5 Best Bento Box To Get That Will Make Packing Lunch Enjoyable
Packed lunches never go out of style. That’s because bringing food from home is always a better choice than buying lunch from restaurants and delis. You can save a lot of money from bringing packed lunches and snacks and it’s a healthier alternative to buying fast food on the way to school or work.
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But it’s not just about packing your food in regular containers or what’s commonly known as a bento box. It’s ensuring that you have a container you can trust not to burst open while it’s stored in your bag, gets broken only a few weeks of using, or allows your food to turn lukewarm.
The best bento box exists and we have a guide of bento boxes that you’ll enjoy. These will make food preparations a joy to work with and will make you love packing lunches to work or school every day.
Best Bento Box On The 2022 Market
Name | Dimensions | Type | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.5 x 2 x 6.5 inches | For Kids | ||||
10 x 7.6 x 2.7 inches | For Adults | ||||
8.8 x 6.3 x 2.7 inches | For Adults and Kids | ||||
9.8 x 7.3 x 2.2 inches | For Adults | ||||
7.9 x 7.9 x 2.5 inches | For Kids | ||||
Kids are prone to getting a little rowdy at school. When they play, they might still be carrying their bags with their lunch boxes inside. As soon as they open their bento box, everything inside might already look mushed or mixed in disarray. It’s even worse if the lunch box contains soup or any liquids such as sauces and it leaks inside your kid’s bag.
Bentgo promises that scenario will never happen with their Bentgo Kids Lunch Box. It’s leak-proof with its rubberized seal technology, so even if the food you packed for your kids includes dipping sauces, you’re rest assured it won’t spill or leak.
The drop-proof feature is also worth mentioning since most kids don’t think twice about their stuff. Some children’s lunch boxes won’t even last a month without dents and scratches. But with a Bentgo lunch box, you’ll know you’re safe from buying a new one every month or so.
The compartments are already portioned for kids, so you don’t need to think about how much food you’ll be giving them. Only the tray is dishwasher-safe, but that’s still helpful when you need to clean it. It’s also microwave-friendly.
The Bentgo Kids Lunch Box may be for ages 3-7 but even adults can use this if they want a durable lunch box with healthy portion size compartments.
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One of the things Kinsho Bento Box is known for is having a transparent cover which is such an advantage because you can check on your food without having to open your lunch box completely.
There are 6 compartments including a place to store your utensils which already comes with this bento box. The compartments are portioned in half cups while the bigger area is 1 ½ cup.
This bento box has four locks, one on each side, so the lids won’t come off easily. It’s also leak-proof, so you don’t have to worry about any sauces dripping all over your bag.
It’s safe to use anywhere and by that we mean you can heat it in the microwave or store it in the freezer. The bottom part is dishwasher safe as well. The lids should be hand-washed so as not to destroy the silicone seal.
Kinsho’s Bento Box is great for teens and adults to bring to school or work.
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CONS
Looking for a no-frills kind of bento box? Inroserm’s Bento Box should be your type. It’s a simple lunch box with two compartments for your food. But even though it looks like your everyday lunch box on the outside, the functionality and features this bento box holds might catch your attention.
Inroserm’s Bento Box features a stainless steel tray that’s durable, microwavable and freezer safe. The lids have a silicone ring that helps keeps the lid on and sealed tight when closed. There are also four buckles to secure the lids, so you’re worry-free of spills inside your bag.
It may not be insulated. But since the stainless steel tray is removable, you can add a little bit of hot water inside before eating your food so that it helps keep the food warm.
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One of the main reasons we hesitate to bring packed food to lunch is because bento boxes can be bulky or they’re not leak-proof so the whole thing is deemed inconvenient. But Safermeal’s Bento Lunch Box Set will give you a whole different view about packing food for lunch.
To start, the bento box has a slim design, so it’s not at all bulky to use. The airtight lid helps in keeping sauces from spilling. The bento box has double-wall insulation to keep your food fresh. It’s also microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Just be sure to hand-wash the lids to avoid the rubberize seal from warping.
The sizes of the compartments are not too large. It’s designed for healthy portions, so you don’t overeat. The capacity of the Safermeal Bento Box is 1000 ML, so you can fit in as many kinds of food as you like.
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There’s nothing like a bento box that fulfills all of your kid’s needs. With OmieBox, you’ll be able to pack snacks like soups or yogurt and have your kids still enjoy it hot or cold a few hours later.
OmieBox is also quite helpful when it comes to the size of their lunch box. It also has a handle so you can bring this bento box around as is or you can use the OmieBox lunch bag that comes with it.
The sizes of the compartments for this bento box are portioned healthily so you can pack just the right amount of snacks for your kids. The thermos section is also removable, so you can use it to pack sandwiches if you’re not up for some soup to put in.
In conclusion, OmieBox is the right-sized bento box for your kids to have and the insulated thermos will encourage them to enjoy their food during snack times.
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All these bento boxes mentioned are BPA-free and are of food-grade material, so you don’t have to worry about eating from a toxic food container.
Bento Box Buying Guide
What should you look for in a bento box? Here are some important things to look out for:
For kids
Lightweight
Bento boxes should be lightweight and easy for kids to carry. If you like packing a lot of food for them, make sure that the bento box itself is light even if it’s empty so when you add food, it still won’t weigh your kid down.
Easy To Use and Carry
Built-in handles for bento boxes are a money-saver since you don’t need to buy an additional lunch bag for a handle.
The locks on lids should also be easy to operate for little ones. If the locks are too tight, they might have problems eating their snacks on their own.
Healthy Portioned Compartments
It’s not only the adults that should watch their weight. Even kids need to have a healthy balanced meal. Bento boxes for kids should have the right portioned compartments so they don’t over snack.
For Adults
Microwavable
We all like to eat our food warm. Having a microwave-safe bento box is a big advantage since it means you can just pop it in the microwave during lunch without worrying if the material would be destroyed.
Dishwasher-safe
Bento boxes that are dishwasher-safe are a joy to have since it helps us clean them easier. But do note that not all parts of the bento box are usually dishwasher-friendly. Mostly, it’s only the bottom part of the trays that can be put into the dishwasher. Other parts, especially the lids where there is a silicone seal, are usually recommended for hand wash only.
For All
Leakproof
Both kids and adults would prefer to have their bento boxes leakproof. It helps in keeping the food intact and it saves you in cleaning up a mess you weren’t expecting in your bag at the end of the day.
BPA-free and Food Grade Material
Nobody wants to eat from a toxic container. Make sure to check if your containers are BPA-free and are made from food-grade material.
Utensils
It would be great if the bento boxes you have already contain utensils or there’s a compartment for utensils to be stored. This way, you won’t have to pack them separately and risk losing them along the way.
Insulated
Kids and adults alike would appreciate it if the pasta they packed in the morning is still hot during lunchtime. Bento boxes that are insulated are not difficult to find these days. But it’s how long they keep your food hot or cold is the important thing so make sure to read and ask how long it can keep your food well insulated.
FAQs on Bento Boxes
What is a bento box?
A bento box is a Japanese term for reusable lunch boxes. This is an environmental-friendly way of packing food for snacks or lunch.
How big should my bento box be?
There is no appropriate size for a bento box. What’s important is that the compartments inside can hold healthy-sized portions of food and can fit in your bag.
For kids, it is recommended to get a bento box that can carry around 500 ML of food. For teens and adults, around 600-700 ML of food is recommended.
Do bento boxes leak? Are bento boxes leak proof?
Not all bento boxes are built the same way. Some bento boxes are not leak-proof while others are. It’s best to check on the label and test it out at the store before buying your bento box to see if it’s leak-proof.
Are bento boxes eaten cold? Can you put hot food in a bento box?
These depend on the meals you’re preparing. You can pack a bento box filled with fruits and salad if you want a cold snack or you can put pasta or soups if you want a warm meal. Some of the best bento box is insulated, so it can hold cold or hot food. Some bento boxes are not but they can still be microwavable. Just be sure to read the label on your bento box before buying.
Has this guide convinced you in getting a bento box to bring to school or work? Let us know which ones have caught your interest.
