Top-rated affordable options that deliver great value
By Renee · Lead Researcher
The short answer
Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula is our top budget pick among the 7 infant formulas we scored, at 8.6/10 overall (8.5/10 on safety). Independent Contaminant Testing: Clp purity award or equivalent 3rd party.
| # | Budget pick | Independent Contaminant Testing | Solvent-Processed / Synthetic Additives | Carbohydrate Source | Organic Certification | Safety | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula Bubs | Clp purity award or equivalent 3rd party | No | Lactose plus prebiotic fiber | Non organic | 8.5 | $23 |
| 2 | Kendamil Organic First Infant Milk Kendamil | Clp purity award or equivalent 3rd party |
| No |
| Lactose only |
| Eu bio or usda organic |
| 9.7 |
| $56 |
| 3 | Similac Advance Infant Formula with Iron Similac | No published contaminant testing | No | Lactose only | Non organic | 6.3 | $43 |
| 4 | Earth's Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula Earth's Best | Clp purity award or equivalent 3rd party | No | Lactose plus prebiotic fiber | Eu bio or usda organic | 8.9 | $35 |
| 5 | Baby's Only Organic Complete Nutrition Infant Formula Baby's Only | Clp purity award or equivalent 3rd party | No | Lactose only | Eu bio or usda organic | 9.1 | $30 |
| 6 | HiPP Dutch Stage 1 Combiotic Organic Infant Formula HiPP | No published contaminant testing | No | Lactose plus prebiotic fiber | Eu bio or usda organic | 7.4 | $44 |
| 7 | Bobbie Organic Infant Formula Bobbie | Clp purity award or equivalent 3rd party | No | Lactose only | Eu bio or usda organic | 9.7 | $12 |
Scored the same way as every infant formula on R3. Safety, efficacy, and usability detail is on each product page.
R3 independently evaluates every product using our research-backed scoring system. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we stay independent
Why trust this guide
I'm Renee, R3's lead researcher. I independently scored 7 infant formula across safety, performance, and value. Every product on this page was scored using manufacturer documentation, third-party lab testing, regulatory filings, and recall databases, plus verified user feedback. No brand pays for placement or higher scores.
What is the best infant formula in 2026? After testing and scoring 7 infant formula across safety, performance, and value, our top pick is the Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula by Bubs (8.6/10). It leads on material safety with a 8.5/10 safety score, scored the same way as every other infant formula on R3.
What is the best infant formula in 2026? The Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula by Bubs is the best infant formula of 2026, scoring 8.6/10 in our independent testing of 7 models across safety, performance, and value.
You prioritize top-rated affordable options that deliver great value when choosing infant formula
You want data-backed picks based on independent testing, not marketing claims
Your budget is under $100
You might not need this if
Looking for something different? See our [Best Infant Formula overall guide](/guides/best/infant-formula) for the top picks across all criteria.
Not sure which type is right for you? Browse infant formula by criteria to narrow your search.
Top-rated affordable options that deliver great value. We evaluate every infant formula for budget to help families make informed, data-backed purchasing decisions.
Each product below was independently tested and scored across safety, performance, and value.
Each product has been tested, scored, and reviewed by our research team.
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose + prebiotic fiber
Fat Blend
Veg-oil blend with palm olein
Carrageenan
No
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose only
Fat Blend
Veg-oil blend, no palm or soy oil
Carrageenan
No
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose only
Fat Blend
Contains soybean / seed oils
Carrageenan
No
Earth's Best
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose + prebiotic fiber
Fat Blend
Contains soybean / seed oils
Carrageenan
No
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose only
Fat Blend
Contains soybean / seed oils
Carrageenan
No
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose + prebiotic fiber
Fat Blend
Veg-oil blend with palm olein
Carrageenan
No
What we love
Worth knowing
Key Specs
Active Recall
No
Carbohydrate Source
Lactose only
Fat Blend
Veg-oil blend, no palm or soy oil
Carrageenan
No
How much should you spend? Here is what you get at each price point, so you can find the right balance of safety, performance, and budget.
We evaluated 9 infant formula currently in our database, scoring each across six dimensions: Safety (materials composition, certifications, regulatory compliance), Efficacy (performance, consistency, real-world results), Value (quality-to-price ratio), Usability (controls, cleaning, noise level), Durability (build quality, warranty, long-term reviews), Sustainability (environmental impact, materials sourcing).
For this budget list, we applied additional filters: - Maximum price of $100
Products that didn't meet these thresholds were moved to our "What We Didn't Pick" section with specific reasons.
7 products passed our budget filters and are ranked below by value score.
Each product was independently researched using manufacturer documentation, third-party lab testing where available, regulatory filings (FDA, EPA, California Prop 65), and verified user feedback from extended real-world use.
Best deals
Amazon Prime Day (July) and Black Friday (November) typically see 25-40% discounts on infant formula. Major brands like Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Pot participate in both events.
New model releases
Brands typically release new infant formula in Q1 (Jan-March) and ahead of holiday season (September). Previous-generation models drop in price when new ones launch.
Avoid full price
April-June and August are typically full-price months for infant formula. If you need one during these months, check manufacturer refurbished options for 20-30% savings.
R3 tip
Price drops do not change our safety scores. A discounted infant formula with a low safety score is still not recommended. Always check the R3 score before buying, regardless of the deal.
Based on R3's testing, the Bubs Goat Milk Infant Formula by Bubs is the best budget infant formula in 2026, scoring 8.6/10 overall. V4.2 pipeline product - pending editorial review.
