The Best Bottles of 2025, According to Parents, Experts and Picky Babies
Glass or plastic? Four ounces or eight? We’re demystifying how to choose the best bottle for your baby.
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Whether you’re nursing or using a bottle to give your baby pumped milk or formula, feeding your little one can be one of the best opportunities for bonding in parenthood.
But choosing a bottle is complicated. There are a ton of options. Do you want glass, plastic or silicone? What size bottles should you add to your registry? And how many do you actually need? The list of questions feels endless, but we have the answers if you’re planning on bottle feeding, switching from breast milk to formula or just want to be prepared.
We tested dozens of bottles in the real world, spoke to lactation experts and a pediatrician and reviewed feedback from thousands of parents, and we think Dr. Brown’s Options+ are the best baby bottles for most families. They’re loved by parents and experts alike and offer a consistent flow and a patented venting system that many say helps minimize gas and fussiness. And if you’re looking for the best glass baby bottle or the best bottles for breastfed babies, we have top picks in those categories, too—and several more.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled thousands Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including me, Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many different types of baby bottles.
We interviewed two experts: Emily Spaeth, an IBCLC and a physical therapist and founder of Be Well Baby PDX, and Kelly Fradin, MD, a pediatrician, writer and New York City-based public health advocate.
How We Judged the Best Bottles
We also prioritized these features as we analyzed baby bottles:
Available in multiple sizes
Nipples available in multiple sizes, including slow flow
Durable material
Doesn’t leak when used properly
Easy (enough) to clean
Effective venting system
Easy-to-read measurement markings
Value
The Best Baby Bottles
Best Baby Bottle Overall
Dr. Brown's Anti-colic Options+ Narrow Baby Bottle Starter Gift Set - Clear/Blue
From $29.99Pros
- Can help reduce gas & colic
- Popular parent + pediatrician pick
- Can be used with or without venting system
Cons
- Lots of parts to clean
- Some parents say they leak
- Longer nipples may cause gag reflex for some babies
Over two-thirds of parents—38%, to be exact—named Dr. Brown’s as their favorite bottle in our Best Baby Products survey. They’re also the bottles I used and loved daily for four years with my two boys, one of whom was a preemie with latching issues, and the bottles we think are the best choice for most babies.
Dr. Brown’s claim to fame is their patented venting system. Designed to mimic breastfeeding, it limits your baby’s air intake while drinking, helping to reduce burping, gas, spit-up and even colic in some little ones. Are they a magical solution for every fussy baby? Sadly, no. (But we’ll let you know as soon as we find one.) But enough parents tell us they see a noticeable difference when using Dr. Brown’s that we stand behind their claim. “My three-week-old has not thrown up once, spit up or had bad gas,” one mom noted in our Best Baby Products survey. Dr Brown’s bottles are “the only ones that worked for my baby for the first six months,” another said.
Lactation consultants love Dr. Brown’s bottles because of their consistent flow. “As opposed to some other bottles, Dr. Brown’s uses a laser to create the hole in the nipple,” says IBCLC Spaeth. This differs from other nipples on the market that are made using a needle, she explains, which can lead to inconsistent flow rates. This precise, consistent cut is a big reason she thinks lots of babies take these bottles so well.
The two biggest negatives of these popular bottles are ease of cleaning (or lack thereof) and potential leaking. The first, unfortunately, is unavoidable; the bottle’s venting system has multiple parts, some of which are pretty tiny, and cleaning them does indeed take some time. The upside is that the Options+ system lets you remove the internal venting system as baby develops, leaving you with only a bottle, nipple and a collar to clean. The second issue, leaks, can be solved by a few different methods depending on the reason for the leak. You can check the brand’s FAQ section for solutions, but my biggest learnings from years of use is to remember to always use the Travel Disc and keep the bottle upright when on the go and loosen the collar before warming the bottle to reduce the pressure.
The popular starter set shown here comes with a selection of bottles, nipples, caps and cleaning brushes. And if you’re not into plastic, Dr. Brown’s makes glass bottles, too.
Additional Specs
Available sizes: Plastic: 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz; Glass: 5 oz, 9 oz
Material: Polypropylene or glass
Best Baby Bottle for Baby Registry
Pros
- Lets you try 5 popular baby bottles before committing
- Includes plastic & silicone options
Cons
- No glass bottle options (Babylist Glass Bottle Box sold separately)
- Can’t select nipple size
Featuring five of the most popular bottles, the Bottle Box lets baby (and you) try out a variety of bottle shapes and styles before committing to a particular brand, solving the all-too-common issue of registering for a whole set of bottles only to realize your baby won’t take them.
“Babies can be opinionated creatures,” Dr. Fradin, a pediatrician, says. And while she assures new parents that this “isn’t worth pre-worrying about” too much, we hear the same sentiment from many new parents—which is why the Bottle Box is so genius and why I think every parent-to-be should add one to their baby registry.
“Babies are unpredictable,” says one Babylist parent survey respondent. “The Bottle Box allows you to try multiple brands/types of the product…[because] you’ll have no idea what your baby will like.” Another parent told us how happy they were that they decided to register for the box despite being unsure at first. “I had no idea these were going to come in handy when my youngest wouldn’t take the bottle,” she said.
You won’t be able to customize your nipple size with this sampler pack—all bottles come with level one slow-flow nipples. And there’s no glass option included. But you can try the Glass Bottle Box if you prefer to give glass baby bottles a go over plastic.
What’s Included: nanobébé Flexy Silicone Bottle: (5 oz), Comotomo Baby Bottle (5 oz), Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow Bottle (4 oz), Philips Avent Anti-colic Bottle with AirFree Vent (4 oz), Boon NURSH (4 oz)
Best Bottle for Breastfed Babies
Lansinoh Bottles - 8 Oz
From $15.57Pros
- Recommended by lactation consultants
- Nipple designed to mimic the real thing
- Helps reduce gas & colic
Cons
- Doesn’t include sealing discs (storage caps)
- Flow may be too fast for younger babies (slow flow nipples sold separately)
When choosing a bottle for a breastfed baby, lactation experts recommend focusing on the shape of the nipple. “A tapered shape helps get more of the bottle into the baby’s mouth and promotes a deeper latch,” similar to what baby experiences on the breast, says Spaeth. She, along with other lactation experts we’ve spoken to, all recommend the Lansinoh bottle as a top pick.
With over 50 years of research behind it, the Lansinoh bottle’s NaturalWave nipple is ergonomically designed to mimic a breast, allowing baby to use the same sucking motion so they’ll be able to transition easily between breast and bottle. There’s a venting system to reduce air intake and a vertical groove on the nipple to prevent collapse. And there are only four pieces and no tiny parts, so cleaning won’t take forever, a feature most tired parents (myself included) appreciate.
These eight-ounce bottles come with medium-flow nipples, which many parents say are too fast for younger babies. The Lansinoh Five Ounce Bottles come with slow-flow nipples, or you can purchase the nipples separately.
Additional Specs
Available sizes: 5 oz, 8 oz
Material: Plastic
Best Baby Bottle for Newborns
Pros
- Adaptive flow nipples let baby control the flow of milk
- Innovative nipple shape and placement minimize bottle rejection
- Reduces air intake
Cons
- Pricey
- Four parts to clean
- Heating milk or formula in the bottle is tricky
- Collapsing silicone insert makes it tough to determine amount consumed
I was introduced to this bottle earlier this year and was impressed from the start. I was even more impressed after Brittney, a member of the Babylist team, took it for a test drive with her new baby—and raved about it.
“I wasn’t expecting to like it so much,” she said. “I’ve never had problems with bottles in the past, but now comparing it to my experience with the Suavinex, I realized how much milk would dribble out of my son’s mouth and how he had significantly more burps or spit-ups. Even my nanny noticed a big difference and specifically requested to use these bottles.”
There are two things about the Suavinex bottles that make them stand out from the crowd and especially good for newborns just beginning to drink from a bottle. The first is the nipple. It’s available in a range of skin-tone hues and is off-center, which Brittney immediately noticed was “similar to what it would be like if he were nursing.” It’s also adjustable flow, which means no matter the angle (even upside-down), milk flows only when baby is sucking. This mimics breastfeeding and allows baby to control the flow of milk, making for a more consistent feed.
The second is the silicone bag inside the bottle that holds the milk or formula. It collapses as baby sucks, which reduces air intake and can help with gas, fussiness or colic. “The silicone insert allows no bubbles,” Brittney told me. “I legit didn’t see any!” Just note that the insert can make it tough to tell how many ounces your baby drank.
The two biggest downsides of these bottles are ease of cleaning (it can take some time because of the numerous parts) and bottle shape (the wide base doesn’t fit in all bottle warmers). There’s also the semi-hollow base to consider when warming. “My warmer couldn’t accurately heat it up to the appropriate temperature,” said Brittney. And ease of use can be a challenge for some caregivers. “My nanny is at the age of a grandparent, and it took her a while to understand how the silicone insert worked and to correctly face the nipple,” Brittney told us. “I had to walk her through it several times. Eventually, she got it and now she loves it.”
Additional Specs
Available sizes: 6 oz
Material: Silicone
Best Value Baby Bottle
Pros
- Great value (<$1.60 per bottle!)
- Lightweight and narrow for tiny hands
- Long, narrow nipple promotes deep latch (also works with Dr. Brown’s nipples)
Cons
- No anti-colic vents
- Measurements are tough to read
- Can leak easily
The most affordable bottles on our best-of list by far, these Evenflo Feeding Classic baby bottles are an incredible value, especially considering their features and the overwhelmingly positive reviews from parents.
The most affordable bottles on our best-of list by far, these Evenflo Feeding Classic baby bottles are an incredible value, especially considering their features and the overwhelmingly positive reviews from parents.
They check almost all of the boxes for what we like in a baby bottle. The narrow shape, light weight and twisted surface design make them easy and comfortable for baby to hold. Lactation consultants love the nipple shape—it’s gently sloped, which can help encourage a deep latch. They come in multiple colors, a nice-to-have if you’re using bottles with more than one child. And they’re also super easy to clean, with only three pieces.
They do lack a venting system, which may or may not be an issue, depending on your baby. And a universal complaint is that the measurements can be tough to see. But considering the price, we still recommend them.
Additional Specs
Available sizes: 8 oz
Material: Plastic
Best Silicone Baby Bottle
Pros
- Made of durable food-grade silicone
- No small parts to clean
- Inner pouch minimizes gas & colic
- Transitions to sippy cup
Cons
- Doesn’t fit in all bottle warmers
- Pouch can refill with air if baby takes long breaks during feeding
- Some parents complained of slight leaks
Silicone bottles are softer and squishier than plastic or glass options. Many parents choose them because they can be easier for baby to hold, feel more like a breast and are free of some of the chemicals plastic bottles contain. Boon’s Nursh bottles are our top silicone pick. Their colorways can’t be beat (so fun!), but more importantly, they’re straightforward to use and can help tiny tummies.
Like the Suavinex bottles, Boon Nursh bottles tackle the concept of a venting system with a silicone pouch that collapses as baby drinks. This results in less air in baby’s tummy, which can help reduce gas, colic and overall fussiness. It also eliminates tiny parts to clean, a nice perk. And unlike some silicone options, these bottles have a sturdy base, preventing any tip-overs.
And because I’m always a fan of any multi-use baby product, these bottles get extra credit in my book for their ability to transform into sippy cups with the easy addition of a straw conversion top, extending their useful life for years. “I originally bought the Boon Nursh bottles because I loved the look (don’t judge me!) and because they seemed really easy to clean (we are dishwasher parents),” Maddie, a Babylist team member, told me. “But I ended up loving them because of the way they transition from bottle to sippy to straw cup. We bought the straw cup attachments when our kid was ready to transition away from bottles, so we’ve been using our Nursh system for over two years now and they are still in great shape.”
Dont-love-it aspects of the Nursh include their awkward fit in certain bottle warmers and that some parents say that if the baby breaks the latch on the bottle, air will flow back into the collapsible pouch—but that wasn’t the case in our testing.
Additional Specs
Available sizes: 4 oz, 8 oz
Material: Silicone
Best Glass Baby Bottle
Pros
- Pharmaceutical-grade glass (heat and thermal shock resistant)
- Included silicone sleeve improves grip and reduces risk of breaking
- Adjustable-flow nipples + anti-colic venting system
Cons
- Heavy
- Breakable
- Included nipples (sizes 1 and 2) are meant for newborns and may not work well for older babies
Glass baby bottles are having a moment. About a third of the parents we surveyed in our Best Baby Products poll told us they use glass bottles to feed their babies, calling out their durability and that they’re free of the chemicals used in plastic bottles.
These bottles from Philips Avent have all of the components parents love about the brand’s plastic bottles—a wide, flexible nipple, an advanced anti-colic system and few parts to clean—in glass instead. The glass is thermal-shock resistant, so it can transition between hot and cold without issue, and the twin-valve design reduces colic and discomfort by venting air into the bottle, not your little one’s stomach. They’re also ultra-durable. “Since they’re glass, I was able to save them from baby to baby…without concern of the plastic being too old,” one mom told us in our Best Baby Products survey.
Like all glass bottles, these are heavy, and there’s always a risk of breakage if dropped (the silicone sleeve will help protect from this, though). This set includes five glass bottles (three four-ounce and two eight-ounce) and two silicone bottle sleeves.
Additional Specs
Available sizes: 4 oz, 8 oz
Material: Glass
Most Innovative Baby Bottle
Pros
- Made from Tritan, a durable plastic as clear as glass and free from most toxins
- RealFeel nipples reduce bottle rejection
- Transitions to a straw cup (attachment included)
Cons
- Pricey
- Only includes 1 straw attachment
- Can’t sterilize with a steam sterilizer
Quark is another new addition to this year’s best-of bottles list. I personally tested the bundle and sent it to an IBCLC friend to try with her new baby, and immediately after trying it,I knew it deserved a spot in our guide. The bottle system is inventive, beautifully designed and—most importantly—makes feeding your baby a little easier.
The most innovative thing about Quark bottles—and likely the first thing you’ll notice—is the material. Made from an engineered plastic called Tritan, the material is lightweight, resists cracking and breaking and is extremely durable. It doesn’t leach harmful chemicals. And it’s also crystal clear; if you looked but didn’t touch, you’d think it was glass. (I’ve been using mine for months and it’s still as clear as the day I took it out of the box.)
The nipple is another exceptional feature. The gentle slope—the nipple shape lactation experts recommend—was the first thing my IBCLC friend, Rebekah, noticed when she saw the bottle. It flexes like the real thing and has two texture zones to replicate the nipple and areola. It was also one of only two bottles her newborn would take. “This baby has thrown me for a loop and refused all pacis from birth, so I was curious how bottles would go,” she said. “I tried a bunch, and Quark and Dr. Brown’s with the preemie nipple were the only two she took well. She got a great latch.”
Like Boon Nursh, Quark bottles will last longer than your average baby bottle. Just pop off the nipple and add the straw top insert instead (the conversion set comes with this bundle) to use the bottle as a straw cup for years.
Note: You won’t be able to sterilize these bottles using a steam sterilizer, as the brand recommends against this method. (A dishwasher or boiling the bottles is fine, though.) And they’re expensive—the price breaks down to about $20 per bottle.
Additional Specs
Available sizes: 5 oz, 8 oz
Material: Tritan EX501
Baby Bottles FAQ: What You Need to Know
When do you need baby bottles?
You can start using bottles from day one. Babies usually use bottles until at least one year old, which is when the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it’s okay to transition your little one from breast milk or formula over to cow’s milk. However, many breastfeeding parents continue to nurse well into the second year and beyond.
How to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby
Introducing a bottle to your baby may look a bit different if you’re also breastfeeding. Many lactation experts recommend waiting until baby has gotten the hang of nursing, usually between about three and six weeks, before you introduce a bottle. And because milk production works on supply and demand, it’s also important to consider how using a bottle will affect your supply.
“If you're breastfeeding, using a bottle, whether of pumped milk or formula, interrupts the supply-demand cycle of a baby sucking the breast to help bring in your milk,” explains Dr. Fradin. “This matters most in the first four to six weeks of breastfeeding, though of course, this must be balanced against what's best for the [nursing parent], as skipping feeds to recover from childbirth, to sleep or to function for other life goals is a very valid and often necessary choice,” she says.
She also cautions not to wait too long before introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby. “Around four months, babies can be very distracted during feeds, and parents often find it necessary to feed them in a dark quiet room to get a full feeding in,” she says. “Introducing a bottle during that time or in the weeks around when a parent returns from maternity leave can be pretty stressful.”
How many bottles do I need?
Most parents have six to 12 baby bottles on hand if you’re exclusively bottle feeding. This allows you to have a bottle ready to go whenever you need one (pro tip: hungry babies don’t like to be kept waiting) while you’re washing the others.
If you’ll be using bottles occasionally, three to four is a good number to have on hand.
What are the types of baby bottles, nipples and bottle sizes?
Bottles are typically made from one of three materials: glass, plastic or silicone.
Glass baby bottles were the norm in the decades before plastic and have recently returned to popularity. While it may sound like a head-scratcher to give your baby something made of glass, glass baby bottles are made from tempered glass, a type of glass that’s extra durable and can withstand being banged around and even dropped.
Plastic baby bottles are made out of polypropylene, a hard type of plastic. Plastic bottles are the most common type of baby bottle on the market and the most affordable.
Silicone bottles are the newest type of baby bottles. They’re made from silicone, a soft, flexible material free from chemicals like BPA, PVC and Phthalate.
Types of baby bottle nipples
Baby bottle nipples come in different sizes. Each provides a different rate of milk flow.
Newborn and slow-flow nipples (sometimes also labeled as level zero or level one nipples) are designed for newborns and younger babies. They provide a slower flow of milk or formula so baby won’t gulp too much too fast.
Faster-flow nipples (levels two and up) are designed for older babies who have bigger swallows and have better control over a faster flow of liquid.
Baby bottle sizes
Most bottles come in two sizes:
Smaller-sized bottles, usually around four ounces, are geared toward newborns who eat less per feeding than older babies.
Larger bottles, which hold about eight ounces of breast milk or formula, are for older babies who eat more.
As a benchmark, newborns may eat as little as an ounce or two every meal. "Most babies aren’t going to need that full eight ounces until they're much older, usually around eight months," says Spaeth. Some parents choose to buy a few smaller and larger bottles, while others buy larger bottles from the start and only fill them up about halfway during baby’s first few months.
How to Choose a Baby Bottle
Glass, plastic or silicone? Compare the pros and cons.
Glass bottles:
Pros: Glass bottles don’t absorb colors or odors like silicone and plastic bottles can. Glass baby bottles are thermal-shock resistant, so they can go from freezing cold to piping hot without breaking. Glass bottles can go right into the dishwasher without the fear of chemical leaching and they’re often easier to clean than other types of bottles because they have fewer parts.
Cons: Glass bottles are heavy. They’re trickier for you (and your baby) to hold, and although it’s not easy to break them, it’s certainly not impossible, either. Glass bottles also tend to be more expensive than other bottle types and there are fewer options to choose from since they’re not as ubiquitous as plastic baby bottles.
Plastic bottles:
Pros: There are tons of options to choose from if you’re registering for plastic bottles, and plastic bottles are also the most affordable type of bottles on the market. Plastic bottles are lightweight, won’t break when dropped and are easy for you and your baby to hold.
Cons: The initial concern over plastic baby bottles was because of bisphenol A, commonly called BPA, an industrial chemical used to make certain plastic that may cause negative health effects. The FDA banned BPA from all sippy cups and baby bottles in 2012, but according to the AAP, the jury’s still out on health and safety concerns around plastics, especially in children and particularly when heated. If you decide to use plastic baby bottles, avoid microwaving them (and avoid microwaving all bottles of milk so you don’t create hot spots) and hand-wash dirty bottles instead of putting them in the dishwasher. Many plastic bottles also have a lot of small parts and can be a hassle to clean.
Silicone bottles:
Pros: Silicone bottles are soft and squishy and most closely resemble a breast; this also makes them easy for you and for your baby to hold. They’re unbreakable and free of many chemicals in plastic bottles. Silicone bottles are dishwasher safe and most contain fewer parts than plastic bottles so they’re easier to clean.
Cons: Silicone bottles are some of the most expensive and there aren’t many options. And although they don’t contain the same chemicals as plastic bottles, there’s still some concern over leaching at very high temperatures. They can also discolor and absorb odors over time.
Look at the nipple
Spaeth tells parents to pay attention to two things when considering a bottle nipple: flow rate and shape.
“Always start with the slowest flow rate nipple,” she advises. A too-fast flow of milk or formula can overwhelm babies, especially newborns. A slow-flow nipple can help pace the feeding session.
“Another big thing to pay attention to is the nipple’s shape,” she says. She recommends a nipple with a gently tapered shape, which helps “get more of the bottle into the baby’s mouth and promote a deeper latch.” And look at your baby’s mouth anatomy. “Some nipples are too long and trigger a gag reflex in certain babies,” she explains.
Worried about nipple confusion if you’re switching between the breast and bottle? Don’t be. “Some people have claimed that nipple confusion can occur when a breastfed baby imprints on a bottle or pacifier and no longer knows how to suck on a breast,” says Dr. Fradin. “I am not sure that's the case, but I do think the flow of breast milk can be very different from a bottle. Breast milk requires more work from the baby and is a more dynamic flow whereas a bottle can be more passive and predictable,” she explains.
Pay attention to flow rate
It’s important to distinguish a bottle’s size from its flow rate, says Spaeth. “A larger capacity bottle is just based on how much your baby's eating,” she explains. “The flow rate is what really matters.” Here are a few ways she says you can determine the correct nipple flow rate.
You need a faster flow nipple if baby is:
Taking longer than a half hour to feed. “If they're taking more than 30 minutes to finish a bottle, you should move up.”
Popping on and off of the bottle and seems frustrated.
Compressing the nipple, which creates a vacuum and means they're having to suck too hard to remove the milk.
You need a slower flow nipple if you notice:
Baby is finishing their bottle quickly "The sweet spot is [typically] between five to 25 minutes," Spaeth says.
They're choking, sputtering or leaking milk out of their mouth.
Have red or watery eyes or furrowed brows.
Are popping on and off of the bottle.
Clicking. “Sometimes babies will click and that's them trying to slow the flow," says Spaeth.
And don’t forget…
Here are a few more things to think about as you shop for a baby bottle:
Is the bottle easy to assemble and disassemble?
Is the bottle’s base stable? How likely is the bottle to tip over when full?
How easy is the bottle to wash? How many parts are there?
You’ll also want to keep in mind that babies can be pretty particular about what type of bottle they like best. Since it’s tough to anticipate what your little one will like (or not), we recommend adding either one brand’s starter kit or a sample box to your registry before going all-in on any particular brand.
