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Every parent/guardian of young children knows exactly how quickly baby bottles can pile up, especially if there are multiple infants in the house. And let’s not even think about people who are raising litters of puppies or kittens. Bottles everywhere! And it’s incredibly important to use clean bottles to protect all of the vulnerable youngsters, no matter their species.
And that’s precisely what bottle sterilizers are for. Of course, they’re designed for human infant bottles, but they can be used to sterilize pretty much anything that’ll fit inside them, including toys, breast pump parts, and more! They’re incredibly simple to use and are a lot faster and more convenient than traditional bottle-sterilizing methods.
If you’d love to toss those traditional methods aside and try out a bottle sterilizer for yourself, we’re here to help you out. There’s a lot of variety out there, and it can be tough to know what’s right for you. Bottle sterilizers will vary in all kinds of features, including price, portability, bottle capacity, type, and more. And you should think about each one to make sure you find your perfect match.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best bottle sterilizers in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
Fast-Drying Pick: Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer
Budget Pick: Philips Avent SCF281/05 Microwave Steam Sterilizer
Portable Pick: Dr. Brown's 960 Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags
Also Great: Dr. Brown's Deluxe Electric Sterilizer
We like lots of things about the Philips Avent Advanced Electric Steam Sterilizer and we’re excited to share them with you. This is one of the few sterilizers that has a drip tray in the bottom, and that means any leftover milk residue in your bottles won’t cause your machine to smell over time. Thank goodness. It’s also got one of the best design aesthetics, so it’ll work well as a permanent countertop fixture.
We’re also pretty happy with its capacity. It can fit up to six bottles easily (as long as they’re the Philips Avent brand, other brands won’t fit quite as well), and it has separate accessories trays for bottle nipples, pacifiers, small toys, breast pump parts, and more. You can use both racks together or separately to suit your needs as they change.
One of the only things that doesn’t quite beat the rest of the competition is the time for sterilizing — the machine needs four minutes to heat up and then another six to fully sterilize the bottles and other items. This is one of the longest sterilizing times out there. Also, since it’s fairly large and has removable components, it won’t be the most portable sterilizer you could get. Hopefully, it doesn’t need to be.
Overall, the Philips Avent Advanced Electric Steam Sterilizer was an easy choice for our top overall pick this year. With a user-friendly start button, versatile rack arrangement, and countertop-friendly design, this machine pretty much has it all. Happy sterilizing!
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have great things to say about the Philips Avent Advanced Electric Steam Sterilizer. They love that both the accessory rack and bottle rack are optional, and the capacity is perfect for people with one infant. The streamlined design means it isn’t an eyesore on their counters, and the machine is really easy to keep clean. They have no complaints with this one.
Buy If…
The bottles might still have milk residue when you sterilize them
You need to clean multiple bottles and extra items simultaneously
It’ll be living on your countertop permanently
You’d like the option of steaming accessories/toys by themselves
Don’t Buy If…
You need a portable option
You’re looking for the fastest possible sterilizing time
Dimensions: 12” x 7.2” x 14.1”
Weight: 5.2 lbs
Type: Standalone
Bottle Capacity: 6
Sterilizing Time: 10 mins
Dry Function: No
Warranty: 2 years
There are so many things to admire about the Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer. It’s one of the most versatile options out there because it has an optional bottom rack, top rack, and accessory tray. You can use all of them together or mix and match as needed depending on what you need to clean. It has the capacity for eight bottles and a ton of extra items. You won’t find that very often!
One of the most valuable features offered by this option is the dry function. After a couple of minutes of sterilization, the machine can dry all of the items over 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or an hour. It filters all of the air used in the drying process, too, to make sure the bottles stay sterile. If you’ll need your bottles ready fairly soon after they’re sterilized, you will absolutely love this feature.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the performance or overall quality of this option. Let’s get that out there right off the bat. However, that doesn’t mean it’ll be perfect for everybody. With its size and removable components, this is not a great option for travel. Also, it’s fairly expensive, so it won’t fit everyone’s budget either.
Overall, the Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer is one of our favourite bottle sterilizers of all time. And it's certainly the best for families that need a quick-drying system for their gear. No matter what you’re looking for in a sterilizer, we can pretty much guarantee this one has it.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer. One mom even advises people to put this on their baby registries, it’s that helpful! They love that they can mix and match the trays to accommodate different bottles and accessories, and they love not waiting for the items to air dry. It’s surprisingly counter-friendly, too, for its eight-bottle capacity.
Buy If…
You’d like to sterilize many bottles and accessories at a time
You don’t want to wait hours for the items to air dry
You’d appreciate a flexible drying time
A versatile sterilizer is a must-have
Don’t Buy If…
Budget-friendliness is important to you
You’ll need to travel with your sterilizer
Dimensions: 11” x 8” x 14”
Weight: 4.3 lbs
Type: Standalone
Bottle Capacity: 8
Dry Function: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
We like a lot of things about the Philips Avent SCF281/05 Microwave Steam Sterilizer. It’s surprisingly durable for its price, but it’s also very lightweight (it only weighs 2.1 pounds!). This makes it a really great option for travel. You really can’t beat the price for the quality, either. It’s one of the most affordable options out there but also one of the best overall for reliability and user-friendliness.
Another thing we love about this option is how safety-conscious the design is. It has a highly effective locking mechanism that keeps the lid securely attached to the base—it’s a tight enough connection that it won’t spill any hot water while you’re removing it from the microwave. And the stay-cool grips make it safe to move it without oven mitts or another barrier. Super convenient.
There are a couple of things that we don’t quite love about this one. It’s dependent on a microwave, and while that does speed up the cycle time, it also means you’ll need a backup plan if you’re ever without a microwave. It’s also pretty bulky and needs a large storage space. Lastly, if you’re not using Philips Avent bottles, you’ll struggle a bit with the spacing prongs. Bottles from other brands don’t fit very well.
Overall, the Philips Avent SCF281/05 Microwave Steam Sterilizer is our favourite option this year for budget-conscious shoppers. It has a couple of limitations, but it’s truly one of the best ones you can buy for a low price. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its quality. And it works quickly, too!
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers like the Philips Avent SCF281/05 Microwave Steam Sterilizer. It’s lightweight but still feels really durable, so they’re comfortable taking it on the road with them. The locking mechanism works really well to keep the hot water in while moving it, and the stay-cool grips make it a lot easier to do that. They’d prefer a flat surface so they could use bottles from other brands, though. And they find it a bit bulky — some of them found it tough to find a space for it in their kitchen.
Buy If…
You need a lightweight option for travelling
Budget-friendliness is your main priority
You don’t want to deal with any safety concerns regarding handling
Don’t Buy If…
You’d prefer not to be dependent on a microwave
You’re short on storage space
You’re not using Philips Avent bottles
Dimensions: 6.5” x 11” x 11”
Weight: 2.1 lbs
Type: Microwave-dependent
Bottle Capacity: 4
Sterilizing Time: 2 mins
Dry Function: No
Warranty: 2 years
For such a simple option, the Dr. Brown's 960 Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags really have a lot going for them. We absolutely love them, and we think you will too. Once you’ve popped your bottle and any accessories inside (teething toys, pacifiers, bottle accessories, breast pump parts, etc), it’ll only need 90 seconds in the microwave to create perfectly sterilized items. Cool, right?
This is also an incredibly affordable option for people who don’t want to commit to a full-size sterilizer. Each pack comes with five bags, and each bag can be used 30 times. That’s 150 uses for almost no money at all! Amazing. Each bag has a marking system on it to help you keep track of how many times they’ve been used. When it’s time to travel, they fold up and fit into any travel bag! Couldn’t be easier.
Of course, this type of sterilization system won’t be perfect for every person or every situation. They only have the space for one bottle at a time, so if you have multiple infants, it won’t be very convenient. Also, you’ll need access to a microwave in order to use these, and you might not always have one around depending on where you go. Lastly, the bags will need to be replaced over time. This isn’t a permanent solution!
Overall, the Dr. Brown's 960 Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags are the absolute best choice for parents and guardians who need to look after their bottles away from home. They’re reliable and could not be easier to store in a baby bag. If you travel with a baby, you need these!
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers really love using the Dr. Brown's 960 Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags. They could not be easier to use, and they love that it only takes 90 seconds in the microwave to get a sterilized bottle and accessories. They’re really easy to pack, too, since they are very lightweight and fold easily. They would choose nothing else for on-the-go bottle care!
Buy If…
You need an exceptionally portable sterilizer
Affordability is a big deal
You don’t want to wait very long for a clean bottle
You want to sterilize accessories along with a bottle
Don’t Buy If…
You’ll have to sterilize multiple bottles at a time
You’re looking for a permanent solution
You won’t always have a microwave handy
Dimensions: 6.75” x 3” x 9.5”
Weight: 0.05 lbs
Type: Microwave-dependent
Bottle Capacity: 1
Sterilizing Time: 90 seconds
Dry Function: No
The Dr. Brown's Deluxe Electric Sterilizer has a lot of great things going for it. One of the standout features is the easy-to-use controls. With the push of a button, the sterilizer will begin its work, and it has indicator lights that let you know when it’s hot, when it’s cooling down, and when the bottles are ready to be removed. It has a removable tray and tongs to make this easier (and safer)!
The automatic shutoff is another great addition. You won’t have to manage the machine at all after you’ve hit the start button — it’ll shut itself off after the 12-minute sterilization period to protect itself and the items you’ve put inside. No matter what bottle brands you have, you’ll be able to sterilize six of them at a time, plus smaller items like bottle nipples and pacifiers.
While there aren’t any true flaws with this option, we do want you to be aware of a couple of things before you commit to it. Since it doesn’t have a dry function, the bottles will be wet after sterilization — you’ll need to let them air dry before using them. Also, this sterilizer is pretty bulky and not the most durable thing in the world, so it’s best left at home when you travel.
Overall, the Dr. Brown's Deluxe Electric Sterilizer is the perfect choice if you’re hunting for some peace of mind rather than fancy features. It’s a really solid option that will keep your bottles safe for your baby and is easy for you to use. Just don’t plan on taking it with you when you travel.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers have good things to say about the Dr. Brown's Deluxe Electric Sterilizer. It easily fits six baby bottles (of a variety of brands and sizes) and still has room left over for other items like pacifiers. The controls are really easy to figure out, and they like that it has an automatic shutoff and temperature indicators. They agree that it’s a good value for the price.
Buy If…
You have an assortment of bottle brands
You’d love to set it and forget it
Safe handling is a priority
Don’t Buy If…
You’ll need to use your bottles right after they’re sterilized
You want something travel-friendly
Dimensions: 13.3” x 12.8” x 10”
Weight: 5.6 lbs
Type: Standalone
Bottle Capacity: 6
Sterilizing Time: 12 mins
Dry Function: No
Warranty: 30 days
Some bottle sterilizers will cost less than $10, others can cost close to $300. In general, more expensive bottle sterilizers will be standalone units, will have a higher capacity, and will have a dry function.
Bottle sterilizers can run independently with the help of a power source, or they will depend on a microwave for their power. Microwave-dependent sterilizers tend to be less expensive and sterilize equipment faster, but they also never offer a dry function and have a more limited capacity.
Some bottle sterilizers will complete their cycle in only 90 seconds, while others can take up to 10 minutes. Every sterilizer will completely sterilize the bottles and items no matter how long the cycle takes, so for convenience, shorter is usually better.
The rare bottle sterilizer will be able to dry the items as well. This function will significantly raise the price, but it also dramatically reduces the drying time. For busy caregivers, it’s usually worth it. It cuts the drying time down to an hour or less, rather than half a day for air drying.
The bottle capacity of a sterilizer will typically range between 1-8 bottles, plus room for accessories. A larger capacity is usually linked to a higher price tag, but it’s also a lot more convenient.
Some bottle sterilizers are designed for travel, and others aren’t. It might be worth considering this feature if you’ll be away from home with your infant often.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.