Do you like to carry a complete lunch consisting of salads, sandwiches, desserts, fruits, and vegetables to maintain your diet? If you said yes, a regular lunch box might not be a good option because most of them are meant to carry two to three items. To overcome this issue, you should get your hands on a bento box! Perfect for packing different food items of your choice, it helps you manage the portions and ensure your diet is well-maintained. They also have a compact size and leak-proof design, especially the Umami Bento Box, which is the #1 choice on our list of the best bento boxes of 2024.
A bento box is perfect for taking multiple food items to your office or school. But when you have so many options in hand, investing in the ideal product becomes daunting. So, we have curated a comprehensive buying guide to help you select a bento box that can meet your requirements with ease.
Benefits of a Bento Box
- Have multiple compartments inside to help you carry different food items
- Eliminate the need to use foil wrappers because they are sealed tightly when closed
- Help kids and picky eaters have a balanced diet
How To Choose an Ideal Bento Box?
Type
Bento boxes are available in two types — single and double layered. If you want to carry two meals like breakfast and lunch, go for a double-layered product. It comes with two stackable containers to keep the food separate from each other. A few products are convertible, allowing you to use only one container to carry a single meal instead of two. You can also go for a single-layered bento box if you always carry a one-time meal.
Compartments
One of the key features of bento boxes is the compartments. In single-layered products, you will have three compartments divided by fixed spacers. One compartment is usually large, while the other two are small and have the same size. In a few single-layered boxes, you can have a sandwich tray, a yogurt container, and a small hinged tray.
In stacked bento boxes, either both containers will have two compartments each or the upper one has two sections, while the lower one is undivided. You should choose the bento box based on how you want to carry your lunch and your diet requirements.
Material
Most bento boxes are made from high-quality plastic as it is durable, long-lasting, and lightweight. Since this material is free from BPA (Bisphenol A), chemical dyes, and phthalates, you can rest assured about the safety of your food. You can also find bento lunch boxes crafted using natural wheat fiber that not only adds to their longevity but also makes them safe for daily use.
Appliance compatibility
Most bento boxes are compatible with microwaves and freezers, so you can easily reheat food and savor hot meals or store the leftovers in freezers for the next day. A few products are not compatible with convection ovens. So, check whether your chosen box is safe to be used with the oven and freezer type you have.
Cutlery
Most bento boxes come with cutlery to avoid the hassle of carrying them separately or borrowing from someone. This way, you can have your meal on the go anywhere. Most products come with a spoon and fork while some have a knife also. If you love Japanese food, get a product with a spoon, fork, knife, and chopsticks. Also, make sure they are made from BPA-free plastic because BPA is a harmful chemical that can penetrate your food when exposed to heat.
Washability
You should ensure the bento box you pick is safe to be washed in the dishwasher. This reduces the hassles of cleaning and ensures no smell or stain is left behind.
Leakproof
It is important to check if the bento box is leakproof or not. Most products feature lids with airtight sealing that prevents food from spilling and leaking. Also, make sure that the lunch box you choose has high-quality flaps or adjustable straps to avoid leakage.
Price Range of Bento Boxes
Bento boxes might look the same from the outside but they have varied features. So, their price ranges from $10 to $30 based on multiple factors like:
- If your chosen product is made from bamboo wood or natural wheat fibers, its cost will be higher. On the other hand, plastic boxes are cheaper.
- Double-layered bento boxes are costlier than single-layered products.
- The larger the space, the higher the price will be.
What Should You Pack in a Bento Box?
- For the starter, you can pack small chicken nuggets, potato nuggets, bacon strips, roasted asparagus and Brussel sprouts, charred butter corn, or fried shrimp
- As the main course, you can add a bacon and ham sandwich, rice with curry, burrito rolls, crepes, pancakes, noodles, pizzas, sliders, or burgers
- You can also include salads like Greek salad, Persian salad, Caesar salad, sprout salad, or a corn salad
- For desserts, add two to three cake slices, cupcakes, sweets, candied bacon, or a brownie
- You can even add yogurt if the bento box comes with a separate container
