Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage

Priced at £99.99, (RRP £149.99 but currently on offer), the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage was recently awarded a Bronze rating at the Made For Mums Awards 2022 in the Best Steriliser category.

Tested by

Hazelann is a former journalist, MFM editor of many years and first time mum who tested this steriliser with her newborn son Raphael, 5 glass MAM bottles, a dummy and multiple teethers.

What were your first impressions of the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser?

As a first time mum, I was adamant that I wanted a chemical-free steriliser to sterilise my glass MAM bottles, and when I saw that a lot of baby brands were now selling new UV sterilisers, I had to get one. Upon opening the box of the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, I was impressed by the smart and stylish look of the unit. I received the white and black steriliser, but it also comes in all black. It’s about 2/3 the size of a microwave, so it’s not small, but Tommee Tippee does say it fits up to 6 bottles when sterilising.

How do you set up the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser?

It’s very easy to set up this steriliser, you simply:

• Remove all parts from the box.
• Open the steriliser door and remove the blue protective film, wipe clean the inside of the steriliser.
• Place the shelves inside.
• Wipe clean your steriliser before use with a damp cloth.
• Finally, plug in the power cable.

Then it’s ready to go. As you can see, the instructions are very clear and easy to follow and it takes no more than 10-minutes.

How does the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser compare to other sterilisers?

Having previously purchased a Vital Baby UV Steriliser & Dryer, the Tommee Tippee UV 3-in1 steriliser is better value for money, coming in at £30 cheaper. It also has a larger capacity, Tommee Tippee’s H39.5 x W35.3 x D35.5cm vs Vital Baby’s H25 x W27 x D27cm. However, the Tommee Tippee steriliser has one of the longest sterilising times of 60-minutes to complete a cycle (dry and sterilise). This is 35 minutes longer than the Vital Baby UV steriliser, which also has a 7-minute quick sterilise mode.

How does this UV steriliser compare to a traditional steam steriliser?

The most obvious difference between a steam and UV steriliser is the price. You can get a steam unit for about £50-£90, whereas a UV steriliser will start from around £130. The main difference is the way they sterilise, with steam sterilisers using water and heat, and UV sterilisers using Ultraviolet light/electromagnetic radiation to kill microorganisms, bacteria and viruses. Both types of sterilisers are effective at making bottles clean and safe for babies.

So, why choose a UV steriliser like the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser?

UV sterilisers are quick and more efficient than steam sterilisers. They also don’t use extreme heat or water, so there’s no cooling time for bottles and you save on water and energy. The UV bulbs used are low energy and apparently save on electricity when compared to a steam steriliser. They also don’t make as much noise, with MFMs parent tester Tess stating that it’s “a bonus that it is so quiet, you wouldn’t even know it was running”.

Can you talk us through all the different functions of the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser?

There are four different functions with the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser:

• Sterilise-only: Pop in your bottles, teats, soothers and / or breast pump accessories and set to either 35 or 45-minutes.
• Dry-only: Choose from a 30, 40 or 50 minutes drying cycle, depending on how many items you wish to dry.
• Auto mode: This 60-minute setting dries your cleaned bottles, then automatically switches to sterilising cycle.
• Storage: This mode emits 5-minutes of UV light and 5 minutes of drying power every 2-hours to keep contents sterile. The UV light also helps our glow in the dark products such as the night-time breast-like soother glow for longer.

How do you use the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser?

• Wash items you want to sterilise in warm soapy water, rinse and drain before placing in the steriliser. Don’t put dripping wet items into the steriliser, as water can gather at the base. If there is water at the base or leaking from the steriliser, you must turn off the machine and wipe away water.
• Place the items inside the steriliser. Separate all components and ensure all surfaces that need to be sterilised are visible.
• Place bottles facing upwards to help with the drying function.
• Plug the unit into the power.
• The screen will illuminate.
• Press the on/off button then select the function you wish to use – sterilise only, dry only, auto sterilise and dry or storage function.
• The option chosen will then flash to show the function when in use. The countdown timer will show how long is left in the cycle.
• When the cycle is finished, the countdown will show 0 and emit a sound.
• Remove your items from the steriliser. Be careful as they may still be warm, especially after drying.

You can also watch this short video from Tommee Tippee which demonstrates how to use the steriliser efficiently.

How effective is the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser?

It dries and sterilises items well and they appear clean, with MFMs parent tester Tess noting that the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser is “a great piece of kit that does a reliable job of keeping baby bottles hygienic”. The major downside to this steriliser is the time it takes to run a complete dry and sterilise cycle, which is 60- minutes. When you compare it with the Vital Baby Nurture Advanced Pro UV Steriliser & Dryer (29-minute complete cycle) or with the Tommee Tippee Advanced Steri-Dryer Electric Steriliser and Dryer (40-minute cycle) a 60-minute sterilise and dry time is the longest on the market.

How much equipment can the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser hold?

I found this steriliser is wide enough to hold 4 complete bottles, giving them enough space in the unit so they don’t touch and the UV light can reach all surfaces. This, of course, limits how much you can sterilise in one go. John Lewis reviewers also noticed that there wasn’t much space for more than 4 or 5 bottles at a push, expressing a desire for the unit to be bigger. As with all UV sterilisers, it’s not recommended to stack items on top of one another. However, these are 160ml bottles, if you want to fit the 260ml bottles you have to move one of the shelves to the bottom of the steriliser.

Does it have removable trays/accessory trays?

No, there aren’t any removable trays or other accessories of any kind included with the steriliser and the addition of heat tongs would have been welcomed. The internal shelves can be moved to suit what items you might be sterilising, with some reviews on Amazon noting how they can be awkward and stiff to adapt at times.

Is the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser easy to clean?

Yes, you do not need to carry out any maintenance on this product other than cleaning as descaling is not necessary. It is recommended that you clean your steriliser regularly, every 1-2 days to maintain its performance.

To do so, follow these three simple steps…

• Turn off the power supply before cleaning and wait for your steriliser to cool down if it is just after a cycle
• Use a clean damp cloth to clean the inner and outer walls of the steriliser.
• Wipe away any dust on the screen with a clean damp cloth.

Although you don’t need to descale the unit as you would a steam steriliser, you do have to replace the filter every 6-12 months. There aren’t any alerts to tell you when the filter needs changing, but you can get free filters when you contact Tommee Tippee.

What size is the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser and how compact is it in your kitchen?

The Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser is H39.5 x W35.3 x D35.5cm. While it’s not compact, John Lewis reviewers were a fan of its “stylish” appearance and that it “looked good” on the side in the kitchen.

Who would this product be most useful for?

This is a good steriliser for parents who are bottle feeding, as it dries and sterilises very well without the hassle of descaling a steam steriliser. It’s also ideal for parents who have a full 60-minutes to sterilise bottles, thanks to its lengthy cycle time, so if you’re always on the go, it might not be the best product for you. However, the great thing about this, and any UV steriliser, is that it can be used to sterilise almost anything from dummies to teething toys. Due to this function, it can be adapted for use on other items such as kitchen utensils, cementing its use as a kitchen staple once it’s no longer needed for baby bottles.

What were your favourite features of the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser?

The storage mode was by far my favourite feature of this steriliser. This function emits 5- minutes of UV light and 5-minutes of drying power every 2-hours to keep the bottles sterile. I never switch the steriliser off, as I like to continue the storage mode, as you never know exactly when a sterilised bottle will be needed.

How portable is the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser?

This steriliser is bulky, and not something you’re going to be able to move easily from room-to-room regularly. However, if you do need to transport it, for example for an overnight stay, it can be done. Due to its size and the fact that the steriliser doesn’t come with a travel case, it’s not something I’d recommend if travelling far or going on holiday. For this type of venture, a product like the Nuby UV Steriliser may be more appropriate.

How robust and durable does it feel?

The Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser is a well made unit and I imagine will last many years. You’ll only need to replace the UV lamp and filter every 6-12 months.

How does the Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser compare to similar UV sterilisers?

What’s in the box?

• Sterilising unit
• Filter screen
• Power cable
• Middle shelves

Is the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser worth the money?

As far as sterilisers go, the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser is well worth the money due to the fact it sterilises and dries bottles etc to a good standard. While it might be more expensive than your usual steam steriliser, it’s great value compared to some of its competitors in the UV field. With an RRP of £149.99, the likes of Tommee Tippee and John Lewis have some great deals online, making it that bit more affordable and better value for money.

Where can I buy the Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser?

It is available from Tommee Tippee, John Lewis, Amazon and Currys.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Tommee Tippee Ultra UV 3-in-1 Steriliser, Dryer and Storage steriliser is a must have for any bottle feeding mum thanks to its ultra stylish design, easy to use features and its useful storage mode. However, its 60-minute sterilising cycle is a let down for this steriliser, with other UV models on the market offering a much quicker sterilising time for those parents always on the move and with little time to spare. Thanks to its reasonable price, it’s still well worth a go for those wanting to purchase a UV steriliser on a budget, but if you have the money, we’d recommend investing in one with a quicker sterilising time.