Before baby bottle sterilisers were commonplace, many parents resorted to the bottle-boiling method to eliminate harmful bacteria. While mostly effective, this method was quite a hassle. With a variety of trustworthy steriliser brands on the market coupled with its ease of use, there is less dependency on the traditional bottle-boiling method. Find out more about sterilisation and which bottle sterilisers you should be investing in!
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What does sterilisation involve?
Sterilisation may be a foreign and confusing concept for many new parents. Fret not, we’re here to help! Simply put, sterilisation is a deep-cleansing process that eliminates germs and bacteria lingering on your baby’s feeding equipment and toys.
Is washing still necessary?
Even though sterilisation can effectively kill bacterias and germs, most baby bottle sterilisers do not come equipped with a cleansing function. Thus, it’s important to hand wash all baby equipment thoroughly prior to sterilisation to ensure maximum cleanliness.
What should be sterilised?
As a general rule of thumb, any object that comes into contact with your baby’s mouth should be sterilised. This may be quite a hassle, but it’s a necessary practice at least until your baby turns one and develops a stronger immune system. You can also use the bottle steriliser for other feeding items like breast pumps and accessories.
When to sterilise baby bottles?
It’s important to sterilise baby bottles every time they are used. Aim to keep up with sterilisation of the bottles and other feeding accessories till your baby is at least 12 months old. This is so as to reduce the chances of them getting sick. Also, aim to immediately fill the bottle up once it’s sterilised or at least within 24 hours to prevent the insides of the bottle from getting contaminated.
Which steriliser is best for baby bottles?
There are three types of bottle sterilisers, namely UV, microwave and electric steriliser. Choosing an ideal steriliser can be quite a feat as there are pros and cons for each variety. Don’t sweat it, this guide will help you decide on the best baby bottle steriliser for you and your little one!
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Best UV baby bottle sterilisers
Instead of using steam in electric sterilisers, UV sterilisers use ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria and germs from all baby gear. These come in a variety of sizes — with some even taking on the size of a mini fridge with a huge capacity to sterilise more than ten bottles at once!
| UV baby bottle sterilisers | Size (L x W x H) |
Weight | Maximum capacity | Time taken to sterilise | Additional features |
| Lunavie Digital UV Sterilizer & Dryer | 280 x 280 x247mm | 3.1kg | 9 bottles | 11/16/21 minutes | Dryer and storage |
| Spectra UV Electric Multi Baby Bottle Steriliser Dryer | 395 x 290 x 379mm | 5.5kg | Up to 32 bottles | Dry and sterilise in 40 minutes | Dryer and storage |
| Haenim 4th Generation Plus UV LED Baby Bottle Steriliser | 295 x 375 x 425mm | 5kg | 9 bottles | 10 minutes | Dryer and storage |
| Lollababy UV Steriliser | 250 x 250 x 250mm | 10kg | 9 bottles | 10/15/20 minutes | Dryer |
Whether a baby bottle, your child’s toy or even your smartphone, the Lunavie Digital UV Sterilizer & Dryer (available on Lunavie Singapore Official Store) can sterilise and dry almost anything! Installed with a Philips UV lamp, this baby bottle steriliser can eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria. It also comes installed with a HEPA filter that’s able to block airborne dust and particles from landing on the baby gear.
Choose from four programs on the touch screen setting; auto, sterilise only, dry only and auto storage each with multiple timer settings. For example, the auto storage setting will be activated every two hours over a period of 72 hours. This means that you can toss in any feeding and nursing gear and it’ll auto sterilise for two minutes every two hours, over the course of three days!
2. Spectra UV Electric Multi Baby Bottle Steriliser Dryer
The Spectra 2021 Touch Panel Baby Bottle UV Sterilizer (available on gavin.lucas.kids.shop) may not be one of the most portable sterilisers available but it’s definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing ones! Made in Korea, this sleek, touch-panel UV steriliser can sterilise, dry and disinfect up to a whopping 32 bottles! Thanks to its spacious design, you can now sterilise baby and feeding gear like toys and breast pumps in a breeze!
This device also functions as a dryer and sanitary storage for your baby products. This UV steriliser dries your content using a triple fan system and low temperature drying environment of below 40-degree Celsius to avoid causing damage to the products. The inner walls of this baby bottle steriliser are decked out in stainless steel mirrors that increase UV sterilisation reflectance.
3. Haenim 4th Generation Plus UV LED Baby Bottle Steriliser
Smart devices are all the rage right now and smart bottle sterilisers are no exceptions! This stylish Haenim 4th Generation Plus UV LED Baby Bottle Sterilizer (available on bromoongs.sg) comes with smart technology that can auto activate sterilisation and ventilation settings depending on the temperature and humidity or if you switch to storage mode. You won’t have to lift a finger when sterilising too, simply choose from the three turbo functions and let this UV steriliser auto sterilise, dry and ventilate your the items to leave zero room for bacteria growth.
The nine UV LED lamps offer complete sterilisation without leaving any lingering odour! It also boasts adjustable racks, a clean alert and a UV LED detection alert — so you’re alerted when it’s time for a wipe down and when to change out the UV lights!
4. Lollababy UV Steriliser
A little overwhelmed by the smart features of the previous UV baby bottle sterilisers? Go back to the basics with this trusty Lollababy UV Steriliser (available on Lollababy Singapore Official Store). It boasts a space saving design with a flip top and it can fit up to nine bottles and allows you to toggle between multiple settings like sterilisation, drying and storage. Utilise the accessories racks to sterilise toys, bottle nipples and other accessories. Tuck it onto your kitchen countertop space — this UV steriliser will blend perfectly with any kitchen design.
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Best microwave baby bottle sterilisers
While both the microwave and electric steam steriliser uses high heat steam to disinfect, the former is more affordable due to its simpler setup. Simply load the bottles and other accessories into the microwave steriliser before adding the right amount of water. Thereafter, place the lid over the steriliser and put it into the microwave for the recommended time and you’re done!
As the microwave steriliser is solely meant for sterilisation, it doesn’t come with any additional functions. However, it’s an added advantage for those on a space crunch, as they are usually more compact. They are also one of the cheapest sterilisers available — perfect for new parents on a budget!
| Microwave baby bottle steriliser | Size (L x W x H) |
Weight | Maximum capacity | Time taken to sterilise (850 – 1000W) |
| Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Microwave Steam Steriliser | 278 x 275 x 153mm | 0.2kg | 4 bottles | 4-8 minutes |
| Medela Quick Clean Microwave Bag | 110 x 50 x 150mm | – | 4 bottle | 3 minutes |
| Ebelbo Microwave Steam Steriliser Bags | 200 x 290mm | – | 2 bottles | 3 minutes |
5. Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Microwave Steam Steriliser
The fuss-free Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Microwave Steam Steriliser (available on bottlesandco) is a great companion for busy parents! It can be assembled quickly whenever needed. To use it, simply fill the base with 200ml of water, place up to four bottles before loading the steriliser into the microwave. Sterilisation will take about four to eight minutes. Remember to keep the lid closed for contents to be sterile up to 24 hours.
Pro tip: Microwave sterilisers are also easy to clean. Simply, remove the basket and wash with warm soap water before the next use. Watch the video below to better understand how to do this!
6. Medela Quick Clean Microwave Bag
Want to sterilise your pumping equipment or baby bottles at work or while at your friends’ house? The Medela Quick Clean™ Microwave Bag (available on Medela Singapore Official Store) is one of the best baby bottle sterilisers to use on-the-go! How do these work? Rinse the items you want to sterilise with cold water and then later with warm soapy water. Next, add a little water into the microwave bag and pop in the items you want to sterilise before sealing it. Then place the bag into the microwave and heat it for a minimum of three minutes. After which, remove the water and sterilised parts carefully. Dry the parts with clean cloth and tadah!
Each pack comes with five bags that can be each reused up to 20 times! These bags may look small but are surprisingly roomy — each can hold one to two breast shields along with two 150ml or 250ml bottles with caps and teats.
7. Ebelbo Microwave Steam Steriliser Bags
Baby bottle sterilisers can’t get any more portable than the Elbelbo Microwave Steam Steriliser Bags (available on Maternal and child hypermarket)! These are essentially microwave-friendly resealable bags that can be reused up to 20 times each. Sold in a pack of five, they are extremely affordable and value-for-money.
Each bag can sterilise up to two bottles and some accessories in about three minutes, quicker than most microwave sterilisers on the market! What’s more, the steriliser bag is designed with a steam vent and drain sprout to drain the hot water easily. Say goodbye to bulky sterilisers and tuck a steam steriliser baby bottle bag into your diaper bag today!
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Best Electric steam baby bottle sterilisers
As its name suggests, an electric steam steriliser utilises hot steam to eliminate bacteria and germs from your baby’s everyday items. Thanks to its larger capacity, electric sterilisers can steam bottles, baby and toddler toys and even breast pumps in about 10 minutes! Some electric steam sterilisers also have additional features such as dryer function for added convenience.
While many parents will appreciate its large capacity, not everyone has space for a bulky electric steriliser. Additionally, it may not be the most cost-effective option for everyone due to its hefty price tag. Nonetheless, check out some of the best electric steam sterilisers below!
| Electric steam steriliser |
Size (L x W x H) |
Weight | Maximum capacity | Time taken to sterilise | Additional features |
| MyLO LIFESAVER 3-in-1 Automated Baby Milk Bottle Wash, Sterilize & Dry | 390 x 220 x 310mm | 5kg | 4 bottles | 90 minutes for washing, sterilising and drying | Washer, dryer, tend mode |
| Philips Avent 3-in-1 Electric Steam Steriliser | 160 x 5.08 x 351mm | 1.5kg | 6 bottles | 6 minutes | – |
| Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Steriliser | 337 x 325 x 254mm | 2.5kg | 6 bottles | 12 minutes | Cycle indicators |
| Tommee Tippee Steri Steam Electric Steriliser | 228 x 350 x 271 mm | 1.5kg | 6 bottles | 5 minutes | Drying rack |
| Combi Steam Sterilizer & Dryer | 300 x 316 x 395 mm | 3.4kg | 9 bottles | 6 minutes for sterilising and 45 minutes for drying | Dryer |
8. MyLO LIFESAVER 3-in-1 Automated Baby Milk Bottle Wash, Sterilize & Dry
Washing baby bottles and drying teats should be a full time job — yes, we said it. Thankfully, you can skip this hassle with the MyLO LIFESAVER 3-in-1 Automated Baby Milk Bottle Wash, Sterilize & Dry (available on Adertek Baby & Kids)! As its name suggests, the MyLO LIFESAVER is a godsend for busy parents as it is both a dishwasher and baby bottle steriliser rolled into one. A full 90 minutes cycle consists of pressurised washing at 60 degrees Celsius to eliminate stains, steam sterilising at 100 degrees Celsius to kill bacteria and hot air drying at 70 degrees Celsius for clean bottles that are ready to be used any time! In addition, you can turn on the Tend mode which helps to keep the bottles warm until your next use.
Worried that the MyLO LIFESAVER will use a lot of water while cleaning the bottles? Fret not, this nifty device only uses 2.5 litres of water per wash. According to NYC Environmental Protection, that’s almost six times lesser than the amount used when you wash your hands under running water (about 15 litres)! Here’s another good news for you. Every purchase of the machine comes with a free MyLO LIFESAVER Bottle Cleaner Starter Kit (available on Adertek Baby & Kids) which includes two months worth of Dapple Baby Dishwasher Detergent for economical washing. What a steal! Watch the video below to see the MyLO LIFESAVER in action.
9. Philips Avent 3-in-1 Electric Steam Steriliser
The Philips Avent 3-in-1 Electric Steam Steriliser (available on BABYTODDLY Official Store) is one of the best baby bottle sterilisers available on the market. Its 3-in-1 modular design allows you to adjust the trays, making loading and unloading all the more convenient. The compact design also means that it takes up very little countertop space.
This steriliser can fit up to six 330ml Philips Avent Bottles (available on BABYTODDLY Official Store) as well as pacifiers, breast pumps and other accessories. Most importantly, this steriliser is able to kill 99.9% of harmful germs in merely six minutes, making it the perfect companion for busy parents! It also shuts down automatically once the sterilising procedure is completed, saving you from shocking electric bills!
Promising review:
“Item received in excellent working condition. Comes with a free bottle, pacifier and thongs. Very worthy buy, highly recommended.” — joannatqh
10. Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Electric Steriliser
The Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Steriliser (available on Dr Brown’s Singapore Official Store) comes with two main compartments — one for bottles and a built-in accessories tray for other feeding items. It can hold up to six Dr. Brown’s baby bottles (any size) including many other brands’ baby bottles too.
This bottle steriliser will sterilise all baby equipment in 12 minutes, ensuring you have clean bottles for your little one in no time. Tongs are also included so parents can use those when handling the sterilised baby gear. The best part about this Dr. Brown steriliser is its electronic controls, with cycle indicators to inform you of the status of the sterilisation process as well as an automatic shutdown function to conserve electricity!
11.Tommee Tippee Steri Steam Electric Steriliser
Are you a new parent and overwhelmed by the different sterilisers on the market? You can’t go wrong with Tommee Tippee sterilisers. The Tommee Tippee Steri Steam Electric Steriliser (available on Tommee Tippee Official Store) effectively sterilises all items within five minutes!
You can load up to six baby bottles on the bottom rack and position additional accessories like teats on the top rack. The contents will also stay sterilised for up to 24 hours as long as the lid remains closed. The easy-lift handles allow you to remove the lid without your hands coming into contact with the hot steam. Once removed, you can detach the trays and use them as a drying rack or sterile surface for your baby bottles before preparing for the next feed.
12. Combi Steam Steriliser & Dryer
Are you doing bottle feeds for more than one child? Then the Combi Steam Sterilizer & Dryer (available on Combi Singapore Official Store) may just be the answer to your never ending bottle cleaning woes. This baby bottle steriliser can fit up to nine bottles and best of all, dries them too! Remember that baby bottles need to be completely dried before they are filled with milk as any moisture can be a hotbed for bacteria to form.
This sleek equipment can sterilise the items within six minutes and takes another 45 minutes for drying — timings are indicated on the LED panel so you know how long more exactly is needed. Its double-walled design also keeps it safe from prying hands during the sterilisation process. You can slide in a couple of toys into this device too — how convenient is that!
Keep you baby safe with the best baby bottle sterilisers
Baby bottle sterilisers have made disinfecting baby’s products so much more convenient so there’s really no excuse to skip this important step! Besides maintaining excellent hygiene levels, don’t forget to pamper your baby’s skin with some of the best baby skincare products! Also, check out other toys, kids and babies’ necessities to ensure you’re well stocked for your little one. If you’re a first-time parent, be sure to tick these essential baby items from this newborn checklist including being familiar with the best baby anti colic bottles!
This article was updated on 18 February 2021. Additional research done by Rajveen Kaur Aujla.
