The Best Baby Bottles (and Bottle Brush)

There isn’t one perfect baby bottle for every infant, and discovering the ideal one for your child often involves some experimentation and a great deal of patience.

After 30 hours of research, which included interviewing bottle-feeding specialists and pediatricians as well as testing 17 different bottles, we have determined that the Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle is the one we would recommend trying first.

Everything we recommend

The Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle features a silicone nipple that is wide with a gentle slope, a shape that bottle-feeding experts say many babies can latch onto effectively. It’s one of the simplest bottles we tested, consisting of just three pieces. The sturdy, wide-mouth design leaked less and was easier to clean than most other bottles we tried. Additionally, it’s affordable and highly rated on Amazon, boasting a 4.7-star rating out of five across thousands of reviews. After reviewing numerous discussions in popular Facebook groups dedicated to infant feeding, we found that parents frequently express satisfaction with this choice.

If you want more size and nipple options, or are interested in glass bottles, the Philips Avent Natural and Philips Avent Anti-colic bottles might be a good choice. Like our top pick, these models are among the simplest bottles we tested and did not leak in our tests. Their parts are also interchangeable. However, the Natural’s wide nipple may cause latching problems for some babies, especially younger ones. The Anti-colic features a narrower nipple (the Natural and Anti-colic nipples and collars are compatible with both types of bottles). Both the Natural and Anti-colic are popular and highly rated, and they are as affordable as our main pick.

Experts say many newborns and small babies do well with traditional bottles that have narrow nipples, which are the right size for little mouths to get a good latch. Although these basic bottles don’t differ much from each other, the Evenflo Classic + Vented is a good choice to try first. It is the only narrow model in our test group available in both plastic and glass, a feature some parents may appreciate, and it is easier to purchase online. However, the plastic version is made of thinner material and feels flimsier than our other picks, with harder-to-read volume markers. Narrow bottles can be more challenging to clean by hand, as it’s harder to fit a sponge or brush inside the neck. Buying simple narrow-neck bottles at a local drugstore or grocery store can be an equally good option, and the nipples and collars for basic narrow bottles are often cross-compatible between brands, making it easy to mix and match.

Cleaning baby bottles and all their components is essential after each use. If you have a dishwasher and an ample supply of bottles to wash once a day, that can be the easiest method to maintain cleanliness. However, many individuals find themselves hand-washing bottles frequently during bottle feeding. In our testing, we evaluated four baby-bottle brushes and discovered that the OXO Tot Bottle Brush with Stand excelled. It effortlessly fit into the narrowest bottles, generated more suds, and provided a better grip compared to the competition. Additionally, it’s the only brush we tested equipped with a mini-brush attachment specifically designed for cleaning the tips of bottle nipples.

Who this is for

Numerous factors can impact which bottle suits your baby best, such as your child’s age, development, size, mouth shape, and suck pattern, as well as their feeding frequency. While some babies readily adapt to bottles, others may require patience, experimentation, and a period of adjustment to find the perfect fit.

In compiling this guide, our goal was to suggest bottles that would serve as excellent initial choices for parents embarking on the journey of bottle feeding their babies. If our recommendations do not suit your baby’s needs, we encourage you to explore the other bottles we thoroughly researched and tested in the Competition section.

How we picked

First, let’s delve into the fundamental design of bottles, how babies utilize them for feeding, and familiarize ourselves with the terminology and assertions commonly found on bottle packaging.

All baby bottles share a common set of essential components: a container, a ring or collar, and a nipple. Additionally, bottles usually include caps designed to cover the nipple, keeping it clean and preventing leaks during transportation.

The shape of the bottle container is influenced, in part, by the design of the nipple (narrow nipples typically accompany narrow containers, while wide nipples are paired with wide-mouthed containers). However, bottle containers can also feature various shapes such as tapered, indented, or angled designs. Additionally, nearly all the bottles in our test group include volume markings for accurate measurement.

You’ll find three basic shapes of nipples:

Narrow nipples, also referred to as “traditional nipples,” are characterized by their smaller overall diameter and a gradual slope from the tip to the base. They have often been considered the preferred choice for newborns. These nipples are designed to fit on narrow-necked bottles, usually measuring about 1.4 inches in diameter. While these slender bottles are convenient for storage in the fridge or a diaper bag due to their space-saving nature, they may pose challenges during cleaning, as it’s difficult to fit a hand or a sponge inside them.

Wide nipples are considerably broader and feature a more abrupt angle from the tip to the base compared to narrow nipples. They are designed to fit on wide-mouth bottles, which feature a larger opening typically ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter. This larger opening makes wide-mouth bottles easier to clean as it allows better access to the interior compared to narrow bottles. Despite being marketed as “breast-like,” “natural,” or “just like Mom,” the wide shape and abrupt angle of wide nipples can actually pose challenges for some babies when it comes to latching on.

Gradually sloped nipples feature a wider base than narrow nipples but maintain a gradual transition from the tip to the base. They are designed to fit on wide-mouth containers, providing the advantage of a larger opening and easier cleaning. Our preferred choice utilizes this type of nipple design.

In addition to standard nipple designs, you’ll come across specialized nipples, such as so-called “orthodontic nipples.” These nipples are not symmetrical and feature angled or specially shaped tips. These unique designs are intended to address specific feeding issues that babies may encounter.

Irrespective of their shape, nipples are available with multiple flow rates, indicating how quickly the milk flows from the nipple. We found that all the nipples we researched offered at least three flow-rate options, with some providing up to six variations.

Easy to use and clean: The experts we consulted emphasized starting with bottles that have straightforward designs. Since you can’t predict which bottle will suit your baby, it’s wise to begin with one that has fewer parts to assemble, clean, and keep track of. Our research, including reading numerous posts on popular infant-feeding Facebook groups, analyzing hundreds of owner reviews for bottles, and conversing with parents we knew, revealed a common preference: Busy parents and caregivers value bottles that are easy to clean.

Available in both small and large sizes: It’s important to select a bottle that aligns with the amount of milk your baby typically consumes during a feeding. Newborns and younger infants typically drink around 2 to 3 ounces per feeding, while larger babies may consume 6 ounces or more at once. Using a bottle that’s too large for the amount of milk can require tilting the bottle at a steeper angle to keep the milk pooled in the nipple reservoir, which can be awkward and uncomfortable. Research has indicated that young infants fed from bottles larger than 6 ounces may gain weight more rapidly than those fed from smaller bottles. Conversely, opting for a bottle that’s too small may necessitate refilling it before your baby is satisfied. In our evaluation, we considered bottles available in both small sizes (5 ounces or smaller) and larger ones.

Leak-free: One of the most common complaints parents have about bottles is leaking. This serves as another rationale for beginning with bottles featuring simpler designs. Bottles with fewer pieces and openings are less prone to leakage, as each component represents a potential point of leakage. Moreover, a bottle that is easy to assemble is likely to leak less, as there’s a reduced likelihood of making errors during the assembly process.

Affordability is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a bottle for your baby. As one expert notes, “Paying more for a bottle does not always result in a better latch. Sometimes the less expensive bottles create a great latch.” Since finding the right bottle for your baby may involve trying several options, it’s prudent to begin with more affordable choices. In our research, we primarily concentrated on bottles priced under $10 each.

Able to swap parts: Certain bottle brands provide models featuring various nipple shapes or options available in both glass and plastic, with interchangeable components. This allows for the swapping of nipples and collars between bottles, ensuring compatibility even if you change styles. While this may not be the foremost criterion in selecting a bottle, we assigned additional value to bottles offering this level of flexibility.

To narrow down our selection process, we honed in on bottles with the highest star ratings and the largest number of owner reviews on various retailer sites, including Amazon. This led us to compile a list of 17 bottles made from plastic, glass, and silicone, which we subsequently decided to test. Each bottle in our test group is available in multiple sizes. For the most part, we chose to evaluate the small to medium sizes, typically ranging from 4 to 5 ounces in volume, paired with “slow flow,” “newborn,” or “0–3 months” nipples.

How we tested

Initially, we assembled and disassembled each bottle to evaluate the ease of assembly and disassembly for each model.

Subsequently, we conducted tests to verify the accuracy of the volume markings on each bottle. This involved placing each bottle on a digital scale, filling it with water, and ensuring that the weight of the water (measured in grams) corresponded precisely with the printed volume markings, both in milliliters and ounces.

Next, we prepared a mixture of powdered infant formula and blue food dye to enhance the visibility of the liquid. We then filled each bottle with approximately 2 ounces of this mixture. Holding each bottle at an angle of around 45 degrees for one minute, we observed whether liquid dripped from the nipple and noted the rate of dripping. It’s important to note that dripping nipples weren’t necessarily indicative of a problem regarding the flow rate for a baby. Instead, dripping nipples primarily posed a mess issue rather than a feeding concern. Our assessment aimed to determine the extent to which a bottle might leak if accidentally overturned, such as in a diaper bag or on a table.

We conducted tests to evaluate the likelihood of each bottle leaking around the collar (where the nipple attaches) and from the vents. To do this, we pinched the nipple closed and vigorously shook, swirled, and rotated each bottle for one minute. While agitating the bottle, we carefully observed whether any liquid leaked from the vents or around the collar. Subsequently, we unscrewed the collar to check if any liquid had seeped from the nipple into the inside of the collar and neck of the bottle.

We meticulously cleaned each bottle and its accompanying parts using a bottle brush to assess their ease of cleaning. Once they had dried, we examined each one to determine if any traces of blue dye were still visible. The presence of residual dye would indicate that certain parts were particularly challenging to clean.

Finally, to evaluate the durability of glass bottles, we conducted drop tests by releasing them onto a concrete floor from different heights: 27 inches, 60 inches, and 72 inches.

We did not conduct any testing with babies for these bottles. Due to the complexity of factors influencing a baby’s response to a particular bottle, it would be exceedingly difficult to control for all variables, regardless of the number of babies recruited for testing. Additionally, babies are unable to provide feedback through surveys. Instead, we relied on extensive research, including analyzing numerous discussions about bottle choices across multiple active Facebook groups and reviewing hundreds of online owner reviews, to determine which bottles parents report as being most effective for their children.

Our pick: Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle

The Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle, previously known as the Lansinoh mOmma Bottle, features a gently sloping silicone nipple, a design that proves effective for many babies and is notably easier to clean compared to other nipple shapes. Its simple three-piece design and wide-mouth container contribute to its user-friendly nature, making it an excellent choice to consider initially. During our testing, we found that it didn’t leak and was simpler to clean than the majority of the other bottles we evaluated. Moreover, it boasts one of the highest ratings on Amazon, currently holding a 4.7-star rating out of five across thousands of reviews. Notably, it is also among the most affordable bottles we tested. It’s important to note that despite its name, it works equally well with formula.

The nipple of the Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle features a gently sloped shape that gradually flares from the tip to the base. While it’s important to acknowledge that no single nipple shape suits all babies, both of the bottle experts we consulted identified this general shape as one that often encourages a successful latch. Notably, the nipple of this bottle is firmer compared to most others we tested, yet it retains a level of flexibility. This firmness makes it notably easier to insert the nipple into the collar successfully, whereas softer nipples have a tendency to collapse or bend during the process.

The Breastmilk Feeding Bottle stands out as one of the simplest bottles in our testing, comprising just three pieces: a plastic container, a collar, and the silicone nipple. For venting, the bottle relies on a small hole in the base of the nipple. This uncomplicated design not only makes assembly easier but also simplifies tracking compared to competitors with multiple small pieces. We found that the nipple was exceptionally easy to clean, as its gradual slope from the base to the tip provided ample space for thorough cleaning with either a fingertip or a small brush. Moreover, due to its shape and slightly firmer texture, this nipple was the only one we could easily turn inside out, facilitating simpler cleaning. The smooth interior of the nipple, devoid of ridges, rims, or protrusions, further enhances its ease of cleaning and minimizes the accumulation of residue.

The Breastmilk Feeding Bottle is among the select few bottles that performed exceptionally well in our shake tests, with no noticeable liquid detected in the collar after rigorous shaking. Additionally, we observed no leaking from the small vent in the nipple base during our evaluations. Available at an affordable price point, often around $5 per bottle, it stands out as one of the most budget-friendly options among those we tested.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

While gradually sloped nipples like the one found on the Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle may work well for many babies, it’s important to recognize that they may not be suitable for all infants. Some babies may experience their lips slipping down while feeding from a nipple with this shape, underscoring the importance of ensuring they can maintain a deep latch. One common complaint from parents regarding this bottle pertains to the flow rates, with some finding them too fast for their baby’s pace. The Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle offers three flow rates: slow, medium, and fast, which is typical for the bottles we tested, although some bottles offer four, five, or six flow rates. This bottle is available in only 5- and 8-ounce sizes, with only a few manufacturers in our test group offering bottles smaller or larger than these sizes. Additionally, Lansinoh recently introduced an 8-ounce glass version of this bottle since the publication of this guide, although we have not yet tested it.

Also great: Philips Avent Natural and Anti-colic

While we believe our main pick is an excellent starting point for most users, the Philips Avent Natural and Philips Avent Anti-colic bottles are viable alternatives if you desire more size and nipple options, prefer glass bottles, or have determined that the Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottle is not suitable for your baby. Comparable to our main pick, the Philips Avent bottles are characterized by their simplicity and leak-free performance in our tests. However, it’s worth noting that the wider, more steeply sloped nipple of the Natural bottle may pose difficulties for some babies, particularly younger ones, in achieving a latch compared to the gradually sloping nipple of our main pick. On the other hand, the Anti-colic bottle features a narrower nipple with a relatively abrupt angle from the tip to the base. Despite this, our experts concurred that these nipple shapes could still be effective, depending on the individual baby’s needs and preferences.

Both the Philips Avent Natural and Philips Avent Anti-colic bottles enjoy widespread popularity and high ratings among users, albeit at a slightly higher cost compared to our main pick. Notably, the nipples and collars of both the Natural and Anti-colic bottles are interchangeable, allowing for versatile combinations that cater to your baby’s preferences. By purchasing one or more of each type, you gain the flexibility to mix and match bottles and nipples according to what works best for your baby. Additionally, the Philips Avent bottles are compatible with our chosen breast pump pick, offering added convenience for pumping and feeding.

The Philips Avent Natural bottle offers a wide range of sizes, including 4, 9, and 11 ounces for plastic bottles and 4 and 8 ounces for glass bottles, making it the most versatile in terms of options among the bottles we tested. Conversely, the Anti-colic bottle is available in three sizes: 4, 9, and 11 ounces. During our testing, we compared the durability of the Natural glass bottle with three other glass options and found it to be practical yet not indestructible. While it withstood drops onto concrete from a height of 27 inches, it shattered upon being dropped from 5 feet. It’s worth noting that both the plastic and glass versions of the Natural bottle utilize the same nipples and collars, offering added convenience for users interested in trying glass bottles without committing exclusively to them.

Similar to our main pick, both the Philips Avent Natural and Anti-colic bottles consist of only three pieces, with venting occurring through small openings at the edge of the nipple. During our leakage tests, they exhibited comparable performance to the Lansinoh bottle, with no noticeable seepage into the collar after vigorous shaking for a minute. Additionally, the containers of both Philips Avent bottles were as easy for us to clean as the Lansinoh design, thanks to similarly wide-mouth openings that accommodated both sponges and bottle brushes effectively.

Both the Philips Avent Natural and Anti-colic nipples offer five flow rates, exceeding the three flow rates provided by the Lansinoh nipple. Although Philips Avent does not explicitly market the components this way, our testing revealed that the Natural nipples and collars are compatible with the Anti-colic bottles, and vice versa, without any discernible performance issues. While it’s advisable to use the containers and nipples intended to be paired together, this compatibility adds flexibility and practicality for users who opt to purchase both types of bottles, as they are not required to strictly segregate them.

Also great: Evenflo Classic + Vented

Newborns and small babies often achieve a good latch with traditional, narrow-neck bottles equipped with narrow nipples. These narrow nipples typically boast a smaller overall diameter and less variation in diameter between the base and the tip. Narrow-nipple bottles are often characterized by their simplicity, lacking additional features or specialized designs that distinguish one from another. They are also cost-effective, and the nipples and collars from different brands are frequently cross-compatible, facilitating easy mixing and matching. While our research, including surveys of postings on message boards and infant-feeding Facebook groups, indicated that wide-mouth bottles tend to be more popular due to their sturdiness and ease of cleaning, we acknowledge that some parents prefer narrow bottles. Following testing of three top models, we found the Evenflo Classic + Vented to be a commendable choice in the narrow-neck bottle category.

Similar to our other selections, the Evenflo Classic + Vented bottle comprises only three components, making it straightforward to assemble, clean, and utilize. It stands out as the sole narrow-neck bottle in our test group available in both plastic and glass variations, as well as an angled version. Moreover, it is more readily accessible for online purchase compared to most bottles with similar shapes. During our testing, it demonstrated leak-free performance. However, it’s essential to note that the container is crafted from thinner plastic, rendering it less robust than our other recommendations. Additionally, the volume markers on this bottle are notably more challenging to read. As a general observation, narrow-neck bottles, including the Evenflo Classic + Vented, tend to pose greater cleaning challenges compared to wide-mouth bottles such as the Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding, Philips Avent Natural, and Anti-colic bottles.

Also great: The best bottle brush

You can certainly clean all the recommended bottles in this guide in the dishwasher, but chances are you’ll find yourself hand-washing them at times, especially if you don’t have a large supply. After putting four popular bottle brushes with varying designs to the test, we’ve determined that the OXO Tot Bottle Brush with Stand is the top choice for cleaning bottles, nipples, and other bottle components. Its brush head is notably fuller compared to others we tested, allowing it to generate more suds and scrub bottles more effectively. Despite its generous bristles, they remain soft enough to navigate into narrow-neck bottles with ease. Additionally, at a practical length of 12 inches, the OXO brush surpasses its competitors, such as the shorter Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Bottle Brush and the excessively long IKEA Medelvåg, which measures an impractical 17 inches.

Among the brushes we tested, the OXO Tot Bottle Brush stands out with its notably substantial handle, providing a comfortable and secure grip, even when wearing dishwashing gloves. Additionally, it is the only brush in our lineup equipped with a separate mini-brush specifically designed for cleaning nipples and other small pieces. This mini-brush conveniently screws into the handle, which features a small window to ensure ventilation when not in use, effectively preventing mildew buildup.

Our selection process for the OXO Tot Bottle Brush, along with the other brushes tested, began with a rather informal scan of the Amazon best-sellers page for bottle brushes. Initially conceived as a means to find suitable tools for cleaning baby bottles during testing, this limited research directed us to try out the OXO model along with other popular options boasting diverse designs and materials. Moving forward, we may also consider exploring bottle sponges as part of our evaluation process.