Do I really need a bottle warmer?
While a bottle warmer isn’t a vital piece of baby kit, many parents consider it a luxury that they wouldn’t be without.
Babies generally prefer warm milk to cold and although there are other ways to heat your baby’s bottle, these methods often lack the quickness and convenience of a product that’s specifically designed for this purpose. It may be tempting to use the microwave, but this should never be done as it can warm the milk unevenly, causing hot spots that can burn your baby’s mouth. The intense heat may also destroy essential nutrients and vitamins.
A bottle warmer will get your baby’s bottle to the ideal temperature – generally body temperature of around 37°C – with minimal faff, saving you time, hassle and possibly precious minutes of shut-eye.
Can I warm breast milk in a bottle warmer?
Many bottle warmers are breast milk-compatible, but always check the box or manufacturer’s instructions to make certain.
If you're breastfeeding and struggling, we've also rounded up the best nipple shields to ease pain you may be experiencing.
How to choose the best bottle warmer for your baby
There are several considerations to take into account when choosing a bottle warmer:
Does it fit the bottles you’ll be using?
How quickly does it warm a bottle?
Is it easy to use?
Can it warm food as well as milk?
Is it portable?
Does it warm multiple bottles simultaneously?
What’s your budget? The price of bottle warmers varies drastically, so choose one to suit your finances.
Is it for use inside or outside the home? Electric versions can obviously be used only with a plug socket nearby, whereas a flask type or one with an in-car adaptor is a good choice for on the go.
Does it need to be versatile? Some bottle warmers double as sterilisers, while others have an in-built timer or maintain the ideal milk temperature for a certain amount of time, for example.
Related: Discover the best baby plates and bowls for weaning
What is the best bottle warmer?
The best bottle warmer is Nûby’s Electric Bottle & Food Warmer because it does everything you’d expect an appliance of this kind to do – and quickly. It safely warms both breast milk and formula as well as food, even if it’s frozen. Fitting most brands of bottle or jar, we love the lift-out basket provided to protect the receptacle you’re warming, plus its simplicity, compactness and quietness. Its price tag is within most parents’ reach and although it lacks an off button, those unwilling to wait for the device to shut off automatically can always flick the switch at the socket.
How we chose our recommendations
We first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which bottle warmers discerning Mumsnetters recommended and had bought themselves, noting their feedback about these brands. We then drew up a shortlist of those that were repeatedly mentioned.
From there, we did some research across the wider web, consulting independent review sites and taking into account what customer reviews said about the products featured. Having collated all that information, we picked the bottle warmers we thought were worthy of taking the titles in an array of interest categories.
About the author
Louise Cole is a writer and editor with more than a decade’s print journalism experience, having worked for several daily newspapers and as editor of a glossy lifestyle magazine. She has written articles on topics from lifestyle to travel and parenting to pets, her work featuring in national publications including On the Couch and Edition Dog magazines. Wanderlust runs through her veins and she has travelled extensively to dozens of countries and visited all habitable continents.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
Read next: The best potty training pants, as recommended by parents