What you will find in this guide
Why sterilising is important
Warm milk is a wonder food for babies, but is also a potential breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Babies and toddlers are prone to catch infections easily as their immune system isn’t yet fully developed or tested. The best defense against infection is to sterilise baby bottles, sippers, teats, breast pumps and feeding utensils before every use.
In fact, a steriliser can be used to eliminate bacteria from anything your baby might put in his or her mouth, such as toys, pacifiers, silicone teethers and other objects within reach. There are three common types of sterilisers on the market today.
Best bottle sterilisers for 2024
Any baby item that may contain germs should be thoroughly sterilised before use. Metro Baby introduces Australian moms and dads to a wide range of baby bottle sterilisers and bottle warmers, such as microwave steam sterilisers, electric steam sterilisers and UV sterilisers that use pulses of ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses and mould. Let’s investigate some of our top picks for 2024.
1
Stylish design top pick
Tommee Tippee UV Steri Dryer: The Ultra UV steriliser is the fuss-free and super clean way to sterilise, dry and store your baby’s bottles. The UV steriliser kills viruses and 99.9% of bacteria without using heat, steam or harsh chemicals. Sterilise bottles, teats and soothers using ultraviolet light – no water, no steam. Functions include:
- Sterilise – sterilise all your baby feeding accessories using UV light
- Dry – set for 30, 40 or 50 minutes to dry bottles and other feeding equipment
- Auto mode – dries cleaned bottles then switches to sterilising cycle
- Storage mode – emits UV light every 2 hours to keep contents sterile
2
Quick sterilising top pick
Phillips Avent Microwave Steam Steriliser: The lightweight and compact design make this steriliser popular in homes all around Australia. This handy product includes stay-cool safety clips to keep the lid secure and contents sterile while also preventing the possibility of burning. Features include:
- Kills 99.9% of harmful germs
- Sterilises in as little as 2 minutes
- Fits 4 Philips Avent bottles
- Fits most microwaves
- Contents remain sterile for up to 24 hours if the lid is unopened
- The steriliser can be used to sterilize breast pumps, soothers, cutlery and other products as well as baby bottles.
3
Dual-functionality top pick
Haenim Smart UV Steriliser – 4th Generation: The Haenim Smart UV Steriliser 4th Generation Plus is a tabletop steriliser that takes style and performance to the next level. It can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria from bottles, teats, dummies, teethers, small toys, and breast pump accessories. Features include:
- Capacity of up to 16 bottles
- Automatic sterilising every 2 hours
- Turbo quick-drying function
- Clean-alert sensor function
- Uses no heat, steam, or radiation
4
Portable steriliser top pick
New Beginnings Portable Mini UV Steriliser: The New Beginnings Portable Mini UV Steriliser is ideal for busy moms. No need to search for boiling water or go shopping for a new dummy when you can carry New Beginnings with you wherever you go. Simply place your dummy or teat inside the compartment and the device will start sterilising automatically.
- Kills up to 99.9% of common germs and bacteria
- Lightweight, compact and practical
- Cleans accessories in 6-8 minutes
- No toxic substances or odours
- 12 month warranty
Steriliser features to look out for
It’s good to know that all Metro Baby sterilisers are BPA free. Here are some more steriliser features to look out for.
STERILISER CAPACITY
It’s good to have a few bottles handy for whenever your bottle-fed baby needs them. If you’re a working mom who needs to express milk often, parts of your breast pump can also be sterilised. You can also use quick sterilisation for toys and pacifiers that are habitually put in babies mouth.
YOUR STERILISER BUDGET
Baby products come in a huge range of styles to suit all budgets. If shopping for sterilisers you can set a budget before exploring the many Metro Baby options. Baby’s health comes first, so if you find a product that meets all your needs for the right price, add it to your shopping cart wishlist.
STERILISER STORAGE
Some old-school sterilisers were quite bulky and awkward to store – not so with Metro Baby products. Check out sleek and compact designs that don’t take up much storage room. Some sterilisers can be adapted to easily fit into cupboards. If you travel often with your baby, a compact and adaptable steriliser is a must!
COMPATIBILITY WITH BOTTLES
You will probably notice that your baby has their favourite type of bottle. Some sterilisers only work with particular bottles, so it’s worth investing in a steriliser that fits a wide-range of bottles, just in case your little one suddenly prefers another type. Metro Baby has the answers you’re looking for.
STERILISER CLEANING
Sterilisers should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly or else they can just as easily become a germ breeding ground. Look for a steriliser model that can be cleaned quickly and effectively without too much effort or expense. Your steriliser should be easy to dismantle, clean, and put back together without fuss.
STERILISER USAGE
If you find yourself rushing to work or to get chores done, while also expressing breast milk and sterilising bottles, you need smart steriliser technology. Simply switch the steriliser on while you get on with other things. A short sterilisation cycle of ten minutes or less will give you peace of mind and a head-start to your day.
Easy to use top pick
59S UV Multipurpose Sterilisation Cabinet
A one-stop solution for your kitchen. It can eliminate germs and bacteria from bottles, teats, dummies, teethers, small toys, and breast pump accessories to give your baby complete protection.
• Sleek contemporary design and colours
• Disinfect baby products at the touch of a button
• Automatic sterilise, dry, de-odourise and sterile storage function
• 99.99% effective against germs, virus and bacteria
Additional bottle feeding features worth exploring include heat-up and defrost features, drying features and timer countdown. Baby feeding time has come a long way, and Metro Baby leads the way with an extensive collection of name-brand products at affordable prices, online and in-store.
Choosing an ultraviolet steriliser
Ultraviolet sterilisation is used in hospitals and other health environments where best cleaning practices are essential. The technology is also applied to household use where UVC LED light is used to kill germs and bacteria. The ultraviolet light waves penetrate the walls of DNA and RNA, rendering them inactive.
UV-C light kills up to 99.9% of germs. Many hospitals use UV-C to sanitise rooms, medical tools, sinks, and more. Metro Baby introduces this effective technology for use in everyday products such as sterilisers so you can enjoy hospital-level sterilisation in your home. Many germs that are resistant to heat or cold are easily eliminated by using an ultraviolet steriliser.
Quick recap – how to choose the best steriliser for you
The best BPA-free sterilisers all deliver highly effective sterilisation levels. Choices include UV, electric steam and microwave sterilisers, all with their own advantages. When comparing sterilisers, you should consider:
- Ease of use
- Size
- How many bottles it fits
- Cost
- Drying and storage
Sterilisation cycle length
Hungry babies are usually quite impatient. If you are fully reliant on bottle feeding or have more than one baby to feed, it’s worth investigating sterilisation times. Microwave sterilisers take between two and six minutes per cycle, depending on the power of the microwave.
A UV steriliser may have several adaptable programs, with cycle times varying between auto, sterilisation only and drying only options. The sterilisation only program takes 10-20 minutes. Phillips Avent electric steam sterilisers require six minutes of sterilisation time.
Other baby equipment to sterilise
Some antibacterial sterilisers are designed solely to hold baby bottles, while others enable you to sterilise other items in addition to baby bottles. For starters, anything involved in bottle feeding or breastfeeding, such as breast pump parts and teats should be sterilised.
The reality is that almost anything nearby is fair game for your baby to place in his or her mouth. Consider regular sterilisation of things like Tommee Tippee sippy cups, baby food containers, silicone teats, soothers, thermometers, teething toys, bibs and towels.
How does a baby bottle steriliser work?
In essence, all sterilisers all do the same job of sanitizing baby bottle parts. However, there are specific features that may appeal to you. Here’s what to consider as you’re shopping.
Sterilising method – Most bottle sterilizers use steam or heat to sterilise, with the exception of UV sterilisers that use ultraviolet light to clean and sanitise. Counter-top, portable, and microwave models are available.
Length of cycle – Some sterilisers do their job in as little as two minutes. Others models can take up to 30 minutes depending on the sterilising method and utility. It’s worth noting that an older microwave may take a little longer to achieve optimum sterilisation.
Drying feature – Some busy parents appreciate bottle sterilisers that dry items after sterilising them. Feature-rich sterilisers include a ‘dry-only’ setting that comes in handy when you need to wash the bottles without a complete sterilisation cycle.
Storage after sterilising – Advanced steriliser models have a holding feature that enables you to keep baby bottles sterile for up to 24 hours, as long as the steriliser lid remains closed. In today’s busy world, convenience is key for busy Aussie moms and dads.
Auto shut-off – Multi-tasking is a special skill set that all moms develop, but every little bit of assistance helps. Sleep-deprived and busy new parents appreciate the auto shut-off safety feature on electric steriliser models.
Size – Most sterilizers hold between 4 and 6 baby bottles, often with extra space for pump parts and pacifiers. Consider how much space the steriliser will take up on your countertop and whether you prefer to store it out of sight when not in use.
Brands we recommend
At Metro Baby, we’re committed to delivering highest quality baby products for best available prices. Our steriliser range is designed for every price point for Australian families of all sizes. Whether you are looking for a microwave steriliser, electric steam steriliser, or high-end UV steriliser with all the bells and whistles, we have what you’re looking for from brands that include:
- Haenim
- New Beginnings
- Tommee Tippee
- 59S
- Phillips Avent
What other baby gear should I consider?
If you have a little one at breastfeeding or baby bottle age, there’s lots to consider. Fortunately, everything you need is available under one roof at Metro Baby. Our unbeatable, extensive baby product range includes prams/strollers, baby carriers, bassinets, bouncers, rockers, car seats, cots, high chairs, mattress protectors, play mats, swaddles, skin care products and a whole lot more. For feeding time, nursery time, bath time and play time, you can trust Metro Baby.
If your baby care gift registry includes baby bottle sterilisers, baby bottle warmers, Medela steriliser bags, or anything else you need for your baby starter kit, you will feel right at home at Metro Baby. Shop with confidence at Metro Baby and enjoy free standard delivery on orders over $99, plus a comprehensive returns policy to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase.