How to Choose a Bento Box in 2025

Whether it’s to reduce plastic waste, save money or eat healthier, more and more people are starting to embrace the bento lifestyle. But that first step of choosing the right bento box can be a daunting one. When it comes to bento boxes, it's definitely NOT one-size-fits-all.

You don’t want to spend your hard-earned cash on a bento only to find that your stomach is growling by 2pm because your box only fits half a sandwich, or that your kid’s new lunchbox is too big for their school bag. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our best tips so you can pick the perfect bento box for you and your kids!

What Size Bento do you REALLY need?

First, let’s consider the size of the bento box.

Choosing a Japanese style bento box can be confusing especially as they tend to be smaller than Western-style lunch boxes. It's easy to underestimate how much food will actually fit into the box! The key with Japanese-stye bento boxes is that food is meant to be packed fairly densely (to prevent foods from moving around) and to make it look visually appealing. Depending on your packing technique and the foods used, you can surprisingly fit quite a lot of food into a petite-looking container.

Here at Bento&co we’ve divided our boxes into Small, Medium, and Large categories.

Small, Medium, and Large Bento Boxes

Small boxes (up to 500 ml)

Small bento boxes are perfect those with smaller appetites. They make great lunch boxes for kindergarten or elementary school, or if you're working on portion control. These boxes can also be used as a convenient container for side dishes, snacks or dessert!


The adorable Jiji Round Two Tier Lunch Bowl (500mL) has two tiers, and a built in fork. Perfect for little ones.

Medium boxes (500 to 780 mL)

Medium boxes are great for older kids, and adults looking to pack a medium-sized lunch. If you are unsure what bento box to choose, medium sized boxes are a great place to start.

 

The 700mL capacity Zen 07 Stainless Steel Bento is both spacious and durable.

Large boxes (780 mL - 1000mL )

Large boxes are great for adults and growing teenagers who need a hearty lunch! This is also a good choice if you want to pack a fluffy salad or bulky sandwiches that you don't want to smush inside a small box.

The Asanoha Bento Box 950 mL can fit a ton of food, and the lower tier can be compacted into the top once you're done eating for easy transport.

Need even more room for your lunch?

XLarge boxes (1000mL+ )

These bento boxes are the go-to choice for when you want a VERY generous lunch, or want to share. It's also the category almost all jyuubako picnic bento boxes fall into.

For example, our lovely Signature Bento Box that comes with 9 removable compartments, filled with a gourmet feast by our friend Chef Yamada.

If you are still unsure what size is best for you, refer to the general guide below which shows suggested bento capacity (400mL to 900mL) based on age bracket and appetite. Note that these are general guidelines, and you may want a smaller or larger bento box depending on your lunch habits and lifestyle. 

Age	Large Appetite	Small Appetite
3-5 years	400ml	400ml
6-8 years	500ml	500ml
9-11 years	600ml	600ml
12-20 years	900ml	700ml
20-40 years	900ml	600ml
50-60 years	800ml	600ml
70 years	600ml	500ml

Which Shape is Best? 

Bento boxes come in all kinds of shapes and each one comes with its own unique benefits and disadvantages. Here we’ve broken it down shape by shape so you can figure out which one will serve you best.

Oval and round boxes: Easy to wash! Can be difficult to fill up without creating gaps.  Perfect for “nokke” or “donburi” style bentos where you put your main dishes on top of rice.

Square boxes: Easy to place foods inside without gaps. Corners may be tricky to wash. Great for making checkerboard-style bentos alternating cubes of rice and toppings.

 
Slim/Narrow style boxes: Easy to put food in without gaps. Fits nicely into backpacks and work bags without taking up much space. Corners may be tricky to wash. May need to cut up larger pieces of food to be able to fit.

How many tiers should I choose?

Related to the shape of bento is the question of tiers. Most boxes come in one or two tiers (with some picnic boxes coming in 3 or more tiers).

1 Tier boxes: Less components means easier cleanup! There's also less room to divide rice and other foods, so sometimes they can be hard to keep separated without dividers or cups. Usually more room for foods to move around during transport.

2 Tier boxes: Easily separate rice from your side dishes. Packs a lot of food.  More parts to wash. Not ideal for “nokke” or “donburi” style bento.

Our Recommendation for Kids and Bento Beginners

For kids and bento beginners, we recommend one of our medium rounded bento boxes, as they're easy to pack, look great and are easy to clean! There's also many colors and options to pick from such as our Gel-cool Ice Pack Bento, Studio Ghibli Bento, and our smaller Bento&co Originals.

What Material is Best for Bento Boxes?

Next is the question of material, specifically whether to choose plastic, metal, or wood. Each has its benefits and advantages!

BPA-Free Plastic Bento Boxes

Bento boxes made from BPA-free plastic are perfect for everyday use. Most are dishwasher and microwave-safe. Comes in all kinds of fun designs and colors and at a reasonable price point.

Wooden Bento Boxes

Nothing beats the warm look and feel of a wooden bento box. These boxes are handmade, with many of them carefully crafted by Japanese artisans, like our Magewappa (“bent wood” bento boxes made with sustainably sourced cedar from Akita preferecture) and Miyama boxes, made by a single artisan, Mr. Hasehira. There is a price to pay for the beauty of wooden boxes however in that they are not microwave or dishwasher safe, require more care and tend to be more expensive.

A Miyama masterpiece

Stainless Steel Boxes

An increasingly popular choice, Stainless Steel boxes are lightweight, don’t transfer smells and flavors, and have a classic aesthetic. They are easy to clean and durable. Of course they can’t be microwaved, so they are better suited for foods meant to be eaten at room temperature although the Seagull Tiffin can be placed over an open flame!

The stylish Seagull Tiffin Stainless Steel Lunch Box | Medium can be placed directly over flame. Perfect for camping.

Factor in Other Preferences You Have for a Bento Box

Lastly, decide on any specific features you would like. Want a bento box with inner dividers built in to organize your food? The perfect box for you exists. Are you concerned about forgetting an icepack for your bento in the hotter months? Check out our Gel Cool collection.

Most importantly you need to like how your bento box looks! As your trusty companion to fuel you during the school or work week, your bento should make you excited to make (and more importantly eat) lunch. Choose the one that sparks joy for you! 

What's your favorite style of bento box and why? Let us know in the comments below!