


“Mom! Bento Box! Bento Box! Please, please, please, please!”
This is an actual demand I heard stuttered from a squealing seven-year-old at Target a few weeks ago, and somehow, I wasn’t entirely surprised that kids are literally bent out of shape over their lunch boxes.
As a toddler mom, I have yet to understand the politics of hallway fashion or lunchroom accessorizing. However, I do know that lunch boxes have been deemed démodé and Bento Boxes have moved in for the kill. Unlike lunch sacks of the past, single-serving Bento Boxes are constructed with multiple compartments — typically between three and five — to keep portions controlled and food groups separated (something even my one-year-old can appreciate).
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These serving sets have been commonplace in Eastern cultures for centuries, but they’ve just recently become one of the trendiest food packing options in the States. The word “Bento” literally translates to “convenient,” which makes complete sense once you start using one.
My daughter dines from the Bento-style suction plates by NUK, and I often find myself eating out of the portable Bento container by W&P when I’m running around the city and don’t have time to sit down. They’re not only stylish, but also practical, easy to wash, and snap-secure to keep food cool and fresh for hours.
So, while I’m sometimes hesitant to indulge in the next food fad, I think that a Bento Box is a worthy investment to make — especially with the school season just around the corner.
Below, find the best kid-approved, parent-borrowed Bento Box brands — from Bentgo to Caraway, OmieBox and more.
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Size: 8.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches
The Bentgo Kids Leakproof 5-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box comes in extraordinary kid-friendly patterns (seriously, click one of the buttons below to find out) and is the ultimate kid-friendly option. Our loved ones with preschool-aged children love it for making food compartmentalization a breeze, and it’s one of those leakproof options that’ll hold up for years.
With more than 56,000 applauding reviews on Amazon alone, this top-rated pick is also BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and — according to the brand — geared for ages 3 to 7.
Customers are saying: “Absolutely love these for kids lunches! They are durable and good quality, easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and seal super well so even if you put something like yogurt in one of the compartments, it will stay put and not leak out of the container or onto any of the other snacks! Also super easy for kids to open!”

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Size: 8.5 x 2.6 x 9.3 inches
Big eater on your hands? Described as a “jumbo box” — this large-capacity rectangular bento box can hold a whole sandwich, banana, and much more. Need to keep it cool? No worries there. An ice pack is included, which fits nicely under the sandwich tray. The removable divider allows you to block off sections just as you like, which is ideal for whipping up different meals and adding snacks.
Customers are saying: “I love the storage capacity of this bento box as well as the ease of opening and closing for little hands. Nothing has leaked so far, since the purchase two months ago. Easy to wash and dry. I’m 100% happy with this purchase.”

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Size: 10 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
The Rover is PlanetBox’s most popular lunch box, and customers agree the design is top-notch. A durable stainless steel construction keeps everything tasting crisp and delightful, plus your leftovers wash off in just seconds. While these compartments are on the smaller side for little portions — it’s a great way to introduce new foods to picky eaters.
Customers are saying: “I love this lunch box! Slim, easy to open, lightweight, takes up minimal space in the dishwasher. I also have one from a well-known competitor, and I will be upgrading to another Rover box today. I prefer the Planet Box so much more, money well-spent.”

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Size: 6.8 x 4.3 x 4.2 inches
Looking for the real thing? Professional organizer, Marie Kondo paired up with a Japanese dining and tableware brand to bring us this bona fide bento box set and we’re impressed, to say the least. The neutral, minimalistic design makes it suitable for bigger kids, high schoolers, and adults alike. Choose from three designs and colors to fit your needs. The parchment selection provides a double-layer Bento — meaning two tidy stackable meals in one. Two more compact options are also available. Plus, each bento is certified BPA and lead-free so you can eat with peace of mind.
Customers are saying: N/A
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Size: 19 x 21.6 x 7.6 inches
As adults, we salute the W&P Porter 3-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box, and its smooth-surfaced, compartmentalized style makes it truly exceptional for any age. It’s fairly priced, comes in chic pastel colors, and comes with a silicone strap to make it easy to carry and to ensure all of your munchables stay intact.
More, it’s also dishwasher-safe — allowing you to toss it into your kitchen appliance after the school day ends.
Editor’s Note: When it comes to options, it’s hard to beat the W&P Porter 3-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box. I love how this set comes with a removable divider. Sometimes I take it out and throw in a salad, but on the days that I’m looking to mix-and-match food groups (think rice and beans, sandwich and chips) I go ahead and insert the compartments just as needed. I find the serving size to be just right, and love the fact that the container slides right into my purse or backpack when I’m on the go.

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Size: 17.7 x 16.9 x 7.9 inches
Meet the meal prep dream set. Caraway’s Food Storage Set is made with top-of-the-line ceramic coated glass and comes with everything you need to store your food, including one large container, two medium containers, two small containers, and more organizing materials. The containers are safe for microwave, oven, refrigerator, and freezer use.
Editor’s Note: Caraway’s containers genuinely get me excited to eat leftovers. There is a compartment to fit everything — soups, salads, and sandwiches. I love the glass lids for easy viewing, as well as the array of delightful colors to choose from (sage and mist are truly stunning). The brand also checks the mark for safety. All of the materials used to create these beautiful containers are free of toxic materials. They’re expensive, but worth the splurge.
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Size: 36 ounces (capacity)
Who doesn’t want a dishwasher-safe, collapsable option that comes in an array of pastel colors? Reviewers love that these containers can be compressed to take up less room in the kitchen drawers or cabinets. In fact, we want them all! Thankfully, you can buy in sets of three or five.
Editor’s Note: While this isn’t technically a “Bento Box,” I think the Stojo set definitely deserves a spot in this roundup because it does the job of keeping food separated, chilled, and fresh. I live in a small apartment, and the fact that this bowl is collapsible makes such a big difference when you don’t have much storage. They hardly take up any space when compacted. I’ve also used these on road trips for snacks and never experienced any spills or condensation.
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Size: 10 x 4 x 10.7 inches
What’s great about the Bentology Insulated Lunch Bag and Box Set with 5 Containers and Ice Pack is that it’s value-driven — coming at less than $30 to ensure your child has everything they need for a safely packed lunch. The best part? Its ice pack helps keep this portable option cold (and also, comes in handy should an emergency arise).
Customers are saying: “The kids love it, it’s so easy to clean in the dishwasher and it’s great to put food in the bent box style containers. It’s a great way to keep food organized and everything stays in place throughout the day when my kids are eating lunch and snacks at school.”
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Size: 7.1 x 4.7 x 2.7 inches
Choose from eight different colors, and enjoy a BPA-free and microwaveable-safe stackable lunch box. Further details include three portioned compartments, eco-friendly material, and nesting containers for space-saving goodness. For bento lunch box options for kids, click here.
Customers are saying: “These are great for kid’s lunches, adult lunches, portion control meal planning, field trips, etc. For those who complain that it’s smaller than they thought, the sizes are clearly listed and they are true to size. Anything larger and you’d either gorge yourself or waste food.”
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Size: 7.5 x 8.5 x 3 inches
For a “my first bento-style lunch box” feel, the b.box Mini Bento Lunch Box is the perfect starter option for any age, but especially for preschool- and kindergarten-aged students. It’s less than $20, has just enough storage to make it easy to carry and divide your balanced lunch well, and boasts leakproof compartments to ensure everything stays clean and safe.
Customers are saying: “I bought this for the Child’s school lunch box and swear it’s made out of iron. Nothing damages it. Any marks wipe off with a Mr. Clean. I love the separate compartments and the small blue divider. The only thing we don’t use at the moment is the Thermos but I’ve put it away in case that changes..”
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Size: 8.43 x 8.35 x 3.31 inches
Sending your kid to school with hot food can be a little nerve-wracking. With typical lunch bags, it’s impossible to know if their meal is going to stay toasty. That’s not the case with the LOHASOK Bento Lunch Box. This airtight container comes with an insulated thermo food jar constructed from BPA-free 18/8 stainless steel, ensuring optimal heat retention for pasta, soups, curries, and more.
Customers are saying: “My 8-year-old doesn’t like school lunches so we have been packing. This is a great combination since we can do fruits and hot lunch in the same box! His lunch time is 11 am and I packed the lunch around 7:30 am. By the time he got to his lunch and food was still warm. I think it’s a great purchase!”

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Size: 7.3 x 3.7x 3.9 inches
Style, matters — especially, in the lunch room. If you’re going for that adorable, yet slightly elevated, modern look, turn to the moment. This brand has built a smooth stackable bento set that is offered in an array of neutrals, pastels, and some cherry graphic designs. Customers love the lightweight material and the fact that the food is heated evenly when placed in a microwave.
Customers are saying: “Overall, this bento box is so-so. It’s stylish (which is what sold me), definitely doesn’t leak if the lids are sealed properly, and heats food evenly in the microwave.”

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Size: 8.3 x 8.3 inches
Bento Boxes come in all shapes and sizes, but this baby Bento may just be the cutest of them all. The flexible material features soft, rounded edges to keep little ones safe from sharp corners. Plus, the ultra-grippy material sticks to surfaces to prevent sliding and messes. It’s on the smaller side — but perfect for pint-size bites.
Editor’s Note: My daughter has been using this Bento-style container since she started solids and I have zero complaints. The sides are just high enough to keep her food in place, but also allow easy access for little fingers. If you’re a new parent you understand the plate-throwing dilemma. No need to worry about that with NUK. It sticks to their high chair. I’ve also sealed some snacks up with the leak-proof lid for a few road trips and never had a spill. I can’t imagine finding a better baby Bento for under $7.
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This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.