In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sippy Review

Heavier but healthy and well-liked by kids with versatile spouts and good durability
Editors' Choice Award
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Price:   $18.00 List | $31.99 at Amazon
Pros:  Eco-healthy, easy to use, few leaks, durable
Cons:  Heavy, no sleeve, shape makes it hard to clean, expensive
Manufacturer:   Klean Kanteen
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jun 1, 2018
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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.

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.

The Klean Kanteen bottle is the easiest steel cup to hold with a narrow neck that is perfect for smaller hands.
The Klean Kanteen bottle is the easiest steel cup to hold with a narrow neck that is perfect for smaller hands.

Performance Comparison


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

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.
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.

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 that allows it to fit in most cup holders easily and a narrow neck that makes it easy for little ones to grip. The cup has 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.

This cup is kid and Earth friendly
This cup is kid and Earth friendly

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 means you can rest easy knowing you are doing something great for your kids, and the environment.

The Kanteen has few pieces and different spout options which makes it good for various ages and increases its longevity
The Kanteen has few pieces and different spout options which makes it good for various ages and increases its longevity

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.

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.
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.

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.

Because the Kanteen has a hard spout little ones should use it when seated or be standing still.
Because the Kanteen has a hard spout, little ones should use it when seated or be standing still.

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.

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.
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.

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