Comparison Beurer BY52 vs B.Well WK-133

The type determines the general purpose of the device.

— Sterilizer. A device designed to sterilize children's dishes (bottles, nipples and pacifiers, spoons, cups, etc.). The main function of the sterilizer is the destruction of harmful bacteria; using a specialized device for this is more convenient, and often more effective than using improvised means (for example, boiling in a saucepan). Sterilizers can use different operating principles (see “Operating principle”, “Sterilization”).

— Heater. A device designed to heat baby food to the optimum temperature. Such a device is more convenient than a traditional stove or microwave — it is usually equipped with a thermostat and effectively heats food for the baby without overheating it.

— Heater-sterilizer. Universal devices that can work both as a heater and as a sterilizer (see above). They are quite expensive, but this disadvantage is compensated by the fact that instead of two separate devices, you can use one multi-purpose device (which, in the end, can be cheaper, and takes up less space).

Sterilization method used in a device with this function (see "Type").

- Steam. Sterilization by heat treatment with heated steam; heating in this case can be carried out from a built-in electrical element or from a microwave oven (see "Operating principle"). This method is considered one of the most effective, but it requires a connection to the network (batteries do not provide the required power) or the presence of a microwave. In addition, only heat-resistant materials can be sterilized in this way; and after being removed from the sterilizer, the items must cool down, which takes time.

- Cold. Sterilization by chemical method using a special antibacterial composition. For more information about this method, see "Operating principle"; here we note that it does not require heating and works even in cold water, hence the name. One of the key advantages of cold sterilization is that it is suitable for almost all materials, regardless of their resistance to heat; also recall that such models can be used even on the road. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the constant spending on the purchase of sterilization products, which, moreover, are not sold everywhere.

- Ultraviolet. Sterilization by irradiating objects with an ultraviolet lamp. Such irradiation quite quickly and effectively kills bacteria; at the same time, relatively littl...e energy is required to operate the lamp, and it is quite possible to use battery power in such a device. On the other hand, the device itself is difficult to make more or less large and performant. Therefore, virtually all UV sterilizers are designed for nipples, pacifiers, and other items of a similar size; models for bottles (see "Purpose") are not found among such devices.

- Steam / cold. Models that allow both steam and cold sterilization. These methods are described in detail above. Here we note that the formation of steam in such models can be provided both by heating in a microwave oven and by its own heater; for details on these options, see "How it works".

— Temperature control. The ability to accurately set the heating temperature at your discretion (in heaters and heater-sterilizers, see "Type"). This function allows you to optimally adjust the device to a particular situation — for example, for a child of different ages, the recommended food temperature will also be different.

— Maintenance of temperature. Warmers with this function are able not only to heat cold baby food to the desired temperature, but also to maintain this temperature. Thus, the parent does not have to feed the child immediately after the end of the heating, fearing that otherwise the food will cool down — you can remove the bottle later, at the most convenient moment.

— Auto power off. Automatic shutdown of the device — usually at the end of the work programme. The meaning and features of this function may be different. So, in the simplest heaters, auto-off allows you to avoid overheating — when the desired temperature is reached, the temperature sensor is triggered. In sterilizers, this feature provides energy savings — the procedure lasts exactly as long as it takes for effective sterilization, and less. In addition, auto-off can be triggered when there is not enough water in the steam sterilizer tank — this prevents overheating and damage to the device itself. Anyway, this feature provides additional convenience, and sometimes...security when using the device.

— Display. The presence in the device of its own display. Usually, this is the simplest black and white LCD screen. However, such a screen can display a wide variety of information: temperature (actual and/or planned), selected programme, operating time (set or remaining), timer settings, water level, antibacterial agent remaining (in chemical sterilizers), battery charge and much more. Specific features depend on the model of the device, however, the display anyway makes the operation more convenient and informative.

— Timer. Most often, this refers to the delay start timer used in appliances with a heater function (see "Type"). This function allows you to "charge" the device in advance and set the start time so that the heating ends at the right time — for example, so that a bottle of warm milk is already waiting for you when you return from a walk at home.

— Ready indicator. An indicator signaling the achievement of the desired temperature or the end of the sterilization programme. Usually uses a light signal — for example, the light is on during heating and goes out when it ends.

— Heating (liquid nutrition). Low-temperature mode for heating milk or liquid food in warm water with a temperature of up to 50 °C. With this type of heating, the containers do not overheat — they can be immediately picked up. However, the heating process also takes longer.

— Heating (dense food). Mode for heating cereals and thick mixtures with hot water (70 – 80 °C and more). When taking a container heated in this mode out of the apparatus, precautions must be taken, since it can burn your hands.

— Fast heating. It is used for accelerated heating of baby food, usually with a small amount of steam. Bottles heated in fast mode must be removed from the appliance with extreme care to avoid the risk of burns.

— Defrosting. The mode provides gentle defrosting of milk or food in a bottle to a liquid state without heating.

— Optional. There may be functions that are not indicated above.

Additional items included in the package in addition to the device itself.

— Forceps. Special tongs designed to remove processed objects from the device. Such a device is relevant primarily for steam sterilizers (see "Sterilization") — during such processing, objects become very hot, and it can be inconvenient to get them out with your hands.

— Elevator. A device designed to facilitate the removal of a bottle from a warmer. Usually it looks like a basket with a long handle, in which the bottle is placed; at the end of heating, the basket together with the bottle can be easily removed from the working chamber.

— Measuring cup. Measuring cups in this case, usually, are intended for pouring water into the device itself. Heaters often work on the principle of a water bath, and for steam sterilizers (see "Sterilization") water is required by definition. It is easier to measure the amount of water required for work with the help of a complete measuring cup.

— Container for warming up food. A special container designed to heat thick foods such as cereals or fruit/vegetable purees in the warmer. Warming such food in a bottle is inconvenient, and sometimes impossible; the container is made quite roomy and wide.

— Citrus juicer. Device for obtaining juice from...oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits. When squeezing the fruit, you must first cut it in half, then press each half with the pulp against a special ribbed ledge on the juicer and press hard.

Time taken by the instrument for one standard sterilization cycle.

Ideally, this time should be as short as possible — because the faster the sterilizer works, the more time it saves. At the same time, with electric heating or ultraviolet type of sterilization, high speed requires a more powerful hardware, which, in turn, affects energy consumption, price and dimensions of the device. And in models heated by microwave ovens, the actual time of the programme depends on the power of the stove; at the same time, the characteristics may indicate the time for heating at a power of 1200 W or more, and such power is not provided by all microwave ovens.

Rated power consumed by the device during operation.

This parameter is specified for models that support mains power (see above). At the same time, even the most powerful and high consumption sterilizers and heaters consume only about 1 kW — a normal home outlet provides such power without any problems. Therefore, this indicator is relevant mainly for those who fundamentally care about maximizing energy savings.