You can use a high-end baby bottle sterilizer to sanitize not just bottles but also pacifiers, teething toys and pump parts. (BestReviews)

While it’s sufficient to wash baby bottles by hand or in the dishwasher, for a deeper clean, many caregivers turn to bottle sterilizers. The best baby bottle sterilizers can eliminate 99.9% of germs, which can otherwise transfer from an unsanitary bottle into your baby’s mouth.

For a small investment, high-end baby bottle sterilizers can provide peace of mind in your baby's first year while their immune system is fragile. Sterilizers using ultraviolet light, such as Wabi Baby UV Sterilizer and Drying Station, offer medical-grade sanitization.

Using steam to kill germs, electric steam sterilizers are plug-in devices that sterilize baby bottles and pacifiers in 5-15 minutes, depending on the model. Heating up water in a reservoir, the resulting steam is a natural and non-chemical sanitizing method that kills up to 99% of germs.

High-end electric sterilizers also feature a dryer function that completely dries the bottles so that no moisture is left behind that can harbor mold or bacteria. High-end electric steam sterilizers feature tiers or trays so you can place your smaller items like pacifiers, nipples and lids on a separate level from the bottles.

The most efficient (and expensive) baby bottle sterilizers use ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of germs, including viruses and bacteria, by breaking down their molecular structure. UV-C light emitted by these devices is also used in hospitals to sanitize medical equipment. Because UV sterilizers don’t use steam, there’s no moisture or scaling left behind on the bottles. You also don’t have to wait for them to cool down before removing them from the sterilizer.

High-end UV sterilizers offer a drying function if you want to place your bottles in just after you’ve washed them. One of the perks of UV light sterilizers is that they’re versatile for all sorts of household items such as keys, phones and makeup brushes. They also remove odor caused by bacteria or mildew.

For a more affordable option, a microwave sterilizer also uses steam to sterilize bottles but relies on a microwave to heat up the water. While these devices require a microwave, they don’t take up countertop space or need to be plugged in like electric steam sterilizers do. Their capacity is also limited, making them more portable.

However, if you’re in the market for a high-end baby bottle sterilizer, you’re better off with an electric steam or UV sterilizer, which offer dryer functions, higher capacities and carry less risk of melting heat-sensitive parts or burning your hands.

In general, the more items a baby bottle sterilizer can fit, the bigger it’ll be. The largest home sterilizers can fit up to 11 bottles, whereas the smallest can only fit one component part at a time (such as a bottle but not its nipple). Consider both your countertop space and your household’s needs when choosing a baby bottle sterilizer’s capacity.

Some UV light sterilizers are designed to be compact and portable, running on batteries or plugging into USB power sources via a cord. These miniature sterilizers are great for travel but most can only accommodate a bottle’s nipple or a pacifier and not the whole bottle.

Electric steam sterilizers that include a dryer function offer drying cycles in 30-, 45- and 60-minute runtimes. The low-heat drying offered by these models won’t damage delicate items and will dry baby bottles completely (faster than if you air-dried them) while keeping them sterile in the process.

Hard water can leave residue on your bottles when using a steam sterilizer. Some high-end electric sterilizers feature a descaling function, which may require a descaling powder to use properly. This feature eliminates the need to descale bottles by hand or use only distilled water in the machine.

Premium electric steam sterilizers start at $75 and cost up to $140. High-end UV sterilizers cost $100-$290.

A. While boiling baby bottles is a cheap and effective way to sterilize them, it's an involved process that requires waiting for a pot of water to boil and then continually pushing the bottles under so that they're submerged in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Also, periodic boiling of baby bottle parts can wear down the nipple material and lead to cracks.

A. If your baby bottles are dishwasher-safe, you can sterilize them in your dishwasher on its sanitize or sterilize cycle. If your dishwasher doesn't have either of those settings, you can choose a high-heat drying cycle, which needs to reach 200 degrees to properly sterilize baby bottles.

Wabi Baby UV Sterilizer and Drying Station: available at Buy Buy Baby

Our take: Killing 99.9% of bacteria in 10 minutes, this top-of-the-line sterilizing device also has a dryer.

What we like: This large-capacity UV light sterilizer can hold up to 11 baby bottles. The dryer function only takes 30 minutes and employs low heat. You can use this sterilizer for almost anything, including phones.

What we dislike: This sterilizer is pricey and takes up a lot of countertop space.

Baby Brezza One-Step Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer: available at Buy Buy Baby and Amazon

Our take: An electric sterilizer and dryer all in one sleek-looking bullet design.

What we like: Using steam, this device sterilizes up to six bottles in as little as 8 minutes. The backlit screen and touch control panel are very easy to use. Not only is this sterilizer compatible with all brands of baby bottles, but it can also fit nipples and pump parts.

What we dislike: The lid can be a bit of a challenge to open and close properly.

Wabi Baby 3-in-1 Steam Sterilizer and Dryer Plus: available at Buy Buy Baby and Amazon

Our take: This roomy bottle sterilizer and dryer is ideal for pumping caregivers.

What we like: The sterilizing and drying function can be used separately or together. The spacious unit features a tray for pumping parts and nipples and a tier for holding up to eight bottles. You can also use it to store clean baby bottles.

What we dislike: This electric steam sterilizer has been known to leak. Ana Sanchez is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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