Removable compartments beat fixed ones every time.

The easiest lunch box to clean is one with no compartments at all, but if you need them, buy a box with removable dividers—not molded-in ones.

Fixed compartments look neat in the store, but they’re a trap. Food gets baked into those corners and joins, and you can’t get a sponge in there. The crevices collect grease and sauce, and after a few weeks you’re scrubbing with a toothbrush like a maniac. Any lunch box with fixed, non-removable compartments will eventually annoy you.

What you actually want:

• Removable dividers (bento-style boxes with pull-out inserts) — the whole thing comes apart and every surface is flat and wipeable.
• Modular containers like the Bentgo or Planetbox — they’re basically separate little trays you wash individually. No hidden seams.
• Stainless steel is the easiest material to keep fresh. Plastic stains (tomato sauce, turmeric) and silicone traps odors no matter how much you wash it.
• Rounded corners over square corners. Every sharp inside corner is a place for stuff to hide.
• Silicone muffin cups as a hack: one big rectangular box with a flat interior, and divide your food with a couple of cups. Cleans like a dream.

One more thing: a truly airtight lid matters more than the compartment setup. Leaks are what turn a simple rinse into a full disassembly project.

Future You will be grateful every single Sunday night.