When your little one is beyond the bottle and ready to graduate to a big kid cup, the perfect pit stop between the two is a sippy cup. Children can begin using a sippy cup as early as 6 months old, but you'll want to wait a while longer to fully ditch the bottle. By the time children turn 12 months old, you have one year to "phase out" bottles with a goal of all bottles gone by the time your child hits age 2.
Consider your child's age and readiness before you transition to ensure they're truly ready for the switch. You'll also want to think about the different materials of sippy cups, like glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Certain materials may break more easily or be harder to clean than others.
In order to select the best sippy cups, we researched more than 30 products on the market. We also reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to transition a child from a bottle to a cup. When reviewing products, we carefully considered material, age recommendations, ease of cleaning, design, and overall value. From silicone and stainless steel options to straw cups, we've rounded up the best sippy cups for your growing baby.
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Pros
BPA-free
360-degree drinking edge eliminates spills
Easy-to-hold handles
Cons
Takes some children longer to learn
Have to maintain lid's silicone ring weekly
Can still leak if seal lid lifted (easy to do for some children)
The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup earned our top spot because this BPA-free toddler training cup comes with a dentist-recommended, spoutless design that actually forgoes any straw use at all. The 360-degree drinking edge eliminates spills, as the cup automatically seals when the child stops drinking while drinking from anywhere around the rim—just like a regular cup.
It comes with handles that are easy for your child to hold, and with no extra valves or added sippy cup parts, it’s super easy to clean and is top-rack dishwasher safe. For this cup, be sure to inspect the silicone ring on the top of the cup. The ring can be removed and cleaned and should be done periodically to ensure you don't get any mold.
The cup holds 7 ounces of liquid and comes in two different color combination options for children to start using at ages 6 months and up. One note of caution: It may take some kids a little longer to learn how to use this type of cup, but kids who make the transition may have an easier time switching to drinking to open cups. Once your kid gets the hang of these, they can graduate to the model without handles.
Price at time of publication: $14
Key specs:
Capacity: 7 fluid ounces | Age Rec: 6 months and up | Type: 360-degree drinking edge
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Pros
Easy to clean interchangeable lids
Spill-proof lids
Dishwasher-safe (top rack only)
Cons
Not ideal for babies who chew and bite
No screw-on closing (just a lid)
Lids may fall off easily for some
The First Years Take & Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cup holds 10 ounces of liquid and comes in a four-pack of bright and vibrant colors your kid will love. This Amazon’s Choice product is durable enough to use over and over, but its affordable price point means that you can stock up on them and disperse between your home, the car, and the grandparent's house.
The snap-on, valve-free, spill-proof lips are easy to clean, and it comes with a bonus travel cap that makes transport a breeze. The lids are also interchangeable with most other Take & Toss products, so you won’t have to spend precious moments hunting around in your cupboards for the right tops to the right cups. Use this cup for kids 9 months and older.
Price at time of publication: $9
Key specs:
Capacity: 10 ounces | Age Rec: 9 months and up | Type: Cup with spill-proof lid
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Pros
Dishwasher-safe
Hourglass shape
Bite-resistant spout for babies that chew
Cons
Might be harder to clean lid
Can be too big for some cupholders
No cover over spout
If your child could use a little something extra to hold on to while drinking, the Gerber Graduates Fun Grips Sippy Cup has an hourglass shape that not only prevents tipping but also contains grooves that make it easy for tiny hands to hold.
The bite-resistant spout keeps kids from ruining the cup, and the Seal Zone Technology is designed to be 100 percent leak-proof, spill-proof, break-proof experience. There is a spot that’s great for personalizing the cup with your child’s name (great for kids in daycare), and it’s dishwasher-safe and BPA-free.
Price at time of publication: $15
Key specs:
Capacity: 10 ounces | Age Rec: 6 months and up | Type: Hard spout
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Pros
Safe in microwave , dishwasher, and freezer
Withstands up to 428-degree temperatures
Wide weighted base adds stability
Cons
A bit more expensive
May be too big for some hands
Not travel-friendly for car rides, etc.
Easily transition babies 9 months and up from bottle to cup with the Olababy open training cup. Made of soft silicone, it won't damage the baby's teeth or gums. Parents and caregivers will love the wide weighted base that adds stability and reduces the chance of spills. The 5-ounce training cup is BPA-, PVC-, phthalate-, and lead-free and has easy-to-read indicators perfect for portioning and mixing.
Made of non-toxic, durable, food-grade silicone, the cup is easy to clean and is microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe. It can also withstand heat up to 428 degrees.
Price at time of publication: $12
Key specs:
Capacity: 5 ounces | Age Rec: 9 months and up | Type: Training cup
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Pros
Easy to carry with included clip
Holds 10 ounces for long hydration
Gentle on children's gums
Cons
Liquid dispensing possibly not ideal for some
Holes may be too small for some children
For kids who are really into their bottle, the Active Cup mimics their bottle but is designed to make their transition to a big kid cup easy thanks to the hard spout. The spill-proof spout is designed to be gentle on your kid’s sensitive gums, and it’s designed to be 100 percent leak- and spill-proof.
The ultra-lightweight cup comes with a convenient clip for carrying, and it carries 10 ounces of liquid, ensuring that your child remains well-hydrated throughout the day. This model is suited for children ages 12 months and up.
Price at time of publication: $8
Key specs:
Capacity: 10 ounces | Age Rec: 12 months and up | Type: Spill-proof spout
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Pros
360-degree drinking edge eliminates spills
Stainless steel base keeps liquids cool
Vacuum-like seal gives slow, safe stream
Cons
Have to maintain lid's silicone ring
No handles
May be too heavy for some children when fully filled
If you're wary about using plastic around your kids, this stainless steel cup from our best overall pick Munchkin is a great fit. The base is made of stainless steel (the top is silicone but not in constant contact with the liquid) which helps to keep liquids cool when you are on the go. Our favorite feature is the vacuum-like seal that is created when your kid places their lips around the edge, giving them a slow, steady stream of liquid.
Price at time of publication: $17
Key specs:
Capacity: 10 ounces | Age Rec: 12 months and up | Type: 360 degree drinking edge
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Pros
100 percent free of BPA, BPS, and BPF
Dishwasher-safe
Holds 10 ounces for long hydration
Cons
Might need more attention to not leak
Costly
Difficult to clean for some
For the active child who never slows down, this 4.1 star CamelBak 12 ounce water bottle may be just the thing they need to stay perfectly hydrated throughout the day. With more than 20 style options, there is bound to be something to pique the interest of any child.
The product combines the patented CamelBak Big Bite Valve with a stem tube and shut-off valve, which detaches as a one-piece component for simple cleaning. The stain-resistant and taste-free Tritan is 100 percent BPA-, BPS-, and BPF-free, and the size is perfect for little hands to carry on any adventure.
Price at time of publication: $15
Key specs:
Capacity: 12 ounces | Age Rec: 3 years old and up | Type: Big bite valve
The Best Sippy Cups for Babies and Toddlers Transitioning From Bottle or Breast
How We Selected the Best Sippy Cups
We chose the best sippy cups by researching reviews from customers and competitors, and we studied the features of more than 30 products on the market. We considered price, design, features, ease of cleaning, material, and any age recommendations when deciding our picks. We also reviewed the guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on when to discontinue the bottle, how to go about the transition, and the best type of sippy cup for a toddler.
Our editors and writers have their fingers on the pulse of the latest trends in the parenting product industry and use their own experience with raising their families and using products to help inform their research.
What to Look for in a Sippy Cup
Age Appropriate
It is important to note that sippy cups are not a required step in the transition from bottle to cup, and some health experts actually recommend starting with open cups. However, sippy cups can be helpful in the transitioning process, so choose what works best for your baby based on their developmental stage and motor skills.
Around 6 months old, your baby can start the transition from a bottle to a sippy cup. Since open and straw cups may have a steep learning curve, starting out with a cup that has a spouted, leak-proof top and easy-grip side will help make the change easier. Once they get the hang of that, straw cups can be introduced between 6 and 9 months. As soon as your baby shows readiness, you can try out spoutless, open cups. Every child and family is different, so experiment with what works for you and aim to transition to exclusively open cups between 12 and 24 months of age.
Type
There are a wide array of sippy cup designs available on the market and, just like baby bottles, your toddler might prefer one type over another. Here are the main types of sippy cups to consider:
Straw: This type of cup comes with a straw attached or included. Typically, you are able to detach the straw completely for easy cleaning. Some kids like this option as it doesn't require them to lift or tilt the cup to drink from it. Others avoid straw sippy cups because they can require extra tools to ensure that they are clean like a straw cleaning brush.
Spout: Likely one of the more common iterations of a sippy cup, this cup has a firm to flexible spout with two to three holes to allow liquids for flow through. The harder spouts can withstand chomping and biting while the softer spouts are closer to a bottle's nipple which some kids will prefer.
Spoutless: Perfect for older toddlers that are ready to transition to a standard cup but aren't quite there yet, the spoutless cup features a technology that allows liquids to flow freely when the cup is tipped upwards but seals close when the cup is right side up to prevent spilling. It is designed to help little ones move towards regular, open top cups but in a safer way.
Readiness
When your little one is ready to hop from bottle to cup, they will show signs of readiness. Their signs of readiness can include:
- Sitting up without support
- Showing interest in the cup
- Gripping the cup
Generally, a good time to try cups is when you start feeding your baby solid foods, including puree, which is usually around 6 months. If your baby is having a hard time getting a hang of using a sippy cup, don't push the transition. You can take a step back and reintroduce a cup when they are ready.
Material
Sippy cups can be made of silicone, plastic, glass, or stainless steel. When it comes to plastic sippy cups, be sure to try to buy one that is BPA-free. BPA is a chemical found in many plastic products, that at high exposure levels, may be associated with adverse health effects. The FDA banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, but it is still good practice to check what materials are in the sippy cups you are looking to purchase.
Silicone sippy cups offer a soft and flexible feel that little ones enjoy while glass and stainless steel are eco-friendly options that last throughout the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I transition from a bottle to a sippy cup?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing cups around the age of 6 months, usually when you start introducing solids into the baby's diet. Every child is different, so it is important to assess their developmental stage and look for signs of readiness including sitting up without support, showing interest in the cup, and gripping the cup.
You can start cup introduction with open cups, but many parents find sippy cups helpful with the transition.
How long can my toddler use a sippy cup?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents wean their children off the bottle between 12 and 24 months, with the goal of transitioning fully to open cups by 24 months. While you can introduce open cups as early as 6months of age (depending on your baby's motor development and readiness), sippy cups can be helpful during this transition from bottle to cup. In general, you should aim to have your child fully off sippy cups and bottles by two years of age.
Closed cups with straws can be introduced as early as 6 months and used after two years of age as an on-the-go option to reduce spills. Prolonged use of sippy cups and bottles can inhibit proper oral development and lead to dental caries.
What can you expect to pay for sippy cups?
Because sippy cups are available in a variety of styles, such as stainless steel or plastic, prices will vary depending on material, size, and additional features. For example, simple plastic sippy cups, such as The First Years Take & Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cups, will likely cost less than stainless steel sippy cups, like the Munchkin Miracle Stainless Steel 360 Sippy Cup. Additionally, larger bottles may cost more due to more material being used, or sippy cups with additional features, like handles or fun patterns, may also up the cost.
Overall, the prices of sippy cups range from an average of $10 to $25.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Cheryl Lock is a Denver-based writer and editor who has written for Parents, Woman's Day, Business Insider, USA Today, Family Circle, Runner's World, and more.
Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian that works with the pediatric population in both private practice and clinical in-patient settings. She follows the most up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations for pediatrics, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She contributed to the "What to Look For", "Final Verdict" and "FAQs".
