Philips Avent 4-in-1 Steam Steriliser at a glance:
Using natural steam, this Philips Avent 4-in-1 electric steam baby steriliser kills 99.9% of harmful germs. The steriliser’s unique modular design also makes it quick and easy to fit and organize your bottles and accessories, taking up minimal kitchen space. The sterilising cycle lasts just 6 minutes. After this time, the steriliser automatically shuts off, giving you extra speed and safety.
We spoke to these real parent testers to get their review...
How did this product make your life easier?
Paige Barker says: Not compared to other sterilisers. I have to pull both sections off and then figure out what can fit in the top and what can go in the bottom. Other sterilisers can be easier as they just have 1 compartment to put things in with 2 layers to put them on. The design is nice and looks great quality. If I need to get into the big section soon after sterilising has finished I burn my hands removing the top section, and so sometimes have to wait until it’s cooled down a bit to do this. Whereas other brands with just the 1 lid I don’t have this problem.
Lisa Blissett says: I really like the dishwasher basket. This helps prevent me from losing small items in the dishwasher and then can easily transfer the items to the steriliser as the basket fits inside - this has been designed really well! The steriliser is very easy to use. It has a simple on/ off switch and is easy to assemble. You wouldn't need the instructions to be able to work out how to use it.
Natasha Barker says: This makes sterilising bottles really easy, I'd previously used a cold water steriliser which at first I thought I preferred, but after a week or so of use I was converted to the steam steriliser. The main attraction was not having to fish bottles out of cold water multiple times a day & being able to store the bottles in there until use was great. At first I found the wiping out & refilling the water after each use a bit if a hassle as we could be using it up to 3 times a day but after a while I got used to it and it didn't seem such an issue.
Would you recommend this product to other parents?
Alexandra Bradbury says: Its so easy to use and makes bottle feeding a lot easier. Bottles are ready in 6 minutes but stay sterile for 24 hours if you keep the lid closed. This is a lot easier than cold water sterilising so you have your sink free and the dishwasher basket makes it so easy to just put all the little bits in the dishwasher then transfer straight to the steriliser.
Jaspreet Dhillon says: The compact design means that the sterliser is also suitable for small kitchens. There is also a dish washer basket included to make life easier for busy mums. It has two separate levels which is handy if only sterilising three bottles. It has an aesthetically pleasing design which looks sleek on my worktop.
Lauren Mullen says: The Philips Avent 4 in 1 Steam Steriliser is a fantastic multi-function product for all new and experienced mums who are unsure of their baby bottle needs. This product is ultra -convenient and effective and sterilising bottles. Its quick sterilising programme only lasts for 6 minutes and it holds 6 Avent bottles and accessories too. All the items in the steriliser stay sterile for 24 hours providing the lid is unopened and it kills 99.9% of harmful germs. This product is not heavy or bulky and in fact only takes up minimal space in the kitchen. Having a flat back it can fit into any available space and it easy to transport. This product also sterilises other branded bottles, breast pumps and accessories. I particularly like the display which tells me how the cycle progresses. So I can say goodbye to burned fingers knowing that its safe and the bottles have cooled down before opening the lid to remove any items needed.
Would you choose this product above all others on the market?
Jessica Ransom says: I love how this product turns itself off automatically when it is done sterilising. It means you don't have to worry about leaving it on for too long. I also like how it is separate from the microwave so you can use both at the same time if required. The steriliser also comes with a dishwasher basket so you can just put the bottles straight into the steriliser from the dishwasher which is a very clever design.
Paige Barker says: The design is not great. It is advertised as 4 in 1, but that concept doesn’t actualy work that well unless you have a massive kitchen to store the bits you aren’t using. As much as the 4 in 1 idea sounds great, having a baby takes up so much room in your kitchen anyway. I would not have space to store one of the containers if I wasn’t to use it.. even if I am only sterilising 1 item I still have both the pain compartment and the smaller one on top. This is the same with the dishwasher tub. It stays in the sterilised at all times.. and therefore I put the bottles into that part, however as it is only made for small items the bottles are too tall and so the lid of it is constantly up, but will flap closed annoyingly when I am then trying to put bottles inside. I would rethink this idea.
Lauren Mullen says: I would choose this product above other products on the market because it is priced fairly, is modern and fits most kitchen designs. This particular steriliser also fits bottles from other brands which most other brands do not do. It is quick to clean, has a fast sterilising cycle and an integrated display to keep you aware of where the cycle is up to. As a busy mum of 3, this feature was a godsend! It also uses natural steam so I know that I can say goodbye to at least 99.9% of harmful germs without the use of chemicals. I also like the fact that I can sterilise other products including dummies, teethers, accessories etc too.
What changes would you make to this product?
Alexandra Bradbury says: I would probably make it slightly cheaper just to compete with others on the market. I also would like it to easily fit other bottles as we were bought a set of tommee tippee bottles for my baby shower which we also use but they don't fit in the steriliser like the philips avent bottles we have also bought.
Jaspreet Dhillon says: There are two things I would like to change. 1) The small form factor makes it difficult to sterilise large items such as breast pumps 2) when opening the steriliser to put bottles etc together, there is a lot of water spilt on to the counter top. Out of the two, the water dripping on to the counter top is the bigger issue. To resolve this, I would quite like the cover to be used as an item that can catch any drips of water from the top layer when the steriliser has been opened.
Paige Barker says: I would change the sizes of the 2 sections and allow the dishwasher bit to fit into the smallest section that goes on top. If I was to put small items in the dishwasher and then also need to sterilise these small bits along with big bits, I’d have to empty out the small bits into the top compartment because big bottles won’t fit in the top compartment.