For many soon-to-be parents, the vision of taking care of their baby’s food makes their blood run cold. Some people don’t even know how to optimize a diet for themselves, let alone such a little being with completely different nutritional needs.
While it’s possible to rely on ready made meals for babies sold in jars, you should ask yourself two questions:
- Is mass-produced food actually healthy for your child?
- How does mass production impact the environment?
Once you realize that cutting corners isn’t the most responsible option when it comes to your baby’s nutrition, it becomes clear you should turn back from the dark side of the force and start making homemade meals to take care of the baby’s health.
Somewhere along the way, you’ll need a smart and trusted appliance to help you with cooking up big batches of fresh food.
Being a parent entails dozens of tasks to take care of — sometimes simultaneously — so a decent baby food maker will not only help you save money but also maintain sanity in that chaos.
In our all-inclusive guide to the best baby food makers, we look at:
- The perks of buying a baby food maker
- What to look for in a good baby food processor
- The best baby food makers on the market in 2019
If you already have one child and want to skip the ordeal of making baby meals using regular kitchen equipment, you can go straight to our ranking.
For less experienced parents, though, we recommend reading our buying guide at the bottom section of the article.
Ready for shopping?
Best Baby Food Makers for 2019
These baby food makers we list below are an easy way to ensure your child is getting the healthiest ingredients in the freshest way possible. They do all the dirty work for you with a few touches of the button and have scored high in our performance tests for ease of use, built quality, safety standards,and efficiency.
1. Beaba Babycook (Top Chef)
Pros:
- A 4-in-1 unit
- Allows you to fit several servings of food in one batch
- Stainless steel and dishwasher-safe parts
- All surfaces that come in contact with food are phthalate-free
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- The steam tank is difficult to clean
- Priced higher than competition
What We Like About Beaba Babycook:
This 4-in-1 baby food maker is one of the best units on the market for young parents who ar looking for safe, easy-to-use, and efficient food processors.
Even though it comes with a higher price tag than other options, we believe it’s worth the extra cost. The BEABA is both efficient and capacious. Its 4.7-cup capacity allows the user to fit several servings of food in one batch.
It’s a 1-button machine, so you can steam, pure, defrost, or reheat your food while carrying your baby in one arm. The unit has been designed with stainless steel elements, and all the surfaces coming in contact with food are entirely children-safe.
Making a meal for your baby with BEABA Babycook takes less than 20 minutes. Parents usually use it to make baby puree, but the sharp blades also make it possible to blend frozen fruits and veggies.
When it comes to cleaning BEABA Babycook, the process is fairly easy; plus, most parts are dishwasher safe. The only issue we have noticed when using the machine was the development of mineral deposit with anything other than distilled water. Nonetheless, if you descale the unit with vinegar very few months — as suggested by Beaba — it won’t cause any danger to your baby’s health.
If you can allow yourself to spend around $150 on a top-notch baby food maker, this model is a keeper.
2. Cuisinart BFM-1000 Baby Food Maker and Bottle Warmer (Jack of All Trades)
Pros:
- A 3-in-1 device
- Doesn’t take up too much counter space
- Has an added bottle warmer feature on the back
- Powerful motor
- Super easy to clean
Cons:
- Plastic components
- It does a better job with steaming than pureeing the food
- No defrosting and reheating features
What We Like About Cuisinart BFM-1000:
This fantastic unit costs about $50 less than the Beaba Babycook Pro but comes with similar features. There are a lot of great things to highlight in this baby food maker.
First of all, it’s a smooth system that takes very little counter space.
Second, it does the steaming, chopping, and pureeing, which is everything you need to make nutritious food for your little one.
And the last but not least, it also has an added bottle warmer feature on the back. The warmer heats it to an ideal temperature for your baby.
The Cuisinart BFM-1000 baby food maker has a very powerful motor, an effective steamer, and provides parents with the much needed efficiency. The blades are sharp and durable as well, and we’ve found the whole unit extremely easy to clean.
The only aspect where this device falls short is the bowl capacity, which is 4 cups. Other than that, it’s an excellent baby food maker, one we can recommend in good conscience.
3. Babymoov Duo Meal Station (The Command Center)
Pros:
- A 6-in-1 machine
- Has two separate layers from steaming
- Sterilizes and warms bottles
- High blending speed without too much effort on your side
- Capacious yet still portable
- The overall cleanup is simple
Cons:
- The control pad has a difficult learning curve
- Made of plastic components
- It takes longer than the advertised 15 minutes to prepare the food properly
What We Like About the Babymoov Duo Meal Station:
One baby food maker, so many uses! This 6-in-1 device is the best choice for your overall convenience. You can use it to blend, steam, cook, warm, and defrost different foods, but the machine also warms and sterilizes baby bottles.
As the name suggests, the Babymoov Duo Meal Station baby food maker gives you the ability to steam two separate layers of food for different cook times, which ensures all the flavors and nutrients are preserved in your baby’s meal.
There are three different speeds, so you can have it as thin as thick for the baby as it can handle. This feature proves especially useful for children who are at the initial stages of eating solids.
Babymoov Duo Meal Station gives you up to 25 servings of food per one cooking session, and it does it within 15–20 minutes. The only drawbacks we’ve managed to spot in our tests was the design of the control pad (it’s a bit difficult to read) and the fact the unit is made of plastic. Given this, certain food may cause it to stain over time.
4. Magic Bullet Baby Bullet Baby Care System (Mini Must-Have)
Pros:
- An all-inclusive baby food making package
- Comes with baby food storage containers (fridge and freezer)
- Equipped with a feeding cup
- Includes a cookbook for new parents
Cons:
- Parents report various reliability issues (cracking plastic, broken seals, etc.)
- It doesn’t steam food
- The engine works loudly
What We Like About the Magic Bullet Baby Food Maker:
The Baby Bullet was a trailblazer for all the other food makers, one that catered specifically to new parents.
The unit comes with baby food storage containers (fridge and freezer), a feeding cup, and a baby cookbook for those having no idea how to balance meals for their little ones.
On the one hand, this is great because it saves you much time you’d otherwise spend looking for baby food recipes. Not to mention it’s just easier to have everything included in the all-in-one kit.
But on the other hand, there are some issues with this baby food maker you should be aware of.
To begin with, it’s nice to have a blender that comes with so many compartments for storing and transporting baby food so easily, but you can separately buy the storage containers and get a high-quality blender at a similar price point.
Moreover, the Bullet Baby is missing something very important, especially for smaller babies — it doesn’t have a steamer. With that said, it’s a glorified food blender with a smiley face on the side to turn parents into thinking it’s an actual baby food maker.
We’ve also found many customers complaining about the noisy engine and several reliability issues including cracking plastic and broken seals.
But, if you’re looking for a food processor that comes at an affordable price and includes a whole package of useful baby food storage and feeding appliances, this model is a good option to consider. You can buy it for as little as $60.
5. Baby Brezza One Step Glass Food Maker (All-in-1 Glass)
Pros:
- A one-button baby food maker for steaming and blending
- Makes food in about 10 minutes
- Removable reservoir
- The display is easy to read and understand
- The only all-in-one steamer and blender using glass bowl
Cons:
- Some customers report reliability issues after a few months
What We Like About Baby Brezza One Step Glass Food Maker
With a decent capacity of 4 cups, the Baby Brezza unit is an easy and convenient baby food maker that can fit on the counter without taking too much space.
This device includes some really stellar features. For example, it comes with a one-button option for steaming and blending, which allows you to prepare delicious and healthy meals for your little munchkin within 10 minutes. If you only want to steam or blend your ingredients there are also separate buttons for that.
Another great feature is that you can easily remove the water reservoir, which proves invaluable for cleaning the unit.
In addition, it has an easy-to-read display that tells you how much time you need to wait until your baby can enjoy the meal. But the most important feature is that this baby food maker is the ony all-in-one steamer and blender using a glass bowl.
This means you no longer have to worry about whether there are harmful chemicals getting into your baby’s food, or is the plastic BPA-free because the glass bowl eliminates this problem. Both the glass bowl and the blade can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
6. QOOC Mini Baby Food Maker (Compact and Quiet)
Pros:
- A 4-in-1 baby food maker
- Functional and portable
- Has a large and easy-to-use button on the side
- All components coming into contact with food are BPA-free
- The motor is quiet
Cons:
- Relatively small capacity (2 cups)
What We Like About QOOC Mini Baby Food Maker:
A newcomer to the scene, the QOOC Mini Baby Food Maker is making some serious headlines. It’s a very compact unit, perfectly fitting into smaller kitchens and good for parents who want to prepare smaller batches of food at home.
The unit is both small and simple, so we were surprised to learn it’s actually a 4-in-1 baby food maker. It does the usual steaming and blending, but it also reheats and defrosts food. If we were to compare its functionality to any of the other models listed in our ranking, we’d say it’s very similar to the Beaba Babycook.
You can operate on the QOOC Mini Baby Food Maker with just one hand; all you need to do is simply turn the button to blend or steam, and push it to start the machine — simple as that.
All elements that get into contact with food are free of lead or phthalates, so the unit is completely safe for your baby’s development. Some of the other perks worth mentioning ae the quiet motor and the ease with which you can refill the water tank — let alone the above counter space.
7. Infantino Squeeze Station (For On-the-Go Snacks)
Pros:
- Great for parents who are always on-the-go
- Comes with disposable food pouches
- The tubes are easy to press and fill
- Simple to clean
- Most parts are dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Because these pouches are disposable, you’ll have to keep buying more
- This baby food maker doesn’t puree the food, so you’ll need a blender or processor, too
What We Like About Infantino Squeeze Station:
There are plenty of benefits to using this unit. It’s definitely one of the best products for parents who travel a lot with their babies. The tubes are easy to fill and press, which allows you to provide the baby with nutritious meals that are also accessible on-the-go.
The design system used in the Infantino Squeeze Station is also stellar. Swapping out the pouches is extremely easy; you can fill up to 12 pouches within 20 minutes — without the time it takes to steam and process fruits and veggies.
The system can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher, as most parts are dishwasher-safe. The food doesn’t clog inside the machine, which is always a good thing when it comes to cleaning.
While we don’t have many bad things to say about this squeeze station, there are a few crunches young parents may stumble upon.
Namely, the unit won’t dispense food into the pouch if there are any larger chunks in the food you’re filling the tubes with. You need to do everything during processing to ensure the food is not chunky.
When you put too much food inside the containers and try to press them down, it can result in a mess, so extra caution is needed while filling them. There’s no fill line that would show you where the tube’s capacity ends.
But overall, this is an awesome product we would recommend to busy parents. There are no ifs ands or buts about its functionality, and once you get a solid grasp of how to fill the tubes correctly, you’re going to be more than satisfied with this unit.
What Are the Advantages of Having a Baby Food Maker?
Buying a baby food maker comes with some undeniable perks. From saving you the time spent in the kitchen to making the baby’s meals healthier — it can be a lifesaver. Below we go over each advantage of having a baby food processor.
A Baby Food Maker Gives You the Much Needed Convenience
Let’s make a few things clear.
Not every parent is a good cook — and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Babies aren’t fine diners, they just need nutritious ingredients in their food in order to grow in good health. And these ingredients sometimes need to be sneaked in using discrete methods.
Guess what? A baby food maker will make the food prep in the kitchen much easier. The process is pretty match the same with every machine: the prep stage, steam, puree or chop, and eat.
Because baby food makers are so simple, they give free reign to your imagination. You can experiment with different food options and slip in as much spinach as you want.
You Have Full Control Over the Ingredients
Of course, there are probably many benefits to buying ready-made food for babies, but the quality of ingredients isn’t one of them.
Many products available on the market today come with added sugar or preservatives. Some food companies like to claim their goods are rich in certain vegetables while the label lists vegetable concentrates with flavor enhancers.
Not to mention they are more expensive in the long run.
When using a baby food maker, the only person responsible for the ingredients in your baby’s meal is you.
You can go to your local grocery store and pick some organic fruits and vegetables to blend in your baby food maker and ensure the highest quality of ingredients.
Buying a food maker involves higher initial costs, but we’d rather consider it a long-term investment in your child’s health. It will also save you more money in the big picture.
You Spend Less Time in the Kitchen With a Baby Food Maker
A food maker allows you to skip the whole cutting, chopping, mincing, blending — and God knows what else.
Making meals for your baby is not only easier but also faster, so at the end of the day, you may finally find yourself some free time to take care of yourself as well.
Speaking of which, these devices are also handy for making healthy snacks for adults, such as hummus and other small-batch dressings, dips, and spreads without having to undust and draw out your big food processor.
What to Look For in the Best Baby Food Processors?
When browsing through different baby food makers, keep in mind what purpose will the unit serve. If you need a device that can steam, puree, defrost, and reheat food, an all-in-one machine will be your best bet. On the other hand, manual processors are better if you need something that’s simple to use and portable.
Aside from that, there are several features that can help you distinguish between good and bad baby food makers.
You can identify these features by answering the following questions:
Does the Food Maker Include Both Steaming and Processing Options?
When baby food makers were entering the market, they were just regular processors marketed as devices designed specifically for babies., and were made with some cute colors to attract new parents.
These outdated systems required you to cook fruits and vegetables separately in a steamer and then use the processor to puree them. While we have to admit that method got the job done, it was time prohibitive. More mess to clean, more manual kitchen work, and more time away from your loved ones.
All the new systems listed in our ranking are all-in-one baby food makers, offering you far greater possibilities than what you get with a classic blender or a baby mash maker.
You just put in the ingredients, and the food processor will steam them after one push of the button. Another push will will puree your fruits and veggies, leaving you with a smooth and nutritious masterpiece for your munchkin.
Some of the models we recommend even have a one-button feature, allowing you to prepare the food in less than 10 minutes.
Is It Easy to Use?
This is the factor that sets apart stellar baby food makers from inferior units.
The fewer steps involved in the food prep the better.
The way your device operates should be simple and logical; some systems do their job well while others leave a lot to be desired in this matter.
If you can’t get the job done without cursing at your baby food maker, it’s a poorly designed product. We would never allow ourselves to recommend a machine that becomes a pain in the neck with the first use.
Is It Durable?
Similar to everyday food processors and steamer systems, people sometimes report smoking motors, stained blades, breaking clips, melting plastics, and other serious flaws in their baby food makers.
Some of these units have more issues with this, whereas other systems have exceptional durability and carry long warranties should anything bad happened to your baby food processor.
In our ranking, we have selected only those systems that have a long record of high reliability and customer satisfaction.
Does the Price Reflect the Actual Value of Your Food Maker?
If you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on a good baby food maker, you want to make sure it will include some features that will justify its price tag. If you spend over $100 on a device with weak and slow motors, dull blades, and poor overall design, this means the unit isn’t worth its price.
You want a baby food maker with sharp blades, a powerful motor, and a bowl capacious enough to fit several servings of your baby’s food.
Steer clear of food makers with capacities below 3 cups because you’ll end up spending more time preparing a single serving. This, in urn, will impact your efficiency in the kitchen.
Does It Use Children-Safe Ingredients?
A plastic steaming basket and bowls containing BPA and phthalates are out of the question, as they can leach into foods. When consumed, these chemicals can cause a variety of health and developmental problems.
Newer systems from trusted baby food makers use children-safe ingredients, removing the hazardous substances and resulting in safer food for your bimbo.
The top-league units even use heavy duty glass bowls. The other parts are made of stainless steel rather than plastic. The safer your baby equipment, the better for your baby’s health.
Is the Food Maker Portable?
Sometimes, when you’re on the road, you don’t want to carry large appliances that take way too much space in your vehicle.
An ideal baby food maker should ensure a decent level of portability, not to mention the extra food containers or squeezable pouches.
If you want to make a wise investment, we recommend buying a special squeeze station that will pour the puree into food pouches. This is a great portable addition to your baby food maker, allowing your toddler to take control of the feeding and remove those painful images of dirty spoons and containers in the trunk from your memory.
Summarizing the Best Baby Food Processors for 2019
As you can see, there are many factors to bear in mind when shopping for the best baby food processor for your little one.
Portability, safety, ease of use, the quality of materials — all these elements can make or break your experience with baby food makers.
We hope this guide have managed to clear up any confusion that have appeared in your head when you’ve been browsing through different units. Now that you know what to look for in baby food makers, you can make a well-informed decision on your next purchase.
Is your baby food maker among the ones we’ve listed in our ranking?
