The Best 5 Thermoses

Thermos Stainless King 16 ounce Food Jar with Folding Spoon

Comes with a Folding Spoon

Keep your food hot for up to seven hours.

Best Overall

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Tired of sandwiches in your lunches? This thermos will open up a lot more options for hot food on the go. Since it features thermos vacuum insulation technology, it will keep your food hot for up to seven hours, and cold for up to nine. When you put your hot food inside, the outside of the thermos will remain cool to the touch. It’s also sweat proof when used for cold foods. The wide mouth top is easy to fill, and eat from. The lid doubles as a serving bowl, and there’s a folding spoon attached, which is convenient. The thermos is leak proof if you put the lid on tightly. You can add up to 16 ounces of food, which makes it a great size for portability and portion control.

Pros

• Convenient serving bowl and spoon
• Wide mouth top
• Includes folding spoon that stores well

Cons

• The lid can be hard for children to open

Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle

The Classic Green Thermos

This classic thermos can hold over a quart of liquid.

Most Iconic

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When you ask someone what a coffee thermos looks like, chances are fairly high that they’ll describe this one. It’s a tall, green thermos that has a classic feel. There are three different sizes available, ranging from just over a quart to two quart. This holds a lot of liquid, so you can fill it once and have it last all day long. Literally. Since it’s built from BPA free materials that insulate extremely well, this thermos can keep your hot liquids hot for up to 24 hours. It also works for cold liquids if you prefer. The lid doubles as an eight-ounce cup. When you put the lid on tightly, the thermos is leak proof.

Pros

• Made from durable 18/8 stainless steel
• Large capacity
• Lid works as a cup

Cons

• Will need to use a brush to clean the inside

Snug Flask for Kids – Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle with Straw

Fun Colors and a Built-In Straw

Help your kids stay hydrated with this fun thermos.

Most Kid Friendly

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If you’re looking for a kid-friendly thermos, this is a great choice. There are several fun color options and patterns available, including unicorns, llamas, and taxis. The lid features a push button opening. When you push the button, the lid pops and a straw is revealed. The straw is bent for easy use.  The 12-ounce size is perfect for smaller hands to hold on their own.  There’s a carrying ring included, which many kids prefer. You can use this thermos for hot or cold liquids, so send chocolate milk, hot tea, or anything else your child enjoys for them to drink at lunch.

Pros

• Kid friendly design options
• Great size for kids
• Easy to use push button top

Cons

• Leaks when open

MIRA Lunch Food Jar

Triple Wall Vacuum Insulation

Your food will stay perfectly hot or cold in this thermos.

Brightest Color Options

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You’ll have a harder time losing these brightly colored thermoses. They come in a variety of great colors, so pick your favorite. The 18/8 stainless steel is durable, and rust-proof. You can hold 13.5 ounces of food in this jar, which is enough for an entire meal. The triple wall design and innovative technology helps your food stay at the right temperature for hours. It keeps hot food hot for five hours, and cold food cold for ten. The wide mouth top is easy to fill, and easy to clean since you can reach inside with a wash rag.

Pros

• Bright colors
• Holds enough food for a full meal
• Triple wall vacuum insulation

Cons

• You can put the seal in upside down, which makes it very hard to open

Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar

An Easy to Open Thermos

With a unique air pressure release button, this thermos is easy to open.

Most Innovative

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When you add hot or cold liquid to most thermoses, they create a build up of air pressure inside. This can make opening the lid extremely difficult, especially for children. But, this thermos has a unique air pressure release button. You simply push it a few times before opening. Letting some of the air pressure go makes it simple to twist open. This thermos comes in a few fun colors, and each has a silicone loop for easy carrying. The lid turns into a bowl, and there’s also a spoon for easy eating. It holds a generous 17 ounces. Your hot food will stay hot for up to twelve hours, and cold food will stay cold for up to 24 hours.

Pros

• Easy to open
• Fun colors
• The lid doubles as a bowl

Cons

• The seal comes off easily, which means it could get lost

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use a thermos?

For best results, read the directions that came with your thermos. That way you can check for any special directions or anything. Most thermoses call for you to preheat them. To do this, add hot water to your thermos and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. You can do this while you heat the food to put in it. Then, dump out the water. Add your food and quickly seal the lid. If you leave the lid off for too long, the food will cool down. Whenever you’re ready to eat, unscrew the lid. Then, you can access the food or drink inside. When you’re done, seal it back up.

What foods can I send in a thermos for my child to eat at lunchtime?

You can use a thermos to hold a variety of foods. Some favorites include chili, soup, casserole, and mac and cheese. Typically, foods that can mush together a bit inside the thermos do better. But, they really can hold almost anything.

What size thermos do I need?

You want a thermos that works for you. If it’s too big, there will be extra air space inside which can cool the food or drink down faster. But, if it’s too small, you won’t have enough when it’s time to eat or drink. So take the time to imagine yourself using a thermos. What do you see yourself keeping inside of it? Do you want to fill it up once and forget about it? Or do you just need one to take for part of your lunch? When you start to answer these questions, you’ll be able to decide what size thermos you need to purchase.