The best bottle warmers will quickly heat your baby’s bottle to just the right temperature, so your baby will be full and happy in no time when they need it. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or both, at some point you’ll probably want to give your baby a bottle. And given that babies usually need a bottle sooner, if not sooner, a bottle warmer is a great device to have with you for the first few months.
“You don’t have to heat the bottle on the stove – the bottle warmer does the job very quickly,” says Daniel Ganjian, MD, pediatrician at Providence St. Johns Medical Center in Santa Monica, California.
To find the best bottle warmers, we researched the most popular options on the market and analyzed them for features such as ease of use, special features and value. We also spoke to moms and industry experts to find out their top picks. These bottle warmers will help you feed your baby as quickly and safely as possible. After reading this article, consider checking out our other favorite baby feeding essentials, including the best high chairs, nursing bras, and breast pumps.
Auto power off: yes | Temperature display: no | Heating settings: multiple | Special Features: Bluetooth enabled, defrost option
This Baby Brezza bottle warmer is packed with features to make your life easier without the extra extras. It is equipped with Bluetooth technology allowing you to control movement and receive alerts from your phone, so you can get a message when the bottle is ready during a baby’s diaper change.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the heater will turn off – no need to worry about the bottle getting too toasted. Two heat settings keep the bottle evenly heated, including a defrost option so it can be easily dipped into a frozen stash. It also works well in baby food jars and bags when your baby is ready to introduce solid food. We also like that it fits most bottle sizes, as well as plastic and glass bottles.
Automatic shutdown: yes | Temperature display: no | Heating settings: multiple | Features: indicators show the heating process, large opening fits most bottles and jars
When your baby is crying, the last thing you need is a sophisticated bottle warmer. The Philips AVENT bottle warmer makes this easy with the push of a large button and the familiar knob you turn to set the right temperature. It is designed to heat 5 ounces of milk in about three minutes. Whether you’re changing a diaper or doing other baby tasks, this bottle warmer can keep a bottle warm for up to an hour. The wide mouth of the heating pad means it can accommodate thicker bottles, grocery bags and baby jars.
Auto power off: No | Temperature display: No | Heating settings: 0 | Features: No electricity or batteries required, base fits most car cup holders
If you’ve ever tried taking your baby on a trip, you’ll know the benefits of a portable bottle warmer. Babies need to eat on the go too, and if your baby is mostly formula-fed, or if feeding on the go is too much for you, whether you’re on a day trip or on a plane, a travel mug is a must.
Kiinde’s Kozii Voyager Travel Water Bottle heats bottles easily. Simply pour hot water from an insulated bottle inside and place into the bottle. Batteries and electricity are not required. The heating pad is triple insulated to hold hot water until the baby is mature, and its base fits most car cup holders, making it ideal for short trips. All of this is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning once you get to your destination.
Auto power off: Yes | Temperature display: No | Heating settings: 1 | Features: Spacious interior, compact appearance
At $18, it’s not much cheaper than this bottle warmer from The First Years. But despite its low price, this heating pad doesn’t compromise on quality, it just takes a little more effort on your part to measure each bottle.
The warmer is compatible with most sizes of non-glass bottles, including wide, narrow and curved bottles, and will automatically turn off when heating is complete. The heater is compact for easy storage. The included heating instructions for different sizes and types of milk bottles are a handy bonus.
Auto power off: Yes | Temperature display: No | Heating settings: 5 | Features: sealed lid, disinfects and heats food
Beaba bottle warmers have gained popularity due to their ability to accommodate bottles of all sizes. This is a great choice if your family has more than one or you’re not sure which type your kids will like. The Beaba Warmer heats up all bottles in about two minutes and has an airtight lid to help keep your bottles warm when you can’t get them out sooner. It also serves as a sterilizer and baby food warmer. And – and this is a nice bonus – the heater is compact, so it won’t take up space on your work surface.
Auto power off: Yes | Temperature display: No | Heating settings: 1 | Features: Fast heating, Basket holder
Of course, you want to breastfeed your baby as soon as it’s safe to do so. After all, it’s a great way to soothe little ones. But remember, temperature is important for feeding breast milk, and you don’t want your baby to get scalded by using a bottle that’s too hot. This bottle warmer from Munchkin quickly heats up bottles in just 90 seconds without sacrificing nutrients. It uses a steam heating system to quickly heat up items and gives a handy warning when the bottle is ready. An adaptive ring keeps small bottles and food cans in place, while the measuring cup makes it easy to fill bottles with just the right amount of water.
Auto power off: yes | Temperature display: no | Heating settings: multiple | Special functions: electronic memory button, pre-programmed settings
Bottles, bottle parts and nipples need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to keep baby safe and this bottle warmer from Dr. Brown’s does it all. Allows you to sterilize baby clothes with steam. Simply place the items to be cleaned and press the button to begin sterilization.
When it comes to heating bottles, the device offers pre-programmed heating settings for different types and sizes of bottles to ensure the right temperature. There is a memory button to use your last settings to speed up the bottle preparation procedure. The large water tank saves you the hassle of accurately measuring water for each bottle.
Auto power off: yes | Temperature display: no | Heating settings: multiple | Features: defrost, built-in sensor
If you have twins or multiple formula-fed babies, heating two bottles at the same time will shorten your baby’s feeding time a bit. The Bellaaby Twin Bottle Warmer heats two bottles in five minutes (depending on bottle size and starting temperature). As soon as the desired temperature is reached, the bottle switches to the warming mode, and the light and sound signals indicate that the milk is ready. This warmer can also handle freezer bags and food cans. It’s also affordable, which is important when you’re trying to buy two (or more) of everything at once.
In order to choose the best bottle warmer, we asked pediatricians and lactation consultants about the important features of these devices. I also consulted with real parents to learn about personal experiences with different bottle warmers. I then narrowed it down by factors such as security features, ease of use, and price by looking at bestseller reviews. Forbes also has extensive experience with children’s products and the evaluation of the safety and desirable characteristics of these products. We cover topics such as cradles, carriers, diaper bags and baby monitors.
it depends. If your baby is primarily breastfed and you will be with them all the time, you probably don’t need a bottle warmer. However, if you want your partner to regularly bottle feed your baby, or if you plan to have another caregiver when you return to work or just run errands, you may need a bottle warmer. If you are using formula, a bottle warmer is a great idea to help you prepare your baby’s bottle quickly and is also suitable for breastfeeding mothers.
Board-certified breastfeeding consultant and La Leche League leader Lee Ann O’Connor says bottle warmers can also help “those who specifically express milk and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.”
All bottle warmers are not the same. There are various heating methods, including steam baths, water baths, and travel. (Not necessarily one of them is considered the “best” – it all depends on your individual needs.) Each model is unique and has its own features that make it easier for you to heat the bottle.
“Look for something durable, easy to use and clean,” says La Leche League’s O’Connor. If you plan on using your bottle warmer on the go, she recommends choosing a lightweight version that fits easily in your bag.
It’s natural to wonder if your bottle warmer is better for breastfeeding or formula feeding, but they all usually solve the same problem. However, some bottle warmers have a hot water setting where you can mix hot water with formula after the bottle is warm, and some have a setting to defrost a breast milk storage bag.
O’Connor says size is an important factor to consider when choosing a bottle warmer. “It should be able to hold any bottle that is used,” she notes. Some bottle warmers are specialized and only fit certain bottles, others fit all sizes. It’s a good idea to read the fine print before buying to make sure your preferred bottle will work with your particular warmer.