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Short answer: For hot food, get the SW-KA30. It holds 10 oz, Zojirushi rates it at 136°F after 6 hours versus 122°F, and it has a leak-proof stopper and a wider opening. The SW-EK26H is the smaller, lighter jar, at 9 oz and 10 oz in weight. It suits snacks, yogurt or cold fruit.
How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and product pages (starting with Zojirushi’s official SW-EK26H page and SW-KA 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, where small soup jars are common in kids’ outing lunches and office desk drawers. These are Zojirushi’s two smallest food jars on its US site.
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 | Zojirushi SW-EK26H | Zojirushi SW-KA30 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 9 oz / 0.26 L | 10 oz / 0.30 L |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 3-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 4-3/8 in | 3-7/8 x 3-7/8 x 4-3/8 in |
| Weight | 0 lb 10 oz | 0 lb 11 oz |
| Heat after 6 hours* | 122°F | 136°F |
| Cold after 6 hours* | 54°F | 50°F |
| Opening | 2-1/2 in | 2-7/8 in |
| Lid | Tight-fitted lid with gasket | Therma Chamber lid, leak-proof one-piece stopper |
| Pressure relief | Not listed | Lid relieves pressure as it opens |
| Colors | Pale Orange, Pale Blue | Ice Gray, Matte Green, Beige |
| Zojirushi US store price | $49.99 | $36.99 |
| 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
- Heat rating: Zojirushi rates the SW-KA30 at 136°F after 6 hours, 14°F warmer than the SW-EK26H’s 122°F.
- Lid: The SW-KA30 has a leak-proof one-piece stopper and a pressure-relieving lid, while the SW-EK26H has a simpler tight-fitted lid with a gasket.
- Opening: The SW-KA30’s opening is 2-7/8 inches wide, compared with 2-1/2 inches on the SW-EK26H.
- Price: Zojirushi’s US store lists the SW-EK26H at $49.99 and the SW-KA30 at $36.99, so the smaller jar costs more there.
- Size: Both jars are 4-3/8 inches tall, but the SW-EK26H is slimmer, holds an ounce less and weighs an ounce less.
- What stays the same: Both are 18/8 vacuum-insulated stainless jars made in Thailand.
The 4 Differences That Matter
1. Keeping food hot
This is the biggest gap. After 6 hours, Zojirushi rates the SW-KA30 at 136°F and the SW-EK26H at 122°F. For soup at lunch, the SW-KA30 is the safer pick.
2. Leaks and pressure
Zojirushi calls the SW-KA30’s one-piece stopper leak-proof when used as directed, and its lid relieves pressure from hot food as you open it. The SW-EK26H page lists a tight-fitted lid with gasket “to minimize leaks.”
3. Eating and cleaning
The 2-7/8-inch mouth on the SW-KA30 is easier for a spoon and a sponge than the 2-1/2-inch mouth on the SW-EK26H.
4. Size
The SW-EK26H is 1/4 inch slimmer and an ounce lighter, a small but real difference in a child’s lunch bag.
What’s the same
Same height (4-3/8 in), same 18/8 stainless vacuum insulation, same Zojirushi rating method, and both are made in Thailand.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the SW-EK26H if you:
- Pack mostly cold snacks, yogurt or fruit
- Want the smallest, lightest jar
- Like the pale orange or blue colors
Choose the SW-KA30 if you:
- Pack hot soup or oatmeal
- Want the leak-proof stopper
- Want the wider mouth
Small Soup Jars in Japan
In Japan, Zojirushi’s smallest current soup jars are 300 mL models such as the SW-KA30 and the newer SW-LA30. We couldn’t find the SW-EK26H on Zojirushi Japan’s site. Zojirushi’s Hong Kong site lists it as a 0.26 L jar with a 6.5 cm mouth. Zojirushi Japan rates the SW-KA30 at 58 °C or above after 6 hours and suggests it for miso soup.
Japanese reviewers on Rakuten and Kakaku.com often say the SW-KA keeps soup warm until lunch, especially if the jar is first preheated with hot water. They also 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.)
For a kids’ jar with a push-button lid, see Zojirushi SW-KA30 vs Thermos FUNtainer 10 oz.
Zojirushi SW-EK26H vs SW-KA30: Frequently Asked Questions
Which is warmer after 6 hours, the SW-EK26H or the SW-KA30?
The SW-KA30. Zojirushi lists 136°F versus 122°F for the SW-EK26H.
How much does the SW-EK26H hold?
9 oz (0.26 L).
Is the SW-KA30 leak-proof?
Zojirushi says yes, when used according to the instruction manual.
Which has the wider opening?
The SW-KA30, at 2-7/8 inches versus 2-1/2 inches.
Check current listings
Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.
Related comparisons
- Zojirushi SW-KA30 vs Thermos FUNtainer 10 oz: Kids’ Jars
- Zojirushi SW-LA30 vs SW-LA40: 10 oz or 14 oz Food Jar?
- Zojirushi SW-EAE35 vs SW-EAE50: 12 oz or 17 oz Food Jar?
- Zojirushi Ms. Bento SL-NCE09 Capacity: How Much It Holds
Sources
- Zojirushi, Stainless Steel Food Jar SW-EK26H (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/swek
- Zojirushi, Stainless Steel Food Jar SW-KA30/40/52 (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/swka
- Zojirushi US online store: SW-EK26H (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/swek
- Zojirushi US online store: SW-KA30 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/swka30
- Zojirushi Hong Kong: SW-EK26H specs (zojirushi.com.hk): https://www.zojirushi.com.hk/hkproductsview.php?oid=11&pid=319&tid=0
- 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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