11 Sippy Cups for Babies

Updated Oct 8, 2024 8:06 am ET


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Scouring the market for the ultimate sippy cup can turn into quite the quest. Good news — our handpicked list of the 11 best sippy cups for babies is here to guide your way.

As you shop for sippy cups, you’ll want to keep an eye on the following:

  • The cup’s design, specifically whether it’s suited for small hands or those in the process of mastering motor skills
  • The material as some options like BPA-free plastic or stainless steel may align better with your safety concerns
  • Any special features such as spill-proof or leak-proof technology, because every parent wants to avoid messes
  • Capacity, because the amount of liquid it holds may be the deciding factor between frequent refills and a more relaxed sipping experience
  • Overall safety as there’s some debate about whether babies should use sippy cups or straws

With these factors in mind, you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision. Just be sure to consult your pediatrician for any tailored advice specific to your little one. Let’s dig in and explore the best sippy cups you can buy this year.

Best for Convenience: Re Play Made in USA 10 Oz. Sippy Cups

Key specs: 10 fluid ounces, BPA-free plastic, dishwasher-safe

If you’re searching for a sippy cup that’s durable and eco-friendly, search no further. Re Play sippy cups are ideal for parents who want reliable, spill-free options for their little ones.

Pros

Made from BPA-free plastic, this hard spout sippy cup is designed to last through multiple children. The one-piece silicone valve ensures you won’t be cleaning up spills, making it one of the best sippy cups for those who value peace of mind.

It’s dishwasher-safe, too, so you can add “easy cleanup” to your list of reasons to consider this product.

Cons

While the no-spill gasket is excellent for avoiding messes, it does require a little extra effort from your toddler to get that much-needed hydration. This could be a minor issue for younger tots who are still mastering the fine art of sipping.

Also, these cups are on the heavier side, weighing over 12 ounces, which might be a bit much for little hands to hold for an extended period.

Best for Everyday Ease: GROSMIMI Spill Proof No Spill Magic Sippy Cup

Key specs: Six fluid ounces, PPSU material, rotating handle

Whether it’s a busy day or a quiet moment at home, GROSMIMI’s Spill Proof Sippy Cup is your go-to option for spill-free sipping for your little one.

Pros

Safety and functionality come hand-in-hand with this straw sippy cup. The material is PPSU, a type of BPA-free plastic that doesn’t absorb odors or colors. Even repeated sterilizations won’t cause it to deform.

What’s more, the straw is made of soft silicone, which is gentle on your baby’s gums. The rotating handle is another clever feature designed to protect your child’s wrist.

Cons

The lack of a weighted straw can make it difficult for little ones to master. This could lead to some minor frustrations in some children.

Best for Eco-Conscious Parents: Bamboo Toddler Cup for Kids

Key specs: Bamboo material, 150-milliliter capacity, dishwasher safe

A leap forward in the sippy cup game, the Bamboo Toddler Cup for Kids offers sustainability and ease of use for your little one’s developmental milestones.

Pros

This eco-friendly, dishwasher-safe, and spoutless learner cup aids oral development. The cup’s soft food-grade silicone inserts are not just an aesthetic touch — they actively protect your child’s teeth, lips, and gums.

Its ergonomic bamboo shell is tailored for little hands, making it easy for your toddler to maintain a grip. Health experts even recommend these types of open cups as they streamline the transition from a baby bottle to a regular cup. Plus, you can use it for yogurts and smoothies for multi-purpose utility.

Cons

While the bamboo cup scores high on many fronts, it isn’t perfect for everyone. With a 150-milliliter capacity, it might be tough for children under 18 months to sip from comfortably.

What’s more, the cup targets a niche market of eco-conscious parents, which could make it a bit pricier than your run-of-the-mill, BPA-free plastic sippy cups. Lastly, if your goal is leak-proof reliability, you’ll need to look elsewhere, as this is an open cup.

Best for Toddlers in Training: Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Sippy Cup

Key specs: 207 milliliters, BPA-free plastic, leak-proof

Looking for a near-miraculous way to keep spills to a minimum? Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Sippy Cup might be your go-to for ensuring fewer accidents around the house.

Pros

This trainer cup is designed with a 360-degree drinking edge that practically eliminates spills. If you’re sick of cleaning carpets and upholstery, the leak-proof feature is a game-changer.

The cup also seals automatically when your little one is done drinking, making it one of the best sippy cups on the market. Additionally, it supports kids’ oral development by enabling drinking from anywhere around the rim — much like a regular cup. As it’s dishwasher-safe (top rack only), cleaning isn’t a chore.

Cons

This cup may require some patience and perhaps a straw cup experience before your baby masters it. Also, while it does well against everyday bumps, a hard throw on a solid floor may cause some minor splashes.

Best for Spill-Proof Learning and Temperature Retention: Dr. Brown’s Milestones Hard Spout Insulated Sippy Cup with Handles

Key specs: 10 fluid ounces, insulated, removable handles, BPA-free

Dr. Brown’s delivers a modern, insulated sippy cup that’ll keep your little one’s drink cool while you’re on the move. A fantastic training cup option, it’s designed to match your child’s developmental milestones.

Pros

The hard spout is durable and bite-resistant, a plus for those who are teething and like to chew on anything they get their hands on. It’s made from BPA-free plastic, aligning with safety guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The insulation feature really ups its game — thanks to the double-wall construction, you won’t have to worry about the drink warming up too quickly. The handles are a godsend, designed for little hands to grip easily. Bonus? They’re removable to adapt as your kiddo grows more proficient at sipping.

Easy to clean and top-rack dishwasher-safe, it’s clear why this is one of the best sippy cups for babies.

Cons

While it checks many boxes, it’s not entirely foolproof. When turned upside down, liquid tends to leak out, making it a less-than-ideal choice for particularly adventurous toddlers. This downside makes it a little less versatile than some of its leak-proof competitors.

Also, it’s only available in limited colors, so if your tot has a specific palette preference, you might be out of luck.

Best for Transitioning From Baby Bottle to Sippy Cup: Philips AVENT Natural Trainer Sippy Cup

Key specs: Five-ounce capacity, silicone and polypropylene, dishwasher-safe, BPA-free

Looking to ease the bottle-to-cup transition for your little one? This Philips AVENT Natural Trainer Sippy Cup could be a top pick for that transitional phase, especially for babies six months and up.

Pros

This trainer cup scores high on the adaptability scale, offering the company’s Natural Response nipple with a soft silicone spout. The dual-option design allows your little one to seamlessly transition between bottle and cup.

Thanks to its clever anti-colic valve, the cup minimizes colic and discomfort by directing air away from your baby’s tummy. Add the bonus of trainer handles with soft grips, and you have a cup that even the tiniest hands can manage. This easy-to-clean cup is dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, ticking off boxes for both ease of use and health safety.

Cons

While the trainer cup offers much to applaud, it has a drawback: the large holes in the spout. Though designed for older, more adept toddlers, they might overwhelm a beginner who is still getting the hang of sipping, possibly causing spills or too much liquid intake.

Keep an eye on the amount of liquid your little one is consuming if they are new to sippy cups.

Best for High-Volume Needs and Daycare Use: The First Years Take & Toss Spill Proof Sippy Cups

Key specs: 20 cups, rainbow-colored, 10-ounce capacity, BPA-free

A daycare favorite, the Take & Toss cups come in a 20-pack and bring a burst of rainbow colors to your little one’s mealtimes. They’re perfect for on-the-go hydration or birthday festivities.

Pros

If you’ve got a toddler who’s always on the move, these cups offer a spill-proof design that keeps those pesky leaks at bay. The snap-on, valve-free lids not only prevent spills but also simplify cleaning — no intricate parts to scrub.

For added convenience, these cups are dishwasher-safe (top rack, of course), saving you valuable time.

Cons

While they claim to be spill-proof, real-world testing suggests otherwise. If tipped upside down or thrown from a high chair, these cups are prone to leak or even spill their contents entirely. The spill-proof feature may not hold up well in a diaper bag either — expect wet surprises.

Also, while the cups are reusable, they don’t offer the longevity you might find in something like stainless steel sippy cups.

Best for Infant Training: Tommee Tippee Infant Trainer Sippy Cup

Key specs: Three eight-ounce cups, color-changing, freezer-safe, lightweight

The Tommee Tippee Infant Trainer Sippy Cup comes in a pack of three and aims to help infants seven months and older develop their drinking skills.

Pros

This trainer cup is designed with removable handles, making it both lightweight and easy for your little one’s tiny fingers to grasp. On top of that, the soft spout is gentle on sensitive gums, especially crucial for sprouting baby teeth.

What’s more, it’s as versatile as it gets. Most of the cup’s parts are interchangeable with all Tommee Tippee cups. In terms of hygiene, this one’s a star performer; all its components are top-rack dishwasher-safe and can be sterilized for good measure. Finally, it’s BPA-free, ensuring baby-safe usage.

Cons

These cups have a reputation for being less than leak-proof. Tighten the cap all you want, but be prepared for spills. Additionally, the handle tends to rotate halfway around the cup, making it challenging for your baby to aim the mouthpiece correctly. This could potentially delay milestones like mastering the art of independent drinking.

There’s also the issue of the cup allowing backwash, making the water inside look cloudy fairly quickly.

Best for Eco-Conscious Parenting: Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Sippy Cup Bottle w/Sleeve

Key specs: 325 milliliters, ocean bumper color

For parents who prioritize both sustainability and functionality, this sippy cup by Pura checks most of the boxes. Not only is it the first MADE SAFE-certified toddler water bottle, but it’s also designed to evolve as your child grows.

Pros

The Pura Kiki Sippy Cup can transform from a sippy cup to an infant bottle, straw bottle, or even a snack container, thanks to its medical-grade silicone. Besides its multi-use design, the fast-flowing soft XL Sipper Spout is particularly noteworthy for promoting healthy teeth and gums.

The bottle itself is plastic-free and crafted from stainless steel, aligning with eco-conscious consumers’ values. It also has one more tick in the pro column: the silicone travel cover and sleeve are not just eye-catching but also practical for on-the-go situations.

Cons

The bottle lacks double-wall insulation, so it might not be your go-to for keeping liquids hot or cold for extended periods. Also, the spout isn’t the softest out there, making it less suitable for younger tots still navigating their oral development. This may lead you to opt for a different bottle with a softer spout or smaller size during the earlier months.

Best for Toddler Training: ez pz Mini Cup + Straw Training System

Key specs: Four fluid ounces, food-grade silicone, weighted base

If your tiny tot is in the transition phase, this straw cup might be your new household MVP. Designed by a pediatric feeding expert, it’s geared toward teaching the little ones how to sip like a pro.

Pros

The ez pz Mini Cup + Straw Training System is more than just a sippy cup — it’s a complete training system for your child. This straw cup has been designed to support multiple developmental milestones, right from introducing straw drinking to mastering open-cup sipping.

The tactile bumps and weighted base provide topple resistance, while the food-grade silicone material makes it soft on those tiny, developing gums. It’s also BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe, too.

Cons

While this training cup aims high, it’s not without its pitfalls. First off, it’s not completely leak-proof. So, if your little one gets too enthusiastic with the squeezing, expect a bit of a water spill.

The cup can also allow leaks from the straw or around it if tipped over. Given its purpose as a training cup, a little extra water resistance would have gone a long way.

Best for Fuss-Free Hydration: Nuby 3 Piece No-Spill Grip N’ Sip Cup

Key specs: 10.14 fluid ounces, BPA-free silicone material

This Nuby sippy cup could be the saving grace of parents constantly doing laundry because of spills. It’s designed with a focus on reducing messes, making it a go-to solution for on-the-go hydration.

Pros

This sippy cup is spill-proof thanks to its pressure-sensitive Touch-Flo valve. It’s also quite easy for small hands to manage, with its Easy Grip handles perfect for children who are weaning from breast milk and just learning how to self-hydrate. Plus, it’s made with BPA-free materials. Plus, cleanup’s a breeze — hand wash or toss it on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Cons

While it boasts leak-resistant features, the Nuby Grip N’ Sip isn’t entirely drip-proof, particularly when it takes a tumble from the high chair. It’s also tailored more toward girls in style and color scheme, which could be limiting if you’re looking for a unisex option.

The Bottom Line

From ease of use to safety features like BPA-free plastic, our top 11 picks offer a balanced blend of convenience and functionality. Equip your kiddo for those big sips. Cheers to less mess and more joyful mealtimes!

Sources:

Chase Clements

Chase Clements

Author McClatchy Commerce

Based in Kansas City, Chase Clements is the Commerce Content Operations Manager. He has many years of experience as a Commerce Writer and Editor for McClatchy.