To Find the Best Bento Boxes, I Packed Sandwiches, Leftovers, and Snacks

Lunchboxes are popular here in the United States. There are the classic cartoon-decorated metal ones with the plastic Thermos that kids carried in the ’70s and ’80s, and the modern, soft-shell, insulated lunchboxes. Japanese bento boxes have also slowly gained popularity here, although they’ve been a part of Japanese culture for ages. 

Marc Matsumoto, cookbook author, food writer at No Recipes, and host of the TV show Bento Expo, explains that bento and bento boxes are integral to Japanese culture. “The first examples of lacquered boxes stacked in a drawer for easy transportation come from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, 1568 to 1600 CE," he says. "After that, in the Edo period (1603 to 1867 CE), bento became more mainstream."

Bento actually refers to the meal itself, which often consists of rice and vegetables and a protein, like meat or fish. The presentation of the components is thoughtfully considered.

“Modern bentos are a way for families to show love,” Matsumoto says. “Bento are not only meals but messages in a box.” He adds that typical home bento boxes often have a single compartment or consist of two stacking boxes. “The boxes are relatively small, so they can be packed tightly to prevent the food from shifting around in transit,” he says. 

I tested 14 different bento boxes to see which ones work best with different lunches, including sandwiches and leftovers. I packed and carried the boxes around, microwaved and cleaned each of them, and tested them to see if they leaked.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Bento Box

Bentgo MicroSteel Lunch Box

$40 $30 at Amazon $40 at Williams Sonoma $30 at Walmart

Bentgo’s MicroSteel lunch box is a medium-sized, lightweight, and durable bento box with a tight-sealing lid that prevents leaks. The box is also microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe. It comes with a removable divider that lets you create two inner compartments. It was our winner in previous tests.

The Best Stackable Bento Box

Takenaka Bento Bite Dual

$42 at Amazon View on Takenakabento.com

This stackable bento box is microwave-safe and comes with a fork that snaps onto the lid between the two boxes. The top tier has a removable divider that creates smaller compartments inside. The set comes with an elastic band that wraps around it, keeping the stacked boxes extra secure.

The Best Larger Bento Box

S’well Bento Box

View on Swell.com

This larger bento box has a clear lid so you can see what's inside. Like the Bentgo MicroSteel, it comes with a moveable divider for customizing smaller compartments. It is also leakproof, with a tight silicone sealing lid that’s easy to remove.

The Best Compact Bento Box

Black+Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box

$40 at Amazon

This smaller stainless steel lunch box is durable and compact but still large enough to fit a sandwich. The box comes with a metal divider that can be snapped in wherever you want. The silicone-rimmed lid makes it leakproof.

The Best Budget Bento Box

Buluker 4-Pack Bento Lunch Box

$20 $14 at Amazon

This four-pack of bento boxes is reasonably priced. The boxes are made of microwave-and dishwasher-safe wheat straw. They come with clear plastic lids.

The Tests

• Packed Lunch Test: I packed each bento box with a simple turkey and cheese sandwich made with store-bought white bread. I added snacks and sides like carrot sticks, chicken salad, orzo salad, and fruit salad to each container until it was full. Then, I closed it, placed it in a canvas tote bag, and carried it around my apartment to see how well it traveled and if the food shifted.  
• Leak Test: I filled each box with one cup of water, closed it, and then shook the box over the sink to see if it leaked.
• Stain and Odor Test: I painted each box with spaghetti sauce and left it out, uncovered, for four hours. I then hand-washed each box and noted if there were any stains. I smelled each box to see if any odor remained, too.
• Durability Test: I opened and shut each box 10 times to see how durable the lid and box were and how easy it was to open and close. I placed the box in a cloth tote bag and dropped the bag (with the box in it) two feet above my countertop to mimic the box being banged around during everyday use. I inspected the box for damage after.
• Microwave Test: I filled each microwaveable bento box with spaghetti and tomato sauce, then microwaved them for one minute. I checked to see if the outside of the box got hot or damaged and if the spaghetti warmed sufficiently.
• Cleaning Test: After each test, I hand-washed the box to see how easy it was to clean and if there were any stains or residual odors from the food.

What We Learned

Size Was Personal

Bento boxes come in so many shapes and sizes that it can be overwhelming. But everyone’s lunch varies so much. For folks who often pack leftovers for lunch, larger bento boxes like the S’Well Bento Box or ones with multiple containers like the Zojirushi Lunch Jar might make sense. But for most folks, medium-sized boxes like the Bentgo MicroSteel or stackable ones, like the Bento Bite Dual from Takenaka or Monbento Large Bento Box, are a better option, as they can fit a good amount of food without being bulky.

Adjustable Compartments Were Ideal

Bento boxes with adjustable compartments were more user-friendly. They typically have a partition that can be snapped or slid into the box, or have smaller boxes that nest inside the large box. My favorite bento boxes, including the Bentgo MicroSteel, S’well Bento Box, and Black + Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box, all had adjustable partitions. Bento boxes with removable boxes or partitions, or ones with larger compartments and rounded corners, were also much easier to clean.

Fixed compartments, like the ones in the Bentgo Modern, OmieBox, and Pottery Barn All-In-One bento box were more limiting. Standard-size sandwiches didn’t always fit in the largest compartment. There were also often many smaller compartments that felt unnecessary unless you like lots of handfuls of snacks. Cleanup was also a pain, as each compartment required more attention to ensure all the food was wiped clean from the corners. And some bento boxes designed for children, like the Bentgo Kids, had compartments so small, they seemed impractical—three grapes are hardly worth packing!

Metal Boxes Were More Durable and Didn't Stain

Bento boxes came in a variety of materials, but metal boxes felt more durable and lightweight than their bulky plastic counterparts. They were also easier to clean and didn’t stain. But most metal boxes weren’t microwave-safe, except my favorite, the Bentgo MicroSteel. It had the versatility of being both microwave-safe and durable. 

If you bring leftovers that require reheating, plastic might be a better option. But even some of the plastic bento boxes, like the Pottery Barn All-In-One Bento box or the OmieBox Bento for Kids, aren’t microwave-safe. Depending on what you typically bring for lunch, the thicker and more durable plastic Bento Bite Dual from Takenaka might be a better option over metal.

Soft Materials Stained More

Beyond the durability of the boxes, harder and rigid materials, like metal or thick plastic, didn't stain or absorb odors readily. But silicone gaskets and rims, as well as thinner and softer plastic, tended to pick up stains. The rigid outer box of the Mepal Bento Box didn’t stain at all, but the inner nesting boxes had a soft lid that did stain.

Some of the stiffer, thinner materials also showed signs of staining. The Buluker Bento Lunch Box is made of wheat straw material and was tinged red after microwaving spaghetti with red sauce. And the Brabantia was stained on both the softer lid as well as the body itself. But I didn't smell any lingering odors after cleaning each box, and the staining was just cosmetic.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Bento Box

Buy a bento box that fits the sort of lunch that you typically pack. If you bring sandwiches, make sure the bento box has a compartment that’s big enough. If you bring lots of snacks, like almonds or fruit, choose a bento box that has compartments you can tweak and move. If you like to reheat last night’s dinner for lunch, microwaveable bento boxes will be more convenient. Finally, pick a bento box that is easy to clean; sharp corners and small compartments are more finicky to wash.

Our Favorite Bento Boxes

The Best Bento Box

Bentgo MicroSteel Lunch Box

$40 $30 at Amazon $40 at Williams Sonoma $30 at Walmart

What we liked: The Bentgo MicroSteel lunch box was our favorite bento box in our previous testing and it held up this time too. It was medium-sized, making it a great option for most lunches including sandwiches and salads. It comes with a silicone-coated removable partition that lets you create compartments for different amounts of food. The silicone seal on the lid fits tightly, preventing leaks. Its gently curved sides made it easy to clean. 

This bento box was also durable and, surprisingly, microwave-safe. Microwaving metal seems counterintuitive, but the thick material and smooth curves of the Bentgo MicroSteel box meant the microwaves bounced off of them and into the food.

What we didn’t like: The lid has a vacuum-sealing stopper to help break the seal and make removing the lid easier. That said, the lid is so form-fitting and tight that it still took some effort to remove.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 40 fluid ounces
• Weight (when empty): 1 pound, 1.75 ounces
• Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.5 x 2.38 inches
• Material: Stainless steel and silicone
• Microwave-safe: Yes
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Number of compartments: 2 (with removable partition)
  

The Best Stackable Bento Box

Takenaka Bento Bite Dual

$42 at Amazon View on Takenakabento.com

What we liked: The Bento Bite Dual from Takenaka is a great option if you like to pack leftovers for lunch. With two tiers, a built-in center divider, and a snap-in fork, this bento box is roomy and versatile. The top box is larger and has a movable partition, while the bottom is smaller and more compact. The bento box is both microwave- and dishwasher-safe and comes with an elastic band that wraps around the entire two-tier set, keeping it secure.

What we didn’t like: The silicone seal around the Takenaka was more leak-resistant than leakproof: A few drops of water snuck out when I shook it. Also, because of the way the boxes are tiered, the bottom container only has a white divider lid. This means you can use the top tier by itself without any issues, but using the bottom tier looks a little incomplete without the top.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 39 fluid ounces
• Weight (when empty): 15.5 ounces
• Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 4.25 inches
• Material: Recycled BPA-free PET plastic
• Microwave-safe: Yes
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Number of compartments: 3 (with one removable partition)
  

The Best Large Bento Box

S’well Bento Box

View on Swell.com

What we liked: If you tend to bring large lunches, the S’well Bento Box is a big, durable option with an inner box. The silicone lid seals tightly and doesn’t leak. It also features a clear window, so you can see what’s inside. The lid is easier to remove than that of the Bentgo MicroSteel, which is great if you have mobility issues but still want a leakproof bento box. It also comes in a few fun patterns as well as a basic black.

What we didn’t like: The bento box is not microwave-safe, so if your lunch needs to be heated up, it should be removed and placed on a microwave-safe plate or bowl. Also, the clear window lid scratches fairly easily.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 60 fluid ounces
• Weight (when empty): 1 pound
• Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 2.75 inches
• Material: Stainless steel with BPA/BPS-free plastic lid
• Microwave-safe: No
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Number of compartments: 2 (with removable partition)
  

The Best Compact Bento Box

Black+Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box

$40 at Amazon

What we liked: If you tend to bring small lunches, the Black + Blum lunch box is a compact bento box that still fits a standard-size sandwich (albeit a little tightly). The box comes with a stainless steel divider that snaps in, allowing you to create compartments. The box was easy to clean and the silicone-lined lid prevented leaks. The set also comes with a large silicone strap that helps keep the lid secure.

What we didn’t like: This bento box is not microwave-safe. 

Key Specs

• Capacity: 33.8 fluid ounces
• Weight (when empty): 1 pound
• Dimensions: 7.75 x 5.5 x 2.5 inches
• Material: Stainless steel with silicone
• Microwave-safe: No
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Number of compartments: 2 (with removable partition)
  

The Best Budget Bento Box

Buluker 4-Pack Bento Lunch Box

$20 $14 at Amazon

What we liked: This budget-friendly set of four bento boxes has one larger and two smaller sections that fit a standard-size sandwich and two small sides. It has a clear lid so you can see what’s inside. The plastic-like material is actually wheat straw, making the boxes durable and lightweight, as well as microwave-safe. The rounded corners of the compartments make it fairly easy to hand-wash, though the containers are also dishwasher-safe. All four boxes and lids stack inside each other, making them easy to store.

What we didn’t like: Because of the material, the lifespan of these bento boxes will be shorter than other winners. They stained when I microwaved leftovers in them, though there were no lingering odors. 

Key Specs

• Capacity: 32 fluid ounces
• Weight (when empty): 4.1 ounces
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 6 x 2 inches
• Material: Wheat straw and polypropylene
• Microwave-safe: Yes
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Number of compartments: 3 

The Competition

Also Recommended

• Monbento Large Bento Box: This stackable square bento box set is bulky. However, with two tiers and a nesting box inside one of them, it offers plenty of options. The set comes with two different elastic bands: a smaller one that wraps around an individual box (if you only use one of them for lunch) as well as a larger band to wrap around the tiered stack of boxes. The lids have silicone rings around the edges, which provide some leak resistance, but it’s not completely leakproof.
• Zojirushi SL-JBE14VZ Mr. Bento Stainless Lunch Jar: If you often bring a variety of items for lunch, this is a great option since it has four stacking containers. A few of them have different sealing mechanisms to help prevent leaking. All are microwave-safe. Keep in mind that none of the containers are big enough to fit a standard sandwich, and if you typically don’t bring three or four generous components for lunch, this jar might be overkill.

Not Recommended

• Bentgo Modern: This bento box had an extra thick tray holder along with a thinner, removable tray that was microwaveable. The exterior box didn’t add anything to the design other than unnecessary bulk and the interior tray had sharp corners that were harder to clean.
• Bentgo Classic: This tiered bento box was small and hard to fill and stack. 
• Pottery Barn All-In-One Bento Box: The plastic felt cheap—like it could crack or break. The fixed compartments made it less user-friendly and I had trouble fitting a sandwich inside. It was also difficult to wash and isn't microwave-safe.
• Mepal Bento Box: This larger bento box easily fits a large sandwich and a few sides. It comes with two nesting boxes. These compartments were more difficult to clean but did offer versatility. The box isn’t leakproof (even the smaller one with the silicone lid) and water leaked everywhere. 
• Brabantia Make & Take Bento Lunch Box: Similar to the Mepal, this bento box has a removable divider base and two smaller nesting boxes, one with a lid. Sadly, the plastic showed signs of staining, and the bottom of the box warped slightly after microwaving.
• OmieBox Bento Box for Kids: This bento box was designed for kids but the fixed compartments made it less versatile. It had a removable silicone gasket that made it challenging to clean, and it leaked anyway.
• Bentgo Kids: This hefty bento box had fixed compartments for children’s lunches, but the smallest compartment seemed tiny, even for a child’s portion. The silicone on the inside and outside of the lid stained very easily.

FAQs

What traditionally goes into a bento box?

Bento box meals are designed to hold a completely balanced meal. Think: a starch, a vegetable, a protein, and sometimes a small dessert. Traditionally, Japanese bento boxes are filled with rice, along with some vegetables, meat or fish, and sometimes fruit for dessert.

Can you put a bento box in the freezer?

Some bento boxes are freezer-safe. Always check the manual that comes with the bento box to see if the container can be placed in the freezer without damage.

Is a bento box good for school lunch?

Bento boxes are a great option for school lunches. They let you pack perfectly portioned meals, and because you pack them at home, you have control over what your child is eating. 

Are there any foods that shouldn't go in a bento box?

Each bento box is different. Some are leakproof, while others don’t seal as well, making them less ideal for dishes with a lot of liquid. Other boxes might stain easily, which means you should avoid tomato-based dishes. If you want to keep food safety in mind, you might want to pack a bento box in a bag with an ice pack.

Why We're the Experts 

• Irvin Lin is a food blogger and writer who has written many reviews for Serious Eats, including stand mixers, half-sheet pans, and bowl scrapers. 
• He is the author of the cookbook Marbled, Swirled, and Layered, which was chosen as one of the best baking cookbooks of 2016 by The New York Times. 
• He is an IACP-award-winning photographer, an IACP-nominated blogger, and a blue-ribbon baker. 
• For this review, he packed 14 different lunches in each bento box and then hand-washed each of them. He added water and shook each box to see if it leaked. He also carried each box around in a tote bag, dropping it on the countertop a few times to see how durable it was.
• We first tested bento boxes in 2022 and decided it was time to update this review and test some new options.