We started out using the original Playtex Spill proof cups however after two kids and prolonged use the cups were worn out and became obvious that new ones were needed.

Buying the package
Playtex cups are very easy to find in nearly any discount store, drug store, or grocery stores. The new Playtex Insulator cup caught me eye right away because the background color was solid blue or purple with a different design. The Playtex insulated cup seems to be identical to the standard cup but added insulation to this version.

They sell the cups in an assortment of sized from singles to 4-packs. I purchased the 2-pack for $8.00 which was $2 more than the 2-pack of the non-insulated cups. I doubted the effectiveness of the insulation but was surprised and ended up returning for more cups and replaced them with the old Playtex cups that I had. The pattern on the cup is a busy aquatic one with a full scene. There are different lid colors and Playtex lids also are compatible with the cups.

What can blue do for you
Warm climate or not, the insulation is a nice upgrade because it truly does not sweat. My daughter loves cold drinks and once the ice starts melting the outside of the traditional Playtex cup gets wet. Now one may say it prevents sweat rings on the table but I can’t say because it usually just falls from her hand rather than being placed in a logical place. What I do know is that it doesn’t sweat all over my seat in the car or on the sofa like the traditional Playtex cups do.

The package indicates that the drink will stay fresh twice as long as the traditional cup. My scientific experiment in the car proves this theory. When we go to the grocery store my daughter takes a cup of water with ice. If I use the standard cup it is too warm to drink when we get back however the water is still cool enough to drink when using the insulated cup. The insulation isn’t amazing though, ice still melts quickly. I don’t let milk sit out any longer in this cup than others.

The cups are designed for cold drinks, not hot. They are also not designed for carbonated beverages or drinks with pulp.

Sizing it up
There are two sizes to choose from; 6 ounce or 9 ounce. We have both sizes and I choose the cup size depending on how much I want her to drink. The smaller size is nice for beginners and is also my favorite for drinks such as juice. I prefer the larger size for water because there’s more room for ice in it. She loves the way the ice sounds in the cup and it stays cool for our road trips.

Heavy drinker?
The mouthpiece is a short hard plastic spout. The valve on the inside of the spout allows the fluid to come through when taking a drink so in the beginning the child may not be able to get any or enough out of the cup but it won’t take long for a child to figure it out.

Another thing to note is that a cup never becomes 100 percent empty. There’s always a little swig left in the cup so whatever is in it will spoil so I always try to keep track of the one with milk so she doesn’t find it later and drink it.

Is it Spill-proof?
I’m sure everyone wants to know what the odds are of having spills on their furniture. The statistics on that mostly depends on what state of mind you are in when you assemble the cup. If you are careful to put valve on correctly and pushed all the way in, twist the lid on correctly it doesn’t leak. However, if the valve isn’t seated correctly or the valve is old from age it becomes loose and the cup starts to leak. Once I have prepared the drink I always turn the cup upside down to check the status because it’s always easier to verify than cleaning up a mess.

My daughter is sometimes the cause of all spills. Sometimes she unscrews the lid herself and brings it to me for a refill. Occasionally the valve comes loose when she throws the cup down and therefore begins to leak. She finds this interesting so dribbles it everywhere.

If the cup is filled to the top it will leak so a gap needs to remain at the top to avoid drips.

Leaks are very far and few between and even when we occasionally do experience a leak it is a very small mess compared to other cups we’ve tried.

Would I put Kool-aid, fruit punch, or orange juice in the cup and let her walk around with the sippy cup? NO. Too many isolated incidents of leakage for whatever reason in the past. Would I take milk in the car with the insulated cup? No, I wouldn't.

Cleaning
Cleaning of the cup is sometimes difficult. All of the parts are dishwasher safe which is how we typically wash it however there are so many nooks and crannies of the bottom of the lid and in the valve that can not be cleaned sufficiently in the dishwasher and it can not be reached with a washcloth. The instructions say to avoid abrasive cleaners. I have found the only way to clean the grossness out of the lid is with bleach. The valve always needs to be removed from the lid for cleaning because most of the nastiness is between the valve and the lid.

Replacement Pieces
They do sell replacement plastic valves that go inside of the cup. We have purchased several replacement valves because they are extremely small and easy to lose. They also wear out after prolong use. If you find the cups leaking after awhile replacing the valve should solve the problem.

Recommendation
We really like the Playtex insulated cups and would recommend them over other brands. I would recommend spending the extra $1 for the insulated cup over the traditional Playtex cups if you were in the market for new cups however the improvement isn’t great enough to replace the ones already in your cabinet.

General information
Phone: 1-800-222-0453
Website: www.playtex.com








Recommended: Yes