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Short answer: Get the SW-LA40 unless you only pack small portions. It holds 14 oz instead of 10 oz, Zojirushi rates it warmer at 6 hours (153°F vs 144°F), and it is only 5/8 inch taller. Get the SW-LA30 for soup on the side or a small child’s lunch.
How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and product pages (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, where Zojirushi launched the SW-LA series in September 2025 as the next step after the SW-KA. Two of its sizes are on Zojirushi’s 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-LA30 | Zojirushi SW-LA40 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 oz / 0.30 L | 14 oz / 0.40 L |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 3-3/4 x 3-3/4 x 4-3/8 in | 3-3/4 x 3-3/4 x 5 in |
| Weight | 0 lb 11 oz | 0 lb 12 oz |
| Heat after 6 hours* | 144°F | 153°F |
| Cold after 6 hours* | 50°F | 48°F |
| Opening | 2-7/8 in | 2-7/8 in |
| Stopper | Leak-proof one-piece stopper with integrated gasket | Leak-proof one-piece stopper with integrated gasket |
| Dishwasher | Dishwasher-safe | Dishwasher-safe |
| Colors | Airy Green, Ecru Beige, Cloud Gray | Airy Green, Ecru Beige, Cloud Gray |
| Zojirushi US store price | $36.99 | $38.99 |
| 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
- Capacity: The SW-LA40 holds 14 oz, while the SW-LA30 holds 10 oz.
- Heat rating: Zojirushi rates the SW-LA40 at 153°F after 6 hours and the SW-LA30 at 144°F.
- Height: The SW-LA40 is 5 inches tall, only 5/8 inch taller than the 4-3/8-inch SW-LA30.
- Weight: The SW-LA40 weighs 12 oz, one ounce more than the SW-LA30.
- What stays the same: Both share the Thermo-ring structure, the 2-7/8-inch opening, the one-piece stopper, dishwasher-safe parts and the same three colors.
The 3 Differences That Matter
1. How much food
10 oz is a cup of soup. 14 oz is a full bowl of chili or pasta with sauce.
2. Heat at lunchtime
A larger volume of food holds heat longer, and Zojirushi’s ratings reflect that: 153°F for the SW-LA40 versus 144°F for the SW-LA30, both measured after 6 hours.
3. Bag fit
The footprint is the same. The only size difference is 5/8 inch in height and one ounce in weight.
What’s the same
Same 18/8 stainless body with Zojirushi’s Thermo-ring structure, same leak-proof one-piece stopper with integrated gasket (when used as the manual directs), same pressure-relieving lid, same 2-7/8-inch opening, and both are dishwasher-safe.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the SW-LA30 if you:
- Pack soup as a side
- Pack for a younger child
- Want the smallest jar in the series
Choose the SW-LA40 if you:
- Want a full meal in one jar
- Want the higher 6-hour rating
- Only have room for one jar
SW-LA in Japan
Zojirushi Japan released the SW-LA series on September 1, 2025, as an upgrade to the SW-KA. Zojirushi says it improves heat retention and makes every part dishwasher-safe. Japan also gets a 520 mL SW-LA52. Japanese ratings for the 300 and 400 mL sizes are 62 °C and 67 °C or above after 6 hours. Zojirushi’s official Japanese store lists the two sizes at about ¥4,100-4,400.
Owners on Zojirushi’s official Japanese store give the SW-LA40 about 4.4 out of 5. One reviewer filled it at 6:30 a.m. and found the soup warm, though not piping hot, at noon. Others like the few parts and the easy-to-wash seamless stopper. A recurring gripe is that the lid holds on to food smells. (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)
Wondering whether to buy the older SW-KA instead? See Zojirushi SW-LA40 vs SW-KA40.
Zojirushi SW-LA30 vs SW-LA40: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zojirushi SW-LA dishwasher safe?
Yes. Zojirushi’s US page lists it as dishwasher-safe.
How much does the SW-LA30 hold?
10 oz (0.30 L). The SW-LA40 holds 14 oz (0.40 L).
Is the SW-LA leak-proof?
Zojirushi says the one-piece stopper is leak-proof when used according to the instruction manual.
Is there a larger SW-LA?
Yes. Zojirushi’s US store also sells an 18 oz SW-LA52H and a 25 oz SW-LA75H, and Zojirushi Japan sells a 520 mL SW-LA52.
Check current listings
Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.
Related comparisons
- Zojirushi SW-LA40 vs SW-KA40: What Changed in the New Jar?
- 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?
- Zojirushi SW-KA30 vs Thermos FUNtainer 10 oz: Kids’ Jars
Sources
- Zojirushi, Stainless Steel Food Jar SW-LA30/40 (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/swla
- Zojirushi US online store: SW-LA30 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/swla30
- Zojirushi US online store: SW-LA40 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/swla40
- Zojirushi Japan: SW-LA soup jar specs (zojirushi.co.jp): https://www.zojirushi.co.jp/syohin/bento/soup_jar/sw-la/
- Zojirushi Japan: SW-LA launch news release (zojirushi.co.jp): https://www.zojirushi.co.jp/corp/news/2025/250807/SWLA.html
- Zojirushi Direct (official Japanese store): SW-LA40 owner reviews: https://www.zojirushi-direct.com/category/SOUP_JAR/SWLA40_CM.html
Specs checked October 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.
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