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Wirecutter's longtime top pick: a circulating water bath that drains away when the cycle ends, so it was the least likely to overheat in its tests. BabyGearLab, though, found it very slow and unable to reach body temperature on the maker's settings, and cleaning is involved.
Top complaints
- Slow, and may not get warm enough
BabyGearLab calls it super slow: about 7.5 minutes to 80°F, and it never reached 98°F on the recommended settings (about 89°F average at 12 minutes). Babylist also says it takes several minutes longer than steam models.
- Involved cleaning
Wirecutter says the manual calls for a soapy-water clean every two to three days and vinegar descaling every two months, and a staffer noted it can't be taken apart to scrub. BabyGearLab says it calls for a bleach-and-water soak and special brushes.
- Can still overheat; uneven with frozen pouches
Wirecutter says it is still possible to overheat milk if the time is miscalculated, and frozen pouches heated unevenly (some parts over 120°F while others stayed frozen). BabyGearLab saw one reading of about 105°F on the maker's settings, above the 104°F point it uses for nutrient loss.
What owners love
- Water drains away when the cycle ends
Wirecutter says it is the only model it tested with a circulating water bath; the water recedes into a reservoir and the unit shuts off, so bottles are less likely to overheat. In 2024 testing it came close only once (101°F in a 4-ounce glass bottle).
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - No refilling between bottles
Wirecutter: you don't need to add or empty water each time, and you can warm bottles back-to-back by trimming 30 seconds off later cycles. BabyGearLab lists reusable water as a pro.
- Fits most bottles
Wirecutter says it works with narrow-neck, wide-neck, silicone, plastic and glass bottles; Babylist notes it takes wide bottles, storage bags, pouches and jars.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Babylist
- You want the fastest warmer
- You want an obvious done alert (it just stops ticking)
- You want low-effort cleaning
- Back-to-back bottles without refilling water
- Glass, silicone and wide-neck bottles
- A simple kitchen-timer-style dial
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick: did the best job of reaching around 98°F without overheating, with the most effective auto-shutoff; the flaws are a subtle done signal, uneven frozen-pouch heating and involved cleaning.
- BabyGearLab: Ranked 9 of 11: consistent and easy, but super slow and didn't get contents warm enough on the maker's settings; better and cheaper warmers exist unless you use the Kiinde system.
- Babylist: Best for breast milk: gentle, even warming and a large reservoir, but slower than other warmers, with occasional durability issues.