Sick of your giant lunch box or bringing tons of separate containers to work for lunch? A bento box can make your lunch break more enjoyable and efficient! These Japanese-style food containers offer a way to separate your meal into compartments without having to bring a ton of Tupperware to work (and if you can't stand the thought of foods touching each other, we see you, and we hear you). They're also a great way to practice portion control!
There are a lot for sale online, but how can you tell if they're for kids or grown-ups? How can you find one that's appropriate for your adult life? Whether you want a typical Japanese lunch box, something for last night's leftovers, or one for soup or salads, we've found your perfect bento box. We even found one just for sandwiches, too! Check out our 10 list and buying guide reviewed by a professional chef for tips on how to choose and prepare your bento.
Image | 1 ![]() Ozazuco | 2 ![]() Monbento | 3 ![]() Skater | 4 ![]() Fun Life | 5 ![]() Skater | 6 ![]() Zojirushi | 7 ![]() Bentgo | 8 ![]() Homespon | 9 ![]() JapanBargain | 10 ![]() Ecozoi |
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Name | Bento Box | MB Square Bento Box (Large) | Two-Tier Bento Bowl | Bento Lunch Box | Bento Box Set | Classic Bento Vacuum Lunch Jar | Salad Lunch Container | Bento With Insulated Bag | Three-Tiered Bento Box | Stainless Steel Rectangle Lunch box |
Features | A Narrow Bento That's Comfortable to Carry and Fits in the Work Fridge | A Huge, Professional-Looking Bento Box | A Small Bento for Carb Lovers | A Practical Daily Lunchbox That's Easy to Use and Care For | A Balance of Function and Beauty | Keep Your Soup Hot Until Lunch With an Insulated Container | We Can't Imagine a More Perfect Salad Lunchbox | A Bento That Encourages You to Eat a Balanced Meal | Find Zen-Like Calm on Your Lunch Break | A Durable and Eco-Friendly Metal Bento |
Price | $16.98 | $29.90 | $15.06 | $25.99 | $17.99 | $42.21 | $14.99 | $16.99 | $27.49 | $32.95 |
Capacity | 3 compartments; 900ml | 2 compartments; 1700ml | 2 compartments; 560ml | 5 compartments; 1349ml | Top container: 280ml, bottom container: 360ml | 3 compartments (590ml, 414ml, 266ml) | Bottom bowl: 1597ml, top tray: 590ml plus dressing cup | 2 main compartments; 1300ml (including lids) | 3 compartments; 600ml | 3 compartments; 1774ml |
Features | Removable dividers, includes fork and spoon/chopsticks, insulated carrying bag | Cutlery set and bag sold separately | Includes carrying bag | Removable compartments with individual lids, insulated carrying bag | Rice press, removable dividers, carrying bag | Includes chopsticks with holder, spork, carrying strap and bag | Includes fork, 2-year warranty | Removable carrying strap; includes metal spoon and chopsticks with holder, insulated bag with strap | Includes chopsticks with cover, carrying handle | Lifetime warranty |
Materials | BPA-free food-grade plastic and wheat fiber | BPA/BPS-free plastic | Food safe plastic, 100% cotton bag | BPA-free food-grade plastic | Food-grade plastic | Vacuum-insulated stainless steel | BPA-free plastic | Plastic, stainless steel; bag: felt and foil | Plastic | Stainless steel |
Care | Dishwasher safe, microwave safe | Dishwasher safe, microwave safe | Dishwasher safe, microwave safe | Top rack dishwasher safe, microwave safe | Hand wash only, no microwave | Microwave safe inner containers | Top rack dishwasher safe | Hand wash only, no microwave | Hand wash only, no microwave | Dishwasher safe, no refrigerator |
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Here are our 10 best picks for bento boxes for adults. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Jim Quast.
$16.98
Capacity | 3 compartments; 900ml |
---|---|
Features | Removable dividers, includes fork and spoon/chopsticks, insulated carrying bag |
Materials | BPA-free food-grade plastic and wheat fiber |
Care | Dishwasher safe, microwave safe |
$29.90
Capacity | 2 compartments; 1700ml |
---|---|
Features | Cutlery set and bag sold separately |
Materials | BPA/BPS-free plastic |
Care | Dishwasher safe, microwave safe |
$15.06
Capacity | 2 compartments; 560ml |
---|---|
Features | Includes carrying bag |
Materials | Food safe plastic, 100% cotton bag |
Care | Dishwasher safe, microwave safe |
$25.99
Capacity | 5 compartments; 1349ml |
---|---|
Features | Removable compartments with individual lids, insulated carrying bag |
Materials | BPA-free food-grade plastic |
Care | Top rack dishwasher safe, microwave safe |
$17.99
Capacity | Top container: 280ml, bottom container: 360ml |
---|---|
Features | Rice press, removable dividers, carrying bag |
Materials | Food-grade plastic |
Care | Hand wash only, no microwave |
$42.21
Capacity | 3 compartments (590ml, 414ml, 266ml) |
---|---|
Features | Includes chopsticks with holder, spork, carrying strap and bag |
Materials | Vacuum-insulated stainless steel |
Care | Microwave safe inner containers |
$14.99
Capacity | Bottom bowl: 1597ml, top tray: 590ml plus dressing cup |
---|---|
Features | Includes fork, 2-year warranty |
Materials | BPA-free plastic |
Care | Top rack dishwasher safe |
$16.99
Capacity | 2 main compartments; 1300ml (including lids) |
---|---|
Features | Removable carrying strap; includes metal spoon and chopsticks with holder, insulated bag with strap |
Materials | Plastic, stainless steel; bag: felt and foil |
Care | Hand wash only, no microwave |
$27.49
Capacity | 3 compartments; 600ml |
---|---|
Features | Includes chopsticks with cover, carrying handle |
Materials | Plastic |
Care | Hand wash only, no microwave |
$32.95
Capacity | 3 compartments; 1774ml |
---|---|
Features | Lifetime warranty |
Materials | Stainless steel |
Care | Dishwasher safe, no refrigerator |
One thing many people are worried about when choosing a bento is the size. You may also want to consider the shape, materials, care instructions, and if it's leakproof.
The size and shape will determine how much and what kind of food you can fit in your bento. The shape also affects how easy it is to carry.
You may want to get the length, width, and height measurements of a bento, particularly if you like to bring sandwiches for lunch. However, Japanese bento sizes are based on a volume-to-calories ratio. One milliliter of bento capacity equals one calorie of food. (The metric system is pretty cool sometimes, isn't it?)
The Japanese government's nutrition standards recommend about 600 milliliters for women and 900 for men for lunch, although they actually break it down further by height and BMI. Japanese portion sizes may be smaller than you're used to, but this can give you a guide to start with.
Of course, this formula assumes several things: that you are an averagely active adult, you're not trying to gain or lose weight, and you don't plan to stuff your bento with French fries and jellybeans. However, these guidelines can help you not only to choose your lunch box but assist you with portion control.
In addition to the amount of food, a typical Japanese bento has a 3:2:1 ratio of starch, vegetables, and protein. It's not uncommon to pair that with some instant soup on the side and a cup of green tea! That's likely why some of our choices include a separate cup.
Bento were originally boxes, and rectangular shapes are still common. However, a rectangular, single-layer tray is harder to fit in a bag and not the easiest to carry. They are fun to eat from and offer a nice presentation for your meal, so if you take a car to work or school they're a suitable option.
If you commute by public transportation, look for something narrow that stacks and either fits in your work bag or comes in its own. Bikers, walkers, and those who use a backpack may want to look for stacking bowls.
You may want to put it into your work fridge, too, so check that you'll be able to unstack the trays in that case. Some use compartment lids as extra food trays, but that would mean some of your food is exposed after unstacking.
Bento come in different materials, from durable and long-lasting to flimsy disposable ones. Even if you'll only use it occasionally, make sure it'll last!
Perhaps not surprisingly, most bento are made of plastic. Good ones are made of high-quality food-grade plastic that lasts a long time and doesn't get stained easily. Not all of them are dishwasher-, microwave-, or freezer-safe, so you may want to confirm those details before purchase.
The advantages of plastic bento are plentiful! They're lightweight, usually come with lids that seal tightly, and are available in a variety of sizes and designs.
Stainless steel bento are a good choice for those looking for something durable. They're not too heavy, and some come with gasket seals. Of course, they can't be microwaved. If you want to keep your food warm, or cold, you'd better make sure it's insulated.
Glass trays with compartments are oven, freezer, microwave, and dishwasher-safe. Their main disadvantages are their weight and the lid design, which usually has plastic clips that can be hard to use and prone to breakage. Some glass bento-type containers offer bamboo lids, which makes them a highly sustainable option.
Bento boxes have been made from wood since the Edo period in Japan. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, wood also helps to keep rice moist and delicious until you eat it!
When choosing a wood bento, make sure that any coating is properly cured and won't leach into your food. Obviously, wooden bento boxes can require extra care to maintain and may not be microwave- or dishwasher-safe.
You can find disposable plastic bento only suitable for one-time use. These are similar to the kind used for take-out foods in Japan. There are also more durable plastic trays with multiple compartments often called "meal-prep" containers.
Neither of these are especially good to use for a daily lunchbox; they're not very strongly made and are generally not pretty, but they can serve their purpose.
There is a wide variety of bento styles to choose from, and they offer different features and add-ons which may sway your decision.
Since bento are by design meant to carry a variety of foods of all textures, you'd expect them to be spill-proof. However, you'd be wrong! Most bento are not leakproof, either between the compartments or overall.
You may be wondering why on earth someone would get a lunch box with compartments that leak. Well, Japanese bento foods tend to not be super watery or saucy. You'd certainly never expect to put soup in a regular bento; you'd get a Thermos for liquids.
And indeed, some bento come in sets with Thermoses. Others have a mix of tight-sealing compartments and more open ones. If a leakproof bento is your top priority, scour the reviews from real users before buying!
Also keep in mind the style and care instructions for the lids. Many bento seal using flaps that snap into place. Aside from metal bento boxes, most of these are plastic. The plastic will eventually wear and break over extensive use. When that happens, your only solution is to replace the whole bento.
For lids that have gaskets or silicone lids that seal tightly, even if the manufacturer says a dishwasher is okay, it's not recommended. The high heat can deform them enough so they no longer seal properly.
We advise handwashing for all bento lids to maintain the best seal. You should also remove lids before microwaving.
Compartments are what makes it a bento box, right? Not necessarily! Compartments are great if you hate having your tuna salad touch your apple slices, but they make a bento harder to wash.
If you get one with fixed compartments, you're limited to what size foods you can fill it with. Some bento solve this by offering movable dividers, but these rarely provide a complete seal between areas.
Another option is to use portion cups. You can get reusable silicone ones or use muffin tin liners. These are not only versatile but can be decorative as well.
Some bento come with everything you need for lunch, except maybe a napkin! They might have chopsticks, a spork, or a full cutlery set. Be aware that they may not be full-sized, however, especially if you get a smaller bento which was designed for kids.
You can also buy a separate holder to add your own utensils or purchase a utensil set with a case. If the bento has a bag, you can throw them in there. If it has an elastic strap to keep it closed, try tucking them under that.
You can fill your bento with anything that fits in there, but for healthy, balanced eating, try to keep in mind the 3:2:1 rule for starches, vegetables, and proteins.
A typical Japanese household will usually prep some foods, like sides, ahead of time. These can even be frozen in small portion cups until you need them. The bento is often left unrefrigerated and kept cool just with ice packs until lunch.
If the thought of leaving your rice out bothers you, or you don't have a rice cooker with a timer function, you can cook it the night before. You'll have to microwave it later though, because refrigerated rice can be unappetitizing.
A recent viral tip is to add a teaspoon or so of honey to the water when you cook your rice! It won't change the taste; it keeps the rice from absorbing too much moisture and reduces clumping. So, it will still be absolutely delicious when it's room temperature!
Need a sponge designed to get in the nooks and crannies of a bento box? Or some umeboshi to top off your rice? Check out the articles below to help you craft your lunch!
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