For as long as your baby needs to feed out of a bottle, you will need a baby bottle sterilizer. Why so?
You see, milk is an easy breeding ground for harmful bacteria that babies are especially vulnerable to. Cleaning the bottles (or any other feeding equipment that comes into contact with milk) with just detergent is simply not enough.
Back in the days, mothers would have to go through the hassle of boiling a pot of hot water to sterilize their baby bottles. Not anymore.
Top 10 Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer Reviews
We'll be upfront here - it is actually very hard for our editors here to come up with the following list of best baby bottle sterilizers.
You see, they are all chosen because of their excellent quality, with many having similar features and functionality.
You may not agree with our ratings below and that's ok - just know one thing, whichever model that you end up choosing, we guarantee it will be one you won't regret purchasing.
Nevertheless, the Eccomum Baby Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer has unanimously won the top spot with a close to perfect rating from not just our editors here at Mommy Tea Room, but from users across the world as well.
A 6-in-1 machine that performs a variety functions besides sterilizing, it is also one of the sterilizers with the largest capacity available in the market. Read more here ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Eccomum Baby Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer
Remember when we say that the models resemble closely to each other in terms of features and functionality? The Grownsy Baby Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer is a perfect example of that.
Also a 6-in-1 machine like the Eccomum, this device here is able to heat, warm and defrost in a variety of settings besides sterilizing as well. Nevertheless, it has a much smaller capacity (but also, almost half the price) compared to the former, read more here ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Grownsy Baby Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
Improved now with a LED touch screen panel, the Bololo Baby Bottle Steam Sterilizer & Dryer is another sterilizer that has received much love from parents across the world.
Unlike the previous two models, this one here focuses on just two things - sterilizing and drying. You can choose to have each job done separately, or you can combine both automatically. Find out more ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Bololo Baby Bottle Steam Sterilizer & Dryer
An Amazon's Choice, the Papablic Baby Bottle Steam Sterilizer & Dryer is a 3-in-1 sanitizer - it sterilizes (with steam), dry (with hot air) and deodorize to clean from start to finish.
With three stacking options, it is able to fit a variety of baby products (e.g. teethers, pacifiers etc.) or up to 11 bottles, and keep them sterilized for over 12 hours. Read more here ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Papablic Baby Bottle Steam Sterilizer & Dryer
The Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer & Dryer is actually the very first of the 3-in-1 kind in the market that combines steam sterilization, hot air drying, and storage function.
This upgraded Plus version now has a bigger basket and is equipped with functions like 'Descaling' and 'Memory Settings', the latter two of which are rather uncommon in the sterilizer market, nevertheless, are much loved by the public because ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer & Dryer
If we are to say the most powerful baby bottle sterilizer, it has to be the OMORC Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer.
When most competitors have power between 200-330W, this steam sterilizer here has 550W.
Because of this, it allows almost double the sterilization time compared to other models so you can get peace of mind when sterilizing bigger objects. Despite that, it is probably the quietest bottle sterilizer out of all, generating very low/close to none noise during use. Read more ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: OMORC Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer
The Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer is very similar to the Wabi Baby in that it also sterilizes, dries and stores your sanitized baby products.
The difference is that this one here allows you to sterilize and dry automatically in one go so you don't have to choose separately.
It may not be able to hold as many bottles as the Eccomum or Bololo, however, it is able to fit 6 glass bottles of up to 8 oz (or 9 oz if it's plastic bottles) so this is one model that is much loved by parents who use glass bottles for their little one. Read more here...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer
If you are pretty sure that bottles are not the only thing you will be using the sterilizer for, then we highly recommend you to get the Dr Brown's Deluxe Bottle Sterilizer.
You see, this one here has a built-in accessory tray for you to put all your bottle parts/accessories so that you can sterilize them together with your bottles all at once. Read more here ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Dr Brown's Deluxe Bottle Sterilizer
If you're instead looking for the fastest sterilizer in the market, the Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer will be right up yoru alley.
In just 6 minutes, it will get the job done.
One great thing about using a Philips AVENT bottle sterilizer is that it fits all bottles of the same brand perfectly.
Given the fact that the brand has release so many versions of bottles, it's likely that you're using one of them already so you don't have to worry about capacity and fit with this one. Read more here ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer
Last but not least, we have The First Years Electric Steam Sterilizer.
Like Dr Brown's, you can sterilize your accessories simultaneously. However, instead of one, it provides two built-in trays.
What we like about this sterilizer is its unique design that directs steam deep into the bottles for better sterilization. However, there may be some that think the design is a tad too bulky because of this, but see why it continues to be a favourite throughout the years here ...
BEST DEAL ONLINE: The First Years Electric Steam Sterilizer
Other Alternatives
A. UV Sterilizers
All the abovementioned baby bottle sterilizers use steam as their sterilizing agent. This is of a higher temperature than normal dishwasher so it is able to kill off 99.9% of harmful bacteria and germs.
UV sterilizers, on the other hand, use UV rays to achieve the same effect. Here are two of the best UV sterilizers we would recommend:
There are many reasons people choose to use a UV sterilizer over a steam sterilizer. First of all, it eliminates the problem of mildew that is so common in the latter and secondly, it does not require any separate drying feature.
More importantly, UV sterilizers generally have bigger capacity. Be it a top loader like the Coral or a 180-degree side opening like the Wabi Baby, there isn't much restriction as to how and what you load into it.
In that regard, UV sterilizers are much more convenient and easy to use compared to steam sterilizers. For better illustration, here's how it looks inside:
However, and you would probably already have noticed - UV sterilizers are much bulkier in size compared to steam sterilizers. With these, you have to be prepared to sacrifice some kitchen counter space.
Another thing with UV sterilizers is that it is much more pricier than steam ones. Understandably so, given the technology and engineering that went into them, not to mention their convenience and ease of use. So be prepared, you will need to fork out much more money for one.
B. Microwave Sterilizers
An alternative to traditional sterilizers is microwave sterilizers.
Similar to how you heat up your food in the microwave, all you need to do is fill the device with your content, add water and chuck it into the microwave.
It uses the power of your microwave to create natural steam that is of a higher temperature than dishwashers, thus killing 99.9% of harmful bacteria.
Not only are they much more compact and lightweight, they are very affordable too. It is ideal for parents who travel a lot, or those that simply do not have enough counter space to place a traditional bottle sterilizer.
In fact, given its affordable price point, most parents bought it in addition to their traditional sterilizers for days when they travel.
Among all the microwave sterilizers available in the market, these particular three are the best microwave sterilizers in our opinion:
The Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer is compact and lightweight and it can fit up to 4 (9 ounce) or 2 (11 ounce) of its own Avent Natural or Classic bottles.
Don’t worry, it can also fit other bottle brands, as well as pacifiers, nipples, breast pump accessories and the likes.
After fitting all that you need to sterilise and filling up the required water level, all you have to do is just close the lid and pop it into the microwave.
In just 2 minutes, this steam sterilizer will complete its job and if left unopened, the content inside will remain sterilized for up to 24 hours.
Other amazing features include the stay-cool safety grip, 1 year warranty and it also comes with 1 steam tray and 1 set of tongs. Extras like these are always a plus point.
The downside of this microwave sterilizer is that some parents observed that it does not hold other bottle brand as well as it does with its own Natural or Classic bottles.
Apart from this, users are generally happy with this product and many commended its very detailed and helpful manual that makes things easier.
Don’t be fooled by its size, the Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer can hold up to 4 bottles and 2 breast pump shields at one go.
This includes both regular and wide-mouth bottles.
Most baby bottles from different brands like Philips AVENT, Dr Brown’s etc. fit well into it. This compact sterilizer can also fit pacifiers, teethers, nipples, small toys and other breast pump accessories and all it takes is just 2 minutes to fully sterilize all that it contains.
Your safety is well taken care of too by its heat-resistant handles and the open-away latch prevents steam burns. It also comes with heat-resistant tongs, which is always a plus point, and fits well into all standard microwaves.
Weighing at just 1.3 pounds, the Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer is free from BPA, latex, phthalate, PVC and nitrosamine.
There are some who find issues that the lid and handles do not stay on very well though, and that the handle may come off when removing this sterilizer from the microwave. Make sure you do not overload it and be careful when pulling it out from the microwave.
For the price you are paying for the Munchkin Steam Guard Microwave Sterilizer, there really isn’t much to fault this item. If you do not wish to spend $50 or more on a sterilizer, this is definitely the best microwave bottle sterilizer to go.
This microwave steam sterilizer is similar to the previous two, except that the Dr Brown’s Microwave Steam Sterilizer is made in USA.
Its sterilizing tray holds up to 4 bottles (both standard and wide-mouth) and this tray is removable for easy cleaning. It also comes with a pair of tongs for you to remove the bottles once they are sterilized.
This microwave steam sterilizer is loved by so many parents, it does not have much, if any, complaints about it.
The only thing that some may find inconvenience is that this sterilizer is slightly shorter so you will have to angle taller bottles in order to fit it inside.
If you’re using the Dr Brown’s bottles, this will not be a problem for you at all.
C. Microwave Sterilizing Bags
If you want something even more convenient than microwave steam sterilizers, you can consider microwave sterilizing bags.
How these work is that you fill the bag with small feeding items, add water and pop it into the microwave. Start on with the steam clean.
Most bags are reusable (some as many as ten times!) so this is definitely a favourite alternative for many.
Many brands have come out with their own microwave sterilizing bags and they all function in the same way so we won’t review them one by one.
Bag size, quantity and price are the main factors to consider when buying your microwave sterilizing bags.
Do note that these microwave sterilizing bags are mainly used during travels. We do not recommend replacing traditional sterilizers with them because it wouldn’t be economical in the long term run.
Selection Criteria - Things to Look For
Different parents have different requirement so make sure you understand what you want in a bottle sterilizer.
Below are the three most basic criteria that parents find helpful as a starting point in determining what sort of baby bottle sterilizers is the best for them:
Capacity
Perhaps the very first thing you should consider is: how many bottles can the sterilizer hold at one time?
Most sterilizers hold up to 6 bottles at one time, though there are some that can hold 8-12 bottles of all size.
If you are having twins or more, capacity is something you should put more consideration into as you would want to sterilize as many bottles as you can at one go.
Drying Feature
There are some sterilizers that come with drying feature and there are some that don’t.
This means in addition to sterilizing the bottles, it dries them as well so that you can use it straight away once they are out from the sterilizer.
Definitely consider if this is a priority when you are choosing your best baby bottle sterilizer.
This is because if you go the traditional air-drying route, there may be a chance that baby products may accumulate household dust or become a wet breeding ground for bacteria post-sterilizing, thus unfortunately reversing the sterilization process.
Portability
If you travel quite a bit or have to be always on the go then it’s best that you choose one that is smaller in size for easy portability.
Or you can consider these microwave sterilizers which are both light and very affordable, and does the same trick as the traditional ones.
