The Best Baby Bottle Sterilizers, Tested by a Mom of One

The beauty of the Philips Avent Baby Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer Premium lies in its simplicity—no buttons, no confusing settings, just three straightforward and effective cycles all operated by a single dial. As a parent who’s easily overstimulated these days, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate a baby appliance without a steep learning curve. It sanitizes and dries in just 40 minutes, or you can choose a quick 10-minute sterilize or 30-minute dry-only cycle. The only feature I wish it included? A countdown display to let me know exactly how much time remains.

Aside from its easy to use interface, the Avent sterilizer won me over with its generous capacity. Before I loaded up the sterilizer, I cleaned all of the items with soap and water following the advice of Jenelle Ferry, MD, a board-certified neonatologist, pediatrician and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group, who said that when sterilizing, parents should “be sure to include /[the] bottle brushes you’re using to wash them.” I’m happy to report that I was able to easily fit my baby bottle cleaning brush into the large Avent basin, something I couldn’t do with many other sterilizers. While the manual shows it’s designed for six bottles, I loaded eight (both wide and narrow-mouth) without overcrowding. It also comes with a separate tray I used to sanitize everything from bottle nipples and teethers to baby spoons and pacifiers. With the accessory tray removed, tall 9-ounce bottles (like those from Dr. Brown’s) fit too. Despite its large capacity, I find its footprint to be modest, which is a plus for families with limited counter-space.

While the sterilization cycle takes a minute longer than two other units I tested, I like that it uses tap water rather than distilled. (This device uses 4.5 ounces of water per sterilizing cycle, so if it were to require distilled water the costs would add up over time.) The manual doesn’t mention a cool-down period, but I recommend waiting 5 to 10 minutes after the cycle finishes before unloading it, as the baskets and items become very hot and a lot of steam is released. Alternatively, you can leave the lid on and the bottles will stay sterile for up to 24 hours. The dry cycle was efficient and effective. However, skipping the dry cycle left standing water in the bottom of the unit. Removing the bottle compartment before the heating plate cools completely also caused the water to sizzle and leave brown spots on the plate. Fortunately, the plate wiped clean with a soft towel, and I didn’t come across reports of long-term mechanical issues. Still, the included two-year warranty is a nice reassurance.

Like most new parents I value peace and quiet, so I used an app on my phone to measure the sound level emitted by each electric sterilizer, specifically during the wash and dry cycles, which can be noisy. The Philips Avent Baby Bottle Sterilizer generated 49.5 decibels of sound during dry-only mode, which was a little loud, but wasn’t enough to put me off using it again. Overall, I liked the large capacity and simplicity of the unit, making it my top choice.

Dimensions: 12" (L) x 7.5" (W) x 14.9" (H) | Capacity: 6 bottles | Sterilize cycle duration: 10 minutes | Dry cycle duration: 30 minutes

Whether it’s a quick cleanup between feedings or sterilizing during naptime, this microwave bottle sterilizer saves both time and counter space. It received high testing marks all around and stands out as the best microwave sterilizer we tested due to its size, capacity and easy-of-use.

Unlike electric devices that typically take up a lot of space, the The Philips Avent Microwave Steam Sterilizer is nice and compact. It fits inside my microwave, which has an internal width of 12 inches, and can easily be stored in a kitchen cabinet or drawer. Plus, if you’re traveling, you can pack everything inside, snap it shut and—voilà!—you’ve got a compact, secure travel case for bottles, nipples and pacifiers.

In terms of capacity, it’s designed to hold standard and wide-neck bottles and has two angled slots for tall 8-ounce bottles.I like that the sterilizer is tall enough to not only hold my 8-ounce bottles, but also fits my Baby Buddha silicone pump standing upright. The manual recommends sticking to four bottles and their accessories but, like other users noted, I found that it could hold much more. I tested it with six bottles at once, and I didn’t notice any difference to the end results. However, the load looked a bit cramped, and overloading might block the steam from reaching everything. The sterilizer works in as little as two minutes (plus a two-minute cool-down time), and the included tongs allow you to safely remove sterilized items, preventing burns and contamination.

The only drawback I see to microwave sterilizers like the Avent compared to electric models is the lack of a drying cycle. Glick recommends air-drying sterilized items facedown on a clean towel rather than patting or wiping them dry to avoid transferring germs. I simply popped the sterilized bottles on my drying rack and allowed them to air dry.

All parts of the sterilizer are dishwasher safe, though the manual doesn’t specify if they should be top-rack only. I placed the insert and base on the top rack and, because of its size, the top cover on the bottom rack. I was worried about warping, but all the pieces came out like new.

Dimensions: 11" (L) x 11" (W) x 6.5" (H) | Capacity: 6 bottles plus accessories | Sterilize cycle duration: 2 to 6 minutes | Dry cycle duration: N/A

Our community says:

Is a baby bottle washer really necessary? You tell me: After just one load of dirty items—two breast pumps, five baby bottles, four nipples and their rings, three bottle caps, two flanges and two duck bills—this all-in-one washer, sterilizer and dryer quickly became the best addition to my routine. And those precious minutes it saves? I’ve enjoyed sitting in a quiet room to drink my coffee while it’s still hot. It’s the little things in life, folks!

The Papablic Bottle Washer includes some nice touches for busy parents. Firstly, it only took five minutes to set up, so I could get back to playing with my daughter. The manual was easy to follow and the buttons easy to operate. I also really liked that the directions were written right on the face of the machine, so I didn't need to consult the manual constantly. The amount of water needed was clearly marked on the reservoir and I was happy to discover that it took less than half a gallon of water. Another great time-saving feature? There’s no dirty water basin to empty after each use. Instead, the water drains through a hose that you suction to the sink. This does limit where you can position it, as it needs to be close to the sink, but I think it’s a great feature nonetheless. Plus, the machine won’t start if you forget to fill the water tank, so you won’t accidentally damage the motor. (I tested that safety feature more than once—thanks, mommy brain!)

The bottle washer and sterilizer has a large capacity, meaning I only needed to run the machine once a day for my family. It holds eight bottles and its parts or a full breast pump (both sides), its parts, one milk collector, and three bottles. Compared to other bottle washers I tested, this Papablic pick has a smaller footprint, but it still takes up a substantial amount of counter space.

Need clean bottles in a hurry? The 19-minute rapid wash is my go-to, while the 84-minute cycle ensures bottles come out squeaky clean, sterilized and without condensation. This is important as Ferry notes that leftover water can be a breeding ground for bacteria. A digital timer display counts down to the end of each cycle, so you’ll know exactly when everything is ready. And the wash cycle operates at 46 decibels, which is comparable to the ambient sound of a quiet library or the hum of a refrigerator.

For the sake of testing, I rubbed jelly on a bottle and let it dry overnight before loading. The 26 jets and single cleaning tablet (120 tablets come with the machine and a pack of 30 lasted me just about a month) were powerful enough to cut through the sticky mess, leaving the bottle spotless. But it’s best to take my word for it—items with lots of gunk could clog the machine.

While this device is certainly an investment, I would recommend this bottle washer and sterilizer to other parents, especially those who go through multiple bottles, pump parts or baby accessories daily.

Dimensions: 16.06" (L) x 14.88" (W) x 10.83" (H) | Capacity: 8 bottles or 6 bottles and 2 pumps plus accessories | Wash Cycle Duration: 19 or 29 minutes | Sterilize cycle duration: 10 minutes | Dry cycle duration: 45 minutes

As someone with limited counter space, I know how tough it can be to sacrifice precious real estate for yet another appliance. That’s why I gave the Hauture Baby Bottle Sterilizer a top score for size and capacity—it’s compact yet just roomy enough when supplementing with bottles, taking up about half the space of leading competitors.

Despite its smaller footprint, this bottle sterilizer has a decent capacity. One groggy morning, I fit five narrow-mouth bottles—including a tall 8-ounce one—in the bottle compartment, along with a handful of nipples and rings in the accessory basket. On another day, I sterilized two breast shields, two pacifiers, two nipples with their rings and a teether toy. If you’re using wide-mouth bottles, the compartment fits four. And, on a separate occasion, I was also able to fit two silicone feeding plates. I like the height of the unit because you can fit tall bottles without needing to adjust the accessory rack, and it’s still small enough to fit underneath a cabinet or be put away for storage.

It’s fast at sterilizing, too, tackling a slew of germs and bacteria that you don’t want to wind up in your little one’s mouth in just eight minutes. The touchpad lets you choose from other cycles as well: a 60-minute dry-only cycle; a 53-minute sterilize-and-dry cycle and a 68-minute sterilize-and-extra-dry option. It has the quickest sterilization cycle and, at 44 decibels, it’s the quietest drying cycle among the electric sterilizers I tested.

However, for the perks of the machine, you sacrifice a quick dry time. The dry-only cycle takes a full 30 minutes longer than our top pick, so keep that in mind if you need a faster turnaround between feedings. Without a digital countdown timer, those extra minutes can feel even longer. That said, the regular dry cycle (as opposed to extra-dry) was enough to fully dry items and the inside of bottles. While this pick has its drawbacks, it offers great value for money as it was the cheapest electric bottle sterilizer we tested and comes with a one-year guarantee.

Dimensions: 11" (L) x 11" (W) x 6.5" (H) | Capacity: 5 standard-neck bottles, 4 wide-mouth bottles, or 2 pumps; plus accessories | Sterilize cycle duration: 8 minutes | Dry cycle duration: 60 minutes

Like to travel light? While your pre-baby days of jetting off with just a weekender bag may be long gone, there are plenty of ways to lighten the load. Case in point: The Medela Quick Clean Micro Steam Bags. About the size of a large zip-lock bag, the Medela steam bags weigh almost nothing and can be reused up to 20 times. But you don’t have to be catching a flight to appreciate these compact bottle sterilizer bags—families tight on space and moms pumping at work love them too. Although depending on the pump brand, only one breast shield and its accessories or a few bottles can fit inside at once.

They’re simple to use but if you ever forget exactly what you’re supposed to do, the directions are printed right there on the bag. Here’s the gist: add two ounces of tap water to the bag, place the items inside facing down, seal it and microwave for the recommended time based on your microwave’s wattage—anywhere from five minutes to as little as 90 seconds. Since the bag doesn’t have a fill line, bring a measuring device or set aside a clean bottle to measure the water.

Many parents, myself included, are moving away from single-use plastics. While these bags aren’t designed for infinite use, getting up to 20 uses per bag is still pretty good, especially if you’re saving them for travel. However, if you plan to use them regularly, parents report going through at least one bag per month.

Dimensions: 1.6" (L) x 5.8" (W) x 5.1" (H) | Capacity: 1 to 2 breast shields or 2 to 3 bottles plus accessories | Sterilize cycle duration: 90 seconds to 5 minutes | Dry cycle duration: N/A

Our community says:

Say goodbye to single-purpose baby gear! The Haakaa Silicone Steamer Bag is designed to last far beyond the newborn stage. Unlike so many baby items that are quickly outgrown, I found myself reaching for this sterilizer bag time and again—not just for sterilizing, but also for steaming veggies, storing my breast pump or food in the fridge and as a baby gear travel bag.

Using the Haakaa bag to sterilize bottles, pumps and other baby gear doesn't take much time or effort. While the directions aren’t printed directly on the bag like they are with the Medela, I appreciated the convenient fill line that takes the guesswork out of how much water to add. The small detail made life so much easier at home. However, if you’re traveling and using someone else’s microwave, you’ll need to check the manual for recommended sterilizing times, which range from three to seven minutes.

I sterilized three bottles with the accompanying nipples, a breast shield and a pacifier at once. After a quick cool-down, I unloaded everything and set them on my bottle rack to dry—along with the bag, which has a handy loop for hanging. The bag is dishwasher-safe but hand washing can help extend its lifespan.

Sterilizing bottles is most important during the first three months when babies’ immune systems are still developing. After that, washing with hot, soapy water is usually enough, says Ferry. That’s when this bag really shines—it graduates with your baby from bottles to solids. I used it to steam veggies for baby’s purees, and while I was concerned that stronger-smelling ones like broccoli or cauliflower might leave behind odors, I haven't noticed any lingering scents.

Because the bags are made of 100 percent food-grade silicone, they can tolerate high heat without significant breakdown, meaning one bag can last upwards of five years. And, at around $35 for a set of two, these long-lasting bags are one of the most budget-friendly options I tested.

Dimensions: 9.2" (L) x 2.9" (W) x 6.1" (H) | Capacity: 5 standard-neck bottles, 4 wide-mouth bottles, or two breast shields plus accessories | Sterilize cycle duration: 3 to 7 minutes | Dry cycle duration: N/A