Cleaning, sanitizing, and drying are different jobs
A washer removes milk residue with water and detergent. A sterilizer or sanitizing cycle adds an extra germ-reduction step after cleaning, while a dryer removes moisture; a machine name does not guarantee that it performs all three.
Choose a washer when scrubbing is the bottleneck
An all-in-one washer can help when many bottles, valves, nipples, and compatible pump parts accumulate each day. Confirm detergent requirements, spray coverage, filter maintenance, cycle time, and exact part compatibility.
Choose a sterilizer when guidance calls for sanitizing
CDC guidance notes that sanitizing needs vary with age and health circumstances and may be unnecessary as a separate step when compatible items use an appropriate dishwasher cycle. Follow current public-health, medical, and manufacturer guidance for your situation.
Choose a dryer when clean parts stay wet
Drying can be the useful upgrade when counter space is crowded or parts are needed again quickly. Check whether the cycle dries small valves and narrow pieces completely and where finished parts will be stored without recontamination.
Map one full day before buying
Count every bottle and part, note when each is needed again, and mark which steps currently consume time. Buy the appliance that removes that repeated bottleneck rather than the model with the longest list of overlapping cycle names.