Are you looking to maintain the hygiene of your baby’s bottles and accessories like bottle brushes? A baby bottle sterilizer might just be the answer you’re looking for. These devices can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria from milk, formula, and other sources, ensuring that your little one stays healthy and protected.
While not all newborns require a bottle sterilizer, some parents prefer to use them for the added peace of mind they provide. Some even have additional features, like bottle warming or drying capabilities.
When shopping for a baby bottle sterilizer, it’s important to consider factors like compatibility, capacity, cleaning time, adaptability, and price. To help you make the best choice for your family, we’ve put together a list of the top baby bottle sterilizers and their unique features.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Baby Bottle Sterilizer: Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Machine
- Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer And Dryer: Bololo Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer
- Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer And Warmer: Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Warmer
- Best Travel Baby Bottle Sterilizer: Munchkin Jumbo Microwave Bottle Sterilizer Bags
- Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer Microwave: Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer
- Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer For Dr Brown Bottles: Dr. Brown’s Clean Steam Baby Bottle
- Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer For Comotomo: Papablic Baby Bottle Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer
- Best Electric Baby Bottle Sterilizer: Tommee Tippee Advanced Steri-Dry Electric Sterilizer
- Best UV Baby Bottle Sterilizer: GROWNSY UV Light Sanitizer
- Best HEPA Filter Baby Bottle Sterilizer: Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer Dryer
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Bottle Sterilizers Picks
Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Machine – Best Overall Baby Bottle Sterilizer
- Better than any sterilizer without the dryer
- It does a good job of sterilizing and the dryer leaves the bottles bone dry and ready to use
- Very easy to use
- It holds about 6 bottles and its accessories
- Needs distilled water
This sterilizer-dryer combo unit allows you to sanitize and dry up to 6 bottles, pump components, pacifiers, and other items from any brand in just one simple step.
The device uses natural steam to sterilize efficiently and dries with hot air, saving you time and effort. The LCD control panel on the sterilizer dryer offers four functions to choose from: Sterilizer & Drier, Sterilizer Only, Dryer Only, or Storage Rack.
You can also select from three drying intervals (30 min, 45 min, 60 min) depending on your needs.
Bololo Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer – Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer And Dryer
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean the hot plate with a soft microfiber cloth to wipe down with water
- You can clean the large/small baskets that hold bottles/nipples under the sink with soap/water
- It’s sized to hold larger items with ease, and can also hold smaller items easily
- If you don’t rinse the milk residue off prior to placing items in to sterilize, it hardens the milk product inside and makes the milk product “caramelize”
You’ll appreciate the versatility of this steam sterilizer. Not only can it sanitize baby bottles, but it can also disinfect pacifiers and small toys. Thanks to its unique design, steam can penetrate deep into the bottles, ensuring thorough sterilization.
The integrated drying rack is another convenient feature that moms will love. Simply remove the trays from the sterilizer and place them on the counter to allow the bottles to air dry. And with its HEPA filtration system, this sterilizer provides added peace of mind if you are concerned about exposing your little ones to harmful substances and germs.
Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Warmer – Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer And Warmer
- You can fit just about any size bottle in this warmer
- Settings remembered from the last set temp, theoretically making it easier for new parents/caregivers to warm bottles
- Safer than boiling water in a kettle and keeps hot water/parts covered
- Turns off by itself once the water evaporates
- Gets hot
Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer serves as a bottle warmer and sterilizer that quickly and safely heats bottles and food jars while disinfecting them using steam heat. With preprogrammed warming settings, one-button start functionality, and a large water reservoir that can warm multiple bottles before requiring a refill, it saves time and effort.
The device is also easy to clean and can sanitize various baby items, including bottle nipples, pacifiers, and teethers.
Munchkin Jumbo Microwave Bottle Sterilizer Bags – Best Travel Baby Bottle Sterilizer
- Easy to use
- Does exactly what it says
- Multiple bottles sterilized in one go
- Used for pacifiers and glass bottles as well
- The zipper can keep falling off if its too packed but can be put back with a bit of patience
Munchkin’s Sterilize Bags offer a convenient and effective way to sanitize baby items while your traveling. With a simple process of loading the bags with water and placing them in the microwave, you can eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria on bottles, pacifiers, and breast pump accessories.
The set includes six bags, each with a maximum of 30 uses, and you can easily mark the bags after each steam cycle to keep track. Additionally, the bags feature a tab hole to release steam and a Cool-Touch grip for safe handling.
Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer – Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer Microwave
- Saves money (compared to electric sterilizers or having to buy disposable steamer bags over and over again)
- Super easy to use
- Better for the environment (than disposable steamer bags)
- Can sterilize pump parts and pacifiers too
- The cord is only 2 feet long
The Philips AVENT SCF281/05 Microwave Steam Sterilizer is a quick and effective way to get rid of 99.9% of bacteria and germs in just two minutes, using the power of natural steam produced by the microwave oven. Its small and lightweight design makes it perfect for traveling, and it can fit in most microwaves.
Safety clips and side grips ensure safe handling, while its capacity can accommodate up to four 9-ounce or two 11-ounce Philips Avent bottles, breast milk storage containers, breast pumps, and other microwave-safe baby products. Plus, the contents remain sterile for up to 24 hours with the lid closed.
Dr. Brown’s Clean Steam Baby Bottle – Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer For Dr Brown Bottles
- Thoroughly sterilizes bottles and accessories
- Works with other brand bottles (Medela)
- No exposed heating element in the bottom
- Clean design, relatively small counter footprint
- Takes up a lot of counter space
Dr. Brown’s Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer can sterilize and dry up to six baby bottles, breast pump components, pacifiers, and teethers at the same time while removing 99.9% of germs, mold, and yeast that cause thrush.
Additionally, you can store your sterilized bottles and components for up to 24 hours without worrying about contamination. To ensure clean air for bottle drying, the sterilizer features two integrated HEPA Type filters that trap up to 95% of airborne pollutants.
The appliance allows you to sterilize just dry items, dry only, or sterilize and dry simultaneously, and the measuring cup and accessory tray make loading and adding additional water easy. Plus, the detachable basket is designed to perfectly fit Dr. Brown’s bottles.
Papablic Baby Bottle Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer – Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer For Comotomo
- The container is very big and can sterilize lots of things at the same time
- It’s very easy to use
- Very little noises
- The function of drying the sterilized milk bottles and nipples is really helpful
- It is a hassle to clean the part to heat the water periodically
Papablic offers a 3-in-1 device to keep your baby bottles and accessories safe and clean and uses strong steam-powered cleaning and hot air drying technology. As a family-run company, Papablic is dedicated to fostering the relationship between parents and children. The machine can clean up to 10 bottles and accessories at once, and its large capacity allows you to stack the dryer in three different ways depending on your needs.
Unlike dishwashers, the machine uses heated air to safely dry things, ensuring that your baby bottles and accessories are completely dry and odor-free. It also provides useful storage to protect your brand-new baby bottles from lingering in the air, and you can keep the lid on for the storage’s first 12 hours.
Tommee Tippee Advanced Steri-Dry Electric Sterilizer – Best Electric Baby Bottle Sterilizer
- The top rack is really fantastic for the extra space
- Very easy to use
- The bottom rack has allocated places for 6 bottles
- The quick sterilization is great
- Can be a challenge to clean
This efficient electric steam sterilizer can sterilize and dry up to 6 baby bottles in just 40 minutes, eliminating 99% of germs that could still be present even after washing. The sterilizer uses natural steam to cover every surface of your bottles, nipples, breast pumps, and other feeding equipment.
You have the option of 10-minute sterilizing cycles or 30-minute drying cycles. You can also choose to sterilize and dry, or just dry or sterilize, in one 40-minute cycle. Your feeding accessories will stay clean and safe thanks to the HEPA air filter, which prevents dirt particles from entering the air used for drying.
GROWNSY UV Light Sanitizer – Best UV Baby Bottle Sterilizer
- Very easy to use
- There’s an “Auto” button that first dries, and then sterilizes, your items
- Not just for baby stuff
- Large size
- Not cheap
The GROWNSY UV Sanitizer, equipped with the Philips UV light, ensures fast and effective sterilization, eliminating 99.99%+ of germs on baby bottles and everyday items. This versatile sanitizer can fit up to 12 baby bottles.
To ensure that the air inside the sanitizer is fresh, the GROWNSY UV Sanitizer is equipped with a melt-blown filter. The 360° sterilizing process, which reflects UV radiation, is made even more effective by the mirror’s inner walls. When you open the top lid, the sanitizer automatically turns off, ensuring your safety.
Babymoov Turbo Pure Sterilizer Dryer – Best HEPA Filter Baby Bottle Sterilizer
- Sterilizes and dries bottles, nipples, pacifiers, breast pump parts, toys, etc.
- Easy-to-use functions
- Ability to run just a sterilization cycle or just a drying cycle
- HEPA filter keeps the drying air pure and clean
- Ensure that you use distilled water
The Turbo Pure sterilizes, dries, and stores your baby bottles and accessories in a sterile environment using cutting-edge technology. The entire bottle is sterilized thanks to the Turbo Pure’s proprietary technology, which can sterilize the center of a baby bottle in only 8 minutes.
The steam produced by the Turbo Pure is 100% natural and has a temperature of 95°C (200°F), which can effectively eliminate even the toughest-to-remove particles, milk calcium deposits, and odors. It’s chemical-free, ensuring that your baby’s items are safe to use.
With a capacity of up to six infant bottles, a breast pump, pacifiers, and other sterilizable accessories can all be added at once. Additionally, the sterilizer has a “Pure Drying” mode that provides purified sterilization for 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
How To Choose The Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer?
- Compatibility: Make sure the sterilizer you select is compatible with the brand of bottle your child prefers. The majority can sterilize bottles of any brand, but others, like the Philips Avent 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer, are designed with characteristics that are exclusive to one or more bottle brands.
- Ease Of Cleaning: How will your bottle sterilizer need to be cleaned, for example? It will be necessary to periodically wash cold water and microwave steam sterilizers in warm, soapy water. An electric steamer’s element will also require descaling. Running it through the steam cycle while containing a small amount of white vinegar can do this.
- Frequency Of Use: Consider the number of bottles you need to sterilize each day; the typical design can sanitize up to six at once. Also, take into account the sterilizer’s size and the variety of objects it may hold.
- Versatility: You might want to seek out a machine that can handle extras like teethers, pacifiers, sippy cups, or pump components to get the most use out of it. If you don’t have enough storage space or are traveling, similar portable bottle steamer bags are a fantastic option.
What Are the Different Ways To Sterilize A Bottle?
- Boiling: Fully submerge each bottle for at least 2 minutes in boiling water (1). Although it is inexpensive and often simple to fix, bottle nipples can become worn down over time, so be sure to periodically inspect them for cracks.
- Steam Sterilizer: These may be used in a microwave or on an electric plug-in. These function by adding a little cold water, which turns into steam and kills bacteria when heated (2).
- UV Sterilizer: One of the most recent sterilizing techniques, UV bottle sterilizers employ ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms. If you want to take this path, be prepared to spend a lot of money because these devices are far more expensive than electric or microwave sterilizers.
- Cold Water Sterilizer: For this procedure, you must submerge your bottles and accessories in cold water that has been mixed with a bactericidal agent. They operate simply by dissolving antibacterial liquid or pills into water.
Do You Really Need A Baby Bottle Sterilizer?
Here are a few things to think about. Consider first if you’ll be utilizing formula or only breast milk. Because breast milk naturally includes antibodies that can shield your baby from germs, you might not need to sterilize the bottles you use for your infant if you are using breast milk. To lessen the danger of infection, sanitize your baby’s bottles if you are feeding him or her formula. Also, take into account if you’ll be utilizing single-use or reusable bottles. You must sanitize reusable bottles after each use if you’re using them.
Alternatively, you can also use the dishwasher sanitize cycle provided that they have the NSF Certification. This mark ensures that the dishwasher is able to achieve a minimum 99.999 percent or 5-log reduction of germs and has a final rinse temperature of 150 degrees F (3).
Is It Better To Steam Or Boil Baby Bottles?
When selecting whether to steam or boil baby bottles, there are a few factors to take into account. First of all, if you’re pressed for time, steaming is frequently faster than boiling. A portion of the nutrients in the bottles that would be lost during boiling can also be preserved by steaming. Baby bottles can still be thoroughly cleaned by boiling, which may be more effective than steaming. The most effective approach may ultimately rely on your individual needs and preferences.
Is Steam Or UV Sterilizer Better?
Sterilizers come in two primary categories: steam and UV. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Hot water is used in steam sterilizers to destroy germs and viruses. They might take longer to work, but they are quite effective. UV sterilizers destroy viruses and germs using ultraviolet light. They work more quickly and rapidly but are not as efficient as steam sterilizers.
Can I Just Rinse And Sterilize Baby Bottles?
Simple rinsing and sterilization are typically not advised for infant bottles. This is owing to the fact that rinsing alone won’t get rid of all the germs and other impurities from the bottle, and sterilizing alone won’t get rid of all the soap and other leftovers. Combining rinsing and sterilization will make the baby bottle as clean as possible.
At What Age Do You No Longer Need To Sterilize Baby Bottles?
There is no hard and fast rule, but the majority of experts agree that you can stop sterilizing baby bottles when your child is about 12 months old. His or her immune system is capable of fighting off the majority of germs at this point. Just remember that you shouldn’t start sterilizing bottles until your baby is around 2 months old (4).
Can I Use A Bottle Sterilizer for My Breast Pump?
Yes, you can use a bottle sterilizer for your breast pump. Many bottle sterilizers are designed to be versatile and can sterilize a variety of baby items, including breast pump parts. After each use, it’s important to wash the pump parts with soap and hot water and rinse them thoroughly. You can then either air-dry the parts on a clean towel or use a bottle sterilizer to further sanitize them.
However, it is important to remember that you can effectively sanitize your breast pump parts by either washing them by hand as well (5).
