As your baby reaches twelve months, it is typically time to transition from a bottle to a cup for oral development. But, using a regular cup can lead to a lot of spills, stains, and frustration. To avoid these problems, many parents use a sippy cup for toddlers until they're ready for an open cup. Sippy cups are typically spill-free, so your child can work on independence without making puddles all over the floor. You can find sippy cups with a variety of features, including different top styles, handles, or easy to clean features. To help you sort through all of the options, check out some of our favorite sippy cups on the market. Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup Simple, safe, and affordableThe unique design of this sippy cup helps train toddlers for the transition to open cups.Best OverallFind on Amazon Do you want to quickly train your child to use a regular cup? Give these training-style cups a try. They promote sipping instead of sucking. You get two of the brightly colored cups when you order, so you will have one to use while you’re cleaning the other. These cups have handles, which are sized perfectly for little toddler hands. These cups feature a unique 360° drinking edge, which means no matter which part of the top your child tries to drink through, they will successfully get liquid. The lid has a seal in the middle to help prevent spills. When your child is done drinking, the cup seals automatically. This sippy cup for toddlers is BPA-free. It’s simple to take apart, easy to clean, and can even be washed in the dishwasher. Pros: Trainer style Good for oral development Sturdy design Cons: Not completely leakproof Re-Play Three-Pack Toddler Feeding No Spill Sippy Cups A sustainable sippy cupThis sippy cup for toddlers is as effective as it is eco-friendly.Best Eco-Friendly DesignFind on Amazon Made from FDA-approved recycled HDPE plastic, these brightly colored sippy cups are perfect for families who want to do their part to help reduce waste. They are BPA, BPS, PVC, lead, phthalates, and melamine free so you don’t have to worry about chemicals. With several different color options available, you’re sure to find a set your toddler would love. The cups hold up well, so you can pass them down from one child to another. They’re thick and feature durable construction. The cup features a hard spout for drinking. These cups don’t have handles, but they are a great size for little hands. The one-piece silicone valve is easy to clean and makes the cup spill-free. All parts of these cups are dishwasher-safe. Pros: Made from recycled material Safe materials for your little one Bright color options Cons: The lack of handles can be a challenge for younger toddlers NUK Disney Large Learner Sippy Cup Baby's choiceWith features designed to make it easy for young toddlers to use, this sippy cup is a great one for first-timers.Best For BeginnersFind on Amazon Is it time to introduce your little one to a sippy cup for the first time? The features on this one make it a great first cup. It’s made from durable silicone, and the soft spout is gentle on your baby’s gums. Plus, the air vent means your child will swallow less air. This sippy cup for toddlers comes with removable handles. When your child first learns to use the cup, the easy-grip handles make it easier to hold. As they practice and improve in their cup drinking skills, you can remove the handles easily. The Disney designs are cute, and the characters are familiar to many children. These cups are leak-proof, another plus for kids who are just learning to drink from a cup. Pros: Soft spout Air vent Removable handles Cons: If your child chews on the silicone spout, it will eventually crack Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Sippy Cup The steel sippyThis sippy cup for toddlers is made from stainless steel.Best Stainless Steel BodyFind on Amazon If you’re looking for a long-lasting sippy cup, this stainless steel one is really durable. It’s made from dishwasher-safe, food-grade stainless steel, so it’ll hold up well. There is no liner, and no plastic parts, so no chemicals will leach into your child’s drink. The sipper spout features BPA-free medical-grade silicone. When your toddler outgrows a sippy cup, you can purchase another style of silicone top to go on top. This versatility means the cup will get a lot of use. You can select between many fun colors and patterns. The inside of the cup displays volume marks so you can easily measure how much liquid your child is drinking. A silicone travel cover comes with the cup to keep things spill-free. Pros: Plastic-free Can switch the lid when your child outgrows sippy cups Volume marks Cons: Chewing on the spouts can make the cups leak Nuby 3 Piece No-Spill Cup with Flex Straw Draw strawsSoft silicone straws help your baby learn to sip a different way.Best With StrawFind on Amazon Trying new cups is important for oral development. When your child sips through a straw, they use different muscles than when they drink from a spout. If your toddler is ready for a straw, give these sippy cups a try. You get three cups for one low price. The shape of the cup makes it easy for little hands to hold onto. Regular straws leak easily, but these unique Touch Flo straws feature a special valve. Your child must squeeze and suck to drink. This is a natural occurrence when drinking from a straw. When your child closes their mouth around the straw, their tongue will push the straw towards the roof of their mouth, creating the squeeze necessary. The cups are easy to take apart and clean. Pros: Has a soft straw BPA-free Shaped for toddler-sized hands Cons: The straw isn’t weighted to stay in one place Frequently Asked Questions What are the benefits of using a sippy cup? Most pediatricians recommend weaning children from bottles when they are twelve months old. However, many twelve-month-olds aren’t ready to use an open cup independently. They don’t yet have the skills they need to handle that task successfully. Many parents use sippy cups to help with this transition. There are many benefits. A sippy cup helps little ones stay hydrated. They have access to water without having to wait for someone to help them take a drink. As they try different tops, they improve their oral development, which will help them eat and drink throughout their lives. Additionally, sippy cups are convenient. Most feature spill-proof tops, so you can easily bring one along in the car without worrying about your toddler getting soaked. Are there any dangers from sippy cup use? Prolonged sippy cup use can cause problems. Just as toddlers can get attached to a pacifier or a blanket, they can also develop an attachment to a favorite style of cup. To help avoid this, switch up cup styles frequently. Introduce your child to soft spouts, hard spouts, and straws to expose them to different ways to sip and suck. Sippy cups can also lead to tooth decay if misused. Your child should not go to bed with a sippy cup full of juice or milk. How should I clean the sippy cup? When not cleaned properly, sippy cups can harbor mold. You don’t want that, so frequently take apart all of the pieces and wash them well. If the sippy cup is dishwasher-safe, run it through regularly. If you can sanitize the parts in boiling water, that is an excellent way to kill any germs. Always check the directions that came with the particular cup to see the recommended cleaning process. Related posts: The Best Water Tables for Toddlers The Best Water Bottles for Kids The Best Toddler Bowls