A Guide to the Best Sippy Cups (and Accessories) for Toddlers
Finding a sippy cup that doesn't leak, is easy to clean, and your toddler actually likes can feel like an impossible quest.
The right cup helps your child transition from a bottle while minimizing messes. Key features to look for are spill-proof designs, simple construction with few parts to wash, and materials that are safe and durable enough for daily drops. We’ve tested a range of cups and essential accessories to find the ones that make life easier for parents.
- Transition with Open Cups Dentists and speech therapists often recommend open cups or straw cups over traditional spouted sippy cups to promote proper oral development. Starting early can make the transition smoother.
- Label Everything for Daycare Daycare and preschools require everything to be labeled. Investing in durable, reusable labels saves time and prevents lost cups.
- Material Matters Look for BPA-free plastic, food-grade silicone, or stainless steel. Durability is key, as cups will inevitably be dropped and thrown.
- Accessorize for Success The right accessories, like waterproof bibs and name tags, can be just as important as the cup itself for managing mealtimes and preventing lost items.
Best Overall: Re-Play 10 Oz Open Cups for Toddlers & Big Kids
Help your toddler master independent drinking with these durable open cups. Made in the USA from thick plastic, they are stackable for easy storage an
- Promotes healthy oral development
- Extremely durable and withstands drops
- Stackable for compact storage
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Not spill-proof (by design)
- Requires supervision for younger toddlers
- No lid for travel
Runner Up: Tervis Marvel Spider Man Spidey and Friends Insulated Tumbler
Keep drinks hot or cold longer with this double-wall insulated tumbler. Its impact-resistant, BPA-free material and contoured shape make it perfect fo
- Keeps drinks cold for hours
- Reduces condensation and ‘sweating’
- Fun design encourages kids to drink
- Durable and impact-resistant
- Not completely leak-proof if tipped over
- Lid can be tricky for toddlers to open
- Hand washing recommended for longevity of design
Best for Daycare: InchBug Orbit Labels Baby Bottle and Water Bottle Silicone Name Bands
Never lose a sippy cup again with these personalized silicone labels. They stretch to fit various bottle sizes and are dishwasher-safe, making them an
- Fits a wide variety of cup and bottle sizes
- Stays securely in place
- Easy to read personalization
- Eliminates need for disposable labels or markers
- Higher upfront cost than markers
- Can be snapped by a determined toddler
- Ordering requires lead time for personalization
Best for Mealtimes: Baby Bib for Eating by Bella Tunno, Waterproof Silicone Bib
Keep your toddler clean during messy meals with this waterproof silicone bib. Its large food-catcher pocket and adjustable neck make it a must-have ac
- Catches a surprising amount of food and liquid
- Wipes clean easily or can go in dishwasher
- Soft and comfortable for toddlers to wear
- Adjustable fit grows with your child
- Can feel bulky for smaller babies
- Pocket can sometimes fold in on itself
- Not a cup, but an essential mealtime accessory
Best Value: SuperFineDeesigns Bag and Water Bottle Name Tag
Securely label sippy cups and bottles with this durable 3D printed name tag. The stainless steel cable ensures it stays put through daily use at schoo
- Extremely durable cable and tag
- Very affordable for a custom product
- Attaches to handles or loops
- Won’t peel or wash off like stickers
- Hangs from the cup, doesn’t wrap around it
- Can be noisy if it clanks against the cup
- Not suitable for cups without a handle or loop
Best Budget: NUK Kiddy Cutlery Forks, Pack of 3
Perfect for toddlers learning to self-feed, these stainless steel forks feature easy-to-hold handles designed to keep the tips off the table, promotin
- Chunky handles are easy for toddlers to hold
- Durable stainless steel tines
- Built-in rest keeps fork tip off the table
- Inexpensive and great value
- Only includes forks, not a full cutlery set
- Not a cup, but part of the mealtime ecosystem
- Plastic handles can show wear over time
Side-by-side comparison
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Best Overall
Re-Play 10 Oz Open Cups for Toddlers & Big Kids –
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Runner Up
Tervis Marvel Spider Man Spidey and Friends Made i
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Best for Daycare
InchBug Orbit Labels Baby Bottle and Water Bottle
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Best for Mealtimes
Baby Bib for Eating by Bella Tunno, Waterproof Sil
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Best Value
SuperFineDeesigns Bag and Water Bottle Name Tag –
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Best Budget
NUK Kiddy Cutlery Forks, Durable Stainless Steel,
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| Product Type | Open Cup | Insulated Tumbler | Silicone Label | Silicone Bib | Name Tag | Cutlery |
| Primary Material | Recycled Plastic | BPA-Free Plastic | Silicone | Silicone | PLA Plastic | Stainless Steel/Plastic |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Spill-Proof | No | Resistant | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Price | – | $17.99 | $26.95 | – | $8.49 | $5.99 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
What to look for in Sippy Cups for Toddlers
When should a toddler switch from a bottle to a sippy cup?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting the transition around 12 months and aiming to be off the bottle completely by 18 months. Introducing a sippy cup or open cup with meals can help make this process gradual and easier.
Are sippy cups bad for toddlers' teeth?
Prolonged use of traditional hard-spouted sippy cups, especially with sugary drinks, can contribute to tooth decay and may affect oral-motor development. Dentists recommend transitioning to straw cups or open cups, like the Re-Play cups, as they promote a more natural drinking pattern.
How do I properly clean a sippy cup to prevent mold?
Disassemble the cup completely after each use, including any valves or straws. Wash all parts in hot, soapy water or in the top rack of the dishwasher. Allow all parts to dry completely before reassembling to prevent moisture from being trapped.
My toddler refuses to use a sippy cup. What should I do?
Try different types of cups—some toddlers prefer straws, others soft spouts, and some take well to open cups. Involve your toddler in picking out a cup with a favorite character, like the Tervis tumbler, and model using it yourself to make it seem more appealing.
The bottom line
- Re-Play Open Cups: Best for teaching independent drinking with a durable, simple design.
- Tervis Marvel Spider Man Tumbler: A fun, insulated option for keeping drinks cold on the go.
- InchBug Orbit Labels: The ultimate solution for labeling cups for daycare and school.
- Bella Tunno Silicone Bib: An essential accessory for minimizing mealtime messes.
- SuperFineDeesigns Name Tag: A budget-friendly, ultra-durable tag for labeling bottles with handles.
- NUK Kiddy Cutlery Forks: An affordable and well-designed utensil to complete your toddler's mealtime set.
For building essential drinking skills, the Re-Play Open Cups are our top choice due to their durability and dentist-recommended design. When it comes to managing the logistics of toddler life, the InchBug Orbit Labels are a must-have for preventing lost cups at daycare.
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