Micro Express Plus Microwave Bottle Steriliser

Where electric sterilisers are a permanent kitchen appliance, this NUK unit is a compact plastic tub that goes into your own microwave, sterilising a smaller load (up to 3 bottles) in around 3 minutes. It's the obvious choice for smaller kitchens without spare counter space, or as a genuinely packable option for staying away from home.

Against the electric options in this category (Tommee Tippee Steri-Express, Philips Avent 3-in-1), the trade-off is capacity and convenience versus cost and portability: this fits fewer bottles per cycle and depends on your microwave's power output for consistent results, but it's far cheaper to buy and small enough to pack in a suitcase or nappy bag for a weekend away.

For a first steriliser on a budget, or as a genuinely portable second one for travel, this is a sensible pick. For a family doing multiple sterilising cycles daily at home, an electric steriliser's larger capacity will save more hassle over time.