Best Sippy Cups, According to Parents Who've Used Them with Their Babies
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- Best Overall Sippy Cup : Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
- Best Sippy Cup to Transition From Bottle : Philips Avent My Natural Trainer Cup
- Best Anti-Colic Sippy Cup : Nuk Simply Natural Learner Cup
- Best Sippy Cup with Removable Handles : Oxo Tot Transitions Straw Cup with Removable Handles
- Best Spill-Proof Sippy Cup : Nuby 2 Handle Cup With No-Spill Super Spout
- Best Stainless Steel Sippy Cup : Munchkin Miracle Stainless Steel 360 Sippy Cup
- Best Sippy Cup for Biters : First Essentials by NUK Sippy Cup
- Best Sippy Cup for Active Kids : Munchkin Any Angle Click Lock Weighted Straw Trainer Cup
- Best Eco-Friendly Sippy Cup : Re-Play No-Spill Sippy Cup
- Best Disposable Sippy Cup : The First Years Take & Toss Disposable Sippy Cup
Making the transition from bottle or breast to a proper cup can be a challenge for a lot of little ones, and a sippy cup is an ideal product to bridge this gap.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving up a bottle somewhere between 12 and 24 months, there is understandably a learning curve that’s sure to result in ample spills in the meantime — which is where sippy cups come in. “We recommend introducing a sippy cup around 6 months old so the child becomes familiar with it and proficient so that by their first birthday they can use them and start weaning off bottles, says Lauren Crosby, M.D., a pediatrician at La Peer Pediatrics in Los Angeles.
Your child can begin using a sippy cup as soon as she can sit in a high chair to eat solid foods. Try to think of the sippy cup as a bridge to the real thing, and switch to a real cup once she gets the hang of holding it upright, rather than letting it become a comfort object. “Toddlers don't need to carry around a cup all day like a security blanket,” says Dr. Crosby. “That tends to encourage over-drinking which can fill them up so they don't eat their meals.”
Like bottles, sippy cups can lead to cavities if they’re used all the time, or if a little one lies down with one. Limit use to mealtimes and to quench thirst only.
With so many options available on the market, how do you know which sippy cup is the best for your baby or toddler?
Types of sippy cups
There are four main types of sippy cups:
- Hard spout
- Soft spout
- Straw
- Flat lid
Soft spouts and straws are popular choices, as they more closely resemble nipples and are easier for tots to learn how to drink from. “Straws are better for oral motor development, but most babies can't figure out how to use them before they are 9 to 12 months old,” says Dr. Crosby. “Besides straw and spout, there is the type of cup that has a 360-degree edge to allow drinking from all sides, which I like too.”
In general, the best sippy cup is the one your child will take. Dr. Crosby recommends only putting water, formula, breast milk or milk (for children over a year) in the cup and avoiding drinks high in sugar, like juice.
What to consider when choosing a sippy cup for your baby or toddler
There are several sippy cup features to look for:
- Leak-free. One of the biggest benefits of a sippy cup is that they help prevent spills as your child learns to drink from a cup. Some models are truly leak-proof, while others are more what we'd call leak-resistant (but come with other appealing features). We've noted which models fit into which category in the product descriptions below.
- Ease of cleaning. Straws and spouts are a perfect place for gunk to build up and germs to grow, which means ease of cleaning is incredibly important. Look for cups that come completely apart and can be washed in the dishwasher to avoid the possibility of mold.
- Free of harmful chemicals. While the FDA requires sippy cups sold in the U.S. to be BPA-free, there is still some concern that other chemicals may leach from the plastic. If you’re worried, there are a growing number of options in alternate materials including stainless steel, glass and silicone.
- Easy to use. It might take a few tries to find the cup that works best for your little one. Some children do better with straws, while others benefit from a spout. Also, look for cups with handles or grippy material that’s easy for little hands to pick up.
How we chose the best sippy cups
We polled thousands of parents from the What to Expect Community about the sippy cups they've used with their own children to find consensus on the options that are easiest to clean, are least likely to leak and — perhaps most importantly — are most likely to be accepted by notoriously finicky tots. Our team of editors and product testers then considered products for their ease of use, durability and overall value. The result: A list of great sippy cups to help your little one transition away from the bottle or breast.
Best Overall Sippy Cup
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
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This cup boasts a flat, 360-degree leak-proof lid that makes the transition from bottle to cup easier because little ones can drink from any angle. . It also helps to support healthy teeth and muscle development, as your little one learns to sip from the rim of the cup. It holds 7 ounces and is aimed at children 6 months and older.
Also good? This sippy cup is self-sealing so it’s virtually spill-proof. It's made from BPA-free plastic and features a soft, easy-to-grip exterior perfect for tiny hands.
Size: 7 ounces
Recommended age: 6 months and older
Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 6 inches
"My daughter has been using these cups since she was about 5 months and she loves them. It’s pretty cute watching her drink from them."
"We love this cup. He’s still getting the hang of actually swallowing all of the water, but it doesn’t spill and he can hold it himself to take a drink."
"These are the only cups we introduced and used! Took a lot of patience though, baby would initially get drenched with water but slowly got the hang of it and now he uses it on his own, I don’t even need to hold it up for him anymore! Really love it!"
Best Sippy Cup to Transition From Bottle
Philips Avent My Natural Trainer Cup
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This no-spill sippy cup, which holds 5 ounces of liquid, comes complete with both a nipple and a spout, making it an excellent choice for transitioning reluctant little ones. Speaking of little, this cup is smaller, so potentially easier for 6-month-olds to handle. (The company says it can be used for babies as young as 4 months, but your mileage may vary depending on readiness.) A removable cover helps keep the spout clean between drinks.
Size: 5 ounces
Recommended age: 4 months and older
Dimensions: 3.54 x 4.92 x 7.2 inches
"I use the Avent sippy cups. My LO already is kinda figuring it out. I think because they are pretty simple."
"We have the Avent trainer cup and it works great!"
Best Anti-Colic Sippy Cup
Nuk Simply Natural Learner Cup
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This (small!) 5-ounce sippy cup has big, wide handles (which are also removable), making it easy for a young baby to hold. Plus, the spout is notably wide, which is designed to have a more natural feel and encourage sipping and the transition from the breast or bottle. It’s dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and even has an “anti-colic” vent, which is supposed to reduce the likelihood that your little one swallows air when sipping, and thus, help minimize gas and colic. As your chlid grows, a 9-ounce version is also available.
What's more, while parents used to complain about the lack of replacement spouts for this cup, the brand now sells them.
Size: 5 or 9 ounces
Recommended age: 6 months and older
Dimensions: 6.97 x 5.91 x 4.8 inches
"I only use Nuk sippy cups for my girls! They’ve always transitioned from bottle to sippy really well with this kind."
"Nuk has been our winner. We just switched over because my son kept tearing the rubber on the other ones and water and milk were EVERYWHERE. It took him a little while to figure out how the Nuk cup worked but they’ve been a lifesaver."
"Nuk has been the only spill-proof [sippy cup] and it's easy to clean."
Best Sippy Cup with Removable Handles
Oxo Tot Transitions Straw Cup with Removable Handles
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This sippy cup comes complete with measuring marks so you can easily track your child’s fluid intake, and is extremely leak-resistant. It features removable handles that make it easier to fit in most cup holders, and it’s also a cinch to clean. It holds 6 ounces of liquid and comes with two different lids: One has a spout and is suitable for babies, the other is an "open trainer" with a clear disc to help toddlers figure out how far to tip the lid as they're sipping.
Size: 6 ounces
Recommended age: 4 months and older
Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.5 x 7.7 inches
"We used the OXO Transition Cup. She loved it. Used it for two days and now can drink out of any straw."
"I would recommend you use the OXO Transitions Straw Cup. My baby girl likes to bite into straws constantly and these have held up perfectly. Plus, they have the handles so that they can get an easier hold of the cup which are removable for when they learn to hold it on their own."
Best Spill-Proof Sippy Cup
Nuby 2 Handle Cup With No-Spill Super Spout
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The parts of this sippy cup, which holds 8 ounces, are interchangeable with most other Nuby cups and bottles, and tend to be sturdier than other products on the market. They're available in a number of different color options and won’t leak when shaken or thrown (a big bonus). These are sold two to a pack.
Size: 8 ounces
Recommended age: 4 months and older
Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.3 x 6.4 inches
"With this Nuby Cup, my daughter could bite the end and get juice to come out that didn't leak otherwise. I think this one was more like the bottle ends with being all rubbery, and didn’t require tons of sucking to get some out."
Best Stainless Steel Sippy Cup
Munchkin Miracle Stainless Steel 360 Sippy Cup
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Made from stainless steel, this 10-ounce sippy cup is free of all of the yucky stuff (BPA, phthalates and other potentially harmful chemicals). The spotless 360-degree edge eliminates the risk of spills (even loose in your bag!), and it's recommended by dentists because it helps support the muscle development needed to eventually drink from a regular cup. A cover is also included, but there are no annoying extra valves or parts to lose. It's also durable and dishwasher-safe.
Size: 10 ounces
Recommended age: 12 months and older
Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 x 8.88 inches inches
"I had a bunch of friends recommend the ThinkBaby Sippy cup and my son and I love it. It's easy to clean, not a lot of parts, leakproof, and even transforms into a straw sippy cup when they're ready. Plus, the handles are removable."
"My daughter would only use the Comotomo and refused all sippy cups. I ordered the ThinkBaby sippy as a last try and she loved it right away."
Best Sippy Cup for Biters
First Essentials by NUK Sippy Cup
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Some tots like to bite or chew the soft plastic spouts on their sippy cups. If that describes your little one, this is the cup for you — it features a hard, bite-resistant spout. Plus, thanks to Seal Zone Technology, it’s leak-proof, spill-proof, break-proof and dishwasher-safe. These are sold in a pack of two.
Size: 10 ounces
Recommended age: 12 months and older
Dimensions: 3.25 x 7.25 x 9.25 inches
"My daughter loves them. She will drink out of straw cups but she by far prefers the Nuk. She will drink a lot more water if it's from a Nuk sippy cup!"
"I only use Nuk sippy cups for my girls! They’ve always transitioned from bottle to sippy really well with this kind."
"Nuk has been our winner. We just switched over because my son kept tearing the rubber on the other ones and water and milk were EVERYWHERE. It took him a little while to figure out how the Nuk cup worked but they’ve been a lifesaver."
Best Sippy Cup for Active Kids
Munchkin Any Angle Click Lock Weighted Straw Trainer Cup
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This 7-ounce sippy cup with a straw has a special feature: It’ll dispense liquid from any angle, making it a good pick for kids who are always on the move. It also has a flip top lid and “clicks” closed, so you don’t have to worry about spillage on the go. Your tot can hold the cup like a bottle but drink through the straw. Notice leaking? The company has a 100 percent replacement guarantee.
Size: 7 ounces
Recommended age: 6 months and older
Dimensions: 5 x 9 x 1 inches
"We just got one. I find it easier to drink out of compared to other sippy straw cups."
"We've had good luck with the Munchkin Weighted Straw Cup and the Playtex straw cups! I've tried others that even I couldn't get a drink from!!"
Best Eco-Friendly Sippy Cup
Re-Play No-Spill Sippy Cup
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This 10-ounce sippy cup that comes in a three-pack is super green: Re-Play’s products are made from recycled milk jugs! BPA-, phthalate- and PVC-free, these sippy cups are also 100 percent recyclable when your little one has grown out of them. Don’t worry, they’re functional, too! The silicone valve is easy to clean, hard to leak through, and the cups are super sturdy.
Size: 10 ounces
Recommended age: 6 months and older
Dimensions: 6.25 x 3.12 x 3.12 inches
“Re-Play cups are sturdy and easy to clean. I love that I was able to introduce them to my son as a toddler, and he was able to continue to use it as he grew.”
Best Disposable Sippy Cup
The First Years Take & Toss Disposable Sippy Cup
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These 10-ounce sippy cups check a lot of boxes: They’re durable enough to be used over and over again, easy to clean in the dishwasher (snap on, valve-free, interchangeable lids) and once you’re done with them, they’re recyclable. Use them every day, when you’re out and about or for an upcoming trip.
Size: 10 ounces
Recommended age: 9 months or older
Dimensions: 3.35 x 3.35 x 5.12 inches
"My son really likes the Take and Toss cups. They are super simple, surprisingly sturdy and cheap."
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Discontinuing the Bottle, December 2011.
- Lauren Crosby, M.D., F.A.A.P.
- What to Expect, How to Introduce a Sippy Cup, February 2021.
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