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A bento box is simply a boxed meal with compartments separating toppings or courses. Bento is derived from a Chinese word meaning "convenient," and the boxes are just that, preventing packed lunches or takeout from mingling prior to mealtime. With roots in Asian cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, the main section of the box traditionally held rice or noodles, but bento boxes can be used to contain everything you need for cheese and charcuterie, picnic spreads, on-the-go snacks, and more. Ahead, the best bento boxes that can be reused for convenient eating anytime, anywhere.
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This bento box looks high-end and sophisticated, but the price won’t break your budget. The modern, minimalist look is both stylish and functional and the leakproof, airtight design will keep your food fresh and your workspace mess-free. This bento box will always look good on your desk, so you’ll never feel like you’re brown-bagging sad leftovers.
The box is freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe, so you can prepare foods in advance, tuck them in the freezer, and heat in the microwave before serving. The silicone sealed lids and ventilation caps reduce heating time.
This includes two 20-ounce food containers with vented lids, chopsticks, and cutlery. It comes in either black or white. It also includes lunchbox notes so you can leave a message for your loved ones or use them as a reminder for yourself.
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Kids will love this colorful bento box. It has five compartments that are portioned for a kid’s appetite and is designed for kids aged 3 to 7, but it would also make a great snack container for adults who want to control portions of goodies.
The bento box has rubber-coated edges and internal hinges that help make it drop-proof and sturdy enough for the most active kids. The box is leakproof and has two kid-friendly latches that make it easy for small hands to open and close.
The removable compartment tray is microwave safe and dishwasher safe, while the outer shell should be hand washed to preserve the seal. This includes a booklet with 30 kid-friendly recipes and meal ideas. It's available in green, purple, or blue. There are also options with bright colors and in multiple fun prints to suit any taste.
This stainless steel bento box has two large compartments, plus a lidded snack pod that can keep your sweet treats from decorating your salad. It holds a total of 4 cups of food, so there’s plenty of space for a sandwich, side, and a snack, but it isn’t totally leakproof, so it’s not intended for carrying soup or chili. It’s made entirely from stainless steel, with no gaskets, plastics, or silicone, so it’s dishwasher safe when the box comes home at the end of the day.
The latches are easy enough for kids to use but latch securely so the box will stay closed until it’s time for lunch. If this bento box isn’t big enough, the giant version holds a whopping 8 cups of food, so it’s great for folks with big appetites, for carrying fluffy foods like green salads, or for sharing.
This set of three bento containers lets you prepare lunches for the family or plan several days ahead. The leakproof snap-locking lids keep foods fresh and spillproof.
To help customize your lunches, this has one large and two small removable compartments, so you can use or remove containers to ensure your food fits perfectly. Because of the airtight and leakproof silicone sealed lid, you can even put liquids in the containers with no worries about spilling. A textured edge on the bottom helps prevent sliding and makes the boxes easier to grip. These hold 39 ounces and are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
It’s not always convenient to keep lunch in the refrigerator or to microwave a meal, so this bento box comes with an insulated bag to keep your salad cool or your spaghetti and meatballs warm.
The Komax Lunchmate has two separate containers that hold 17.9 ounces each, one of which is divided into two compartments, and it includes stainless steel cutlery and chopsticks. The containers are freezer and microwave safe, so you can prepare meals ahead of time and heat before eating if you prefer. They’re also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
The included insulated bag has a waterproof coated fabric and a zipper for easy access. A handle makes it easy to carry. To keep foods cold for longer, there is room in the bag for ice packs (not included).
Highly rated by users, with a design that looks classy, this bento box can travel to work or to a picnic with ease. It has two generous compartments that can be modified with the included dividers so the salad doesn’t snuggle up to the sandwich. The containers can be used together, or they can travel separately when lunch isn’t as large.
The lids are airtight and leakproof, so there’s no worry about tipping the box or tossing it sideways into a backpack. The set even includes utensils that snap into a tray, so you can cut your salad, spoon dressing on, and eat with the included fork. A wide elastic band is included that holds all the pieces neatly together. This holds a total of 1,000 milliliters or a bit over 4 cups.
Salads are a healthy lunch option, but they aren’t always easy to pack, resulting in sad, soggy greens when it’s time for lunch. This bento box is designed for salad—although it could be used for other meals easily—with a large, 6.75 cup bottom container for the greens, three upper compartments (one 10-ounce and two 5-ounce) for crunchy bits, wet vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, and other tasty add-ins.
A central lidded 3-ounce section is perfect for salad dressing, so it can be added right before serving, and a matching fork snaps onto the lid, keeping it clean and handy. This is top-rack dishwasher safe when the container comes home, and it’s available in a variety of colors so everyone in the family can recognize their salad on the way out the door.
Most bento boxes are tall, with stacking compartments, but this one has a slim design that looks modern and professional. It’s leakproof, so it can handle wet foods, and it comes with its own matching insulated lunch bag to make it easy to carry and to hold the temperature. With the lid on, the compartments are sealed from each other so wet foods won’t leak into other compartments—meaning your salad dressing won’t soak the sandwich.
The box is freezer safe, so it can be frozen ahead of time to keep lunch chilled, and it’s microwave safe with the lid removed, so lunch can be served warm. At the end of the day, it’s dishwasher safe as well. This has two small 7-ounce compartments and one larger 14-ounce compartment.
Overall capacity Bento boxes come in a variety of sizes to suit a variety of appetites. A smaller box might be easier for children to carry, or useful for adults who are bringing snacks to work. Larger boxes work better for folks who like salads and other fluffy foods.
Sturdiness Some bento boxes are meant for long-term use and are built to withstand bumps, drops, and being shoved into backpacks and briefcases. Of course, these tend to cost a little more. Less sturdy models might make more sense if you're on a budget or tend to throw things out accidentally.
Number and size of compartments While bento boxes are meant for small portions of a large number of items, there are some with larger or customizable compartments that can be used for items that require more space, like sandwiches or salads. Thank about what you usually eat and pick accordingly.
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