Is your child ready for a fun leak-proof sippy cup? Our review ranks the top 13 sippy cups available today and highlights the pros and cons of each contender. We've researched, purchased, and tested over 50 contenders since 2012 to determine the best. Through side-by-side comparison and extensive hands-on testing, we evaluated essential factors, such as leak-proof capabilities, ease of use, cleaning, eco-health, and more. With nearly a decade of sippy testing knowledge and testing, we are confident that our review will guide you to the perfect cup that will meet your needs and budget.
With your child graduating to a sippy cup (talk about a big milestone!), you may need other feeding gear. Check out our ultimate list of baby feeding gear that covers everything you need for your baby's mealtime.
Editor's Note: We updated our sippy cup review on April 21, 2023, with a review of the available products and pricing.
Some leaking, fairly heavy, requires a straw brush to clean
Plastic, the valve needs special cleaning, hard spout
Plastic, some leaking when tossed, includes no cover
Bottom Line
Our favorite sippy cup is well-liked, functional, uses healthy materials, and is a breeze to clean
A stainless steel sippy that is simple to assemble, leak-proof, and provides a cup-like experience that prepares little ones to use actual cups
A well-rounded sippy cup with attractive features, like insulation, a stainless steel body, and silicone straw, and it's leak-proof when the lid is closed
A budget-friendly, lightweight, and insulated plastic sippy cup with a hard spout
A lightweight plastic sippy cup that features handles for little hands and offers a cup-life experience
There's a lot to love about the Pura Kiki Vacuum Insulated Toddler with Sleeve. This 100% plastic-free sippy cup features an insulated stainless steel body with a silicone sleeve and spout. The Kiki is a durable, quality contender with interchangeable spouts (sold separately) that accommodate your child's development stage, offering multiple years of potential use. Despite being stainless steel (a material that's generally heavier than plastic), this cup is pretty lightweight, easy to use, easy to drink from, and highly leak-proof.
The Kiki is somewhat expensive, making it less than ideal for those with tighter budgets. Also, the design of the silicone sleeve is to fit tightly on the cup's body, which can make removing and replacing it a challenge when cleaning. However, despite these flaws, we feel the additional price and effort are worth it for the longevity and extensive versatility of this healthy, eco-friendly steel bottle.
Sporting a design similar to a regular cup, the Munchkin Miracle 360 Stainless is an easy-to-love sippy that helps children practice drinking without the mess. This innovative sippy allows toddlers to drink from all sides of the cup, thanks to its 360-degree drinking edge and silicone valve system. It requires sucking, making it different than a regular cup, but we think its grown-up feel is noteworthy and attractive to little ones. In addition, we appreciate its insulated, vacuum-sealed stainless steel body, which is easy to clean and keeps liquids cooler than non-insulated contenders. The sippy includes a lid to keep the edge clean and limit spills. It is also reasonably leak-proof, simple to assemble, and one of our favorite options with a reduced risk for injury or dental decay.
The 360 is more expensive than the plastic products, but we prefer stainless steel over plastic and think the extra cost is worth the peace of mind. Also, this stainless steel cup is heavier than some of the competition, so younger toddlers may not like holding and carrying it. The lid and valve on the 360 can be challenging to clean. Some users report that the top can get stuck and contents spray if you drop the cup, so it isn't as hardy as other steel options or 100% leak-free. Despite these factors, we like this spoutless cup and believe it is an excellent trainer cup that is virtually spill-free.
For a lighter, less expensive option, take a peek at the Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer. This option is similar in design but uses plastic materials for the body and has handles for little hands to hold and carry.
The Munchkin Miracle 360 has a cup-like edge that helps little ones with skills necessary to drink from a regular cup.
The Tommee Tippee Insulated Sipper Tumbler is a plastic cup with a "rim-like" hard spout. It's lightweight and feels durable compared to other plastic cups in our lineup. While the spout is not soft or flexible, it is covered with a softer material and has a lower profile, making it more mouth-friendly than hard spouts that stick higher up. Also, this cup has a two-part valve that is easy to drink from and prevents leaks.
The Tumbler is BPA-free plastic that can potentially leach chemicals into contents like many other plastic cups. The cup has no cover to keep it clean. Although the hard spout doesn't protrude as high as others, it could cause injuries if children fall while using it. It has a two-part valve system that you must disassemble for cleaning, which takes more time and effort. However, the valve system makes the cup practically leak-proof, and if you don't mind the extra cleaning effort, the Tumbler is a great, insulated option. Despite being plastic, we think this contender includes some of the best qualities of a sippy cup, giving you the best bang for your buck.
You MUST remove the valve parts and clean them separately to avoid mold or bacteria build-up between the parts. This two-part valve is how the cup is designed and is not a health hazard if you follow the directions.
Several of the cups have multiple parts to assemble and clean, like the two-part valve mechanism of the Tommee Tippee shown here. Failure to properly clean all parts on any cup could lead to a build-up of bacteria or mold growth.
The Thermos FUNtainer is a child-friendly bottle with an easy-to-close lid that pops open by pressing a button to reveal a straw ready for sipping. This bottle's cover keeps the straw clean (when you use it) and offers leak-proof assistance that isn't possible without the lid. The FUNtainer has a wide mouth for easy filling and cleaning and a durable, healthy, insulated stainless steel body. This insulated straw sippy comes in various colors and patterns, including popular licensed characters like Baby Shark, Frozen, and Paw Patrol, so your little one can choose their favorite.
Although this cup is dishwasher safe, we suggest handwashing (this is our suggestion for most products) to prolong its condition. The straw for the FUNtainer requires cleaning with a straw brush, and children with chompers can potentially bite through the straw top if unmonitored while sipping (trust us, it happened). This absent-minded chewing could quickly destroy the straw or result in a potential choking hazard for the younger crowd. The insulated bottle is also heavy and could be more challenging to hold for toddlers. However, if you regularly check the straw, we think the extra cleaning step is easy, and most toddlers will be able to use this cup with minimal practice. Overall, the FUNtainer is packed with features and is one of our go-to favorites for toddlers excited to drink unassisted.
The NUK Learner is a small, easy-to-hold sippy cup with a soft silicone spout that decreases the potential for injuries. The spout is good for bottle transitions and is completely leak-free. The cup has a fun pattern and only a few parts making it easy to clean and assemble.
The cup body is BPA-free plastic, but we still have reservations about plastic holding consumables, given the potential for plastics to leach chemicals into their contents. Users remark that the spout has a disappointing flow rate, and more than one little one got frustrated with how much effort it takes to draw liquid from the spout. However, the NUK's design makes it a good match for younger children and a sippy cup you might not mind tossing into your diaper bag, given its leak-proof capabilities.
We like the cool bumpy handles on the NUK and little ones found them easy to hold.
The Elk and Friends Stainless Steel brings unique versatility to the competition. Available in a set, these drinking tumblers can transform into food containers using the included separate lid, and they are freezer safe. The soft silicone straw has a straw stopper to reduce the chance of toddlers pulling out the straw and creating a mess, and the stainless steel body sports an adorable silicone sleeve with some woodland creatures hidden amongst the leaves. The soft straw is intuitive for toddlers and works for thicker contents like smoothies. The entire cup is super easy to clean (straw brush included), and we appreciate that the silicone sleeve is simple to remove and replace — a reality that's not always true for other cups with silicone sleeves. We think this functional contender has the potential to last for years.
The upfront cost of this set may not appeal to all, especially those on a tight budget, but we think the set's versatility and longevity justify its price. We worry that the cup's soft silicone straw will feel inviting to little chompers who enjoy chewing, especially if allowed time to chew mindlessly. The cup is not insulated, so cold drinks "sweat" and get surrounding items wet. Also, the cup isn't leak-proof. However, if it tips over, contents leak significantly less than in a regular cup. Despite these concerns, this option uses healthy stainless steel, the lack of insulation makes it lighter, and the silicone sleeve adds some grip for little hands. If you don't mind a little condensation and sip while sitting, then the Elk and Friends is an excellent sippy for families concerned about materials.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Compare Products
As you can see, sippy cups come in various materials, shapes, sizes, and spouts.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
Our first sippy cup review and testing methods began in 2012. We have over 200 combined hours of research and testing of over 50 sippy cups, giving us unique insight and unmatched experience. Each time we update this review, we spend hours extensively researching the market to select sippy cups that exhibit the potential to be a top performer and purchase them at retail cost. We put these products through hands-on testing and side-by-side comparison with the competition. Our steadfast testing process is comprehensive and well-rounded. It includes testing and scoring each sippy cup on several performance qualities, like leakage, ease of use, cleaning, and eco-health. Scores in each metric combine to create a product's overall score, with a heavier weighting on the leakage result. We also give the sippy cups to tiny testers to evaluate which cups are the most appealing, the easiest to drink from, and if a cup can stand up to a typical toddler on the go. These observations also influence a product's score.
Leading our sippy cup review is BabyGearLab founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, a board-certified pediatrician and mother of two. Using her education, knowledge, and mommyhood experience, Dr. Spurrier helped develop the review's test plan and has a particular interest in the health and safety of each product. The team also includes Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Editor and mother of 2. Wendy uses her training in the scientific method to systematically conduct leak testing of each cup and create subsequent scoring and ranking. Wendy and Dr. Spurrier participated in BabyGearLab's first sippy review and have been instrumental in choosing and testing these products since then.
Analysis and Test Results
Comparing cups side-by-side is a great way to determine how well each sippy functions compared to the competition. We tested each cup for leakage, ease of use, eco-healthy, cleaning, and more to help you find the right cup for your needs and budget.
Value
We tend to lean toward long-term value rather than the lowest price for sippy cups, primarily due to the materials the cups are made from. You'll use your sippy cups every day, and even the most expensive cups aren't so expensive that they're out of the question. With that in mind, we feel the Pura Kiki, Thermos FUNtainer, and Elk and Friends Stainless Steel are excellent choices for the value-oriented shopper. Despite the somewhat higher price tags, they will last for years and provide more versatility than other options, with several offering alternative lids or drinking spouts for older kids. If you are on a budget, it's tough to beat the Tommee Tippee, which performs well (essentially leak-proof!) and offers valuable features, like insulation. If you lose a plastic cup, the price makes it an easier-to-swallow occurrence.
While the Healthy Sprouts lids only dripped a little on their own when held upside down, we suspect more than one curious toddler will quickly figure out that the spout can spray if you squeeze it.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Leakage
We compared each sippy cup side-by-side and ranked them for leaks. Contenders with no leaks earn a high score of 10, and those that spill like a regular cup receive a low score of 1. This metric includes two tests, and both involve placing the cups in sideway and upside-down positions to create a real-world experience of what a sippy cup may endure, from traveling around in a diaper bag or kid-sized backpack to being tossed or knocked over. First, we evaluate leakage with a sippy cup's cover removed since little ones are unlikely to put them back on after drinking. Then, we assess leakage with lids in place since most parents have more significant concerns about leaking in a diaper bag, car, or on the go, and they are more likely to use the cover to avoid spills. Although most of the competition includes a cover of some kind, a few contenders do not. A product's performance in each leakage test informs its overall score for this metric.
Some contenders are 100% leak-proof, no matter what we tried to produce leaks, like the Tommee Tippee Insulated Sipper, NUK Learner, and MAM Starter Cup. However, it is necessary to note that these cups were also challenging to use, requiring a significantly harder sucking technique than competitors. You might consider purchasing these from a retailer with a generous return policy if your little one can't get the cup to work. Breastfed babies may find these options less challenging as they use more vigorous sucking techniques than bottle-fed youngsters.
Without the straw, the Housavvy Stainless Straw Cup with Lid is relatively leakproof with the lid closed. The leak is certainly slow enough to avoid a spill if a tipped cup is caught relatively quickly.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The straw cups are more likely to leak with the Housavvy Stainless Straw Cup with Lid leaking the most with the straw in place. However, it still leaks less when it tips over a regular cup, giving parents time to jump into action before the entire contents spill out or create a mess. The Thermos FUNtainer, on the other hand, hardly leaks even on its side with the lid open, but it leaks significantly upside down with the top open. This leaking could be fun for little ones who like making messes. If the attached lid is closed, it's leak-proof.
The Pura Kiki is a lightweight, insulated stainless steel sippy cup with a silicone spout and sleeve.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The ease of use metric evaluates how much effort a sippy cup requires for parents to assemble and disassemble and how easy it is for toddlers to use. Fewer parts mean it is easier for parents to manage with a lower learning curve and fewer parts to lose accidentally.
The Tommee Tippee Insulated Sipper Tumbler ranks high among the competition as it's lightweight, keeps drinks colder, and is easy for toddlers to drink. Other high-ranking options include the Munchkin Miracle 360 Stainless and Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer, which sports a cup-like edge. Although some children may need practice with this innovative lid, as it requires sucking, unlike a real-edged cup, it's easy to use once they get the hang of it. We also appreciate that the tops are easy to assemble, and we like the idea of no protruding spout that could cause potential injuries to little ones who toddle and fall while drinking.
The Munchkin 360 has multiple parts to assemble and clean to create the leak-proof edge little ones like. Cups with multiple parts could take longer to clean or assemble depending on the parts and tools required to clean them.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Although the OXO Transitions Straw has several parts that make it harder to assemble and clean, the straw is easy for little ones to drink from, and the dual handles make it easy to hold and carry. Because this cup is lightweight plastic, even the youngest toddlers can tote it, but you'll need a straw brush to keep it clean between uses.
With a lightweight design and soft silicone spout, the NUK Learner is a good introductory sippy cup for a younger little one. However, it's not the easiest to drink from, which kept the NUK from scoring higher. While this may work for little ones who don't need a lot of water yet, it will likely not quench the thirst of an older toddler.
A thin straw brush will be needed to clean straws.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
Each contender has varying components, from lids and bottle bodies to valves and straws. These parts influence how easy a cup is to clean, as you need to disassemble the sippy and handwash the parts, potentially using multiple cleaning brushes. While some cups claim to be top-rack dishwasher safe, we recommend washing them by hand in warm, soapy water. Hand washing might mean purchasing a top-ranked baby bottle brush or straw brush.
The Pura Kiki and Elk and Friends Stainless Steel are some of the easiest cups to clean. They have a simple, stainless steel body that is uncomplicated to scrub and clean with a bottle brush. Also, stainless steel doesn't absorb odors or stains. The sippy spout on the Pura Kiki is a little more involved but should be easy to clean with a straw brush or the tip of your bottle brush. The Elk and Friends set comes with a straw brush (we consider this a bonus perk), and the cup's silicone sleeve is painless to remove and replace. The Pura Kiki's sleeve isn't as easy.
The Thermos FUNtainer is somewhat more complicated with several parts and the requirement of a straw brush. However, this bottle is intuitive to assemble but arguably more complex than the Kiki. The Tommee Tippee Insulated Sipper Tumbler requires disassembly of the valve, and if you don't, mold and bacteria can grow. This design makes the Tumbler more challenging to clean.
The Kiki is simple in design with minimal parts, making it easy to assemble and clean.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Eco-Health
Since several health and safety concerns arise concerning sippy cups, we evaluate several components of a cup's design from an eco-health standpoint. We also use the American Dental Association's recommendations concerning sippy cups and oral hygiene to guide our evaluation.
First, we look at each contender's design to see if it offers insulation (which we favor) and examine a cup's material makeup. Given the potential of plastic leaching chemicals (even BPA-free plastic), we value stainless steel the most, as this option is considered healthy and holds other benefits, followed by silicone. Second, we looked at each cup's spout shape and material. If children fall while drinking, hard spouts can cause potential injury; therefore, we give credit to soft spouts and straws. Last, while a cup's valve system is handy at stopping spills and leaks, it requires a child to suck, not sip, and according to the ADA, a valve-free system is preferable. Contenders who incorporate all or most of these favored qualities score higher than those that do not.
Among the competition, the Pura Kiki Vacuum Insulated Toddler with Sleeve outshines most of the competition. This 100% plastic-free, insulated, stainless steel cup offers a soft silicone spout that's mouth-friendly. In regards to eco-health, it's hard to beat this contender.
The Re-Play No Spill comes in at the bottom. Although it's made from recycled milk jugs, and you can recycle it after use (a small nod to being earth-friendly), it's all plastic, provides no insulation, features a hard spout, and uses a valve system. Therefore, it couldn't score enough points to raise its position amongst the others.
Because the Kanteen has a hard spout, little ones should use it when seated or be standing still.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Travel Gear
Consider purchasing other travel-friendly products for babies and kids that make on-the-go life and travel much easier. Our lineup of top-ranked baby travel products rounds up the best.
Conclusion
The sheer number and variety of sippy cups on the market can leave you dizzy. Thankfully, our in-depth review provides the information you need to make a confident purchase without fearing a mistake. Each little one is different, and therefore, their needs vary tool. So, before choosing a sippy cup for your little one, determine the functions and key features that are important to you and your child. We are confident our review includes the perfect sippy cup for every child.
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD, Wendy Schmitz, and BabyGearLab Review Team
BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.
