Top 5 Best Bento Box Reviews And Comparison

Famed by the Japanese, bento boxes now plays a part in the lives of many individuals due to the convenience they bring. These magnificent boxes allow easy and safe transportation of different food items. They are usually divided into two or more tiers and sections which let you put side dishes, the main dish, and desserts all in just one box.

Due to its popularity, it even became a strategy among restaurants and various stores to attract more customers in patronizing their ready-to-go meals. In Japan, jam-packed bento boxes can be purchased from rail stations to restaurants to streets. Nonetheless, many of us still fancy making our own home-made bento boxes be it for your kids, or your husbands, or wives.

To create a satisfying bento meal, you need the best bento box that would let you organize meals with ease. That said, we rounded up the best five bento box brands with the help of our kitchen experts. We scrutinize each item based on their convenience, durability, features, and price to give you the best set of options available in the market.

Best Bento Box Comparison & Rating

Want to Learn More?

Before deciding on the brand of bento box you are going to purchase, let us first examine each one in detail. This would give you fact-based insights that would help you determine the one fit for your needs. When you’re ready, don’t hesitate to click the yellow buttons below to check their best deals on Amazon.

Luckstar Electric Bento Lunch Box

Electric Lunch Box, 12V 110V Dual Use Heating Bento Food Heater for Car Home Office, Portable Meal Lunch Heater Food Warmer with Insulation Bag Cooler Reusable Tote Bag and Stainless Steel Container
Specifications

Brand

Luckstar

Material

Stainless Steel

Weight

2.59 pounds

Dimensions

10.94 x 9.09 x 5.98 inches

Rating: 97% Overall
97%
features
95%
durability
98%
convenience
98%
value for price
Pros
  • The 12V Luckstar electric bento box can heat any type of food.
  • Includes one spoon and one fork, one car-use charging cable, one home-use charging cable, one insulated lunch bag, one dishcloth, and a manual
  • Made of food-grade PP plastic and 304 stainless steel
  • The bento lunch box is made of 300D durable Oxford cloth, PE foam padding, and PU insulation material keeping the food warm or cold for hours.
  • The bag with handle is easy to carry and convenient to use.
  • Easy-to-clean removable stainless steel container
  • Has fixed compartments for three courses
Cons
  • Can only accommodate three courses of the meal
  • Limited space for food
Verdict

Wherever you are, you can have your meal with the right warmth you want as if you are having it in the comfort of your own home. Thanks to the versatile heating system of the Luckstar bento box, you can reheat your meal in your car or in any place with a power outlet. Nonetheless, you can skip this option and have your meal right away. The model has an insulation feature, thanks to the specialized bag that comes with this model. With this, you can keep your food warm items for as long as six hours.


SOMOYA Vacuum Insulated Lunch Bento Box

Vacuum Insulated Lunch Bento Box,Thermal Indian Tiffin Food Container 304 Stainless Steel Lunch Containers Leakproof 3 Layers Stacking Insulating Food Jar for Children Adults Picnic(64 OZ, Burgundy)
Specifications

Brand

SOMOYA

Material

304 Superior Stainless Steel

Weight

1.5 pounds

Dimensions

13 x 6.5 x 6 inches

Rating: 96% Overall
96%
features
96%
durability
97%
convenience
96%
value for price
Pros
  • Made from food-grade 304 superior stainless; safe, environmental, resistant to high temperature, and odor-free
  • The seal cover and the handle are both made from food-grade PP material which is resistant to oil, water, and corrosion.
  • The double-layered vacuum feature keeps food warm or cold for up to 12 hours.
  • Three-tier bento box which separates food individually avoiding the unwanted mixture of flavor.
  • The high vacuum bottom design enhances the thermal insulation performance of the bento lunch box.
  • Ergonomic handle and a non-slip and scratch-resistant bottom
  • The lunch container is sealed with an anti-overflow cover.
  • Easy to fill and pour out food items with its wide opening mouth
  • Backed with a 100% money-back guarantee
  • Has a coupon offering a 10% saving
Cons
  • The stainless steel utensils should only be washed with a soft cloth and dish detergent diluted with warm water.
  • Needs to be dried right away after each wash
  • A big huge for some users
Verdict

The SOMOYA vacuum insulated bento box is one of the most impressive lunch box models out there. It has effective insulation that is made possible by its double-layered vacuum feature which retains the heat inside the containers for a long period of time. The leak-proof feature of the bento box also contributes a lot to the preservation of temperature. It also has three deep containers that would allow you to put a considerable amount of food without fearing those unwanted spills.


SIPU Bento Box

Bento Box for Adults, 1150ML Bento Lunch Containers for Kids Leakproof & Shockproof, Extra 2 silicone Seals, Microwave/Dishwasher/Freezer Safe, BPA-Free and Food-Safe, Made from Wheat Fiber (Purple)
Specifications

Brand

SIPU

Material

Wheat Fiber

Weight

11.7 ounces

Dimensions

8.94 x 6.3 x 2.28 inches

Rating: 95% Overall
94%
features
95%
durability
93%
convenience
96%
value for price
Pros
  • The high-density wheat fiber material makes it sturdy and shockproof.
  • Includes two extra silicone seals
  • Has a sealed design and four-sided lock making it leakproof; thickened seal and have a tight buckle
  • Comes with a spoon and a fork
  • Lightweight, thin, and easy to place in bags
  • Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer friendly; can withstand temperatures ranging from 4℉to 248℉
Cons
  • Though it saves vertical spaces, it could have problems fitting horizontally as it is quite wide.
  • Has only one tier and can only accommodate three courses of the meal
  • No insulation
Verdict

The SIPU bento box prides itself on the safety it brings using its non-harmful material: wheat fiber. It adopted a new technology to use the said material in the production of its product. This addresses the fear of those who are in doubt about using reusable bento boxes. And to push even more on its mission to deliver a safe way of holding food items, it offers two more additional silicone seals. This ensures that you can replace your box’s seals every two months to prevent the breeding of bacteria and molds.


UMAMI Premium Bento Lunch Box

UMAMI Premium Bento Lunch Box For Adults/Children - Includes 1 Sauce Pot & Cutlery 3 Pieces - Japanese Hermetic Box - 2 Compartments - Micro-Waves & Dishwasher & Freezer - BPA Free - Zero Waste
Specifications

Brand

UMAMI

Material

Polypropylene

Weight

15.9 ounces

Dimensions

7.28 x 4.02 x 3.74 inches

Rating: 93% Overall
94%
features
92%
durability
93%
convenience
92%
value for price
Pros
  • Includes one sauce container, two movable and removable dividers, and three pieces of sturdy cutlery that lock in place for quiet transportation
  • Can carry a whole meal composing of four courses
  • The hygienic silicone seals ensure no leakages for both compartments giving the needed security for your foods.
  • The salad lunch box is made of polypropylene, a high-quality reusable plastic known for its solidity, and is entirely recyclable.
  • BPA and BPS-free materials
  • Available in five different colors (Bamboo Black, Bamboo White, Black Matt, Denim Blue, and Pink Kawaii)
  • Microwave, dishwasher, and freezer friendly
  • Backed with a five-year warranty and 100% Money back guarantee without restrictions within 30 days
Cons
  • Only ideal for a 3-minute microwave reheating
  • Lots of imitations in the market
  • No insulation
Verdict

The UMAMI bento box is capable of holding and securing solid and liquid-based foods in place. It functions well with the help of its straps. During our product test, it closes better by pressing it down with the air release open. Once most of the air is out, close the air release. This makes a strong vacuum inside the container which prevents even the liquid from escaping the silicone seals. Besides its great capability to hold food items, it is also has a simple, yet impressive structure that lets you carry four courses for your meal.


THE ORIGINAL Japanese Bento Box by GRUB2GO

THE ORIGINAL Japanese Bento Box (Upgraded 2020 Elegant White) w/ 2 Dividers + Larger Utensils w/Holder - Leakproof Lunch Container
Specifications

Brand

GRUB2GO

Material

Plastic

Weight

13.6 ounces

Dimensions

7.5 x 7.5 x 4 inches

Rating: 90% Overall
90%
features
91%
durability
88%
convenience
89%
value for price
Pros
  • Versatile function and a minimalist style mixed in a traditional Japanese style set
  • Comes with larger utensils that lock in place
  • Includes two dividers that can be used to separate four courses
  • Dual-layer air-tight eco containers and lids
  • The silicone-lined lids with an integrated vent system keep the food in place at all times.
  • Made with non-toxic, BPA-free, food-grade materials
  • Dishwasher and microwave safe
  • Includes an elastic band that strengthens the leak-proof feature of the model
Cons
  • When used for soups, the entire single tier would be used as there is no particular compartment for liquids.
  • The elastic band would only work when you use both tier of  boxes.
  • No insulation
Verdict

The GRUB2GO bento box is made with the right thickness of walls which ensures you of durable and long-lasting product life for the item. It has the right size that can fit in any bags and storage area but it still can hold a great number of courses. This makes the entire container ideal for anyone. Compared to other bento boxes with fixed compartments, its removable dividers give you the freedom to arrange your meal courses depending on the amount of food you want. However, this bento box is only ideal for a complete meal course as there is a need to use both tiers in order for the elastic band to function properly.

Bento Box Buyer's Guide

features

Always look for the important features needed in a bento box. That especially includes the leak-proof feature as bento boxes are meant to be placed inside bags. This feature can be determined by the structure of the container and the lid’s model. Usually, the best bento boxes are the ones using silicone as it is a good medium securing liquids. Silicones are known to possess great elasticity that can block small airways where liquid could pass through.

size and capacity

We all love bento boxes that can fit anywhere. However, picking a small bento box translates to a limited amount of food that can be put in it. That said, determine the size of the bento box ideal for the daily servings you need.

convenience

Look for the bento box that can offer you the best convenience possible. Pick the one that has an effective leak-proof feature so you won’t need to constantly worry about foods spilling outside the box. Also, you might want to consider bento boxes that offer insulation to keep your food warm for a long period of time.

price

Always consider the bento box that offers all the essential features you need at the most reasonable price. That said, be a smart consumer and never settle for cheap products that could only lead you to buyer’s remorse.

durability

Always consider where your bento box is made from. not just for the sake of safety but so as to ensure that you'll have a product that would withstand years of use.

FAQs

How long should I keep my food in my bento?

It depends on the food items that are put inside the bento box. If the food has a short tolerance for spoiling, they should be eaten within six hours. However, you can keep your food (depending on the bento box material) safe in it for as long as twelve hours.

What are the average sizes of bento boxes?

Children - 400 to 700 ml

Adults - 600 to 900 ml

What are the food items I could put in it?

You can put almost anything in a bento box. Usually, a traditional bento box contains rice or noodles with fish or meat, often with pickled and cooked vegetables. However, using modern bento boxes, you can also include some soup and other liquid-based items in the container as long as it has a leak-proof feature.

What is the best material for a bento box?

Usually, bento boxes are made of bamboos and other woods. However, modern bento boxes usually come in stainless steel as they offer more insulation to keep the food warm for hours. Also, stainless steel bento boxes are easier to clean as they are commonly dishwasher safe.