The 5 Best Bottle Sterilizers to Keep Things Germ-free

This electric sterilizer packs a two-in-one punch: it uses natural steam to sterilize bottles, pump parts and more, and features a drying function that’s 33% faster so your gear comes out completely clean and dry with no leftover moisture to encourage bacteria or mold growth (although some parents say they do occasionally need to dry leftover water off of their bottle and pump parts). The Brezza One Step Advanced holds up to eight bottles at a time and two complete pump part sets and has an easy-to-use LCD control panel with four different functions. Although it hold a lot, some parents say it takes some maneuvering to get all of the things to fit well inside.

Looking to spend a bit less? Check out Baby Brezza’s One Step Sterilizer Dryer. It holds two less bottles than the Advanced and has a slightly longer drying time but is still a great option.

At a fraction of the cost of other sterilizers, this microwave option is roomy, compact and easy to use. It fits four 9-ounce bottles and is compatible with both standard and wide-neck designs. Everything inside remains sterile for up to 24 hours if you keep the stay-cool latches closed. Its simple design is user-friendly. You’ll need something to measure the exact amount of water—seven ounces—each time you use it. It also doesn’t dry after sterilizing, so you’ll want to make sure you have a drying rack to set everything out to dry afterward. While it’s touted as travel-friendly, it won’t fit most hotel microwaves (but that’s where sterilizer bags come in handy; see below for our top pick). It also doesn’t fit taller bottles, like Dr. Brown’s.

In just 12 minutes, this electric sterilizer kills 99.9% of germs and automatically shuts off when the cycle is complete and your items are clean and ready to go. The spacious interior holds up to six bottles on an upper tray and has a separate lower tray to hold accessories like nipples and pacifiers. Included tongs ensure you won’t get burned if you reach in to remove items while they’re still hot.

It’s worth noting that this sterilizer requires distilled water; otherwise, mineral deposits can build up on the heating unit and flake off.

Using the power of steam, this Chicco sterilizer features a modular design with three different configurations for sterilizing: full-size, compact and a microwave option. It takes just five minutes to complete the sterilization cycle (not including warm-up time) and with jthe push of just one button, it’s simple to use. Even in its full size, the sterilizer has a small footprint, not taking up much counter space. It can fit up to six bottles and their parts in this configuration. The compact mode is great for sterilizing smaller bottle parts and feeding accessories. And the microwaveable portion pops off for quick (and small) sterilizing jobs. Some parents say there is a learning curve when setting it up, so be sure to read through the instructions. The sterilizer’s coated heating plate prevents mineral residue from building up—making it easy to clean—and it also has an automatic shut-off for safety.

Want to sterilize when you’re not at home? Microwave steam bags are a great option. Simply fill one of these XL bags with whatever items you need cleaned and a little bit of water, pop it in the microwave and you’re good to go. This set includes six bags and each bag can be used up to 30 times. There’s even a spot to mark each steam cycle so you can keep track of how many times you’ve used them. Just be sure to let the bag and contents cool before handling (both will be hot and there may be some steam when you open it). Some parents say the yellow closure tab comes off easily and prevents the bags from sealing properly.