A purpose-designed baby-food maker or blender saves you time and trouble when you're making homemade baby food - perfect for when you are weaning your baby.
When you wean your baby at around the age of six months, you might want to make at least some of their food. Cooking your own baby food means you know exactly 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, then 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.
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 cooks the meal as well.
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 simply 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.
Editor's Choice:
• Best baby food maker overall: Babymoov Nutribaby - £127.49
• Best budget baby food maker: Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper - £24.99
• Best easy-use baby food maker: NUTRiBULLET Baby Food Blender - £69.99
• Best baby food maker for batch cooking: Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker - £147.77
• Best baby food maker for different textures: Tommee Tippee Quick-Cook Baby Food Blender and Steamer - £74.50
Benefits of using a baby food blender
There are several reasons why you might want to use a baby food blender, 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 choose a baby food blender and what to consider
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 which 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 we chose and tested these baby food blenders
These baby food blenders were tested by real mums with young children, so they could get a real feel of how they would use the blender. They looked at the functions available on each product, ease of use and all-round suitability for its intended use. These reviews are honest and reliable, so you can be sure that these are the best blenders out there.
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, however 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
Description
With a big capacity and loads of 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 with two compartments it also allows parents to cook different foods separately, making sure you can retain all their vitamins and minerals with different cooking times. However, it can take a while to warm food.
We think, although it is quite pricey, 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, and it allows you to add more items during blending.
It was Shortlisted in the 2020 M&B Awards Best Weaning Product category.
Our mum tester Caroline Kirk, mum to Sonny, six months, and Rowan, five years, 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."
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
Best multi-function baby food maker
Description
This all-in-one gadget steams, blends, reheats and defrosts, so we can totally understand why one review said it's a 'must-have product'! The classic Babymoov Nutribaby also has two compartments, so you can cook and blend simultaneously. With just two buttons it is simple to use and it has a high capacity, meaning you can prep far in advance. One downside however, is that it does take up a lot of room, so not ideal if space is limited.
One reviewer said: "This is a must-have product if you have a baby/toddler. I ordered by recommendation, and I am satisfied with it. It is very easy to use, large space where you can make food for the next day as well 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
Best baby food maker for batch cooking
Description
A fan of batch cooking? You'll love the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker! Think this product is fantastic as it 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 more tricky 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. She said: "Expensive but a good investment, as it has everything you need for stress-free weaning. It's stylish, compact and very 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
Best baby food maker for different textures
Description
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 a range of textures, depending on your baby's needs. We love that this product also comes with a smart memory function, so it will remember your last programme, perfect if it's one you regularly use. And if you're stuck on what to prepare, then it comes with a handy recipe guide too. One reviewer said she'd be lost without this product, because it can do so much without having to precook the food.
Mum of four reviewer Emily says: "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 just 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. Very delighted with this product, and I would be lost without it."
Pros
- Automatic timer
- Works quickly
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Less capacity than other baby food makers
Best budget baby food maker
Description
The Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper food processor is small but mighty! Although it isn't specifically for baby food, it will whip up your baby's food in no time 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 simply brilliant because is 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.
Review: "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. Have yet to try hummus or a burger mix, but I'm sure it will be fine in here as well. 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
Best easy-use baby food maker
Description
NutriBullet now have a baby food maker and it's a hit with many parents. By simply adding your ingredients to the cup or bowl, and putting it on the power base, you'll get instant results. 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 quite noisy, so not ideal if your baby is having a nap!
One reviewer on Amazon said: "Absolutely love the design of this blender as well as the containers! Everything is a nice size. Not too big nor too small! The product works very well and I have no complaints. I absolutely love the dials on the little containers as I now know exactly when I made the purees without having to use 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
How many functions will you actually 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 work out 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, then you can ignore this function when deciding which gadget to go for.
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.
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's going to be stored between uses, will it easily fit in your cupboards? You also need to ensure you have enough storage for homemade purées and meals.
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.
Check what's included
Some baby food blenders come with additional weaning accessories, such as cube trays for the freezer or food storage pots. Think about whether you'll use them and whether it would make more sense to buy them separately.
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.
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.