Best Toddler Bento Boxes

There’s no getting around the price of this bento box, and there was a time we’d have balked at it—until we used the Rover every school day for the last five years and can happily say that it’s in the exact same condition as it was the day we unboxed it. Yes, it’s that great.

Made from stainless steel, this bento box from PlanetBox is ultra-durable and completely dishwasher-safe, by far our two favorite features. You can fill the five compartments as much or as little as you’d like, depending on your little one’s appetite, so you’ll get years and years of use out of it. The box is easy for little hands to open and close and the kit comes with the bento, two food containers, an insulated carrying bag with a handle and a decorative magnet set for fun customization. Other than the price, if we had to find a knock against the Rover it would be that the compartments aren’t leakproof—but the dipping containers solve for that issue and are perfect for foods like yogurt or hummus. It’s also one of the larger bento boxes on our list, making it better suited for older toddlers.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the size of the Rover? For a smaller (and more affordable) stainless option—and one that we think is a bit more manageable for a younger toddler just starting out with a bento box—check out this bento from LunchBots. The Trio 2 is lightweight and the lid is fast and easy to get on and off, a feature we appreciate for the younger set who often struggle with more complicated lunch box closures. The compact size also means this bento is lightweight and won’t take up all the space in a toddler-size backpack. Although it features only three compartments, they’re deeper than many other bento box compartments, a nice perk. (You’ll easily be able to fit half a sandwich and two sides here.) The compartments aren’t leakproof but the Trio is completely dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

If your toddler is a big fan of things like yogurt, dips or hummus, a bento box with leakproof containers will make your life much easier. (And a lot neater.) The Bentgo, made from BPA-free plastic, is by far our favorite leakproof option. Each of the five compartments seals, keeping whatever foods you pack separate and completely contained even when it’s being tossed around by a less-than-careful toddler. (The outer edges of the Bentgo are lined with rubber, another feature that helps with durability and keeps the box protected from drops.) The Bentgo’s inner removable tray is microwavable, a nice feature if your little one likes warm lunch. It’s also freezer- and microwave-safe.

The Bentgo is on the heavier side, especially if you’re using it inside of an insulated carry bag along with an ice pack. The closures take a bit of practice, especially for younger toddlers. And while the inner tray is microwave-safe, you’ll need to hand wash the main outer box.

Prefer stainless steel over plastic? Bentgo makes an awesome leak-resistant stainless bento-style lunch box, too.

One more leakproof option to consider: the Yumbox. It has six separate compartments and is completely leakproof thanks to the silicone seal on the top lid. Aesthetically, it’s one of the more fun bento boxes on our list, with a variety of color options and bright artwork under the lid. There’s just one latch to open and close, and each compartment is intentionally sized to offer the appropriate portion sizes for toddlers and young kids.

While the entire Yumbox is top-rack dishwasher-safe, the manufacturer (and other parents) recommend hand washing the outer shell to keep it in better condition.

We’d be lying if we said we hadn’t swiped this beautifully minimalist bento box set for ourselves more than once. (It’s the perfect size to pack a few snacks for on the go, what can we say?) We love the simplicity, function and versatility of the Miniware Grow. You can use the stainless steel compartment solo, or nest one or both leakproof silicone pods to add fruit, yogurt, dip or whatever else you need to keep separate.

The square shape is just right for easy portability and the lid is secure while still being easy to get on and off. The Grow comes in several stylish colorways and the whole thing can be tossed into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

If we had to find the drawbacks of bento boxes, they’d be price, as many bento boxes are more expensive than traditional lunch boxes or disposable options, and weight, as most tend to be on the heavy side. This bento snack box isn’t either of those things. At under fifteen dollars, it’s a wallet-friendly option and ideal if you want to give bento lunches a try without committing to an expensive setup. (It’s also great if you need an affordable bento box for multiple kids or if you have a child who easily “misplaces” everything.) It’s also much lighter than the other bento boxes on our best-of list, but still holds a good amount of food in its four compartments and is a nice starter size for a toddler who’s new to the world of packed lunch.

The one thing to be aware of if you’re considering this bento box is that the lid isn’t as secure as some of the other lunch boxes on our list. We didn’t find it to be an issue if we put the box inside of an insulated carry bag, but if you’re planning on using it solo in your toddler’s backpack, we recommend securing it with a rubber band to be sure it doesn’t open in transit.

There are some things you simply can’t fit in most bento boxes, and a whole piece of fruit is one of them. While this isn’t that big of a deal, it’s a bit of a pain if your toddler won’t go near a browned apple slice or just prefers munching on whole fruit. This bento box from Australian brand b. Box has creatively solved this problem with a unique silicone top section that enables you to fit larger foods like a whole apple (or other similarly sized fruit) in the compartment. So cool!

Other features we love about this bento box include removable dividers, its light weight, the dedicated leakproof compartment and the easy-to-disassemble, dishwasher-safe style that ensures you’re getting all the nooks and crannies cleaned at every wash.

If mac and cheese, soup or pasta is your toddler’s jam, look no further than the OmieBox if you’re in the market for a toddler bento box. The 8.5-ounce main compartment features a stainless steel, vacuum-insulated thermos that keeps food warm for hours, so it’s the perfect solution if you know a sandwich isn’t going to cut it for your picky toddler. Love the style of the Omie but don’t always want or need the thermos option? You can mix and match hot and cold food, or pop out the thermos and use the whole thing as a traditional bento box instead, making the whole thing super versatile. The box is a bit heavy and bulky, but we’re willing to overlook that for the convenience the Omie provides. We like the option to use or remove the inner divider and appreciate that everything comes apart for thorough cleaning.

Made from food-grade silicone, this bento box from Austin stands out from the pack of mostly plastic or stainless steel bento options. We love how sturdy and durable it is; the silicone won’t scratch or dent, an especially nice feature since most toddlers are pretty rough on their things. We also like how easy and straightforward this bento box is—just toss it in the dishwasher and you’re all set. The compartments are all leakproof and the lid is both easy to get on and off and secure, a good combo.

As parents, we’re always on the lookout for any type of all-in-one solution. A bento box that also includes utensils? Sign us up. One less thing to buy and one less thing to remember to pack: a win-win for everyone.

This five-compartment box is one of the most colorful of our picks, a feature many toddlers love. Each compartment is roomy enough to fit most foods but still proportioned correctly for toddlers and younger preschool kids. The carry handle is a fun and convenient add, and we like that the entire bento box is dishwasher-safe. This isn’t the best choice if you’re looking to pack dips and yogurts, however, as the compartments aren’t leakproof.

Any parent who’s ever Googled, “Does [insert bento box of choice here] fit in the Pottery Barn lunch box?” (ourselves included) will appreciate this pick. While lots of parents mix and match brands of bento boxes + insulated lunch boxes, it can be a pain to research, measure and hope for the best when your order arrives. Keep it simple and pair your Pottery Barn Kids lunch box with the brand’s All-in-One Bento Box. It fits perfectly in the PBK Mackenzie Classic Lunch Box and features five compartments. It’s made from recycled plastic and comes in lots of fun colors. Just note it’s not a leakproof-style design.