plastic or steel, allows the thermos to be comfortably held and transported without liquid leaking out.

How long do thermoses keep contents hot or cold?

High-quality thermal flasks can keep food and beverages warm for as long as a full 24 hours. More economical brands will typically retain the original temperature of contents for four to six hours.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Rachel Werner teaches culinary writing through Hugo House and has been selecting food-based businesses for editorial coverage for over six years. Her product and restaurant reviews, food styling, and photography have appeared in a variety of regional and national publications including Fabulous Wisconsin, BRAVA, and Hobby Farms Magazine. For this roundup, she interviewed Kate Bast, nature and forest therapy guide and founder of Shinrin-Yoku Madison.

The 8 Best Freezer Containers of 2023

Article Sources

The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Food and Drug Administration. Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in food contact application.

Top Thermos Lunch Box Containers for Kids (2023)

A good thermos can be a lifesaver when it comes to packing a healthy school lunch. Finding the right thermos container for kids? Not so easy.

In this post, you’ll find 7 thermos containers that will help you utilize leftovers and pack lunches like a pro!

Nowadays, nearly all thermos containers are double-walled and made of stainless steel. You’ll also find them as “insulated food jars” since “Thermos” is a brand.

If a food container is made out of plastic but promises to keep food hot, don’t waste your money. The containers below have been tested by many parents and will last a long time.

Kids Thermos for Food

If you’re looking for a thermos to put food in that keeps food hot and cold in the summer until lunchtime, below are our tested and most loved thermos containers.

Buy It Here

Features & Price

Holds 10 ounces (about 1. 5 cups) of food.
Keeps hot for up to 5 hours.
Keeps cold for up to 7 hours.
KID-FRIENDLY. The rubberized grip on the lid makes it easy to open.
Durable.
Easy to fill and eat out of.
Dishwasher safe.
Price: $15

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Features & Price

Holds 10 ounces (about 1.5 cups) of food.
Keeps hot for up to 5 hours.
Keeps cold for up to 7 hours.
KID-FRIENDLY.
Easy to fill and eat out of.
Dishwasher safe.
Solid colors & characters.
Price: $15

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Features & Price

Holds 16 ounces (2 cups) of food, perfect for bigger appetites!
Keeps hot for up to 5 hours.
Keeps cold for up to 5 hours.
The wider opening is easier to eat out of.
The wider opening = harder to open & close for smaller hands.
Handwash only.
Comes in 4 colors.
Price: $32-$36

If you’re relatively new to packing lunches inside a thermos container, read this post that explains how long food stays good in a thermos.

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Features & Price

Holds 18 ounces (2+ cups) of food, perfect for bigger appetites!
Keeps hot for up to 12 hours.
This is the best-performing container in our tests.
Keeps cold for up to 12 hours.
Lifetime warranty.
Deeper than most thermoses.
Dishwasher safe.
Stainless steel color only.
Price: $22

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Features & Price

Holds 14 ounces (1 ¾ cups) of food, perfect for bigger appetites!
Keeps hot for up to 8 hours.
This is the second best-performing container in our tests.
Keeps cold for up to 8 hours.
Lifetime warranty.
Deeper than most thermoses.
Dishwasher safe.
Limited colors.
Price: $24

Watch this video to see my favorite hot food thermoses for kids reviewed and in action!

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Features & Pricing

Holds 16 ounces (2 cups) of food, perfect for bigger
Triple-wall insulation is perfect for hot and cold foods.
Keeps hot for up to 6 hours.
Keeps cold for up to 16 hours.
Dishwasher safe.
3 colors.
Price: $18-20

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Features & Pricing

Available in 9oz and 14oz (1 cup & 1 ¾ cups).
Perfect for kids of all ages.
KID-FRIENDLY & easy open.
Keeps hot for 5 hours.
Keeps cold for 10 hours.
Comes in a variety of colors.
Price: $15-$18

Thermos Lunch Box: All-in-One

Tired of sending multiple containers in the lunch bag? This thermos lunchbox has it all! Compartments and a built-in thermos container kids love.

Buy It Here

Features & Pricing

All-in-one lunchbox with a built-in thermos.
Keeps food hot up to 4 hours.
Ultimate flexibility for packing cold and hot foods in the same lunch.
It can be used with or without the thermos insert.
Handwash & dishwasher safe.
Perfect for younger kids.
Price: $45

Check out our top lunch boxes comparison

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All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!

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Keeping Food Hot for 7 Hours

If your food is not staying hot in the thermos container for more than 7 hours or until lunchtime, make sure you are using the thermos to its full potential.

More Lunch Packing Tips

Reader Interactions

Best Lunch Boxes, Benthos & Insulated Bags 2020

Best Lunch Boxes, Benthos & Insulated Bags Android Central 2020

My kids, like many others, hate school lunch. Even my high school students prefer to bring food in the middle of the day rather than meet the lunch lady. Here are some of the boxes, bags, and containers I found that help keep food hot, cold, and mouth-watering between getting on the bus and having dinner.

Final Lunch System: Zuzuro Lunch Cooler
Freezable Lunchbox: PackIt Lunchbox
Insulated lunch bag: MIER Lunch Tote
Bento boxes: Enther cooking containers
style lunch box bento : Bentgo Kids lunch box
Stainless Steel Container: LunchBots
cover bento : bentology sleeve
Food jar: Funtainer thermos
Ice Packs: Bentgo Lunch Chantlers

Staff Pick

This insulated lunch bag has three compartments with enough space in one to hold the three food containers that are included. The other compartment is designed to hold beverage bottles, boxes or cans and keep them cool. The Zuzuro Lunch Cooler includes two reusable ice packs and extra pockets inside and out to hold plenty of extra food.

$20 at Amazon

The sides of the PackIt Lunchbox are insulated with freeze gel. Put it in the freezer overnight and the entire lunch box will be cold enough to keep food chilled for hours. This is a great solution for keeping fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt and other fresh food cold and cold for lunch. Choose from 14 different colors and styles that are perfect for kids from preschool to college.

$24 at Amazon

MIER is a two-story lunch bag with two insulated compartments that stores hot and cold food at the same time without affecting each other's temperature. Additional pockets on the outside of the bag give you more room to send food with your child. It has a durable handle and an adjustable detachable strap for easy carrying.

$18 at Amazon

These bento-style food containers come in a pack of 12, making it easy to prepare meals a whole week ahead of time. Enther cooking containers have three sections to keep food from touching each other. Lids are easy to put on and keep food from spilling.

$14 at Amazon

The Bentgo Kids Lunch Box is specially designed for kids under 7. It consists of five different food sections and a lid that stays attached to the container when opened. It is waterproof and durable and is a great solution for young, active students.

$28 at Amazon

This bento style lunch box is BPA free and dishwasher safe. The three-compartment design prevents products from touching each other as it collides with your child's backpack. The lid seals food tightly to avoid spills and is easy to remove and put on your hands.

$27 at Amazon

This insulated bag is designed specifically for bento-style containers that are not included. Insert the container and the food will stay hot or cold until dinner time. The handle makes it easy for little hands to carry, plus you can choose from 25 fun designs. If you don't have a food container, this box also easily works as a classic lunch box.

$10 at Amazon

This 10 oz insulated ounce keeps food hot or cold for at least five hours. It's big enough to hold a couple of mac and cheese, a dozen cooked pizza rolls, hot soup, or chili peppers for a special hot meal. This will keep milk and other drinks cold and double as a drinking container.

$15 at Amazon

If you're using a traditional lunch box, a frozen ice pack will help keep fresh foods like cheese and fruit from overheating before lunch. Bentgo Lunch Chanlers freeze quickly and stay cold until noon. Just toss them back in the freezer after school and they're ready to use the next morning.

$9 at Amazon

Quick Overview

Packing a kid's lunch is an art and balancing healthy food, using your kid's favorite menu items, including a good variety, isn't easy. The Zuzuro Lunch Cooler comes with everything you need to pack plenty of food for a hungry student and keep it fresh and in place while they wait for the dinner call. Three food containers allow you to send large portions of fresh fruits and vegetables or even leftovers. There is a special drink bag that holds at least two bottles of water, juice or other fun drinks, and the insulated walls will keep them chilled enough to enjoy hours later. This insulated lunch box has multiple extra pockets that can hold napkins, plastic utensils, or other treats to ensure your child has everything they need to enjoy a healthy, fun, and complete meal.

There are a few additional lunch trading tools that we feel are important to mention. The Funtainer thermos is a great way to forgo traditional meals and send a hot meal with your child. We tested how well this food jar keeps food both hot and cold, and it keeps it for about five hours before you can tell there's been a significant temperature change. While a 10-ounce doesn't look like much, there's enough room inside to send soups, taco meats, mini cordogs, and a host of other fun lunch options. Plus, it fits perfectly in most traditional lunch boxes.

Another great invention is the bento box. These individual foods are in the same container to make it easier to see and find all the food, preventing food from getting into each other. Enther bento boxes have three sections with lids that are easy to slide on and off while keeping food from spilling. You can get a bunch of twelve containers for one price, making it easy to prepare an entire week's worth of meals in one go. Containers also fold nicely. To make it easier to carry bento boxes to and from school, we recommend an insulated bento bag such as the Bentology Sleeve.

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Features

DILLER Food Thermos is made of high quality 18/8 (304) stainless steel and is BPA free. It is perfect for camping, fishing, hiking, office or school. This lunch box is great for insulation and leak protection. Keeps liquids hot and cold for 6-12 hours. Double wall stainless steel insulated food jar with great design for hot and cold food. e.g. soup, rice, homemade meals, etc. or smoothies, salad, etc. With a capacity of 750ml / 650ml, this food thermos is big enough to hold all the food, but small enough to fit perfectly in children's lunches - boxes or for adults. bags.

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FURNS:

1. Safe and portable thermos for food products. Made of high quality 304 stainless steel, BPA and PVC free. Durable stainless steel inside and out.