New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

While the school bells haven’t rung quite yet, you know what August brings — back-to-school purchasing, dorm shopping and everything else that comes with getting ready for a new school year.

While you’re shopping for your next best back-to-school backpack for the season, we highly recommend adding a lunch box to your list. And, not just any lunch boxes — the very best, hand-picked by the New York Post Shopping team.

Much like adult lunch boxes, our top picks have some handy compartments (a huge plus for meal-prepped options to unbox in your cafeteria seat) and others are insulated to ensure your cold-cut sandwiches and home-cooked meals are temperature-regulated.

Ahead, find top options from Amazon, Target, Etsy and more for a stylish (and quite practical) purchase that you’ll be sporting year-round — and then some.

Additionally, check out our guide to the best back-to-school deals on Amazon to save money and stock up.

Though a splurge, the STATE Rodgers Lunch Box comes in a rainbow of colors and is one of the best options to transition from a kids’ lunch box to a young-adult (and even adult) lunch pack. Dubbed “the perfect-sized lunchbox” by the brand, its insulated, wipeable lining design is one that’ll serve your child well through thick and thin.

Customers are saying: “Ordered for my 5th-grade daughter. I waited to write the review till after using it for a while. This lunch box held up the entire school year and is still in great shape! Will order again next school year!”

Size: 6.9 x 10 x 3.35

The Bentgo Kids Leakproof 5-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box comes in extraordinary kid-friendly patterns (seriously, click one of the buttons below to find out) and is the ultimate kid-friendly option. Our loved ones with preschool-aged children love it for making food compartmentalization a breeze, and it’s one of those leakproof options that’ll hold up for years.

With more than 62,000 applauding reviews on Amazon alone, this top-rated pick is also BPA-free, dishwasher-safe and — according to the brand — geared for ages 3 to 7.

Customers are saying: “Absolutely love these for kids lunches! They are durable and good quality, easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and seal super well so even if you put something like yogurt in one of the compartments, it will stay put and not leak out of the container or onto any of the other snacks! Also, super easy for kids to open!”

Size: ‎8.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches

Available in four colors, this insulated lunch box is made with a water-resistant exterior and a rock-solid form, so you don’t have to worry about your lunch getting crushed and smashed. Complete your YETI lunch lineup with the Thin Ice ice pack ($18) and Molle Zinger multitool ($30).

New York Post Review: Keep your food fresh for hours with this high-quality pack from YETI. This bag works like a charm. The insulation power is top-notch, and the cold-cell foam is also included to keep your food at just the right temperature. I only wish this bag came with a shoulder strap because if it did, I would always have it on me. Check out our review on which YETI items we think are worth it, too!

Size: 10.7 x 8.7 x 4.6 inches

The Omie Box was invented by a mom for her picky eater, and the design has all the thoughtful details parents desire. One of the best parts about this compact container is the fact that it keeps meals warm; OmieBox has a thermos insert that lets you easily pack hot food. Don’t worry, there’s a separate side for the chilled stuff, too. If you’re seeking a lunch box that can do both, look no further than the OmieBox.

Customers are saying: “I bought this for the Child’s school lunch box and swear it’s made out of iron. Nothing damages it. Any marks wipe off with a Mr. Clean. I love the separate compartments and the small blue divider. The only thing we don’t use at the moment is the Thermos, but I’ve put it away in case that changes.”

Size:  8.5 x 7.5 x 3 inches

Is it a handbag or a lunch box? The Bellroy could easily be both. This cooler caddy is cute as they come, and has every feature you can imagine, including a built-in bottle opener, seam-sealed waterproof lining, and a wide mouth opening for quick access. You can even attach it to the outside of a day bag with the convenient clip. The leather-free construction makes it another incredible vegan option.

New York Post Review: It’s not often that I look at a lunch bag and ponder if I should wear it as a purse for the day, but that is a frequent thought with this caddy. The compact build is attractive, easy to carry, and light as a feather. The best part, in my opinion, is the fact that this bag stands upright on its own. You wouldn’t expect it from this little caddy — but it’s quite stable. The aluminum slide hook (which doubles as an integrated bottle opener) is also a welcome surprise! Consider this tote your perfect bar buddy.

Size: 220 x 260 x 150 millimeters

As adults, we salute the W&P Porter 3-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box, and its smooth-surfaced, compartmentalized style makes it truly exceptional for any age. It’s fairly priced, comes in chic pastel colors, and comes with a silicone strap to make it easy to carry and to ensure all of your munchables stay intact.

It’s also dishwasher-safe, allowing you to toss it into your kitchen appliance after the school day ends.

Customers are saying: “Nice size and shape for this lunchbox’s more than enough room for lunch for my elementary-aged children. The removable divider makes it easy to section off the lower half, but you’ll need your own containers if you want to pack more than two items. The removable top section is tray-shaped and is the perfect depth for a sandwich.”

Size: 19 x 21.6 x 7.6 inches

Toss in your food, drinks, and snacks, and prepare to look good while doing it. Simply toss the bag over your shoulder and call it a day! The shoulder strap is also adjustable, so you can find your perfect fit. Or, if you prefer a grab-and-go option, opt for the top handle.

Customers are saying: “Bought this for my kid for lunch…almost didn’t give it to them, it’s so cute… Great quality-worth every dollar.”

Size: 6.5 x 8.8 x 8.5 inches

Keep your food cold with the help of this insulated lunch box. With interior zippered mesh and pockets, you can also successfully store all of your utensils and small snacks. This is hands down one of the best lunch boxes for men as well.

Customers are saying: “I knew the brand would be sturdy, and it totally is. It is great quality and should never fall apart like the kind we get themed for little kids… It is much larger than I imagined, but it is designed in a way that can get thinner or fit in, while also being gripable to youth’s hands inside a dark, large backpack filled with the stuff the schools require them to have these days.”

Size: 10 x 4 x 8.5 inches

Great for elementary and middle-school students, the Zojirushi Classic Bento Lunch Jar is a travel-friendly option that not only makes for the perfect soup and pasta container but also comes with a handy travel bag. This helps ensure the jar’s stainless steel body remains safe-as-could-be, and we love its three microwave-safe containers to add to the mix.

Size: 6 x 5.37 x 8.37 inches (for the containers)

Customers are saying: “These are awesome. All the containers are great in terms of reducing costs spent on eating out, minimizing the garbage of packing lunches in disposable containers, and even helping with portion control for weight loss. They all fit into a compact bag, which has a strap so it is easy to carry around. The quality of the containers is very good, and so are the utensils.”

RTIC is the ultimate gear brand, especially when it comes to coolers and drinkware, but the back-to-school options are no less impressive. The RTIC Ice Lunch Bag does not fall short in any way; it’s designed with built-in, freezeable gel packs to lock in the cold for multiple hours. Plus, the tote design is especially easy to carry. They will even throw in a free lunch container while supplies last!

Size: 8.7 x 6.9 x 11 inches

Customers are saying: “I used the ice lunch bag on a trip recently and it work great. I transported medicine that needed to stay cold and some snacks. I like that I can throw it in the freezer and it freezes up and stays cold all day. Great product.”

You probably are already obsessed with Stanley Tumblers — but the brand does not mess around in the cooler bag category, either. For the shopper who’s looking for a versatile, kid-to-adult option, splurging on the Stanley All Day Julienne Mini Soft Cooler Bag and Lunch Box is a quality investment to make. With dual zip-around closure and insulated lining, it’s a great unisex option (pro tip: parents and caregivers can use it on the weekends when school isn’t in session!)

Size: 9.4x 7.9 x 9.8 inches

Customers are saying: “I was hesitant at first as it is a bit more expensive, but it’s got a good name and I’ve heard great things about it. I’ve carried it now for probably at least a month, and it’s great. I get compliments on it all the time, and it keeps food very cold and insulated within the bag —easy to wipe out as well.”

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.