The Best Drinking Glasses of 2023

Consuming glasses are a necessity, whether or not you’re rehydrating with water, serving an off-the-cuff spot of wine, or need to sip some orange juice along with your pancakes on a Saturday morning. 

However once we determined to sort out reviewing glassware, the sheer scale of choices was a bit of intimidating—how do you slim it down? Plus, discuss subjective! Simply since you would possibly like ingesting from vibrant pink spherical orbs doesn’t imply the following particular person will. 

In an try and slim down the sector, we selected highly-rated choices and stored untraditional designs to a minimal (although just a few extra colourful choices did slip in). 

In the long run, we had been shocked on the winners, which had been neither the plainest nor the fanciest of all of them; as a substitute, they had been versatile, dependable, stable (but nonetheless nice-looking) picks.

The Winners, at a Look

Our testers beloved these glasses. All the pieces about their design felt intentional and practical: the marginally flared lip made ingesting water clean, whereas the faceted sides helped you grip the glasses. Plus, after unintentionally dropping a glass on a concrete ground, we will guarantee you of their sturdiness. 

A couple of dollars cheaper than the Duralex, these glasses have an identical look (faceted sides) and vibe (cafe/diner). They had been sturdy, sturdy glasses that had been a pleasure to drink from.

If you would like a plain Jane glass that does the job, this no-frills choice is an efficient choose. It’s the LBD of ingesting glasses—it really works for any event.

These cute (albeit, considerably small) glasses had been simple to grip, due to their barely smaller bottoms—which additionally made them nice stackers.

A far cry from childhood jam jars (which, if we’re trustworthy, made nice glasses), these stunners scream “I’m an completed grownup.” However past their attractive aesthetic, all of our testers discovered these glasses nice in sensible methods, too. They had been sturdy with a just-right lip thickness, and the beautiful etched strains had a sensible function: they helped you grip the glass.

The Checks

• Consuming Water Take a look at: We had three customers with totally different hand sizes use every glass to drink water. 
• Stacking Take a look at: We stacked all of the stackable glasses and examined how simply they match collectively. 
• Seltzer and Ice Take a look at (Winners-Solely): We crammed our successful glasses with 1/2 cup of ice and topped it with seltzer. We sipped from them and allow them to sit for 10 minutes to see if any condensation fashioned. 
• Sturdiness and Cleansing Checks (Winners-Solely): We hand-washed our successful glasses with cleaning soap and water. We then dropped them within the sink thrice, as if the glass slipped out of our arms whereas washing them.

What We Discovered

Thicker Glasses Have been (Normally) Higher Than Skinny Ones

Whereas the Our Place glasses bordered on too hefty (one consumer discovered the 4-millimeter thick rim impeded ingesting), there was a candy spot when it got here to thickness. General, we most popular glasses with rims that had been two to 3 millimeters thick, like these on the Luminarc and Duralex, respectively. Thinner glasses, just like the 1-millimeter thick Borosil and the 1.5-millimeter-thick glasses from Fable, felt fragile and chintzy, with customers complaining that they had “sharp rims” and that they felt “very breakable.” We additionally most popular glasses that had thick bases, like the Riedels, which helped the glass keep placed on the desk and gave it a pleasant weightiness. Glasses just like the Libbey Polaris, which had skinny bases and curved bottoms, felt like they’d knock over extra simply. 

Faceted (or Grooved) Exterior Sides Have been Good for Grip

We discovered, moderately surprisingly, that testers most popular glasses that had faceted sides (just like the Duralex and Bormioli Rocco Rock Bar) or that featured grooved strains on the outside (just like the Riedel). As a substitute of being annoying, these sides and features helped us grip the glasses securely, versus completely clean sides. At first look, the Ichendorf Milano Laguna Tumblers appeared to have grooved exterior strains, however, puzzlingly, they had been truly on the within of the glass, which didn’t assist with grip in any respect. 

Customers Disliked Plain, Straight-Edged Glasses

A couple of glasses within the lineup, together with the Borosil and Fable, featured virtually rectangular silhouettes, with no flaring in any way. Some customers thought these glasses appeared “scientific” and extra carefully resembled chemistry beakers than ingesting glasses. Conversely, customers beloved the elegant, ridged strains on the Riedels, in addition to the basic silhouettes of the Duralex, which one consumer mentioned resembled the glasses her grandmother used. Whereas the Bormioli Rocco bodega glasses had been the plainest of our winners, they did characteristic a slight flare outwards from the thicker base, which aided in grip and likewise appeared good.

High quality Craftsmanship Made an Impression—and Sloppy Manufacturing Did, Too

A lot of the glasses we examined got here in equivalent units, with no variation between glasses: every Luminarc, Duralex, Bormioli Rocco, and Riedel appeared precisely the identical (save for the tall glasses within the Riedel set, which appeared totally different from the rocks glasses on-purpose). However once we unboxed the Libbey Ascent set, which included highball and rocks glasses, we had been shocked to seek out that most of the glasses diversified when it comes to manufacturing high quality; many had uneven bases that sloped off to 1 facet inside, and one glass even had a divot within the rim. If you’re shopping for a set of glasses that you just would possibly escape when visitors are over, do you actually need glasses that look shoddily made? We wouldn’t. 

Glasses That Stacked Have been Simple to Retailer

Whereas most of the glasses we examined claimed to be stackable, just a few actually stood out: the Duralex, Bormioli Rocco, and Luminarc. The Luminarc, particularly, was a beautiful stacker, with a smaller backside part that slid simply into the broader prime a part of the accompanying glasses. 

The Standards: What to Search for in a Consuming Glass

Whereas seems rely in your private preferences (whether or not you prefer to go flashy on a regular basis or favor subdued magnificence), there are some things to search for in a very good ingesting glass: it ought to have a thicker backside, taper outward barely, and ideally have a goldilocks thickness of between two to 3 millimeters. It must also be sturdy (as a result of accidents occur), simple to grip, and every glass within the set ought to be defect-free. 

What we favored: Testers beloved the faceted sides and barely blooming opening of this sturdy glass—which additionally survived a drop on concrete, a minor miracle. They mentioned it “seems good in a diner-esque/mini milkshake manner,” and is a “good each day driver glass.” It was a pleasure to make use of whether or not sipping water, seltzer, or perhaps a spot of wine (sacré bleu!). It additionally was simple to stack, making for environment friendly storage. You too can buy this glass set in smaller and bigger sizes, if the mid-sized providing isn’t your cup of tea—er, water?

What we didn’t like: Our solely minor qualm was that the sides went up excessive on this glass, which prompted one customers’ hand to slip upwards. Aside from that, it is a implausible glass. 

Worth at time of publish: $35 for a set of six 12.62-ounce tumblers.

Key Specs

• Lip thickness: 3 millimeters
• Quantity in set: 6
• Diameter of opening: 3 3/8 inches 
• Top: 5 inches
• Weight: 11.3 ounces
• Capability: 12.62 ounces
• Supplies: Tempered glass
• Stackable: Sure
• Cleansing and care: Dishwasher-safe

What we favored: With an identical, basic cafe aesthetic, this providing was barely cheaper (and smaller) than the Duralex. We favored its related faceted sides, tapered base, and just-the-right-thickness rim. It additionally stacked properly. 

What we didn’t like: One consumer wished the sides continued greater up on the glass. 

Worth at time of publish: $24 for a set of 6. 

Key Specs

• Lip thickness: 3 millimeters
• Quantity in set: 6
• Diameter of opening: 3 1/4 inches 
• Top: 4 3/4 inches
• Weight: 9.7 ounces
• Capability: 12.5 ounces
• Supplies: Tempered glass
• Stackable: Sure
• Cleansing and care: Dishwasher-safe

What we favored: These easy glasses featured a slim profile, good rim thickness, and a barely weighty base to maintain ‘em regular. Whereas they may not have the curb enchantment of fancier glasses, they actually had been nice for ingesting something—water, juice, seltzer, margaritas…the checklist goes on. Plus, their impartial design means you possibly can pair them with pizza as readily as a elaborate steak dinner (we do should say, they give the impression of being significantly good stuffed with rose subsequent to a platter of oysters). Additionally they stack properly. 

What we didn’t like: Some customers discovered the graceful exterior a bit of more durable to grip. 

Worth at time of publish: $46 for a set of 12.

Key Specs

• Lip thickness: 2 millimeters
• Quantity in set: 12
• Diameter of opening: 3 3/8 inches 
• Top: 3 1/2 inches
• Weight: 6.3 ounces
• Capability: 12 ounces
• Supplies: Tempered glass
• Stackable: Sure
• Cleansing and care: Dishwasher-safe

What we favored: These petite glasses featured a smaller lower-half which was simple to grip and—per our designation—made them tremendous simple to stack. Additionally they featured a thicker backside, which helped them stand good and regular. If you would like a fair smaller, squatter choice, they’re additionally obtainable in a 9-ounce dimension (although this dimension it out of inventory in the mean time). 

What we didn’t like: These are wee glasses, so when you prefer to gulp down enormous quantities of something, they may not be best for you—they’re higher for dainty sipping. Nevertheless, when you’re nostalgic for ingesting out of jam jars, these glasses kinda have that vibe (minus the lovable illustrations). 

Worth at time of publish: $26 for a set of 6.

Key Specs

• Lip thickness: 2 millimeters
• Quantity in set: 6
• Diameter of opening: 2.75 inches 
• Top: 4 3/4 inches
• Weight: 6.8 ounces
• Capability: 10.75 ounces
• Supplies: Glass
• Stackable: Sure
• Cleansing and care: Dishwasher-safe

What we favored: This set of fancy glasses comes with 4 rocks glasses and 4 highballs, all of which characteristic an art-deco-esque design. These are the glasses you discover at good bars; they’re expensive, have a pleasant weight to them, and look implausible within the glow of a candle. On a sensible notice, they had been surprisingly sturdy, and each single tester who used them beloved the grooved strains on the outside, which made gripping simple. 

What we didn’t like: Whereas we discovered the rocks glass near-flawless (although one consumer thought sloshing may be a problem, since they’re squat), testers weren’t fairly as enamored with the highball glasses for on a regular basis sipping. They had been slim and appeared extra apt at holding a crushed ice cocktail that you just sip with a straw moderately than a glass of OJ swigged at breakfast. Additionally, this set is PRICEY. 

Worth at time of publish: $120 for a set of 8.

Key Specs

• Lip thickness: 2 millimeters
• Quantity in set: 8 (4 rocks and 4 highballs) 
• Highball diameter: 2 1/2 inches
• Rocks diameter: 3 1/4 inches
• Highball peak: 3 1/2 inches
• Rocks peak: 3 1/4 inches
• Highball weight: 15.4 ounces
• Rocks weight: 11.3 ounces
• Highball capability: 10.9 ounces
• Rocks capability: 10 ounces
• Supplies: Tempered glass
• Stackable: Sure (technically you possibly can stack highball contained in the rocks glass)
• Cleansing and Care: Dishwasher-safe

The Competitors

• Fable Glassware Set: Whereas these glasses had been surprisingly sturdy contemplating how skinny they had been, their thinness was a draw back in a tactile sense; customers thought they had been too slim and that they verged on the boring facet of plain. 
• Libbey Polaris 8-Piece Tumbler Set: With a easy however elegant design, these glasses had quite a bit going for them—save for the curved bases and really tall peak (6.25 inches, the tallest of the lineup), which made them really feel tippy. 
• Libbey Ascent 16-Piece Tumbler And Rocks Glass Set: This set had potential, however its downfall was high quality management: just a few of the tumblers and rocks glasses had defects, together with divoted rims and uneven bases. 
• Borosil Simple Glass Tumblers (Set of 6): Easy may be good, however these glasses verged too near chemistry beaker territory. The oblong silhouette and skinny glass weren’t fashionable with testers. 
• Ichendorf Milano Laguna Tumblers (Set of 6): Oh these glasses appeared so good, however typically beauty don’t assure a very good consumer expertise. Testers had been puzzled to seek out that the grooved strains had been truly on the within of the glass (negating any grip they could have lent) and whereas the little raised edges on the rim had been fairly, they had been uncomfortable to sip from. 
• Fortessa Tableware Solutions Modo Basic Bar Glasses/Schott Zwiesel: Whereas these glasses had been elegant and had a thick base, the highest was very skinny (a mere one millimeter thick) and felt fragile. 
• Our Place Night + Day Glasses: Whereas some customers like the looks of those glasses (and the truth that they arrive in a enjoyable vary of colours), others thought ingesting from them was akin to attempting to drink from a candle holder for the reason that rim was 4 millimeters thick. Nevertheless, they did stack properly and really feel sturdy. 

FAQs

What dimension ingesting glasses ought to I purchase?

It is dependent upon your wants and wishes (an annoyingly obscure reply, we all know). Whereas some folks may be completely cool with rocks-sized glasses, different would possibly need highballs to pack filled with ice. The excellent news is that many glasses are available in units with smaller glasses and taller ones, so you may get the very best of each worlds. But when a set of glasses catches your eye they usually solely are available in one dimension, take a gander on the dimensions and capability. 

What number of glasses are in a set?

It actually is dependent upon the set, however six glasses was the most typical set quantity in our testing. 

What’s one of the simplest ways to scrub ingesting glasses?

All glasses may be hand-washed, however there’s additionally the choice to simply pile ‘em within the dishwasher. All the glasses we examined got here out of the dishwasher unscathed and glinting.