We Tested 19 Bento Boxes—These 8 Will Make Your Packed Lunch Fun Again

Best Overall

Bentoheaven Bento Box

$30 at Amazon

Bento box purists will love this classically designed box, which earned the top spot on our list after testing. Sleek and minimalist, it is composed of two tiers held together with a thick elastic band; one tier has an adjustable divider and a separate lidded container for sauces or smaller food items like berries or crackers. We noted that its compact shape is surprisingly roomy, giving you plenty of space for a traditional bento lunch of rice and meat, a side of vegetables, and even a sweet treat.

Each layer's lid has a gasket around the edges, ensuring the tiers are entirely leakproof. The lids also feature a vent to allow hot air to be released during reheating in the microwave. We found that the tight-fitting lids were a little difficult to open, so this set would be best for teens and adults with better grip strength.

To clean, this box can be run through the dishwasher on the top rack. Made of thick, recyclable polypropylene, it's very sturdy and shows no dings or scratches after several uses, but isn't insulated. The bento box is also available in several colors and comes with a full set of utensils—a fork, knife, spoon, and set of mini chopsticks.

Materials: 100% recyclable BPA-free plastic, silicone | Compartments: 2-3 with a sauce container | Size: 40 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Budget

Jeopace Bento Box

$10 at Amazon

This single-layer bento box has three compartments—one main section for an entree, and two smaller sections for sides and/or dessert. This was large enough for an adult portion of spaghetti and meatballs, a hunk of garlic bread, and a serving of vegetables, but it would also lend itself well to a sandwich, veggie sticks, and a serving of fruit.

We loved the simplicity of its design—the box is leakproof and easy to open and close, making it a great choice for kids' lunches. However, it isn't leakproof between compartments, so if you have sauce or dressing, you'll want to pack it separately to prevent seepage. This model includes a fork, but we found it to be quite small and uncomfortable for an adult to hold, so you may want to invest in a full-sized silverware set instead.

This set is top-rack dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is recommended to avoid warping the lid. The bento box holds about 38 ounces, so there’s plenty of space for lunch or dinner, making it a versatile box for kids and adults alike.

Materials: BPA-free biodegradable wheat straw plastic | Compartments: 3 | Size: 30 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Kids

Bentgo Kids

$30 at Amazon $28 at Target $30 at Target

Kids will love this colorful bento box. It has five compartments that are portioned for a child’s appetite​ and is designed for kids aged three to seven, but it would also make a great snack container for adults. It has rubber-coated edges and internal hinges that help make it drop-proof and sturdy enough for the most active children. It also includes a booklet with 30 recipes and meal ideas for kids. The box is leakproof and has two child-friendly latches that make it easy for small hands to open and close, but it is heavier than other options. Our testing involved packing lunch in the Bentgo box for a week and we were thrilled to find that nothing leaked at any point.

The removable compartment tray is microwave- and dishwasher-safe, while the outer shell should be hand-washed to preserve the seal. It's available in green, purple, or blue, and there are also options with bright colors and multiple fun prints to suit any taste. We did notice after testing that the outside scratches fairly easily, which doesn't pair well with kids, but it is still a great option.

Materials: BPA-free plastic | Compartments: 5 | Size: 20 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Leakproof

Umami All-in-1 Bento Lunch Box

$30 at Amazon

With removable dividers and two roomy compartments, this bento box's classic design makes it easy to customize both your meal and the container itself. We love this model for lunch because it is perfectly compact, leakproof, and includes two sauce jars. Another feature that we appreciated during testing was the wooden utensil set, which came complete with a serrated knife, fork, spoon, and chopsticks. It's easy to overlook the utensils, and many sets that come included with similar bento boxes are too small, flimsy, or otherwise unusable, but these ones are a good size and made out of sturdy wood (though keep in mind that only several of the color options come with the wooden utensils, so we can't speak for other versions).

While the removable dividers are adjustable, we found that they don't stay in place well enough to provide a completely airtight seal—which is completely fine for keeping dry foods separate, just something to be aware of. Thanks to the elastic strap and silicone seals, we didn't report any spills or leaks outside the compartments, even after using this bento box for multiple meals at home and in the office.

Materials: Wood, plastic | Compartments: 2 | Size: 40 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Stainless Steel

Ecolunchbox Three-in-One Classic Bento Box

$38 at Amazon $44 at Walmart

This stainless-steel bento box has two stacking tiers plus a lidded snack pod that can keep your sweet treats from decorating your salad. It's a smaller bento box than most of the other models we tested, but it's big enough to hold a sandwich, side, and snack—perfect for a kid's lunchbox. This style of bento box is not leakproof, so you won't want to use it for anything that has sauce or liquid.

During testing, we filled this lunchbox with a sandwich, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes, and used the snack pod for a serving of berries. The durable construction kept the sandwich from being crushed when the box was jostled around in a bag during transport. Since it’s made entirely from stainless steel, this bento box can't be used in the microwave, so it's best suited for meals that are eaten cold or at room temperature.

The latches are easy enough for kids to use, but they latch securely, so the box will stay closed until it’s time for lunch. If this bento box isn’t big enough, the larger 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 model can be run through the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

Materials: Stainless steel | Compartments: 2-3 | Size: 32 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Salads

Bentgo Salad BPA-Free Lunch Container

$15 at Amazon $15 at Walmart $15 at Target

If you find yourself frequently packing salads to go, this bento box is uniquely designed for such a task. It features a large, 6.75-cup bottom container for greens and three upper compartments (one 10-ounce and two 5-ounce) for chopped vegetables, croutons, or whatever salad toppings your heart desires. It also includes a lidded container that nestles in the center section to hold salad dressing, so you can add it when you're ready to eat.

We packed a hefty amount of greens into the bottom section and loaded the top compartments with all of the ingredients for a Greek salad—vegetables stayed separate from the feta and kalamata olives, and the dressing stayed put without leaking. When it came time to eat, it was easy to top and dress the salad, and the included fork (stored in the lid) was comfortable to use, spearing greens, olives, and cherry tomatoes easily.

This product is top-rack dishwasher-safe, which makes it a cinch to clean up any oily residue left behind by salad dressing. We wish it was insulated and could keep greens and ingredients chilled without a refrigerator, but that is only a small complaint. Available in a variety of colors, it's a great choice for anyone who wants to make salads a regular part of their lunch routine.

Materials: BPA-free plastic and silicone | Compartments: 5 | Size: 77 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best High-End

monbento MB Original Bento Lunch Box

$45 at Amazon View on Monbento.com

Monbento has been making these incredibly attractive, French-designed, luxe bento boxes since 2009. Each classic bento box is streamlined with a minimal look and feel but exudes softness with delicately rounded edges, a comforting color palette, and a BPA-free plastic that's soft to the touch.

Each bento box is constructed with two equally sized boxes, each with its own airtight lid, and a small food cup that fits into either box (great for berries, crackers, garnishes, or sauce packets). We like its slim design and slightly rubberized exterior, making it easy to hold and transport. It is more shallow than some other styles, but it easily holds a traditional bento meal of tonkatsu and shredded cabbage, rice, and tamagoyaki. The lids have a pull tab to open the vents, which let hot air escape during reheating in the microwave. We also appreciate how the bento box has a slightly grippy texture, which makes it easy to hand-carry.

While this box doesn't come with utensils, there is some space to store a coordinating Monbento cutlery set right under the lid. This bento box is dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe to make transporting and reheating your food a breeze, as well as cleanup when you're finished. Previous versions of this lunchbox included dividers, but they have been replaced with a small food cup. Monbento also offers a variety of food containers for both liquid and solid foods, all to match the elegant designs of the classic bento lunch box.

Materials: BPA-free plastic | Compartments: 2 | Size: 34 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Disposable

Freshware Meal Prep Containers With Lids

$11 at Amazon $25 at Walmart View on Dotandbo.com

If you're searching for a bento box that you don't have to take home and wash, these disposable containers are perfect. Ideal for days when lugging around a dirty food container isn't an option (like a school field trip or travel day in the car or on a plane), these boxes are made from BPA-free plastic and come in a pack of 15.

Featuring two compartments, they're roomy enough for a main dish and side, a nice-sized salad, or a sandwich and chips. These sets aren't entirely leakproof, so they're better suited for foods without sauces or liquids. During testing, we found that they can be used in the freezer and microwave but noted that they may be prone to cracking or melting in the microwave after a few uses.

If you plan on reusing them, prolong the life of these containers by hand washing them (though they are top-rack dishwasher-safe). While they are not exceptionally long-lasting or heavy-duty, they’re inexpensive enough that if one gets left behind or tossed in the trash, it won’t feel like a major loss. Definitely check the rules in your area to make sure they can be recycled before throwing them in the recycling bin.

Materials: BPA-free plastic | Compartments: 2 | Size: 25 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes