Review of Haenim UV sterilizer vs Steam sterilizers and other alternatives

If you are looking for a reliable and efficient way to sterilize your baby's bottles, toys, gadgets and other items, you might want to consider the Haenim 3G or 4G sterilizer. This is a UV sterilizer that uses ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria, without using any chemicals or water. In this blog post, I will share with you my review of the Haenim 4G sterilizer, and compare it with steam sterilizers, which are another popular option for sterilizing baby items.

UV sterilizers vs Steam sterilizers

Both UV and steam sterilizers can effectively sanitize your baby's items, but they have some differences that you should be aware of before making a purchase. Here are some of the pros and cons of each type of sterilizer:

UV sterilizers



Pros: 

✅They can sterilize dry items, such as toys, gadgets, handphones, etc., that cannot be exposed to water or heat.

✅They do not require any water or descaling, which means less maintenance and hassle.

✅They have a longer lifespan than steam sterilizers, as they do not have heating elements that can wear out or corrode.

✅They can also function as a storage cabinet, keeping your items sterile for up to 72 hours after each cycle.

Cons:

❌ They are more expensive than steam sterilizers, especially if you opt for a local Singapore set with warranty.

❌ They take longer to complete a cycle than steam sterilizers, ranging from 30 minutes to 50 minutes depending on the load and the drying mode.

❌ They may not be able to reach all the crevices and corners of some items, such as bottles with narrow necks or complex shapes.

❌ Some silicon products may state that UV sterilization is not recommended as it can cause discoloration and deformation.

Steam sterilizers

Pros:

✅ They are cheaper than UV sterilizers, and you can find many options from different brands and models.

✅ They are faster than UV sterilizers, completing a cycle in about 15 minutes or less depending on the model. Check out the Pigeon Superfast steam sterilizer!


Half the time of Haenim! If you need to quickly dry and use your pump parts/bottles urgently, this would be a lifesaver.

✅ They can reach all the surfaces and angles of the items, as the steam penetrates into every gap and hole.

Cons:

❌They can only sterilize items that can withstand high temperatures and moisture, such as bottles, nipples, pacifiers, etc.

❌They require water and regular descaling to prevent limescale buildup and rusting, which means more maintenance and cost.

❌Certain pumps like the Imani i2+ does not support steam sterilization and could break

Why I chose the Haenim sterilizer

After weighing the pros and cons of each type of sterilizer, I decided to go for the Haenim 4G sterilizer because I wanted a more versatile and convenient option that can sterilize not only my baby's bottles but also his toys, gadgets and other items. I also liked the fact that it has a storage function that keeps the items sterile for up to 72 hours, so I don't have to worry about using them right away or transferring them to another container.

I chose to buy a local Singapore set instead of a Korean export set because I wanted to have a warranty in case anything goes wrong with the device. I heard from my friend that her UV bulb spoiled after a few months of use and it cost her more than $200 to repair it because she was using a Korean set. So I think it's worth paying a bit more for a local set that comes with warranty and after-sales service.

I bought my Haenim 4G sterilizer from Shopee during a big sale event and I managed to get it at a very good price. The price was almost the same as the Korean set, so I think it was a great deal. The delivery was fast and the installation was easy. The device is sleek and modern-looking, and it fits nicely in my kitchen.

How I use the Haenim 4G sterilizer

The Haenim 4G sterilizer is very easy to use. It has a touch screen panel that lets you choose from different modes and settings. You can adjust the duration of the drying mode, just by pressing the "Auto" button.

The device has a large capacity that can fit up to 16 bottles or other items. It also has two racks that you can adjust according to the size and shape of your items. You can remove one rack if you want to fit larger items such as toys and very tall bottles or your kitchen chopping board.

To use the device, you just need to load your items into the device, close the door, select your preferred mode and settings. The device will automatically run the cycle and stop when it's done.

I usually use the 30-minute cycle, which consists of 10 minutes of sterilization and 20 minutes of drying. But if I load the device to full capacity, I use the 50-minute cycle, which has a longer drying time. The device is very quiet and does not produce any noise or smell during the cycle.

The results are amazing. The items come out dry, clean and sterile. They also have a faint scent of ozone, which is a sign of effective sterilization. I can see that the items are free of any dirt, dust or residue.

I use the device at least once a day, usually in the evening after washing all the bottles and toys. I store the items in the device overnight and use them the next day. I don't have to worry about any germs or bacteria growing on them because the device keeps them sterile for up to 72 hours. I also use the device to sterilize other items such as my handphone, remote control, keys, etc., whenever I feel like they need some sanitizing.

Difference between the Haenim 3G and 4G sterilizer

👀3G has a see through window while 4G does not

👀4G comes with a water tray below while 3G does not

The rest of the features are the same! 3G is $100 less so it's definitely worth considering.

My verdict on the Haenim 4G sterilizer

On hindsight I should have gotten the Haenim 3G sterilizer which was $100 less. I just had FOMO and wanted to get the "latest" model. Overall it is a smart and convenient device that makes my life easier but the drying time is a bit on the long side. However it saves me time and hassle from having to boil water, descale or transfer items. It also gives me peace of mind that my baby's items are clean and germ-free.

I think it is worth investing in a UV sterilizer, especially if you have a baby or young children who are more prone to infections and illnesses. It is also a good idea to get a local set with warranty, as you never know when you might need some repairs or replacements.

If you are interested in getting a Haenim 4G sterilizer, you can check out their website or their official online stores on Shopee, Lazada or Qoo10 (best deal I found was around $350 for 4G model on Qoo10 Haenim official SG store during the Wesak day sale lol). They often have promotions and discounts that you can take advantage of or you can check out baby fairs where they usually give freebies.

Another interesting device I saw was the MyLO LIFESAVER 3-in-1 Auto Milk Bottle Wash, Sterilize & Dry. For $309 it can wash, dry and steam sterilize!! If you don't have a dishwasher and don't have extra help to wash the bottles/pump parts for you, this is something worth considering for sure. Washing pump parts and bottles is not my favourite chore as it makes my hands so dry, wrinkled and back ache. 😓

The main drawback for me is the long 90 minutes cycle which might be using up a lot of electricity and also if you need it cleaned urgently for the next feed or pump.


I hope this blog post has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.


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