Best: Overall

Rating: 9/10

This box is so simple but one of our favourites. It has a stainless steel base with three compartments – one large part, which can easily fit a sandwich (complete with crusts inside), and two other smaller parts for fruit, biscuits or cheese. There was no squashing or squeezing necessary and we felt that portions were in no way compromised.

The lid – made from silicone – is entirely detachable and seals everything in perfectly (not liquids, mind you), making the inside airtight. This can be washed in the dishwasher and feels solid, strong and built to last. A variety of pastel shade lids are also available.

Best: For keeping food fresh

Rating: 9/10

This lunch bag (21cm x 18cm x 7cm) is one of the best we looked at – not least because of its foil lining which helps regulate temperature and keep food fresh. There is plenty of room – you could easily fit two sandwiches in there and more. We really appreciated the little pocket on the front, perfect to separate the morning’s snack from the lunchtime feast. Best of all, you can give it a wipe after use and at the end of the week sling it in the washing machine.

Best: Bento box

Rating: 7/10

This box really means business: not only is it a compartment lover’s dream, but it also contains stainless steel cutlery that has its own fixed space inside and a carry handle to boot. The cutlery means you aren’t limited to sandwiches – say hello to pasta, risotto or salads – and makes lunch a more grown-up experience.

Our seven-year-old tester was delighted with this and carried it rather like a briefcase, safe in the knowledge that nothing would leak out. The only downside was the weight. Even when empty this is a heavy object which might be off-putting for children who have to walk to school.

Best: For smaller children

Rating: 7/10

This beautiful little box (17.5cm x 16.5cm x 7.2cm) serves retro aesthetics as well as lunches. Inside there are two compartments and the lid clicks open and shut easily enough for very young children to master. This is ideal for small lunches or snacks – anyone with a hearty appetite might want something a little bigger.

Best: Budget buy

Rating: 7/10

This is such a sweet little box (17cm x 7.5cm x 13cm) for younger children. It’s bright, jolly and has an upper tray which proved endlessly exciting to our four-year-old tester, who was also delighted by the buckle. It’s dishwasher safe and easy to fit into any school bag.

Best: Unicorn lunch box

Rating: 7/10

A typically gorgeous design by Sophie Allport, this pretty bamboo box (18.5cm x 12.5cm x 6.5cm) is secured by a fabulous pink ribbon that fits snugly around the middle to keep the contents in place. There’s one singular compartment, which was fine for our five-year-old who doesn’t mind different foods not being separated, but if your youngster likes things just so this might pose a problem. The biggest hurdle for us is that our tester thinks this box is too good for sandwiches and wants it to be her jewellery box…

Best: Temperature control

Rating: 9/10

This bag (19.5cm x 8cm x 26cm) is the best choice for hot days or classrooms – its insulation technology will keep food as fresh as possible throughout the morning, which means meat, yoghurt and cheese will all last until lunch. We tested it on two consecutive hot days – packing the lunch up at 8am and can confirm no sandwiches were spoiled by midday. This is roomy, cheery, practical and won’t break the bank.

Best: Designer option

Rating: 8/10

This lunch box, made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and complete with a logo shoulder strap is an ideal choice for image-conscious teenagers. Our 15-year-old tester plumped for this one, which has a thermal lining for keeping the contents fresh, not to mention a carry handle on the top. It can fit plenty in and will be really useful during the holidays for family picnics.

Best: For carrying a water bottle

Rating: 9/10

Not many lunch boxes make space for drinks, which is why we were so delighted with this bag which boasts a generous mesh pocket for bottles – who doesn’t want their food and drink kept close together?

The inside has a foil lining to stop contents spoiling and the main compartment of the bag zips up cleanly and tightly to prevent spills. Our tester, age seven, loved carrying this as a shoulder bag and we have to say it having this long strap makes it easier to tote around and harder to leave lying around. Aside from all this, Cath Kidston’s prints just get lovelier and lovelier (even when they feature dinosaurs).