Any parent would gravitate to the best bottle sterilizer on the market to keep their baby safe while their immune system develops. Bottle sterilizers are generally electric and include a drying cycle—many are even portable, BPA-safe, and microwaveable to further increase their convenience. Our roundup consists of both varieties and a couple of surprises; see which one works best for your family.
Philips Avent microwave steam sterilizer
Just add water
Thirty years ago, Philips created a progressive sub-brand specifically for innovative baby and toddler products—the Avent product line. Proof of their progress is made evident by their microwave steam sterilizer. Its capacity holds up to 4 bottles or various other microwave-safe items, like pacifiers or pump components. Everything is thoroughly sterilized in two minutes flat. Its lid can maintain a seal for up to 24 hours, keeping the contents 100-percent sterile. Most microwaves will accommodate this sterilizer, and its side grips stay cool, preventing burned hands as parents remove it.
Papablic baby bottle electric steam sterilizer and dryer
3-in-1
For jets of vapor hotter than your dishwasher's dry cycle, turn to Papablic's electric sterilizer and dryer. With its 3-in-1 design and simple dial, you can alternate between steam, hot air drying, and deodorizing. Papablic's sterilizer has a generous capacity, holding up to 11 bottles simultaneously or a combination of pacifiers and toys. However, its most thoughtful feature is its timer; it has an auto-shutoff feature for tired parents that might overlook that step.
Dr. Brown's deluxe bottle sterilizer
Ample accessory tray
Another high-capacity buy, Dr. Brown's deluxe bottle sterilizer, is simple to use and an essential appliance for new parents. Tongs are included for bottle removal so that you don't recontaminate them after they're clean, and the accessory tray is removable and serves to align the bottles over the steam jets. While it will accommodate most bottles, Dr. Brown does sell a matching set designed to fit neatly inside the sterilizer. Much like a Keurig, this sterilizer should be de-scaled monthly at a minimum to maintain optimal cleanliness. The metal heating plate is where residue generally collects, so keep an eye out for that.
Munchkin jumbo microwave bottle sterilizer bags, 180 uses, 6-pack
30 uses per bag
Our best overall is microwaveable, too, so what's the difference here? True portability: Munchkin's bottle sterilizer bag is sold in two sizes and lies flat for storage. With just a bit of water added, whatever you can fit in is 99.9-percent sterile after a couple of minutes. Opening microwave bags without scalding your fingers can feel like a game of roulette. Thankfully, these bags have a steam vent and "cool-touch" corners for safe handling while unzipping. Each bag allows thirty uses (and is printed with handy checkboxes to track them), and they're sold in a six-pack.
GROWNSY UV-C 4-in-1 LED light sterilizer box
Destroys bacteria and viruses
Grownsy's 4-in-1 sterilizer box is the oddball on this list since it doesn't sanitize its contents with steam. Instead, it's has mirrored interior walls with UV-C LEDs arranged to create a 360-degree reflective space for efficient sterilization. When the box stays sealed after sanitation is complete, the contents can be safely stored for 72 hours—thanks to a HEPA filter that only allows clean air to enter. This product isn't limited to baby supplies, either. It's perfect for sterilizing toys, smartphones, clothing, and anything else you can imagine.
Bottom line
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Now that we've explored the current selection of bottle sterilizers, hopefully, it shed a little light on your options. The most versatile selection is our best overall, the Philips Avent bottle sterilizer. Philips designed it to be microwaveable, BPA-free, and portable; it also requires very little water for adequate sanitation. Its capacity is middle-range, so if you have multiple kids (or just one very hangry one), you might want a larger model like Papablic's 3-in-1 electric steam sterilizer. Up to eleven bottles nestle neatly inside, providing a much-needed backlog of sterile bottles.