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Best Portable Bottle Warmers
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Value
Packing up the family and ensuring that they have all of the gear that they need can be an expensive undertaking. While we wanted to ensure that we selected some of the best gear to take along with you on your next family trip, we also wanted to provide a few options that kept cost low while still offering a great and reliable way to heat up a formula. Some of the more expensive options come in at a higher price point because they often require extra accessories such as heating packets that are often sold separately, or that they come with additional battery operated and rechargeable heat sources that cost significantly more. Sometimes, higher costs are simply due to the quality of materials- such as stainless steel- that is used to ensure that formula stays heated or cool to serve your baby best.
Durability
The most important thing to consider is that there are a lot of different designs out there on the market, and there is bound to be one to suit your very specific needs. If you are worried about taking your newborn on the plane to fly home for the holidays, you have to take into consideration what the TSA allows through their checkpoints. Models that need boiled water just won’t cut it on an airplane. If you are flying home, be sure the select designs that have battery-powered heating elements to ensure that you will be able to get through security. If you are driving home for the holidays, you may be better off selecting a design that plugs directly into the cigarette outlet. No matter where your travels take you and your family, as long as you have the right gear that will keep everyone happy, you are bound to have a pleasant trip.
Portability
We discovered that there are multiple ways to provide heat for formula while on the go. Generally, parents prefer to use boiling water because it is excellent at distributing heat evenly much like it is heated on the stove while at home. While this method is preferred by many parents, sometimes it isn’t ideal for all situations such as instances where you are flying or on the road. That’s why we wanted to make sure that we also selected designs that used outside heating sources such as an external battery pack or access to a car outlet when taking a long road trip. The method of heating is the most important thing that we considered because if the unit has been reported as not being effective at heating formula, then it isn’t sufficient in doing the one job that it is designed to accomplish. Another thing that we considered with the heating element is whether or not it was safe. It’s important that we selected designs that were considered to be completely safe to serve to your little one. If safety is one of your most important requirements, selecting a unit that simply utilizes boiling water is the safest way that parents could go.
Effectiveness
With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be wondering how well your newest member of the family will fare when making the long trek back home for the holidays, whether it be on an airplane or in a car ride. The most important thing that parents want to ensure is that your little one is just as comfortable on a plane or in the car as they would be when they are at home. Serving them room temperature or cool formula may be perfectly safe to give your baby, but it may not help soothe their fussiness from a long car ride. Ensuring that it is exactly the same temperature as it was when you are at home will keep your little one happy as a clam. To make sure that all of your future trips go smoothly, there were quite a few things that we took into consideration throughout our research.
Top 10 Picks
1. Tommee Tippee
This was our favorite design out there on the market because it has a very smart and simple design that parents have come to depend upon when hitting the road with their little ones. While many brands utilize a case that has an electrical unit running, this Tommee Tippee uses the power of a thermos with boiling water to keep your formula nice and heated, or ice to keep it cold.
Read moreHow it works:
If you have ever put some hot cocoa in a travel thermos, then you have all the skill you require to work this unit. It has a strong stainless steel body that helps retain heat or ice. To keep your bottle heated, simply fill up the stainless steel body with boiling water, and then pour it into the plastic container when it’s time to eat. Some users have poured in boiling water and found their formula was still hot when then took it out 6-8 hours later.
Design:
We loved the sleek outward design of this unit that looks just like a regular stainless steel thermos. The container that holds your bottle is made from a sturdy plastic and is big enough to fit almost any size. Users love that this system is incredibly easy to use as well as being very effective even for very long trips. It is also small enough so that it can fit easily into most sized diaper bags.
Value:
The price of this unit is incredibly affordable, and will likely set you back the same amount that you would spend on a large box of diapers.
Summary:
The thing that parents love most about the Tommee Tippee design is that it is incredibly easy to use, and it won’t take up that much room in your diaper bag. The only shortcoming to this design is that if you don’t have access to boiling water, you might have a hard time getting the most out of this design.
2. Kiinde LLC
The Kozii Voyager is similar to the Tommee Tippee design, but it is just slightly smaller for parents that are traveling without a lot of extra room. A smaller unit is great for traveling lighter, but it could be a problem with different sizes of formula containers.
Read moreHow to use:
To use this design, simply fill the stainless steel container with boiling water, and then fasten the lid securely before placing it into your diaper bag. When it’s time to eat, simply use the thermos of boiling water and pour it into the container with your formula, and wait briefly until it reaches the perfect temperature.
Design:
Parents love the design of this unit because it is incredibly compact and will fit perfectly into a diaper bag. This unit has a stainless steel water container and a clear gray plastic container that is used to pour the hot water into.
Value:
The price of this unit runs pretty par for the course, and will likely set you back the same price that you would spend on a large pack of diapers. Users find that the price is well worth it to keep water warm and have a formula that is the perfect temperature to soothe a hungry and fussy baby.
Summary:
If you are looking for something that you can take pretty much anywhere- from the car to an airplane, and you will always have perfect formula for when your little one gets a little fussy, the Kozii Voyager is going to be a great addition to your next family adventure, and it is small enough to fit into your diaper bag without taking up all that much room.
3. LITTLEWUNZ
What we loved about the LITTLEWUNZ design is that is it made for taking along with you for those long car trips. It has a soft exterior that is small enough to fit your car’s cup holders and plugs right into your cigarette outlet to provide a perfect meal for your baby while you are out and about on your next family road trip.
Read moreHow to use:
Simply place your container into the soft holder, and be sure to fasten the elastic bands around it snugly to ensure for proper heat distribution. Once it is in place, plug in the power cord into the cigarette outlet in your car, and wait as it quickly sends even heat to your formula. Parents love how fast this unit can heat up a formula to just the perfect temperature, which is important when you suddenly find yourself in a car with a hungry and fussy baby.
Design:
The exterior of this unit has a soft silver shell with the addition of blue, gray, and orange elastic bands around the sides that hold your container snugly into place. The power cord is just a little short than some users thought it would be, but it is small enough to fit right into your car’s cup holder.
Value:
The cost of this unit is slightly more expensive than other designs out there on the market, and will et you back about the amount that you would spend to fill up your gas tank with gas before setting out on your next road trip.
Summary:
If you need something that will be able to heat up the formula on the road and heat it up fast, this unit can have lunch ready for your fussy baby in just under 5 minutes. Parents love that it has a small profile and that it works incredibly fast for when they need it.
4. InnoBaby
At first glance, the Innobaby AquaHeat looks a little complicated to figure out how to use. Instead of keeping water hot with a thermos, or having a heating element that plugs into a power source, this design is just a little bit different. Parents love that they can have hot water even if they don’t have access to boiling water for a few days.
Read moreHow to use:
What we liked most about the Innobaby AquaHeat design is that it comes with little packets that will provide you with hot water no matter where you find yourself in the world. To use, place a heating packet into the bottom of the container, and then pour water over the top of it. When it starts to steam, place the stainless steel container over it, and then pour in your formula or food to heat as you would on the stove at home. What’s great about this design is that it works great for formula as well as soft food.
Design:
One of the best parts about this model is that it is one of the smallest designs out there on the market, and can fit easily into a diaper bag or even into a purse. The only downside to this product is that it only comes with 2 heating packets, and users will have to buy additional packets for subsequent uses.
Value:
This unit is great for replacing your kitchen while you are out on the road, but it comes at a higher price than similar options out there on the market. Not only does it have a much higher price tag than most, but users will also have to spend more to stock up on heating packets for every use, and it can become expensive if you are going to be on the road for a while.
Summary:
It may come at a much higher price point that most, but users love how well this unit can help in a pinch. If you want to have a mini kitchen for your little one while you are out on adventures, the Innobaby AquaHeat is going to be perfect for your needs if you are willing to pay the padded price tag.
5. S WIDEN ELECTRIC
The S WIDEN ELECTRIC is the perfect companion to bring along with you on your next family road trip. It has a basic foam design that fits perfectly into a cup holder, and it plugs into the cigarette outlet to heat up formula fast. It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles as some of the other models, but it has a price tag that is incredibly affordable.
Read moreHow to use:
Using this design is simple and easy, and works with most sizes of containers. When your little one starts to get a little fussy, place their container filled with formula into the foam cozy, and plug it into the cigarette outlet in your car by the dashboard. It may take over 5 minutes to heat, but users find that it does a fantastic job of heating evenly.
Design:
There isn’t much to the S WIDEN ELECTRIC design. It is a simple black foam cozy that is perfect for those traveling light. The black holder can wick away water and moisture and has the maximum temperature (104 degrees) printed in white letters along the side of the holder.
Value:
The best part about the S WIDEN ELECTRIC design is that it sports one of the lowest price tags of any of the other models out there on the market.
Summary:
For parents that want something that is easy to pack and easy to use, the S WIDEN ELECTRIC is a great choice. Plus, it has a price tag that is incredibly affordable so that you can spend more money on souvenirs on your next family road trip.
6. Prince Lionheart
Parents love that the Prince Lionheart design is easy to use, and small enough to fit compactly into diaper bags or carry-ons. It is made from an insulated sleeve that has a heating packet on the inside that will keep formula heated on the go, or it can be used with a frozen packet to keep milk cold while out on long road trips. It does have a few shortcomings that are important to consider before making a purchase.
Read moreHow to use:
Place your container of formula inside with the heating or cooling packet. If you want to keep your food cool, use a packet that has been stored in the freezer before you go. If you want to it be hot, press the red activation button on the side and place it into the insulated sleeve. This should heat your formula evenly and keep it heated up to 2 hours. The downside to this design is that you can only activate it on the go once, and then to reuse, users must place the package into boiling water to heat.
Design:
The soft exterior is made from soft grey nylon with a black zipper and a sleek orange hook for carrying. It is large enough to fit most sizes of containers and folds flat into a bag while it is not in use.
Value:
What parents like most about Prince Lionheart is that it comes in at a very affordable price point that will allow them to have heated formula on the go without breaking the bank.
Summary:
If you can look past the shortcoming of the use of the heating packet, Prince Lionheart is a great addition to bring along with you on your next outdoor adventure. Rather than boiling their packet after it has been activating, some users buy replacement packets while they are out on the go and don’t have access to boiling water.
7. Lekebaby
What we liked most about this design is that it can be used just about anywhere. It has a soft exterior that comes with the addition of a battery pack that will keep contents heated or cool depending upon what your needs are. It’s also a little bit bigger than many of the other models out there on the market, so you can be sure that you are well prepared as soon as you hit the road.
Read moreEase to use:
It couldn’t get any easier to use than the Lekebaby design. Simply charge up the battery back before you leave the house that day, and plug it into the back of the bag. After it is plugged in via the USB port, tuck it into the built-in pocket on the back the of the bag. Turn it on to send heat to the pack. The body of the bag is large enough to keep two full containers of formula heated or cooled as you travel.
Design:
What parents love most about the Lekebaby is that it has a trendy and sharp exterior shell that doesn’t look like it holds formula. It has a sharp grey exterior with a zippered flap that sports a white and grey arrow design. It also has a PVC lining to keep things heated or cooled, and it is a cinch to simply wipe down when needed.
Value:
The cost of this unit is slightly less than many of the standard designs out there on the market. This unit will likely set you back the same amount of money you should spend picking up a paperback novel at the airport gift shop before your flight takes off.
Summary:
What parents love most about this design is that it is perfect for almost any occasion. Whether you are traveling in the car, airplane, bus, train, or camping in the woods- this device will keep your baby’s formula at the perfect temperature to keep them happy and full on your next family vacation.
8. SODIAL
The SODIAL design is great for parents who are looking to heat up some formula on the go while saving quite a bit of money. This design is one of the most affordable options out there on the market and comes with a soft shell that is easy to pack into a diaper bag without taking up all that much room.
Read moreHow to use:
To use this unit, simply slip your container into the foam cozy, and then plug it into the car outlet found on the dashboard of your car. It also comes with a USB adapter as well, so if you aren’t in your car you can also heat up liquids via your computer or any electric outlet with a USB adapter.
Design:
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to the SODIAL design. It has a basic royal blue outer shell with black lining and a convenient black belt clip to use while you are on the go for easy access. It comes with two sets of adapters- one for the car, and a USB charger that you can use on your computer.
Value:
What we liked about this option is the incredibly affordable price point. The cost of this unit will set you back just slightly more than you would spend on your first cup of coffee before hitting the road on your next family adventure.
Summary:
If you are looking for something that is incredibly affordable that will work well with heating up the formula on those long car rides this holiday season, the SODIAL will be an excellent addition to your road gear to keep the whole family happy and content.
9. Puncia
The Puncia has a lot of features that users really love and appreciate, but those features come at a much higher price tag that sets it apart from all of the other designs out there on the market. What parents love the most about this design is that it is able to take cold containers of formula and make then reach the desired temperature in just under 10 minutes.
Read moreHow to use:
This unit is the type that you plug into the outlet in your car. Simply place your container of formula into the container, and then plug it into the outlet. Once it is plugged in, set the temperature to the desired degree, and wait for a short while until it is heated through.
Design:
Parents love the bright blue exterior with a white base that perfectly fits into most sized cup holders. Plus, the front light up display is easy to adjust using the push buttons located on the front. Users can also opt for the red option with a white base as well.
Value:
The cost of this unit costs about double of what many of the similar products out there on the market cost. However, users feel that it is well worth the padded price tag due to the easy to read temperature display on the front, as well as how quickly it can heat up milk.
Summary:
If you are looking for something that is powerful and easy to use, the Puncia is an excellent tool to heat up your baby’s meal quickly and efficiently. It may cost a lot more than many of the other designs, but past users feel it is well worth it.
10. Munchkin
What we liked most about the Munchkin design is that it has a few extra features located on the car adapter that many of the other brands just do not have. This unit is small and will fit perfectly in a diaper bag without taking up too much space, and it does a pretty good job of heating liquids as evenly as possible in the event that you aren’t in a position to heat it on top of the stove.
Read moreHow to use:
This unit is simply a heated pad that cinches in the middle around a container and has heated coils running down the length of the unit to heat milk. To use, parents simply place their container into the unit and cinch it so that it is in there tightly, and then plug the adapter into the car outlet. It has a light up display on the front that will allow users to see the on switch as well as the timing settings even when driving in the dark.
Design:
The design of this unit is simple. It has a soft dark gray polyester exterior that is easy to wipe down, and it has a bright blue interior that is great at holding in heat. The adapter is made from plastic and has clean numbers and symbols that indicate a power button in the center as well as timer options that light up when plugged into a power source.
Value:
What users like so much about this option is that it comes in at a very affordable price point that won’t break the bank. Users can expect to spend about the same amount on this product that they would when picking up a paperback novel to bring along with them on their trip.
Summary:
If you are in the market for something that is incredibly affordable as well as easy to use, the Munchkin design is a perfect solution to ensure that your little one feels just as comfortable in the car as they do at home.
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