Bento Box Review: Which Lunch Box Is the Best?

Every back-to-school season, the same question comes up in parent groups: which bento box should I choose? Between silicone, plastic, and stainless steel models, 3, 4, or 5 compartments, and prices that vary widely from one brand to another, it can sometimes be hard to know where to start.

In this bento box review, we compare several popular brands to help you find the best bento lunch box for your needs and budget.

How did we compare the brands?

We selected well-established brands that are frequently recommended by parents. In this bento box review, each brand is evaluated based on several key criteria:

• Price: What is the price of the bento lunch box offered by each brand?
• Compartments: How many compartments does the box offer?
• Size: What are the dimensions of the box?
• Leak-proof: Is the box leak-proof for wet foods like yogurt, applesauce, or dip?
• Materials: What is the box made of?
• Dishwasher safe: Can the box go in the dishwasher?
• Microwave safe: Can you reheat food directly in the box?
• Personalized: Can the box be personalized with your child’s name?
• Local business or not
• Availability: Where can you purchase the box?

Our Brand-by-Brand Breakdown

Colle à moi

What immediately sets the Colle à moi bento lunch box apart in any bento box review is something no other brand offers: it is engraved with your child’s name (or a sweet message like I love you or Bon appétit!). Made from BPA-free food-grade silicone, it is safe, durable, and easy to maintain.

The soft silicone lid also comes off and goes back on effortlessly. A real advantage for children who have difficulty opening rigid containers. No forcing or asking an adult for help needed!

Its 3 compartments allow for balanced, well-separated lunches, and its built-in steam valve makes for safe microwave reheating. This bento box is dishwasher safe.

A practical and personalized option!

Available on the Colle à moi website only.

Minika

The Minika bento lunch box is a well-known Quebec brand among parents. Made from BPA-free food-grade silicone, it is durable, lightweight, and easy to carry. It offers 3 compartments and is microwave and dishwasher safe. Its compact dimensions (11.7 × 16.7 × 5.9 cm) make it an ideal option for smaller appetites. A great local, affordable choice!

Available at several retailers across Quebec as well as on their website.

Bentgo

Bentgo is a very popular American brand in Canada, best known for its 5-compartment BPA-free plastic bento box. Colorful, drop-resistant, and leak-proof, it is designed specifically for children ages 3 to 7.

The outer shell must be hand-washed; only the removable inner tray is dishwasher safe. This means two cleaning steps after every use. It is also not designed to go in the microwave.

Available in many stores across Quebec, it is often one of parents’ first choices thanks to its practicality and wide range of designs.

OmieBox

The OmieBox is a unique isothermal bento box: it allows you to carry hot AND cold foods in the same container thanks to its built-in thermos. With 3 compartments and 2 temperature zones, it is the ideal solution for children who like to bring warm meals to school. It is shock-resistant, designed for little hands, and easy to open.

That said, the OmieBox requires the most maintenance of all the boxes in this bento box review: it is not dishwasher safe and must be hand-washed. You also need to remove and wash two silicone seals separately (the lid seal and the thermos seal) after each use, or risk mold developing. This is an important detail to consider if ease of cleaning is a priority for you.

Its price is higher than other options, but its unique isothermal function justifies the investment for many parents.

Available at a few local specialty stores in Quebec, as well as on several online retailers like Amazon and Well.ca.

Thermos

The Thermos Kids Freestyle kit is an 8-piece modular lunch system: a main container, removable dividers, a 235 ml food jar, and a small 60 ml condiment jar. Made from BPA-free and PVC-free plastic, it is fully customizable depending on the day’s menu.

For cleaning, all pieces are dishwasher safe, which is convenient. However, the 8-piece modular system also means many elements to wash separately after each use, which can take up a lot of space in the dishwasher.

Note that it is not designed to insulate food (a thermos sold separately would need to be added for that).

Available at several retailers across Quebec such as Walmart, and at several online stores.

Yumbox

The Yumbox is an American brand particularly appreciated for its exceptional leak-proof seal between compartments — one of the few boxes that allows you to pack yogurt or dip directly next to dry foods without any risk of mixing. Its molded silicone lid seals all compartments in a single press, which sets it apart from the majority of other boxes on the market.

Available in several models (Original with 6 compartments, Panino with 4, Tapas with 5, etc.), it suits everyone from toddlers to older kids.

The inner trays are dishwasher safe (top rack), but it is recommended to hand-wash the outer shell to preserve the silicone seal’s lifespan. It is not designed for the microwave.

Available at several specialty stores in Quebec and through some online retailers.

b.box

The mini b.box is the model from an Australian brand that is becoming increasingly popular among families in Canada, and it truly stands out with its unique concept: an extendable fruit holder that lets you insert a small apple or a mandarin, for example, without having to cut them up.

The mini format is specially designed for young children and smaller appetites. It offers the same features as the larger version, but in a more suitable size: a main compartment, leak-proof sections for wet foods (yogurt, watermelon — but not liquids), and an adjustable divider.

Made from BPA-free and PFAS-free plastic, the mini b.box is dishwasher safe (top rack), but is not designed for the microwave.

Note that the lid is attached to the box by a hinge and does not detach. This makes dishwasher cleaning less effective (hard to properly reach the inside of the lid) and hand-washing a little less convenient as well.

Available through several online retailers and at specialty stores across Quebec.

So, which bento box wins our review?

The bento lunch box market is full of options! Before making your choice, think about your specific needs: does your child often bring food that needs to be reheated? Do they prefer many small compartments or a few larger ones? Is ease of cleaning a priority for you?

In short, the best bento box is the one that fits your child’s eating habits and your everyday life!

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