Here are the top 14 bottle warmers for moms and babies on the go! Use this list to pick the best portable bottle warmer for your needs!
If you’re a first time mom, there’s lots of baby gear out there that you might consider adding to your collection.
And a good bottle warmer might be on your list.
These handy devices help to deliver milk at the perfect temperature for your baby.
But, they’re not all created equally.
Luckily, we’ve done the research for you to create this ultimate list of the best bottle warmers for moms and babies on the go.
Keep scrolling to find the ideal option for you and your child!
Why use a bottle warmer?
Depending on your circumstances, you may not need a bottle warmer. But, some babies are picky!
If you’re breastfeeding, warm breast milk is what your baby’s used to, and they may not take cold bottles even when they’re hungry.
Many moms, especially those who travel a lot or enjoy frequent outings, find a bottle warmer to be handy.
Here are some situations when a bottle warmer might be needed:
- If your baby wakes in the middle of the night, a bottle warmer can deliver warm milk to your hungry baby, quickly, so you can both get back to sleep.
- You can also use them to warm a baby’s bottle in a hotel room when you’re out of town.
- They may be helpful on road trips.
- Portable bottle warmers can also provide warm bottles during outings to a park, the zoo, and other places away from the home.
Different Types
There are several different types of bottle warmers, including diaper bag bottle warmers, bottle warmers that use hot water, warmers that use steam, warmers that use heat induction, and warmers that don’t require electricity.
Most portable bottle warmers are suitable for both breast milk and baby formula. And some may also work to heat baby food.
Personal preferences will vary, but here are some of the important factors new parents should consider when choosing a bottle warmer.
- The power source (USB port, battery operated, plug-in, etc.)
- Warming time
- Weight and size
- Cleaning requirements
- If it’s leakproof
- Safety features
- Temperature settings
- The heating process
- Other unique features like a formula dispenser and Bluetooth
The Best Portable Bottle Warmers
1. The Tommee Tippee Bottle Warmer
The Tommee Tippee bottle warmer is a great option when you’re on the road or out on the town.
There is no electricity required and it easily fits in a diaper bag.
It heats breast milk, formula, and baby food. And it uses a thermal flask to keep water warm without an external or internal heating element.
2. Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer Pro Set
The Baby’s Brew bottle warmer has an adjustable temperature function to get just the right temperature for your little one.
It heats with no hot spots to preserve nutrients, and it includes a mess-free formula dispenser.
It keeps water warm for 8-12 hours.
And, it’s a popular choice for pumping on the go.
3. Bopopo Portable Bottle Warmer for Formula
The Bopopo portable bottle warmer is perfect for formula-fed babies. You put water in the warmer and it acts as a formula-ready water kettle. It can keep water warm for 6 hours. With a built-in temperature sensor chip, you can control the temperature from 98 ° F to 113 ° F, so your baby doesn’t get burned.
It works without a cable, which makes mixing formula anytime and anywhere easy. It’s perfect for travel and on the go.
4. Mercalon Bottle Warmer for Travel
The bottle warmer includes AC/DC heating modes and a built-in battery.
It also features a real-time temperature display. And it easily fits in a diaper bag for travel, but it’s still large enough to brew two bottles of formula.
Adults can also use it to make hot drinks and foods like oatmeal when on the go or camping.
5. Loodial Multi-Function Waterproof Travel Bag With Bottle Warmer
This convenient travel bag includes a USB port bottle warmer.
It comes in a variety of colors and it’s perfect for shopping, restaurants, and travel.
And you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks due to its waterproof material.
6. Kiinde Kozii Voyager
The Kiinde Kozkii Voyager does not require batteries or an outlet.
And it works for pouches, bottles, and jars.
You can use it to both warm and defrost food and milk. And it fits in most cup holders.
7. Papablic Mini Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer
This mini bottle warmer is another non-electric option that’s great for warming milk when you’re on the go.
It fits all standard bottle sizes and it’s incredibly compact, making it ideal for plane travel.
And, it’s one of the least expensive options on the list.
8. Nanobebe Baby Bottle Smart Warming Bowl
The Nanobebe provides safe, even warming using water and a unique geometrical design.
It best mimics the recommended warming method from the CDC, which is to warm milk in a bowl of warm water or under running warm or lukewarm water.
It works well for breast milk storage bags and bottles.
9. Baby Cub Portable Bottle Warmer
The Baby Cub Portable Bottle Warmer boasts a small compact design that allows you to store both the warmer and powder dispenser comfortably. Plus it comes with a USB charging cable and easy temperature settings.
Out of the box, the warmer is compatible with Phillips AVENT, Chicco, and Lansinoh brand bottles, along with other standard wide-neck bottles.
Electric Bottle Warmers
Because you may need to use a bottle warmer during the night at home, we’ve also included a list of the most popular warmers that need to be plugged in.
10. Dr. Brown Deluxe Baby Bottle Warmer
This bottle uses electric steam to gently warm bottles.
And it boasts:
- Fast warming times
- A quick one-button start
- An adjustable basket that fits all Dr. Brown’s bottles and most other bottle brands
- The option to sterilize bottles, parts, and pacifiers
It also has an auto shut-off 60 seconds after a cycle is complete and an LCD control panel with preferred cycles.
11. Munchkin 98° Digital Bottle Warmer
This Munchkin bottle warmer quickly and easily heats milk or formula to body temperature.
And it includes 4 adaptors to fit the most popular bottle brands, including Tommee Tippee, Dr. Brown’s, Avent, and Medela.
However, it does require an outlet.
12. Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer
This bottle warmer is suitable for milk and baby food, and it warms at a constant temperature for no hot spots.
It also includes a defrost function for frozen milk and can keep milk warm for up to 60 minutes.
Parents will also enjoy the easy-to-clean one-piece design.
13. Baby Brezza Safe and Smart Baby Bottle Warmer
The Baby Brezza also heats and defrosts and uses two different warming modes for rapid or slow warming without destroying important nutrients.
It is compatible with Bluetooth and includes an auto shut-off feature for safety.
14. Chicco Bottle and Baby Food Warmer
The Chicco bottle warmer quickly and easily warms baby bottles and baby food jars and features an auto shut-off safety function.
It fits most bottles and sounds an alert when ready.
This warmer uses an outlet for power and earned the 2017 Best Value Award from The Baby Gear Lab.
Important Breast Milk and Formula Storage Guidelines and Tips
Now that we’ve listed the best portable bottle warmer options, here are some other important tips for preparing and handling breast milk and formula.
How long does breast milk and formula last?
At Room Temperature
Freshly expressed room-temperature milk stays good for up to 4 hours.
Partially consumed breast milk should be thrown away after 2 hours.
Formula should be thrown away after 2 hours at room temperature, or within an hour if it has been partially consumed.
In the Fridge
Breast milk will last for up to 4 days when properly stored, toward the back of the refrigerator.
And, you can keep powdered formula mixed with water for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Open containers of ready-to-feed formula or concentrated formula can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
In The Freezer
Properly stored breast milk (toward the back of the freezer, but not right against the wall) can last for 6 months at best quality. But, up to 12 months is acceptable.
It is not recommended to freeze baby formula.
How To Store Expressed Milk
You can safely store expressed milk in bags that are specifically made for human milk. This includes plastic and silicone bags.
You can also store breast milk in plastic and glass bottles or containers that are food-grade and BPA-free.
Keep in mind it might take trial and error to find the right bottle for your baby.
How To Thaw Frozen Breast Milk
Always thaw the oldest breast milk first, using your bottle warmer or one of the options below:
- In the refrigerator overnight.
- In a container of warm or lukewarm water.
- Under lukewarm running water.
Never thaw or heat breast milk in a microwave. Microwaving can destroy essential nutrients in breast milk and create hot spots, which can burn a baby’s mouth.
If you thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, use it within 24 hours, starting once the milk is completely thawed.
Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, use it within 2 hours.
And never refreeze frozen milk after it’s been thawed.
Other Ways to Warm Your Baby’s Milk
If you decide not to purchase a bottle warmer, there are a couple of other ways to warm milk, following these guidelines:
- Keep the container sealed.
- Place the sealed container into a bowl of warm water or hold it under warm, but not hot, running water for a few minutes.
- Do not heat breast milk directly on the stove or in the microwave.
- Test the milk to ensure it’s at the right temperature before feeding it to your baby by putting a few drops on your wrist.
- Swirl the breast milk to mix the fat, which may have separated.
How To Travel with Breast Milk and Formula
If you’re traveling on the road, breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours.
Try to pack the breast milk in small amounts, so you only need to use your portable bottle warmer to defrost the amount you need for a single feeding. Otherwise, you may end up wasting some of your precious milk.
Once you reach your destination, either use the milk right away or store the breast milk bags in the refrigerator or freezer.
Flight travel is a little more tricky.
If you’re planning to travel by plane, be sure to read this post on how to travel with frozen breast milk. This covers flying, driving, and moving.
How To Increase Milk Supply
Some mothers may experience problems producing enough milk for their babies.
If this is your experience, the best way to increase milk supply is to pump more or offer more feeding sessions. Breast milk works on supply and demand. So, the more milk you express, the more your body will produce.
However, some factors may limit the amount of milk you can produce even with extra pumping sessions.
If you’re still experiencing low milk supply, you may need the help of a certified lactation consultant.
They can help determine if any other underlying factors need to be treated or corrected.
Some of the risk factors for low milk supply are:
- Labor induction
- Epidurals
- Gestational Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Breast hypoplasia
- Breast surgeries
- Low iron
- Thyroid disorders
- PCOS
- Obesity
How To Deal with High Lipase Breast Milk
After heating your refrigerated or frozen breast milk in your portable bottle warmer, you may notice a weird smell or taste.
This could be due to excess lipase in your milk.
Lipase (lie-pays) is a protein produced by the pancreas that’s naturally present in human milk. And it’s there to break down milk fats so babies can digest them easier.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing a lactating mother can do to decrease high levels of lipase. And there’s no outside factor that causes it.
Some women have it, and others don’t.
But, the good news is, that it’s not harmful to babies. And there are things you can do to stop excess lipase activity or mask the soapy taste.
- The longer breast milk is stored, the higher the lipase. So try to offer your baby fresh breast milk as often as possible.
- If your frozen breast milk develops a soapy taste, try mixing half-frozen milk with half fresh.
- You can also mix high lipase milk with solid food like baby cereals.
- Or, you can simply try again later. Your baby may get used to the taste and decide to take it.
And if you don’t mind an extra step, you can also scald your breast milk before storing it. This reduces lipase activity and prevents the change in taste and smell.
Follow the instructions from this post on how to scald breast milk.
Other Breastfeeding and Pumping Gear for New Moms
After you select the best portable bottle warmer for your needs, you may want to invest in some other breast-pumping essentials. Here are some of our top picks to add to your cart or baby registry checklist.
- These Breastmilk storage bags.
- The speCtra electric breast pump or the hands-free Elvie pump.
- A silicone breast pump like the Haakaa collects extra milk during feedings.
- Nursing tanks and tops and underwire-free nursing bras for easy access.
- A nursing cover that hooks around your neck for pumping on the go.
- An organizing caddy for your pump parts and bottles.
- A good diaper bag like the Miss Fong, Freshly Picked, or Wren Bag.
What To Do with Leftover Breast Milk
If you have leftover milk that you don’t need, there are lots of creative and helpful things you can do with it.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Make breast milk lotion with beeswax, grapeseed oil, and essential oils.
- Use it to heal diaper rash, cradle cap, bug bites, minor scrapes, and sore nipples.
- Mix it with oils to make breast milk soap.
- Make a soothing breast milk bath for your baby.
- Put it in popsicle molds to help with teething.
- Make breast milk jewelry.
And you can also donate unused milk to milk banks, provided you follow their guidelines and practices.
Read this post on what to do with leftover breast milk for a complete list of ideas.
FAQs
That depends.
It’s not necessary to warm milk before a feeding. However, some babies are picky and may refuse cold milk.
If you have a picky baby and travel a lot or spend a lot of time out of the house, it may be worth it to invest in a good bottle warmer.
This will keep your baby happy and fed when you’re on the go.
There are a few different kinds of bottle warmers.
Some require electricity to heat the milk using induction or steam, and others use thermal heat and hot water.
It depends on the type of milk.
Partially consumed breast milk should be thrown away after 2 hours. Do not re-refrigerate any breast milk that has come to room temperature.
If your baby starts a bottle of formula but doesn’t finish it within an hour, toss it. Like with breastmilk, don’t refrigerate and reheat leftovers.
Bacteria from your baby’s mouth can get into the bottle, contaminate the formula, and make them sick.
Want More?
If this post was helpful, be sure to check out:
- 40 Breastfeeding Tips for new moms
- 20 Things to know about Breastfeeding
- How To Wean From Breastfeeding to Whole Milk
- 15+ Genius Newborn Baby Hacks
- Important Newborn Sleep Tips
- 3 First Time Mom Books worth a read
Your Turn
We hope this post helps you find the best travel bottle warmer for your needs. Let us know if we missed any questions about portable bottle warmers in the comments!