Another vote for the Sistema ones. I take my toddler out to visit family once a week and can stuff it full of things to try and tempt the palate.” (Vetted by Mumsnet user FairfaxAikman) We use Sistema too. They wash and wear well and don't seem to taint.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user SpeedofaSloth) Our verdict We scoured the Mumsnet forums to find out which bento boxes our users rate highly - and which ones they weren’t impressed by. Probably the best lunchbox in the world was dreamt up in 2011 by South London mum Sarah Kerr, who couldn’t find a box that didn’t leak baby food all over her hands and bags. So she made one herself. Suitable for adults and kids alike, this two-layer bento box comes with two removable and microwaveable compartments, plus a handy pot for fruit or yoghurt.

Bentgo Modern: If you want a pretty bento box, this is it. While we liked the look of it, (and the fact that you can remove the interior box to microwave your food) it was pretty bulky, weighing in at 1 pound 10 ounces, making it the heaviest bento box in our lineup. It’s also leak-resistant, but not entirely leakproof. After eating out of your bento, simply wash and dry it until next time. Some bento, especially insulated models, have removable inside trays that can be washed, and the exterior is only cleaned as needed. Traditional materials, like bamboo or wood, require more care and must be hand-washed. Lacquerware can even peel and chip in the wrong environment—it’s little wonder that people opt for materials like metal and plastic when given the chance for this everyday product. Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a two-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and she interviews field experts for their insight. She personally tested eight of the items on this roundup.Bentgo Classic: We liked the look and compact size of this bento box, but found the 1.7-inch deep section a bit shallow for our needs. Early bento lids were completely separate from the base of the box and often tied up in furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, to help keep it secure. Today, tops of boxes are often more secure, with lids and seals that resemble other food containers. Tops can be held in place with clasps, airtight lids, or gaskets. Lids are also often hinged, making it easy to keep all parts of the box together. They vary in how leak- and splash-proof they are, so think about how much you’ll need to transport your bento box, and even how far ahead you'll want to prep your food; an airtight seal will help keep food fresher longer and will prevent food from spilling in your bag. The box is durable and has a big, chunky plastic handle for toddlers to carry with ease, so it’s perfect for on-the-go munching, whether they’re off to nursery or the park.

Soggy sandwiches will be a thing of the past thanks to Yumbox’s individually sealed sections which keep food nice and fresh. We found the seal wasn’t 100% water-proof, so you’d want to keep drinks in a separate container, but the Yumbox is certainly the most ooze-proof box we tried. She [my daughter] won’t forget her cool Smiggle lunchbox. Blimey though, they certainly know how to charge!” (Recommended by Mumsnet user UnitedRoad) Our verdict Cleaning Test: We hand-washed each bento box after use, noting if it was easy to clean and if any food stains or odors remained. Do not use your bento box to cook food in a microwave oven, it is only designed to reheat already cooked foods.

Sick of squashed sarnies and overpriced cafe lunches? Pack and protect your own food with these lunchboxes

While the removable dividers are adjustable, we found that they don't stay in place well enough to provide a completely airtight seal—which is completely fine for keeping dry foods separate, just something to be aware of. Thanks to the elastic strap and silicone seals, we didn't report any spills or leaks outside the compartments, even after using this bento box for multiple meals at home and in the office. LunchBots Large Cinco Stainless Steel Lunch Container: Even though it’s made of stainless steel, this bento box retained some odor from the tomato sauce. We also found the fixed compartments a bit restrictive and noticed that the partitions, while attached, had gaps in the corners, so if you have something runny in one compartment, it could leak into the others.

Then to open the bento box, repeat the step; i.e. gently pull the silicon valve and the lid will come off without problems. We love this bold, plain ‘Lunch’ edition, but there are several others to choose from, including the fabulous Jaws-style ‘Shark’ and fruit-patterned ‘Eat the Rainbow’; perfect for reminding you to eat your five-a-day. Stain and Odor Test: We smeared the interior of each bento box with tomato sauce, closed the lid, and let it sit for four hours. Then, we cleaned each box by hand and noted if the box was stained or had any lingering odors. It depends on your intended use - for children's lunch boxes you might want to go for a sturdy plastic bento box. If you're looking for something more environmentally-friendly and traditional, opt for bamboo or stainless steel. Are bento boxes microwavable? Yumbox. Ours have been going strong for six years.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Feminist10101)Smiggle is very popular in Y2 here (they're the year group I work with). Also see a lot of bento boxes with little compartments. They all seem to love these!” (Rated by Mumsnet user UndeadSlut)