The 10 Best Baby Food Makers of 2023, Tested by Verywell Family
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Some of them are self-cleaning and can even warm bottles!
Fact checked by Marley HallMedically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD
Transitioning to solid foods is an exciting milestone for babies (and parents) that typically happens from 4 to 6 months of age for children who show signs of readiness. A baby food maker can take the stress—and mess—out of the process for parents and caregivers who want to make their own pureed recipes.
While some baby food makers are an upfront investment, the appliance can help you save money, time, and energy in the long run. Many baby food makers do more than steam and blend baby food; some self-clean so you don't have to hand wash, while others warm baby bottles and reheat food.
To find the best baby food makers, we referred to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for guidance on when babies can start eating solid foods and the different stages of food consistency. We also spoke to parents and medical professionals, including Arunima Agarwal, MD, and Brandi Naccari, MD. With this expert guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated baby food makers on the market, considering their design, ease of use, effectiveness, ease of cleaning, and overall value. We then narrowed our list to 16 baby food makers, which we put through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City.
After thorough testing, which included steaming and pureeing 20 pounds of carrots and peas and cleaning each unit, we selected the 10 best baby food makers to include in our list. We also sent them home with our editors, who will continue using them daily as they prepare food for their babies to determine their durability and quality in the real world. To ensure we're recommending the best baby food makers for families, we will update this list with editor feedback as we gain further insights into the food makers' long-term performance.
Best Overall: Nuby Mighty Blender 22-Piece Baby Food System
Pros
22 accessories for blending, storage, and more
Seamless and intuitive to use (no buttons or controls)
Smooth texture of various foods
Cons
Cannot run blender motor more than one minute at a time
The Nuby Mighty Blender Baby Food System stands out on our list because it comes with everything you need to create a range of delicious recipes for your baby. This baby food system includes a comprehensive blender and base, blade attachments for chopping or pureeing, food storage pots to store batches, a cookbook, and more. The number of accessories initially felt overwhelming, but the manufacturer's instructions are clear and detail exactly how to use each piece.
This compact baby food maker chops and purees various foods, from carrots to apples. Unfortunately, the Nuby baby food maker doesn't have a steaming function, but the set does include a steam basket that pops into the microwave for quick steaming. We steamed one cup of carrots and one cup of peas, and it took only 2.5 minutes for the veggies to soften properly for pureeing.
Two blade and two bowl attachments allow users to chop or mill small or large quantities of food, such as sweet potatoes or oats. There's only one way to operate the Nuby Mighty Blender—and we love that it doesn't involve any buttons. Press the blender bowl onto the motor, then release pressure when you reach your desired consistency. If you push the blender bowl down and stop in between, we found that you can create a "pulse" function for various consistencies, including beginner's purees and chunkier toddler mini-meals. While not too loud, it was somewhat challenging to converse during blending. One important note: The company recommends against running the blender motor for more than one minute at a time.
We're impressed with the smooth texture of the foods after pureeing. The Nuby Mighty Blender did a great job blending ingredients, but we had to tinker with how much water was necessary for pureeing. For example, the carrots called for one-quarter cup of water, though we actually needed half a cup. Still, you can make up to 3.5 cups of food in the large blender bowl and enough food for one to two feedings in the smaller "bullet" cup.
The manufacturer's instructions say only the glass blender bowl and glass bullet cup are safe for the dishwasher (all plastic pieces are hand wash only). The blender lid saw the most mess during the blending process and had some orange staining from carrots after just one use. However, all parts disassemble for cleaning purposes, and we had no problem reaching any nooks or crannies with running water from a faucet.
We were shocked by the price tag of the Nuby Mighty Blender—but in a good way. It was the most straightforward baby food maker to use, and it even comes with nearly two dozen accessories for chopping and pureeing (so you only have to purchase food to get started).
Price at time of publication: $70
Key Specs:
Dimensions: Not listed | Capacity: 3.5 cups in blender bowl and 1 to 2 servings in "bullet" cup | Auto Shut-Off: No | Cleaning Instructions: Glass bowl and glass bullet cup are dishwasher safe, plastic pieces are hand wash only | Capabilities: Chop and puree
Best Blender: Nutribullet Baby Bullet Blender
Pros
Thorough instructions with illustrations
Quick and convenient to use
Compact size
Cons
No steaming function (only blender)
Short cord
Don’t let the compact size of the Nutribullet Baby Bullet Blender fool you—this baby food maker is quite mighty and blends recipes effortlessly and quickly. It comes with several accessories, like a freezer tray with a lid and storage cups, so you can keep items in the fridge or freezer (and save your other food containers). We appreciate how all pieces and accessories feel very durable—we’re convinced they would last a long time.
While there’s no steaming function, this machine features an automated blending cycle and pulse button, giving you full control over texture as your child grows. You only need to steam food items before putting them in the batch bowl, which attaches to the base.
The manufacturer’s instructions are a breeze to follow and include illustrations (and recipes!) on how to use the product. You’ll also find instructions directly on the motor base that detail how to turn the batch bowl to begin blending. To blend, simply press the bowl down onto the base and blend to your desired consistency. You can continuously stop pressing the bowl during blending to replicate a pulse function. The biggest downside to the machine’s design is the short cord. Otherwise, it’s surprisingly quiet compared to other baby food makers we tested.
Like the Nuby baby food maker, we recommend eyeballing food to liquid ratio with the Nutribullet Baby Bullet Blender. We steamed one cup of carrots with half a cup of water and the consistency had a slight texture. If we had added more water, the texture would have been smoother and thinner for beginner eaters. The whole blending process is fast and convenient. Plus, we love the built-in spout on the batch bowl, which makes it seamless to transfer baby food into the included small storage cups or freezer trays.
One of our favorite features of the Nutribullet Baby Bullet Blender is its dishwasher-safe pieces. All components, including the batch bowl and storage cups, are safe to toss in the dishwasher. The only pieces unsafe for the dishwasher are the motor base and blade attachments. We washed everything by hand in the lab, and all parts and components disassembled easily. Moreover, there aren’t too many crevices to reach for a thorough cleaning, and everything came out spotless.
The Nutribullet baby food maker has a fair price because it comes with several accessories you don’t have to buy separately. Plus, Nutribullet offers a warranty against defects in materials and quality for one year after the original date of purchase (just be sure to register your product for it to take effect).
Price at time of publication: $70
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.2 x 11 inches | Capacity: 4 cups | Auto Shut-Off: No | Cleaning Instructions: All pieces dishwasher safe except motor base and blade attachments | Capabilities: Blend and puree
Best Steamer and Blender: The First Years First Fresh Foods Blender & Steamer
Pros
3-in-1 design
Auto shut-off when water tank is empty
Blade and bowl are dishwasher safe
Cons
No texture/consistency settings
If you’re looking for a baby food maker that steams and blends recipes in one machine, you’ll love The First Years First Fresh Foods Blender & Steamer. While this baby food maker doesn’t come with any accessories, its 3-in-1 design gives you the option to steam only, blend only, or use both functions. It’s approximately the same size as a regular blender or food processor, leaving plenty of prep space on the counter. The whole machine feels sturdy and looks durable for long-term use.
During testing, we thought the manufacturer’s instructions were seamless to follow, thanks to clear illustrations. For the steaming process, fill the removable water tank with the proper amount of water and then turn the dial to choose your preferred steam time (5 to 30 minutes). We steamed one cup of carrots for 15 minutes (according to the instructions), and they came out just soft enough to pierce with a fork. For babies beginning solids, we suggest adding two to three more minutes of steaming before blending.
We appreciate that the baby food maker steams silently and automatically shuts off as a safety precaution when the water tank is empty. Unfortunately, while a bell sound lets you know when food finishes steaming, the same can’t be said for when the water tank is empty. We recommend filling the water tank each time to ensure it doesn’t shut off halfway through the steaming cycle.
Push the button in the middle of the dial to blend food to your desired texture. When comparing the food we prepped in the lab to jar baby food, the two consistencies weren’t the same. The jar food was slightly more creamy and smooth, while ours resembled an applesauce texture. However, the color of the jar food couldn’t compare to the vibrancy of the fresh food we prepared in the food makers.
Cleaning this baby food maker is simple. Twist the bowl to unlock it and lift it off the base (it’s the same process as the lid). All parts and pieces come out individually, and there are no deep or hidden spots to worry about reaching. While the blade and bowl are dishwasher safe, we found them just as easy to clean by hand washing.
The First Years First Fresh Foods Blender and Steamer may not come with accessories, but it offers three functional options to make baby food. Plus, you don’t have to worry about steaming food beforehand—steam and blend everything in just one machine.
Price at time of publication: $100
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 8.25 x 10 x 15 inches | Capacity: 3+ cups | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cleaning Instructions: Blade and bowl dishwasher safe | Capabilities: Steamer and blender
Related: The 10 Best Bottle Warmers of 2023, Tested by Verywell Family
Best Compact: Nutribullet Baby Steam + Blend
Pros
Three blending choices plus steaming
Easy-to-use dial
Bowl and lid are dishwasher safe
Cons
Cannot choose steaming time (one preset timer)
Unclear instructions
The Nutribullet Baby Steam + Blend shines as our best compact pick because of its small size that takes up little countertop or cupboard space. This baby food maker measures 9.69 x 6.1 x 9.13 inches and can steam and blend food. It has an automated blending cycle that allows you to steam your vegetables for approximately 25 minutes before automatically blending the food. There's also a pulse button, which lets parents and caregivers create various textures.
It took some time for us to understand the instructions during testing. There are no buttons to fuss with, only a dial with three options: steam, blend or pulse, and auto. A blue light flashes to let you know the machine is on and working, but it could be brighter. We recommend reading the instructions first if you want to play around with the unit. Once you understand the machine's functions, it's straightforward to operate it.
The machine has a pre-set timer for steaming (you can't control the timing). When steaming room-temperature carrots, the timer went off at 26 minutes, and then at 27 minutes when we steamed frozen peas. While the carrots cooked well, we thought the peas could soften a little more. We recommend using the machine's defrost setting (the steam button) to gently heat frozen food before starting a full steaming cycle. For immediate steaming, room temperature may work best for the pre-set steaming time.
An important note: If you remove food immediately after steaming, we suggest parents and caregivers wear a cooking mitt to protect skin from burns. After you select your blending choice and puree the food, five beeps let you know when the food is ready. The carrots we blended came out just right, but the peas felt cold. We recommend room temp or warm food before steaming or blending.
The Nutribullet Baby Steam + Blend is fairly simple to clean. The bowl and lid are dishwasher safe and disassemble from its base effortlessly. However, you must wipe down the motor base, blending blade, and blade holder. Cleaning the machine isn't a challenge; just watch out for the blade—it's impressively sharp!
The price of this Nutribullet baby steamer and blender is spot on for all its functions you receive in return. While there are no additional accessories, Nutribullet offers several you can purchase separately, like a freezer storage tray or meal prep kit.
Price at time of publication: $100
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 9.69 x 6.1 x 9.13 inches | Capacity: 300 ml (1.27 cups) | Auto Shut-Off: No | Cleaning Instructions: Bowl and lid are dishwasher safe | Capabilities: Defrost, steam, and blend
Related: The Best Baby Spoons and Utensils for Easy Feeding at Any Mealtime
Best Glass: BEABA Babycook Neo Baby Food Maker
Pros
Steam, blend, defrost, and reheat
Quick blending process
Modern style
Cons
Difficult to press blending button
If you prefer an alternative to plastic, the Béaba Babycook Neo with a glass bowl is a great option; it doesn’t absorb stains or odors, leaves less residue, is easy to clean, and is environmentally friendly. The Babycook Neo is a 4-in-1 food processor that steams, mixes, defrosts, and reheats baby food. It comes with one steamer basket that holds 4 cups of food, while its bowl holds up to 5 cups, so you can prep several servings simultaneously.
Despite unhelpful instructions, we found the Béaba baby food maker easy to use during testing. It features two buttons on the front of the water reservoir: a steam cloud for steaming and a blade symbol for blending. Unfortunately, we found the blending button difficult to press during our test, so we resorted to using a fork to push it in.
The built-in steamer doesn’t have timer increments to choose from. Instead, it steams based on how much water you add to the reservoir, taking anywhere from 13 to 24 minutes. Veggies felt soft and tender after one cycle. Blending is much quicker, as you control the texture and how long you want to puree the food. The steaming portion of the Béaba baby food maker is quiet, but we thought the blender was medium loud. Carrots and peas blended well, with the peas feeling smooth and the carrots resembling applesauce consistency.
Cleaning the unit is simple because there are few components to this baby food maker. The steamer basket, lid, and glass chamber are all dishwasher safe. Plus, there aren’t many cracks and crevices to try and reach, making cleaning even more manageable.
The Béaba Babycook Neo is the highest-priced baby food maker we tested and on our list. While not the most budget-friendly, the machine does a great job blending and steaming food. Plus, it comes in three modern color combinations: cloud (white and gray), eucalyptus (green and rose gold), and midnight (dark blue and light pink).
Price at time of publication: $260
Key Specs:
Dimensions: Not listed | Capacity: 5.2 cups | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cleaning Instructions: Glass chamber, lid, and steamer basket are dishwasher safe | Capabilities: Steam, mix, defrost, and reheat
Best Self-Cleaning: Evla’s Baby Food Maker
Pros
Includes six reusable food pouches
Straightforward instructions with videos
Automatically switches from steam to blend
Cons
Two blending cycles necessary to reach stage one consistency
A kitchen appliance that cleans itself sounds too good to be true, but in this case, it’s not. Evla’s Baby Food Maker features a unique self-cleaning cycle, so you don’t have to do the dirty work. Add some water and a drop of soap, and the machine does the rest for you. In addition to its unique cleaning feature, this baby food processor defrosts, steams, blends, and reheats food. While the back of the machine is bulky, the overall size is slim enough to live on the countertop and doesn’t feel like it will tip over. We love that this baby food steamer and blender comes with six reusable food pouches for feeding on the go.
The company includes straightforward instructions and offers video links for additional help setting up the machine. To use Evla’s Baby Food Maker, fill the water tank and add vegetables, fruits, chicken, or other ingredients to the machine’s pitcher. One of our favorite safety features is that the machine will not work if the lid isn’t properly on. Times on the side of the machine tell you how long it takes to steam different types of food, which is convenient and helpful for cooking. It took approximately 15 minutes to steam one cup of carrots. We love the digital touchscreen display that’s easy to control. While you can’t switch back and forth between steaming and blending, we love how the machine automatically blends food after steaming. During the auto-blend process, the machine blends for a few seconds, pauses, and then continues, repeating the process until a beep indicates the cycle is over.
Evla’s Baby Food Maker works well, though one round of the auto-blend cycle wasn’t enough to make the carrot puree into a stage 1 consistency (liquified). We found our carrots slightly chunky but thought another cycle of the blend setting would make the texture more smooth (but if two cycles of the blend setting result in a chunky texture, your veggies likely need more steaming). Despite not achieving our desired consistency the first time, we can’t ignore the bright orange of the carrots that looked fresh and appealing compared to jar baby food.
Evla’s baby food processor is on the higher end of the price range for a baby food maker. However, its self-cleaning feature is worth the upfront investment and will save you time washing individual parts and pieces.
Price at time of publication: $125
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 8 x 12.3 x 12.9 inches | Capacity: Not listed | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cleaning Instructions: Machine is self-cleaning, and water tank wipes down | Capabilities: Defrost, steam, blend, and reheat
Related: The 12 Best High Chairs of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Even Steaming: Beaba Babycook Express Baby Food Maker
Pros
Large capacity bowl
Automatic shut-off timer
Built-in spatula holder (spatula included)
Cons
Didn’t finish steaming/blending in 15 minutes or less
Whether steaming on the stovetop or in the microwave, some veggies just don’t get soft, regardless of how long you steam them. The Béaba Babycook Express is no match for stubborn veggies; this baby food machine is ideal for thoroughly softening various veggies, like carrots and peas. In addition to its bowl, mixing blade, steaming basket, and lid, the machine also comes with a spatula that stores neatly in a built-in holder on the side of the unit. The baby food maker is fairly slim and slightly larger than your average toaster because of its large bowl (5.2 cups). Despite the base being somewhat heavy, the machine feels high quality.
Instructions are necessary to understand how the Béaba Babycook Express operates. There are symbols for the dial, but it’s unclear what they do unless you read the instructions. Once you read through the manual, the baby food maker is seamless to use.
While the company says you can create meals in less than 15 minutes, we didn’t find that true when making one cup of carrots and nearly one cup of peas. We love how veggies are tender and soft enough to blend after one run of the steaming cycle, which took under 20 minutes.
The spatula fits into two slots on the steaming basket to make removing the accessory easier—and safer—without burning your fingers. To blend, twist the dial to the blend setting and hold it there or pulse until you reach your desired consistency. While there aren’t specific settings for different feeding stages, you can do as little or as much blending as you’d like with the manual dial.
After the first cycle of steaming and blending, the veggies were super smooth and had the right texture to feed littles. The food was appealing compared to baby food in a jar, with the pea mixture appearing bright green rather than brown like the jar food.
The Béaba Babycook Express isn’t ideal for cleaning due to several nooks and crannies that can collect gunk if you don’t properly wash. On the plus side, there are several dishwasher-safe parts, and the wide opening of the water tank makes it easy to reach inside.
Compared to the Béaba Babycook Neo, the Express is $70 cheaper. While still on the pricey end of the spectrum, the Express is a versatile machine you can use well after your child transitions away from purees. Béaba includes recipes on its website for kids ages 5 to 18 months.
Price at time of publication: $190
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 9.84 x 6.69 x 9.84 inches | Capacity: 5.2 cups | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cleaning Instructions: Some dishwasher-safe parts | Capabilities: Defrost, steam, blend, and reheat
Related: The 27 Best Infant Toys of 2023
Best for Single Servings: Chefhandy Baby Food Processor
Pros
Water tank shortage reminder
Light-up digital display
Food and steam times on side of machine
Cons
Difficult to properly line lids/pitcher and lock
The Chefhandy Baby Food Processor is one impressive machine for single servings. It features a 5-in-1 design, meaning it steams, automatically or manually blends, warms bottles, and sterilizes for deeper cleaning. The food processor surprisingly reaps a thin and small design for all its capabilities. It arrives with two reusable food pouches, one baby pacifier, and one spoon.
We love the digital control panel that's like the machine's motherboard. The intuitive control panel is where you choose which function you want to use, and it also sends you alerts, like a water shortage reminder for the tank and if the cover did not properly close. Moreover, it counts down how much time is left for steaming, which we thought was convenient so you can do another task (or relax) while you wait.
We appreciated the straightforward instructions during testing. Fill the water tank, add food to the steamer basket, steam the veggies, pour the steamed food into the pitcher, and hit the puree button. The pitcher is small but just right for single servings; it makes approximately one cup of food. There's only one button to press to change from steam to puree mode. And if a quiet machine is important to you, the Chefhandy will surely impress again. We thought the baby food maker was quiet while steaming and pureeing (almost like a gentle humming).
The side of the machine features food and steam times. The company recommends 20 minutes for carrots and other vegetables, which we found accurate (15 minutes worked for peas, though). The food looked great after the steaming and blending process. If you need to change the puree stage, we suggest running the machine through another cycle.
There aren't too many pieces to disassemble for cleaning, but the machine does the work for you. The company includes a sterilizing packet to put in the water, and then you turn the sterilizer function on. The smaller components of the machine are also dishwasher safe.
While the Chefhandy Baby Food Processor is ideal for single servings, it's essentially five appliances in one machine. Additionally, it comes in several color options to match your kitchen decor.
Price at time of publication: $120
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 11.3 x 6.54 x 12.71 inches | Capacity: 1 cup | Auto Shut-Off: Not listed | Cleaning Instructions: Self-cleaning through sterilizer mode, and small components are dishwasher safe | Capabilities: Steam, blend, warm bottle, and sterilize
Best Hand Blender: Braun MultiQuick 5 Baby Food Maker and Hand Blender
Pros
Lightweight, space-saving design
Four accessories included
Blends food fast and smoothly
Cons
Chopper accessory doesn’t finely chop
The Braun MultiQuick Hand Blender puts you in control, allowing you to make your baby’s food to your liking. Though it doesn’t steam food, this handheld blender has a powerful motor to accommodate two speed settings for customized food textures. This baby food maker is a lightweight handheld blender that’s easy to store in a drawer. We love how simple it is to hold and maneuver and the single power button. It comes with a silicone freezer container, chopper, mixing beaker with a lid, and a spatula.
The instructions for the Braun handheld blender gave us mixed feelings during testing. While the word instructions could be clearer, the picture tutorials explain the process well. We loved controlling the shaft and how easy it is to see what you’re mixing. Unfortunately, we encountered challenges with the chopper accessory; we had to continuously shake the food inside to loosen it from the blade. Moreover, the chopper left behind large chunks of carrots. Otherwise, the blending shaft pureed food beautifully in about 30 seconds (after we steamed them in a microwave). There’s even a unique anti-splash design to prevent messes during blending.
Taking apart the Braun MultiQuick Hand Blender is straightforward; we had no issues disassembling pieces for the cleaning test. The plastic parts are safe for the dishwasher, but you must hand wipe the shaft for cleaning. We did notice orange staining from the carrots after one use (and one dishwasher cycle).
Despite the chopper accessory requiring more effort, we love the blender shaft and how smooth baby food came out. This pick is also a fantastic option for families with limited counter space.
Price at time of publication: $123
Key Specs:
Dimensions: Not listed | Capacity: Chopper holds 1.4 cups, and beaker holds 2.5 cups | Auto Shut-Off: No | Cleaning Instructions: Plastic pieces safe for dishwasher, the shaft is wipe down only | Capabilities: Chop and blend
Related: The 9 Best Straw Sippy Cups of 2023
Best Automatic: Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Processor Deluxe
Pros
Steam and blends automatically
Includes food pouches and funnels
Detailed cleaning instructions
Cons
Complex instructions for use and cleaning
There’s a reason this baby food maker includes “One Step” in its name. The Baby Brezza Glass One Step automatically steams and blends baby food in a single step without removing food or pushing buttons. We love the compact size of the machine and its included accessories, like food pouches with three funnels for a mess-free transfer. The unit feels high quality and sturdy, thanks to suction cups on the base that prevent the machine from sliding during use.
In addition to steaming and blending, the Baby Brezza food maker defrosts and reheats food. Because this is a complex machine, the instructions are lengthy but easy to understand. The company details how to use each function: steam and blend, steam only, blend only, reheat, and defrost. An additional booklet doubles as cooking guidelines for basic foods and includes the recommended quantity and how long to steam. Once you set the recommended steam time, the machine automatically transitions from steam to blend without interruption. We followed the suggested steaming time for carrots (25 minutes) and found that time to be just right. However, the texture was slightly chunkier than expected after the automatic blending.
The food bowl and blade disassemble effortlessly for dishwasher or hand wash cleaning. We appreciate that the company details how to clean other important parts of the unit, such as the heating plate, base, and driveshaft, in the instruction manual.
The Baby Brezza Glass One Step is costly compared to other options on our list. However, Baby Brezza offers a one-year limited warranty to cover any defects. Plus, the company offers 20% off your first order ($75+) for military, first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers.
Price at time of publication: $130
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 11 x 8.75 x 8.5 inches | Capacity: 3.5 cups | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cleaning Instructions: Bowl and blade are dishwasher safe | Capabilities: Defrost, steam, blend, and reheat
How We Rated Baby Food Makers
4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best baby food makers we tested. We recommend them without reservation.
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These baby food makers are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.
4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great baby food makers, but others are better.
3.5 to 3.9 stars: These baby food makers are just average.
3.4 and below: We don't recommend baby food makers with this rating; you won't find any on our list.
Baby Food Makers We Also Tested
Béaba Babycook Solo Baby Food Maker: We love the simple design of the Béaba Babycook Solo, which is available in many neutral colors to match your kitchen decor. The machine steams and blends food with the push and twist of a single dial. However, the vegetables took 20 minutes to steam, and they were slightly chunky and thick after blending.
Green Sprouts Baby Food Mill: The Green Sprouts Baby Food Mill is a budget-friendly and quiet manual baby food maker (less than $20) that's a breeze to clean in the dishwasher. During testing, we didn't like that it required a lot of strength and force to grind out any chunks.
BabyMoov Duo Meal Station Food Maker: This is a 6-in-1 food processor that steams, blends, purees, warms, defrosts, and sterilizes. We could steam peas and carrots separately in stacked cups, and the blended food looked nice. Unfortunately, the instructions were unhelpful, and it took three of our parenting editors to learn how to use the machine and all its parts.
How We Tested Baby Food Makers
Eight parenting editors evaluated 16 baby food makers at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City. We assessed each baby food maker on several attributes: design, ease of use, effectiveness, ease of cleaning, and overall value. We also spoke with Arunima Agarwal, MD, a New York-based board-certified pediatrician, and Brandi Naccari, MD, a board-certified pediatrician with Children’s Hospital New Orleans, to learn more about what to look for in a baby food maker and when babies can start eating solid foods. Moreover, we referred to the AAP, CDC, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for guidance on how and when to introduce solid foods and the proper food consistency for different stages.
Before our test began, we equipped our parenting editors with 10 pounds of frozen peas, 10 pounds of baby carrots, aprons to protect clothes, dish and paper towels for cleanup, a microwave steamer (for baby food makers that don’t feature a steaming component), one jar each of peas and carrots for comparison, and access to a dishwasher and sink. For this test, we made stage one baby foods, which are thin and smooth in consistency.
First, we examined the condition of each baby food maker for any manufacturing flaws. We made notes of included accessories when possible, such as food pouches, freezer bags, steamer baskets, and more. Next, we asked our parenting editors to put an apron on and read the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly.
To test the food makers' effectiveness, editors prepared one cup of carrots following the manufacturer’s recommendations, and added them to the steamer portion of the baby food maker, if applicable. We added water to the reservoirs and tanks to the proper levels and steamed the veggies. For baby food makers without a steaming function, we steamed one cup of carrots with two tablespoons of water in a microwavable steamer in the lab’s microwave for 2.5 minutes or until soft enough to pierce with a fork.
After steaming, we added the carrots to the blending compartment of the baby food maker and blended the food according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We made notes of the consistencies of the purees, like whether they were smooth or had chunky pieces, along with the smell. We removed the pureed carrots from the machines to determine how many servings the food maker made. Then, we compared the consistency and texture of the carrots with a jar of baby food to note any variables and differences. Lastly, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to disassemble the baby food maker and clean it by hand, noting if the cleaning process was difficult or easy.
Once we finished the first test with carrots, we also prepared one cup of frozen peas and followed the same cooking process as the carrots. However, if a baby food maker had no steaming function, we steamed the frozen peas with one-third of a cup of water in the microwave for one to two minutes. Following the steaming and blending processes, we cleaned each baby food maker via dishwasher when applicable. We examined the machines for nooks and crannies where food remained stuck.
Following our initial testing, we sent our favorites for families to use at home and evaluate the same attributes we tested in the lab. To ensure we’re recommending the best baby food makers, we’ll continue to use these machines daily to evaluate durability and longevity. We will update our list with current information on how the baby food makers hold up in the real world.
What to Look for in a Baby Food Maker
Functionality
Baby food makers come with various functions, such as steaming, blending, reheating, defrosting, and sterilizing. Sometimes, all these functions are in one machine, while others only perform one or two tasks. If you're looking for an appliance to take you from raw veggie to smooth, steamed puree, choose a product that steams and blends, like The First Years First Fresh Foods Blender & Steamer. Dr. Agarwal recommends adding water, breast milk, or formula to recipes that need more thinning. If you have an older baby who eats more textured items, a handheld blender, such as the Green Sprouts Mill or Braun MultiQuick Hand Blender, may meet your needs.
Also, consider how, what, and where you will feed your baby. If you want to feed your baby on the go or store items for the long term, look for a baby food maker that includes reusable food pouches or freezer trays. Think about what you will be cooking, as some baby food makers work well for fruits and vegetables but aren't as compatible with meats or grains.
Cost
A higher cost is not always indicative of better performance; however, some of the more expensive baby food makers we tested do feature versatile designs with multiple functions. Start by considering how often you plan on using the baby food maker. If you want to make most or all of your baby's food, investing in a high-quality appliance that will simplify your life may be worth it in the long run. An investment may also be worth it if you use the product for multiple children. A less expensive option may be best if you use the unit for a few months or single servings.
Dr. Naccari recommends determining your family's budget and which functions you want in a baby food maker. Both she and Dr. Agarwal agree that a baby food maker is not necessary to make baby food. You can opt for a regular blender, food processor, or handheld mixer and accomplish the same goal.
Care and Maintenance
Always read the care instructions to learn how to clean your baby food maker properly. Because the machine makes food for your baby, ensuring it's properly cleaned after each use is important to avoid potential foodborne illness. If you're short on time or energy (or both), a dishwasher-safe or self-cleaning option, like Evla's Baby Food Processor, will be a lifesaver.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do babies start eating solids?
According to Dr. Agarwal and Dr. Naccari, babies can start eating solid foods between 4 and 6 months (no earlier than 4 months), as long as they are ready for the transition to solid foods. According to the AAP, babies should be able to hold their heads up, open their mouths when food comes their way, move food from a spoon to their throat, and be double their birth weight to begin eating solid foods.
You can start with baby food purees, either homemade or store-bought, or with baby-led weaning. While your baby’s first foods are your choice, the food should be soft or pureed to prevent choking, such as pureed carrots, peas, or well-cooked pasta. Be sure to steam hard fruits or vegetables, such as apples or carrots, so they’ll puree easier.
Dr. Naccari and Dr. Agarwal recommend that you introduce one new food every three to five days and monitor for potential allergic reactions. However, Dr. Naccari and the AAP say there’s no evidence you need to wait to introduce common food allergens, such as eggs, peanuts, fish, soy, and dairy, to prevent food allergies. Within a few months of starting solid foods, babies should receive a variety of foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, and cereals, Dr. Naccari adds.
Is it worth getting a baby food maker?
Making your own baby food can be cheaper than buying store-bought baby food. For example, consider the cost of a single sweet potato, which could yield two to three servings of baby food, versus the cost of two or three jars of pre-made baby food. This comparison doesn’t mean you should never buy jars of baby food, but you may be spending more money than if you prepare the same recipes at home.
Preparing homemade baby food may be less convenient for busy families, so consider your family’s lifestyle and the time you have to prep items. For the ultimate convenience, opt for a baby food maker that steams and blends (and more) so you don’t have to use a microwave, stovetop, and separate blender to get the job done.
How long do babies eat purees?
Dr. Naccari and Dr. Agarwal agree that babies usually move from purees to finger foods with a texture between 8 to 10 months. Both pediatricians recommend cutting foods into small pieces to prevent choking and avoiding honey until babies turn one due to the risk of botulism.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, there are three developmental stages of food consistency.
Stage 1 (typically 4 to 6 months old): Liquified purees
Stage 2 (typically 6 to 9 months old): Thicker-consistency purees
Stage 3 (typically 10 to 12 months old): Slowly replace purees with soft, chewable chunks of food/finger foods
Overall, be mindful of choking hazards until you are confident your baby masters chewing and swallowing.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son. Katrina used the Nutribullet Baby Bullet Food Blender when her son started eating solid foods. She loved controlling how long to blend food and the dishwasher-safe pieces that made for easy and fast cleanup. Those storage cups with smiley faces also look super cute in the fridge.
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