In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy Review

A bit heavier than most, but healthy and well-liked by kids with versatile spouts and good durability
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klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $18 List
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Manufacturer:   Klean Kanteen
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jun 1, 2018
60
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 13
  • Leakage - 35% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 6.0
  • Ease of Cleaning - 20% 5.0
  • Eco-Health - 20% 5.0

The Skinny

The Klean Kanteen has a hardy stainless steel body with a hard plastic spout and silicone valve. This cup has a simple design that works well and is easy to assemble with a higher flow rate spout. It is not insulated making it lighter than other steel options, but cold drinks could cause outside condensation, and we wish it had some kind of grip assistance for little ones. The shape of the bottle makes it harder to get thoroughly clean. It isn't truly leak-proof, and it has a higher than average price tag. However, we think it is justified given the versatile spout options, the durable design, and the years of use you'll likely enjoy with this high-quality sippy.
REASONS TO BUY
Eco-healthy
Easy to use
Few leaks
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
No sleeve
Bottle shape makes it hard to clean
Expensive

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Value Award 
Price $18.00 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Durable, healthy, and easy to use but somewhat expensive and harder to cleanThis well-liked bottle is functional, healthy, and a snap to cleanA stainless steel sippy that is simple to assemble, leak-proof, and provides a cup-like experience that prepares little ones to use actual cupsA well-rounded sippy cup with attractive features, like insulation, a stainless steel body, and silicone straw, and it's leak-proof when the lid is closedA budget-friendly, lightweight, and insulated plastic sippy cup with a hard spout
Rating Categories Klean Kanteen Kid C... Pura Kiki Vacuum In... Munchkin Miracle 36... Thermos FUNtainer Tommee Tippee Insul...
Leakage (35%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
10.0
Ease of Use (25%)
6.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
Ease of Cleaning (20%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
4.0
1
Eco-Health (20%)
5.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
4.0
Specs Klean Kanteen Kid C... Pura Kiki Vacuum In... Munchkin Miracle 36... Thermos FUNtainer Tommee Tippee Insul...
Manufacturer Age Recommendation Not specified 6 months+ 6 months+ Not specified 12 months+
Available Capacities (ounces) 12 oz 5, 9, & 11 oz 10 oz 12 & 16 oz 12 oz
Volume Markings No Yes, Internal No No No
Includes Cover? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Drinking Mechanism Hard Spout Soft Spout Soft Silicone Edge Soft Silicone Straw Hard Spout
Insulated? Manufacturer Specification No Yes Yes
15 hours
Yes
12 hours
Yes
Top-Rack Dishwasher Safe Yes
Hand wash painted bottles
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Body Materials Stainless Steel
18/8
Stainless Steel
#304
Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Polypropylene Plastic
Origin of Manufacture China China China China China

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Klean Kanteen company is a family-owned certified B corporation. They launched their first reusable steel bottle in 2004 as a non-toxic remedy to the plastic bottle. Their reusable bottles are designed to prevent single-use waste from entering landfills and damaging the planet. Klean Kanteen is one of the most transparent companies we have come across in our reviews. Their containers are food-grade stainless steel with food-grade silicone in the gaskets and o-rings.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - the klean kanteen bottle is the easiest steel cup to hold with a...
The Klean Kanteen bottle is the easiest steel cup to hold with a narrow neck that is perfect for smaller hands.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Performance Comparison


The Klean Kanteen impresses with healthy materials, a simple design, and friendly colors.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - while the kanteen is easy to hold and carry, children should only...
While the Kanteen is easy to hold and carry, children should only use it when seated or when standing still to avoid potential injuries related to the hard spout.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Likes


The Klean Kanteen has a no-nonsense style that forgoes all the frills and additions that make a cup harder to clean or use. This cup has a narrow design, and it fits in most cup holders. The narrow neck makes it easy for little ones to grip. The cup has a few parts making it easy to take apart and reassemble, and it doesn't require any special tools to clean besides a basic bottle brush.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - this cup is kid and earth friendly
This cup is kid and Earth friendly
Credit: Micah James

The Kanteen is relatively leak-proof but performs better in tests laying on its side than when held upside down. The bottle comes with a detachable lid to keep the spout clean, but you shouldn't depend on it to stop any leaking as water slipped right past it in our upside-down tests.

We also like this cup's eco-health. Not only is the stainless steel body construction great for health by avoiding any potential for leaching chemicals or lead, but it is also made from recycled materials, can be recycled itself, and is manufactured by a Certified B Corporation, which means it:
"meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency"

All of these factors mean you can rest easy knowing you are doing something great for your kids and the environment.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - the kanteen has few pieces and different spout options which makes...
The Kanteen has few pieces and different spout options which makes it good for various ages and increases its longevity
Credit: Micah James

This bottle has a great silicone valve and is easier to drink from than many of the competitors. It has a higher flow rate that doesn't require as much sucking as other bottles tested in this review. This means it better aligns with the American Dental Association's recommendation for a valve-free cup despite it containing a valve. If less sucking is required, then there is a better chance of good oral hygiene.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - the klean kanteen kid classic has a hard spout that works well to...
The Klean Kanteen Kid Classic has a hard spout that works well to prevent leaks but should only be used when seated or stationary to avoid potential injury.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff

Dislikes


The Kanteen is heavier than many of the cups we considered but still significantly lighter than the steel competition. However, the heavier weight was expected given the stainless steel construction.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - because the kanteen has a hard spout, little ones should use it when...
Because the Kanteen has a hard spout, little ones should use it when seated or be standing still.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This bottle is one of the more expensive options in the group. But, the cost can be somewhat justified as it can last for multiple years with a variety of interchangeable spouts to choose from as little ones grow older. The hard spout we tested has a loop on one side that can be handy for hook-on attachments, but some testers didn't like the hard loop against their nose when drinking.

klean kanteen kid classic sippy sippy cup review - the kanteen is on the spendy side and it has a less desirable hard...
The Kanteen is on the spendy side and it has a less desirable hard spout, however, it is eco-friendly, good for baby's health, and will last for years.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Conclusion


Overall, we like this steel bottle, but we wish it didn't leak when upside down or that at least the cap worked better to eliminate leaks. It uses inert materials (steel) and has a simple design kids can easily hold despite the heavier weight. We think most parents will be pleased with the Kanteen, and barring some major event, this bottle can be in your life for many years to come making it a great value despite the higher price. However, one word of caution is the hard spout could lead to potential injuries, so we recommend only using this bottle when seated or at least standing still.

Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz