Before you become a parent, you think you’ve got the whole parenting gig completely figured out. Then you have a child and you find out your favorite little human has a mind of her own. Babies have preferences from the get-go, whether it’s in the form of taking a pacifier, how they like to be held, where they want to sleep, and even how they like their milk. You may have been one of those parents who thought, “My baby will be just fine with room temp. milk…” until you try to give it to her and she’s screaming her head off in the middle of a restaurant. In that moment you realize you were so wrong.
Thank goodness there are bottle warmers for this type of situation!
Even ones that can be taken out and about. As a parent, keeping your baby happy and healthy while also keeping your sanity is so important. Having a portable bottle warmer is one way parents can keep their baby happily fed without giving up their on-the-go lifestyle.
Not sure the difference between bottle warmers you can use at home and ones that are portable? Let's begin by looking into how they differ.
Bottle Warmers Versus Portable Bottle Warmers
Bottle warmers have been around for quite a while. They give parents a great alternative to much slower warming methods, such as running your baby's bottle under a warm faucet or waiting for it to warm up in a bowl of water. (Because microwave-warming is never a safe option!)
The major difference between a regular bottle warmer and one that's portable is that a typical bottle warmer requires an electrical outlet to operate. These can be great if you only plan to use it at home. In fact, we have a list we put together here of the best ones: Best Bottle Warmers of 2021.
But let's be real. Babies drink a lot of milk and need bottles multiple times per day! This means that if your baby wants warm milk (and most do) then you need a solution on the go, as well. That's where portable bottle warmers come in.
Portable bottle warmers were designed to be utilized away from home. Some can be used anywhere, whereas others need to be in the car in order to work. Ultimately, having a portable bottle warmer is useful for any busy parent...which is pretty much all of us!
Even better is if you have a portable bottle warmer that works so well it can replace the need of having a separate electrical bottle warmer. The downside to many portable bottle warmers is that they just aren't as reliable as one that plugs in. That is, until the Baby's Brew came along.
Top 10 Portable Baby Bottle Warmers of 2021
Here we have the 10 best portable bottle warmers to help fit your needs, with our favorite, The Baby’s Brew, topping the list! We love it so much that it's our top recommended portable bottle warmer AND just the best bottle warmer all around! Read on to see why it's so great, as well as 9 other portable options.
1. The Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer
The Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer is the world’s first (and only!) battery operated bottle warmer. Its slim and modern design fits easily into your diaper bag or a cup holder. And you won’t have to be tied down with a cord.
Since we know those babies have minds of their own, the choice of 4 different temperatures is a key feature. It warms both breast milk and formula and formula feeding parents will like the option of a detachable formula dispenser for mess-free bottle prep.
How it works:
Baby's Brew's unique design twists directly onto the top of your child's favorite baby bottle (it can be used with almost every major brand - some may require a separate adapter). After that, the steps are so simple that anyone caring for your baby can easily use it. Twist, Press, Shake. Even if you need to dispense formula, you can prepare your baby’s bottle within 25 seconds. After turning it on, you can have your baby’s desired temperature of 80 degrees F, 98.6 degrees F, 104 F and 114 F in less than 10 minutes. The Baby's Brew uses slow-heat technology to ensure safety with no hot spots while also preserving precious nutrients like those found in breastmilk. And this bottle warmer keeps its charge for up to 12 hours so you can make multiple bottles throughout the day or night! When baby gets hungry, you’ll be ready!
Can I use the Baby's Brew at home, too? Absolutely! What makes it a great substitute for electrical at-home bottle warmers is that it is reliable and heats your baby's milk to perfection every time. Additionally, how many times do you need a baby bottle in the middle of the night, but your bottle warmer is downstairs? The Baby's Brew portable bottle warmer fixes that issue.
2. Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle Warmer
The Tommee Tippee portable travel bottle warmer consists of two parts: the thermal stainless steel flask that holds the hot water, and the plastic cup used for warming the bottle. There is no external heat source for this bottle warmer.
How it works:
The way this bottle warmer works is by pouring boiling hot water into the thermal flask. After doing so, you’ll need to tightly screw on the lid. The cup portion connects over the top and then you’re ready to head out the door. When your baby is ready to eat, you pour the hot water into the lid. The baby’s bottle of milk is then placed into the hot water to warm. It takes about 5 minutes to warm up.
3. Munchkin Travel Car Baby Bottle Warmer
For car travel, Munchkin’s Car Travel Bottle Warmer is a great choice. It is a flexible heating band that wraps tightly around any size baby bottle to warm the milk.
How it works:
This bottle warmer comes equipped with a car adapter to utilize as the heat source. Once plugged in with the heating band secured around the baby’s bottle, the warming begins. A digital display on the adapter indicates the temperature so you know when the milk is ready. The milk is warmed evenly with no hot spots. Users report that it takes between 10 – 30 minutes to warm a baby’s bottle depending on how cold the milk is to begin with.
4. Papablic Mini Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer
Similar in design to the Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle Warmer, is this slimmer one from Papablic. It is ideal for someone looking for a sleeker profile as it is the size of a water bottle and fits well inside a car cup holder. It is compatible with most baby bottles, but not thicker ones such as Tommee Tippee.
How it works:
This bottle warmer requires no electricity. The rust-proof and BPA-free carafe is vacuum insulated to keep the boiling water poured into it hot all day. To heat baby’s bottle of milk up, simply pour the water into the warming cup and immerse the baby’s bottle. This is easily done by hitting the lock button top to pour the water without opening the lid.
5. Kiinde Kozii Voyager Travel Bottle Warmer
This warming system requires no battery or electricity. Providing triple-wall insulation, water is kept hot all day so it remains hot until you are ready to warm your baby’s bottle. It is similar to the Tommee Tippee bottle warmer, but it’s slimmer on the bottom so that it can fit into a cup holder.
How it works:
This is another travel warmer where boiling water is poured into the stainless steel container and sealed until ready to use. Unlike the Tommee Tippee and Papablic versions, it has 3 parts. There are 2 warming cups instead of 2 so that you can either warm both a food jar/pouch and a bottle simultaneously or 2 bottles at a time if you have twins to feed. Users report fast warming times.
6. Prince Lionheart On-the-Go Bottle Warmer
This warmer, made from an inner PVC pouch with a zip cotton cover to keep the pouch and bottle insulated, is an instant heat source anywhere to warm your baby’s bottle.
How it works:
The inside pouch is “activated” by placing it into boiling water. When first placed in the water, the solution will be white. When the solution becomes clear, it is ready to be placed inside the accompanying bag with baby’s bottle to warm. It will then take about 10-15 minutes to warm up your baby’s milk. Each time you want to warm a baby's bottle, you'll need to reactivate this warmer.
7. Primo Passi USB Portable Smart Bottle Warmer
The Primo Passi is the only bottle warmer on the list that operates via USB. This has a cloth bag design with 4 layers of protection and is dirt and water-resistant. It features a digital LCD screen on the outside of the bag so you can easily see what temperature it's at.
How it works:
When plugged into a power bank or a computer, the bottle warmer maintains the temperature of your baby’s bottle. When turned on, an LCD digital screen displays the temperature control. It can be set at 100 or 113 degrees for baby’s preference. (Breastmilk warming should be done at the lower 100 degree temperature to preserve nutrients.)
8. Cherub Baby Warmer – Click ‘n Go Bottle Warmer
The Cherub Baby Warmer doesn’t require a power point, but instead uses a “click” activated heating system. Baby’s bottle fits inside the reusable gel sleeve to warm and also includes a travel pouch.
How it works:
To activate the gel sleeve, you will click the attached metal disc. A reaction takes place that warms the gel inside. The user then wraps it around the baby’s bottle to warm the milk. It can be used over and over but will need to be "recharged" between every use. This is done by boiling it in water for about 10 minutes.
9. Innobaby Aquaheat Bottle Warmer Set
With the Innobaby Aquaheat, your baby can have warm milk even without power. Unlike the other warmers, this one contains a disposable heat pack and a warming pod that utilizes its own stainless-steel bottle for warming.
How it works:
To use this warming system, a heat pack is placed into the bottom of the warming pod. Once a little water is poured onto the warming pod, it begins to activate. You will see steam begin to rise from inside the pod. At that point, the stainless-steel bottle is placed inside and the baby’s milk is ready in about 2 minutes. The heat packs are one-time use only, so you will have to purchase more. Additionally, if you want to give your baby a bottle that is not the included stainless steel one, you'll have to pour the milk from one bottle to the other.
10. Puncia 12V Car Bottle Warmer
This bottle warmer contains a food-grade BPA free outside plastic container with a stainless-steel tank inside. It fits inside a cup holder and utilizes a car charger for power. If car travel is the only time you'll need a portable bottle warmer, then this one can be a good choice.
How it works:
To operate the Puncia Bottle Warmer, you'll first pour water into the stainless-steel container. You'll then insert a breastmilk storage bag or baby bottle and close the lid. Once the top is sealed you can choose the temperature to meet your baby’s needs. It will then stay at a constant temperature until you’re ready to feed your baby. One safety feature it includes is that the mug will shut off automatically if there’s no water in the mug, or if the voltage is too high or too low. Breast milk storage bags are warmed under 8 minutes, with bottles taking slightly longer. It fits most bottles, but not all.
Choosing the Right Portable Bottle Warmer
Who knew there could be so many options when it comes to bottle warmers? What's important, however, is that you do your research. Some might end up causing more stress which is the exact opposite of what you want in a bottle warmer. Babies can get hangry real quick, and you need to know that you can have your baby's bottle ready when you need it.
Bottle Warmer FAQ
What is the best-bottled water to mix with baby formula?
According to the CDC, it is safe to use bottled water to mix with powdered or
liquid concentrate infant formulas. But it’s important to know that fluoride
content in bottled water varies. Choosing a bottled water that is marketed toward
infants, sometimes known as “nursery water" for the purpose of mixing with baby
formula can be a great choice. Bottled water sold for this purpose meets the EPA’s tap water standards, but any bottled water sold in the U.S. is safe for babies. For infants younger than 3 months, it’s recommended that you sterilize the water by boiling it for 1 minute before use.
When can I introduce formula milk?
Infant stage 1 formula is safe for babies from birth. Though breastfeeding is
recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for at least 6 months, this is not always chosen or achievable. So, formula milk can be introduced from the very first feed! If you decide to transition your baby from breastmilk to formula or
supplement, this can be introduced at any time before the age of 1. In this case,
you’ll probably want to introduce a formula that is similar to breastmilk.
Why are some moms choosing to use glass baby bottles?
Though glass bottles have been around for many years, only recently have they
made a much bigger comeback. Most parents using glass bottles now are using
ones made of tempered glass, which can be heated up and don’t easily break.
Some of the benefits of glass bottles include:
Environmentally friendly – a glass baby bottle can easily be recycled and the
process is much more energy-efficient than recycling a plastic bottle
More effective at preventing milk from oxidation, which can weaken
breastmilk nutrients
Give more purity of taste
Stay looking like new for years to come, unlike plastic bottles which can get
cloudy over time
How can I warm up milk for the baby during a trip?
The best way to warm up your baby’s milk, formula, or breastmilk on a trip is by
using a portable bottle warmer. Unlike a typical electric bottle warmer, a portable
bottle warmer doesn’t need to be plugged in to work. The Baby’s Brew, for
example, is a battery-powered portable bottle warmer that can be used
anywhere. It can be set to one of three temperature settings depending on your
baby’s preference and once warmed, can keep a bottle warm for up to 5 hours.
Why shouldn't you microwave baby formula?
You’ve probably heard that microwaving breastmilk can destroy vital nutrients,
but even though this is not a risk with formula, it’s still not safe to do. This is
because microwaves do not heat any liquid evenly, including baby formula. What
results are “hot spots” within the formula that can burn a baby’s mouth and
throat.
How to clean baby bottles?
Some bottles are easier to clean than others. Whereas the simplest of bottles only
have two parts, ones intended to reduce colic can have up to 5 or more. Bottles
will need to be fully disassembled so that each part can be washed separately
between each use. Here are the steps to take:
First, rinse the bottle parts with water.
Second, fill the sink with hot water and dish detergent and submerge the
parts.
Third, thoroughly wash each part with a bottle brush.
Last, allow the bottle and parts to air dry. (Using a towel is not
recommended as it can transfer germs.)
Some bottles can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher, too, just rinse
beforehand and be sure to clean any nooks and crannies with a bottle brush first.
As far as sterilization, this only needs to be done once before the first use.
Is there a maximum temperature for mixing formula for a baby?
If you will be preparing bottles prior to refrigerating them, the maximum
temperature is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you would like to give
your baby a warm bottle immediately, the maximum temperature that is safe to
give a baby is about 113 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid any burns.
What baby bottles are best for gas and colic?
If your baby suffers from gas or colic, you’ll want to choose a baby bottle
specifically designed to reduce these discomforts. Many major bottle brands sell
bottles that have colic-reducing parts included that help to shift air away from
baby’s tummy which is what can cause gas and colic distress. A couple of top
options include: Dr. Brown’s anti-colic bottles and Tommee Tippee anti-colic
bottles – we talk more about these in our article: The 10 Best Baby Bottles to Buy
2019.
Is the Nanobebe bottle the best bottle for babies?
It really depends on your baby’s needs! The Nanobebe is an excellent bottle and
it’s included in our list of top 10 best baby bottles. They are especially useful for
babies who go between bottle feeding and breastfeeding due to its unique shape
that mimics a real breast. Read more about these bottles here.
What is a good baby bottle for a breastfed baby?
We recently wrote about the best bottles for breastfed babies. Our top two
bottles include the Comotomo baby bottle and the Nanobebe baby bottle.
Ultimately, the best bottles for breastfed babies will include some or all of the
following features:
dome that looks like a real breast
made from a material that feels similar to a breast
a flexible nipple flow that improves latch
nipple flow that replicates milk flow from a breast
Is warm milk better than cold milk when feeding a baby?
Though it is perfectly safe to feed a baby cold milk if they will take it, most babies
prefer warm milk. Consider that breastmilk is body temperature, so most babies
will be most comforted by milk that is warmed to at least this temperature since
that is as nature intended.
Should I warm breast milk for baby in a microwave?
No, you should never warm breast milk in a microwave for these two reasons:
breast milk contains vital nutrients to your baby’s health and immunity and
a microwave can destroy these properties
no liquid given to a baby should ever be microwaved as it heats unevenly
and can result in “hot spots” that can burn a baby’s mouth and throat.
Is it safe to heat up my baby's milk in the microwave?
Neither breast milk nor baby formula should ever be heated up in a microwave.
Microwaves don’t heat evenly and can therefore create hot spots within the milk.
This can scald a baby’s mouth and throat.
How to warm glass baby bottles?
There are several effective and safe ways to warm a glass baby bottle. Nowadays,most glass baby bottles are made with tempered glass that can go to freezing cold to very hot without breaking. This means they can be warmed in the same ways as plastic bottles.
Do baby bottles actually need to be warmed?
It is not unsafe to give your baby a cold bottle, so no, it is not required that your
baby’s bottle be warmed if they will take it cold. Most babies prefer warm milk,
however. We suggest using a portable bottle warmer such as the Baby’s Brew for
safe and convenient warming of breastmilk and formula baby bottles.
How do baby bottle warmers work?
Generally, bottle warmers intended for home use are electric and need to be
plugged in. They warm by either a steam heat mechanism or water bath. There
are also portable bottle warmers that have different ways of heating. The Baby’s
Brew is battery-powered, while other travel warmers may use car adapters, gel-
heat technology or a water bath to warm.
What is the best baby bottle warmer?
The best baby bottle warmer is one that can be used both at home and on the go.
This means it’s effective, reliable, easy to use and gives your baby the perfectly
warmed milk every time. There’s only one bottle warmer that can do all this and
that’s the Baby’s Brew!
