Best baby food makers for simple, stress-free weaning at home

best baby food makers and blenders
@Mother&Baby

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on
Dr. Deborah Lee

Expert Consulted by: Dr. Deborah Lee

A purpose-designed baby food maker or blender saves you time and trouble when you're making homemade baby food—perfect for weaning your baby.

When you wean your baby at around six months, you might want to make at least some of their food. Cooking your baby's food means you know precisely what they're eating, can adjust your recipes to suit their tastes, and often works out cheaper. Even if you are doing baby-led weaning, you'll still be making purées with a baby food blender, as they're great for your little one to have as a dip with finger food.

The best baby food makers and blenders

A purpose-made gadget can make the whole process easier. There are all sorts on the market, ranging from a simple tool to blend food into a purée to a gizmo that also cooks the meal.

These 'one-stop-shop' gadgets mean there's less washing up as everything stays in the machine's bowl or jug from start to finish. You might even be able to programme the whole process, so you press one button, and everything happens automatically, allowing you to get on with other things. We all know the importance of being able to do ten things at once, so if there's a great gadget like a baby food blender or steamer that does three things in one, we're a fan.

Is homemade baby food better?

"In today’s busy world, it’s easy to reach for a jar of commercially prepared baby food. However, there are many reasons why preparing homemade food for your baby is a preferable option. Here are some of the reasons why," says Dr. Deborah Lee.

A large amount of medical research now supports the fact that the first 1000 days of a baby's life—from conception to age 2—are fundamental for their lifelong health. The details of baby and infant feeding are hugely important.

Commercial baby food is a type of ultra-processed food (UPF). By definition, UPF is any food that has been altered during the manufacturing process to improve taste, texture, colour or extend its shelf-life. Jars, bottles, packets and pouches of pre-prepared baby foods are all UPFS. The problem is that the manufacturing process alters the nutritional value of the food, can affect a baby’s taste buds and preferences for food in later life, and can expose them to additives that might be harmful, says Dr. Lee.

Statistics show that 72% of 7–9-month-olds have at least one UPF meal daily, and 23% almost always eat UPF meals. Only 6% of parents never buy commercial baby food for their baby. According to Dr. Lee, parents need to be made aware of the potential harm of a baby relying on UPF foods regularly, and should be encouraged to feed their baby natural and whole foods where possible.

Commercial baby foods are UPF, typically higher in fat, sugar and salt than homemade baby food. Follow-up studies of babies with a high UPF intake show a clear link with childhood obesity. UPF foods tend to be sweeter, and babies fed on UPF at any early age are more likely to develop a sweet tooth later. Consumption of UPF in babies and childhood is also linked to dental caries and an increased risk of heart disease in later life, says Dr. Lee.

There has been concern about heavy metals – lead, mercury and arsenic – in commercial baby food. These metals are found in the soil and are in tiny amounts in many of the foods we eat; however, they are grown and prepared. "Even home-made baby food will contain traces of heavy metals. However, homemade baby food is likely to contain less. The Food Standards Agency advises that parents ensure their baby has a varied, balanced diet, containing age-appropriate oats, rice, fruit, and vegetables," says Dr. Lee.

Don’t

• Add any fat, salt or sugar to the food.

• Use stock cubes or gravy granules for babies.

• Use other salty ingredients such as bacon, ketchup, mayonnaise or Marmite.

• Use sweeteners – not even honey.

• Give babies raw or uncooked eggs or shellfish.

• Give babies whole nuts. Babies can have nuts and peanuts from 6 months, but these must be finely ground or made into nut butter, as they can cause choking. "It’s a good idea to introduce nuts to a baby as research shows that babies who have not been given eggs from 6-12 months of age are more likely to develop a nut allergy," says Dr. Lee.

Do

• Before pureeing, wash and peel any food products, remove pips and skins, and chop them into small pieces. For meat and fish, remove bones.

• Introduce one new food type every 3 days to check for signs of food intolerance. Look for a skin rash, diarrhoea or vomiting.

• Gradually introduce slightly lumpier food as they get older and introduce finger foods such as slices of banana, soft cheese, or pasta.

• Always give your baby dairy products made from pasteurised milk only. Unpasteurised cheeses such as brie, camembert, and goats’ cheese can cause listeriosis.

• Always buy eggs stamped with the Lion mark, which means they are from hens that meet higher welfare standards. As long as this is the case, a baby can eat a soft-boiled egg, says Dr. Lee.

Benefits of using a baby food blender

You might want to use a baby food blender for several reasons, from the obvious benefits like convenience and ease of use, to taste development, nutrient retention and the control of ingredients. Baby food blenders will also help you save money compared to buying ready-made baby food, and you can decide on the portion sizes you want for your child.

How to use a baby blender

Baby blenders can be used in just a few simple steps. The steps might differ slightly according to the product you’re using, but usually, you’ll need to coarsely chop the vegetables or fruit you want to use, then pop it in the bowl, attach the lid, and select the desired speed. Depending on how fine or coarse you’d like your food chopped or puréed, you’ll need to alter the length of the time you run it for.

The best baby food makers and steamers

Best baby food maker overall

Expert rating:
4.0
nutribaby plusAmazon

With a big capacity and many functions, the Babymoov Nutribaby Plus Multi-Function Baby Food Processor is perfect for parents who want to whizz up some delights for their little ones. This baby food processor warms baby bottles and jars, sterilises, steams, defrosts and blends. Reviewers commented that two compartments also allow parents to cook different foods separately, ensuring they can retain all their vitamins and minerals with varying cooking times. However, it can take a while to warm up food. Although it is pretty pricey, we think the product comes with a lifetime warranty, and our mum tester said it took up minimal space. It is also super simple to use with an LCD screen, allowing you to add more items during blending. Our mum tester Caroline Kirk, mum to Sonny, six months, and Rowan, five years, in love with this product, said: "Wow! I had no idea such a great all-in-one product like this existed. It's not cheap, but it comes with a lifetime warranty, looks sleek and modern, and takes up minimal space on my kitchen work surface. I particularly like that it collects the liquid from the food, so you don't lose any nutrients."

It was shortlisted in the 2020 M&B Awards Best Weaning Product category.

Read our full review of the Babymoov Nutribaby Plus.

Pros

  • Five functions
  • Two baskets
  • Total capacity of 2,100ml

Cons

  • Warming food takes a while
Maximum capacity:2,100ml

Best multi-function baby food maker

Babymoov NutribabyAmazon

This all-in-one gadget steams, blends, reheats and defrosts, so we can understand why one review said it's a 'must-have product'! The classic Babymoov Nutribaby has two compartments so that you can cook and blend simultaneously. With just two buttons, it is simple to use and has a high capacity, meaning you can prep far in advance. However, one downside is that it takes up a lot of room, so it is not ideal if space is limited. Impressed with how helpful this product is as a baby food maker, one mum said: "This is a must-have product if you have a baby/toddler. I ordered it by recommendation, and I am satisfied with it. It is very easy to use, with a large space where you can also make food for the next day and keep it in the refrigerator."

Read our full review of the Babymoov Nutribaby

Pros

  • 4 pre-programmed functions
  • Separate baskets
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Takes up a lot of room
Maximum capacity:1500ml

Best baby food maker for batch cooking

Expert rating:
3.0
Philips 4-In-1 Healthy Baby Food MakerAmazon

A fan of batch cooking? You'll love the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker! This fantastic product can steam, blend, defrost and reheat food for your little one. This baby food maker also uses the same jug to steam and blend, saving on washing, and making it easy to clean, which is a bonus; however, it has been noted that the boiler is trickier to clean. Our tester thought it was brilliant, but would have liked another storage pot, a must for batch cookers! Tested by Ramya Krishnamoorthy, mum to Niralya, eight months, glad and impressed with the style, said: "Expensive but a good investment, as it has everything you need for stress-free weaning. It's stylish, compact and easy to use – one button does everything from setting the timer to blending, reheating and defrosting. The storage pot provided is useful – shame there's only one. I like the visual indicator to let you know when food is ready."

Read our full review of the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Steam Baby Meal Maker

Pros

  • Steam, blend, defrost and reheat
  • Cook up to four meals at a time
  • Clever steam, flip and blend design

Cons

  • Boiler is difficult to clean
  • Only one storage pot
Maximum capacity:1000m

4.

Tommee Tippee Quick-Cook Baby Food Blender and Steamer

Best baby food maker for different textures

Nutribaby BlenderAmazon
Price: $63

The Tommee Tippee Quick-Cook Baby Food Blender and Steamer is perfect for prepping food in just a few minutes. Whether you want to prepare fruit, veg, meat, or fish, this can blend the food into various textures, depending on your baby's needs. We love that this product also has an intelligent memory function, so it will remember your last programme, perfect if you regularly use it. And if you're stuck on what to prepare, it also comes with a handy recipe guide. One reviewer said she'd be lost without this product, because it can do so much without precooking the food. Mum of four Emily, agreeing with how easy this product is to use, said: "Fantastic. I have just had baby No.4, so these products are all new to me as I never had anything like this before, and I can't believe I didn't. Now, this is in my life. It's so much easier. I can pop the food in, set the settings up and wait for it to be done instead of boiling/cooking the food, waiting to cool and then blend without the worry of one of the other children getting in the kitchen and knocking the pan off the hob or having to stand over it and watch. This saves washing up, utensils and time. I am delighted with this product and would be lost without it."

Pros

  • Automatic timer
  • Works quickly
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Less capacity than other baby food makers
Maximum capacity:200ml

5.

Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper

Best budget baby food maker

Judge Baby BlenderAmazon
Price: $25.19

The Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper food processor is small but mighty! Although it isn't specifically for baby food, it will quickly whip up your baby's food and is simple to use. Your food will be blended, chopped, mixed and puréed in seconds, by simply adding it to the bowl and attaching the lid. The fact that it's dishwasher safe is brilliant because it means there's less to wash up. One reviewer loved the mini chopper because it's a great size if you're looking for something to store away when space might be at a premium. Happy with how simple the Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper is to maintain, one buyer said: "This is easy to use, clean and store due to its small size. No large food processor bowls that don't fit on a drying rack. Easily makes fairly uniform breadcrumbs and chops onions. I have yet to try hummus or a burger mix, but I'm sure it will also be fine here. A good alternative to a full-size processor."

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Small enough to store away
  • Dishwasher safe bowl

Cons

  • Not a specific baby food maker
Maximum capacity:500-700ml

Best easy-use baby food maker

NutriBullet NBY-50100 Baby Complete Food-Making System, 32-Oz, BlueAmazon

Rrp: $69.99

Price: $51.94
Alternative retailers
Walmart$51.94View offer
Target$51.99View offer
Wayfair$57.99View offer
Kohl's$47.99View offer

NutriBullet now have a baby food maker, and it's a hit with many parents. You'll get instant results by adding your ingredients to the cup or bowl and putting it on the power base. We loved that the product comes with six storage cups, which are perfect for keeping your baby's food in, and you can easily change the size of the food you need from purée to larger chunks. One downside is that it's pretty noisy, so it's not ideal if your baby is having a nap. In awe of its size, one buyer said: "Absolutely love the design of this blender and the containers! Everything is a nice size. Not too big nor too small! The product works very well and I have no complaints. I love the dials on the little containers as I now know exactly when I made the purees without using a label!"

Pros

  • Comes with six storage cups 
  • Storage cups come with dials instead of having to use labels
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Quite loud
Maximum capacity:340ml

7.

NCVI Baby Food Processor Set, Mini Baby Food Maker 

Best for its compact size

NCVI Baby Food Processor Set, Amazon

If heading into the weaning stage, say hello to your new kitchen best friend: the NCVI Baby Food Processor Set. It’s small, neat, and makes homemade baby meals a breeze.
First, it's mini, so that it won’t take up all your kitchen space. We love our babies, but we also love a bit of breathing room on the countertop. And don’t be fooled by its size. This clever little gadget chops, steams, blends, and reheats in one compact set.

Whether making smooth purées for those first tiny spoonfuls or trying chunkier textures as your baby grows, this food processor makes it simple. It's convenient for tired parents who don’t have the time or energy to wrestle with a complicated machine. Just a few buttons and you’re off.

Another win is how easy it is to clean. Some parts can go straight in the dishwasher, which is always a relief. And it’s BPA-free too, giving you one less thing to worry about during the chaos of baby life.
The bottom line? The NCVI Baby Food Maker is ideal for busy parents who want to give their little ones a fresh, homemade start without the hassle. It’s quick, tidy and makes feeding time feel that little bit easier.

Pros

  • baby food maker set includes 1 baby food mill, 6 baby food storage containers,1 freezer tray, 2 silicone spoon, 1 silicone spatula, 1 brush
  • NCVI baby food processor with 8 sharp 304 stainless steel blades and a strong motor

Cons

  • One review said Tte little container is too small
Maximum Capacity: 400 ml 

8.

KOSTTE Baby Food maker

Best for its multifunctional design

Weaning can feel like a significant milestone, can’t it? One minute you’re mastering milk feeds, the next you’re steaming carrots and blending apples like a pro. That’s where the KOSTTE Baby Food Maker comes in. It’s designed to make this stage a whole lot easier and, dare we say it, even enjoyable.

What we loved straight away was how simple it is to use. No fiddly settings, no need to dig out the manual every time you want to make a purée. It steams, blends and even warms, all in one neat little unit. One of our testers, mum-of-two Jess, said she had a whole batch of baby meals prepped during her baby’s lunchtime nap, with zero mess. The size is just right for everyday use. It doesn’t hog the kitchen counter and is surprisingly powerful for something so compact. It also feels sturdy and well-made, with an innovative, minimal design that doesn’t scream “baby gadget”.

One parent who took a bit of a leap of faith with this one. With no previous ratings or reviews then, they were hesitant, but the price was too reasonable to ignore compared to similar products. After their first use, they were pleasantly surprised. They steamed sweet potato and apple, choosing a 20-minute steam time, and ended up with a smooth, spill-free purée thanks to the sharp blades. The product was easy to use and clean, and the sterilisation option came in handy, too. In their words, it “does what it's supposed to do,” and they were glad they tried it.

Cleaning it is refreshingly fuss-free too, which let’s be honest, is exactly what you need when your day’s already full of nappy changes and washing baby clothes. The parts come apart easily, and you don’t need special tools or magic tricks to get it spotless.

Pros

  • 4-in-1 Multifunctional Design: Steam, blend, sterilize, and warm bottles in one compact appliance
  • Baby-safe materials

Cons

  • One reviewer said although it’s labelled as dishwasher safe, we’ve noticed a buildup of food going mouldy inside the handle and we’re unable to remove it for cleaning.
Maximum Capacity 300 ml

9.

Tommee Tippee Quick Cook 6-in-1 Baby Food Maker

Best for its self-sterilise option

Tommee Tippee Quick Cook 6-in-1 Baby Food Maker with SteamAmazon

Whether starting with smooth purees or moving on to chunkier textures, this clever little machine is designed to grow with your baby’s changing needs. What makes it stand out is the six-in-one functionality. It steams, blends, chops, defrosts, reheats and even sterilises. It has an all-in-one compact design that doesn’t look out of place in a modern kitchen. One real game-changer is that you can go straight from steaming to blending without moving anything around or creating extra washing up. And as any sleep-deprived parent knows, fewer dishes are always a win.

One mum, Sarah, was unsure about buying another kitchen gadget. But after giving it a try, she was genuinely impressed. She used it to steam and blend carrots and pears for her seven-month-old and said it was super easy to use, even on a busy day. She loved the timer setting, which allowed her to walk away and get other things done. In her words, it took the guesswork out of baby food prep and made her feel more confident about what she was feeding her little one.

The portion size is just right for small batches, perfect for experimenting with new flavours. And because it’s designed with busy parents in mind, it’s easy to clean and BPA-free, which gives added peace of mind.

If you’re looking for something versatile, reliable, and that doesn’t take up your whole kitchen, the Tommee Tippee Quick Cook is a solid choice. It does exactly what it says it will do, making the weaning journey much more manageable.

Pros

  • Suitable for fruit, vegetables, meat and fish
  • Comes with everything you need to start your baby’s weaning journey - 4 weaning pots, 1 weaning spoon & access to delicious weaning recipes to get you started

Cons

  • One reviewer said when they opened it up the belt had completely disintegrated
Maximum Capacity: 500 ml 

10.

Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker 

Best for its timer feature

Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker Amazon

What makes this one stand out is its clever all-in-one design. It steams, blends, defrosts, and reheats using the same jar, which means less faff and much less washing up. You just pop in your ingredients, let them steam gently, and then flip the jar to blend. It’s that simple. There is no transferring hot food from one bowl to another and no mess on the counters.
I
t’s also surprisingly compact given how much it does. It doesn’t take over your kitchen, but still feels sturdy and reliable. One parent told us she used it to make a week’s worth of veggie purees in no time at all and loved how easy it was to clean. She mentioned that she felt much more confident about weaning the second time around, thanks to this machine.
The timer feature is another win. You can set it and forget it while you get on with the million other things that come with having a little one. And because it steams so gently, it helps retain all those lovely nutrients in your baby’s food.

That said, it’s worth knowing that a few parents have experienced issues. One reviewer shared that the steaming function suddenly stopped working after a while. The blending part still worked perfectly, but the unit stopped heating water for steaming. While this doesn’t seem a common problem, it’s something to remember, especially if steaming is the feature you’ll rely on most.

In short, the Philips Avent 4-in-1 is ideal for parents who want to keep things simple without compromising quality. When it’s working as it should, it takes the stress out of baby meal prep and gives you more time to enjoy the fun bits of weaning like those first surprised spoonfuls and messy little grins.

Pros

  • The 4-in-1 healthy baby food maker enables you to cook, blend, store and heat nutritious meals
  • You can Steam, flip and blend

Cons

  • One review said the steamer stopped working
Maximum Capacity720 ml

How to choose a baby food blender and what to consider before buying

There are various things to consider when choosing a baby food blender, of course, which one you choose will ultimately depend on your budget, as they vary from £25 up to around £150 or more.

Firstly, decide which is most important to you. Is it the ease of use, the one with a built-in steamer, or something else that is more important to you and your family’s lifestyle? You should also consider where it might fit in your kitchen. Do you have space to leave it out permanently, or would you need to find cupboard space for it?

How many functions will you use on your baby food blender?

More functions typically mean a higher price tag. So, consider carefully what you will use. Do you like the idea of lots of different modes or prefer something relatively uncomplicated?

Which gadgets do you already own?

Thinking about what's already in your kitchen cupboards will help you determine which functions will be worth paying for. For instance, some baby-food makers also double as baby bottle warmers, but if you've already got one, you can ignore this function when deciding which gadget to go for.

How much kitchen space do you have?

If this will be a permanent addition to your kitchen for the next year, check that the machine's footprint won't take up too much of your worktop space and that its height allows it to slide under your wall cupboards. Or if it will be stored between uses, will it easily fit in your cupboards? You must also ensure you have enough storage for homemade purées and meals.

Check what's included

Some baby food blenders come with additional weaning accessories, such as cube trays for the freezer or food storage pots. Consider whether you'll use them and whether buying them separately would make more sense.

How we test and choose recommended products

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice and product, and we also listen to what you say.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides excellent insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.

For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

Find out more about how we test products for Mother&Baby.

FAQ's

What is the difference between a baby blender and a normal blender?

The main difference between a baby blender and a normal blender is that baby blenders are able to blend the food to a fine purée, while a normal blender might not.
While you can use a normal blender for baby food, not all models will be suitable, so it’s worth testing it before you plan to use it. Many baby food blenders also allow you to steam, boil, stew and stir food, as well as puréeing it, meaning that it’s all done in one gadget, saving you time and space.

Are baby food processors easy to clean?

There's no point saving time cooking if it means you'll spend more time washing up. Check that the different components can go in the dishwasher if you have one and that they aren't fiddly to take apart and assemble again after each use.

How often will you use a baby food maker?

If you're planning on cooking all your baby's food from scratch, then this gadget will probably sit permanently on your worktop. But if you're simply intending to whizz up some of whatever you're already cooking for tea at the weekend, then a smaller, more portable machine that you can easily take in and out of a cupboard might be better.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us
How we write our articles and reviews
Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.