Choosing non-plastic lunch containers for kids comes down to more than the container material. You’ll also want to think about portion size, whether foods need to stay separate, how easily your child can open the lid, and what cleanup involves. These five stainless steel options use silicone lids, so they avoid conventional plastic food containers while offering different ways to pack snacks and lunches. Keep in mind that silicone is a separate material from stainless steel, and each set has its own care instructions.
| Product | Best for | Capacity and design | Care notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTEVW Stainless Steel Snack Containers | Everyday small snacks | Six separate 6 oz containers | Dishwasher and freezer safe |
| SANEXC 6 oz Snack Containers | Color-coded snack portions | Six square 6 oz containers | Dishwasher and fridge safe |
| Leonyo 3-in-1 Stainless Steel Lunch Box | Meals with several foods | One 25 oz container and two 8 oz containers | Container is listed as dishwasher, freezer, and oven safe; lids are not for the dishwasher or oven |
| Mostdream Divided Snack Containers | Keeping two snack foods apart | Three 15 oz containers with two compartments each | Dishwasher and refrigerator safe; not microwave safe |
| Tanjiae Stainless Steel Lunch Container Set | Compact bento-style packing | One 25 oz container and two 8 oz containers | Listed as dishwasher, freezer, and oven safe |
Our Picks: Best Non Plastic Lunch Containers For Kids reviews
HTEVW 6-Pack: Simple, Small Portions for Snacks
This set includes six 6 oz stainless steel containers with colorful silicone lids. The small capacity suits lunchbox snacks such as berries, crackers, cheese cubes, yogurt, or applesauce. Having several separate containers can also make it easier to prep a few days of snacks at once.
The flexible lids are designed to be easy for children to open while fitting snugly for everyday lunch-bag movement. The brand describes them as leak resistant, rather than promising a seal for every liquid or packing position. For runny foods, it’s sensible to pack the container upright and check the fit before sending it to school.
These are a practical choice if you want multiple small portions rather than one larger lunch box. The set is listed as dishwasher and freezer safe, and the containers stack for storage. Their 6 oz size is useful for snacks but may be too small to serve as a child’s main meal container.
Pros:
- Six matching 6 oz containers for batch snack prep
- 18/8 stainless steel with silicone lids
- Flexible lids are designed for children to open independently
- Listed as dishwasher and freezer safe, with stackable storage
Cons:
- Small capacity is better for snacks than full lunches
- Leak resistance may not suit loose liquids or rough handling
Verdict: Choose the HTEVW set if you need several compact snack cups and value straightforward portions over a divided, all-in-one lunch box.
SANEXC 6-Pack: Square Snack Cups with Colorful Lids
SANEXC’s set also gives you six 6 oz portions, but the containers have a square shape and the silicone lids have colorful patterns and small handles. The listed dimensions are about 2.36 inches on each side and 2.17 inches tall, which can help you judge whether they’ll fit your child’s lunch bag or backpack.
The 18/8 stainless steel bodies are paired with BPA-free silicone lids. The brand describes the lids as leak resistant and designed with grooves for a snug fit, and says the small handle helps kids lift them. That combination may work well for snacks, chopped fruit, dips, or other small portions, though the listing does not establish that they are suitable for carrying liquids in any position.
Compared with the HTEVW set, these offer a similarly small portion size but add square sides and patterned lids that can help kids identify their food. They’re listed as dishwasher and fridge safe. The capacity is still the main limitation if you want one container to hold a full meal.
Pros:
- Six compact containers with 6 oz capacity each
- Square shape and listed dimensions help with packing decisions
- Colorful patterned lids can make portions easier to distinguish
- Listed as dishwasher and fridge safe
Cons:
- Small size is intended for snacks and sides, not a full lunch
- The leak-resistant claim does not guarantee spill-proof carrying for liquids
Verdict: Pick SANEXC if you want a set of compact, color-coded snack containers and your child’s lunch bag can accommodate their square shape.
Leonyo 3-in-1 Set: A Larger Main Container and Two Snack Cups
Leonyo’s set is designed for packing a more varied meal: it includes one 25 oz container and two separate 8 oz containers. That gives you room to pack a main item and sides without putting everything together. The smaller containers can stack on top of the larger one or nest inside it for storage, according to the product details.
The containers are made from 18/10 stainless steel and use silicone lids. The brand describes the lids as leakproof and easy for children to open. As with any silicone-lid container, check that each lid is fully seated before packing wet food, and follow the maker’s guidance for the specific foods you plan to carry.
This is a more versatile meal-packing option than the two 6 oz snack sets, but it also takes more space than a single snack cup. The care instructions are important: the steel containers are listed as dishwasher, freezer, and oven safe, while the lids should not go in the dishwasher or oven. The listing does not specify microwave safety; stainless steel containers should not be put in a microwave.
Pros:
- Includes a 25 oz container and two 8 oz containers
- Separate pieces help keep different foods apart
- Smaller containers stack on top or nest inside the larger one
- 18/10 stainless steel with silicone lids
Cons:
- The lids require different care from the steel containers
- The multi-piece set may take up more room than a single snack container
Verdict: Choose Leonyo if your child needs a larger main portion plus separate sides and you’re comfortable washing the lids according to their separate care instructions.
Mostdream Divided Containers: Two Snack Sections in Each Cup
Each Mostdream container holds 15 oz and has two compartments, with the listing describing each section as holding up to 6 oz with the lid on. The divided layout can help keep foods such as fruit and crackers apart in one container, making this set a useful middle ground between individual snack cups and a full bento-style lunch box.
The containers are made from 304 stainless steel and use flexible silicone lids intended to be easy for children to open. The brand says the design resists stains and odors, and the containers are listed as dishwasher and refrigerator safe. The built-in divider is not intended to provide liquid-tight separation, so keep wet foods in mind when choosing what goes in each section.
Compared with the Leonyo and Tanjiae sets, Mostdream does not offer a large main container with separate side cups. Instead, each of the three containers has two sections. The set is specifically listed as not microwave safe, so plan to transfer food to a microwave-safe dish if heating is needed.
Pros:
- Three 15 oz containers, each with two compartments
- Divided layout keeps many snack combinations separate
- 304 stainless steel with silicone lids
- Listed as dishwasher and refrigerator safe
Cons:
- Divider is not designed to keep liquids separated
- Not microwave safe
Verdict: Pick Mostdream if your child likes two foods packed together but you don’t need a separate, larger main-meal container.
Tanjiae 3-in-1 Set: Stackable Pieces for a Bento-Style Lunch
Tanjiae’s set includes one 25 oz container and two 8 oz containers, giving you separate pieces for a main food and smaller sides. The smaller containers can stack on the larger one for packing or nest inside it when you put the set away. This makes the design a flexible option for packing meals with foods that you don’t want mixed together.
The containers use 304 stainless steel and food-grade silicone lids. The brand describes the lids as leakproof and easy for kids to open, but a secure seal still depends on fitting each lid properly. The product details also describe the set as relatively small and suggest it may suit younger children or adults who prefer portion control.
The main trade-off is that you have three pieces to keep track of, rather than one divided container. The set is listed as dishwasher, freezer, and oven safe, but the care information does not clearly separate guidance for the silicone lids from guidance for the steel. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before using the lids with heat or a dishwasher.
Pros:
- One 25 oz container plus two 8 oz containers
- Separate pieces help keep lunch foods from touching
- Small containers stack or nest inside the larger one
- 304 stainless steel bodies with silicone lids
Cons:
- Three pieces may be more to pack and keep track of
- Care details for the silicone lids are less specific than for the steel containers
Verdict: Tanjiae is a good fit if you want stackable, separate portions in a compact set, particularly for younger children or smaller appetites.
How to Choose Non-Plastic Lunch Containers for Kids
Match the capacity to your child’s meal
Small 6 oz containers are designed for snacks and sides, not necessarily a full lunch. If you’re packing a main item as well as fruit or another side, a set with a 25 oz container and separate 8 oz cups may be more useful. Consider how much your child typically eats and how much space the container will take up in their lunch bag.
Decide whether you want divided or separate containers
A divided container keeps two foods in one piece, which may make packing and unpacking simpler. Separate containers give you more flexibility to choose portions and keep foods apart, but they can be easier to misplace. Also check whether a divider is intended to contain liquids; the Mostdream listing specifically says its divider is not liquid-tight.
Consider how your child opens the lid
Flexible silicone lids are described as easy to open on several of these sets, but children vary in grip strength and coordination. If your child will open the container without help at school, look for a lid style they can manage and practice with it at home. A secure lid should also be fully seated before you pack the container.
Check the seal against the foods you pack
Product descriptions use terms such as “leak resistant” and “leakproof,” but no container should be treated as suitable for every liquid or packing position without checking its instructions. Foods with juice, yogurt, or dips may need extra care. Pack containers upright when possible, especially when the seal design is not clearly specified for liquids.
Read the care instructions for both materials
These sets pair stainless steel with silicone lids, and care guidance can differ between the two parts. For example, the Leonyo listing says its lids should not go in the dishwasher or oven, while the Mostdream containers are listed as not microwave safe. Follow the instructions for the exact product, and don’t put stainless steel containers in a microwave.
Think about the full material mix
Stainless steel replaces the conventional plastic body found in many lunch containers, but these products still use silicone lids. If your goal is to avoid conventional plastic food-contact containers, these may fit that preference. If you need every component to be a particular material, check the full product details before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these lunch containers completely plastic-free?
They use stainless steel bodies and silicone lids. Silicone is not the same material as conventional plastic, but it is still a separate manufactured material. Check each product’s details if your definition of plastic-free excludes silicone or includes every container component.
Which option is best for small snacks?
The HTEVW and SANEXC sets each include six 6 oz containers, making them the most directly focused on small snack portions. SANEXC uses square containers with patterned lids, while HTEVW offers a straightforward set of colorful-lid cups.
Which set is better for packing a main food and sides?
Leonyo and Tanjiae both include a 25 oz container and two 8 oz containers. Their separate pieces let you pack a larger portion with smaller sides. Compare the care instructions and the amount of space available in your child’s bag before choosing.
Can the silicone lids prevent every spill?
No lid should be assumed to prevent every spill in every situation. Product descriptions call some lids leak resistant or leakproof, but results depend on proper fit and the food being packed. For runny foods, check the lid’s instructions and keep the container upright when possible.
Can stainless steel lunch containers go in the microwave?
No. Do not put stainless steel containers in a microwave. The Mostdream listing also specifically says its set is not microwave safe. Transfer food to an appropriate microwave-safe dish if you need to heat it.
Are all of the containers dishwasher safe?
Care details vary. HTEVW, SANEXC, and Mostdream are listed as dishwasher safe. Leonyo says its lids should not go in the dishwasher, and Tanjiae’s listing does not clearly separate lid care from container care. Check the product’s instructions for each component.
Are these sets a good choice for toddlers?
Several listings describe their silicone lids as easy for children to open, and Tanjiae’s product details suggest its portions may suit children aged 1–3. Fit and ease of opening depend on the child, so test the lid with your child before relying on them to open it independently.
Final Recommendation
For a supply of everyday snack portions, the HTEVW and SANEXC six-packs offer the simplest format. Choose Mostdream if keeping two snack foods separate in each container matters most. For a main item with sides, compare the Leonyo and Tanjiae sets, paying close attention to their lid-care instructions. The best choice is the one that matches your child’s portion size, packing habits, and ability to open the lid.