The best baby bottle sterilisers, according to parents and experts
You can spend hours looking at cute little baby grows, hats and adorable mini booties, but when it comes to the practical purchases, whether it’s a baby monitor, a travel cot, or a baby bottle steriliser to keep their kit free from germs, it’s all about performance.
There are lots of different types of bottle sterilisers, so it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re a first-time parent. That’s why we decided to put them to the test in the Good Housekeeping Institute lab and with a panel of parents at home.
We analysed a range of sterilisers suited to different needs and budgets. These are our top-rated buys at a glance but keep reading for the full verdicts and everything you need to know before you shop.
Why do I need a steriliser?
“When it comes to keeping your little one safe, proper sterilisation of feeding equipment is essential, especially in those early months when their immune system is still developing,” says Louise Broadbridge, aka The Honest Midwife.
“The warm, moist environment of a used baby bottle is the perfect place for bacteria to thrive. This can lead to your baby suffering from infections or tummy upsets. Thoroughly washing bottles and feeding equipment in hot soapy water will remove visible remnants of milk, but sterilising will give you that extra layer of protection by ensuring bacteria left behind is removed.” she adds.
The NHS recommends sterilising all your baby’s feeding equipment until they’re at least 12 months old.
These gadgets aren’t limited to cleaning feeding devices either – many can also be used to sterilise breast pumps, hard teething toys, dummies and more.
What are the different types of sterilisers?
Cold water steriliser
With these designs, you either add tablets or a special fluid to cold water to sterilise your baby gear. You leave them in for around 15 minutes and can remove items for up to 24 hours. They’re handy as they don’t require heat or electricity and tend to be more affordable. All items must be completely submerged in the fluid, and you can use any container. The best-known brand for cold water sterilisation is Milton, which scored 95/100 in our tests.
Microwave steam steriliser
A good option if you own a microwave. To use, fill the unit with your bottles etc. and a small amount of water. It then sits inside the microwave and sterilises in just a few minutes using the steam created. Check the internal dimensions of your microwave before buying and take care to put it on the correct power setting.
These are fast, compact and relatively cheap. They use a small amount of power and equipment you already have. However, they can be quite small, so check how many bottles it’s able to clean at a time.
Electric steriliser
An electric steriliser is plugged into mains power and uses steam to sterilise your items. They usually have several levels, so you can place bottles in the bottom and accessories on a top tray. They also come in different sizes, so check their capacity before buying.
Many of these models also feature a dry mode, so the bottles have no residual moisture after being sterilised. You can also keep items in the device, and they’ll remain fully sterilised for up to 24 hours if the lid is kept closed.
Tip: if you can, use distilled water in your steriliser as it reduces limescale build-up.
UV steriliser
These use UV light to clean your baby’s feeding essentials and tend to be more expensive. They ward against the widest range of microorganisms, though, and can also be used to sterilise other items, including your phone. Bottles won’t require rinsing, cooling or drying as these sterilisers don’t use steam, heat or chemicals, but they can take longer than other methods.
How we test baby bottle sterilisers
Before testing anything, we ensure all products on our list meet the appropriate safety standards.
In the lab, if applicable, we assess how easy it is to add water, change the filters, and clean the steriliser after use. We note how many bottles and accessories each device can handle, using each of the programmes to see how effective they are. We also measure how quickly the unit sterilises items and, if it has other features such as drying, how quick that is too.
When it comes to design, we examine how robust and durable they are, as well as how well they fit together to prevent injuries from steam or chemicals in use. We assess how clear the instructions are, too.
We also send each device out to a panel of parents, asking them to give detailed feedback on design, instructions, ease of use and overall performance.
These are the ones that came out on top.
All-in-One Steriliser and Dryer
Score: 97/100
If you’re after a sleek device that sterilises and dries multiple bottles and feeding accessories at once, then our winner from Dr Brown’s impressed on test. It includes a removable basket that fits up to six bottles or other items such as breast pumps, dummies and teats. It also includes two HEPA filters (for removing airborne bacteria) that last up to six months, so that’s a year’s worth of filtration.
It scored full marks with our testers for its usability, instructions, design and quality, so it’s hard to find fault with this one. After placing a cup of water in the base, simply put your items inside and the full steam and dry cycle should take about 45 minutes.
If this is your first time buying a steriliser, then there’s no need to look elsewhere. “I have tried a few brands before, but I haven’t seen any that washes bottles as well as this one,” said one of our at-home testers. Another praised the quality of the design, which reassured them that it would “last for years to come.”
UV Baby Bottle Steriliser
Score: 96/100
Unlike our winner, this steriliser uses UV over steam. While it may sound rather Matrix-esque, it simply uses UV light to kill any microorganisms – this is often the way medical accessories and spaces are cleaned, so you can rest assured it’s effective. As there’s no heat or steam, there’s no risk of scalding either.
Plug it in, place your items inside, press the button, and in just three minutes, your items will be fully sterilised. Your bottle and accessories will be cool to the touch after the cycle too, so they’re ready to use immediately. Plus, its the quickest steriliser on our list, saving you precious time in those early months.
It’s compact, which is convenient for storage, but this does mean it can only hold up to four bottles. This means it may be more suited to someone who's breastfeeding and doesn’t use bottles as frequently. Overall, though, this is a simple, easy-to-use and effective steriliser that “does the job fuss-free,” according to one impressed parent.
Turbo Pure Steam Steriliser and Baby Bottle Dryer with HEPA filter
Score: 95/100
In just eight minutes, your bottles and accessories will be free from 99% of bacteria with this device. That’s some speedy sterilisation that will also last for over 24 hours if you leave the lid closed. The adjustable and removable steam outlets are designed to target even the trickiest of areas, so you can have peace of mind that every inch will be left bacteria-free.
This device has a clear display on the front, which tells you exactly how long is left on the cycle. It also has several different drying options, so you can adjust the time depending on how late you’re running...
Sterilisers aren’t the most feng shui of home appliances, but our expert thought this was a neat little gadget that will sit nicely on your counter. It also offers value for money – at under £90, it’s one of the lower priced models on our list.
Cold Water Sterilising Tablets
Score: 95/100
Taking an electric steriliser with you isn’t the most practical when you’re going away on holiday or staying with the in-laws for the weekend. Instead, these handy tablets let you can turn any bowl or clean sink into a sterilising space, although we tested them with the 5L Milton container, bought separately. Simply fill with water, drop the tablet in, and your items will be 99% free from bacteria in just 15 minutes. The unique formula means that there’s no need to rinse, either.
Not only are these tablets good for travel, but they’re also a budget-friendly option for those who may not have the space to house a sterilising unit.
The fact this option doesn't require hot water or electricity won it brownie points with one of our testers who found the tablets “convenient and easy to incorporate into a busy day.”
Avent Baby Bottle Steriliser
Score: 93/100
This steam steriliser is great for a wide variety of feeding accessories. It has a shorter, top reservoir, which is handy for smaller items, and a larger lower try for bottles and breast pump parts. It also has a removable drip tray at the base to catch any residual milk, which you can take out and clean to avoid any smells.
As it uses steam, it’s important to avoid touching the outside of the device while the cycle is running, and to let the bottles and accessories cool down before removing them, as our testers noted that they were hot to touch. Overall, though, our tester found this one easy to use and clean with a slimline design, which sounds ideal to us.
Advanced Pro UV Steriliser and Dryer
Score: 91/100
The compact size of this UV steriliser was both a blessing and a curse for our testers. Its small size means it won’t take up too much room on your counter-top, which is ideal if you’re short on space. However, this does mean you can’t sterilise as many items at one time. Our expert managed to fit three bottles in, but the accessories tray only fits three to five items with a bit of rejigging. That said, it’s still extremely effective at sterilising, and as it uses UV light, it doesn’t need to be de-scaled (unlike steam models that use water).
Once you’ve washed out your bottles with warm soapy water, pop them straight into this device, where it will sterilise and dry them, taking 30 minutes from start to finish. It also has a store mode – when selected, after sterilising and drying, the bacteria-eliminating LEDs are activated for one minute every hour, for up to three days, making it a hygienic storage box for all your essentials (it can also clean your phone, keys and makeup brushes).
Microwave Bags
Score: 87/100
These compact bags are ideal for travelling, provided you have access to a microwave. One of our testers called them a “godsend for time and convenience when away,” so be sure to add them to your suitcase or baby bag.
They’re small, but you can a couple of bottles and accessories or breast pump parts inside. Simply add them to the BPA-free bag along with the recommended amount of water, seal, and pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds. Do double-check timing based on the power of the microwave, though.
Once cooled, pour the excess water out from the convenient spout, and remove your items. You can use each bag up to 20 times. Our expert says they probably aren’t the best solution for everyday sterilising, but they will certainly do the job when you’re on the go.
Microwave Steam Steriliser
Score: 85/100
If you own a microwave, then this steriliser is a convenient buy, and it won’t take up space in your kitchen. To use, you just add up to four bottles and accessories, plus 200ml of water, and heat it in the microwave for between four to six minutes – for clean, bacteria-free results. It’s worth noting that this steriliser is made with Tommee Tippee’s 150ml bottles in mind, so won’t suit taller designs.
You’ll need gloves or a tea towel to take the plastic device out of the microwave without scalding yourself. But, despite not coming with any bells and whistles, it was a hit with our testers, who found it easy to use and clean.
Steam Steriliser and Dryer Advanced
Score: 85/100
The brand claims that this is the largest capacity steriliser on the market, so it’s great for loading up with feeding accessories. The large, lower container can fit up to eight bottles and it has a removable tray above for smaller accessories. Remember to check the lid is securely fitted before use though, as some of our testers found it can be a little loose, allowing steam to escape.
The device dries bottles using a HEPA filter, to leave them bacteria-free and ready to use. Just be aware that when it comes to changing the filter, you’ll need a screwdriver to loosen the filter panel.
How do I sterilise my baby’s bottle?
Before sterilising, always wash bottles, teats and caps with hot soapy water. Use a bottle brush to get into any nooks and crannies where milk residue might hide and then rinse in cold water.
How you sterilise depends on which type of device you opt for – see below a breakdown from The Honest Midwife that incorporates each method.
Boiling: Submerge bottles, teats and other feeding items in a large pan of water. Bring it to a rolling boil for at least 10 minutes, making sure everything stays fully covered.
Steam sterilising: Electric steam sterilisers or microwave versions are convenient and quick. Simply load up your equipment, add the recommended amount of water, and let the steam do its work.
Cold water sterilising: If you’re on the go or short on time, a sterilising solution or tablet in cold water can be a lifesaver. Make sure items are fully submerged for the recommended time (usually between 15-30 minutes).
After sterilising, let bottles air dry on a clean, sanitised surface or store them in a sterile container if not in use immediately. Avoid using a dish towel to dry them, as this could introduce bacteria.
Some sterilisers have a dry setting, which removes any leftover moisture from bottles so they’re ready to use immediately. Most steam devices are fitted with HEPA filters, which filter out any airborne bacteria or dust particles to further reduce any risk of contamination. Refer to the user manual for your selected model, but you’ll likely have to change this filter every three months.
You Might Also Like
