The Best Sippy Cups to Help Transition Babies and Toddlers

Munchkin promises that your little one can hold this cup at any angle and still successfully drink out of it—and we’re happy to report they’re completely right. The weighted straw in this cup moves to wherever the liquid is, even if your baby or toddler is holding the cup like a bottle. The even better news? It doesn’t leak! The cup will hold up to being upside down in your diaper bag and tossed on the floor by enthusiastic little hands. “So far these are the only cups that haven't leaked on us!” one parent said in their review.  It’s made from BPA-free plastic and is top-rack dishwasher safe. 

Though the cup is leakproof, any liquid left in the straw after baby takes a sip can drip out. This is likely due to built-up pressure within the straw and the fact that the liquid doesn’t drain back down into the bottle. It’s also a bit small, holding just seven ounces (though Munchkin offers a 10 ounce, handle-free version, too). 

When it comes to a first cup for baby, we like this Dr. Brown’s straw bottle for a variety of reasons. The first is the weighted straw, which is super helpful for babies as they learn how straws and gravity work. No matter how baby tips it, the straw goes where the liquid is. This was the first cup I introduced with my daughter and she caught on quickly, which seems to be the case for most babies. One Babylist parent wrote in their review, “My child learned how to drink from a straw instantly!” 

There are measurement lines on the side, so you can keep track of how much liquid baby’s drinking. The bottle is made from  BPA-free plastic and the straw is a soft silicone material. The wide neck of the bottle means you can clean inside easily, however, it’s also dishwasher safe on the top rack. The handles are also nice and easy for little ones to grab on to. And as an added bonus, the cap and handles work for other Dr. Brown’s baby bottles.

Two things that could be better both have to do with this bottle’s straw design. While the straw's anti-leak valve effectively prevents spills, some parents say it requires extra effort for younger drinkers to pull liquid through. The straw is also a bit difficult to clean thoroughly, though the included brush helps tackle the hard-to-clean spot.

Learning to sip from a straw can be tricky for someone who is first experiencing one. There's a lot to love about the Olababy training cup, but parents’ favorite part is how helpful it is for teaching babies the concept of straw drinking. The silicone has just enough flexibility that allows parents to give it a tiny squeeze to push liquid into the straw and encourage baby to sip. A few other features parents appreciate include the weighted base, snug lid and stopper on the straw to keep it in the cup (and not flung across the room). It’s made from 100% food grade, BPA-free silicone, which is a bonus for parents who prefer to avoid plastic. It’s also dishwasher safe, and there are few parts and pieces to clean.

Parents' biggest gripe is that this cup is not travel-friendly. Unlike the Munchkin and Dr. Brown’s cups, this straw doesn’t have a spill-proof valve. “If the cup is full and it tips over (aka the baby throws it overboard) liquid will spill out of the straw,” one parent wrote in their review. Some parents think it’s a bit small, noting they have to give it frequent refills. 

Still trying to decide whether to take the open cup plunge? We know it can feel intimidating, which is why we love this hybrid cup from AEIOU. It’s made from food-grade silicone and offers a few different configurations for baby to drink from as they’re learning. They can start out with the soft straw and lid (which has a ribbed design so it stays snugly attached) and when everyone’s ready, they can use it as an open cup. The straw doesn’t have a spill-proof valve (like the Munchkin pick above), but some parents appreciate that because it makes it easier for their babies to drink from. One Babylist parent wrote, “This one doesn't require intense suction to get liquid through, making it perfect for learning.” It also features handles on either side which make for easy gripping. All cup components are top-rack dishwasher safe and the straw isn’t tricky to clean since you can pull it out and fit a thin brush inside.

One thing to keep in mind: this cup isn’t meant to be spill or leakproof. In fact, a handful of parents mention water leaking out of the vent hole opposite of the straw if their child tipped it too far up. The straw is also easy to remove, which is tempting for curious babies: “My daughter immediately pulled the straw out of the cup (there’s nothing on the bottom of the straw like a flange or tab to keep it from being easily removed),” one Babylist parent said. It also isn’t sturdy enough to pass the baby drop—or toss—test. The lid will stay on but liquid will spill out through the straw. The cup is also kind of small, which is ideal for younger babies and toddlers. Parents appreciate the measurement lines on the inside so they can keep track of how much milk or water their little ones had. 

If you’re looking for a plastic-free first cup option, the Pura Kiki Straw Bottle is our top pick.  It’s made from non-toxic, food-grade stainless steel—so no BPA, phthalates, or other harmful chemicals. The included silicone straw is soft and flexible, making it easy for little ones to sip while being gentle on gums. Plus, the bottle’s super durable and the adaptable design means you can swap out the straw top for other Pura Kiki lids as your baby grows. It’s lightweight for a stainless steel cup, easy to clean, and won’t retain odors. 

It is a bit pricey, but the bottle's longevity and versatility mean it’ll last for years to come. Some parents report the straw system, while thoroughly spill-proof, can be challenging to disassemble for cleaning. The silicone straw is soft on teeth but may show wear more quickly than harder plastic alternatives (though you can buy replacement parts, including the straw, separately). “The listing and the info that came with it suggested replacing the straw in about six weeks, but we never even got close to that, really bummed,” one parent said in their review. It also doesn’t come with a traditional lid. You do get a silicone travel cover but some parents say the fit isn’t secure and they’re easily lost.

Sure, giving a baby an open cup of water or milk sounds like a mess waiting to happen, but you’d be amazed at how quickly they can learn how to drink from an open cup (and just how capable they are). And the ezpz is our favorite first open cup thanks to its thoughtful design. 

It’s perfectly sized for a baby’s small mouth and hands. In fact, that’s one of the most common praises Babylist parents note in their reviews: “Perfect size for small hands!” one parent wrote. 

The interior angle helps provide an even flow for safe drinking and the bottom features a non-slip silicone grip and a weighted base that helps prevent spills. It’s dishwasher-safe—though we recommend handwashing to avoid that “dishwasher taste” silicone can develop—and the silicone won’t fade or deteriorate over time. Even if you’re introducing a straw cup to your baby or toddler, learning to drink from an open cup is an important developmental milestone. “Open cups encourage a mature swallowing pattern, tongue control, and lip closure,” Dr. Amin says. There’s also a version that comes with a straw and lid.

There’s a reason this cup is called tiny; it holds just two ounces of liquid. Some parents note it was much smaller than they expected. While this is ideal for younger babies who are still learning, you may find yourself fetching frequent refills as they master their skills. The silicone can also get a bit slick after being handled by greasy, food-covered hands. One Babylist parent shared, “Would have been nice if there [were] at least small ridges of some sort so that even if they have slippery or oily hands, they will still be able to grasp the cup with ease.”