Lunchbox Review: Omie Box – is it a winter school essential?

I’ve been needing an Omie Box for a while and now that I’ve been using them for a couple of weeks, I feel like I’m ready to talk about them.  So here goes, another Kidgredients Lunchbox review: Omie Box.

It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed any new lunchboxes, you can check out all the ones I have reviewed in my big lunchbox review.  You can also check my thermal container reviews here.

But let’s get started on the Omie Box. It’s a hot and cold lunchbox with two different thermal zones.

Firstly, it’s a pretty awesome looking lunchbox.  With 5 different colours, pink, blue, green, yellow and purple, there is something for everyone.  The colours are bright and fun and it has a solid chunky feel about it.

Pros:

• The Omie box holds over 1479 mls of food without the thermal container on board.  This is reduced to 975 mls of food with the thermal container.
• It is a leakproof lunchbox, meaning nothing moves from one compartment to the next.
• The thermal jar holds it’s temperature well and holds enough food for the “main course” of lunch.
• You can use the thermal jar hot or cold.
• The removable divider makes and extra segment in whichever compartment you choose to use it in.
• Dividers are replaceable.
• The thermal jar is easy to open and close.
• There is lots of space for other lunchbox goodies.
• The thermos is removable.
• Dishwasher safe.
• Easy to clean.

Cons:

• The weight.  With the thermal jar in place, this is a heavy lunchbox. It weighs around 865 grams, before filling with food.
• Using a lunchbag is tricky, we are using the Yumbox branded bags and in it we can fit the Omie, fuel snack and dip for crunch and sip and a yumbox mini snack, but it’s a squeeze.  You also have to tuck ice bricks in under the cold section of the lunchbox and around the other containers.
• There’s no spot for a spoon or fork.  It would be awesome if it came with a foldable spork.
• The removable divider is easy to lose.  It comes out in the dishwasher, or can go missing in the bin when kids are throwing scraps away.
• The shape is a little difficult for fitting in lunchbags with the other lunchboxes kids need as well.
• The cost!  At $69.95 it’s an expensive lunchbox.

All in all, it’s great if you have kids who want the versatility of a hot lunch with cold snacks.  It’s easy to clean, easy for kids to open and shut.  It does fill a gap in the market, but the heaviness of it means I’m carrying the school bags.  It’s great for winter time, but I don’t know that I could call it an essential nor can I imagine that we would use it as a one and only lunchbox.

It’s great for primary aged kids and preschoolers.

Where to buy?

These are available from Bambino Love.