10 Best Bento Boxes UK 2024 | Sistema, Umami, and More
Bento boxes come in such an exciting range of shapes and sizes for both kids and adults that it can be difficult to know which to choose. To help you decide, we have created a guide which covers the main factors you should consider when buying. Read on to discover our top bento box picks!
Quick List - Top Bento Boxes
Sistema
Versatile and Spacious, With an Affordable Price Tag
Zojirushi
Keeps Food Hot or Cold for up to Six Hours
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How to Choose a Bento Box in the UK – Buying Guide
In order to find the right bento box for you, it’s essential to consider factors such as durability, capacity, and convenience. In this section, we will explore the pros and cons of the different materials and styles that are available.
Metal or Plastic – Which Material Is Best for Your Needs?
Since you are likely to use your bento box every day, it’s important to choose a material which is suitable for long-term use. As well as being durable and lightweight, you may require a container which is microwave or dishwasher safe.
Stainless Steel Is Sturdy and Easy to Clean, but Not Suitable for Microwaves
Heavy-duty and reliable, a metal bento box will keep your food secure until lunchtime. The smooth surface of metals such as stainless steel means they are easy to clean by hand and do not absorb odours, making lunch prep quick and effortless! Another plus is that metal is free from phthalates and BPA.
However, steel does have some disadvantages. As it is not microwave-safe, this kind of bento box is only suitable for food that you want to eat cold or hot food you'll be eating soon after preparing it. Acidic foods such as tomatoes and rhubarb may also cause the bento box to corrode over time.
Plastic Is Lightweight and Microwave-Safe, Perfect for Heating up Leftovers
Due to concerns over health issues, most plastic bento boxes available online are certified BPA- and phthalate-free and so are safe to use. They are an affordable choice, and the variety of designs available means that you’ll be sure to find one that not only falls within your budget, but that matches your personal style too!
Choosing the Style of Your Bento Box
Multiple Tiers Can Be Used to Keep Foods Separate
This means you can keep savoury and sweet foods separate, or you could even take all three meals of the day with you to work! A popular way to use the tiers is to put rice or noodles in one, meat and/or vegetables in another, and dessert in the last tier.
If you don’t need to use all of the tiers, you can typically remove one or more and still use the bento box as desired. Being able to adapt the container to suit your needs is convenient if you are trying to watch your portion sizes, or if you simply want to have smaller meals.
Removable Compartments Allow You to Change up Your Lunch Each Day
These interchangeable compartments are also useful for controlling portion sizes and ensuring that you get your five-a-day. You can easily include a range of different fruit and vegetables in the different sections.
Best of all, you can keep salad dressing separate from your greens – no more soggy lettuce at lunchtime!
Choosing the Right Size for Your Needs
However, if you are looking to lose weight, you may want to buy a bento box which is smaller in size. For example, reducing the capacity by 100 ml should help you to control your portion size.
When buying a bento box for a child, the capacity is much lower – 400 ml is ideal for children aged 3-5, and 500-600 ml is recommended for those aged 6-11.
Insulated Containers Keep Your Food Hot or Cold, Whatever the Weather
Although this kind of bento box can be a little bulky and is typically more expensive than other types, it is extremely convenient and eco-friendly because it doesn’t require gas or electricity.
In order to make sure that the container stays hot or cold as required, you will need to fill it with either ice cold or boiling hot water for approximately ten minutes, and then drain it before putting your food inside. The vacuum technology will keep your food at the desired temperature so it is ready to eat at any time.
Go For Leakproof Containers to Avoid Mess and Keep Food Fresh
As well as being mess-free and allowing you to bring soups and sauce-based meals on the go, the tight seal on leakproof bento boxes will keep your food fresher for longer.
This means there’s no risk of your sandwiches becoming mushy or yoghurt seeping into savoury snacks. Just in case, though, try to keep your bento box upright if you’re commuting or travelling.
Check for Extra Features Like Built-in Utensils and Sauce Containers
The addition of a small leakproof pot means you can easily jazz up your meal with some sauce or a dressing.
Top 10 Best Bento Boxes in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sistema 1. Sistema Bento Lunch Box to Go with Fruit/Yogurt Pot | | Versatile and Spacious, With an Affordable Price Tag | |
2 | Zojirushi 2. Zojirushi Ms. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar Set – Grey | | Keeps Food Hot or Cold for up to Six Hours | |
3 | Nifty Kitchen 3. Nifty Kitchen Magic Space Saver Lunch Box | | Designed to Save Space After Lunch | |
4 | Umami 4. Umami Original Bento – White | | An Elegant Multitasker With Cutlery Included | |
5 | Yumbox 5. Yumbox Classic – Bijoux Purple | | Illustrated Sections to Help You Pack a Healthier Lunch | |
6 | Mepal 6. Fun Life Lunch Box – Green | | Stylish and Fully Customisable | |
7 | Monbento 7. Monbento MB Square – Black | | A King-Sized Cube for Big Appetites | |
8 | Sistema 9. Sistema Triple Split Lunch Box – Blue | | Cheap, Cheerful, and Perfect for Children | |
9 | Hakoya 8. Antom Lunch Box – Pink | | An Adorable Traditional Three-Tier Set | |
10 | Black+Blum 10. Black+Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box – Ocean | | Hard-Wearing and Secure With a Minimalist Aesthetic |
Sistema1. Sistema Bento Lunch Box to Go with Fruit/Yogurt Pot
Versatile and Spacious, With an Affordable Price Tag
Although the box itself is not leakproof, the small pot which is included has an airtight seal. If you make sure that your food is tightly packed and the container is kept upright, it should be easy to avoid spills. It is also microwavable (if you remove the lid), so can be used for lunches all year round. When it comes to value for money and convenience, this product ticks all the boxes.
Zojirushi2. Zojirushi Ms. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar Set – Grey
Keeps Food Hot or Cold for up to Six Hours
The three containers are designed to hold a main dish, a soup, and a side dish, so you are guaranteed a filling meal at lunchtime. Everything fits neatly together and there is even a spork included – although it’s a little expensive, this bento set really has it all!
Nifty Kitchen3. Nifty Kitchen Magic Space Saver Lunch Box
Designed to Save Space After Lunch
Fully microwavable and leakproof, this product really is designed to make life easier when it comes to lunch. It even includes a stainless steel cutlery set for your convenience, and small plastic separators so you can customise the inside of your bento box.
Umami 4. Umami Original Bento – White
An Elegant Multitasker With Cutlery Included
The two stackable containers each have a capacity of 600 ml so you can fit plenty of food inside, and their silicone seals are airtight to protect against spills. This bento box is absolutely worth paying a little more for!
Yumbox 5. Yumbox Classic – Bijoux Purple
Illustrated Sections to Help You Pack a Healthier Lunch
A unique feature of this product is the illustrations on each compartment, which are labelled with the main food groups. This is a really innovative way to ensure that you pack the correct portion of each type of food. Despite this great feature, it is not microwave-proof so may only be suitable for warmer weather.
Mepal6. Fun Life Lunch Box – Green
Stylish and Fully Customisable
Whilst this container is portable, chic, and not too expensive, it is not completely leakproof so you'll need to take care when transporting it or be conscious of the items you fill it with.
Monbento 7. Monbento MB Square – Black
A King-Sized Cube for Big Appetites
Microwave- and dishwasher-proof, with a silicone seal to prevent leaks, this bento box is very dependable. Just bear in mind that it may be a little too big and bulky if you prefer a lighter lunch!
Sistema9. Sistema Triple Split Lunch Box – Blue
Cheap, Cheerful, and Perfect for Children
Made from phthalate and BPA-free plastic, it’s a lightweight and affordable option if you are looking to buy your first bento box. Safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher, it’s easy to clean and is reliable for everyday use.
Hakoya 8. Antom Lunch Box – Pink
An Adorable Traditional Three-Tier Set
Including the bowl, the tiers total a generous 1.2 litres, and there are airtight lids for in the middle two to keep food fresh. Without the lids, the bowls are also microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Despite its adorable looks, however, this container should be kept upright if you're transporting liquid-based meals.
Black+Blum 10. Black+Blum Stainless Steel Lunch Box – Ocean
Hard-Wearing and Secure With a Minimalist Aesthetic
Made from 304 stainless steel, this box will ensure that your lunch survives any journey. Its silicone lining and vacuum valve will prevent leaks and keep your food fresh. However, it’s a little pricey considering it can only be used for cold lunches or hot food eaten straight away.
Easy Eco-Friendly Swaps for On the Go
Whether the appeal comes from saving money on shop-bought sandwiches or coffees or you're trying to do your bit for the environment, it's easier than ever nowadays to switch from single-use food and drink containers to their reusable counterparts. Here are three articles to get you inspired!
Summary
Author: Nicola McClements
Top 5 Bento Boxes
No. 1: Sistema｜1. Sistema Bento Lunch Box to Go with Fruit/Yogurt Pot
No. 2: Zojirushi｜2. Zojirushi Ms. Bento Stainless Steel Lunch Jar Set – Grey
No. 3: Nifty Kitchen｜3. Nifty Kitchen Magic Space Saver Lunch Box
No. 4: Umami ｜4. Umami Original Bento – White
No. 5: Yumbox ｜5. Yumbox Classic – Bijoux Purple
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