The Best Sippy Cups for Babies and Toddlers, Tested by Parents

The transition from a bottle to a sippy cup can happen in the blink of an eye. Children can start using sippy cups when they start eating solid foods, which may occur as young as 6 months old. The goal of shifting away from a bottle to a regular cup is to encourage sipping over sucking.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children can use a sippy cup (also called a training cup) with a spouted lid or a cup with a straw. There’s also the option for kids to drink from an open cup without a straw—the best choice for kids by the time they turn 2 years old. Sippy cups are a good go-between for transitioning from the bottle to mastering an open cup; they’re durable and often help reduce spills or leaks. Some come with straws, soft or hard spouts, and handles; others transform into an open cup for versatility—and we’ve tested them all.

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• Our Testing Process

  To find the best leakproof and durable sippy cups, we spoke with several experts, including a pediatrician, pediatric feeding therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Additionally, our parenting editors tested 25 options from popular brands in our lab and in the real world to find out which ones live up to the hype. We evaluated each sippy cup on the following criteria to determine which ones made our list.
  

  • Design: First, we unboxed the sippy cups and washed them according to their manufacturer’s recommendations. We observed the sippy cups’ materials, types of spouts, and handles, where applicable. Moreover, we noted any interchangeable tops and if the cup came with cleaning accessories.
  • Leak Resistance: To determine the leak resistance of the sippy cups, we first filled them with water, juice, and milk. Next, we tipped, dropped, and shook the cups at various angles to mimic a child’s movement. We also watched how our kids interacted with the cups, such as tossing them or shaking them often, and if that resulted in leaking.
  • Durability: In the lab, we bit down on the spouts and edges of the cup to replicate a child. We looked for indents, tears, and potential loose pieces. Then, we dropped the sippy cups from a countertop—twice—and looked for visible damage, like cracks or breakage. With our kids, we let them use the sippy cups during their normal daily activities, noting if or when they threw the cups. We inspected the cups throughout the testing period for any visible signs.
  • Ease of Use: We watched our children drink from the cups independently, observing whether they could open or close the lids without assistance. We also evaluated comfort and whether the cups were easy or difficult for a child to grab.
  • Ease of Cleaning: We disassembled the sippy cups to clean them thoroughly, both before and after use. We followed the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for each sippy cup, washing them in a dishwasher or by hand. We also noted any hard-to-reach places, staining, and lingering odors from juice, milk, or soap.
  • Value: To determine value, we considered these factors, along with any additional features, against each sippy cup’s price. We considered the pros and cons of the sippy cups and how they performed in our tests.

• What Experts Recommend

  Most experts agree that open cups, with or without a straw, are the best options for children, which you can incorporate while using a sippy cup. “If a child is drinking exclusively from a sippy cup, they’re using an infant swallowing pattern. If a child continues to use an infant swallowing pattern, it can impact the way they’re able to chew and swallow solid foods,” explains Kate Marble, MA, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist at Akron Children’s. “In turn, if [you’re] offering a sippy cup, it is best practice to offer the sippy cup in conjunction with an open cup or straw.”

  Stefanie LaManna, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, associate director, Health Care Services in Speech-Language Pathology at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association agrees that you should use sippy cups in moderation. “Issues can arise when a child only drinks from one type of cup and doesn’t have opportunities to learn how to drink from things like a straw or an open cup,” she says. “A sippy cup of any kind, used in moderation with a lot of practice with straws and open cups, is a good goal for families to help their child develop the skills they need.”

  “The best sippy cup for a family is the one that matches where the child is developmentally and what works best for them as a family, especially in terms of affordability and ease of cleaning,” says LaManna. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends looking for sippy cups that have two handles and a weighted base for avoiding spills—two things we prioritized when we selected sippy cups for our tests.

• Types of Sippy Cups

  While our experts agree that a straw or open cup is best, you have options. These are the most common types of sippy cups:

  • 360 cups: Kids can drink from any edge of a 360 sippy cup rather than one place, such as a spout or straw. Some 360 cups include handles—a feature our experts recommend. “I usually encourage parents to consider something that has handles, so an infant or younger toddler can hold the cup themselves, and provide learning opportunities for their child to drink from different types of cups so they can gain a variety of skills,” says LaManna.
  • Spout cups: Spout cups have a spout (naturally) for toddlers to drink from. Spouts can be soft or hard and are wider than a straw. Similar to 360 cups, spout sippy cups sometimes have handles for kids to grasp easily. Watch your child to see how they interact with it. “Each cup has a different rate at which the liquid flows out of the spout. Parents should monitor their children for frequent spillage, coughing, or gagging while drinking,” Marble says.
  • Straw cups: These cups feature a single straw for kids to drink from, often with an accompanying cap for hygiene protection. Depending on the cup, some straws can be too large for younger children or too small for older children. “If your child is demonstrating difficulty drinking from a sippy cup or straw, consider trying a different sippy cup or a more narrow straw,” suggests Marble.
  • Open cups: An open cup is the best option for kids by age 2. While there may be handles, there isn’t a lid.

Sippy Cup Reviews

Why We Like It 

The Nuby No-Spill Soft Spout Grip N’ Sip Trainer Cup performed the best in our lab test and with our kids in the real world. Thanks to its lightweight feel, hourglass shape, and two integrated handles, we found the sippy cup comfortable to hold and carry. The soft silicone spout is a breeze for children to drink from and feels gentle against emerging teeth and sore gums. 

We appreciate how this Nuby sippy cup didn’t leak during our testing period in the lab or in the hands of busy toddlers. We dropped, shook, and turned the sippy cup upside down with no signs of leakage. Moreover, there were no wet spots in a diaper bag after we tossed the cup inside for travel purposes.

The Nuby Grip N’ Sip Trainer Cup consists of three pieces that come apart seamlessly. For example, you twist the lid open, and the mouthpiece easily pops out for cleaning. We put the cup in the dishwasher (it’s top-rack safe), and it came out like new. 

But Take Note 

Despite so much use—and many throws from kids—the cup is still in great shape. The top plastic piece had a few scratches, but the material held up well overall. 

The Details: 

• Material: Plastic
• Capacity: 8 fl. oz.
• Recommended age: 4 months+
• Dishwasher safe: Yes
  

Why We Like It 

For babies transitioning from bottle to cup, the Dr. Brown’s Milestones Narrow Sippy Bottle makes the exciting switch easier. A soft silicone spout replaces the nipple on any Dr. Brown’s Narrow bottle, transforming a baby bottle into a sippy cup with one piece. Our kids didn’t struggle with a learning curve when drinking from or holding the bottle. The sippy bottle comes with a removable sleeve that features two handles (while some of our older toddlers didn’t need it, it’s handy for beginners). 

If this sippy cup isn’t on your radar because the brand doesn’t specifically market it as “leak proof”, don’t worry— the sippy bottle didn’t spill a single drop of liquid when we shook, tipped, and flipped it upside down in our lab. And when we dropped it, only a few drops of milk hit the floor. Moreover, there are no signs of wear and tear after use in the lab and with kids. 

Another plus for busy parents: all parts of the Dr. Brown’s sippy bottle are safe to clean in the dishwasher, electric or microwave sterilizers, or boiling water. Plus, there aren’t as many pieces to assemble or disassemble as the brand’s baby bottles.  

But Take Note 

A snap-on cap keeps the spout clean if you need to take the sippy bottle on the go. Unfortunately, we had challenges with the cap staying on correctly, so we opted not to use it. 

The Details: 

• Material: Plastic 
• Capacity: 8 fl. oz.
• Recommended age: 6 months+
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Why We Like It 

The 100% silicone material of this Beaba learning cup makes it stand out on our list. It’s durable, simple to clean, and easy to use, making it a favorite among parents and kids. We were also impressed with the design and aesthetic of the cup. “It had a stylish, modern look that was both visually appealing and functional,” said one of our parenting editors. The handles and soft silicone spout didn’t cause any issues for kids who immediately mastered drinking from the cup. 

The Beaba Silicone Learning Cup demonstrated excellent leak resistance throughout testing in the lab and the real world. Kids vigorously shook the cup in all directions, and the lid never came off. Only a tiny amount of liquid escaped when we dropped the cup from a high chair onto the floor. Otherwise, the cup maintained a reliable seal, and there were no unexpected spills. Plus, the robust silicone material withstood kids throwing the cup to the ground with all the force of a Major League pitcher.

Cleaning this learning cup is remarkably straightforward and hassle-free. The cup can be placed securely on the top rack when using the dishwasher, ensuring it undergoes a gentle but effective cleaning cycle. If washing by hand, regular dish soap and warm water are sufficient to keep the cup clean and hygienic.

While you can purchase the cup by itself, you can also buy the Beaba feeding set, which makes a great baby shower gift. 

But Take Note 

The company says the lid is “airtight,” and they’re not wrong. While kids can’t remove the lid themselves (a win in our book), we needed a little strength to do so. On the plus side, we were able to remove it one-handed. Once you take the lid off, you can use the cup as an open sippy cup or as a spot for snacks. 

The Details: 

• Material: Silicone 
• Capacity: 5.5 oz. 
• Recommended age: 8 months and up 
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Why We Like It

The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup is one of the most popular 360 sippy cups on the market—and for good reason. Instead of a spout or straw, this sippy cup features a 360-degree edge, allowing kids to drink from any side. It can be a learning experience for babies transitioning to a sippy cup, but kids in our test were able to get the hang of it quickly. Two handles provide a spot for tiny hands to grasp the cup solidly, but it’s important to note they are not removable. However, the company makes the 360 sippy cup without handles, too. 

We found that this trainer cup doesn’t spill unless you shake or drop it aggressively. Even then, only a few drops escaped—a pleasant surprise for one editor whose kiddo likes to chuck her cups off her high chair. The 360 trainer cup acquired a few scratches on the handles from repeated drops but stayed pristine otherwise. 

Overall, cleaning the cup is simple. The lid has several holes underneath the silicone piece, but they’re a breeze to clean because the cup is dishwasher safe. The cup didn’t stain or build up any residue throughout the testing period. 

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We also tested the Munchkin Miracle 360 Stainless Steel Sippy Cup, which performed nearly the same as the original 360 cup. The only differences? The stainless steel option keeps drinks cold for hours and doesn’t include handles.

But Take Note 

Although our editor testing this one with her child didn’t experience much spillage with the cup, testers in our lab did. When we dropped the cup from a countertop, the liquid inside the Munchkin 360 sprayed everywhere. In the cup’s defense, the company doesn’t say the Miracle 360 is leak proof or spill proof.

The Details: 

• Material: Plastic 
• Capacity: 7 fl. oz. 
• Recommended age: 6 months+ 
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Why We Like It 

“Sippy cups are largely easy, mostly affordable, and great for on the go,” says LaManna, a speech-language pathologist. The First Years Take & Toss Sippy Cups are proof of this. You can get a four-pack of these reusable sippy cups for just a few bucks without sacrificing functionality for kids and parents. The cups fit in a cup holder in the car and a diaper bag's side pockets. An optional spout cover helps prevent leaks, but we didn’t use it often (some kids liked tinkering with it, though). Our editors testing these in the real world say their kids had zero difficulties holding and drinking from the cup.

These plastic sippy cups proved their durability during our drop test and regular use at home. We don’t see any cracks, scratches, or other signs of damage or staining from repeated use and cycles in the dishwasher. The sippy cups can easily withstand the rough handling of babies and toddlers.   

But Take Note 

We had mixed feelings about these sippy cups' leak resistance. In the lab, The First Years Take & Toss Sippy Cups exceeded our expectations, barely leaking after intense shaking, tipping it over, and flipping it upside down. During real-world testing, we found the cup to slowly drip when tipped or flipped upside down. However, if the liquid didn’t reach the spout in these positions, there was no leakage. 

The Details: 

• Material: Plastic
• Capacity: 10 fl. oz. 
• Recommended age: 9 months+ 
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Why We Like It 

Children should drink from an open cup by 2 years old, and the Lalo Little Cup can help them reach that milestone. This silicone training cup transforms from a straw cup to a spout and an open cup. It also features two silicone handles for kids to grasp easily, but they are not removable like the lid and straw pieces. We found the overall minimalistic design pleasing to the eye and soft to the touch. 

Although the cup did leak during our drop test, the lid never came off. The silicone material also didn’t suffer from any scratches or cracks. We love how straightforward the cup is to clean, with only three pieces to disassemble. We ran all the pieces in the dishwasher but cleaned the straw with a special brush to prevent residue buildup. Silicone can sometimes stain, depending on what it holds (such as beets or tomato sauce), but we never experienced staining with the Lalo Little Cup, which did have juice in it at times. 

But Take Note 

Unfortunately, the biggest problem with this training cup is its leak resistance. While it didn’t leak when a toddler repeatedly shook it, we did find that the Lalo Little Cup leaks when tilted upside down or dropped.

The Details: 

• Materials: Silicone
• Capacity: 4 fl. oz.
• Recommended age: 4 months+
• Dishwasher safe: Yes 
  

Why We Like It

The b.box Insulated Drink Bottle is the ultimate “big kid cup” with its stainless steel material and 12-ounce capacity. Stainless steel keeps drinks cold for up to 8 hours and warm for up to 6 hours, so your child can use the cup all day regardless of their drink choice. We appreciate that the straw is angled and provides an easy flow for drinking without a valve. One of our kiddos has been drinking out of this cup for over a year with no issues getting liquid out (it’s also his favorite cup). 

This cup has been through the wringer: going to preschool, on family vacations, and living in a car seat’s cup holder. The only wear and tear we see is a small dent in the stainless steel after one kiddo dropped the cup on the concrete. Otherwise, the cup flawlessly survives tipping, tilting, shaking, and other movements. 

We’ve washed this cup dozens of times according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (top rack only). The stainless steel material and silicone straw top feel and look the same day as we started using the insulated kids’ bottle. Just note this pick is for children ages 12 months and up. 

But Take Note 

The push-button lid provides an extra layer of protection for leaks and hygiene purposes. It also has a large carry handle, so kids feel like grown-ups when they carry it. However, we found that the lid can easily fall off if you bump it into something, and it’s difficult to reattach. 

The Details: 

• Material: Stainless steel 
• Capacity: 12 fl. oz. 
• Recommended age: 12 months+
• Dishwasher safe: Yes
  

Why We Like It 

Like the Dr. Brown’s Milestones Narrow Sippy Bottle, this Phillips Avent Trainer Cup transforms from a baby bottle to a trainer cup. However, unlike the Dr. Brown’s sippy bottle, this Phillips Avent pick has handles with soft rubber grips for comfy and secure handling. Kids quickly learned to use the handles and the silicone sippy spout. The training sippy cup even comes with a Phillips Avent baby bottle nipple, making this a great (and familiar) option for babies transitioning between a bottle and a sippy cup.  

This training cup had minimal leaks and held up well against drops and impacts. It is clear, which makes it easy to see cracks or other damage. After dropping it in the lab, we only saw a small dark scratch on the top of the cup, but this didn’t change how the cup performed. 

The cup is easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning, as there are only three parts, and it’s dishwasher safe. The lid twists off, and the mouthpiece pops out. With no cracks or crevices to clean, we had no issues with residue build-up or lingering odors. 

But Take Note 

The Philips Avent Natural Trainer Cup is almost fully leakproof. In the lab, we didn’t have any drops or spills during testing. However, in the real world, we found that if you hold it upside down long enough, it will start to drip slowly (especially if a child holds the mouthpiece down). 

The Details: 

• Material: Plastic 
• Capacity: 5 fl. oz. 
• Recommended age: 6 months+ 
• Dishwasher safe: Yes
  

Other Notable Sippy Cups 

• Nuk Tritan Learner Cup: This sippy cup with handles was a star in our lab, exhibiting almost no leaking, superb durability, and a kid-friendly design. Unfortunately, our real-world tester says the Nuk Tritan Learner Cup was difficult for their child to drink.
• Munchkin Any Angle Click Lock Weighted Straw Trainer Cup: The Munchkin weighted straw cup holds up well against drops and doesn’t leak—despite the flailing it went through with our editors’ kids. However, like the Nuk Tritian, this Munchkin straw cup is challenging for both kids and parents to sip from.
• Ezpz Mini Cup + Straw Training System: The Ezpz mini cup might be the cutest cup we tested with its round weighted base and matching straw. While we love its durable silicone material and easy cleaning instructions, the cup leaks at the slightest tilt, shake, or lean. 
• The First Years Squeeze & Sip: We loved this cup in the lab and the real world. Kids quickly learned to gently squeeze the cup to sip from the straw. The First Years Squeeze & Sip slightly leaked when kids shook it, but it kept most liquid inside. 

Our Experts

In addition to our lab and real-world testing, we spoke with several experts, including a pediatrician, pediatric dietician, pediatric feeding therapists, and speech-language pathologists. We asked these experts if sippy cups negatively impact oral development in children, how long children can use a sippy cup, and what parents should look for in sippy cups. The experts we spoke with are: 

• Kate Marble, MA, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at Akron Children’s
• Michael Stamps, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Phoenix Children's Pediatrics Paradise Valley
• Stefanie LaManna, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, pediatric feeding therapist, speech-language pathologist, and associate director of Health Care Services in Speech-Language Pathology at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Shavanne Williams-Robinson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, founder, pediatric feeding therapist, and speech-language pathologist at Speak Eat Smile Therapy
• Krystyn Parks, MS, RD, IBCLC, a pediatric dietician and lactation consultant

Factors to Consider When Buying Sippy Cups 

• Material: We tested sippy cups made of silicone, plastic, and stainless steel, and all of these materials proved durable. Sippy cups should be strong enough to withstand repeated drops (or throws) to the floor. Soft materials, like silicone or soft spouts, are okay to use; just make sure they’re solid. Dr. Stamps says it’s important to look for sturdy sippy cups that aren’t soft enough for babies with teeth to bite pieces off and potentially choke. “Look for a sippy cup with no small, extra pieces—just the cup and a lid that securely snaps or screws on,” he advises.
• Care and Maintenance: If you don’t thoroughly clean a child’s sippy cup, mold and mildew can enter. Look for a cup you can easily disassemble to clean crevices or other hard-to-reach places, like straws or spouts. Moreover, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Most sippy cups are dishwasher safe, but not all. Incorrectly cleaning a sippy cup may change the quality of the cup. 
• Ease of Use: A sippy cup needs to be simple for a child to use independently. It should encourage sipping over sucking, so avoid valves and other “no-spill” components, which can result in a sucking motion rather than sipping. “Firstly, using sippy cups can prevent a mature swallowing pattern from developing,” explains Williams-Robinson, who prefers parents use an open cup, with or without a straw. “A mature swallow should be developed by the time your child is 1 year old. This is where the tongue tip raises to the alveolar ridge (that bumpy spot behind the upper front teeth), pushes against it, and creates wave-like movements that propels food backwards for swallowing.” According to Marble, using sippy cups depends on duration and moderation. “If a child continues to use an infant swallowing pattern, it can impact the way they’re able to chew and swallow solid foods,” she says. 

When Can Babies Transition to Sippy Cups?

The AAP recommends children drink from an open cup by about age 2. You can start offering a cup to your child as young as 6 months old. “When offering a sippy cup, consider only offering it when the child is seated during a mealtime, in an attempt to prevent injury while walking or playing,” advises Marble. “This also helps to prevent ‘grazing’ on the sippy cup throughout the day.”

As for the best beginner sippy cup, it’s all about your family’s preference. “Many people prefer to wait until their baby has mastered open cups until introducing straw cups, but I find that many babies can learn both at the same time,” Parks says. 

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