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Short answer: Same jar, two sizes. The SW-EAE50 holds 17 oz versus 12 oz, is 1 inch taller (6 vs 5 in), weighs 1 oz more, and stays warmer: Zojirushi lists 147°F after 6 hours versus 135°F for the SW-EAE35. Pick the 35 for a kid’s lunch or a side dish, and the 50 for an adult meal of soup or stew.
How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and manuals (starting with Zojirushi’s official product page), all listed under Sources below. We don’t run hands-on tests, and if a spec isn’t published, we say so. Last updated: October 2026.
I live in Japan. Japanese lunch jars come in many small sizes, and the gap between them is smaller than it looks online. Here are the two SW-EAE sizes with nothing but Zojirushi’s numbers.
I haven’t tested these side by side. Everything below comes from the manufacturers’ official product pages, linked at the end. If a spec isn’t published, I say so instead of guessing.
Quick Comparison Table
| Spec | SW-EAE35 | SW-EAE50 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 oz / 0.35 L | 17 oz / 0.5 L |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 3-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 5 in | 3-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 6 in |
| Weight | 0 lb 10 oz (0.10) | 0 lb 11 oz (0.11) |
| Heat after 6 hours* | 135°F | 147°F |
| Cold after 6 hours* | 54°F | 50°F |
| Opening | 2-1/2 in | 2-1/2 in |
| Colors | -XA, -AB, -PS, -CC, -TD | -XA, -AB, -PS, -CC, -TD |
| Made in | Thailand | Thailand |
*Zojirushi rates heat retention with 203°F (95°C) water in a 68°F (20°C) room, and cold retention with 40°F (4°C) water in the same room.
Key differences at a glance
- Capacity: The SW-EAE50 holds 17 oz, 5 oz more than the SW-EAE35’s 12 oz.
- Heat retention: The SW-EAE50 is rated at 147°F after 6 hours, while the SW-EAE35 is rated at 135°F.
- Height: The SW-EAE50 is 6 inches tall, 1 inch taller than the SW-EAE35, on the same 3-5/8-inch footprint.
- What stays the same: Both share the 2-1/2-inch opening, gasket lid, SlickSteel 18/8 stainless interior, and five colors.
The 3 Differences That Matter
1. Capacity: 12 vs 17 oz
The SW-EAE50 holds 5 oz more. A typical US can of condensed soup is about 10-11 oz before you add water, so once it’s diluted it fits the 50 much better than the 35.
2. Heat retention
A bigger volume of hot food holds heat longer, and the ratings show it: 147°F vs 135°F after 6 hours, a 12°F gap. If lunch is 5-6 hours after you pack it, the larger jar has the edge, as long as you fill it.
3. Height
Same 3-5/8-inch footprint; the 50 is just 1 inch taller. Both should fit in the same lunch bag side pocket if it’s 6 inches deep.
What’s the same
Same 2-1/2-inch opening, same gasket lid, same SlickSteel 18/8 stainless interior, and the same five colors.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the SW-EAE35 if you:
- Pack for a child or a light eater
- Want a side dish like yogurt, fruit, or rice porridge
- Have a small lunch box
Choose the SW-EAE50 if you:
- Want a full adult portion of soup or stew
- Eat lunch 5-6 hours after packing
- Can spare one more inch of height
Soup Jar Sizes, Japan Edition
Zojirushi Japan sells its soup jars (スープジャー) in sizes matched to the meal: on its SW-KA page, the 300 mL size is suggested for miso soup, the 400 mL for chunky soups, and the 520 mL for hearty curry or stew. The 520 mL SW-KA52 is rated at 67 °C or higher after 6 hours, versus 64 °C for the 400 mL and 58 °C for the 300 mL. Bigger jars stay hotter, the same pattern as the SW-EAE35 vs SW-EAE50. The SW-KA series has its own Japan-market colors and pricing.
Japanese reviewers on Rakuten and Kakaku.com often say the SW-KA keeps soup warm until lunch, especially if the jar is preheated with hot water, and like its wide mouth and few parts; one recurring gripe is that the large lid is hard to open one-handed. (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)
SW-EAE35 vs SW-EAE50: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the SW-EAE50 hold?
17 oz / 0.5 liter, according to Zojirushi.
Does the bigger jar keep food hotter?
Zojirushi’s rating is 147°F vs 135°F after 6 hours, based on a full jar of 203°F water.
Do they come in the same colors?
Yes: Stainless, Aqua Blue, Shiny Pink, Cream, and Dark Brown.
Is there a bigger Zojirushi jar?
The SW-KA52 is 18 oz; see my SW-KA40 vs SW-KA52 food jar comparison.
Check current listings
Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.
Related comparisons
- Zojirushi SW-EAE50 vs Thermos Stainless King 16 oz: Which?
- Zojirushi SW-KA40 vs SW-EAE50: Which Food Jar to Buy?
- Zojirushi SW-KA40 vs SW-KA52: 14 oz or 18 oz Food Jar?
- Zojirushi SW-EK26H vs SW-KA30: 9 oz or 10 oz Food Jar?
Sources
- Zojirushi, Stainless Steel Food Jar SW-EAE35/50 (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/sweae
- Zojirushi Japan: SW-KA soup jar specs (zojirushi.co.jp): https://www.zojirushi.co.jp/syohin/bento/soup_jar/sw-ka/
- Rakuten user reviews: Zojirushi SW-KA40 (Japanese): https://review.rakuten.co.jp/item/1/405752_10000164/1.1/
- Kakaku.com: Zojirushi SW-KA40 reviews (Japanese): https://kakaku.com/item/K0001480100/
Specs checked October 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.
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