To select the best bottle sterilizers, we spoke with Tomomi Hayashi, MD, a California-based board-certified pediatrician, and Arunima Agarwal, MD, a New York-based board-certified pediatrician to find out what to look for in a bottle sterilizer and the benefits of bottle sterilization. We also reviewed guidance from the AAP, the CDC, and Texas Children's Hospital, on why it’s important to sterilize baby bottles. Moreover, we also put 20 bottle warmers, including some bottle warmer and sterilizer combos, through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City with the help of Ebony Barrett, PNP. Instructions are clear and easy to follow, but the Dr Brown’s Deluxe Electric Steam Steriliser is really intuitive to use – three lights on the front let you know instantly whether the eight-minute cycle is heating up, cooling down or completed. Cold water sterilisers involve filling a container with water and adding sterilisation tablets or fluid to make a sterilisation solution. The active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which is a mild bleach that has been through a purification process to make it stable and non-toxic. It’s perfectly safe to use, but does smell vaguely of swimming pool.

To find the best bottle sterilizers, we spoke with Tomomi Hayashi, MD, and Arunima Agarwal, MD, about what to look for in bottle sterilizers, warmers, and dryers. Moreover, reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Texas Children’s Hospital, and the CDC on the importance of sterilizing bottles. With this guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated bottle sterilizers on the market and considered their design, safety features, and value. We then narrowed our list to 20 bottle warmers, including some bottle warmer and sterilizer combos, and put them through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City with the help of Ebony Barrett, PNP. Capacity: Six bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Sterilisation unit, measuring jug and tongs Good for parents whoMost sterilization cycles are short, but some have built-in dryers that can take longer. If you use a single-bottle sterilizer, sterilization time is longer if you’re cleaning multiple pieces and switching them out between cycles. Typically, sterilization takes anywhere from a few minutes to 12 minutes, while drying cycles can take an additional 30 to 60 minutes. To save on cleaning time, we recommend a bottle sterilizer and dryer, like the Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Machine, so you don’t have to wait for air drying. The length of a sterilisation cycle varies wildly between brands. If you’ve got a set-up where you intend to batch-sterilise once a day, a longer cycle won’t matter so much. But if you’re planning on sterilising more often, you won’t want to wait by the steriliser juggling a hungry baby. 4. Noise After cleaning, rinse off each item in cold, clean water and then you’re ready to sterilise. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly, especially when positioning items in the steriliser and adding the correct amount of water or sterilisation solution. There’s an on-off switch on the base of the steriliser that isn’t mentioned in the instructions, which is confusing Capacity: Approximately six bottles | Materials: BPA-free plastics and metal electrical components | Included: Steriliser and teat tongs – larger sets are also available to buy Good for parents who

In the hazy days with a new baby, keeping them safe is the number one priority – and also likely to be the biggest source of anxiety for parents. A steriliser can be used to kill bacteria found on lots of different baby feeding equipment like baby bottles, teats and breast pump parts. But which is the best steriliser to make your feeding schedules easier to juggle? After our latest intensive round of testing, we’ve got all the information you’ll need about our favourites. If you’re using bottles and breast pumps regularly but not intensively, you might find that a travel steriliser is sufficient for your needs – it’s certainly cheaper to buy and easier to throw into a drawer. If you’re bottle-feeding full-time, though, sterilising one or two bottles at a time will be too inefficient and labour-intensive to manage. 5. UV steriliser To descale, you’ll need descaling solution which you can easily buy in supermarkets – though most brands now give instructions for an eco-friendly version using vinegar. Pour in the solution over the heating plate and leave to soak for between 30 minutes and 24 hours, depending on the extent of the limescale. Pour out, rinse with cool water, wipe with a damp cloth, then run an empty cycle before using the steriliser as normal. Not the most budget-friendly electric steriliser we tested, and a more expensive initial outlay than microwave or travel versions We appreciate the clear instructions that are easy to follow, like putting water into the base at the “MAX” line and putting the steam plate on top. There’s even a light beeping sound to alert you when the bottle is done warming, but it’s not loud enough to disturb a sleeping baby.Nuby’s electric steam steriliser comes with a drying function so equipment can immediately be reused without having to wait for it to cool down or dry off. Our tester loved this feature and found it very useful.

For Mumsnetters who want to avoid buying a steriliser altogether, these MAM self-sterilising bottles are a great option. The bottle comes apart and can be assembled in such a way that they work as their own steam steriliser in the microwave, making keeping them hygienic a doddle. We have a Tommee Tippee microwave one and it's so simple, no faff. Wash the bottles and pop them in the microwave."Tried and tested by Mumsnetter hereforfun. She looked at whether each steriliser was available from a wide range of retailers, whether you’d need to buy any extras separately and whether it was possible to buy replacement parts. According to the NHS, sterilising feeding equipment is necessary for the first 12 months to keep your baby free from bacteria that could harm their brand-new immune systems. If you’re planning on expressing breast milk, combination feeding or using a dummy during your baby’s first year, you’ll need to sterilise all the relevant baby equipment after every use. The disadvantages are the smell, the need to continually buy new tablets and the inconvenience of keeping a large container full of water in a corner of your kitchen – especially relevant if you have other small children. 2. Electric steriliser

I recommend Mam bottles, so easy to sterilise in the microwave!" Recommended by Mumsnetter Isababybel I have the Nuby UV one and I love it. I wash the bottles and let them air dry and then put them in there dry for three minutes and it's done! If you're formula feeding Nuby had a sale on their UV steriliser and Rapidcool (can make milk to NHS recommendations and they be cool in 3/4 minutes) bundle." Loved by Mumsnetter Grace185 Our verdict

But if you’re bottle-feeding full time or expressing breastmilk regularly, you should find each of the different modes very helpful – and the fact that the warming unit handles food as well as milk means it should continue to be useful, even once you’re done with sterilising completely.

1. Best overall steriliser: Tommee Tippee Super-Steam Advanced Electric Steriliser

Like any electric steriliser, it attracts limescale on its heating plate so will need regular descaling. Our tester also didn’t like its short cable, which limits where it can be placed in the kitchen, and that it arrived wrapped in a lot of unnecessary plastic. An unclean baby bottle is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria to grow and can make a baby severely ill if they consume breast milk or formula from the same bottle. A bottle sterilizer helps ensure you kill more bacteria and germs than a traditional cleaning. Plus, many bottle sterilizers do more than sanitize—some can warm or dry bottles. Because travel sterilisers need to be compact enough to carry around, they’re usually short on bells and whistles. What we loved about the Milton Solo was that, travel steriliser or not, it’s more adaptable and comes with more useful design features than any other travel model we tested. If you buy the mam bottles they can just go in the microwave by themselves, would highly recommend!"Loved by Mumsnet user Roboticcarrot Our verdict