Three BPA-free companies - SIGG, NurturePure, and KidBasix - have each made simple changes to their kids' drinkware post-launch. In the case of SIGG, it makes a good product better; in the latter two, it has transformed a poor product into a good one. Here's how to identify the new and improved version of each cup so you don't get stuck with the "oops" edition.

SIGG's kids' cups now come with caps attached to the screw lid with a hinge rather than a simple plastic flap. The old design meant that kids had a hard time keeping the cap out of their faces when taking a drink; now it stays out of the way, as it should. We also think that the twist-to-open design is a bit looser, making it easier for a child to open, but can't prove it.

You'll see both the old and new design in online shops, including on Amazon.com, so make sure to buy the new version if you're in the market for a SIGG for your child.


The Safe Sippy, which we gave a lackluster review when it launched, has had its valve changed out by creator KidBasix. The flow is much better, and it leaks less. The screw lid also catches when it's fully engaged with the threading, as opposed to having some give and feeling like it can be twisted ever-tighter. We still aren't crazy about the angled straw spout, and find the silicone sleeve difficult to put back on after washing, but the new valve is a much-needed improvement. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to identify which you're buying online (many items with highly polarized customer reviews, like the Safe Sippy, are actually of two design iterations that the company chose not to distinguish between). If you're committed to buying this cup, we'd recommend tracking down a Safe Sippy at a brick-and-mortar retailer, burning the above image into your mind or printing it out for reference, and popping open the package to inspect the item before purchase. The valve shown on the left is the old one, while the one on the right indicates that you have the redesigned cup.

We've written about NurturePure's redesign of the GrowPure multi-stage feeder already, but had readers inquiring about the difference between it and some competitors' version of the same cup. In response to our questions, NurturePure representative Jim Thor noted that the company has some items made by others (common among bottle startups) and that the basic designs are sometimes sold to other companies as well (Galtak in Canada, Pigeon in Japan). "We OEM manufacture this product from the same factories with similar designs, however, we have redesigned and improved features," Thor wrote. Among those he cited were "better quality liquid silicone parts to prevent many previous problems." Based on our experience with the old and new versions of the cup, the improvements to the silicone parts made all the difference.


Differentiating between the old and new is easy if you know what to look for, but you'll have to break open the box. Note the curvy tab in the silicone ring shown above, which fits into a little moat around the outer edge of the interior of the lid. That ring, which creates the seal between the lid and the lip of the cup body, lacks the tab in the old version.


Here's a comparison of the old and new seal. The old seal is much thinner. That thickness makes all the difference.


Since NurturePure doesn't sell through Amazon or other online retailers, so you'll need to buy direct from NurturePure if you are purchasing online. (Warning: auto-loading music.) You should be able to safely assume that a set purchased direct from the company uses the new design, especially since the old one was essentially defective. Shipping can be high, though, so you might buy with a group of families with a similar need and divvy up the lot when they arrive.