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Zojirushi SW-LA40 vs SW-KA40: What Changed in the New Jar?

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Short answer: If you can find both, buy the newer SW-LA40. It holds the same 14 oz and is rated warmer after 6 hours (153°F vs 147°F), and Zojirushi lists it as dishwasher-safe. The SW-KA40 is still a strong jar with a leak-proof stopper and the same opening. Buy it if it costs noticeably less.

How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and product pages (starting with Zojirushi’s official SW-LA 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.

Check price: Zojirushi SW-LA40
Check price: Zojirushi SW-KA40

I live in Japan, where Zojirushi replaced the SW-KA with the SW-LA in its domestic lineup in 2025. In the US, both are on Zojirushi’s site, so here is what actually changed in the 14 oz size.

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-LA40 Zojirushi SW-KA40
Capacity 14 oz / 0.40 L 14 oz / 0.40 L
Dimensions (W x D x H) 3-3/4 x 3-3/4 x 5 in 3-7/8 x 3-7/8 x 5 in
Weight 0 lb 12 oz 0 lb 12 oz
Heat after 6 hours* 153°F 147°F
Cold after 6 hours* 48°F 48°F
Insulation feature Thermo-ring structure Therma Chamber lid
Opening 2-7/8 in 2-7/8 in
Stopper Leak-proof one-piece stopper with gasket Leak-proof one-piece stopper with gasket
Dishwasher Dishwasher-safe Not listed
Colors Airy Green, Ecru Beige, Cloud Gray Ice Gray, Matte Green, Beige
Zojirushi US store $38.99, in stock Listed, out of stock in all colors (Oct 2026)
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-LA40 at 153°F after 6 hours, 6°F higher than the SW-KA40’s 147°F.
  • Dishwasher: Zojirushi lists the SW-LA as dishwasher-safe, while the SW-KA page doesn’t mention dishwasher use.
  • Insulation design: The SW-LA uses a Thermo-ring structure, while the SW-KA relies on its Therma Chamber lid.
  • Width: The SW-LA40 is 1/8 inch narrower at 3-3/4 inches.
  • What stays the same: Both hold 14 oz, weigh 12 oz, have a 2-7/8-inch opening and a leak-proof one-piece stopper, and are rated 48°F cold.

The 4 Differences That Matter

1. Heat retention

153°F versus 147°F after 6 hours, measured the same way by Zojirushi. That is the newer jar’s headline improvement.

2. Cleaning

Zojirushi lists the SW-LA as dishwasher-safe. Zojirushi Japan says all SW-LA parts, lid included, can go in the dishwasher, which it calls new for the series.

3. Looks

New color names and a slightly slimmer body. Capacity, height and weight are the same.

4. Availability

In October 2026, Zojirushi’s US online store had the SW-LA40 in stock at $38.99, while the SW-KA40 page showed every color out of stock. Retail stock of the SW-KA40 may thin out.

What’s the same

Same 14 oz capacity, same 5-inch height and 12 oz weight, same 2-7/8-inch opening, same leak-proof one-piece stopper with integrated gasket, same pressure-relieving lid, and both are 18/8 stainless and made in Thailand.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the SW-LA40 if you:

  • Want the highest 6-hour rating
  • Want to use the dishwasher
  • Prefer the newer model

Choose the SW-KA40 if you:

  • Find it at a clear discount
  • Already own SW-KA parts
  • Like the Ice Gray or Matte Green finish

The Switch in Japan

Zojirushi Japan announced the SW-LA in August 2025, calling it an upgrade in heat retention and ease of cleaning over the SW-KA. Japanese ratings for the 400 mL size are 67 °C or above after 6 hours for the SW-LA40 and 64 °C for the SW-KA40. Zojirushi’s Japanese site still lists the SW-KA at a suggested price of ¥6,600, while its official store sells the SW-LA40 for about ¥4,100-4,400.

Owners on Zojirushi’s official Japanese store praise the SW-LA40’s seamless stopper, which you don’t take apart to wash, and say soup packed in the morning is still warm at noon. One gripe is that the lid holds on to smells. Rakuten and Kakaku.com reviewers of the SW-KA40 similarly say it keeps soup warm until lunch if you preheat it, and like its wide mouth. (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)

Need a different size? See Zojirushi SW-LA30 vs SW-LA40.

Zojirushi SW-LA40 vs SW-KA40: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SW-LA40 the replacement for the SW-KA40?

In Japan, Zojirushi presented the SW-LA as an upgrade to the SW-KA. In the US, both are currently listed on Zojirushi’s site.

Which keeps food hotter?

The SW-LA40. Zojirushi rates it at 153°F after 6 hours, versus 147°F for the SW-KA40.

Is the SW-KA40 dishwasher safe?

Zojirushi’s US page for the SW-KA doesn’t list dishwasher use. The SW-LA is listed as dishwasher-safe.

Do they hold the same amount?

Yes, both hold 14 oz (0.40 L).

Check current listings

Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.

Check price: Zojirushi SW-LA40
Check price: Zojirushi SW-KA40

Sources

Specs checked October 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.

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