NUK Learner Review
Pros: Soft silicone spout, nice handles, totally leak-proof
Cons: Made of plastic, difficult to drink from
Manufacturer: NUK
The Skinny
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 This Product
NUK Learner | |||||
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| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $8.00 List $7.99 at Amazon | $8.00 List $7.24 at Amazon - 10% off | $14.00 List $3.99 each at Amazon - 72% off | $10.00 List $9.99 at Amazon | $10.00 List $9.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Soft silicone spout, nice handles, totally leak-proof | Lightweight, dual handles, spout cover, leak-free | Insulated, lightweight, kid-friendly graphics | Soft straw spout, easy to hold | Easy to drink from, kid-centric design, silicone straw, inexpensive |
| Cons | Made of plastic, difficult to drink from | Plastic, smaller | Plastic, the valve needs special cleaning, hard spout | Plastic, harder to clean, expensive | Plastic body, no insulation |
| Bottom Line | Interesting handle design that is easy to clean but hard to drink from | Not a bad choice if your little one is transitioning from a bottle to a cup as the size and shape is similar | A budget-friendly, lightweight, and insulated plastic sippy cup with a hard spout | A cute straw sippy with an incorporated lid to keep it clean when toddling about | A plastic sippy cup at an attractive price with a soft silicone straw and spill-resistant lid that is easy to drink, clean, and assemble |
| Rating Categories | NUK Learner | MAM Starter Cup | Tommee Tippee Insul... | OXO Transitions Straw | NuSpin Kids Zoomi S... |
| Leakage (35%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Cleaning (20%) | |||||
| Eco Health (20%) | |||||
| Specs | NUK Learner | MAM Starter Cup | Tommee Tippee Insul... | OXO Transitions Straw | NuSpin Kids Zoomi S... |
| Manufacturer Age Recommendation | 6 months+ | 4 months+ | 12 months+ | Not specified | 12 months+ |
| Available Capacities (ounces) | 5 and 10 oz | 5 oz | 12 oz | 6 oz | 8 oz |
| Empty Weight (ounces) | 3.52 oz | 3.2 oz | 2.5 oz | 3.98 oz | 3 oz |
| Number of Parts | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Average Seconds | 9 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Take Apart (Seconds) | 8 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| Put Together (Seconds) | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 8 |
| Volume Markings | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Widest Diameter from Mid-Body to Base (In Inches) | 4.75 | 3 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 3.1 |
| Ergonomic Grip | Yes, bumpy non-slip grip | Yes Soft, non-slip grip |
Yes | Yes Soft, non-slip grip |
No |
| Handles | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Drinking Mechanism | Soft Spout | Soft Spout | Soft Dura Spout | Soft Straw | Soft Silicone Straw |
| Insulated? Manufacturer Specification | No | No | No | No | No |
| Top-Rack Dishwasher Safe | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Body Materials | Plastic | Plastic | Polypropylene | Plastic | Polypropylene |
| Valve/Straw/Spout Materials | NUK Spout: Silicone Cap: Plastic |
Spout: Silicone Lid: Plastic |
Spout, Lid: Not Available | Inner Straw: Plastic Outer Straw: Silicone Lid: Plastic |
Outer Straw: Silicone |
| Miscellaneous Details | As of February 2016, there are reports of mold growth within the Sporty Bottle's one-piece white plastic valve. Please see review for information on the steps Tommee Tippee is taking to address this. | ||||
| Origin of Manufacture | USA & Germany | China | China | China | China |
| Warranty |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The NUK family includes the Gerber brand as well. Nuk has been in business for over 50 years creating innovative products for healthy and safe development. NUK makes every effort to meet and exceed safety standards and the standards of real-world moms.
Performance Comparison
This straightforward sippy is a good transition cup that little testers seem to like.
Likes
This cup is leak-proof in both the upside down and sideways leak tests making it a good option for on-the-go adventures. Being leak-proof is a primary concern for this type of cup, so this is a big plus. We like the smaller size, shape, and nubbly grips the Nuk sports that make it easy for even the youngest sippers to hold and use.
This cup is also easy to clean, take apart, and assemble and it doesn't require special tools to clean beyond the standard bottle brush. The NUK's spout/valve could be cleaned with a straw brush but it isn't 100% necessary. The silicone spout is soft and nicely shaped. We like that it is silicone, not plastic and that the shape is nicer for transitioning.
Dislikes
The NUK's spout/valve is harder to use than most of the competition. Even adults could barely get the liquid to come out. For a transition cup intended for babies, this seems counter-intuitive, but for breastfed babies who regularly use more sucking action than bottle-fed babies, it could be no big deal. However, the valve difficulty means it does not meet the American Dental Associations "no valve" preference. Given that the main concern about valves is the amount of sucking a child needs to do, we feel that the excessive sucking required for this sippy is further from the ADA ideal than we would like.
This cup is BPA-free plastic which is not an inert material like stainless steel. NUK does not specify what kind of plastic it is, so it is hard for parents to make an informed decision or determine if the plastic leaches chemicals into the contents. Unfortunately, being BPA-free does not necessarily translate to being 100% safe.
Conclusion
There are lots of things to like about this cup, including the thoughtful handle design, silicone spout, leak-proof valve, and easy cleaning. On the flip side the cup is difficult to drink from and it is plastic. However, if the plastic doesn't worry you and you avoid letting any liquid sit in the cup for long periods, you may find the lower price and tough valve operation meet your on-the-go needs with style.
Purchasing this cup through a retailer like Amazon means you can test it for yourself and return it if it is too hard to drink from. Save the packaging and test your cup right away to avoid return hassles.
— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz