Best Sterilizers for baby bottles Reviews

Newborn babies are usually fed on mother’s breast milk.

But in some cases, if the mother is unable to feed the baby directly, there are other options for like pumping milk into baby bottles or using a formula milk. Some mothers use both types of feeding; breastmilk and bottles.

So, the baby is bound to come in contact with a baby bottle during its first year. Baby bottles are the basically the first products they start using in their lives.

Some would say that using hot water and soap is enough, but it does not get rid of germs entirely.

Having a sterilized bottle ready every time your baby’s feeding time approaches is the best thing a mother can have.

Babies have very low immunity that makes them an easy target to catch infections.

Having the milk bottle sterilizer is one way to stop those germs to harm your baby. Every parent wants the best thing for their child and wants that thing to work wonders too.

In buying sterilizers for baby bottles one must remember things to keep in mind; like the material used for making the sterilizer, the technique used by the sterilizer to make the bottles germ free, and many other.

Which Baby Bottle Sterilizer is suitable for you

You need to keep a few points in mind while searching for the best sterilizer for the baby bottle.

Some of the Best Electric Bottle Sterilizers:

There are many electric baby bottle sterilizers with a variety of settings and sizes.

Here are a few best ones with their benefits and drawbacks.

Philips-Avent 3 in 1 Electric Steam Sterilizer

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It has many benefits as it can sterilize soothers, baby utensils, breast pump, teethers and can hold up to six baby bottles. It is also efficient and easy to use.

It has a large capacity and is great due to its multipurpose function.

It is a bit large if you have a small counter space. It only takes six minutes to complete a cycle.

This system is fantastic in that it can be separated or used whole. There is a removable compartment at the top for bottles, cutlery, nipples, pacifiers, etc., and also a separate removable compartment below where the bottles themselves are placed.

This means that each part of the AVENT electric sterilizer can be used independent of each other, so that you do not have to have the bottle sterilizer running to sterilize other things. This clever design is essentially what makes the system 3 in 1, as you can use it in different configurations to suit what you need.

Other Electric Sterilizers are:

• Babymoov turbo electric steam sterilizer,

• Baby brezza Sterilizer and Dryer

Cold Water Baby Bottle Sterilizer

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This cold water baby bottle sterilizer uses more time than the steam baby bottle sterilizers.

The average steam sterilizer takes about 5-10 minutes in one cycle to sterilize or clean.

The cold water baby bottle sterilizer takes about 15 minutes.

The size of the cold water baby bottle sterilizer by Milton is big enough to store and sterilizer other products like the teething ring, nipples, breast pumps, soothers, weaning bowls, toddlers cup, and other baby toys.

It uses sterilizing tablets.

Add about five liters of cold water in the sterilizer and add Milton’s sterilizing tablet or their solution (in this case).

These are sold separately and can be bought again after you run out of the previous solution or tablets. After adding the sterilizing tablet or solution add the items you wish to sterilize.

Baby bottles, teething ring, and many other items can be sterilized together. Close the lid for about 15 minutes and the sterilized products are ready to use.

It does not come with a drying option. It also does not require any plugin or power source, so it is great for carrying it on the go and when away from home.

This type of sterilizes baby bottle best where the power source is not present or leaching of plastic content is the main concern.

Microwave Baby Bottle Sterilizer

Like electric baby bottle sterilizers, Microwave sterilizer also use hot heat steam for sterilization of the baby bottles. Microwave baby bottle sterilizers are small and can be stashed away when not in use.

The microwave baby bottle sterilizers, all you have to do is add water in the container and place the desired baby bottles that need to be sterilized.

Then place it in the microwave under the instructions of time and temperature according to the sterilizer.

Microwave baby bottle sterilizers come in different shapes and styles. It can be a steam bag or a device when you can stack your baby bottles and microwave it.

This type of sterilizer does not have a drying or deodorizing option which is a discomfort and extra work.

Benefits of microwave Baby Bottle Sterilizers

• The microwave baby bottle sterilizers are easy to stash away and carry around.
• The microwave sterilizers are also faster and can complete a cycle under five minutes.
• They are easy to use and cost efficient than other sterilizers.

Drawbacks of microwave baby bottle sterilizers

• It does not contain a drying option so after sterilization, the bottles need to be dried.
• It can be done by leaving the bottles out for air drying and then storing or using it for preparing formula.

Philips Avent microwave steam sterilizer bags

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It is a leakproof and airtight sterilizing bag that can be used when you are away from home and can easily be carried around in your bag or the baby’s bag.

Each bag can be used for at least 20 times. It is cost-efficient and easy to carry. It can sterilize three baby bottles or one breast pump at a time.

You only have to fill the bag with 60 ml of water and place the bottles inside the bag. Ziplock it and microwave for about 90 minutes.

It contains a safe zone from where the heated and sterilized bag can be held without having burns or injuries. IT also contains a transparent window to check if the bottles are in the correct position.

Dr. Brown’s Microwave Sterilizer

Dr. Browns’ microwave sterilizer is a compact sterilizer that is easy to use and has a fast cycle of about 5-8 minutes. It depends on the microwave setting.

It can contain about 4 bottles at a time but they have to short and necked like Dr. Brown’s bottles.

It comes with a plastic tong that is heat resistant and is for removing the hot sterilized bottles after the cleaning cycle is complete.

It contains a central sterilizing tray when the bottles are placed and it can be easily removed for cleaning purposes.

Dr. Brown’s microwave is dishwasher safe and can run on tap water.

Therefore it is one of the best cost efficient sterilizers on our list.

It is the best sterilizer for dr. Brown’s Bottles.

Dr. Brown’s Baby bottles are usually the widely used bottles especially for kids who have colic.

These bottles have wide short necks.

Dr. Brown’s baby bottles

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Dr. Brown’s baby bottles are specially designed for babies with colic or digestion problems. These bottles are short and wide-necked.

Apart from colic, it is also great for reducing spit-up, burping, and gas. It is also known for preserving the bottle milk nutrients.

Vitamin C, A, and E are very crucial and beneficial for the infant’s health.

Good digestion is accomplished by vacuum free feeding in babies and especially newborns. The fully vented feeding resembles breastfeeding.

Dr. Brown’s baby bottles come with silicone nipple. This silicone nipple and the internal vent system helps the baby to attain a controlled and smooth flow of the babies’ own feeding speed.

The bottles are of following types:

• Original bottles
• Original wide necked bottles
• Glass wide necked bottles
• Pink and blue bottles.

Things To Look For In  Baby Bottles Sterilizer

 Easy To Use:

The best sterilizer for bottles should be easy to use and should not have complicated settings and set of instructions. People tend to go for things that not require too much time in just setting it up, or every time has to use the instruction manual for one bottle.

Size of the Sterilizer:

The size of the sterilizer allows you to use big or small ounce baby bottles.

It also depends on how many bottles you can sterilize in it at a time.

Some people who breastfeed the baby and seldom require a baby bottle, like when they are away or cannot directly feed the baby, tend to buy a smaller one.

But it is smarter to buy one average sized sterilizer neither too small nor too large to fill in the bottles at any stage of the baby’s feeding.

Buying a small sterilizer first may lead to buying a second larger one after a couple of months because your baby’s grown and so has his diet.

Number of bottles that can be sterilized together:

Every baby bottle sterilizer has a different number of bottles it can sterilize in one go.

Chose one that fits best with your needs. If both breastmilk and seldom formula milk is given a smaller number will do.

But if you only feed formula milk to your baby you can require a number of bottles throughout the day and it will be hectic to go through the cycle every time you need to make the bottle.

Chose one which can sterilize at least five bottles and even store them, to keep them sterilized.

The drying Option:

Some sterilizers come with drying options ad various settings to geta dried bottle at the end of each cycle.

Microwave sterilizers usually require the bottles to be dried after the cycle.

Baby bottle sterilizer contains many drying options and settings to choose from which decrease the workload.

Space required:

If you have limited space in your apartment or kitchen, then you can go for microwave bags that are used for sterilization and do not require any additional storage space on the shelf.

The electric sterilizers take up space on the counter and require a power source too.

Types of Baby bottle sterilizers: 

There are at least three main categories regarding the type of baby bottle sterilizers depending on the technique and method they use to provide germ-free bottles.

1. Electric Sterilizers

2. Steam Sterilizers

3. Microwaveable Sterilizers

Electric Sterilizers

The electric sterilizers also use steam but it is generated through electricity from a direct power source.

The generated steam is responsible for killing all germs and bacteria from the bottles.

Most of the electric sterilizers are easy to operate.

All you have to do is place the bottles inside the sterilizer and press the button. After a designated time remove bottles and use them.

There are some electric sterilizers that have the capacity for only one bottle.

But you can choose the ones which can hold more than one and sterilize them all together.

A few of the upgraded electric sterilizers have the additional option of drying and even deodorizing the bottles after sterilizing them.

The benefits of the electric sterilizers

• Electric sterilizers are easier to use.
• Some sterilizers have drying option and different steam and dry settings that you can personalize according to your need.
• It is a quick process and usually takes less than ten minutes to sterilize baby bottles.

Drawbacks of the Electric Sterilizers

• Electric sterilizers are costly as compared to other types of sterilizers.
• Electric sterilizers require space on the counter.

UV / Portable sterilizer

Preview	Product	Rating
	Wabi UV-C Sterilizer and Dryer for Baby Bottles, Electronic Devices and Kitchen Wares, Low Heat...	449 Reviews	Price & Reviews

UV lights are the latest trend in everything nowadays.

UV light has many benefits and one of it is antiseptic properties. UV light can easily kill germs and bacteria without any steam or harsh soap or chemical that has to be used in some cases.

These are usually small in size and easy to carry around.

Due to its small size, the baby bottles should be dismantled and every part should be sterilized separately which may be a discomfort and a little work.

These do not recover a power source to operate. It is easy to use and is a great type of sterilizer when you are traveling. This type is the best sterilizer for baby bottles that are made of plastic.

The Benefits of UV light Sterilizers

• These are light in weight and easy to carry around.
• It is compact and a great choice for traveling.
• UV light is reasonable and is even cheaper than the electric sterilizers.

 Drawbacks of the UV light Sterilizer

• These can be a little time consuming and can take up to ten minutes for one cycle.
• Due to their small and compact size, one might need to sterilize the baby bottle parts separately or one by one.

THE VERDICT:

After going through all the reviews in search of the best baby bottle sterilizer among different types of sterilizers, we came across this conclusion.

There are a number of sterilizers giving many options in every category.

The Philip’s Avent 3 in 1 is the best electric steam sterilizer along with Dr. Brown’s Deluxe bottle sterilizer.

Dr. Brown’s microwave steam sterilizer is the best in the microwave sterilizer category.

All the sterilizers are equipped with a number of functions which gives you the choice to choose any sterilizer according to your needs.

If you are always on the go, microwave sterilizers are a great option, however, if you are looking for quick and many bottles being sterilized all together, the electric sterilizer is the better option for you.

Dr. Brown’s and Philips have the best steam sterilizer for baby bottles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do you need baby bottles sterilizers?

Babies have a very weak immune system in the beginning months of their life.

Some babies are weak even when they are around a year old. This weak immune system cannot fight away germs that may enter the baby’s body.

Germs entering the body can cause mild problems like thrush or harsh ones like diarrhea and vomiting; etc.

Feeding bottles are the most common thing that comes in contact with your baby on daily basis. And it can also be a nesting ground for germs if not sterilized properly.

Baby bottle sterilizers use hot steam or UV lights to make the bottles germ free and clean.

2. How often should you use baby bottle sterilizers?

Baby bottle sterilizers should be used every day. All bottles used once should go through the sterilizer’s cleaning cycle before you use them again.

The sterilization process is not only for bottles but for nipples and other compartments as well. It helps keep the bottles sterilized and clean.

3. How long does the cleaning cycle take?

The cleaning cycle or sterilization process depends on the technique it uses, UV light, Electric or microwave sterilization.

Every sterilizer has its own settings and the designated time for the cleaning process.

Usually, this process takes form about less than five minutes to ten minutes on average for all sterilizer types.

4. From where should you use water from?

The basic component of sterilizers is steam. The steam is produced from the water you add in the compartment before starting the cleaning cycle.

Some products allow you to use tap water in the sterilization process others may not clearly indicate the quality of water that can be used.

It is safe to use tap water if you have a clear running water source.

If you have salty tap water or are not sure about the source of the tap water it is better to use direct drinking water in the compartment.

This way there will be no residue of hard water or salty marks of the water being used in the sterilizer.

5. What else can I use my sterilizer for?

The sterilizers come with instruction about what can be sterilized in its compartments and if the baby bottles have to dismantle completely before sterilizing.

The size of the sterilizers and the compartment options give the choice of sterilizing baby bottles, nipples, teethers, breast pumps, and even baby toys.

6. How can I keep my sterilizer clean?

The sterilizer itself also requires cleaning and maintaining. Some sterilizers like Dr. Brown’s steam sterilizer is dishwasher safe and can be washed in the dishwasher.

Electric steam sterilizers are not a great option for dishwasher or evening running water as having the risk of short-circuiting.

Such sterilizers can be cleaned with a clean damp cloth. Some sterilizers also have compartments that can be disassembled for thorough cleaning and using purpose.

7. Can you leave water in the sterilizer after the cleaning cycle is complete?

Leaving water in the sterilizer is fine as long as you are sure the water will not leave its mark or any salt residue in the sterilizer.

It is better to avoid leaving water in or the steam in the sterilizer to lessen any chance of mildew.

It is better to keep the sterilizer and bottles dry after cleaning cycle.

It also prolongs the life of the sterilizer and keeps it in original condition with less chance of having any failure or breakdown of the product.

8. What is Bisphenol A (BPA) and what is the risk of it to the baby?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used widely in the manufacturing of baby milk bottles. The bottles prepared and manufactured from BPA are usually durable and shiny.

It is also used in mixtures of plastic that are used to manufacture bottle caps, toddler’s cups, beverage containers, and plastic cans of food.

This type of harmful chemicals can leach when the bottle is heated or boiled in boiling water for the purpose of sterilization.

Therefore, it is not recommended to sterilize plastic baby bottles in hot or boiling water as this chemical can enter the baby’s system and be harmful.

9. Are Dr. Brown’s Baby bottles safe?

Dr. Brown’s baby bottles are prepared from BPA-free polypropylene plastic or BPA-free Borosilicate Glass.

These are medically approved and safe for the use of baby bottles and in the sterilization process.

Dr. Brown bottles, vent inserts, cap, nipple collar, vent reservoir, and travel disk are all made from medical grade silicone. Making them safe for the baby and use in sterilizers.