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Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a difference, like being served a drink in stylish glassware instead of something plain and boring. Simply put, a glass can elevate your drinking experience from mundane to something more enjoyable.
Drinking glasses are a key component of any successful cocktail hour. Along with the type of liquor, ice, and mixers, glasses are one of the few “musts“ when setting up a party. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to pick up random drinking glasses; they must be high-quality pieces that are appropriate for the drinks you’ll be serving. In light of this, we’d like to introduce you to some of the top drinking glasses.
Comparing the Finest Drinking Glasses
Greens Steel Drinking Glasses
– Best Overall
The Greens Steel Drinking Glasses are a great choice for anyone who uses drinking glasses regularly. Made with food-grade stainless steel, these cups offer unbeatable quality and durability that cannot be found with cheaper alternatives. Additionally, these tumblers are extensively powder-coated on the outside and electro-polished on the inside, making them resistant to fading and rust. They are also completely BPA, lead, phthalate, and toxin-free, so you can rest assured about their safety.
Strong, durable, and stackable, these drinking glasses are great for kids and adults alike. Plus, they can be used for hot or cold beverages and even food like parfait or ice cream. And, for your convenience, these cups are also extremely easy to clean since they are dishwasher-safe. Boasting style, versatility, durability, and superb quality, it’s no wonder that this pick is the best on our list
Pros
- Available in multiple sizes and colors
- Stays cold or hot for a long time
- High-quality 304 18/8 stainless steel build
- An eco-friendly alternative to plastic
Cons
- Difficult to separate when stacked
Amazing Abby Iceberg Drinking Glasses
– Most Versatile
Iced tea, fruit-infused water, coffee, lemonade, punch sangria, juice – we could go on and on with the number of drinks suitable with the Amazing Abby drinking cups. But, to be honest, that’s not even what makes them so amazing. Shatterproof, dishwasher-safe, chemical,-free, versatile, and stylish, these glasses tick the boxes of most premium glassware despite being entirely plastic! Also, there are no limits to when and where you can use these cups. So whether it’s for a party or you want to serve guests at a restaurant, you’ll find that this set of cups is a very versatile choice.
Pros
- Comes in clear or mixed-color options
- Suitable for almost any beverage
- Durable, food-grade plastic build
- Affordable price for the quality
Cons
- Starts looking “plasticky“ after a few washes
Choary Eco-friendly Drinking Glasses
– Most Unique
Made from wheat straw, starch, and food-grade PP (polypropylene) rather than the typical glass or plastic, Choary’s Eco-friendly Drinking Glasses bring a new dynamic to the table. One of these cups can hold about 12 ounces of fruit juice, water, and other drinks without spilling, and you can stack them together without any risk of breaking or chipping. This stackability also means that storage is a cinch, so no more struggling to find room in your crowded cabinets. And, if that wasn’t enough, each package comes with cups of different colors, making for a strikingly stylish appearance and quick, easy identification.
Pros
- Biodegradable wheat straw, pulp, and PP build
- Each pack comes with multiple colors
- Refreshing wheat aroma
- Lightweight yet durable design
Cons
- Not solely wheat straw
- Tips over easily
SCANDINOVIA Premium Drinking Glasses
– Most Stylish
Drinking glasses and cups don’t have to be boring, and the SCANDINOVIA Premium Drinking Glasses are proof. Coming in a set of six cups in assorted colors that will light up any table, these are perfectly weighted, so each piece feels like a standard glass cup. But this product’s biggest draw is that it’s made from Tritan plastic, which is pretty much unbreakable. What does this mean for you? Well, it means you can rest assured that you’ll get tons of use out of these glasses for the foreseeable future. Of course, the fact that each glass is as stylish as the last doesn’t hurt either. Simply put, if you’re looking for durable drinking glasses that refuse to compromise on aesthetics, you’re looking at your perfect match.
Pros
- Colorful, eye-catching appearance
- No unpleasant plastic smell
- Cups don’t stick together when stacked
- Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
Cons
- Abrasive sponges may damage the inner lining
US Acrylic Cafe Drinking Glasses
– Best Value
Considering the number of inferior plastic drinking cups out there, the US Acrylic Cafe Drinking Glasses are a refreshing breath of relief. Made from good-quality plastic and designed in a variety of colors, this pack of 16 cups is one of the best you can buy, especially if you’re on a budget. Aside from their affordable price, these drinking glasses are durable, free from harmful chemicals and allergens, and have been made under the best conditions. Not to mention that it can hold about 20 ounces of liquid without spilling, which is more than many cups can boast – not too bad for such an affordable pick, right?
Pros
- Available in three colors
- Reusable and recyclable
- Lightweight, chemical-free plastic build
- Top rack dishwasher-safe for quick, easy cleaning
Cons
- Not durable enough
Buying Guide: Drinking Glasses
Drinking glasses are an important part of any kitchen or dining room’s arsenal. Glassware (whether it’s actually made of glass or not) is a great way to add a little touch of class to your home without going overboard with expenses. And, of course, these cups are a great way to enjoy your favorite beverages, whether it’s a carefully crafted cocktail or a refreshing glass of lemonade. So, if your current glasses have seen better days and it’s time for a change, it’s time to pick up a new set. To help you make a well-informed choice, we’ve written up a comprehensive guide with everything you should know about drinking glasses. Let’s check it out!
Drinking Glass Maintenance Tips
- Wash regularly with warm water, mild detergent, and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
- Never expose your drinking glasses to sudden temperature changes to prevent thermal shock.
- Always use properly sized glass racks for storage, cleaning, and transportation purposes.
- Always hold stemware by the stem.
- Never store drinking glasses on hard surfaces.
- Never place your drinking glass in an oven, microwave, or freezer unless it is designed for such purposes.
- Always set each glass on its base to prevent cracking during transport.
- Never use your drinking glass to scoop ice.
- Don’t soak multiple glasses at once to prevent mechanical shock.
- Store your drinking glasses in a cabinet.
Tips for Selecting a Quality Drinking Glass
Type of drinking glass
It only makes sense that you know and understand the type of drinking glasses you need before actually purchasing a set. We know there’s an endless number of drinking glasses, so we’ll list some of the most common ones you can choose from:
- Water glasses
- Tumblers
- Goblets
- Cocktail glasses
- White wine glasses
- Red wine glasses
- Martini glasses
- Snifter glasses
- Stem and stemless wine glasses
- Mugs
- Rocks glasses
- Mixing glasses
Each of these glasses has its specific applications, such as mixing drinks or holding wine, so the kind you choose can make a difference.
Application
Determining what application you’ll need your new set of drinking glasses for is crucial. While a drinking glass can be versatile and, therefore, suitable for a wide variety of uses, there’s no universal drinking glass. For example, white wine glasses are different from red wine glasses in that they’re longer and more narrow, which ultimately affects the wine’s flavor. While you can drink white wine out of a red wine glass (after all, it’s not as if someone is going to stop you), you’ll have a far less enjoyable wine-drinking experience. Similarly, it would be wrong to serve someone with mixing glasses – such glasses are meant for mixing cocktails, not drinking.
Durability
Nobody wants something that’s easily broken, even if it’s made from glass. That’s why it’s important to choose drinking glasses that’ll remain in good shape for a long time. Not all drinking glasses are meant for daily use because of their fragility, so if you want to use your glasses regularly, go for more durable pieces.
Number of units required
Do you need drinking glasses for your family? Are you hosting a few friends and family for dinner or a party? Or maybe you run a restaurant or catering business? Whatever the occasion may be, it’ll determine the number of units you need to buy. You probably know this already, but it’s always best to buy in bulk so you can save both money and time.
Size
Like most types of glassware, drinking glasses come in different sizes, and once again, the ideal size will be determined by the use case. For example, if you run a bar, you’ll need small drinking glasses for shots and larger units for beer. Meanwhile, if you’re just buying a set of drinking glasses for home use, you can really go for whatever size you’d like.
Colors
Most drinking glasses come in that classic transparent design, and that’s good, but no law says you can’t try out other color options – especially if they suit the occasion! If you search well enough, you’ll find colorful drinking glasses that will spice up your setup’s aesthetics and add to any space’s atmosphere.
Dishwasher compatibility
Dishwashers generally reduce the time spent and stress caused by washing dishes manually. Thankfully, they can also clean drinking glasses, but not all of them. So, if you prefer to clean your dishes in a dishwasher, you’ll need to ensure that the glasses you’re buying are dishwasher-safe.
Dishwasher Tips for Drinking Glasses
- Set the dishwasher cycle to gentle and ensure there’s enough space between the glasses.
- Always set the glasswasher to a low temperature.
- Always pour out any leftover ice or liquid in the drinking glass before washing it.
- Ensure that you place the glasses in the top rack to prevent breakage.
- Set the glasses in a free-draining position. It prevents chipping and scratches.
- Always use the air-dry setting instead of the heat-dry setting to preserve your drinking glasses’ transparency.
People Also Ask
Q: What are drinking glasses made of?
A: Glass, plastic, china, aluminum, and metal are a couple of materials from which drinking cups can be made. That said, glass is the most common of the bunch, as it is more modern, stylish, and versatile than the others.
Q: What are some standard features of premium drinking glasses?
A: Premium-quality drinking glasses are durable, easy to clean, and have a neutral taste. Aside from that, they also typically work well with hot or cold beverages. For better convenience and longevity, it’s also good if they’re dishwasher-safe and can resist chipping and scratching.
Q: Do drinking glasses contain lead?
A: Most modern drinking glasses have no traces of lead in their makeup because of the compound’s obvious health hazards. Certain inferior or old glasses may contain lead, however, and you should stay away from such pieces.
Q: Why do some drinking glasses have stems?
A: Some drinking glasses have stems, and the reason for this is quite simple. First, these stems make it easy to swirl the wine, and second, they let you hold the glass without warming the beverage inside.
Q: How much do drinking glasses cost?
A: While the cost of drinking glasses varies depending on the material, use case, and design, most are affordable. Generally, drinking glasses are sold in sets rather than individually. Depending on the quality and number of units in a set, drinking glasses may cost between $20 and $200.
