8 Best Sippy Cups for 9-Month-Olds 2026

The Dr. Brown’s Baby’s First Straw Cup is a game-changer for parents navigating the tricky bottle-to-cup shift—its weighted silicone straw is nothing short of genius, allowing babies to sip from any angle without missing a drop. With a 9oz capacity and soft, easy-grip handles, it’s perfectly sized for 9-month-olds who are just learning to hold their own cup. The spill-proof sliding lid not only protects the straw but also makes it ideal for travel, solving the all-too-familiar struggle of leaky cups in diaper bags.

In real-world use, this cup shines during active play and reclined sipping—thanks to the weighted straw, even when tipped sideways or upside down, liquid stays accessible and mess stays minimal. The contoured body fits naturally in tiny hands, and the removable handles mean it grows with your child’s motor development. While the straw requires a dedicated cleaning brush (included), the top-rack dishwasher-safe design keeps maintenance hassle-free. It handles milk, water, and juice with equal ease, though thicker liquids like smoothies may clog the narrow straw.

Compared to spout-based models like the Nuby Clik-It, this straw design promotes better oral motor skills while still offering spill-proof security. It’s a smarter middle ground between basic spout cups and advanced 360 models like the Munchkin. For parents who want a smooth, mess-minimized transition with a cup that adapts as skills improve, this model delivers exceptional functionality at a value that undercuts premium silicone builds.

If your 9-month-old is still clinging to the bottle, the Dr. Brown’s Soft Spout Sippy Cup is the gentle bridge they need—its silicone spout mimics a nipple’s texture, making sipping feel instantly familiar and reducing resistance during early cup trials. At 6oz, it’s perfectly portioned for small appetites, and the soft, chewable spout is gentle on emerging teeth. The colorful, playful design with star and rainbow patterns grabs baby’s attention, turning hydration into a fun ritual.

This cup excels in real-world feeding scenarios where comfort and consistency matter most—babies transitioning from bottles often reject rigid spouts, but the flexible silicone tip here encourages natural sucking motions without leaking. The fold-back lid keeps the spout clean between sips and makes it travel-friendly, while the contoured body and sturdy handles ensure a secure grip, even for wobbly holds. However, the valve can be tricky to reassemble after deep cleaning, and the smaller capacity means more refills for thirstier toddlers.

When stacked against the Dr. Brown’s 360 or Munchkin models, this cup trades advanced drinking mechanics for comfort-first transition support—ideal for babies who need emotional continuity from bottle to cup. It’s less about skill-building and more about building confidence, making it a standout for sensitive or hesitant drinkers. While it doesn’t offer 360-degree sipping, it outperforms in familiarity and ease of adoption, especially for parents prioritizing a stress-free switch over rapid skill advancement.

The Dr. Brown’s Cheers360 Cup is a revolution in spoutless training, engineered to teach real cup skills without the mess—its 360-degree sip-and-seal rim lets babies drink from any edge, just like a regular cup, while staying completely leak-free when set down. With a generous 10oz capacity and translucent body, it’s ideal for longer outings and frequent hydration, and the Sip and See silicone valve adds a fun, interactive element by letting little ones peek at the liquid inside.

In practical use, this cup performs like a true “big kid” cup while maintaining toddler-safe spill resistance—perfect for 9-month-olds ready to graduate from straws and spouts. The valve creates a smooth flow with gentle suction, encouraging proper lip sealing and tongue positioning for healthy oral development. It handles transitions from highchairs to strollers with ease, though aggressive shaking or squeezing can cause minor seepage. Cleaning is straightforward, with just a few parts, but the valve requires careful drying to prevent moisture buildup.

Compared to the Munchkin 360, the Cheers360 offers a more gradual learning curve with its transparent valve, helping babies visualize the drinking mechanism. It’s also more affordable than premium silicone builds like Bella’s Friends, while delivering similar developmental benefits. For parents who want a high-capacity, skill-building cup that grows from infancy into toddlerhood, this model strikes a rare balance of innovation, durability, and value—especially when the goal is long-term oral development over short-term convenience.

The SAMiGO Silicone Sippy Cup is a fortress of leak resistance, engineered for parents who’ve lost count of how many soaked car seats and backpacks they’ve endured—its ultra-secure lid locks in place under even the most aggressive toddler squeezes and tosses. Made from thicker, food-grade silicone, it’s 20% heavier than average, signaling serious durability without sacrificing softness for gums. The see-thru measurement window adds practicality, letting caregivers monitor intake at a glance—no need to open and risk spills.

Real-world testing reveals this cup thrives in chaos: drops, throws, and backpack stows don’t loosen the lid or trigger leaks, thanks to its precision-engineered seal. The firm straw encourages strong sipping, promoting oral muscle development, and the compact 6oz size suits younger toddlers still mastering coordination. It’s microwave and dishwasher safe—a rare combo in silicone cups—making it a breeze for busy parents. However, the straw can be stiff for beginners, and the lack of handles may challenge younger users.

Against models like the Nuby or Dr. Brown’s soft spout, the SAMiGO prioritizes security over transition ease, making it better suited for on-the-go use than early learning stages. It doesn’t mimic bottle feeding, so it’s less ideal for hesitant drinkers. But for parents who value unshakable leak protection and rugged build, this cup outclasses competitors at its price point—offering premium silicone benefits without the premium price tag of Bella’s Friends, while delivering far more resilience than plastic-based alternatives.

The Nuby Clik-It 3-Pack is the ultimate budget-savvy survival kit for parents drowning in single-cup replacements—offering three 10oz durable cups with soft spouts that are gentle on gums and highly resistant to chomping. The TOUCH-FLO valve is a standout, opening only when baby sips, which drastically reduces accidental leaks during play or travel. With bright, gender-neutral colors and a contoured base for easy gripping, these cups are designed for real-life chaos, not just highchair use.

In everyday scenarios, these cups prove their worth: they survive drops, resist tipping, and clean up effortlessly in the dishwasher—top rack only, but that’s standard. The 10oz capacity keeps thirst at bay during long outings, and the soft spout feels familiar to bottle-fed babies. However, the valve can wear out over time, leading to inconsistent flow, and the lid mechanism, while clever, can be tricky for small hands to manage independently. Still, for a low-cost, high-volume solution, they’re unmatched.

When compared to the Dr. Brown’s Soft Spout, the Nuby offers more quantity and capacity but slightly less refinement in valve performance. It’s not as developmental as the Munchkin 360 or as leak-proof as the SAMiGO, but it delivers reliable, no-fuss function at a fraction of the cost of premium models. For parents who want colorful, dependable cups that won’t break the bank when lost or broken, this 3-pack is a no-brainer—especially when value and replaceability are top priorities.

The Bluey Insulated Straw Cup is a toddler travel essential, blending beloved character appeal with rugged, on-the-go functionality—the DropGuard bumper absorbs impacts like a pro, surviving repeated floor drops without lid damage or leaks. With a 9oz capacity and insulated body, it keeps drinks cool longer, a rare perk in sippy cups, and the textured silicone straw encourages proper sipping technique by guiding baby to pull from the top. The 2-pack format means one can stay home while the other travels.

In real-world use, this cup excels in strollers, cars, and daycare bags—its leak-proof valve holds firm even when inverted, and the attached straw never gets lost. The textured surface provides grip during wiggly moments, and the wide base resists tipping. Cleaning is simple, with dishwasher-safe parts, though the valve requires occasional deep cleaning to prevent residue. It’s not the most developmental cup, but its durability and insulation make it ideal for active toddlers.

Versus the Bella’s Friends tumbler, the Bluey cup offers better impact resistance and insulation but lacks premium materials like stainless steel. It’s less refined than the SAMiGO or Munchkin but more practical for outdoor adventures. For parents who need toddler-proof, travel-ready cups with character charm and temperature retention, this model outperforms most in its class—delivering rugged reliability and fun in a package that stands up to daily abuse better than sleeker, pricier alternatives.

The Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup is a dentist-approved milestone maker, designed to support healthy oral development from day one—its spoutless, 360-degree rim lets babies sip like grown-ups, promoting proper lip, tongue, and jaw movement critical for speech and eating. With a 7oz capacity and wide, stable base, it’s built for real-world spills (or lack thereof), and the two-pack design ensures one is always clean and ready. The handles are removable, allowing a smooth shift from guided to independent drinking.

In practice, this cup is virtually spill-proof when used correctly—babies must seal their lips around the rim to drink, which prevents constant dribbling. It’s excellent for teaching cup skills early, especially for 9-month-olds showing readiness. The simple design has no extra valves or straws, making cleaning a breeze—just rinse or toss in the dishwasher. However, some babies struggle with the lip-sealing technique at first, and the rim can be hard on sensitive gums if bitten.

Compared to the Dr. Brown’s Cheers360, the Munchkin offers a more authentic cup experience with fewer parts, but lacks a see-through valve for visual learning. It’s less travel-friendly than the Bluey cup but far superior for long-term oral development. For parents focused on building real drinking skills rather than just preventing mess, this cup is unmatched—delivering dentist-recommended functionality in a simple, durable package that outperforms fancier models in developmental impact.

The Bella’s Friends Mini Tumbler is the pinnacle of premium sippy cup design, blending stainless steel interior with soft silicone shell for unmatched durability, temperature stability, and eco-friendly use—its Tritan straw lasts up to 5x longer than standard plastic, resisting cracks and chemical leaching even after months of teething. At 9oz, it’s perfectly sized for toddlers, and the flexible, leak-proof silicone straw folds neatly for travel, locking securely to prevent leaks even when inverted.

This cup shines in both home and travel settings: the stainless liner prevents odors and stains, the soft silicone exterior absorbs drops, and the internal valve delivers consistent flow without drips. The compact, adorable design appeals to kids, and the easy-disassemble parts make cleaning stress-free—no hidden crevices or fiddly valves. It’s ideal for parents who want a long-lasting, non-toxic cup that transitions seamlessly from highchair to preschool bag.

Against the SAMiGO or Bluey, Bella’s Friends offers superior materials and longevity, with a build quality that justifies its higher cost. It’s not as budget-friendly as Nuby or as developmental as Munchkin, but it’s the best choice for parents who want a luxury-grade, leak-proof tumbler that combines safety, performance, and style. For those seeking a premium, travel-ready cup that won’t need replacing in six months, this model sets the gold standard—outlasting and outperforming most rivals in both form and function.