In a nutshell

A simple, effective steam steriliser that's free from BPA, you can hide this away in the microwave when it's not in use

What we tested

  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Ease of cleaning
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Compactness
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.

Pros

  • Straightforward to use, easy to clean, holds four wide neck bottles, sterilises in five minutes, BPA-free

Cons

  • No decent handles, can't hold taller standard neck bottles

With its fast sterilisation cycle and compact size, the BornFree Microwave Steriliser is BPA-free and makes an unobtrusive addition to your kitchen.

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BornFree was one of the first companies to be making BPA-free baby goods, and it still prides itself on the fact that all the products in its range are 100% free from BPA (Bisphenol-A). BornFree’s range includes glass and plastic bottles, teats, trainer and drinking cups, soothers and one steam steriliser, the BornFree Microwave Steriliser.

Like some other microwave steam sterilisers, there are just three parts to the BornFree Microwave Steriliser: the base, the inner tray - where all your bottles and accessories sit - and the lid. While it’s designed especially for BornFree bottles (the inner tray has markings so you know exactly how to arrange all the parts), it can fit any four wide neck bottles.

To use, just sit the inner tray inside the base, load up your washed bottles and parts, put in the correct measure of water, place the lid on, then put it in the microwave. The BornFree Microwave Steriliser takes four to five minutes to complete its cycle, depending on how many bottles you have in it and how powerful your microwave is. The instructions advise four minutes for microwaves that are 1000 watts and above, or five minutes for 860 watts to 950 watts. I used it in an 800 watt microwave and just had to guess how many minutes (I went for five minutes 30 second, in case you’re wondering!). Then, as with most microwave sterilisers, you need to allow three minutes cooling time before opening.

The contents in the BornFree Microwave Steriliser will stay sterile for up to three hours if the lid remains unopened.

What we love

The BornFree Microwave Steriliser is easy to assemble and straightforward to use. With just three plastic pieces, it’s also simple to clean, and all parts are dishwasher safe (top rack only).

It’s easy to let the contents drain as well – just lift the inner tray by its central stem, turn, and you can set it down on the edges of the clover-shaped curve inside the base.

Another big plus is the compact size – it fits into an 800 watts microwave, and not every steriliser on the market can do this.

Mums online have also noted that it’s durable – something that’s pretty essential given how often you could end up sterilising during those first 12 months!

Also, the BornFree Microwave steriliser is BPA-free, and free from Phthalates and PVC. While this isn’t a concern for every parent, there are plenty of mums who like the peace of mind and reassurance this gives.

What to watch out for

Part of the pay-off the BornFree Microwave Steriliser’s tidy size is that it can only hold four bottles. Also, you won’t be able to fit the taller, standard neck bottles in this steriliser - once the lid is on, they won’t be able to stand up. It really is best for wide neck bottles, because these aren’t quite so tall.

The packaging highlights that there’s a “cover handle for safety and ease”. Every microwave sterilser I’ve seen has a handle on the lid, and in comparison to others, this handle is small, requiring you to just use the ends of your fingers to lift the cover up.

The lid doesn’t lock shut, so you can’t lift the steriliser up by this and need to use the side grips. These four side grips are just raised lines of plastic under the lip of the base, and they’re not easy to hold on to. This means you need to take care when lifting the steriliser out of the microwave, to keep the shifting weight of the hot water inside balanced.

Who is the BornFree Microwave Steriliser best for?

Mums who use BornFree bottles or those concerned about BPA.

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MadeForMums verdict

BornFree Microwave Steriliser is decently priced, easy to use and easy to clean. It has a fast sterilisation cycle and will fit most microwaves. While it lacks decent handles, it is reasonable compact. The BornFree Microwave Steriliser is better for mums who don’t use tall, standard neck bottles, and prefer the shorter, wide neck variety.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandBorn Free
ModelMicrowave Steriliser
Price£24.99
Steriliser typeMicrowave
Features
Number of bottles it can hold4
Bottle typeWide neck
Compatible bottlesBornFree Vented
Length of sterilsing cycle4min(s) to 5min(s)
Features
  • Fast sterilisation process
  • Fast food and bottle warming
  • Automatic switch off
  • Sterilises without the need for any chemicals
  • Heat sensitive safety handle on lid
  • Removable power cord
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