If you are a parent, you belong to the tribe of humans on a desperate quest to find a sippy cup that actually won’t leak.
You’ve lived through enough sopping wet bags, car seats and children to know that spills happen (often) and that finding a leak-proof sippy on the market is akin to that diamond in the rough.
Look no further. We’ve rounded up a list of spill-proof sippy cups that truly do what they say they will. These have been put to the test by thirsty kids and spill-weary parents alike.
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
Best Overall Sippy Cup
Why We Like It: The Munchkin Miracle 360 Sippy Cup is truly remarkable. Children (12 months and up) drink out of it like a normal cup, but it has this magic lid that responds to a child’s mouth on the rim but otherwise won’t leak when dropped or overturned. The cup comes apart into just three large pieces (lid, cup, silicone lid insert). This means you’re less likely to lose a key part of the cup, unlike so many other sippy cups on the market, which have a ton of little pieces. You can throw it in the dishwasher (top-rack recommended), making it super easy to clean. This cup stands up to wear-and-tear despite continual use and dishwasher cleanings. Plus, it comes in a whole bunch of fun colors and the price is right.
Best Value Sippy Cup
Why We Like It: This five-lid pack is a great deal on a product that will change your sippy cup-using life. Babies can start using this BPA- and phthalate-free silicone lid as early as 9 months old and you’ll probably keep them in use well into the toddler years (and perhaps beyond, depending on how accident-prone your kids are!). The lid fits over cups (and even bottles) with a diameter of 2.5- to 3.75-inches. Stow one of these lids in your car, purse or diaper bag and you’ll have an instant sippy cup anywhere you go. No more spilled drinks while dining out! The spout opening is small enough to prevent spills when dropped, though little teeth or exploring fingers can wear these down over time. We recommend alternating between handwashing and top-rack dishwasher cleanings to help prolong the life of these sippy cup lids. Parents who want to avoid plastic often use these on top of stainless steel or glass cups, depending on the age of your child. You can also insert a straw through the opening.
Best Upgrade Pick
Why We Like It: Sometimes kids get confused about how to drink, and rightly so. They have to learn to hold their cups down when drinking from a straw and up when drinking from any other kind of cup. The struggle is real. This cup gives kids a little help with its weighted straw, plus the straw clicks down when not in use. This prevents spills and keeps the straw clean. Regardless of how your tot holds his cup, liquid is guaranteed to come out until the very last drop. The plastic handles are easy for babies to grip, and the cup is designed for kids 6 months and older. All the parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, but luckily this comes with a special straw-cleaner to help get the straw extra-clean.
Tips and Advice
- Most pediatricians recommend you start letting your child experiment with drinking from a sippy cup around 6 months old. Before this age, babies don’t require — and in fact, should not be given — any liquids except breast milk or formula. Even on a hot day, as long as your infant is getting regular feedings of breastmilk or formula, he or she will be getting adequate hydration. If you’re unclear of what your baby should be drinking and when, ask your pediatrician.
- Make sure you start your baby with a sippy cup that is age-appropriate. It’s recommended that a baby’s first sippy cup have a soft, low-flow spout, and most sippy cup manufacturers will prominently list the youngest recommended age for use on the packaging. If your child is bottle-fed, it’s entirely possible that he or she won’t want to give that up until 12 months of age or later. Ask your pediatrician about the best time for you to stop bottle-feeding your baby; most experts will tell you to wean them between 9 and 18 months old.
- The age at which your own child will master the art of drinking from a cup will vary. Remember: all kids are different and learn at different paces. Keep their learning light and interesting by experimenting with different types of sippy cup spouts, rims and straws, once age-appropriate (babies are usually ready to try straws around 9 months old ).
- Many sippy cups on the market come with a bunch of small parts that can easily get lost. If you used a bottle cage in the dishwasher to keep all bottle parts grouped together, repurpose it for sippy cup parts. Putting the sippy cup back together as soon as it’s washed and dried is another trick for avoiding lost parts. You can save yourself a headache by intentionally buying sippy cups that don’t have many moving parts, like the Munchkin Miracle 360 cup.
- If a sippy cup starts to fall apart, toss it! If you notice a silicone spout starting to tear, don’t risk your child swallowing a piece of it — throw it away or replace it immediately. Of lesser importance, you’ll also save yourself an unexpected leak, which can happen when otherwise spill-proof spouts start to get worn down or stretched out.
- Most sippy cup products on the market today are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, which should make your shopping decisions a little easier.
