When you’re pregnant, the idea of making formula might not seem so hard — you just scoop the recommended amount of powder into the recommended amount of water and shake, shake, shake, right?
Yes… but what you might not yet realize is just how time-consuming and even tricky it can be.
Enter the baby formula maker: a machine designed to churn out smooth and creamy bottles of formula at just the right consistency, without any bubbles that could give your baby gas and keep you both up all night.
Baby formula makers do just that — they make formula by blending the right amount of powder with the right amount of water. And then, usually within seconds, they dispense the most perfectly proportioned and well-blended bottle possible.
Two main types of baby formula makers are on the market today: baby formula mixers and all-in-one systems that do all the work for you.
Baby formula mixers only mix the water and formula together, leaving you to take care of the proper heating. All-in-one formula systems, however, work like magic: You just press a button to create a warm bottle that’s ready for your baby.
To create this list of the best baby formula makers, we researched the market for the newest and most improved machines.
Plus, we factored in customer reviews and ratings to understand which features parents liked most and which ones they felt needed improvements. We also reached out to new parents to learn what brands and features they found most useful over the course of their baby’s first year.
Here are some of the baby formula makers that topped our list for 2020.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $50
- $$ = $50–$100
- $$$ = $100–$200
- $$$$ = over $200
Baby Brezza Electric One Step Baby Formula Mixer
Price: $
Not looking for anything fancy, just a mixing system that’ll do the job well? This Baby Brezza blending pitcher is an excellent choice, saving you time by providing hands-free mixing with its internal wand.
It churns out formula without bubbles or clumping, and it has a no-drip spout that pours easily into bottles without getting formula everywhere. It’s dishwasher-safe and free of harmful chemicals like BPS, BPA, phthalates, PVC, and lead.
Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced Baby Formula Dispenser
Price: $$$
If you already own a Keurig, this is the next best thing — for new parents, at least. At the press of a button, it automatically mixes the right amount of formula and water to make a warm and ready-to-drink bottle for your baby.
You can choose to make 2 to 10 ounces (in 1-ounce increments), select between three temperature settings, and use any formula and bottles you prefer. The machine is BPA-free and comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
BabyEXO Formula Dispenser Machine
Price: $$$$
In less than 10 seconds flat, this machine utilizes intelligent milk powder and water mixing technology to churn out a perfectly temperate bottle for your little one, without any air bubbles.
It works with virtually all formula brands and bottles and is free of BPA. Its digital control temperature setting is completely customizable, and it can make between 1 and 8 ounces.
LivingEZ Smart Formula Pro
Price: $$$
It doesn’t get much more high-tech than this formula maker, which you can set to turn on with the press of a button on your smartphone! While you’re lying in bed or relaxing on the couch, you can prompt your formula maker to start mixing, heating, and dispensing a bottle with just the right consistency and temperature.
You can select 0.5-ounce increments up to 8 ounces, and you can choose between temperature settings of 98°F to 158°F.
Be sure to check the temperature of the formula by touching it to the inside of your wrist before giving the bottle to your baby. The ideal temperature is no higher than your average body temperature — formula that’s too hot could cause an injury.
Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher
Price: $
For a fraction of the price of some formula mixers, this one does an impressive job, thanks to a unique blade that mixes formula quickly, without pesky air bubbles or clumping.
It prepares up to four 8-ounce bottles of formula at a time (32 ounces of formula at once), and it’s completely free of BPA. Plus, all its parts are dishwasher-safe, so you don’t even have to worry about handwashing them.
Munchkin Smart Blend Formula Mixing Pitcher
Price: $
This no-frills mixer easily stores and blends up to 24 ounces of any brand of baby formula that you plan on using.
Its simple mixing method, which involves a rotating mixing handle, is designed to reduce air bubbles and clumping. It also has an adjustable time ring that helps you keep track of when the formula was last prepared.
Prince Lionheart Versa Formula Mixer
Price: $
If you plan on traveling a decent amount in your baby’s first year, this is an excellent formula mixer to have with you on the go. It’s super lightweight, compact, and easy to use.
It includes two wands that mix your baby’s formula the same way a frothing wand would prepare a latte — in fact, you can use this for adult drinks, too! It’s battery operated and can be used with any formula or bottles.
Can you live without a baby formula maker? Yes, of course you can. For decades, parents have been mixing their own formula for their babies.
However, there’s no denying that the ease and convenience of a formula maker is extremely appealing, especially during those first few (incredibly exhausting) months of baby’s life.
In addition, a baby formula maker may help reduce the amount of bubbles your baby ingests, inevitably cutting back on their gassiness and irritability — a plus for you both!