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Transitioning your little one from bottle or breast to their first cup can feel like a big milestone and a bit confusing too. I remember the first time I tried giving my baby a cup; it ended with more water on the floor than in their mouth! Finding the right baby cup makes all the difference, helping your child develop drinking skills while keeping mealtimes a little less messy.
In this 2025 guide, I’ve rounded up the best baby cups in the UK, including open, straw and sippy styles. You’ll find quick picks, detailed reviews, and helpful buying tips based on safety, design and ease of use.
According to the NHS, babies can start learning to drink from an open or free flow cup from around 6 months to help protect their teeth and encourage healthy development.¹
Whether you’re starting out with a soft spout cup or moving on to a straw or open cup, here are my top recommendations that make the journey smoother for both parents and babies.
Top Baby Cups Comparison
| Product Name | Key Features | Price Range | Why I Recommend It |
| Tommee Tippee Essential Free Flow First Cup | Lightweight, twin handles, BPA free | £3–£5 | Easy for beginners |
| Doidy Training Cup | Slanted open design, encourages natural sipping | £5–£8 | Great first open cup, reduces spills while teaching proper sipping |
| Tum Tum Tippy Up Free Flow Sippy Cup | Flip lid, non spill valve, dishwasher safe | £8–£10 | Excellent transition choice for little hands |
| Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup | 360° edge drinking, spill proof | £10–£15 | My favourite all rounder, toddler friendly and easy to clean |
| MAM Starter Cup with Non Slip Handles | Soft spout, removable handles | £8–£10 | Perfect for early learners, flexible and dentist approved |
| Munchkin Click Lock Weighted Flexi Straw Cup | Weighted straw, leak proof lid | £10–£12 | Ideal for on the go hydration, prevents frustrating spills |
| Bamboo Bamboo Baby Sippy Cup | Silicone top, natural bamboo base | £13–£15 | Sustainable and safe choice, feels premium and eco friendly |
| MAM Trainer 2 in 1 Cup | Combines bottle and cup stages | £8–£10 | Great for babies still adjusting from bottle feeding |
| Baby Boosa My 1st Cup | Soft silicone, pastel colours, open style | £14–£16 | Gentle, stylish and toddler approved |
| PandaEar Open Cup | Silicone, dishwasher safe | £7–£9 | Simple, safe and perfect for teaching independent sipping |
How I Picked These
When shortlisting the best baby cups for 2025, I looked at a few key things that genuinely matter to parents:
- Safety and materials: All are BPA free and baby safe.
- Ease of cleaning: Dishwasher friendly or quick to rinse.
- Design: Handles, lids and shape that suit small hands.
- Value for money: Long lasting and practical.
- Parent tested comfort: Cups my own child actually enjoyed using.
Parent Tip: “Choose a cup that matches your baby’s stage, soft spouts for starters, straw or open cups as they grow more confident.”
Best Baby Cups
Tommee Tippee Essential Free Flow First Cup
A lightweight and easy to hold cup designed for babies 6 months and older. Its free flow spout encourages natural sipping and supports early drinking skills. Made from BPA free material, it’s durable, simple to clean, and ideal for introducing little ones to independent drinking.
Pros:
- Affordable and easy to clean
- Available in bright colours
Cons:
- Not fully spill proof
- Spout may wear over time
Best for: Babies just starting cup training.
Doidy Training Cup
This unique slanted open cup helps babies see the liquid and learn to sip naturally. Its clever design supports oral muscle development while minimizing spills. Dishwasher safe and gentle for beginners, it’s perfect for encouraging proper drinking habits during the early weaning stage.
Pros:
- Supports oral development
- Dishwasher safe
- Reduces spillage risk
Cons:
- Requires supervision at first
Best for: Babies transitioning from bottles.
Personal insight: This cup was a revelation for us, messy at first, but amazing for skill building.
Tum Tum Tippy Up Free Flow Sippy Cup
Designed for toddlers, this sippy cup features a flip lid and a free flow spout that promotes natural drinking. Its non slip handles and durable build make it easy for little hands to manage. Dishwasher safe and practical for everyday use, it’s great for active toddlers.
Pros:
- Flip lid keeps spout clean
- Free flow promotes natural sipping
- Non slip handles
Cons:
- Valve may need occasional replacement
Best for: Active toddlers who are still learning control.
Personal insight: I love how durable this one is, it survived being dropped countless times!
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
This smartly designed cup allows sipping from any side, mimicking real cup drinking while remaining spill proof. With its dentist approved design, it helps toddlers develop mature drinking skills. Easy to clean and durable, it’s a great next step after traditional sippy cups.
Pros:
- Dentist recommended
- Easy to clean
- Teaches real drinking skills
Cons:
- Can leak slightly if shaken hard
Best for: Toddlers ready to move past sippy cups.
Personal insight: This one stood out because it bridges the gap between a sippy and open cup beautifully.
MAM Starter Cup with Non Slip Handles
Perfect for early weaning, this leak proof starter cup includes a soft spout and easy grip handles for tiny hands. BPA free and dentist approved, it’s designed to make the transition from bottle to cup smooth, comfortable, and confidence boosting for babies.
Pros:
- BPA free and dentist approved
- Easy grip handles
- Clear measurement markings
Cons:
- Not suitable for thick liquids
Best for: Early weaning stage.
Pro Tip: Use this cup for water only, juices can stick to the spout and make cleaning harder.
Munchkin Click Lock Weighted Flexi Straw Cup
This innovative cup features a weighted straw that moves with the liquid, letting babies drink from any angle. The leak proof click lock lid prevents spills, and the soft straw is gentle on gums. It’s travel friendly, dishwasher safe, and ideal for 6+ month olds.
Pros:
- Leak proof click lock lid
- Soft straw gentle on gums
- Suitable from 6 months+
Cons:
- Slightly more parts to clean
Best for: Babies who prefer straw drinking.
Personal insight: This was a lifesaver during travel, no leaks, no drama.
Bamboo Bamboo Baby Sippy Cup
An eco friendly baby cup crafted from sustainable bamboo with a soft silicone top. Safe, stylish, and toxin free, it supports gentle sipping while staying non slip. Perfect for eco conscious families, it blends functionality with natural beauty for an elevated mealtime experience.
Pros:
- Sustainable and toxin free
- Non slip base
- Gentle silicone spout
Cons:
- Hand wash only
Best for: Eco conscious parents.
Personal insight: It’s as pretty as it is practical, my go to for photo worthy mealtimes.
MAM Trainer 2 in 1 Cup
This versatile training cup bridges the gap between a bottle and a sippy cup. It features a soft spout, detachable handles, and a bottle style base for comfort. Dishwasher safe and thoughtfully designed, it’s perfect for easing babies through their bottle to cup transition.
Pros:
- Soft spout and bottle style base
- Detachable handles
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Slightly bulky for travel
Best for: Babies moving off bottles.
Personal insight: This one made the weaning transition much easier for us.
Baby Boosa My 1st Cup
Made from premium food grade silicone, this open cup is gentle on gums and perfectly sized for small hands. Its pastel design combines style and practicality. Durable, dishwasher safe, and easy to grip, it helps toddlers gain confidence in independent drinking.
Pros:
- Stylish and soft
- Dishwasher safe
- Perfect size for toddlers
Cons:
- On the pricier side
Best for: Parents who love modern baby gear.
Personal insight: This one stood out because it’s both practical and aesthetic, a joy to use daily.
PandaEar Open Cup
A simple yet practical silicone cup that encourages self feeding and independence. Its soft, BPA free design is safe for gums, easy to clean, and non slip. Affordable and reliable, it’s an excellent first open cup for parents seeking a budget friendly, fuss free option.
Pros:
- BPA free
- Non slip design
- Easy to wash
Cons:
- Not spill proof
Best for: Budget friendly training.
Parent Tip: Don’t fear a bit of mess, open cup learning is a crucial skill, and practice makes perfect.
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Right Baby Cup
When I was shopping for my baby’s first cup, I wish I’d known how much the right shape and flow matter. Here’s what to look for:
- Safety first: Choose BPA free, phthalate free materials.
- Cup style: Start with free flow or soft spout, then move to straw or open cup.
- Handles: Detachable handles help babies learn to grip.
- Ease of cleaning: Fewer parts mean easier hygiene.
- Durability: Babies drop everything, sturdy wins.
Expert Tip: The NHS advises avoiding cups with non spill valves for prolonged use, as they may discourage proper sipping.
Safety & Extra Tips
- Always supervise your baby when using a cup.
- Avoid using juice or milk between meals to prevent tooth decay.
- Let your child practise open cup drinking from 6 months onwards.
- Replace spouts or straws regularly for hygiene.
Pro Tip: Encourage sipping water at mealtimes to support good hydration habits from early on.
For more guidance, visit the NHS Baby Weaning Advice page.
FAQs
Are straw cups better than sippy cups?
Straw cups promote oral development and are often easier for toddlers to master.
How many cups does my baby need?
Start with one or two and see which style your baby prefers.
Are silicone cups safe?
Yes, high quality food grade silicone is BPA free and perfectly safe.
How can I prevent leaks?
Ensure lids are properly sealed and avoid shaking cups with liquid.
Conclusion
All the cups above are trusted, practical and tested by real parents. If I had to pick one all rounder, it would be the Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup, it’s durable, easy to clean and helps babies learn true sipping without the spills.
I know choosing the right baby cup can feel challenging, but hopefully this guide makes that decision easier and helps your little one enjoy their first independent sips with confidence.
