You are naturally looking for the Best Bottle Sterilisers If you bottle feed your baby, you will also need to invest in a bottle steriliser to keep your equipment, bottles and accessories safe and sterile to use. There are so many options out there, the decision process can be a bit overwhelming, so we have narrowed it down to some of the best options out there.
The importance of sterilisation
The fact that you need to sterilise your baby’s bottle before use may be a bit of a learning curve for some new mums. Although it is one more thing to add to your seemingly endless to do list, it is very important for baby that their things go through a proper sterilisation process before any use. It’s also important that you can manage the purchase within your Budget.
The warm milk in bottles can practically be a breeding ground for all sorts of germs and harmful bacteria. Young babies have not yet had the chance to build up their immune systems, so can be more susceptible to illness. The steriliser should be used after washing the bottles to get rid of any remaining bacteria.
Different types of bottle Steriliser
To make the decision even harder, there are multiple types of bottle steriliser to consider.
Steam
This is the most common type of bottle steriliser, and can either be electric or used in the microwave depending on the product you buy. These products use steam to rid baby bottles and other accessories of bacteria. You can either plug a unit in to heat the water to create the steam, or some may need cold water added to the unit and it placed in a microwave to heat the water.
Cold water
Cold water sterilisation is not that common these days, although it has been around for years now. To clean your bottles, along with the unit you will also need antibacterial fluid or dissolving tablet, which is what actually sterilises the bottle. Although you have to remember to stay stocked up on the fluid or the tablets, this type of unit is usually the cheapest and tends to be portable, good for when you are travelling or as a backup to keep at family or friends’ houses.
UV
Things have got a bit more technical in the last few years, and we are seeing the emergence of more and more UV sterilisation units. The devices use ultraviolet light to sterilise bottles and accessories, and can also be used to sterilise so much more than this around the home. Although they tend to be more on the expensive side, they are the most hassle-free option, and you won’t have to worry about drying the bottles after use.
Best Baby Bottle Steriliser – Overall Winner
Tommee Tippee complete feeding set
There is a lot of factors to take into consideration when buying a sterilising kit, but we feel as though this complete set from Tommee Tippee ticks all of those must have boxes and more. The kit included everything you need to get started with the sterilisation process, making it perfect for a new mum who may not already have the basics. The set includes an electric steamer and 8 bottles to use with the steamer, a bottle test brush, two insulated bottle bags, an electric bottle warmer, soother and teat tongs and four powdered milk dispensers. Do you see what we mean when we say it really does come with everything? The steriliser comfortably fits 6 full sized bottles, so you can get a lot done in one cycle, plus can also steam dummies and teats. The whole process takes 5 minutes, and only needs descaling once a month. Another bonus is despite it being such an extensive set, it comes at an affordable price tag.
Best Budget Baby Bottle Steriliser
Medela Quick Clean Microwave bags
Everyone knows that a new baby can drain the bank account pretty quickly, especially due to all the initial big outlays that are needed. If you are after a bottle sterilising option that won’t break the bank, look no further than Medela Quick Clean Microwave Bags.
Seeing as the bags are so small and portable, and you get 5 bags in every set, they are perfect for sharing. Leave one at a grandparent’s house or take one on holiday with you, so you can sterilise on the go. The bags are reliable, and great value for money. You get 5 bags in a set, and each bag can be used up to 20 times, so they will last you a very long time. There is even a section on the bag which you can hold so you don’t burn your fingers, and a tick chart so you can check how may times you have used the bag.
One of the downsides is that you can only sterilise 2 bottles at once, so if you need to sterilise more than that every day, it can be quite a lot of work.
Best Mid-range Baby Bottle Steriliser
Philips Avent 3 in 1 Electric Steam Steriliser
Small and compact, the Philips Avent is a great option for busy mums with smaller kitchens. Although it is a good all-rounder, the main selling point of the Philips is that you can adjust it to three different sizes. Adjust the device to its smallest setting and it can be used for sterilising small items such as soothers, then there is a medium option, and the largest option that can be used to sterilise up to 6 bottles. It also only has a 6-minute sterilising cycle, perfect if you need those bottles quickly. The device will let you know when the bottles have cooled down enough to remove. If you keep the lid closed, the items inside will remain sterile for up to 24 hours.
Best Baby Bottle Steriliser for Travel
You may only be able to sterilise one bottle in the Milton Solo Travel Steriliser, but it is a great travel option. In one neat, portable unit, you have the option of using the microwave or using cold water sterilisation. It will keep an item sterile for 24 hours, and fits most bottle brands. Travel sterilisers are usually pretty basic as they need to be small and portable, but the Milton has that bit extra. In the microwave, it can sterilise items in as little as 2 minutes, and only needs a 15-minute cycle when used with cold water, following the manufacturing instructions. With this option you will need to also buy sterilising tablets or liquid which is an extra expense.
The device is made with BPA-free plastic, and seems very study, making it perfect for taking out and about. It also has the handy feature of having a flat side, so it can be laid down in the microwave if it doesn’t fit standing up.
Best Compact Baby Bottle Steriliser
After you have got your crib, your rocker, the changing table, the toys, the pram, the carrier and the multitude of other things you need for a new born, there is not much room left for anything else. For those with a smaller home, gadgets need to be compact, and that’s where the MAM Easy Start has you covered.
Although small and compact, it still allows you to sterilise up to 6 bottles at once, and has the option to steam or run a cold water sterilisation cycle. It is only 16.5cm high, therefore the whole device can usually fit in a standard microwave. When you are done using it, you can put it into a cupboard, so it is not taking up room on your work surface, or if you did want to leave it out for easy use, it takes up minimal counter space.
Best multiuse Baby Bottle Steriliser
Tommee Tippee 3 in 1 UV steriliser
As a new mum, anything that can make your life easier is a big plus. The Tommee Tippee UV steriliser can also be used as a bottle dryer, and then as storage when not in use. It may not be compact, but compared to many other sterilisers, it doesn’t look that bad sitting on your sideboard.
The sterilisation process is UV, which you can use as a setting on its own and it will sterilise and dry in 60 minutes. There is also a dry only mode if the bottles are already sterile. In the storage mode, the unit emits 5 minutes of UV light and 5 minutes of drying every 2 hours.
Best high end Baby Bottle Steriliser
Nurture Advanced Pro UV Steriliser
This incredible device is not only fast, but also looks sleek and high end. It eliminates bacteria in just 7 minutes, and also has a drying cycle. It uses UV LED technology to kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, all without chemicals, water or heat. As well as bottles, it can also be used for a range of other items and accessories, and is incredibly easy to use.
There is no faffing around, which is perfect when you are in a rush. Shove everything in, even if it is wet, and the device will do the rest. It is nice and compact, so can easily fit on the kitchen side, although as a downside, it does come with a slightly higher price tag than some of the others on this list.
Best self sterilising bottles
If you don’t have room for a steriliser in your home, or don’t want to buy a steriliser, choose a self sterilising bottle. These self sterilising bottles will simplify your bottle cleaning routine and are incredibly easy to use. The bottles come apart and can be assembled to be their own steam steriliser in the microwave.
They have also been designed in such a way that they prevent your baby from swallowing so much air while they are feeding. If you already have plenty of baby bottles, a steriliser might be the better choice, but if you still need to buy bottles, then you could buy these bottles instead of buying a steriliser.
Best Baby Bottle Steriliser On-The-Go
Nuby UV Portable Electric Steriliser
In just 3 minutes, the Nuby UV Portable Electric Steriliser is able to wipe out bacteria from baby bottles and accessories while on the move. Not only does it work extremely well, but it also looks really nice, fitting into a compact grey bag that most mum’s would be very happy to carry around. The bag uses UV sterilisation, so you don’t have to worry about being near a water source. You can use it wherever you are, be it in the home or on the other side of the world. It also doesn’t need any cooling or drying time, making it extremely convenient, and even has a built-in section at the bottom of the bag for storage.
The battery it comes with is portable and just needs charging before taking it out. Then all you have to do is plug the battery in, put your bottles info the top compartment, zip it up and press start. Once charged, the battery lasts for 17 cycles, so you don’t have to worry about charging it again for a while.
