My Babies Were Pacifier-Obsessed — These 9 Are the Best on the Market

If your baby is given a pacifier in the hospital, there’s a good chance it was a Philips Avent Soothie. This pacifier is a constant favorite among parents in the What to Expect community, winning Best Pacifier in the What to Expect Mom Must-Have Awardmultiple years in a row — so if you’re wondering which pacifier brand is best, there’s a strong argument to be made that it should be Philips Avent. 

This baby pacifier is made from durable, medical-grade silicone and has an orthodontic-friendly nipple that ensures the natural development of baby’s teeth and gums. It’s also one of the most affordable options, coming in at around $3 per pacifier — and you can find it online as well as at just about any drugstore or retailer that sells baby products. So If one goes missing, say, while you’re visiting Grandma’s house, there’s a very good chance you’ll be able to find a quick replacement at the local pharmacy.

Both of my sons used Soothies, which were first given to us in the hospital; they quickly became a major part of our lives until we eventually weaned them off. 

Many parents like the hole in the middle that you can put your finger in to help baby latch, too. Parents also say the simple, straightforward design makes them very easy to wipe down or clean. 

Soothies are available in two sizes: 0 to 3 months and 3 to 18 months. Switch to the bigger size once your baby reaches the 3-month mark, as the larger version is made of stiffer silicone that little ones with teeth won’t be able to bite through.

When I asked What to Expect staff members about their favorite pacifier, the MAM Original Start Pacifier came up as a top choice. With a range of reasons behind the recommendation, it’s clear that this pacifier checks all the boxes.

“I appreciated that they stayed in a little easier than others,” says Shelley Gingrich, What to Expect’s Executive Director of Brand Solutions and mom of two. This isn’t by chance — the pacifier’s symmetrical shape and curved shield are designed to sit comfortably in a baby’s mouth, no matter which way it’s inserted. Made from durable yet soft silicone, the pacifier is lightweight, adding to its comfort. 

Many parents also find that this pacifier seems to support easier breathing for their little ones. “We tried a bunch of different pacifiers, and my kids liked the MAM ones because of the vents,” says Stephanie Porter, What to Expect’s Creative Director. She also notes the adorable patterns and glow-in-the-dark options, which are especially helpful at night.

Sarah Darby, What to Expect’s Director of SEO Content Strategy and mom of two, loved the variety of colors and patterns, as well as the affordability and availability. 

One thing to keep in mind: This pacifier may trap water more easily than some others. Sarah observed that her son “chewed holes in the nipple once he was a toddler, and they would get water in the nipple easily.” If this happens, you might consider switching to a more durable pacifier (this one is designed for babies 0 to 6 months, so you may want to change brands after that point) or beginning to wean your child off pacifiers altogether.

All of the pacifiers on this list are dishwasher-safe, but if you’re after one that’s especially easy to clean, the Chicco PhysioForma Pacifier is a popular pick among What to Expect parents. 

 It comes with a clever reusable carry case that you can use to store your pacifiers, which also keeps them from gathering dust and lint in your diaper bag. You can use that same case to sterilize the pacifiers in the microwave in three minutes, making it a breeze to clean.

These pacifiers have a unique construction that was developed in partnership with an advisory panel of neonatologists, pediatricians and orthodontists to help position baby’s tongue forward to maintain an open airway and support better breathing. The orthodontic-friendly nipple also has a narrow base to support baby’s oral development. 

In addition to its orthodontic shape, parents appreciate the large built-in loop handle, which makes it easier for little hands to hold. The silicone feels super soft against baby’s skin, and parents say the air holes also seem to help minimize skin irritation, another plus. What’s more, the brand recently added a Luxe option for this pacifier, which has the same design but a softly textured exterior that some little ones may prefer. 

Some pacifiers look enormous and are heavy on a newborn’s face, making Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light StayPut Silicone Pacifier a popular choice for the littlest babies. At 1.76 ounces, this pacifier is one of the lightest on the market. (Plus, the brand recently updated its Ultra-Light pacifier, and the new StayPut version is even lighter than the original, which you can still purchase if you prefer.) 

This lightweight design also makes the pacifier more likely to stay in place, which is helpful for newborns who can’t yet adjust it on their own, and the symmetrical shape means there isn’t a right or wrong side up, either. Parents say it remains in place nicely, is easy for even the youngest babies to use, and has a pleasant look and feel. Unlike some other lighter pacifiers, the handle also feels sturdy and solid — not at all flimsy.  

As with the other pacifiers on this list, this one is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, and the material also has hygienic, anti-static properties that prevent dust from settling on it.

There are a number of color options available, and it’s also one of the few pacifiers on the market that’s available in sizes up to 36 months: helpful if your newborn ends up loving theirs as they get bigger. (Although there is no hard-and-fast rule, the AAP recommends starting the pacifier weaning process around your child’s first birthday.)

Much like Philips Avent Soothies, a number of What to Expect parents say they received RaZbaby Jollypop pacifiers at the hospital when their little ones were born. This makes sense, considering Jollypop pacis are well known for being particularly good for newborns — preemies included. 

Like many of the other best pacifiers on this list, the Jollypop is made of smooth, soft silicone and boasts an orthodontic design. The gently curved shape and smaller nipple is especially comfortable for the youngest babies. A number of parents highlight the lighter weight and newborn-friendly design, noting Jollypop pacis seem less likely than other options to fall out of a newborn’s mouth.

Also good: There are a number of fun, easy-to-spot color options, and Jollypop pacifiers are easy to find in packs of two, three, four, six or even 10.

Jollypop pacifiers are recommended for the first three months of a baby’s life, so the only downside is that you’ll need to switch to a brand that offers larger sizes if your child continues using a pacifier after that point.

Consistently ranked among the best pacifiers for breastfed babies, the Nanobébé pacifier’s flexible (but still one-piece) construction contours comfortably on baby’s face, which some parents say helps it stay in place better. The soft, rounded nipple is designed to offer a familiar shape and feels nice to the touch. The built-in vent holes also allow plenty of airflow, helping provide comfort and prevent irritation.

Many pacifiers on the market are circle-shaped, so some parents appreciate that the slightly less round design of this Nanobébé pacifier makes it less likely to roll far away from you should you drop it on the ground (an always-frustrating situation for parents!). The downside is that these pacifiers are mostly clear, which can make them a little harder to locate in a diaper bag or in baby’s room at night. Keeping a pacifier holder like the one below may be particularly helpful for these.

Some parents do note that Nanobébé’s sizing can be a little confusing — there are three sizes available, but the largest is appropriate for little ones 4 months and older. So if you intend on continuing to use a pacifier after the 3-month mark, your best bet may be to invest in the largest size and skip the 3 to 6 month size, since you’ll otherwise have to replace it sooner.

For babies who already use the brand’s popular bottles for feeding, Dr. Brown’s Happy Paci Silicone Pacifiermakes for an easy transition from bottle to binkie. This pacifier is designed to mimic Dr. Brown’s innovative nipple shape and size, so it will feel familiar to little ones who drink from the bottles. What’s more, many What to Expect parents whose babies use other bottle brands say the shape of this pacifier seemed to work well for their little ones, too.

This pacifier’s lightweight, one-piece construction features a contoured butterfly-shaped shield that curves away from baby’s face for greater comfort. It has a large handle that’s easy for babies to grip, and at $1.66 per pacifier, it’s also the most affordable option on this list. There are a number of soothing colors to choose from (shades of pink, green, blue, and neutrals), and the pacifiers can be purchased as singles or in handy packs of three.

Just keep in mind that although this pacifier is nice and lightweight (at 1.44 ounces, it’s even lighter than the Tommee Tippee pick above) the size is a little bulkier than some other options, which means it might be too overwhelming for a newborn. It’s also only offered in a 0 to 6 month size, meaning you’ll have to wean your baby off of it or transition to another brand that offers a larger size around their half birthday. 

Once baby’s teeth start to come in, some pacifiers can be prone to tearing and become a choking hazard. Ryan & Rose’s PAT pacifier is made with durable, medical-grade silicone, so it can do double duty as a binkie on one side and a teether toy on the other side. (The handle has a bumpy texture that little ones can safely chew on.) 

Though one of the priciest pacifiers on our list, What to Expect parents appreciate that this unique design offers longer-term use. Available in two sizes and three nipple designs (bulb, slant, and flat, based on the pacifier shape your baby prefers), this pacifier is convenient and easy to use. And although appearance is hardly the most important feature to consider, you can’t deny that Ryan & Rosie pacifiers are attractive, and parents love the variety of color options — from basic neutrals to hues like orchid and ivy that are easy to spot in a diaper bag or coordinate with your cutie’s outfits.

However, it’s important to mention that although Ryan & Rosie’s pacifier meets the AAP’s safety standards, you should skip the brand’s matching pacifier clip, which is sometimes sold in a pack with the pacifier. Attachments such as these aren’t considered safe by the AAP, since they could pose a strangulation risk. In general, you should never tie a pacifier to baby’s body or crib with any kind of cord or string.

If you’d like to prioritize a pacifier with an orthodontic shape, the NUK Comfy Orthodontic Pacifier is a solid choice. These pacis have an orthodontic design that promotes healthy oral development as well as a breast-like nipple, making them a good option for breastfed babies, too.

These pacifiers are affordable — just $1.80 each! — and sold in large quantities (depending on the retailer, you can find packs of five or three), so you’ll always have one on hand. The smaller size can be used until your little one is 6 months old, at which point you can size up to the larger 6 to 18 month pacifier. Parents report that they’re highly durable, too, and the larger size successfully holds up to the gnawing of little teeth.

Parents also really like the bright, soothing colors, which make these pacifiers easy to find in a pinch (say, if they’ve rolled out of your little one’s crib at night or are hiding at the bottom of your diaper bag). They’re available in neutral, pink, blue or assorted colorways, and for a pacifier, make a surprisingly stylish accessory.

While they’re easy enough to clean thanks to their streamlined design and dishwasher-safe silicone, some parents do say that the material seems to attract lint, hair and dust, so you might find yourself having to rinse these off more often.

Though it’s a little bulkier than some other pacifier cases on the market, the Ubbi On The Go Dual Pacifier Holdermakes up for its slightly larger size with excellent functionality. There are two compartments to hold baby’s pacifiers separately, which means they both stay clean while you’re on the go and won’t cross-contaminate each other. (After all, there’s no point in putting a pacifier that’s just dropped on the ground into a tiny container with another pacifier that’s clean.) 

They’re also sold in a pack of two. This means you can easily keep track of all of your little one’s backup pacis and make sure you’re never without — keeping one holder in the car, for example, and another on the stroller. 

Also good: The silicone strap makes it easy to attach the case to a stroller or diaper bag, so you won’t risk losing it while out and about. Each pacifier compartment has a separate opening, and the lids are a breeze to snap open and closed with one hand. And best yet, the entire case can be thrown in the top rack of the dishwasher, so the entire thing is easy to clean.

While your best bet is to regularly sanitize your child’s pacifiers (such as by sterilizing them in boiling water or running them through the dishwasher, depending on what the manufacturer recommends), there will be plenty of times when you’ll need to quickly clean baby’s binky on the go. Enter: pacifier wipes. The Munchkin Arm & Hammer Pacifier Wipes are little lifesavers and the perfect thing to stash in your diaper bag for those inevitable moments when baby’s pacifier drops on the ground while you’re out and about.

There are tons of pacifier wipes on the market, but parents appreciate that these Munchkin wipes are affordable, sold in large quantities (there are 36 wipes per pack, 72 if you buy two packs at once), and have a secure lid that keeps wipes moist over time. (Some pacifier wipes have flimsy “lids” that don’t stay fully closed, and as a result the top few wipes tend to dry out in between uses.) As another pro, these wipes don’t have a strong scent.  

What’s more, these wipes will quickly become your diaper bag MVP because you can use them for far more than just pacifiers — quickly clean teething toys, bottles, or nipple shields with these handy wipes, too.