Open cups and sippy cups are the two most common types of water cups for toddlers. Are you struggling with which to choose for your business? This article will be a complete guide for you. We will compare them from five aspects and you will get the answer after reading.
Regional Market Demand and Differences
The demand for sippy cups and open cups varies in different regions of the market. There is a summary table for you.
| Region | Sippy Cup Demand | Open Cup Demand | Key Drivers |
| North America (especially USA) | Very high, dominates the global market. There are 58% of Shopify sippy cup stores based in the USA.The demand is still increasing. | Driven by the recommendations of pediatricians and the daycare adoption centers, the demand is growing rapidly. | Strong safety awareness, high income, early adoption of expert advice. |
| Europe | Steady demand, but is shifting toward BPA‑free and sustainable materials. | Increasing. Many brands are adding open cup training sets to their production lines. | Strict regulations, purchasing eco-friendly. |
| Asia-Pacific | The demand for affordable sippy cups is growing rapidly. | Niche but increasing, mainly in high-end segments (PPSU, silicone). | Price sensitivity, growing awareness of oral development benefits. |
Overall, both types of cups sell well, but the sippy cup was the dominant one. The sippy cup is more regular and stable, while the open cup is a strong differentiated product.
If your clients are mainly from North America, you can choose the sippy cup or both. For Europe, you can choose the open cup made of eco-friendly materials.For the Asia-Pacific region, the sippy cup is a reliable choice for large-scale production. However, the high-end open cup can target high-income consumers.
Production and the Cost
The open cups components are few, mainly consisting of the cup body and the cup lid(optional). So fewer materials are needed and the production process is simpler, which results in lower cost.
While the sippy cups’ components are more, usually three to six. Include the cup body, lid, leak-proof valve, sealing ring, suction nozzle, handle and so on. The production of sippy cups requires more materials and involves a more complex process. This will increase the cost.
If your customers are sensitive to the price, the open cup would be a better choice. While your customers are high-end, the sippy cup is a good choice.
Suitable Croud
The Sippy Cup is a tool designed to help babies in learning to drink independently. It is the transition from nursing bottles to regular water cups. The AAP(American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends introducing a drinking cup at 6-9 months, completing the transition by 12-24 months, and stopping using the sippy cup by 18-24 months.
The main function of the open cup is to help babies practice the mature oral motor skills.The AAP and CDC both recommend starting to introduce cups at 6 months, and by around 12 months, children should be able to use open cups. The transition to regular open cups should be completed by the age of 2 at the latest.
Moreover, some experts have stated that using sippy cups can affect the tongue movements and oral development of toddlers. It also increases the risk of tooth decay.These viewpoints may lead to more and more parents preferring open cups. If you choose open cups, these could be selling points.
Therefore, if your customers’ children are mainly over twelve months old, open cups are a good choice.But if your customers’ children are mainly under twelve months, sippy cups are also a better choice.You can choose hard-valve sippy cups that are more suitable for a child’s oral development to alleviate parents’ concerns.
Security Certification and Compliance Requirements
From a regulatory perspective, open cups and sippy cups share many requirements. Both must meet CPSIA lead/phthalate limits, EN 14350, REACH, LFGB, and food‑contact material standards (FDA 21 CFR Part 177, GB 4806, etc.).
The major difference is small parts risk. Open cups have a simple 1‑2 part structure, so they rarely fail small parts tests. But sippy cups contain leak-proof valves, gaskets, and spouts that can detach. If a detached piece fits into the small parts cylinder, the product cannot be sold for children under 3.
Moreover, FDA has banned BPA‑containing PC resin for leak‑proof sippy cups since 2012. While open cups are not subject to this ban.
In short, sippy cups face stricter certification due to the complex design and higher small‑parts risk. Open cups are simpler to certify. So open cups are the better choice considering the simpler compliance requirements.
Additional instructions: Material Comparison Summary Table
| Material | Advantages | Suitable Cup Types |
| Tritan | High transparency, Drop-resistant, BPA-free | Both |
| PPSU | High-temperature resistant and sterilizable | High-end sippy cups |
| Silicone | Soft and safe | Straw and leak-proof valve |
| Stainless Steel | Heat retention, durability | Insulated open cup |
Applicable Scene
The open cups are not convenient to carry when filled with water. Moreover, the toddlers are prone to spill the water when they use open cups. So it is more recommended to use at home.
The sippy cup is more convenient for babies to use independently and is also easier to carry. Moreover, It significantly reduces the burden of cleaning for parents because of its leak-proof design.
If your product is mainly used at home, then it is more advisable for you to choose open cups. If your product is mainly used for baby trips, sippy cups are a better choice.
If your product is mainly targeted at children under 12 months or emphasizes easy use during a trip, we recommend the sippy cups. But if your clients care about scientific feeding, open cups would be a better choice.
FAQ
If I Want to Start My Own Brand, Which Cup Would be More Suitable for a Beginner?
We recommend you to start with open cups. Because it has fewer components, simple assembly, and low certification requirements. Even if there are after-sales issues, they mainly involve leakage. This is a product characteristic rather than a quality defect, and it is easier to communicate with consumers.
The leak-proof valve, sealing ring, and other components of the Sippy cup are prone to leakage and mold problems, which require a more mature quality control system.
Is the traditional sippy cup being phased out of the market?
It’s not a complete elimination, but the share will be declining. However, traditional sippy cups still have a stable demand in the younger age group of 6-12 months.
Many brands are turning to soft silicone straw cups as alternatives. If your customers are brand owners seeking scientific feeding, it is recommended to reduce the investment in traditional hard-valve sippy cups and increase transitional products.
Are Sippy Cups Bad?
Sippy cups as tools to help babies learn to drink water independently, also have their advantages. For example, babies can learn to use it more easily and they won’t spill the water when drinking.
What is the difference in development costs between the Open Cup and the Sippy Cup molds?
The Open cup has a simple structure and uses a small number of molds, resulting in lower development costs.
But the Sippy cup contains multiple components and requires multiple sets of precision molds. It usually leads to a total mold cost that is 50% to 100% higher. The exact cost depends on the product size, material, and complexity of the structure.
Can your factory provide customized services for both open cups and sippy cups? What is the MOQ?
Sure. The MOQ of open cups is typically lower than sippy cups due to simpler mold.The exact quantity depends on the product design (such as whether it has a handle, the combination of soft and hard rubber, etc.) and the packaging method. If you need samples or quotations, please contact us.
Final Thoughts
No matter which product you choose, Kreat can offer you excellent service and reliable quality. Kreat has abundant expertise in the design,engineering and manufacturing of baby cups, and can provide OEM service to meet your specific needs.Welcome to contact us if needed.
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