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When it’s time for your baby to transition off the breast or bottle, it can feel like a hard-to-swallow reminder that your baby is growing.

It’s a bittersweet milestone, and you might be experiencing flashes of them going off to college. But don’t worry, there are plenty of joy-filled memories to make before that day comes.

Right now, your little one is ready to take on a new skill! That’s cause for celebration, one that deserves the best sippy cup to help them achieve it. We’ve rounded up some of our picks for the best sippy cup by age and feature.

Sip without spilling — that’s the mission of all sippy cups. It’s a cup that allows your baby to learn how to drink out of a real cup without the risk of spilling (something we know you know they’re good at).

Depending on the type of sippy cup you buy, it will generally have some combination of handles, a spout, a straw, and a lid to help your little one hone their motor skills of holding a cup and learn how to take a drink without dumping it down the front of their cute outfit.

You can choose from a few different types of sippy cups:

  • Soft spout. These are the closest to a bottle, containing a nipple spout that still allows for sucking. They can be used to transition your baby to latched tops or open tops by allowing them to first get used to holding and gripping the cup and its handles.
  • Hard spout. Hard-spout sippy cups encourage your child to transition from sucking to tilting and sipping. It’s often best to introduce it after they’ve mastered the soft spout.
  • Straw. Straw sippy cups, as you may have guessed, employ a straw rather than a spout. Some feel that a straw is preferable for speech development over a spout. They can also help your child get used to drinking from a straw and using a cup.
  • No spout or flat lid. These sippy cups are spoutless with a flat top (sometimes referred to as 360 cups). They allow for water to flow from all edges of the cup opening to resemble the action of a real cup while still using a lid. They typically lack any no-spill valves, and that’s a good thing.

Yet another milestone in your baby’s life is the transition from breast or bottle to cup.

As previously mentioned, the AAP suggests fully transitioning from bottles to open cups by the time a child is 2 years old. Doing so can help prevent tooth decay.

Sippy cups can be a good option for bridging the gap between a bottle and an open cup. They prevent spilling while still giving your child more independence.

Your child may not take to the first option you present to them, but keep trying! The key to success is choosing cups that are appropriate for your child’s age and stage of development.

The type of sippy cup that’s best for your baby depends on their age, their ability to hold a sippy cup on their own, and how easy the cups are to use — and to clean. Here’s what we considered when choosing the best sippy cups.

  • Company reputation and transparency. Our integrity team vets products for impending lawsuits, harmful materials, and more. You can learn all about Healthline’s detailed vetting process here.
  • Materials. All of the sippy cups included are made from BPA-free plastic and other safe materials.
  • Price. We included options in various price ranges.
  • Customer reviews. We combed through customer reviews to choose sippy cups that come highly rated by other parents.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $5 per 5-ounce cup
  • $$ = $5–$8 per 5-ounce cup
  • $$$ = over $8 per 5-ounce cup

Here are our picks for the best sippy cup by age:

Younger babies are still learning to master their coordination, so easy-grip handles and soft spouts are key features to look for in a sippy cup for babies ages 4 to 6 months.

Cup use at this age is optional. It’s more about practice and less about actual drinking. Babies should always be supervised while using a cup or bottle.

Best leak-free sippy cup

Nuby No-Spill Super Spout Grip N’ Sip

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Cup holds a full 8 ounces; budget-friendly option
  • Cons: Children with teeth can bite through the silicone spout, causing leaks and choking hazards

The plastic construction is BPA-free and comes in a variety of bright colors. The cup can hold a full 8 ounces of liquid. It’s also an affordable option.

This cup gets high marks from customers because it’s easy to clean, durable, and leak-free — at least when the top is screwed on correctly.

Some say it isn’t the best choice for children with teeth because they can bite through the silicone spout.

Best versatile sippy cup

Munchkin Latch Transition Cup

  • Price: $$$
  • Pros: Handles can be removed when no longer needed; can use the Munchkin bottle nipples with this cup during the transition period
  • Cons: smaller cup that’s only designed to hold 4 ounces; little ones can snap off the handles when in use

All materials in this plastic cup are BPA-free and screw apart for easy cleaning.

Customers like the adaptability of this cup. The handles can be removed as your child gets more skilled at holding a cup. You can also use Munchkin bottle nipples when necessary.

Others critique the cup’s flow, calling it “restrictive,” and explain that the handles snap off too easily when in use.

Best transitional sippy cup

Tommee Tippee First Sips Soft Transition Cup

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: Offers both a bottle nipple and a sippy top option for those still switching back and forth; removable handles can also be used on other Tommee Tippee products
  • Cons: Only designed to hold 5 ounces; some users felt the top was hard to screw on and off

The Tommee Tippee First Sips Soft Transition Cup holds 5 ounces of liquid and is made for babies 4 months old and up. Its plastic construction is BPA-free and it features a soft silicone spout that encourages a “natural cup drinking action” by dispensing liquid at an angle.

You may use bottle nipples or the included sippy top that comes with the cup, lending to its versatility.

Reviews are mixed, but those who like it tout its ease of use. People who don’t like it explain that the top is hard to screw on and off the cup, which can make it difficult to use without it leaking.

Best eco-friendly sippy cup

DOIDY Cup

  • Price: $$$
  • Pros: An open-topped cup, so you don’t have to worry about spout issues; easy to clean and only one piece
  • Cons: Not as budget-friendly as other options; not as leakproof as other options (can get messy fast!)

While it may look unusual (yes, it’s slanted!), the DOIDY Cup is an open-top cup that can be used, under supervision, by children as young as 4 months old. Its slanted shape was designed 40 years ago and is made from food-safe, BPA-free high-density (HD) polyethylene.

The main advantage of this cup is that it helps teach the youngest children to drink from a rim, not a spout. Parents like that it’s all one piece and simple to clean.

This type of cup is sure to be quite messy for babies and, as a result, isn’t a good choice for on-the-go drinking. It’s also more expensive than many of the other options.

As your baby continues transitioning to cup use, the options get more varied and include:

  • spout cups
  • spoutless cups
  • straw cups

The variety you choose is up to you and your baby.

Since the cup may be too heavy for your little one to hold with just one hand, cups with handles are helpful at this stage. And even if a cup has a larger capacity, resist filling it to the top so your baby can maneuver it.

Continue to supervise your baby using a cup until they are at least 1 year old.

Best soft-spout cup

NUK Learner Cup

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: Options for both 5- and 10-ounce cup sizes; removable handles for when your little one is ready to transition to more of a cup; includes a plastic lid to help prevent spills when traveling
  • Cons: Spout can be slow and require hard sucking

The NUK Learner Cup comes in 5- or 10-ounce sizes and features removable handles for your growing baby.

It’s appropriate for babies 6 months old or over, and it’s made from BPA-free plastic. The cup has a soft silicone spout that has a special vent to prevent baby from swallowing too much air.

Parents share that this cup is easy to handwash and that the travel piece that comes with the cup prevents leaks when it’s tossed in a diaper bag. Others say their babies had trouble getting milk out of the cup, even when sucking very hard.

Best straw sippy cup

ZoLi BOT Straw Sippy Cup

  • Price: $$$
  • Pros: Weighted straw makes it easier to get the last of the liquid out; dishwasher safe
  • Cons: One of the more expensive cup options; not the thickest of straws and can be bitten through

The ZoLi BOT Straw Sippy Cup is suitable for babies 9 months old or over. It features a weighted straw, so your little one can get liquid no matter how the cup is oriented.

The plastic is BPA-free and can be hand washed or run through your dishwasher for cleaning. You can also purchase replacement straws.

Parents who like this cup say that it’s simple to assemble and that the handles are easy for babies to hold.

On the downside, it can also be difficult to screw the top on correctly, making it prone to leaks. The cup can also leak if the straw becomes damaged from biting or normal wear and tear.

Best spoutless sippy cup

Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Budget-friendly option; dishwasher safe; comes in a variety of sizes and colors
  • Cons: The top’s design can allow for big spills; the design can be hard for some children to figure out how to drink from

The Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup is an affordable option. The unique spoutless construction allows babies 6 months old and over to simulate drinking from an open cup without the spills.

It’s also streamlined with only three main pieces and top-rack dishwasher safe.

Some parents complain that, while the cup is spill-proof, their smart babies figured out they can pour the liquid by simply pressing on the center of the top.

Toddlers have mastered more dexterity with their hands, so many may graduate from handles at this age. Cups with a curved or hourglass shape can help little hands grip and hold.

Best for toddlers

First Essentials by NUK Fun Grips Hard Spout Sippy Cup

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Made in the United States; dishwasher safe; hourglass shape is easier to hold without needing handles
  • Cons: The cup’s wide base won’t fit in standard cup holders

The economical First Essentials by NUK Fun Grips Sippy Cup (previously sold as Gerber Graduates) is made in the United States from BPA-free plastic.

The two-part design is simple and the hourglass shape is easy for toddlers ages 12 months and older to grab.

This cup features a 100 percent spill-proof, leak-proof, break-proof guarantee. You may wash this sippy cup either by hand or in the dishwasher.

On the negative side, some reviewers say the cup’s base is too wide and that it doesn’t fit easily into standard cup holders or diaper bag pockets.

Best straw sippy cup

Nuby No-Spill Cup with Flex Straw

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Budget-friendly option; contoured design offers secure grip without handles; thicker straw
  • Cons:10-ounce size might be larger than some children can easily handle; valve in the straw requires a “squeeze and suck” action

Nuby’s No-Spill Flex Straw Cup is a popular choice for toddlers who prefer straws to spouts. The silicone straw has a built-in valve to prevent spills and leaks, and it’s sturdy enough to stand up to occasional biting.

While this 10-ounce cup doesn’t have handles, it does feature a contoured design for little hands to grip and is made from BPA-free plastic.

The straw does require a “squeeze and suck” action to get liquid through the valve, and some tots find this difficult to master. That said, many parents share that the protection the valve provides is worth the extra effort.

Best affordable sippy cup

The First Years Take and Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cups

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Simple to put together and wash thanks to the few number of parts; cups have a valve-free design; can be used as a disposable cup if needed
  • Cons: Lid is easy to remove spilling everything in the cup; breaks more easily than some other sippy cup options

For a super affordable, on-the-go option, the First Years Take and Toss sippy cups fit the bill.

These colorful, BPA-free plastic cups are suitable for kids 9 months old or over, and they feature a valve-free design with spill-proof lids. The lids are also interchangeable with other Take and Toss products if you have other little ones around the house.

While these cups do have some advantages in terms of simplicity and affordability, they’re not the most durable.

In fact, some people who use them treat them like disposable cups, possibly lessening the savings over time. And several parents claim their tots outsmarted this cup in moments, spilling the contents out by easily removing the lid.

Best spout-lid sippy cup

OXO Tot Transitions Soft Spout Sippy Cup with Removable Handles

  • Price: $$$
  • Pros: Handles can be removed when a child is ready to drink without them; hinged cap makes it easy to take the cup on the road, pack it in a diaper bag, etc.; side of the cup is marked so you can easily track and measure liquid amounts
  • Cons: There are cheaper spout-lid sippy cup options; lots of parts to clean

The extra touches on this spout cup set it apart. Not only does it have handles that can be removed when your little one is ready for a more cup-like feel, but it also has a hinged cap that makes it easy to prevent leaks when you’re taking it on the go.

Users love that it’s a clear cup with markings that make it easy to see how much is left and to pour specific amounts of liquid into the cup.

This cup does have a lot of parts to wash, so keep that in mind if you’d like something easier to clean. Also, if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option, this won’t be the cup for you.

Best insulated sippy cup

First Essentials by NUK Seal Zone Insulated Cup

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Keeps liquids cold for up to 6 hours; dishwasher safe
  • Cons: Some users found that the lid cracked after a few months; cup can be difficult to open

This cup from NUK (previously sold as Gerber Graduates) has a layer of ArcticWrap insulation that’s intended to keep liquids cold for up to 6 hours.

The BPA-free plastic can be handwashed or run through your dishwasher for cleaning. People who recommend this cup say it has exceptional protection against leaks.

It should be noted though that some users say the lid cracks after only a couple months of use and that the spill-proof feature makes the cup difficult to open.

If they haven’t already, toddlers older than 18 months are ready to transition away from cups with valves that require hard sucking, like the action used when drinking from a bottle.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should stop using the bottle between 12 and 24 months. Meanwhile, the AAPD recommends eliminating the bottle and no-spill sippy cups by the 12-month mark to reduce the risk of childhood caries. That’s because no-spill sippy cups (sometimes called no-valve sippy cups) essentially work like bottles with a different shape and design.

For this reason, when you’re not out and about, be sure to offer your toddler time with a plain, open-topped cup. This will help them learn sipping technique. And once your child has mastered the open cup, it’s best to put sippy cups away for good.

Best open-top sippy cup

Reflo Smart Cup

  • Price: $
  • Pros: Budget-friendly price point; looks and feels like an adult cup, which is great for both practice and making your little one feel grown-up
  • Cons: The cups are fairly easy to break; can still leave a big mess if knocked over

Reflo Smart Cups are award-winning, open-top cups that are often just the right size for small hands. You can start using these cups with kids as young as 6 months old, but they’re more suitable for toddlers ready to train for an open cup.

The secret? A special clear “lid” of sorts nests inside the cup to help slow the flow of liquid if the cup is tipped over.

Parents say this cup is great for children who may not be able to use a sippy due to a cleft palate or other medical issues.

This USA-made cup also gets high marks for slowing the flow of liquid enough so kids don’t choke. Some parents complain that the cups break easily.

There are so many types and designs of sippy cups available that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. To keep it simple, here are the most important features to look for when choosing what and what not to spend your money on.

  • Materials. If designed with plastic (which many are), ensure it’s BPA-free. A scientific review by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology concluded that BPA exposure is associated with increased likeliness of anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity. Other commonly used safe materials include silicone (though you might have to replace these more often if your baby is teething) and stainless steel.
  • Leak-free design. Children are messy; no secret there. So leak-free and leak-resistant features are ideal. However, it’s important to remember that the ADA recommends transitioning to no-valve sippy cups to help your child learn how to sip.
  • Easy to clean. Some sippy cups are dishwasher safe, others aren’t. But because sippy cups can be a breeding ground for bacteria, it’s still ideal to pre-wash with a bottle brush and scrub out all the little crevices. Some parents prefer sippy cups with straws, but those can be more annoying to clean as well. You may choose to skip the straw design if you prefer a sippy cup that’s easier to clean.

You may try a sippy cup with your child as early as 4 months old, but it’s not necessary to begin the switch this early.

The AAP suggests to start offering your baby a cup around 6 months of age, around the time when they begin solid foods. Some babies may be more ready to try a cup when they are around 9 or 10 months old.

Aim to use cups full time by the time your child turns 2 years old, according to the AAP.

Here are some tips to help you introduce a cup:

  • For younger babies, offer a cup with some plain water between regular mealtimes.
  • For children 1 year or older, replace their midday bottle with a cup of your choice.
  • Once your baby gets the hang of it, you may start replacing the morning or evening bottle with a cup.
  • Resist letting your child crawl or walk around the house with a sippy cup all day long. Doing so may affect their appetite and cause dental issues, like tooth decay, if the sippy cup is filled with milk or juice.
  • Good first beverages for cups include breast milk, dairy or plant milk, and water. Avoid fruit juice. Water is the best choice between meals and snack times.
  • If your child doesn’t seem to do well with one type of cup, try another. Not all cups will work for all babies or toddlers.
  • Transition away from cups that require sucking as soon as possible. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) explains that while it may not be as convenient, the “best” training cup for your child is one with no valve.

Overall, remember that making this switch will take time. It’s learning a whole new skill, after all! Don’t be discouraged if it takes several weeks for them to figure out a new cup — they will get there in time.

While sippy cups can cut down on mess, they can also create other problems.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) notes that bottle-feeding, breastfeeding, and repeated use of no-spill sippy cups (because of the way they mimic bottle-feeding) after 12 months are associated with early childhood caries, or tooth decay.

Additionally, prolonged use of a sippy cup throughout the day can result in children filling up on liquids instead of nutritious solid food.

Prolonged sippy cup use may also lead to a delay in developing mature sucking patterns that are necessary for oral development.

Finally, because a toddler can carry a sippy cup more easily than an open-top cup, they may be more prone to injury if they fall with the cup in their mouth.

Because of these concerns, many experts are now recommending sippy cup use be limited under parental guidance for water and mealtime liquids. Many experts are also encouraging parents to think about a quick transition to open-top cups or straw cups.

Any issues with colic will likely be a thing of the past long before your little one is ready for a sippy cup.

A sippy cup is unlikely to lead to excessive gas or discomfort. If you have any concerns about continuing reflux or gastrointestinal issues, talk with your child’s pediatrician.