In this article
Both cups use a weighted straw, so your baby can drink with the cup tipped back or sideways instead of sucking air. The Itzy Ritzy Itzy Sips is the better buy if you want a bigger cup for less money. The b.box Sippy Cup is the better buy if you want a smaller cup for a younger baby and replacement parts that keep it going for years.
Side by side
| Itzy Ritzy Itzy Sips | b.box Sippy Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10.95 | $17.95 to $19.99, depending on print |
| Capacity | 13 oz | 240 mL (8 oz) |
| Age | 6 months and up | 6 months and up |
| Handles | Yes | Yes |
| Lid | Snap-close flip-top, leak-resistant | Flip-top with a two-way valve in the straw |
| Dishwasher | Top rack | Yes |
| Spare parts sold | Not that we've found | Replacement straws, straw cleaner, O-ring |
| Grows into other cups | No | Base fits b.box training cup and spout cup lids |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this.
Itzy Sips: more cup for less money
At $10.95, the Itzy Sips costs a little over half what a b.box does, and it holds 13 oz instead of 8. That makes it easy to buy two, one for home and one for the diaper bag or daycare.
The bigger size has a trade-off. A full 13 oz cup is heavy for a 6-month-old, so fill it part-way at first. It's a better fit once your baby is handling a cup confidently, or for toddlers who drink more through the day.
Itzy Ritzy describes the lid as leak-resistant, not leak-proof. Keep it upright in your bag, or in a side pocket.
See the Itzy Ritzy Itzy Sips Weighted Straw Cup
b.box: smaller, and built to last
The b.box Sippy Cup is the one many parents already know. At 8 oz it's lighter for a new drinker to lift. Its straw has a two-way valve designed to stop leaks, which helps if the cup lives in a bag.
The b.box has the stronger long-term case. Straws wear out, especially once teeth arrive, and b.box sells replacement straws with a cleaning brush and a separate O-ring. The base also fits b.box's training cup and spout cup lids, so you can change how your child drinks without buying a new cup.
The narrow straw needs a proper brush. If you put milk or smoothies in it, plan to clean it with the brush every time.
See the b.box Sippy Cup or the Gelato Edition.
Which one to choose
- Choose Itzy Sips if your baby is closer to a year, drinks a lot of water, or you want an inexpensive second cup.
- Choose b.box if your baby is just starting at 6 months, the cup will travel in a bag, or you want something you can keep going with spare parts.
- Get one of each if you're not sure. At under $31 for both, it's an easy way to see which one your baby prefers.
A straw cup isn't the only cup they need
A weighted straw cup is handy on the go, but it's not a replacement for learning to drink from an open cup. Canadian public health guidance suggests starting an open cup with small sips of water at around 6 to 9 months, with you holding it at first. Some health professionals also suggest limiting no-spill cups with a valve, since the valve means babies have to suck to get a drink, much like a bottle.
A good routine for a lot of families is an open cup at meals and a straw cup for outings and the car.
Whatever cup you use, have your child sit while they drink, and don't let them walk or run with a cup in their mouth. Check the straw before each use and replace it if it's torn or chewed.
For more on cup types, see our guide to straw cups vs soft-spout sippy cups. Want to compare them in person? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which cups we have on hand.
