Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle Review

If you’re looking for a fun, durable and leakproof kids’ water bottle that can be used at home, for school or during sports activities, then the Camelbak Eddy + Kids Water Bottle won’t disappoint. Made from 50% recycled plastic, the BPA-free bottle is durable and safe for daily use. In fact, my daughter loved carrying hers around the house.

This nifty bottle also comes with a chew-resistant, medical-grade silicone straw that pops up, making it easier for kids to drink without tipping the bottle. This is great for younger children like my 22-month-old who is still working on their coordination and balance. Tipping a bottle to drink can be tricky for toddlers, but with the pop-up straw, they can drink without tilting the bottle and focus more on improving their motor skills.

Although the Camelbak Eddy + Kids Bottle is heavier than other sippy cups I’ve tested like the Tommee Tippee Essentials Free Flow First Cup, my daughter still carries it around with ease thanks to the slim design and comfy carry handle that’s easy to grip. It also fits into most backpack pockets (or conveniently clip it to a bag using a karabiner) and stroller cup holders.

Cleaning the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle might take a bit of extra effort because of its flip straw lid and screw tops, but the good news is that you can toss all the parts in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Plus, it comes in a 11 fun colours and designs that kids love. You can replace just the spout if it wears out, and mix and match with other lids from the Camelbak kids' collection.

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How we tested the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle

I tested the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle out for a week with my 22-month-old toddler, comparing it to other sippy cups and bottles we’ve used including the Munchkin Miracle 360° Sippy Cup and the Klean Kanteen Kid Classic.

During testing, I scored the Eddy+ out of five on a number of different criteria. These were: safety, design, ease of use, ease of cleaning and value for money.

How does the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle look and what age is it suitable for?

Available in 11 different designs, ranging from ‘Sloths in Space’ and ‘Jungle Animals’ to ‘Hip Dinos’ and ‘Rainbow Floral,’ the Camelbak Eddy+ is one of the most fun kids’ bottles out there. We tried out the Unicorn Party design and my toddler loved it.

It’s recommended for children aged three and above, but I found that it was more than suitable for my 22-month-old.

It’s also made from 50% recycled plastic which gives it a lightweight, yet durable feel, making it ideal for older kids who play sports and need a larger reusable water bottle that can quench their thirst fast.

Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle: is it BPA-free?

Yes! Reassuringly, the Camelbak Eddy+ bottle is made from BPA-free polypropylene and the Big Bite™ Valve is made from medical-grade silicone, which is soft for small mouths to bite down on.

How easy is the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle to use?

This bottle is unique in that children need to bite down on the spout in order to take a sip. With a bite-down straw, there's less chance of accidental spills compared to traditional bottles where tipping is required, and kids can sip from the bottle without having to strain their necks or hold the bottle at a specific angle.

However, learning to bite down with the right pressure and suck at the same time takes some practice and coordination. As such, the Camelbak Eddy+ is definitely best suited to older toddlers. Before first use, you need to attach the straw to the valve which can be a little fiddly.

It has an easy-grab handle attached to the lid, which allowed my daughter to take her bottle with her wherever she went, both around the house and when out and about. Just be aware that it’s heavier than smaller sippy cups like the Munchkin Miracle 360° Sippy Cup, especially when completely full with water.

Because the bottle is made of BPA-free plastic, it’s droppable without breaking. The spout can be closed shut for transporting the bottle in a changing bag or lightweight stroller, although my toddler found it harder to close by herself than more baby-friendly sippy cups like the Tommee Tippee Essential Free-Flow First Cup. It has a capacity of 400ml (14oz), which means it offers good longevity as your child grows.

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Is the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle spill-proof?

Yes. The reason that children need to bite down in order to sip from the Camelbak Eddy+ is that the valve stops the bottle from spilling any liquid when the spout is in the open position. It’s completely leakproof when the spout is closed, so it’s the ideal kids’ bottle for travel and fits most cup holders in car seats and pushchairs.

Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle: how easy is it to clean?

I found that food, including yoghurt, got stuck at the bottom of the spout and in the grooves of the lid while my daughter was using the Camelbak Eddy+, so it’s less easy to clean by hand than it is in the dishwasher.

No cleaning instructions were included, so I had to work out by myself that there are four different parts to clean, including the removable spout, which I found very stiff to separate from the lid. As such, the Eddy+ is one of my least favourite sippy cups to clean.

Camelbak Eddy+ kids' bottle lid and straw

Is the Camelbak Eddy+ Kids Bottle good value for money?

Yes. This is the largest bottle my toddler has used, so I can see it lasting well into the preschool years. With an RRP of £17, it’s similar in price to the likes of the Klean Kanteen Classic Sippy Cup, however I prefer the latter for its higher-quality insulated outer.

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she is fully invested in discovering the best and most affordable baby products on the market, and sharing her knowledge and findings with other parents.

With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing pushchair product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier.

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.