Head-to-Head Comparison
Good Kiind Explorer vs PlanetBox Rover: Which Lunch Box is Best?
After 6 months of real-world testing, The Good Kiind Explorer wins over PlanetBox Rover. The removable silicone seal, kid-friendly latch, and better compartment layout solve every complaint we had about PlanetBox. At full price it's close, but during Good Kiind's 40% off sales ($60), it's the clear value winner.
Winner
The Good Kiind
The Good Kiind Explorer Stainless Steel Lunch Box
8.7
$100VS
PlanetBox
PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box
8.6
$70R3 Research Verdict
After 6 months of real-world testing, The Good Kiind Explorer wins over PlanetBox Rover. The removable silicone seal, kid-friendly latch, and better compartment layout solve every complaint we had about PlanetBox. At full price it's close, but during Good Kiind's 40% off sales ($60), it's the clear value winner.
Updated Dec 15, 202512 attributes comparedBy R3 Research Team
Why Good Kiind Wins
Research-backed recommendation
The Good Kiind Explorer solves every complaint we had about PlanetBox Rover. The removable silicone seal eliminates the need for separate containers, the silicone latch means young kids can open it independently, and the deeper compartments fit more food. At full price ($99.99), it's a tough call—but during sales (40% off = $60), Good Kiind is unquestionably the better value.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Quick summary of each product's strengths and weaknesses
The Good Kiind
The Good Kiind Explorer Stainless Steel Lunch Box
Winner
Pros
- Better Dimensions
- Better Leak Resistance
- Better Latch Type
- Better Kid-Friendliness
Cons
- Loses on Weight
- Loses on Base Price
PlanetBox
PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box
Pros
- Better Weight
- Better Base Price
Cons
- Loses on Dimensions
- Loses on Leak Resistance
- Loses on Latch Type
Who Wins Each Category?
A quick breakdown of how these products compare head-to-head
Weight
PlanetBox
Win
PlanetBox is lighter, but wider footprint makes it awkward in small backpacks
Dimensions
The Good Kiind
Win
Good Kiind is deeper, fitting more food and taller items
Leak Resistance
The Good Kiind
Win
Game-changing feature - contains yogurt, hummus without separate Dippers
Latch Type
The Good Kiind
Win
Silicone latch is easier for young kids (ages 4-6) to operate independently
Kid Friendliness
The Good Kiind
Win
Kids struggled with magnetic latch for weeks; silicone latch works day one
Base Price
PlanetBox
Win
PlanetBox wins on upfront cost if you don't need accessories
True Cost
The Good Kiind
Win
Good Kiind includes everything; PlanetBox needs $24+ in Dippers and magnets
Cleaning Ease
The Good Kiind
Win
Silicone seal pops out for deep cleaning; PlanetBox has impossible seams
Compartments
The Good Kiind
Win
Good Kiind compartments sized for sandwiches + sides; PlanetBox is oddly shaped
Rust Risk
The Good Kiind
Win
Multiple parents reported rust spots from PlanetBox magnets over time
Warranty
Tie
Both have excellent warranties
Materials
Tie
Both are food-safe, zero plastic touching food
Winner
Tie
Which One Is Right For You?
Personalized recommendations based on your priorities
Buy The Good Kiind If You...Winner
- Want truly leak-resistant compartments without separate containers
- Have younger kids (ages 4-6) who struggle with latches
- Hate cleaning impossible seams in lunch boxes
- Can wait for sales (40% off during holidays/back-to-school)
- Pack wet foods regularly (yogurt, hummus, cut fruit)
Buy PlanetBox If You...
- Need the lowest upfront cost right now ($69.95 vs $99.99)
- Kids want character customization (magnet system)
- Already own Dipper containers from previous PlanetBox
Head-to-Head Comparison
Detailed attribute-by-attribute breakdown
The Good Kiind
vs8
PlanetBox
(2 ties)2
| Attribute | The Good Kiind | PlanetBox | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight PlanetBox is lighter, but wider footprint makes it awkward in small backpacks | 1.6 lbs | 1.2 lbs | PlanetBox |
| Dimensions Good Kiind is deeper, fitting more food and taller items | 10" x 7.25" x 2.25" | 10" x 7.5" x 1.5" | The Good Kiind |
| Leak Resistance Game-changing feature - contains yogurt, hummus without separate Dippers | Removable silicone seal | None (need separate containers) | The Good Kiind |
| Latch Type Silicone latch is easier for young kids (ages 4-6) to operate independently | Silicone-wrapped lever | Magnetic closure | The Good Kiind |
| Kid-Friendliness Kids struggled with magnetic latch for weeks; silicone latch works day one | Easy for 4-year-olds | Difficult for ages 5-6 | The Good Kiind |
| Base Price PlanetBox wins on upfront cost if you don't need accessories | $99.99 | $69.95 | PlanetBox |
| True Cost Good Kiind includes everything; PlanetBox needs $24+ in Dippers and magnets | $60-100 | $94-106 | The Good Kiind |
| Cleaning Ease Silicone seal pops out for deep cleaning; PlanetBox has impossible seams | Removable seal (easy) | Fixed seams (difficult) | The Good Kiind |
| Compartments Good Kiind compartments sized for sandwiches + sides; PlanetBox is oddly shaped | 5 (optimized layout) | 5 (awkward proportions) | The Good Kiind |
| Rust Risk Multiple parents reported rust spots from PlanetBox magnets over time | None (no magnets) | Magnet decorations cause rust | The Good Kiind |
| Warranty Both have excellent warranties | 10 years | 10 years | Tie |
| Materials Both are food-safe, zero plastic touching food | 304 Stainless + Platinum Silicone | 304 Stainless Steel | Tie |
The Good Kiind
8 Wins
PlanetBox
2 Wins
Weight
PlanetBox
1.6 lbs
1.2 lbs
PlanetBox is lighter, but wider footprint makes it awkward in small backpacks
Dimensions
The Good Kiind
10" x 7.25" x 2.25"
10" x 7.5" x 1.5"
Good Kiind is deeper, fitting more food and taller items
Leak Resistance
The Good Kiind
Removable silicone seal
None (need separate containers)
Game-changing feature - contains yogurt, hummus without separate Dippers
Latch Type
The Good Kiind
Silicone-wrapped lever
Magnetic closure
Silicone latch is easier for young kids (ages 4-6) to operate independently
Kid-Friendliness
The Good Kiind
Easy for 4-year-olds
Difficult for ages 5-6
Kids struggled with magnetic latch for weeks; silicone latch works day one
Base Price
PlanetBox
$99.99
$69.95
PlanetBox wins on upfront cost if you don't need accessories
True Cost
The Good Kiind
$60-100
$94-106
Good Kiind includes everything; PlanetBox needs $24+ in Dippers and magnets
Cleaning Ease
The Good Kiind
Removable seal (easy)
Fixed seams (difficult)
Silicone seal pops out for deep cleaning; PlanetBox has impossible seams
Compartments
The Good Kiind
5 (optimized layout)
5 (awkward proportions)
Good Kiind compartments sized for sandwiches + sides; PlanetBox is oddly shaped
Rust Risk
The Good Kiind
None (no magnets)
Magnet decorations cause rust
Multiple parents reported rust spots from PlanetBox magnets over time
Warranty
Tie
10 years
10 years
Both have excellent warranties
Materials
Tie
304 Stainless + Platinum Silicone
304 Stainless Steel
Both are food-safe, zero plastic touching food
$Price Analysis
At MSRP, PlanetBox appears cheaper ($69.95 vs $99.99). But factor in the $12-24 for Dipper containers (needed for any wet foods) and $12-16 for kid-requested magnets, and PlanetBox's true cost is $94-106. Good Kiind includes everything needed. During sales (40% off), Good Kiind drops to ~$60—making it both better AND cheaper.
Best Time to Buy
Good Kiind runs major sales several times per year: Holiday season (November-December) at 40% off, Back-to-school (July-August) at 30% off, and Spring (March) at 25% off. At 40% off, the Explorer drops to ~$60—the best time to buy.
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Independent Research
No sponsored placements. Data-driven verdicts.
1,000+ data points
Updated December 15, 2025
R
R3 Research Team
•Evidence-Based Review BoardOur multidisciplinary team of researchers, parents, and medical advisors dedicated to finding the safest products for your family.
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