Best sippy cups and beakers: spill-proof, transitional and eco-friendly first cups for babies

Sippy cups allow babies to learn how to drink rather than suckle, and dentists and dieticians recommend giving babies water from a cup from around 6 months old. Because all babies are different and moving from the breast or baby bottle can be a challenging transition, they come in all shapes and sizes. Your baby’s age and habits will help you choose the best sippy cup to suit your needs, and most parents buy a selection to see which their baby gets on with.

Here at Mumsnet we're obsessed with making parent's lives easier, and we know much of a difference the right product can make when it comes to feeding and changing during the baby and toddler years. That's why we've done the leg work for you, by vetting and collating Mumsnetters' top recommendations for everything from the best breast pump to the best changing bags.

There are many kinds of sippy cups - whether you’re going for soft spouts, hard spouts, straws or free-flowing, open cups - with tons of great features. You might want to consider leak-proof for travel; spill-proof for, well, always; cups with handles for tiny hands to easily hold; eco-options; even glow-in-the-dark numbers for nighttimes.

Yep, there are a mind-bending number of sippy cups on the market for every need and eventuality. Choosing one (and not spending a fortune working your way through every model on the shop floor) is tricky. To help with that, we’ve turned to authentic recommendations from the Mumsnet forums, as well as expert sources, and have vetted the best sippy cups and toddler beakers around for every age and stage, to bring you this list of favourites.

These are the best sippy cups to buy.

Best sippy cups - at a glance:

• Best overall sippy cup: Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup

• Best budget sippy cup: Tommee Tippee Essential Free-Flow First Cup

• Best sippy cup for breastfed babies: NUK First Choice Learner Sippy Cup

• Best transitional sippy cup: MAM Trainer Cup

• Best eco-friendly sippy cup: Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy

• Best first sippy cup: Bickiepegs Doidy Cup

• Best sippy cup with a straw: TumTum Tippy Up Sippy Cup

• Best leak-proof sippy cup: Anyway Up Cup

• Best sippy cup for bedtime: Litecup Baby Sippy Cup

• Best sippy cup for toddlers: Camelbak Eddy

1. Best overall sippy cup: Munchkin Miracle 360 WildLove Trainer Cup

Price on writing: £6.99 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Capacity: 6oz | Recommended age: 6 months+ | Material: Recycled plastic

What we love

• Mumsnetters say it’s pretty much spill-proof

• Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean

What to know

• Might be difficult for some little ones to use

What Mumsnet users say

“Munchkin Miracle 360. Was the only thing my daughter would drink out of. Tried loads of different cups before, but she refused them all” - tried and tested by MyLittlePony374.

Our Verdict

This spoutless cup from Munchkin is a big hit with parents who deem it pretty much spill-proof - worth an award, in our book. Its 360-degree drinking edge allows your child to sip from any side, helping develop their muscles ready for open cups. It seals up again as soon as they stop drinking: Goodbye, spillages! It’s also easy to fill and clean with no fiddly parts and it’s dishwasher-safe on the top rack: another big tick from us.

While this cup isn’t completely free-flow, it does teach children to sip from the edge of a cup rather than chomp on a spout, which means they won’t have any liquid swilling around their teeth. If it seems this might be too tricky for your little one (as some parents reviewed), they could grow into this after something with more of a sucking style (see below).

Related: How to transition from bottle to cup

2. Best budget sippy cup: Tommee Tippee Essential Free-Flow First Cup

Price on writing: £1.50 | Buy now from Tesco

Key specs

Capacity: 190ml | Recommended age: 4 months+ | Material: Polypropylene, silicone

What we love

• Dishwasher-, microwave- and steriliser-safe

• BPA-free

• Encourages sipping rather than sucking

What to know

• Not spill-proof, though spout does flip down to prevent too much leakage

• The spout can get tiny food bits stuck in it, but a thorough wash will get it all out

What Mumsnet users say

“Another vote for the Tommy Tippee Free-Flow. My son drinks water out of this and gets all excited when he sees the cup” - voted for by Mumsnet user, SabrinaTheThirtySomethingWitch.

Our Verdict

The classic cup has been a favourite with parents for years and it can be found in most supermarkets. There are cheaper cups, but we think it’s excellent value for money as a solid, well-made model from a trusted premium brand. With a low-ish price tag, you can buy a few (one for at Grandma’s, one for under the pushchair…) without breaking the bank.

Free-flow cups are a recommended option and this is a great one thanks to easy-to-grab handles and its good size for babies to wield themselves. Though it doesn’t promise to be totally spill-proof, the spout flips down and many parents have been merrily carrying a Tommee Tippee like this in change bags for years. They’re great for on-the-go. This can be used from as young as four months too, so you can get your child started on sippy cups early. Graduations on the side help you keep track of how much your baby has drunk. Lastly, they’re also easy to clean with no fiddly valve.

3. Best sippy cup for breastfed babies: NUK First Choice Learner Sippy Cup

Price on writing: £6.49 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 150ml | Recommended age: 6-18 months | Material: Silicone

What we love

• Soft, silicone, free-flow spout mimics the shape and feel of a breast

• Upside-down trainer handles with no-slip grips

• Spout with anti-colic air system

What to know

• Not recommended for dishwasher use

What Mumsnet users say

“I couldn’t be bothered with getting the baby used to a bottle and to need to wean them off it for a year. We used a NUK soft spout cup, so somewhere between a bottle teat and a regular supply cup” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Callamia.

Our Verdict

With its soft, silicone, free-flow spout, this cup from NUK is a great choice for breastfed babies as it mimics the shape and feel of a breast while teaching them to sip from a cup. It’s a great place to start for your baby to develop more strength and coordination before moving onto an open cup or similar.

We love the upside-down trainer handles with no-slip grips - really easy for babies to grab hold of. The spout features NUK’s anti-colic air system which prevents babies gulping air as they drink and getting windy. It has a no-spill design too which, though not totally spill-proof, will reduce the amount of water that ends up on the floor. A plastic lid covers the spout to keep it clean while on the move, it’s very easy to hand wash and it can be sterilised (though it’s not for dishwasher use).

4. Best transitional sippy cup: MAM Trainer Cup

Price on writing: £8 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 220ml | Recommended age: 4 months+ | Material: Silicone

What we love

• Can swap teat for soft, silicone spout to aid transition

• Easy-grip handles

• Can be used from as early as 4 months

What to know

• Some users reported that it broke quite easily/quickly

• Teat top could mean your baby doesn’t move onto a proper sippy cup quite as quickly

What Mumsnet users say

‘We got the MAM trainer cups and she absolutely loves them, they are quite spongy on her gums which seems good for her’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, Sammilouwho

Our Verdict

For total cup newbies, the MAM Trainer Cup offers a clever design to aid transition. Just attach the teat and your baby can start using the MAM as a baby bottle. Once they’re used to handling the cup themselves - encouraged by the easy-grip handles that aid development - swap the teat for the soft silicone spout (which is non-spill and free-flow). It’s a clever system, but bear in mind that the teat top could mean your baby doesn’t move onto a proper sippy cup quite as quickly.

Gradations on the cup itself let you know how much your baby has drunk. The dust cap also displays measurements and it helps to keep the cup clean. We like that the MAM Trainer Cup can be used from four months old, to get them started early. Bonus: the parts are simple to take apart and easy to wash, with a wide lid that makes it easy to get a bottle brush right inside.

5. Best eco-friendly sippy cup: Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy

Price on writing: £16.95 | Buy now from Klean Kanteen

Key specs

Capacity: 355ml | Recommended age: 6 months+ | Material: Stainless Steel

What we love

• Other lid attachments so your child can grow with it

• Attractive range of colours and designs

• Can be attached to a lightweight buggy or backpack

What to know

• High price tag but a bottle for life

• No handles: harder to hold than some sippy cups

What Mumsnet users say

“We have lots of Klean Kanteens here. They can be pricey, but have really lasted and certainly do the job. Love the wide openings for ice cubes etc.” - recommended by Mumsnet user, IndecentFeminist

Our Verdict

Trying to reduce your plastics? You’ll love Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel water bottles for kids as it’s a bottle for life, which reduces wastage. The Classic Sippy comes with a spill-proof sippy cap and dust cover for little ones, but it’s also compatible with Klean Kanteen's bamboo, sports and loop mouth pieces so it can grow with your child. The bottle itself is virtually bomb-proof - it doesn’t scratch or dent, so it'll survive as time goes by. Just don’t lose it (eek!).

It’s recommended from six months old, though we think a six-month-old might struggle to hang onto it reliably (no handles) but it’s a good and long-lasting starting point. It has a plastic cover to keep the spout clean but bear in mind that it isn’t attached to the bottle itself and customer reviews say it’s just asking to get lost. To add to its credentials, the cup is BPA-free.

6. Best first sippy cup: Bickiepegs Doidy Cup

Price on writing: £6.95 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 200ml | Recommended age: 3 months+ | Material: Plastic

What we love

• Open cup style = great for independence

• Recommended by medical professionals

• Easy-to-grasp handles

What to know

• May not be easiest to use at first (perhaps some spills!)

What Mumsnet users say

‘Get a Doidy Cup! They're brilliant, good size for little hands and angled so they can see the water coming at them. My toddler had one from 6 months and she much preferred it to a sippy cup. Takes a little while (and a lot of spills) to get used to but definitely worth it’ - highly recommended by Mumsnet user, HereComesFrog.

Our Verdict

Doidy Cups may not look terribly modern. In fact, this same design has been around since the 1950s but we say: if it ain’t broke, why fix it? The Doidy is a slanted cup that's easier for babies to sip from than an ordinary open cup. It’s loved by healthcare professionals because of the independence it brings, the fact that it’s an open cup (the Holy Grail of cup training!) and the way it helps children to develop hand-eye coordination. The downside? You might end up with a few spills on the floor.

The handles are easy to grasp and, as your baby brings it to her lips, she won’t need to tip it too far to take a sip - the water sort of comes to them. It’s also available in a huge array of colours that babies will enjoy. While it can be used from just three months of age, frankly, we’d be impressed if any three-month-old baby was sipping delicately on this without help. No harm in helping them with it for a while until they’re familiar and can lift it themselves.

7. Best sippy cup with a straw: TumTum Tippy Up Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw

Price on writing: £9.99 | Buy now from TumTum

Key specs

Capacity: 200ml | Recommended age: 6 months+ | Material: Polypropylene, stainless steel, silicone

What we love

• Weighted straw that follows the liquid around

• Leak proof flip-top lid

• Side measure to see how much your child has drunk

What to know

• It's dishwasher-safe but advised that you hand-wash

• The straw can be tricky to clean thoroughly - straw brushes available

What Mumsnet users say

‘The Tum Tum weighted sippy cup is really good. DD is one year old and can drink from it great. She usually drinks two cups of water a day whereas before she was barely drinking any’ - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, TeacakeTotty.

Our Verdict

This cute sippy cup from TumTum has a clever weighted straw that follows the liquid around, so your child won’t need to keep it upright when they've finished drinking. They can even tip it fully upside down (which they probably will). Straw type cups are, it must be said, slightly frowned upon by the professionals as they’re still sucking rather than learning to drink from an open cup - but at least they’re learning to control the flow themselves. Some children simply prefer to drink through a straw, so it might be your best route to eventual open-cup drinking.

A measure on the side helps you keep track of how much your child has drunk. The cup has a leak proof flip-top lid, great for outings. It comes apart easily for washing, although the straw can be tricky to clean thoroughly. We’d recommend you buy the additional set of two spare straws with a straw brush, which gets right inside the straws for cleaning.

8. Best leak-proof sippy cup: Anyway Up Cup

Price on writing: £7.99  | Buy now from Jojo Maman Bebe

Key specs

Capacity: 250ml | Recommended age: 6 months+ | Material: Polypropylene, High Density Polyethylene and Thermo Plastic Elastomer

What we love

• Totally spill-proof

• Sturdy handles

• Robust cup

What to know

• Kids will have to suck on the spout to drink, rather than sip free-flow as recommended

What Mumsnet users say

“We used an Avent spouted cup, then an Anyway Up Cup - never took a bottle” - recommended by Mumsnet user, AnnieHM

Our Verdict

Say goodbye to puddles on the kitchen floor! This boldly-designed sippy cup is totally spill-proof so your baby can shake it around as much as they like without spilling a drop. Hooray! That does mean that they'll have to suck on the spout to drink, rather than sip free-flow as is recommended (there is no internal valve). But there are some days when you need to choose your battles and this will solve that one problem.

Some customer reviews suggest your child needs to have a suck like a Dyson to get fluid out of the cup, but plenty of others say their child found it really easy. This one may be a case of (literally) suck it and see. It has sturdy handles for picking up and is really robust, withstanding anything a child can throw at it - including simply throwing it. It’s also helpfully dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe without the lid.

9. Best sippy cup for bedtime: Litecup Baby Sippy Cup

Price on writing: £11.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 200ml | Recommended age: 12 months+ | Material: Plastic, silicone

What we love

• Light-up base, great for bedtimes

• 360 degree free-flow spout

• Easy-to-grab handles

What to know

• Light-up base takes lithium batteries

• If you're using the lid for night times, it won't be completely free-flow

Our Verdict

We’re always fans of a product that does two jobs at once, like this clever little beaker which also functions as a nightlight! Invented by a dad and industrial engineer, the Litecup has a smart, well-thought-through design in a range of colours. It’s a 360-degree free-flow spout to let children sip from any side of the cup; it has easy-to-grab handles; and it boasts a light-up base. Just bear in mind that if you're using the lid for nighttimes, it won’t be completely free-flow.

The light-sensitive LED unit glows gently in the dark so little ones will no longer have to grasp around in the dark for their nighttime drink and the design means no mess if knocked over. Just don’t forget to switch it off if storing it in a cupboard! Added bonuses: it comes with a security ribbon so it can be clipped to your pushchair when out and about; it’s dishwasher-safe without the LED base; and it’s BPA-free, medical-grade plastic.

10. Best sippy cup for toddlers: CAMELBAK Eddy

Price on writing: £16 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 400ml | Recommended age: 3 years+ | Material: Plastic (50% recycled material)

What we love

• Flip, bite and sip use

• Leak- and spill-proof

• Loads of cool designs to choose from

What to know

• Pricey but can replace the spout if needed, rather than the whole thing (just don't lose it, kids!)

What Mumsnet users say

‘Camelbak Eddy Kids is fantastic. They are about £15 but you can replace the spout as and when needed for a few pounds and are the only ones we've found that don't leak. Easy to open too for little fingers’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, MissRainbowBrite

Our Verdict

Boisterous or busy toddler on your hands? Kids aged 3+ won’t argue over the Camelbak Eddy (we can hope…) thanks to the fun, adventurous designs. They’re made for flip, bite and sip use with a straw, a button-press lid and a valve that delivers a steady flow. Important for active toddlers, they’re supposedly leak proof when closed and spill-proof when open, and our Mumsnetter’s review supports that.

Your toddler can carry this fave cup around using its convenient handle. Yep, it’s toddler-adventure ready! The cap and bottle are odour and stain resistant, safe to pop in the dishwasher and free of BPA, BPS and BPF. In fact, they’re made of 50% recycled material. Lots to love!

11. Best sippy cup for a 6-month-old: Nuby Super Spout Easy Grip

Price on writing: £12.95 for 2 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 283ml | Recommended age: 6 months+ | Material: Silicone

What we love

• Easy-to-use, soft spout

• Good for transitioning from bottles

• Easy grip

What to know

• Spouts can wear out over time - but you can buy replacement spouts

What Mumsnet users say

‘Nuby do some great cups. My one year old has a Nuby Super Spout Grip and Sip for times when spillage is an issue e.g. car journeys. It’s a really easy ‘valve’ just touch it to the mouth and it flows (so no leaks but you don’t have to suck hard either)’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, TepidCat.

Our Verdict

With these dentist-approved, best-selling sippy cups, children don’t have to suck to release the drink so they’re easier to use. Designed to be used from six months, the Nuby Super Spout Easy Grip is a great transitional sippy cup. It has a soft silicone spout and a cup that’s shaped and textured for easy holding. It’s no spill yet the drink is easily released when put to your mouth and gently bitten down on.

The only downside we can see to this cup is that the soft spouts do apparently erode a bit with time and customer reviews say that when the spout starts to wear out, they leak a little. However, you can buy replacement spouts, which save throwing out the whole cup. Overall, we’re impressed: for children that have trouble sucking, but maybe can’t be left with a completely free-flow cup, this is a great solution. The cup also comes recommended by cleftopedia, a website for parents of young children born with a cleft lip or palate.

12. Best insulated sippy cup: Munchkin Miracle 360 Stainless Steel Sippy Cup

Price on writing: £17.39 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 10oz/296ml | Recommended age: 12 months+ | Material: Stainless Steel

What we love

• Keeps drinks cool for up to 10 hours

• Spoutless, 360-degree edge

• Spill-free

What to know

• Pricey so they'd better not lose it!

What Mumsnet users say

'I would look at the 360 type cups - there are a couple of stainless steel options by Munchkin. I actually love the 360 ones and wish I'd just gone to them straight away rather than faffing around with spouty cups, straw cups and so on. They are silicone, but only the drinking part. They can be easily cleaned, which is the best part - no bits for gunk to get stuck where you can't reach’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, BertieBotts

Our Verdict

Looking for something that will keep your DC’s drinks cool? Insulated cups can help and we like the look of this one, as Munchkin is generally a loved brand by parents - including Mumsnetters. It keeps drinks cool for up to 10 hours in the insulated, double-walled stainless steel cup.

Like other Munchkin cups, it has a spoutless, 360-degree edge so your child can take a sip from any angle, helping their muscles develop to ready them for open cups. This is recommended by dentists and it helps eliminate spills. It comes with a cup lid which will keep the rim clean when you’re out and about with your little one.

13. Best sippy cup for biters: Tommee Tippee Superstar

Price on writing: £5.50 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Capacity: 300ml | Recommended age: 6 months+ | Material: Silver, Silicone, Polypropylene, Thermoplastic Elastomer

What we love

• Bite-proof, throw-proof and shake-proof

• Easy-grip handles

• Anti-bacterial

What to know

• Not completely free-flow but doesn’t let drink pool around their teeth

What Mumsnet users say

‘We stuck with the Tommee Tippee sippy type (had unbranded version too) for going out where it mattered if spilt’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, TangerineLimes.

Our Verdict

This smart cup by baby feeding gurus Tommee Tippee is a great design if you have a ‘biter’ on your hands. The tough spout (with a semi-soft part for comfort, to be gentle on tender gums) can stand gummy chewing and even first teeth. And because it’s made using Bacshield antibacterial silver ion technology, the spout won’t become a home for germs to hide in, even if it does get the odd bite mark.

A first cup from four months, it helps your little one work out how to tip and sip without pouring water down their front. A clever two-piece valve lets liquid flow through the spout when your baby puts her mouth to it, then seals it off between sips so no fluid can escape. Its Intellivalve technology makes it 100% leak-proof and shake-proof according to the promises on the packet, and parents agree that it lives up to the hype.

14. Best sippy cup for a 1-year-old: NUK Kiddy Cup Night Toddler Cup

Price on writing: £6.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Capacity: 300ml | Recommended age: 12 months+ | Material: Polypropylene

What we love

• Toughened spout to withstand bite marks

• Leak-proof valve

• Glow in the dark

What to know

• Might take kids some getting used to at night

• You have to remember to charge it

What Mumsnet users say

‘I used one of these for my daughter, it took her a few attempts to get used to it and I didn’t push/rush it & just used bottles till she got the hang of it’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, MarigoldMoonStone

Our Verdict

The NUK brand is a popular one amongst parents - that’s why they feature twice on our list. We think this Kiddy Cup is great for one-year-olds as its toughened spout can withstand bite marks and its leak-proof valve makes for easy, pause-free drinking. At this age, we expect there’ll be lots of moving around. The cup’s contoured shape means it can be carried around easily, while the clip attachment (for clothes, backpacks etc.) and flexible cap connection means so annoying losses!

The coolest part? Place this cup under a lamp or in sunlight to charge and it’ll glow softly in the dark. It means your kids will find their drink easily in the night (hopefully meaning less midnight meltdowns) and it’s a feature we reckon they’ll smile about. It’s also pretty good value.

Types of sippy cup

The main types of sippy cup are:

• Spout: liquid flows through the spout. Those with softer spouts are often aimed at breastfed babies as they mimic the feel of breastfeeding. They are closest to a bottle and allow sucking. Hard spouts sometimes follow, encouraging tilting and sipping. These often allow for biting.

• Straw: Sippy cups that come with a straw attached or included, rather than a spout, help to get your child used to drinking from a straw and a cup, for when they eventually get there. With a straw, your child won’t have to tip or lift their cup - nice and easy.

• Spoutless/flat lid: Lastly, there are cups with a flat lid - no spout at all. Like the Munchkin on this list, they’re sometimes called 360 cups. Kids can drink from any angle so it resembles a normal cup, but it still has a lid (often, this seals shut after use) to prevent spills.

Which type of sippy cup do dentists recommend?

Free-flow or open cups are what’s most recommended by dentists so go for one of those in the first instance - this is because sipping is better for babies' teeth than sucking. Dentists and health experts say no-spill and valved types aren't as good for your baby's teeth, so it makes sense to use open or free-flow cups where possible, and opt for no-spill designs for in bed or in the buggy.

Otherwise, look for cups that are easy to use (as this is all about giving them independence so think handles, easy-grip and easy drinking design); leak-free and spill-free (especially important for outings); easy to clean; robust; and with no harmful chemicals (such as BPA-free).

How to help your baby learn to drink from a cup

It can feel quite overwhelming to introduce a new way of drinking to your baby, especially at a time when you're also contending with the mess weaning brings along. Here's some advice from baby experts the NCT:

• Sit with your baby and slowly tilt the cup to their mouth, so they can take a sip of water

• Opt for a cup with two handles to start with - these are easier for babies to hold

• Use an open, tilted (like a Doidy Cup) or free-flow cup to start off with, so they learn to sip rather than suck

• Take your time, be patient and expect spills

For more information on weaning your baby, check out Mumsnet's ultimate guide to introducing solid foods.

What’s the best sippy cup to buy?

It depends on your child’s age, abilities, preferences - and your preferences too. We chose the Munchkin Miracle 360 WildLove Trainer Cup as our overall best sippy cup because of its free-flow, spill-free and has a 360 degree sipping edge. If you’re after a budget option, the long-respected Tommee Tippee Essential Free-Flow First Cup is a good choice. NUK First Choice Learner Sippy Cup is good if your baby is breastfed, while the Bickiepegs Doidy Cup is a long-loved all-round first. Try the TumTum Tippy Up Sippy Cup if you want one with a straw. We hope our list has something for everyone.

How we choose our recommendations

We turned to the experts on the front line: our Mumsnetters! We trawled the Mumsnet forums for honest recommendations from real parents on which sippy cups worked well for them, looking particularly at which lasted well (without leaking) and were popular with babies. We also noted any models that received negative reviews.

We then researched by consulting the NHS and National Childbirth Trust (NCT), as well as dental experts on their recommendations for best baby beakers and sippy cups. We also checked out advice from consumer champions, such as Which?, on what to look out for.

Having created a longlist of 30 recommended beakers, we looked up various industry awards and reviews to see which sippy cups were scooping the most accolades, and checked out customer reviews on retailer sites too. We then weighed up all of that research to bring you this list of 14 best sippy cups, which we hope helps.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.