10 Best Bento Boxes to Upgrade Your Lunch
From traditional Japanese models to adorable French designs, these are some must-haves for bento aficionados and novices, alike.
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Our Top Bento Box Picks
- Best Overall: Bentgo Classic All-in-One Stackable Lunchbox
- Best Insulated: Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless Lunch Jar
- Most Versatile: Lille Home Stackable Insulated Bento Box
- Best Classic: Bentoheaven Premium Bento Box
- Best for Kids: Bentgo Kids' Bento-Style Lunchbox
- Most Authentic: Bento&co Magewappa Classic Bento Box
- Best Stainless Steel: PlanetBox Rover Classic Bento Lunchbox
- Best Hot/Cold: Omiebox Bento Insulated Lunchbox
- Best Glass: Bentgo Glass Leakproof Bento Box
- Most Customizable: MEPAL Bento Detachable Lunch Box
Bentos or bento boxes are a type of food container that originated in Japan. They are often described as Japanese lunchboxes, but that's only part of the story. Bento is a whole art form surrounding packing meals to-go. Typically, bentos feature during lunchtime, especially in schools. However, there are bentos you can get at train stations to eat while traveling and even luxurious haute cuisine bentos for special occasions, including weddings. Bento is just as much about how beautifully you arrange the foods inside a box as it is about the box itself. The goal of a bento is to get you excited about eating and make it a feast for your eyes as well as your palate.
The idea of bento has traveled throughout the world and become very popular in Europe and North America as a more aesthetically pleasing approach to packing lunch. At the same time, bentos have adapted to meet different cultures' aesthetics and dietary needs. Whether you are looking to get started expressing yourself creatively through your packed lunches or simply want a beautiful new lunchbox, we've rounded up some of the best bento boxes available online. From high-tech insulated models to ancient handcrafted styles, you're bound to find the perfect bento box for you.
The Best Lunchboxes for Adults
These grown-up lunchboxes are what every adult needs when they're on the go or heading into the office.
The Best Lunchboxes for Kids
Whether your kid is eating at school or taking their lunch to camp, these lunchboxes will keep their food and drinks fresh.
What to Look for in a Bento Box
When deciding which bento box is right for you, think about how you're planning to use these on-the-go-ready food containers. Consider the versatility you might need in a box — some boxes have adjustable inserts to accommodate a wide variety of foods, while others offer insulation for soups and warm foods. If you're looking for something authentic or aesthetically pleasing, take that into account, too. Overall, if you want to make sure you're trying to save money by bringing your lunch or make the most of your meal by packing up the leftovers, having a container that fits your needs will make those goals easier.
Bentgo is a California-based company that launched its first bento-style lunch box in 2013. Since then, it has expanded its inventory to include all types of lunchboxes. While Bentgo takes inspiration from the concept behind a traditional Japanese bento box, its approach and designs are geared toward American consumers. As such, these bentos tend to be roomier than Japanese-made models, and their construction isn't so centered around rice as the focal point of the meal.
These are great options for those who are just getting started with bentos and perhaps want to maintain a typical North American-style lunch. The Bentgo classic comes in a variety of colors, is closest in design to traditional Japanese bentos and features two stackable containers. It includes a three-piece Western utensil set (no chopsticks) and an elastic strap to keep everything together.
Zojirushi is a household name in Japan, Asia and among the Asian diaspora for their top-of-the-line, high-tech rice cookers. However, they are also well known for their insulated lunchboxes. The Mr. Bento model is one of the most iconic of the lunchbox line. The design is closer to an Indian tiffin carrier than to what most people imagine a bento to look like. This set consists of four covered bowls that stack inside a highly insulated cylindrical container.
The insulation keeps your food hot or cold for hours, so you don’t need a refrigerator, microwave or toaster oven to enjoy your meal. As well, this model comes complete with a zippered back with a handle to put everything inside, plus a spork with a cover to keep your eating utensil clean. This is definitely a bento for those who prefer functionality over aesthetics, as the design leans utilitarian. It is also fairly heavy at nearly two pounds without food.
Whether you want to use one, two or three of the layers, this bento box fits together to accommodate as much food as you need for lunch each day. Each tier is insulated to accommodate both hot and cold foods, creating endless possibilities for meal combinations. Plus, this set includes a durable lunch bag that makes transporting food incredibly easy.
Combining classic bento aesthetics with modern features, the Bentoheaven Premium Bento Box is designed for convenience and style. This bento box includes leakproof compartments, a set of utensils, and is both microwave- and dishwasher-safe. It also features an airtight seal to keep food fresher longer. Its thoughtful design comes in 10 neutral colors and is perfect for those who want a reliable, elegant way to pack meals for work, school or travel.
We know adults love bento boxes, but they're also perfect for kids — especially picky eaters. This five-compartment bento box from Bentgo boasts nearly 60,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.6-star rating. Fans love it for its leakproof lid that seals food into place so you don't have to worry about cross-contamination of your kiddo's pretzels with their fruit snacks. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe, so cleanup after a messy day at school is a breeze.
If you want Japanese bento boxes, then there are fewer places to find your perfect lunchbox than Bento & Co. The company carries a wide assortment of Japanese bentos from the very traditional to the very conceptual (with a few Indian-style tiffin carriers and non-Japanese models thrown in). If you are seriously getting into the traditional art of packing Japanese-style bentos, this is also the place to go for beautifully handcrafted pieces that are closer to works of art than mere lunch containers.
This magewappa model is an example of the traditional Japanese craft of fashioning bentwood containers called magewappa. The best bentwood crafts come from the town of Odate, and that is where this bento box was made. The wood is Japanese cedar, which allows the rice inside the bento to breathe. The natural oils in the cedar give off a beautiful aroma and also have antimicrobial properties. Because this is a traditional Japanese bento box, it is intended for holding rice with various toppings, so take that into consideration before adding this model to your collection.
The PlanetBox Rover Classic Bento Lunchbox is a top pick for those seeking an easy-to-clean lunch solution. Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, it's fully dishwasher-safe and hassle-free with built-in compartments you can't lose. Select from constructions with up to five compartments designed for portion control and variety. Its robust construction and unfussy design ensure longevity. Pair it with a matching PlantBox insulated lunch bag and complete the perfect combo for packing balanced, waste-free meals with ease.
The Omiebox Bento Lunchbox is an innovative solution for keeping meals at the perfect temperature. This bento can accommodate both hot and cold food, so you can enjoy warm pasta without also cooking your salad. It features an insulated thermos compartment for hot foods and separate sections for cold items, ensuring your meal stays fresh and delicious. Though the Omiebox is designed with kids in mind, the brand's Omiebox UP model is the perfect upgrade for big kids and adults. Its leakproof design, built-in handle and removable compartments make it user-friendly for everyday use.
For those who prefer a plastic-free lunch solution, the Bentgo Glass Bento Box is another excellent choice from the top bento box brand. This stylish container includes three compartments to keep foods separate and fresh. Its durable, leakproof glass design is both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, offering a safe and convenient option for meal prep enthusiasts who prioritize sustainability. And the glass design doubles as a serving tray for snacks and dips.
The Mepal Large Bento Box offers ultimate flexibility with adjustable, removable compartments that allow you to customize your meal layout. This spacious, sleek bento box is perfect for those who like to mix and match different food items while keeping them fresh and organized. Its modern design is available in several gorgeous hues and its practicality makes it a must-have for daily lunches. Plus, you'll never get bored of the meal combinations it can accommodate!
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