Best straw cups for babies of 2024

When babies are first learning to use a straw cup it can be tough to nail down the angle needed to suck liquid up and out of the cup. Munchkin’s cup makes it easier thanks to its weighted straw which, thanks to gravity, points down no matter what angle your child holds the cup. It’s a great choice for active families, too, since the cup has a fully locking flip top lid that won’t leak in transit. Its two sturdy handles make it easy for babies to hold, too. And if you’re skeptical? Munchkin offers a full replacement guarantee, so you can give it a try, no strings attached.

Christine Mattheis, Group VP, Content & Brand Solutions at BabyCenter says that her daughter started using this cup at 6 months and got the hang of it immediately. "I love that the cup is truly leakproof -- she would throw that thing around and not a drop would come out of it," says Christine. 

Christine also says that the weighted straw worked as advertised, and her daughter could drink from any angle. The only downside from her end was that the straw was hard to clean, even with the included straw brush, though she knows that almost every straw cup has that catch. The rest of the cup could be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. This cup is sold in a two-pack at many retailers, and comes in 7- and 10-ounce versions for younger or older babies (the 10-ounce cup is recommended for babies 12 months and up). 

Parents who want to avoid plastic may prefer a silicone cup, and this beautiful option from Olababy stands out among similar cups due to its thoughtful design. The cup's bottom is weighted, so it doesn't tip over easily when it's sitting on a surface, and is easier for children who are just learning how to pick up and balance a cup. Parents love the translucent silicone and measurement markings, both of which make it easier to know exactly how much your baby is drinking. The cup is also less slippery to hold than slick plastic, so less chance of it falling through your child’s small hands. 

Parents love the look of the Olababy, and appreciate that even if babies accidentally hit themselves in the face or mouth with this cup, the soft silicone won't bang them up. A final high point: When your baby's ready for an open cup, just take the straw and lid off and you're all set.

This cup is microwave-safe, freezer-safe, and can hold hot liquids that are up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit; that said, the AAP recommends serving liquids that are maximum room-temperature-warm to your baby, and warns against microwavingOpens a new window to warm.  

Like other weighted straw cups, this one dispenses liquid at any angle, which helps babies new to cups learn to drink more easily. But Dr. Brown's Milestones boasts a few features that make it better for travel than competitors. First, like Dr. Brown’s bottles, they're narrow, making it easier to fit into all the bags you're already using to carry around bottles. This also allows them to fit into your car's cup holders. 

The “cup” also has sturdy but soft handles, which make them easier for babies to hold. But unlike other straw cups, the handles slide on the cup like a koozie instead of being attached to the cup's cap. You can slip the handles off to more easily fit this bottle in small spaces, and take them off entirely when your child doesn't need them anymore. 

The bottle's sliding cap stops leaks completely, and is easy to operate one-handed, says Leah Rocketto, Associate Commerce Director for BabyCenter: "You can slide it with a thumb," she says. "Slide it open and the straw pops out; slide it closed and the straw goes down, and there's no leaks."

These cups come in narrow- and wide-necked varieties just like Dr. Brown's baby bottles, so you may want to choose one or the other if your baby's already used to Dr. Brown's. The narrow-necked bottles contain 8 ounces; the wide-necked, 9 ounces. 

The "honey bear" style of straw cup has become very popular in recent years because it's so easy for babies and toddlers to learn to use. The magic lies in the cup's flexibility: When you squeeze the sides, the liquid rises up the straw. This visual demonstration of the physics of creating a vacuum is a revelation to babies, and really helps them understand how to use the straw. 

The honey bear cups are often a great option for children having trouble making the transition from bottles: BabyCenter Senior SEO Content Strategist Sarah Darby says "I tried to get my son to drink from a straw for almost two months with little success. After we tried the honey bear cup, he was drinking from a straw that same day at 9 months."

Many different companies make similar cups but Sarah notes that the brittle plastic flip-up lids on most break easily and create dangerous sharp edges. So she prefers this version from The 730 Project, which has a one-piece lid that's much harder to break. 

If your baby is just starting to hold a cup and use a straw, this training cup is a great first step. It works as both an open cup and a straw cup—both important skills for your baby’s development. The open cup encourages your baby to practice placing their lips around the cup’s rim while sipping, and the straw cup is perfectly sized to help build those sucking and oral motor skills. 

Unlike other cups that may be too big or bulky for tiny hands, this one is just right. Its mini size makes it easy for your baby to grasp and grip and encourages them to self-feed. The straw features small sensory bumps to guide your baby on where to position their lips. Plus, the interior is angled to provide a consistent liquid flow, which makes it easier for your baby to drink safely. 

This cup is made from soft, food-grade silicone, which is gentle on tiny gums and new teeth. And when it’s time to clean it, just take the cup apart (three pieces only) and toss them in the dishwasher.

If you’re a minimalist or just short on kitchen storage, check out this straw cup which works as four cups in one. It’s not just a silicone straw cup—it also works as an open cup, sippy cup, and even a bowl. It’s perfect for growing with your child as they learn different ways to drink (though experts often suggest skipping the sippy cup phase!). And when they’re ready for solids, it transforms into a heat-safe suction bowl for serving  warm bowls of creamy oatmeal or sweet potato stew. 

This cup isn’t short on features. The weighted base helps keep it stable, but you can also flip it and use it as a lid or suction base to prevent spills and tip-overs. The straw has a built-in stopper so your baby can’t pull it out, and the little grooves inside keep the liquid from squirting all over the place. Better yet, you can even wrap the straw around the suction to store it when you're on the go. And when it's time to clean up, just pop it in the dishwasher.

If you’re looking for the ultimate straw that can do it all, this cup’s got you covered. It has a weighted straw that allows your baby to drink from any angle to reduce frustration while drinking. It’s also valveless to make it easier for your baby to suck, while strengthening their oral motor and speech skills. Unlike other thin straws that are only good for water, this one is versatile enough for thicker drinks like smoothies. Plus, it comes with a straw brush to make it easier to clean. 

The Lollacup features two removable handles that are perfect for little hands to grip. It’s available in a variety of fun, bright colors to make drinking enjoyable for kids. For added peace of mind, we appreciate that this cup was manufactured in the United States using safe, ethically sourced materials, free from BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says bottles should be phased outOpens a new window between 12 and 18 months. Why? Think of the bottle as a security blanket of sorts. A toddler who is still drinking from a bottle may find comfort in the act, thus skip meals and rely more heavily on the liquid calories if they know the bottle is available. 

And although children this age should technically be capable of sipping straight from an open cup — and should practice it — they can be inconvenient if your baby is drinking anywhere that a mess matters. That’s where a training cup, like a straw cup, comes into play. 

When it comes to straw cups, here’s what you’ll want to consider: 

• Handles: There are options with and without handles. The former is best suited for younger babies, while the latter is preferable for older babies and toddlers. 
• Straw type: Though a straw cup obviously has a straw, there are different types of straws. Some are weighted at the bottom; these keep the straw down even if the baby tips the cup, so water will still come out. There are also flip-up straws, where the built-in straw collapses into a lid for travel purposes; these cups are usually best for toddlers and preschoolers. And, finally, there are straws that disassemble into multiple components for easier cleaning. 
• Material: Though plastic is the most common type of straw cup, there are also stainless steel, glass, and silicone options available.

Brigitt Earley and Joyce Slayton contributed to this story.