The Guide to Choosing a Baby Food Maker
When you’re preparing for the arrival of a new baby, it’s smart to start shopping for the essentials you’ll use immediately, including a crib, car seat, and stroller. However, it’s an excellent idea to add a few items to your baby registry that you’ll need down the road.
For instance, if your goal is to forgo the expensive jars and prepare homemade baby food recipes, you may want to pick one up sooner than later, so you’re ready when it’s time for your baby to try their first solid food.
Baby food makers are arguably one of the most convenient baby gadgets available, and it may seem as if every family member, friend, and even acquaintance wants to recommend a favorite baby food maker they can't live without.
However, it’s unrealistic to pick up every one of these highly praised suggestions, and all the trendy must-haves in the over-saturated baby market make it challenging to discern what you’ll actually need.
That’s why we put together an extensive guide to choosing a baby food maker. Whether you’re still growing your baby or have a little one eager to try solid food, one of these 12 baby food makers will suit your needs.
Our Top 12 Baby Food Makers for All Needs
- Best Overall Baby Food Maker: Beaba Babycook Solo 4-in-1 Baby Food Maker
- Best Affordable Baby Food Maker: NutriBullet Baby Complete Food-Making System
- Best Affordable Runner-Up Baby Food Maker: Sage Spoonfuls Baby Food Maker
- Best Glass Baby Food Maker: Baby Brezza Glass One Step Baby Food Maker
- Best Portable Baby Food Maker: Oxo Tot Food Masher
- Best To Make Pouches: Infantino Squeeze Station
- Best All-in-One Baby Food Maker: Babymoov Duo Meal Station Food Maker 6-in-1
- Best Compact Baby Food Maker: QOOC 4-in-1 Mini Baby Food Maker
- Best Mill Baby Food Maker: Green Sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill
- Best Self-Cleaning Baby Food Maker: EVLA Baby Food Maker
- Best Baby Food Prep System: Nuby Mighty Blender 22-Piece Baby Food Maker Set
- Best Baby Food Maker Blender: Nuk Smoothie and Baby Food Maker
Do I Need a Baby Food Maker?
Before getting a baby food maker, many new parents wonder if they need a separate appliance or if their blender can accomplish the same results. Well, that depends on the type of baby food maker.
For example, all-in-one models steam, blend, defrost, and perform many functions that can only be replicated with a blender, steam pot, and more appliances. All-in-one models are incredibly convenient and much more helpful for making baby food than a blender.
There are also portable options, such as a mill or masher that are handy for traveling or when going out to a restaurant. Other types of baby food makers come with a bottle warmer, sterilizer, or tool to transfer purees to a pouch.
If you’re looking for a multifunctional gadget that performs several jobs, you’ll appreciate a baby food maker. However, if you’re just looking for an appliance to puree food, you can probably get away with using a blender.
What To Consider When Choosing a Baby Food Maker
- Ease of use: No parent wants to buy another gadget that clutters their countertop and doesn’t make their life easier. Instead, look for a baby food maker that is quick to clean and simple to operate. Dishwasher-safe parts are convenient – that’s a make-or-break deal for some parents.
- Affordability: Because baby food makers are available in every price range from $20 to $200, it’s essential to decide what features you need and what you’re willing to pay to make your life easier. However, the cost is not necessarily an indicator of performance or quality.
Some options cost more because they have additional features you may not want. But if you plan to use your baby food maker every day, investing in an efficient and easy-to-use option might be beneficial. - Size: Do you need a compact option that fits on your countertop but will require making multiple batches of baby puree? Or are you hoping for a large-capacity baby food maker that prepares bigger batches?
- Age: If your little one hasn’t been born yet, you may want to consider a baby food maker with a bottle warmer. When starting your baby on solid food, it’s also essential to feed them a smooth, fine puree without chunks, so look for a powerful baby food maker.
Benefits of Using a Baby Food Maker
- Cost: While buying a baby food maker requires more money upfront, it will save money by not needing to purchase pre-packaged baby food purees. Baby food is expensive, and that’s not even considering organic or natural baby foods.
- Health: There’s no way to know every ingredient in a jar of store-bought baby food. By making baby food at home, you get to control exactly what goes into your little one’s body.
- Portions: Jars or packages of baby food come in one size, even though babies may need different amounts. With homemade baby food, you can ensure your baby gets the ideal portion every time.
How We Chose Our Favorites
We consulted with experts and parents to narrow down the very best baby food makers. We also tapped into these experts' advice to find out which brands were readily available on Amazon.
According to the brand, this is the very first and best-selling baby food maker in the world! It allows you to choose from four stages to create chunky or smooth purees. Plus, all parts are BPA-free and without phthalates and lead.
“I did a lot of research into baby food makers and decided to go with the Beaba Babycook Solo. I wanted one that would steam, blend, defrost, and reheat plus be easy to clean. I’ve been using this for a week straight now and I absolutely love it!”
Included in the baby food-making system are a 32-ounce batch bowl and lid, a 12-ounce short cup with handles and re-sealable lid, six storage cups with date ring lids and storage tray, and a silicone freezer tray with lid for ample baby food storage. And it takes just a few minutes to clean in the dishwasher.
“I am a first-time mommy and highly wanted to make my child’s food from scratch. Everything came what was supposed to. Easy to use and clean. I love the storage containers and the freezer trays. If you are like me and want to make food from scratch, I highly recommend the baby bullet.”
This affordable 2-in-1 system comes with a portable baby food processor and immersion blender to create purees for all ages. Plus, the stainless steel blades are dishwasher-safe. It’s also made with food-safe plastic that is free of BPA, phthalate, lead, and PVC.
“I've tried several baby food makers and this one is the best there is. I like that it has the functionality of being a hand blender AND a regular blender. It's nice and quiet and super easy to clean up. I'm a single mom working two jobs and only feed commercial baby food when in a pinch.”
This baby food maker has a four-cup capacity and is one of the only options with a glass bowl. It steams and automatically blends food in just one step. Cleaning is also convenient with its removable water tank.
“I love this machine! You can make so many baby food recipes and it also comes with a little recipe book already. It’s easy to use and easy to clean as well. You can set it to steam&blend and let it do its thing while you do something else. Very convenient and haven’t had an issue with it at all. If you’re thinking about it, this is your sign to get it!”
For on-the-go, opt for this food masher that fits together inside the lidded bowl for convenient carrying. There aren’t any complicated parts to clean, and it features ridges that work together to scrape every last bit of food out of the bowl.
“This is great for on the go when you can’t plug the baby bullet in and use it. I use it to mash softer fruits and stuff when I’m on the go and can’t access my baby bullet. It works great, especially with bananas and soft fruits ... I also love the price, so I definitely say this is a product worth having if making your own baby food is something you want to do.”
Don’t worry about frightening your baby with the blending noise or waking them up from a nap, because this baby food maker is designed to be quieter than other options. The food is also evenly heated to preserve food nutrition. Plus, the compact design is ideal for small kitchens or convenient storage.
“You may have heard the criticisms regarding lots of baby food systems, things like ‘just use your food processor or blender’. You certainly can do that. However, if your child’s nursery is right next to your kitchen (like our situation) you will find this a quieter process. …. I find it easy to clean, easy to store, and very seamless”
No batteries or electricity are required to make homemade baby food with this mill design. It separates seeds and skins from the puree and features a built-in serving bowl ideal for traveling.
“Another thing that I LOVE about this grinder is that it's so easy to use and it's portable. I just throw it in the diaper bag when we go out to eat, and I can share my food with my son. Honestly, it has made eating out with a baby so much better!”
If cleaning all the parts of appliances is your least favorite task, consider this self-cleaning baby food maker. It’s also designed with a unique steaming cycle to lock in the nutrients, flavors, and vitamins from the delicious homemade baby food.
“You guys I’ve had this baby food maker for two years now and it still works great! I’ve had no issues whatsoever and I use it almost every day for my two-year-old. I started making her baby food purées and steaming veggies, and now I make her smoothies with it too. I love that I can still use it as she’s growing. It’s definitely a staple in our kitchen.”
Receive everything you need to make, store, and feed your baby homemade food with this 22-piece kit. This baby food blender features several adjustment stages to create smooth or chunky textures ideal for every weaning stage.
“This product is AMAZING! So easy to clean, and keep up with and I love that it comes with the little blending cup so I could make my daughter's food every day rather than in bulk. … On the go, I love taking it with me on trips with some fresh fruit and blending them up as I need instead of trying to keep frozen prepared food cold.”
Not only can you create smooth purees to feed a baby with this baby food maker, but it also comes with a smoothie sippy cup to ensure your toddler gets all the nutrients they need. Also included are six stackable cups for storage.
“This was so easy to use and never clogged or jammed. It’s a really good dupe for all the other fancy baby food blenders.”
