Mrs. Chocolate recently did a review of the PlanetBox Shuttle, which is the smaller version of the PlanetBox Rover pictured below. I’d wanted to get the kids a stainless steel lunchbox for some time, but the options are very limited when it comes to stainless steel bento boxes. Charlie and Olive are Korean and Japanese so they’re used to the bento-style of eating with a lot of side dishes. The PlanetBox Rover was the only one that seemed to fit our needs, but I hesitated purchasing one due to the price. After reading countless reviews on bento blogs about the Rover’s durability, I finally bit the bullet and got one for Charlie to use when he starts Kindergarten this fall.
Here are some lunches I’ve packed in it this week. I typically pack a protein, vegetable, fruit, cheese, and pickles or olives, which are Charlie’s favorite food. I don’t pack sandwiches, but they fit in the largest compartment if you don’t use the oversized bread.
baby corn, babybel cheese, pickle, watermelon, egg stars, marshmallows
roast chicken, string cheese, olives, peaches, sweet potatoes, m&m’s
avocado, Laughing Cow cheese wedge, pickles, Asian pear, pasta with meat sauce, yogurt covered pretzels
cream cheese sandwich, olives/cornichon, apples, cucumber, breakfast sausage, chocolate covered sunflower seeds
P R O S :
– stainless steel, sturdy, dishwasher-safe
– one container to wash
– holds a good amount of food for a 4 year old or even an older child (they suggest it for kids 3 +)
– it looks great
– easy to open. Charlie has no problem opening the latch himself
– 26 different magnets available to customize the outside of the lunchbox
– carry handle and strap
C O N S:
– one of the priciest lunchboxes out there
– the little dipper containers are hard to open, even for me. If I need to send something wet, I will most likely use one of my plastic containers that Charlie can open easily
– With the box, the bag, and the ice pack, it is really heavy. Since the bag will be left in his classroom it’s not that big of a deal, and stainless steel is just going to be much heavier than plastic.
– not waterproof which is tough to do with stainless steel (but Wendolonia had a great tip to put some Glad Press and Seal for juicier items)
The type of bento box that’s right for you really depends on a lot of variables. Do you prefer plastic vs. stainless steel, how much does your child eat, are you ok with a lot of separate pieces, what type of lunches do you pack…
Overall I’ve been very happy with the PlanetBox Rover, and Charlie has been eating his lunches better since I started using it. It’s the perfect size, I love that it’s one piece , it makes food very visually appealing, and it’s extremely sturdy. I suspect that we’ll be using this for years to come!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
The pics on it are super cute. I bet M would love it!
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
Oh love all the options you packed! I need to bookmark this for when I make Drake lunches
honeydew / 7488 posts
I ordered a planet box Rover as well and it’s still on it’s way. But I’m excited to try it. I didn’t order the bag since it should fit in my DD’s Lands End lunchbag. It’s also perfect for kids with food allergies because everything you need is contained inside the box and they don’t have to eat off the table, which could have food (like peanut butter) residue on it. Thanks for the review!
blogger / apricot / 367 posts
Love all the different options you packed! My daughter used the shuttle all last year, but I definitely think we need to upgrade to the rover. I like that it has so many more compartments despite being heavier..
guest
Just backed omiebox on kickstarter. I hope it’ll be the one! I was really looking for something that could keep my daughters food warm.
http://www.omielife.com/omiebox/#hello
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/506949578/omiebox-hot-and-cold-food-in-1-lunchbox
eggplant / 11716 posts
Sazzjiu–The Omibox looks cool. I also need something that keeps lunches hot, so I’m thinking about the bento-style thermos lunch containers.
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
So cool! Will have to keep it in mind for the future.
eggplant / 11408 posts
Anagram & Sazzju: the Omibox looks so cool, too! I really like the idea of all in one.
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
@Sazzjiu: I backed the Omiebox too It looks really neat too
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
No only does this Bento box look awesome, but so do the meals! I wish you packed MY lunch every day.
I really wish these were more affordable!
kiwi / 637 posts
Super cute, but holy $$$! I’d be curious as to how it holds up over a couple of years.
pomegranate / 3053 posts
It’s 1 A.M. here and looking at all those lunches made me hungry!
I’ve been eyeing that for some time too, but luckily won’t be needing it for a while since N’s school makes fresh lunches daily at his Montessori school. They are really pricey! Once he starts American school I’ll either have to pack or let him buy which actually isn’t that bad since the school serves pretty healthy lunches.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
I am dying to switch away from plastic, but I worry about bento style boxes like this… what do you do for snacks? I don’t want them to open their entire lunch for morning and afternoon snack. At the same time, the idea of cleaning one item instead of 3 separate ones….
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@mrs. wagon: i have to pack a separate container for snack.
lots of dishes are a way of life with two kids in school!