As a parent, you know how challenging it is to prepare for trips with young children. Even simple tasks like packing the diaper bag for the day and preparing bottles for infants can be taxing – before you get to everything else you need in your car or campervan for an extended trip.
Hungry babies and toddlers make for lousy road trip companions, so we like to know we can quickly get our tots the nutrients they need before the hangries hit when we’re on the road.
Fortunately, modern portable baby bottle warmers enable parents to prepare baby bottles and food on the go without requiring additional bulky appliances – in fact, if you have a passenger helping, you can even complete the whole heating process while you’re still on the move.
Whether you’re traveling with pre-pumped breastmilk or need to prep for formula feeds, we’re going to explain more about the different types of travel bottle warmers and the best brands available on the market.
No time to read? Our top choice portable bottle warmer is the Bopopo Brew Baby
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Features To Look For In An Excellent Portable Bottle Warmer
Before buying a travel bottle warmer for a road trip, it is essential to consider the product’s key features – what exactly makes it portable and good for road tripping? Here are some features that you should take into account before buying a portable bottle warmer:
Size and Weight
Parents should choose a portable bottle warmer that easily fits inside a diaper bag or in their vehicle. Travel bottle warmers come in many sizes and shapes; unlike benchtop bottle warmers, they take up limited space and are light to pack, though this can limit some of their features.
Think about the types of bottles or food jars you regularly use. Will they fit inside the warmer, or if you’ll be using the warmer in your car and need it to fit in a particular cup holder or storage compartment?
Duration of Warming
Parents should choose a bottle warmer that heats baby milk or baby food as quickly as possible. Longer warming times can spoil or harm the nutritional value of food, which is why parents need to consider this feature before buying.
Again, you can’t always tell when your baby will be hungry, and the cries of hunger can ruin a trip in minutes. How long do you have to wait before feeding your baby? Some portable bottle warmers for cars can heat milk or food in under five minutes.
Size of Bottles and Food
The best bottle warmers for travel can accommodate a variety of baby bottles and food sizes. Parents should determine the general size of bottles their children usually use before buying a portable bottle warmer.
If you want your bottle warmer to be versatile and last several years, you should look for a brand that can accommodate several different types of bottles or food containers.
Portability & Power Source
It’s not surprising that the best travel bottle warmer is portable, but what does “portable” really mean?
Some portable bottle warmers can plug into car outlets via a USB plug point to provide heated water for baby bottles at the push of a button. However, this option may not be available in some cars or travel settings.
If you will be camping, will you have a powered site or use a generator, or will every appliance you take with you need to run off battery power?
Ideally, you want your baby bottle warmer to have more than one power source for a road trip, but you will most likely need to choose just one.
Tech Requirement
When shopping for a portable bottle warmer, you should consider just how much technology and gadgetry is necessary. Do you need an advanced product with all the bells and whistles?
Parents may prefer a portable warmer that can also function as a nightlight or sound machine – but there’s no need to pay extra for these options if they’re unnecessary when you’re on the road.
Cleaning
When buying any appliance we’ll be taking on the road with us, we look for something that has as few parts as possible that need to be cleaned. You may be able to keep your bottle warmer clean with just a sterilizing wipe after each use.
What Are The Best Types of Car Bottle Warmers?
There are several types of portable baby bottle warmers suitable for the car. Whether it’s warming breastmilk, sterilizing water bottles to add formula to, or heating solid foods, these are the 10 best brands of bottle warmer we would recommend you invest in for a family road trip with newborns and infants:
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1. Best Portable Bottle Warmer: Bopopo Brew Baby Portable Water Warmer
The Brew Baby Portable Bottle Warmer features a smart temperature setting that displays in real-time to keep your bottle warmer at the perfect temperature. The bottle warmer features a built-in 4400mAh battery, so you don’t need to plug it into function – making it an ideal road trip companion.
Additionally, the bottle heats water to 104F in under six minutes which is faster than the standard warmers in the market. The warmer components are made from food-grade materials that ensure your baby’s safety.
Key Features
- Smart thermostat to set the exact temperature
- Can keep water at 104F for up to 6 hours
- BPA-free
- Leak-proof lid design
- Battery-powered with up to 10 uses before recharge required
2. Most Versatile Portable Bottle Warmer: Befano Portable Bottle Warmer
Befano Portable Bottle Warmer is one of the best-selling products used as a bottle warmer, food storage container, and sterilizer when you’re on the move. Its water reservoir will keep warm for more than 8 hours.
There are LED display lights that will show the temperature and heating status so you can achieve the perfect temperature. Befano also has a leakage-proof design for safe usage. The Befano is compatible with a wide range of products due to the wide neck adaptors you can purchase for the perfect fit.
The Befano also has a USB cable that can connect to any other device, like a power bank or car adapter.
Key Features
- 2-in-1 multi-functions – formula storage and warmer
- Compatible with most bottle types
- Built-in temperature sensing chip
- Leak-proof, wireless design
- Digital led display
- Compact, lightweight design
- Plugin wall adapter and USB portoptions
3. Best Thermos Bottle Warmer: Kiinde Kozii Voyager, Compact Travel Bottle Warmer
Kiinde Kozii Voyage is a compact travel bottle warmer perfect if you want to save space. It doesn’t require batteries or electricity to warm your baby’s food. Instead, you can pour hot water into the insulated container and warm bottles, food or milk pouches.
Because of the ergonomic design and super convenient nature, the bottle fits neatly in diaper bags and cup holders. The choice of two cups to pour your warmed water into gives you flexibility with your choice of baby’s bottle.
Key Features
- Triple wall insulated container
- Doesn’t require any electricity
- Stainless steel bottle
- Phthalate, BPA, and PVC free
Possible Cons to Consider
- The canister holds a minimal amount of water
- It will not stay warm for an entire day of baby feeds, so you would need to time in hot water refills on longer journeys.
4. Best Short Day Trip Bottle Warmer: Tommee Tippee Bottle Warmer
This simple portable bottle warmer from Tommee Tippee is a compact option that fits inside diaper bags. The warmer features an easy-to-use one-touch button and a thermal pad to keep bottles warm for up to four hours. No water or electricity is required, but you need an outlet to recharge the warmer periodically.
The portable bottle warmer can take up to eight minutes to heat bottles – which means it’s not very practical in an emergency. However, it does come with a thermal bag and neck pad that keep bottles safe and comfortable.
Key Features
- Stainless steel thermal flask
- No power source needed
- Heats evenly
- Universal design fits many brands of wide bottles
- BPA-free
Possible Cons to Consider
- Won’t last you all day, water will keep warm even after a single use but don’t expect to get more than 4 hours without recharging
5. Best Campervan Bottle Warmer: Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Baby Bottle Warmer
Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Baby Bottle Warmer is a convenient, compact appliance – a little larger than some of the other portable options as it’s a powered unit but very effective. This electrical steam product only takes three minutes to warm bottles, making it practical for parents with access to power on the go. The warmer features an automatic shutoff function and plugs into the wall.
Dr. Brown’s bottle warmer is also excellent for heating baby food jars and baby food. The warmer is safe to use with all types of bottles, tubes, and nipples – including wide neck or angled varieties. Parents love that the warmer comes with a measuring cup and spoon – so they can prepare formula ahead of time without dirtying extra dishes.
Key Features
- LCD Control Panel
- Can warm several bottles before the water needs refilling
- Easy-touch keypad
- One-button start function
- Audiovisual alerts
- Memory function for your favorite heat setting
Possible Cons to Consider
- Requires a power socket which you may not have on the road
6. Fastest Portable Bottle Warmer: Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer
The Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer is a convenient, compact appliance that warms baby bottles and baby food jars. This best-selling product plugs into the wall socket, heats water in about three minutes and can retain the heat for hours. Other features include a nightlight and an automatic shutoff function, which is great for keeping next to baby’s bed.
Key Features
- Heats evenly without hotspots
- Can heat 4 ounces of milk in three minutes
- Voltage between 220-240 V
- Wall plugin
- Convenient defrost setting
- Compact design
- 300 Watts power consumption
Possible Cons to Consider
- The water reservoir is small – but it’s easy to refill.
- You will need access to a power socket; good for overnight stops but not so good for feeds on the move if you’re day-tripping.
7. Best Electronic Bottle Warmer: Bottle Warmer 6-in-1 by Grownsy
This portable bottle warmer by Grownsy has a 6-in-1 functionality, giving great value for money if you want heating, steaming and defrosting all from one device. The warmer features a thermostat to keep the temperatures of water or baby milk constant.
It is a fast-warming device – you are ready with water or milk for the baby within three minutes. Once the water is warm, the bottle beeps and auto shuts. Variable temperature settings make this one of the most versatile traveling bottle warmers.
Key Features
- Electronic thermostat
- Rapid warming setting in three minutes
- Has a constant temperature mode
- Electric plugin
- Can also be used as a portable bottle steamer great for washing bottles
Possible Cons to Consider
- Some customers have complained that the bottle itself gets too hot for immediate handling.
- Requires a power source – again, good for longer road trips, in campers and for overnight feeds, not so great for day trips and out in nature.
8. Best Slim Portable Bottle Warmer: Papablic Mini Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer
The Papablic baby bottle warmer is compact and light in weight, ideal for road trips. This warmer is compatible with many brands, including Medela, Dr Brown, Avent and Evenflo bottles.
A really simple thermos method of warming baby bottles on the move, the Papablic mini portable bottle warmer comes with a waterproof seal for safe usage while traveling.
Key Features
- Compatible with many leading baby bottle brands
- No electricity or battery required
- Waterproof seal
- Vacuum insulated
- Compact and lightweight
Possible Cons to Consider
- Takes a long time to heat thoroughly
- This model is NOT compatible with Comotomo and Tommee Tippee bottles
9. Best Car Adapter Bottle Warmer: VEDOSRE Car Bottle Warmer
VEDOSRE is a thermos flask that stores milk and water. The 12oz capacity travel cup is perfect for traveling parents with the convenience of being able to plug the product into a car charger socket.
Additionally, the smart function means the temperature remains stable. If you are looking for an ultra-safe device for use in the car (with more than one function to warm milk or warm water – even your coffee!), this could be your top choice that will last you for years to come.
Possible Cons to Consider
- It takes an extended duration to heat the contents compared to other portable products – but is far more versatile
- Width doesn’t fit all car beverage holders so bear this in mind before purchasing
10. Best Small Bottle Warmer: Boon Orb Baby Bottle Warmer
The Boon Orb Bottle Warmer is a compact, efficient option that warms bottles in about four minutes. Electric bottle warmer plugs into standard 110V outlets and fits most bottle sizes. The warmer features multiple settings for defrosting food jars and warming baby food.
This bottle warmer is lightweight and small enough to fit inside diaper bags. Moreover, it features a soft grip handle that makes it comfortable to hold.
Possible Cons to Consider
- It really only works with your smaller baby bottles, as your infant grows it may not be the most practical solution
Final Thoughts On The Best Portable Bottle Warmers For Feeding Infants On The Go
Compact, convenient, and quick. From basic thermos functions, you can take with you literally anywhere to plug-in models that can have your bottles warmed and ready in minutes when you arrive at your destination.
Don’t let baby bottles and feeding times become a sticking point for you hitting the road. We explain in much more detail in our guide to breast-feeding on the go how to transport your breastmilk when traveling by car – including some top pumping and storage tips.
The next step is investing in a great portable bottle warmer for your next road trip and keep everyone in the family feed in a timely manner and happy.
It’s vital to consider the power source you will have on the move and if the portable bottle warmer will suit the types of bottles you use at home – on the road is not a good time to experiment with something new so stick to your regular bottles and test your new bottle warmer out at home before you travel!
Got older kids to feed? Don’t miss our guide to the best road trip snacks for kids!
Printable Road Trip Checklist
Never forget an important item again packing for a road trip! Print out our ready-to-go PDF checklist and get packing for your next family road trip.
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