Sippy Cups: Reviews

Updated August 2011

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Best sippy cup for babies

Parents say their babies transition smoothly from the bottle to the Thinkbaby Sippy Cup, which offers a soft silicone spout that feels similar to a bottle's nipple. Thinkbaby Sippy Cups are sold as a single unit with a… expand9-ounce bottle, although separate conversion kits (*Est. $7 per kit) may be purchased to convert any Thinkbaby 5- or 9-ounce bottle to a transitional sippy cup. These sippy cups are recommended for children between 9 and 36 months of age and are top-rack dishwasher-safe. Reviews indicate that possible leaking problems are remedied by removing the handles. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Z Recommends: Editors of ZRecommends.com rate sippy cups based on safety (whether potentially harmful chemicals are used) and overall function.

Babble.com: The Thinkbaby Sippy Cup is praised for its silicone spout, which babies transitioning from the bottle will readily accept because it feels familiar.

Amazon.com: Nearly 60 owners contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

GreenandCleanMom.com: The Thinkbaby Sippy Cup is rated on leaking, ease of care and use, and child preference in this review of five sippy cups.

NatureMoms.com: The Thinkbaby Sippy Cup is rated against about a dozen sippy cups in this review.

TheShoppingMama.com: TheShoppingMama.com names the Thinkbaby Sippy Cup the best sippy cup for transitioning from bottle or breast due to its soft, silicone spout.

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Buy from Amazon for $8.99
Diapers.com for $8.99	BabyEarth for $9.49	Amazon for $8.99

Best sippy cup for toddlers

Playtex Insulator Cup

*Est. $5 Compare Prices

After a child has readily accepted a soft-spout sippy cup, many parents transition to a hard-spout cup. The Playtex Insulator Cup has built-in insulation, keeping beverages cooler longer. These 9-ounce cups have no… expandhandles, but the slim design is easy for toddlers to grasp. Reviews also say the Playtex Insulator Cup is lightweight, so most children have no problems maneuvering them. An internal valve helps maintain a proper flow of liquid, but doesn't tend to obstruct the flow too significantly like valves for other sippy cups sometimes do. Further, the Playtex Insulator Cup comes in a selection of fun designs, such as Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess and Disney Cars. All parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Z Recommends: Sippy cups from dozens of manufacturers are evaluated by ZRecommends.com editors.

Viewpoints.com: More than 120 parents rate the Playtex Insulator Cup, saying their children love these cups and they don't leak.

Amazon.com: More than 20 owners contribute to a near-perfect average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

Diapers.com: Nearly 10 owners review the Playtex Disney Insulator Cup in the "Cars" theme, contributing to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

ToysRUs.com: About 20 owners weigh in with comments on the Playtex Insulator Cup (girls' design), contributing to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

TheShoppingMama.com: TheShoppingMama.com names the Playtex Insulator Cup the best sippy cup for toddlers and preschoolers, with a larger capacity and built-in insulator walls to keep the extra beverage cool.

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Buy from Amazon for $6.29
drugstore.c- om for $7.99	Amazon for $8.49

Best straw sippy cup

Funtainer Straw Bottle by Thermos

*Est. $11 Compare Prices

Some experts say sippy cups with spouts can increase the risk of tooth decay by directing sugary liquids directly to the back of the top front teeth. Straw cups, however, cause no such complications and are fun for kids… expandto use. The Funtainer Straw Bottle by Thermos, like the Playtex Insulator Cup, has double-wall insulation to maintain a cooler beverage temperature. This coupled with a large, 12-ounce capacity make the Funtainer a convenient addition to a toddler's arsenal of on-the-go gear. Straw cups are generally introduced around one year of age, but some children are ready sooner. The Funtainer is top-rack dishwasher-safe and also comes in a selection of character and movie themes. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

NatureMoms.com: The Funtainer Straw Cup is reviewed in this second round of testing by NatureMoms.com.

Z Recommends: This older article describes in detail the change in design of the Funtainer in response to concerns about BPA. Since the redesign, Funtainer Straw Bottles contain no BPA in the plastic lid, and problems with breaking lids have been addressed with a new plastic formulation that is less prone to breaking.

Amazon.com: Because each character theme or design of the Funtainer Straw Cup is reviewed individually, it's necessary to evaluate reviews of several product listings to determine an overall opinion.

Walmart.com: Like Amazon.com, Walmart.com has a number of different designs of the Funtainer available.

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Best metal sippy cup

Safe Sippy 2 by Kid Basix

*Est. $15 Compare Prices

Nearly all manufacturers have discontinued the use of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a controversial chemical suspected of releasing potentially harmful hormones into beverages, in their plastic products. Still, some consumers prefer… expandto move away from all types of plastic containers, instead opting for safer metals, such as stainless steel. The Safe Sippy 2 by Kid Basix consists of a stainless-steel body sheathed by a brightly colored silicone sleeve for added grip. Handles are easily removable and a straw adaptor is included for quick conversion from a sippy to a straw cup. A few owners report difficulties getting a good flow from the sippy spout, so they opt for regular use of the straw. The Safe Sippy has an 11-ounce capacity and is top-rack dishwasher-safe. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Slate.com: Author Chip Brantley assembles a panel of 22 parents to test about a dozen sippy cups for ease of use, ease of care, style and leakproof-ness.

Z Recommends: The Safe Sippy 2 is given a high confidence rating (meaning editors deem it safe), and although the Safe Sippy 2 isn't given an overall rating, the original Safe Sippy earns 2 stars out of 5.

Babble.com: This brief review doesn't address leaking or ease of use, instead focusing on the overall features of the Safe Sippy 2, such as the silicone sleeve for temperature control and ability to convert to a straw cup.

Amazon.com: The Safe Sippy 2 has an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 in more than 55 owner-written reviews.

Diapers.com: Just over a dozen parents contribute to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5.

NatureMoms.com: NatureMoms.com covers about a dozen sippy cups in two reviews, assigning each cup a child and parent rating.

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Buy from Amazon for $13.12
BabyEarth for $13.95	Walmart for $14.00	Target for $14.09

Best kids cup/water bottle

Nalgene Grip 'n Gulp Bottle

*Est. $7 for one 12-ounce cup Compare Prices

Kids' water bottles differ primarily from other sippy cups in the design of the spout. Kids' water bottles are designed for outdoor use, so a rotating valve typically serves as a spout when opened and cuts off the flow of… expandliquid in its closed position. For this reason, some kids' water bottles are criticized for being too difficult for younger children. The 12-ounce Nalgene Grip 'n Gulp Bottle, on the other hand, is easy to operate and lightweight. Parents like the simplistic, straight-column design and say it's easy for kids to grab. The Grip 'n Gulp comes in pink, blue, green or purple. Reviews say the vibrant colors add style and the translucency provides a quick measurement of how much liquid remains in the cup. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Slate.com: The Nalgene Grip 'n Gulp bottle is the top-scorer in this comparison review of a dozen sippy cups, earning a perfect score of 50 points.

Amazon.com: More than 110 owners contribute to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, saying the Nalgene Grip 'n Gulp is leakproof and durable.

HowDoYouDoIt.com: HowDoYouDoIt.com is a blog written for and by mothers of multiples.

: The Nalgene Grip 'n Gulp is named one of the best sippy cups in this informal roundup.

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