What’s the Best Cup for Babies?

Drinking from a cup is a lifelong skill that babies can begin practicing as soon as they are ready to start solids. Our licensed pediatric professionals explain what qualities matter when choosing cups for babies.

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How to Choose a Cup for Baby

Our licensed pediatric professionals have helped many families teach babies and toddlers to drink from a cup, and they have found the best cups for babies are:

Solid Starts Guide to Cups for Babies

Below are some cups that meet our standards in 2024, however, it is not always necessary to purchase a special cup for baby. There are many things that you may have around the house that can work well, such as an espresso cup, a shot glass, or small cup. If you already have a cup that you want to use, see How to Teach Baby to Drink from a Cup for guidance to get started. 

When choosing cups for babies, we recommend two styles: an open cup and a straw cup. Using both helps babies learn all the cup drinking skills: sealing the lips, sucking while sealing the lips (using straws), tilting to drink (from open cups), and preventing spills.

Our recommendations do not include sippy cups or 360-style cups. Why? These cups are built for babies and encourage babies to build skills that are discarded after a few months, while learning to drink from an open cup or from a straw are lifelong skills. Want to use one? See our general guidance on choosing sippy cups. 

Best Open Cups for Babies

The following open cups best met our criteria: small in size, easy to hold, cost-effective, and easy to clean. We also love how these cups are slightly weighted at the bottom, which helps with stability as baby practices cup drinking.

We recommend a product only when we believe that it is worth your consideration, and our opinions are free from conflict of interest. Solid Starts is an independent organization that does not accept money or free products in exchange for reviews. We provide affiliate links to retailers of those products, and we may receive a commission if you purchase through one of those links. Learn more.

EZPZ Tiny Cup

A family favorite, the EZPZ tiny cup holds 2 fl oz (60 ml), and it is made of dishwasher safe silicone for easy gripping and holding. Moderately priced, this cup is a staple in many households due to its small size, weighted bottom (helps with stability and returning to the table), and fun color options.

Mushie Silicone Starter Cup

Very similar to the EZPZ tiny cup, the Mushie starter cup holds 2 fl oz (60 ml), and it is made of dishwasher safe silicone for easy gripping and holding. Ridges may help baby with gripping, and it is slightly less expensive.

Munchkin C’est Silicone! Open Training Cup

The Munchkin cup has a rim with a lip that, while not necessary, may make it easier for babies to seal their lips. Holding 2 fl oz (60 ml) and also made of dishwasher safe silicone, this is a slightly more affordable choice than the open cups by EZPZ and Mushie.

Nuby Baby's First Mini Sipper Training Cup

Nuby Mini-Sipper has the same features as our other top recommended open cups for babies, and it is the least expensive. Bonus: grooves on the base may help baby keep the cup upright as they set it down.

Best Silicone-Free Open Cups for Babies & Toddlers

While we love how silicone cups are safe to put in the dishwasher and are easy for kids to hold on to, sometimes they can take on a faint smell of dish soap after repeated washings. If you are looking for silicone alternatives, below are our favorite cups. We recommend using these cups with babies at least 9 months of age due to their larger size. Also note: the cups hold more liquid and may result in bigger spills. That said, the larger size means the cups continue to work well for babies as they become toddlers.

Ahimsa Starter Sips Cup

Perfect for those who love stainless steel, the Ahimsa Starter Sips Cup holds 4.5 fl oz (133 ml)  and has a rim with a lip, which can help babies and toddlers seal their lips. Note: the cup is sold in a pack of two.

Mushie Dinnerware Cup

Made of soft, dishwasher safe plastic, the Mushie Dinnerware Cup is lightweight, easy to hold, and fits right in with many adult-sized cups at mealtime. Available in a pack of two, this cup is a bit larger (holds 7 fl oz or 210 ml) and works well for babies and toddlers alike.

WeeSprout Bamboo Toddler Cup

For those who want to avoid plastic, the WeeSprout is an excellent choice. A bit larger than the other cups (10 fl oz or 300 ml) and available in a pack of 4, these cups are made of food-safe bamboo and they are safe to wash on the top rack of a dishwasher.

Best Straw Cups for Babies & Toddlers

When considering a straw cup, we look for options that are affordable, easy to hold, easy to clean, and equipped with a standard size, unvalved straw. Straw cups are so variable in their features and use, so pick the style of cup that works best for you–which may mean more than one. Note: a clean straw is often more important than the cup material or style. Use a brush and running water to thoroughly clean straws between uses.

Want to minimize the mess? Check out the Best Spill-Proof Straw Cups for Babies.

Baby needs a little extra help with straws? Check out the Best Unvalved Straw Trainer Cups for Babies.

Our Favorite Straw Cup

The Early Years Take and Toss Straw Cup

The Early Years Take and Toss can be used as an open cup or a straw cup thanks to its removable lid. As a straw cup, it can be gently squeezed to express liquid. The cup is inexpensive (a pack currently costs $20) and its larger size means it works well as baby grows into toddlerhood. The downside? There is no valve on the straw, which means it’s not spill-proof. 

Best Spill-Proof Straw Cups for Babies

Spill proof options are helpful for on-the-go, or for phases where your baby or toddler just loves to throw their cup. Many of these options have valved straws and weighted straws.

Thermos Kids Straw Bottle

Just like the grown ups! This insulated stainless steel straw cup is great for older babies and toddlers on the go. It withstands dropping without spills thanks to a locking lid, and it is easy to clean. If you want a cup that will stick around through toddlerhood, this is a great choice.

Munchkin® Simple Clean™ Toddler Sippy Cup with Easy Clean Straw

This is a favorite spill-proof cup thanks to its valved straw, which is easy to clean (it opens up!) and safe to put in the dishwasher. While the cup is on the larger side, it remains lightweight and easy to hold. 

The First Years Squeeze & Sip Toddler Straw Cup

Small, affordable, and easy to hold, this spill-proof silicone cup is a favorite of feeding therapists and parents alike. The cup’s valve helps prevent spills, and it is designed to express liquid when it is gently squeezed.

Lollacup

This is a great option if you want a weighted straw cup that lets a child drink even when the cup is tilted or upside-down. The straw is wide enough for thicker drinks like smoothies, plus it comes with a cleaning brush. Removable handles are an added bonus.

OXO Tot Transitions Straw Cup

This cup comes in two sizes with a lid to keep the straw clean. Remove the handles so baby can learn to hold a standard cup, too! The straw is valved, but oval-shaped, which requires less pressure to release liquid.

Munchkin Weighted Straw Trainer Cup

Two handles for easy holding with a flip top that covers the straw when on the go. The cup is easy to clean and comes with a straw brush. The weighted straw allows drinking when the cup is tilted or upside-down, however the narrow size and valve require biting or sucking very hard.

Best Unvalved Straw Trainer Cups for Babies

If your baby is having a hard time getting the hang of expressing liquid from a straw, a straw trainer can help. These are our favorite options, but keep in mind that they aren’t leak proof.

EZPZ Mini Cup + Straw

Use it as an open cup or a straw cup! Its slightly weighted bottom offers stability, and it is made of dishwasher-safe silicone that can be gently squeezed if baby needs a little help figuring out how the straw works. The straw has raised nubs to help position the lips when drinking. 

Lalo Little Cup

A great choice if you want a straw trainer cup with handles! The cup comes in two sizes, and it can be gently squeezed if baby needs a little help figuring out how the straw works. Bonus: this cup is slightly more resistant to spills as the lid fits very snuggly inside the cup.

Mushie Silicone Training Cup

Very similar to the Lalo cup and similarly priced, this cup is easy to hold and can be gently squeezed if baby needs a little help figuring out how a straw works. We love how the lid fits snuggly in the cup to decrease spills. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Got your cup and ready to get started? Check out our article, How to Teach Baby to Drink from a Cup or Straw.

Looking for guidance on introducing solids to your baby? Download the Solid Starts App.