The best baby bottle sterilisers for keeping bugs at bay

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.