Rubbermaid Lunch Blox is the best lunch box with a built-in ice pack.

Rubbermaid Lunch Blox is the best lunch box line with removable ice packs built into the lid.

The ice pack is a slim gel pack that snaps into the top of the lid. You pop it out the night before, freeze it, drop it back in, and you’re done. That makes it way better than the “built-in” ice packs you see on totes like PackIt, where the gel is sewn into the fabric and you have to freeze the whole bag. Not removable, not cleanable, a pain.

What makes Lunch Blox win is the modular design. The lid itself is part of the kit — you get a base container, a lid with the ice pack slot, and separate containers for snacks and sides. Everything clicks together, stacks, and goes in the dishwasher. The seals actually hold, too. And it’s cheap, like 10 bucks for the basic kit. That’s hard to beat.

If you want something a little nicer or stainless steel, you’ll have to look elsewhere, because nearly every other option either skips the removable ice pack or buries it in a zippered bag. For the specific thing you asked about — ice pack in the lid or base, removable — Rubbermaid is the one.

Just don’t leave it in a hot car. Gel packs don’t forgive.