Plastic containers that are BPA-free and made for food storage are totally safe to use and put in the microwave," she says. Food-safe containers will have the number 1, 2, 4, or 5 on the bottom. This indicates the type of plastic used to make the container. If a container has 3, 6, or 7 on the bottom, it's not safe to use. If brighter is better in your kid's mind, then they'll love the Munchkin Lunch Bento Box, which has an extremely bold tricolor design—there's no way you'll lose this lunch box in your cupboard. It’s an investment for a lunchbox, but as long as you hand-wash it, this bento box will serve you for years. Bento boxes are made from different materials, each with pros and cons. Plastic is lightweight and easy for kids to handle since it won’t shatter if dropped. Metal is more durable and can withstand high heat in a dishwasher. Glass is both dishwasher and microwave-safe, but it’s heavy and breakable. Bernadette Machard de Gramont, a Los Angeles-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content, personally tested eight of the items on this roundup. Her work has also appeared in The Kitchn, Made Local Magazine, Food52, and Far and Wide.

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.It is a key to solve contradictions such as Safety vs Memorable Experience. Read more about what is a Bento Dinner Plate.

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. Koizumi recommends wooden bento boxes because they absorb excess moisture, which allows foods to stay fresher longer. The traditional and authentic bento box, like this layered one from Japanese-based company Bento & Co, is handmade with wood. “My personal favorite is the Magewappa bento box, handcrafted with Akita cedar or Hinoki wood,” Koizumi says. “Akita is my hometown, so I might be biased, but Magewappa is definitely the most popular high-end bento boxes.” Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience testing products for editorial inclusion. She tested six different sets for this list. Brigitt also holds a degree in culinary arts plus cooks multiple meals for her family of six every day of the week. Versatile compartments are a big plus: Bento boxes with multiple adjustable inner compartments make it easy to customize your little one's lunch. We also appreciated inserts that were removable, so you can divide the compartment in half for smaller items. Most importantly, everything should nestle together tightly so your child can easily transport it to school.Fully equipped with a set of utensils, this bento box can travel to work or a picnic with ease. It has two generous compartments that can be modified with the two adjustable (and removable) dividers, great for keeping side dishes separated or sectioning fruits away from more savory foods. Also included is a small lidded container for sauce or dressing. Another change in bento boxes in the 20th century was the introduction of insulation in the design. Japanese insulated bento boxes tend to come in separate containers and resemble a Western-style lunchbox, with a thermos cup that fits into an insulated or non-insulated soft carrying case. The more common insulated option tends to be bento-inspired lunchboxes made by Western companies, often with a removable tray inside an insulated case. You can also find non-insulated bento boxes that come with an insulated carrying case. MyGlassStudio may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes: – To improve customer service Performance: We filled each container to its maximum capacity with water, sealed it shut with the lid, shook it for one minute, and noted how much water leaked (if any). We also noted the versatility of each set's size options and whether we could easily store both large and small capacities in the different containers offered.