BornFree Classic Bottle

BornFree plastic baby bottles are well liked by both professional and consumer reviewers. They have always been free of BPA, and many parents say their babies spit up less frequently when using these bottles. BornFree was acquired by Summer Infant in 2011, and is now an autonomous division of Summer Infant.

BPA-free and no small parts make it safe

BornFree bottles are made from PES plastic (polyethersulfone), a type of plastic that is considered safe from chemical contamination of the liquid inside. There are a few parts to assemble, but none are small enough to present a choking hazard.

Ease-of-use reviews are mixed

Most users say BornFree Classic Bottles are easy to clean because of the wide-neck design. A few say the nipples seem delicate, and at least one reviewer says she tore the nipples using a traditional, bristled, nipple brush. The manufacturer recommends washing the nipples by hand or using their bottle cleaning system (*Est. $12), which is a small sponge on a handle.

A few parents say BornFree Classic bottles are time consuming to assemble until you get used to the assembly process (there is a two-part venting system and a collar/nipple assembly). Some parents complain of leaking, while some say their bottles never leak. It's the same with nipple collapse; some owners say they've never experienced the problem, and some say it's a constant issue.

Mid-priced with benefits

Most parents love the venting system on the BornFree Classic plastic bottles, saying it's great for avoiding air, and their children experience less gas and spitting up, making this a good choice for gassy babies. The various nipple types allow parents to adjust the flow of liquid as the baby grows. The curved shape makes it easy for older babies to hold. Moms who breastfeed say the wide shape of the nipple base better mimics the breast, and their babies willingly take this as a supplemental feeding bottle.

BornFree Classic plastic bottles can be frozen with the collar and sealing disk and can be used in bottle warmers and sterilizers. They are not the least expensive bottle on the market, but they are not the most expensive either. Considering how long you will use the bottles and how often you clean them, which impacts the number of bottles needed. You may be able to get by with just a few bottles. They can also be used for multiple children as long as new nipples are purchased. BornFree recommends replacing the nipples every three months.

The bottom line

BornFree's Classic Bottles get our pick for Best Plastic Bottle because they are well liked by both parent and expert reviewers. The few problems that are mentioned, leaking and nipple collapse, seem to be a result of user error rather than a flaw in the design. They're safe, easy to use, not super-expensive and will last through several children.