Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box Review

We purchased the Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box so our reviewer could put it to the test with her kids. Keep reading for our full product review.

Why settle for a boring brown bag when you can pack your kid’s food in a fun bento-style lunch box like the Yumbox Original? This leakproof container is perfect for elementary school-aged eaters, with six compartments for sampling all sorts of tasty foods. We tested this product by using it to pack lunch for our 5-year-old son for a week straight, evaluating features like its design, durability, and price. Keep reading for our insights.

Design: Fun illustrations

The Yumbox Original has two parts: an outer shell and a six-compartment removable tray. Five of these compartments can hold the same amount of food (½ cup), while the sixth is a small circular well that’s perfect for sauces or dips. What’s unique about this product, though, is that the bottom of each compartment features a printed illustration. The five larger compartments are also labeled by food group (protein, grains, dairy, fruit, and veggies) to help you keep things organized.

We tested the outer space-themed Neptune Blue box, which featured illustrations of an astronaut floating above noodles, a moon made from cheese, a planet made from an orange, a rocket ship, a UFO, and a star (the smallest compartment). There are several other colors (and themes) available, including Power Pink, Misty Aqua, Dreamy Purple, True Blue, Wow Red, and Go Green.

The Yumbox Original’s outer shell is smooth; we found that it slipped perfectly into a handbag or backpack and closed easily with a clasp. which prevents wet foods from leaking out of the box itself as well as between compartments. We found this feature worked very well; we never experienced any leaks or spills when turning this container on its side.

An important thing to note, however, is that this product’s outer shell is not microwave safe. Yumbox also discourages users from microwaving the inner tray. According to the company, this product is designed to store cold or room-temperature foods—and that if these foods require reheating, it’s best to pack them in removable silicone cups and warm them that way.

Material: Looks old fast 

The Yumbox Original is made with BPA-, phthalates-, and CPSIA-free plastic, but we do wish it didn’t show wear and tear so easily.

After we used the Yumbox Original for the first time, it looked as if we’d been throwing it into backpacks and coolers for months. In other words, we felt that it was durable in terms of functionality, but the softer outside plastic scratches so easily—plus, it shows water residue and fingerprints. Same thing goes for the insert: After a few washes, the illustrations had scratches and the texture of the base felt rough. In other words, don’t expect it to remain shiny and new for too long.

Cleaning: Pretty easy, but make sure it’s dry before you re-pack

According to Yumbox, both the tray and outer shell of this lunchbox are dishwasher safe (top rack only), though the company warns against using a heat dry cycle. You can also clean this product by hand with warm soap and water and let it air-dry—when we did this, however, water spots formed on the outside of the shell, which made it look dirty. 

After cleaning the Yumbox Original, make sure that it’s totally dry before you pack and seal it again. At one point, we refilled it when some of the compartments were still slightly damp, and when we opened it, we discovered that the sandwich bread and chips inside were a bit soggy.

Price: Unique but expensive for what it is

If $30 seems like a lot for a lunch box, you’re not alone in that sentiment. While cute illustrations make the bento box unique, and it is leakproof and easy to use, we’re not sure it’s worth the splurge. 

Competition: Lots of options

Bentgo Kids’ Lunch Box: This line of bento boxes, one of which we also tested, is super popular with parents—and you can see why. The five-compartment, leakproof containers keep food safe and are very easy to clean. Plus, they come in a slew of fun colors and prints. While the basic boxes have an MSRP of $40, they retail for closer to $25, which is around the same price as the Yumbox. The main difference, based on our experience, was that they don't show wear and tear as easily.

OmieBox Bento Box for Kids: If you’re in the market for something a little different, this container from OmieBox includes an insulated thermos insert for hot and cold food. It only has three compartments, though, so you don’t get to pack as many different foods as you do with the Yumbox. Also, at almost $40, this is one of the more expensive models available. 

Interested in reading more reviews? Check out our list of the best bento boxes for kids.