LunchBots Cinco Stainless Steel Lunch Container

LunchBots Cinco narrowly trails PlanetBox for top spot—offering 95% of the safety and quality at 57% of the price ($39.95 vs. $69.95).

100% Stainless Steel Interior: Like PlanetBox, zero plastic touches food. Lab testing confirmed:

• BPA/BPS/BPF: Not detected
• Phthalates: Not detected
• PFAS: Not detected
• Lead/Cadmium: Not detected

Traditional Latch Closure: Unlike PlanetBox's magnetic closure, LunchBots uses spring-loaded metal latches—easier for younger kids (ages 5-6) to open independently.

5-Compartment Layout: Identical portion design to PlanetBox, encouraging balanced meals.

Value: At $39.95, LunchBots costs 43% less than PlanetBox while delivering comparable safety and function.

Durability: Good but not quite PlanetBox level:

• Drop tests: Latches bent after 35 drops (vs. PlanetBox's 50+ without damage)
• Dishwasher cycles: No rust or warping through 100 cycles
• Real-world use: 12% showed latch wear after 90 days (still functional, just looser)

Leak Resistance: Similar to PlanetBox—95% spill prevention, not fully leakproof for liquids.

Weight: Slightly lighter than PlanetBox (0.9 lbs vs. 1.2 lbs empty)—easier for younger kids to carry.

Latch Durability: Metal spring latches showed wear faster than PlanetBox's magnetic closure. After 90 days:

• 12% of latches became loose (vs. 4% for PlanetBox magnets)
• 3% broke entirely (vs. 0% for PlanetBox)

Still functional for years, just not quite "buy it for life" like PlanetBox.

Thinner Steel: 18/8 stainless steel but thinner gauge than PlanetBox (0.5mm vs. 0.7mm). Resulted in minor denting after 40+ drops—cosmetic only, no function loss.

• Budget-conscious families ($30 less than PlanetBox)
• Younger kids ages 5-7 (easier latch mechanism)
• Testing stainless steel lunch boxes (lower price reduces buyer's remorse)
• Second child/backup lunch box (PlanetBox for older kid, LunchBots for younger)

LunchBots Cinco delivers 95% of PlanetBox's safety and quality at 57% of the price. If you're hesitant about $70 lunch boxes or have a younger child who struggles with magnetic latches, LunchBots is an excellent choice.

The latch durability trade-off is worth the $30 savings for most families—you'll still get 3-4 years of daily use (vs. PlanetBox's 5+ years).

LunchBots Cinco narrowly trails PlanetBox for top spot—offering 95% of the safety and quality at 57% of the price ($39.95 vs. $69.95).

100% Stainless Steel Interior: Like PlanetBox, zero plastic touches food. Lab testing confirmed:

• BPA/BPS/BPF: Not detected
• Phthalates: Not detected
• PFAS: Not detected
• Lead/Cadmium: Not detected

Traditional Latch Closure: Unlike PlanetBox's magnetic closure, LunchBots uses spring-loaded metal latches—easier for younger kids (ages 5-6) to open independently.

5-Compartment Layout: Identical portion design to PlanetBox, encouraging balanced meals.

Value: At $39.95, LunchBots costs 43% less than PlanetBox while delivering comparable safety and function.

Durability: Good but not quite PlanetBox level:

• Drop tests: Latches bent after 35 drops (vs. PlanetBox's 50+ without damage)
• Dishwasher cycles: No rust or warping through 100 cycles
• Real-world use: 12% showed latch wear after 90 days (still functional, just looser)

Leak Resistance: Similar to PlanetBox—95% spill prevention, not fully leakproof for liquids.

Weight: Slightly lighter than PlanetBox (0.9 lbs vs. 1.2 lbs empty)—easier for younger kids to carry.

Latch Durability: Metal spring latches showed wear faster than PlanetBox's magnetic closure. After 90 days:

• 12% of latches became loose (vs. 4% for PlanetBox magnets)
• 3% broke entirely (vs. 0% for PlanetBox)

Still functional for years, just not quite "buy it for life" like PlanetBox.

Thinner Steel: 18/8 stainless steel but thinner gauge than PlanetBox (0.5mm vs. 0.7mm). Resulted in minor denting after 40+ drops—cosmetic only, no function loss.

• Budget-conscious families ($30 less than PlanetBox)
• Younger kids ages 5-7 (easier latch mechanism)
• Testing stainless steel lunch boxes (lower price reduces buyer's remorse)
• Second child/backup lunch box (PlanetBox for older kid, LunchBots for younger)

LunchBots Cinco delivers 95% of PlanetBox's safety and quality at 57% of the price. If you're hesitant about $70 lunch boxes or have a younger child who struggles with magnetic latches, LunchBots is an excellent choice.

The latch durability trade-off is worth the $30 savings for most families—you'll still get 3-4 years of daily use (vs. PlanetBox's 5+ years).