Ecolunchbox Three-in-One Stainless Steel Two Level Steel Bento Box With Snack Container Regular (1)

This is a fantastic little lunchbox. I had been looking for something without any plastic which also had multiple compartments, and after looking at some other options I decided to go with this one. I'm glad I did.The design is impeccable. The lid can be flipped upside down and used as a base for the upper level, leaving no mess on the tabletop. The top level is designed in such a way that, when set in the overturned lid, it doesn't actually touch the inside of the lid, so if either the inside of the lid or the bottom of the upper section is dirty, the other one won't get messy. This isn't hugely important, but it does make the whole process of having multiple compartments very easy to work with. All of the space in this box is highly usable.The build quality is difficult to describe. On the one hand, my model looks obviously warped when looked at from particular angles, and when pieces are put together, they fit snugly, if not flushly. However, everything does indeed fit together as tightly as needed (it also helps to get away from the expectation of the kind of tight-fitting seal that only plastic lids can create), although I find that the clasps snap a little tighter if I put the top part on one way instead of another. The metal is smartly chosen: a little thinner in the main sections and thicker in the lids, which would otherwise be easier to bend. As it is, the lids are quite sturdy, and the larger pieces don't seem likely to deform any time soon. I was also extremely pleased to note two details: 1) There are no seams where food could get stuck (the corners are just a little rounded on the insides), and 2) there are no sharp edges. The edges, in fact, are just a little thicker than the walls--this adds a bit more stability and prevents any possibility of injury. You will find only stainless steel throughout the entire construction: even the little rollers on the clasps are steel!As to the size: it ended up being both smaller than I expected and larger than I need; since the entire volume can be filled with (non-liquid) food, it's possible to pack quite a bit. Unless you buy smaller-sized bread, you'd be hard-pressed to cram a sandwich into this thing. However, I have found it's given me a good excuse to get away from the sandwich and explore other horizons. Leftovers are great in this lunchbox--food can simply be spooned into the compartments, and if more divisions are needed, lettuce and kale are wonderful as edible barriers. Of course, the steel construction precludes the use of a microwave, so don't expect a hot lunch.I have also been delighted to find that this box is very, very easy to clean. The polished surface can be blinding in bright light and does show a lot of fingerprints, but I also think it causes the food not to stick so easily; I have had no difficulty hand-washing this lunchbox even after leaving it open on the counter overnight.

April 15, 2023 UPDATE: It has been almost eight years, and I’m still using this bento box nearly every day. Sure, I’ve strayed from time to time, trying glass containers or whatever else caught my eye, but I always return to this container. It’s lightweight, compact, durable, and not plastic. It has never had a rust problem, and the clasps are still going strong. I expect to get many more years of use from my EcoLunchbox.(Original review starts here) I have used this excellent little lunch box regularly - but not exclusively - for two years and It is just about ideal for packing a variety of food into a small space. I'm an adult female and this container packs an ample amount for my office lunch and can usually fit a small snack, too.Pros:* Durable stainless steel is easy to clean. More often than I'd like to admit, I will come home on Friday and forget to unpack and wash my ECOlunchbox until getting ready for work on Sunday night. It doesn't stain and I've never had any problems with rust.* Great for eliminating plastic waste from packed lunches.* Great for portion control.* Keeps my food from getting smashed in my tote bag.* It's not heavy or prone to breakage as is the case with glass containers.* No, it can't be heated in the microwave because it is steel. Frankly, my office's communal microwave ovens are so gross, I avoid using them at all costs. When I want a hot lunch, I pack a leakproof insulated container or use a Crockpot lunch warmer.* No, it's not leakproof, but that's easily managed by packing it so that it doesn't tip over and by putting salad dressing or other wet items in separate leak proof containers.* I managed to misplace my pod (small inner container), but used to use it a lot for packing separate snacks. It is handy when packing something dry like crackers that you want to keep crisp even though the bigger container holds something wet like hummus. I may buy a replacement since they are available separately.* My one complaint is that the cost of the ECOlunchbox has increased by $10 since I purchased one exactly two years ago. There are more products in this category now, including what look like some really good quality knock offs, so I hope that the makers of ECOlunchbox will reconsider their pricing strategy.