The most important thing to know when it comes to parenting is “safety first.” Infants don’t exactly have a fully-developed immune system, so you need to take health precautions that older children and adults might not think about.
For that reason, scrubbing out your baby’s bottles and other equipment with soap and water like any other utensil just won’t cut it. In fact, the British United Health Service states on its website that “it’s important to sterilize all your baby’s feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until they are at least 12 months old.”
That’s why any new parent will want to make sure they have the best bottle sterilizer possible to keep their newborn safe, healthy, and happy. Keep reading for our full list of the best bottle sterilizers available today.
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Types of Sterilizers
Like with just about everything, there are different types of baby bottle sterilizers. And like with just about everything, you’ll need to make sure you’re getting the best one depending on your specific wants and needs. Here are the three main types of baby bottle sterilizers that you’ll see on our list.
Steam Sterilizers – Steam sterilizers use steam to purge your baby bottles of any bacteria. Some will plug into an outlet and work on their own, while others will use microwaves in tandem with cold water to generate their steam.
Cold Water Sterilizers – Cold water sterilization is the tried and true way to sterilize bottles. Just drop an antibacterial fluid or dissolving tablet into cold water, and use that water to clean your bottles and other baby equipment. This is one of the only methods of sterilization that doesn’t use any electricity, and it’s the best sterilization process for parents on the go. Be warned: the antibacterial fluid is known to stink.
UV Sterilizers – UV sterilization is the most futuristic, and expensive, form of sterilization. In fact businesses like dentist offices and beauty salons also use this sterilization method. As the name suggests, it uses ultraviolet light to purge any unwanted bacteria. While it’s expensive, the benefit of it is that it doesn’t use any water, so you can use these sterilizers to clean toys and other objects you don’t want to – or can’t – get wet.
My Top Picks for the Best Bottle Sterilizer in 2024
#1: Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer (Best Value)
The list gets started with the Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer, which basically does it all, and does it at an affordable price. You won’t leave this section wondering how this product earned our top spot. This steam baby bottle sterilizer and dryer is the real deal. Keep reading to see what makes the Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer so great.
Quick Sterilizing Time
Time is money. That goes double when you’re dealing with all the pressures of parenting. And the Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer does everything quickly so you can move on to your next task.
This baby bottle sterilizer can sterilize bottles in just 8 minutes, and then make them bone dry in just 30 minutes. And since it can sterilize and dry up to six bottles at once, you’ll always have a perfectly clean and dry bottle on hand. The Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer will make sure you never get caught unprepared.
The 4-in-1 Design Does it All
This number one baby bottle sterilizer acts as a sterilizer, a dryer, a deodorizer, and a fully-capable storage space. Thanks to its removable steam wands, this Babymoov baby bottle sterilizer and dryer can fit just about any baby bottle size.
Plus, after the sterilization process, this baby bottle sterilizer offers up to 36 hours of safe and sterile storage for your newly-clean bottles.
And best of all: everything is done in one cycle with just one button. The couldn’t possibly be easier to use Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer.
Drawbacks
As our best baby bottle sterilizer, it shouldn’t surprise you that there is very little wrong with this bottle sterilizer. It’s affordable and effective and even has some nice extra features. It isn’t exactly portable, but that’s true of most steam sterilizers. The Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer really is one of the best baby bottle sterilizers out there, and it should be the first product that any parent looks at.
Part of what made our last baby bottle sterilizer so great is that it’s an amazing deal for the product that you’re getting, and it manages to stay affordable. The Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer is not that.
This UV bottle sterilizer may be expensive, but, like all UV bottle sterilizers, it offers some features that you just can’t get anywhere else. If you have the extra cash and you understand that parenthood is worth splurging for, then keep reading to see why the Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer is the best bottle fertilizer out there when money isn’t an object.
Water-Free UV Sterilization
There are multiple benefits of UV sterilization. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest one is probably that you can sterilize just about everything. We all know how much babies love to put everything straight from their hands to their mouths, so a UV sterilizer is a good way to make that as harmless as possible.
Sterilize all of your baby’s favorite make-shift pacifiers like your keys and your phone, and sterilize their baby bottles after every use. The Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer takes about 11 minutes to fully sterilize your bottles and other objects. And since UV sterilization means there’s no need to dry your bottles, that 11 minutes is all it takes.
Just that speed alone is worth shelling out for, but there’s more that makes the Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer so worth its price tag.
Compact Design
This UV sterilizer is a lot smaller than our top-ranked sterilizer, and you can absolutely bring this with you on day trips or weekend getaways, and could probably manage to bring it to work if you really needed to. On top of that, it promises 72 hours of storage while maintaining sterilization, so you don’t need to feel pressured to watch this pot boil. And despite its compact design and low weight, the Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer still manages to hold room for 12 bottles in it.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of the Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer is not the product itself, but the price. But its long storage time, quick sterilization speed, and large storage size more than make up for that, and UV baby bottle sterilizers are a worthwhile investment. If you want to make sure that absolutely all of your belongings are bacteria-free, then get the Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer.
#3: MAM Microwave Steam Sterilizer (Best For Travelling)
Life for new parents can involve a lot of traveling. Whether you’re often staying with the grandparents or you just need the occasional weekend getaway, it pays to have a more portable bottle sterilizer. Luckily, the MAM Microwave Steam Sterilizer has you covered.
This miniature bottle sterilizer is the best friend of any parent on the go and has a nice little bonus, it’s cheap! Keep reading to learn more about the best bottle sterilizer for frequent flyers.
The Small Size
The MAM Microwave Steam Sterilizer is one of the most compact bottle sterilizers out there. This microwave baby bottle sterilizer measures just 16 x 28 x 28 cm and weighs just a few pounds, so it can easily fit in pretty much any bag, and you’ll barely even notice the extra weight. And since this portable bottle sterilizer can sterilize up to six bottles at once, you’re not even sacrificing performance for portability. Travel light with the MAM Microwave Steam Sterilizer.
Bottles Included
Our microwave baby bottle sterilizer comes with two baby bottles included, which makes it the best one-stop-shopping option for new parents. And despite that bundle, it’s one of the cheapest options out there, which makes it one of the best dollar-for-dollar purchases out there. As a nice little bonus, this bottle sterilizer is clearly labeled and easy to use. It boasts a base with a water level mark for easy filling and proper measurement and the enhanced lid design has a draining function.
Drawbacks
Like with all microwave sterilizers, this sterilizer relies on, obviously, a microwave, to generate its steam. Though you can use it as a coldwater sterilizer if you lack a microwave but have antibacterial material. The biggest drawback of the MAM Microwave Steam Sterilizer is that it doesn’t offer any of the other options – like storage or drying – that our previous products have. But it’s cheap, portable, and it gets the job done, and for more mobile parents, this is one of the best baby bottle sterilizers available.
#4: Milton Cold Water Sterilizer (Best Low Cost)
Sometimes you just want to have a bottle sterilizer that doesn’t require anything extra, and that’s exactly what cold water bottle sterilizers are great for.
The Milton Cold Water Sterilizer is incredibly cheap and easy to use, and you’ll be able to sterilize all of your baby’s belongings just about anywhere.
The Milton sterilizing solution promises full sterilization in just 15 minutes, and it stays sterile for 24 hours, so it’s fine if you get distracted for a little bit and leave a bottle sitting in the solution.
Some parents say this sterilizer can fit up to six bottles, but depending on the size of your baby bottles, it might be fewer than that.
Drawbacks
One of the biggest drawbacks of cold water sterilizers is, as I mentioned earlier, the smell. In addition, you will be reliant upon the Milton sterilization capsules, so that’s one more item that’ll be added to your grocery list even after your initial purchase. Finally, as it’s not electric (a plus in its own way) the Milton Cold Water Sterilizer doesn’t offer the drying features of our other bottle sterilizers. But the up-front cost is second to none, and it’s easy to use and easy to travel with. Did I mention it’s cheap? The Milton Cold Water Sterilizer is just about the best bottle sterilizer for any parent on a budget.
How I Determined the Best Bottle Sterilizer
When looking for the best bottle sterilizers, I made sure that I was selecting highly-regarded products that enjoyed approval from parents. I also made sure to rigorously analyze the features of each product and stack them up against each other, taking any trade-offs in mind. The perfect product doesn’t exist, but I wanted to find something for everyone. To that goal, I was careful to include at least one product from each of the main types of sterilizer so that everyone’s needs are met.
What Should You Look for in a Bottle Sterilizer?
If you’re new to parenting, you’ve probably never looked at baby bottle sterilizers before, and you’re not sure what separates the good products from the bad ones. We’ve got you covered there. We’ve made this simple rubric so you can feel like a bonafide expert when you’re comparing all of our products. Here are the main features to look for in any quality bottle sterilizer.
Speed – The less time you spend sterilizing your baby bottles and other items, the more time you can spend feeding your baby and focusing on the myriad of tasks that comes with parenthood. One of the first features I looked at in all of our baby bottle sterilizers was how quickly they completed the sterilization process. For those dual sterilizer and dryer products, that included the drying process. We don’t want sterilization to be a massive part of your day.
Storage – We all know how many different things parents need to keep track of. A sterilizer that lets you store multiple baby bottles really makes a big difference. Another big factor is the period of storage. The best baby bottle sterilizers will let you keep at least up to four bottles inside at a time, ideally for a period of at least a day and a half.
Size – This criterion is a little more subjective because there are pros and cons to large and small products. A large sterilizer will usually be able to sterilize and store more bottles at once, while a small sterilizer will be convenient to travel with. Ultimately, I made sure to mention the size of all of our products and let you use your own judgment.
Price – Nobody likes spending more money. That being said, while I obviously wanted to find you the cheapest products, I focused more on the best deals. An expensive bottle sterilizer that justifies its price is better than a cheap one that breaks after a week. It’s all about getting the most bang for your buck.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might still have some questions, and I wanted to make sure you feel ready to make the most informed decision possible before buying your baby bottle sterilizer. I’ve added a short FAQ section here to make sure that none of your questions go unanswered.
Do I really need a bottle sterilizer?
Yes. Well, not exactly. That being said, you don’t need to worry that you’ll be constantly sterilizing bottles for the entirety of your child’s infancy. It’s very important to sterilize bottles when you first buy them, but after that, it’s not necessarily crucial. Additionally, there are ways to sterilize bottles without a dedicated machine for it, but using a sterilizer is fast and easy.
What can happen if I don’t sterilize baby bottles?
Neglecting sterilization will allow bacteria to grow on your baby’s bottles, pacifiers, etc. This may lead to infections including diarrhea and vomiting. You definitely don’t want to put your bundle of joy through that. As they say, better safe than sorry.
How do you dry bottles after sterilizing them?
Thankfully, many of the best bottle sterilizers double as dryers. But for those that don’t, it’s very important that you remember not to rub your baby bottles dry with an in-use dishrag or towel. This will transfer the germs from the towel to the bottle. Place your items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel in an area protected from dirt and dust. Then allow them to air-dry thoroughly before storing.
Verdict: Your Best Bottle Sterilizer
We’re reaching the end of the list, but I know that you may not have made your decision yet. That’s why I included a quick recap here that will summarize which sterilizer you should buy based on the feature you most need.
If you want the best value for money, pick the Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer.
This bottle sterilizer and dryer combo was our hands-down number one pick. It sterilizes up to six bottles at a time in just 8 minutes and then dries them in 30, making it one of the most efficient sterilizers out there. Plus, this electric steam sterilizer has removable steam wands, which means it’s adaptable to different bottle shapes. Finally, it’s incredibly easy to use – everything is done with just one button – and, best of all, it’s cheap. The Turbo Pure Sterilizer and Baby Bottle Dryer is the first electric steam sterilizer and dryer that any parent should look at.
If you need a UV Bottle Sterilizer, pick the Papablic 4-in-1 UV Light Sanitizer.
UV sterilizers can sterilize just about everything under the sun, from breast pump parts to bottle nipples, to baby bottles, to those car keys your baby won’t stop putting in their mouth. The special UV light really does it all. This one in particular is nice and small, and very effective. It’s a little bit pricy, but sometimes it’s worth it to splurge for the best product. After all, parenthood is something worth being a perfectionist about.
If you want to keep the spending cheap, pick the Milton Cold Water Sterilizer.
Parenthood is expensive enough as it is. Let’s not add to that. Besides, with all of these fancy electric steam sterilizers and UV sterilizers, sometimes you just want something simple and reliable, and that’s exactly what the Milton Cold Water Sterilizer is. This budget-friendly cold water sterilizer is cheap, easy to use, and requires no extra equipment. It can also be used to sterilize objects like pacifiers, breast pump parts, and basically anything else that you don’t mind getting a little wet. The only real drawbacks are that this sterilizer doesn’t double as a dryer and that you’ll have to buy the Milton antibacterial tablets separately. But if you need something cheap, simple, and effective, then look no further than the Milton Cold Water Sterilizer.
That finally brings us to the end of the list. Remember, if you’re still having trouble making your final decision, it may help to narrow it down to which type of bottle sterilizer you want. After that, narrow it down further to which specific feature is most important to you. By then, you’ll realize that only a few products actually fit your needs. I hope that our list had the sterilizer you’re looking for, and if not, I hope that I gave you the tools to continue doing your own research. That’s all for now. Enjoy the beautiful journey of parenthood!
