The 10 Best Drinking Glasses

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Our drinking cups are constantly full, from juice or a smoothie in the morning to a glass of water before night, with water, iced tea, cocktails, and everything in between! Drinking glasses, thankfully, come in a variety of sizes and styles, as well as materials such as glass, plastic, and crystal.

This article discusses what to look for when purchasing new drinking glasses, as well as glass materials and how temperature or mechanical trauma might harm your glasses. We also examine a variety of the finest drinking glasses on the market to help you choose the best glasses for your family’s requirements.

Best Pick

The ARC International Luminarc pub beer glasses are our top choice of drinking glasses for beer, water, iced tea, or any other form of cold drink made in the United States.

Budget Pick

Our budget selection for daily indoor and outdoor usage is the US Acrylic classic plastic water tumblers, which are created in the United States and are BPA-free.


Product Name Grade
ARC International Luminarc Pub Beer Glass A
US Acrylic Classic Plastic Water Tumbler A-
Duralex Picardie Clear Tumbler A
Home Essentials Galaxy Glassware Set A-
Marquis by Waterford 165119 Markham Hiball Collins Glasses A-
Tervis Tumbler B+
Red Co. Vibrant Splash Water/Beverage Highball Glasses B+
Anchor Hocking Reality Tumbler Set A-
Libbey Classic Tumbler Glasses B+
Libbey Midtown Cooler Glass A-

1. ​ARC International Luminarc Pub Beer Glass  

Highlighted Features

  • A set of nine one pint pub beer glasses
  • Made in the US from lead free soda lime glass
  • Can be cleaned in the dishwasher

The ARC International Luminarc pub beer glasses come in a set of nine and are created in the United States. These glasses are constructed of lead-free soda-lime glass and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Some customers have reported that these are thinner than comparable glasses, and there is a chance that some will arrive with obvious manufacturing flaws.

​Pros

  • One pint/16 fl. oz pub beer glasses
  • Made in the US
  • Lead free glass
  • Dishwasher safe

​Cons

  • Some may have manufacturing defects on arrival
  • Can be thinner than similar pub beer glasses

2. US Acrylic Classic Plastic Water Tumbler 

Highlighted Features

  • Set of six plastic tumblers
  • Classic tumbler design
  • Made in the US from BPA-free clear acrylic
  • Can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher

They have a one-pint capacity and come in a set of six. These tumblers are created in the United States and are top-rack dishwasher safe, however some consumers have reported damage to the glasses while using the dishwasher.The US Acrylic classic plastic water tumblers feature a 16 fl. oz. capacity and are made of BPA-free clear acrylic.

These have a thick base and straight walls, and their classic design allows them to be used both indoors and outdoors. They may be thinner than planned, and some purchasers believe they will not last as long as intended, and they will quickly acquire scratches.

​Pros

  • Plastic tumblers
  • One pint capacity
  • BPA-free acrylic
  • Made in the US
  • Top rack dishwasher sage

​Cons

  • Despite being dishwasher safe, there is a risk of damage.
  • With time and use, the surface is prone to developing scratches.
  • You may find them thinner than expected

3. Duralex Picardie Clear Tumbler

Highlighted Features

  • Six 12 oz. clear tumblers made of tempered glass
  • Chip and impact resistant
  • Can be used for cold and hot drinks
  • Dishwasher, microwave and fridge safe
  • These tumblers are made in France and may be stacked for storage.

The Duralex Picardie clear tumblers (12 fl. oz.) are made in France from tempered glass and come in a set of six. These are impact and chip resistant tempered glass glasses that may be used for hot or cold liquids. These glasses are not only dishwashing safe, but also microwave and fridge safe.

Although they can be stacked for storage, some owners have reported difficulty pulling them apart once stacked. Inadequate wrapping around these glasses may potentially increase the risk of breakage during delivery.

​Pros

  • 12 fl. oz tumblers
  • Tempered glass
  • Hot or cold drinks
  • Microwave safe
  • Dishwasher safe

​Cons

  • Can be difficult to pull apart when stacked
  • May not be adequately packaged for transportation, increasing the chance of breakage.

4. Home Essentials Galaxy Glassware Set 

Highlighted Features

  • A collection of four 17 oz hiball glasses, four 13 oz DOF glasses, and four 7 oz juice glasses.
  • Have a dimpled design/pattern inside the glasses
  • This 12-piece set may be cleaned in the dishwasher.

The Galaxy glassware set comes with four 7 oz juice glasses, four 13 oz DOF double old fashioned glasses, and four 17 oz hiball glasses.

design, but the texturing is on the inside of the glass rather than the exterior. As with any glass, there is a risk of shipping damage, and the package may not have been marked as fragile when it arrived.These glasses feature a dimpled texture and are dishwasher safe.

​Pros

  • 12 piece set
  • Hiball, DOF and juice glasses
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Dimpled design

​Cons

  • Glasses may not be packed properly increasing breakage risk
  • The dimpling design is inside rather than outside the glass

5. Marquis by Waterford 165119 Markham Hiball Collins Glasses 

Highlighted Features

  • Four hiball glasses with a 14 oz capacity handcrafted in Italy
  • These diamond-inspired glasses are packaged in a gift box.
  • Heavyweight spectacles that may be worn casually or formally.
  • Recommended that these are hand washed

The Marquis by Waterford Markham hiball glasses (165119) are made of lead free crystalline and have a 14 fl. oz capacity. They come in a gift box. This set of four heavier weight glasses with a diamond-inspired design is made in Italy and is great for entertaining or daily usage.

It is advised that these glasses be handwashed rather than dishwasher cleaned, and some consumers have reported that they chip easily. Some people believe that the seams on these glasses are too visible.

​Pros

  • Hiball glasses
  • 14 fl. oz capacity
  • Lead free crystalline
  • Diamond-inspired pattern
  • Gift boxed

​Cons

  • Recommended that these are hand washed only
  • The seams are visible on the glasses
  • Some have found they can chip easily

6. Tervis Tumbler 

Highlighted Features

  • Four 16 oz. transparent tumblers constructed of BPA-free Tritan plastic.
  • Tumblers with double walls that are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe
  • Can be used for hot or cold drinks
  • Made in the US, these also come with an unconditional lifetime warranty

This four pack of 16 oz. Tervis tumblers is crafted in the USA from BPA-free Tritan plastic. These transparent tumblers with double walls are great for hot or cold beverages and may be used in the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. These also come with an unconditional lifetime warranty, though a small number of buyers have reported issues when attempting to make a warranty claim.

A lot of consumers have discovered that they readily cloud when washed in the dishwasher and that the seam between the twin walls may begin to break down.

​Pros

  • Tritan plastic tumblers
  • 16 fl. oz capacity
  • Suitable for hot or cold
  • BPA free
  • US-made
  • Dishwasher safe

​Cons

  • A tiny percentage of purchasers have had difficulties in filing warranty claims.
  • When washed in the dishwasher, the glasses may begin to fog.
  • Seam between the walls may begin to break down

7. Red Co. Vibrant Splash Water/Beverage Highball Glasses

Highlighted Features

  • A set of six 13.25 fl. oz hiball glasses
  • These have been weighted for extra stability
  • Each glass’s base contains a different colored glass.

The Vibrant Splash hiball glasses come in a pack of six 13.25 ounce glasses. These have colored bottoms that are also weighted for added stability, but some buyers have reported that they are more fragile than other hiball glasses. Although these are not explicitly advertised as dishwasher safe, some owners have had success with them in the dishwasher. Some people think that they are a tad tiny for a hiball glass.

​Pros

  • Hiball glasses
  • 13.25 fl. oz capacity
  • Colored glass bottoms
  • Weighted bottoms

​Cons

  • When compared to other hiball designs, these may be a little on the small side.
  • Not advertised as dishwasher safe
  • May be more fragile than other hiballs

8. Anchor Hocking Reality Tumbler Set 

Highlighted Features

  • A set of 16 glass tumblers that includes eight 16 oz glasses and eight 12 oz glasses.
  • Durable weighted design to minimize spill risk
  • Can be cleaned in the dishwasher

The Anchor Hocking Reality tumbler set is made in the United States and includes eight 12 oz glass tumblers and eight 16 oz tumblers. These tumblers are dishwasher safe and have a weighted construction to prevent spilling. Some buyers believe that these are thin glass and will break easily, and that the shape makes them slightly uncomfortable to hold for those with smaller hands.

​Pros

  • 16 tumbler set
  • Weighted design
  • Made in the US
  • Dishwasher safe

​Cons

  • Because of the design of the tumblers, they may not always fit comfortably in tiny hands.
  • Some people believe that these tumblers are made of thinner glass than regular tumblers.

9. Libbey Classic Tumbler Glasses 

Highlighted Features

  • Classic tumblers with a capacity of 18 oz that come in a set of four.
  • Suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher
  • Are made with lead free glass

The set of four Libbey classic tumblers are made of lead-free glass and have an 18-ounce capacity. They are dishwasher safe. These appear to be quite fragile and easily broken. They may also break in the dishwasher if placed on the top shelf, so wash these by hand rather than in the dishwasher.

​Pros

  • Classic tumblers
  • 18 fl. oz capacity
  • Lead free glass

​Cons

  • They are dishwasher safe, but they may be damaged in the dishwasher.
  • May be more fragile than similar tumblers

​10. Libbey Midtown Cooler Glass 

Highlighted Features

  • Set of four 16 fl. oz cooler glasses
  • Have a heavier base for stability
  • Suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher
  • Have been manufactured in the US

The Libbey Midtown cooler glass comes in a set of four and has a capacity of 16 fl. oz. It is created in the United States. These are dishwasher safe and have a heavy base for stability. If you prefer to wash them by hand, the form of these cooler classes may make cleaning the interior of the glass more challenging. There is also a chance that these can arrive with some minor manufacturing defects such as unevenness on the walls of the glass.

​Pros

  • Cooler glasses
  • 16 fl. oz capacity
  • Made in the US
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Heavier base

​Cons

  • These can ship with minor manufacturing flaws.
  • Their shape can make hand washing more difficult.

Things to Consider Before Buying Drinking Glasses

When purchasing new drinking glasses, most people prefer everyday glasses weighing 10 to 12 ounces. A four to six ounce glass is ideal for drinking juices or cocktails, but a bigger 12 to 16 ounce glass is ideal for water, iced tea, and beer.

When selecting glasses, consider their size and who will use them the most, as wider glasses can look great sat on the table but can be difficult to hold properly in smaller hands.

Glasses constructed of thinner glass may be more pleasant to drink from since the narrower rim assures a thinner rim. However, as with many aspects of glassware selection, this is often a matter of personal preference, and thinner glasses do increase the risk of breakage, particularly when cleaning.

Look for glasses with weighted bottoms that will not slide on a damp surface when placed down. Similarly, make sure they are not overly weighted, as this will make the glass heavier to hold when full, which is more of an issue with larger volume glasses.

A drinking glass should enable you to readily view the contents, and unless you store separate glassware for informal and formal occasions, the glass should be appropriate for use at any time.

If you purchase glasses in a smaller set, not only will you save money, but you will just need to buy another tiny set to replace any damaged ones, unless you have lots of storage room in the garage or basement for extra glasses.

Whether or not glasses stack is a matter of personal taste, however if space is limited, stackable glasses will take up less space, albeit there is a larger danger of heat shock breaking them.

Drinking Glass Materials 

Soda-lime glass, tempered glass, and sometimes borosilicate glass, as well as plastic, are the most common materials used to make daily drinking glasses. Some more expensive everyday glasses may also be made of lead-free crystal, also known as crystalline.

Soda-limeglasses are great for cold beverages, and if they break, they will shatter into pieces that will take long to clean up. Tempered glass glasses are appropriate for both hot and cold beverages and are very sturdy, frequently surviving a fall into the countertop or even a solid floor.

Soda-lime or soda-lime-silica glass is most widely used for glass panes and glass containers for food and beverages; soda-lime glass accounts for about 90% of all glass made. Because it can be re-softened and re-melted numerous times, it is also recyclable and relatively inexpensive to produce.

Soda (sodium carbonate), lime, silica (silicon dioxide), dolomite, and aluminum oxide are used to make soda-lime glass. Instead of pure chemicals, materials like sand and feldspar may be added. Fining agents such as sodium chloride or sodium sulfate are also included in the mixture. The quantities of raw materials used will vary depending on whether the glass is manufactured for panes (flat) or containers.

To create container glass, the basic components are melted in a furnace at temperatures of up to 3047F, and the liquid glass is then blown and pressed to form the final containers or glasses.

Tempered glass, often known as safety glass, is created by heating and then quickly cooling (or quenching) glass. Because quenching cools the outer surface of the glass faster than the core, the surface and edges become compressed, leaving the center at tension.

This not only makes the glass five times stronger than lime-soda glass, but it also changes its break properties. Tempered glass shatters into little cubes rather than fragments when broken, reducing the danger of injury and making cleanup simpler.

Tempered glass, unlike soda-lime glass, is less prone to shatter due to thermal shock, such as when a hot beverage is poured into a cold glass. Thermal shock happens when different parts of the glass expand at different rates to the change in temperature. The glass cracks as a result of the differing speeds of expansion.

Tempered glass may sometimes shatter due to heat stress, surface damage, or a manufacturing flaw. This occurs sometimes as spontaneous breaking when there is an imbalance between the compression of the surface of the glass and the tension at the core.

Borosilicate glass is also thermally resistant; nevertheless, it is more expensive than tempered glass, more brittle, and best suited to extremely hot liquids.

Plastic tumblers are perfect for outdoor drinking glasses and are particularly safe for children or anybody who has difficulty properly handling a glass. Plastic or acrylic will seldom shatter when thrown into the floor, despite the fact that they may experience aesthetic damage on their surface through time and usage. If you are looking for plastic tumblers, then look for ones which are BPA-free.

The tumbler was the term given to a short and broad metal drinking cup that did not have a handle in the 17th century. Nobody knows why it was given the name tumbler. Some argue that it was because the cup would spill when placed down, while others argue that since it had a weighted bottom, it could right itself when spilt!

Manufacturers created crystalline, or lead-free crystal, in response to customer worries about lead leaking into beverages from conventional leaded crystal, which was often used to produce more formal glassware. Crystalline includes up to 24% minerals including barium oxide and magnesium to provide strength and clarity to the glasses, and it can still refract light like classic leaded crystal.

Crystalline is manufactured by prominent crystal producers like as Royal Doulton and Waterford and provides heavier weight lead-free pieces that are stronger than glass, have exceptional clarity, and may be dishwasher safe.

Glass Clouding

Clouding or etching may happen to any glass, even if it has been treated properly. Etching occurs as a result of repeated usage and dishwasher cleaning. If you do use the dishwasher, apply a glass renovator every month or so to limit the chance of etching. A glass renovator will also help avoid the build-up of dishwashing rinse aid on the glasses.

How to Clean, Store and Use Your Glasses to Reduce the Risk of Breakage

It is critical to constantly fully wash glasses, whether by hand or in the dishwasher, since dirty glasses acquire odors and are often left with water and grease streaks that degrade the brilliance of the glass.

When purchasing new drinking glasses, always wash them well before use to eliminate any manufacturing residue. If hand washing your glasses, wash them one at a time rather than putting them all in the sink to limit the danger of mechanical shock. For hand cleaning glasses, use any acceptable dish detergent and a soft cloth or sponge.

Place glasses gently in the dishwasher and attempt to use the top rack, however bigger glasses may not always fit. Keeping the rinse aid on hand will help keep them from spreading.

Although all glass has some resistance to mechanical shock or physical impact, the type of glass, its finished design, and the source of the mechanical shock will determine whether or not the glass breaks. Numerous mechanical shocks, such as glasses hitting together in the dishwasher, can weaken the glassware and increase its chance of shattering over time. However, thermal shock caused by heat is frequently the primary cause of glass breakage in dishwashers.

After washing glasses, let them to air dry upright. Once dry, use a gentle glass towel to remove any water spots.

To help avoid chipping, put glasses in the cabinet downturned on a soft shelf liner. If you use a liner designed exclusively for keeping glasses, its design will enable air movement, which may help prevent undesirable aromas from gathering in glasses that are not used as often. Ideally, some space should be allowed between the rims of glasses to prevent chipping.

Although some glasses are designed to be stackable, stack them carefully and keep in mind that repeated stacking can increase the risk of breakage due to thermal shock. Make sure the glasses have cooled down from the dishwasher before stacking to minimize thermal shock. Otherwise, if you stack hot glasses, the cooling air trapped between them will try to equalize with the air pressure and this may cause the glass to shatter. Hot glasses are also more prone to getting scratches.

Similarly, avoiding adding ice cubes to a hot drink or hot liquids to a cold glass lowers the danger of thermal shock. If you do use your glasses for hot beverages, consider prewarming them with warm water before filling them with the hot liquid. Even adding ice cubes to a glass using a scoop rather than scooping ice with the glass may help lessen the danger of heat shock.

You should also avoid freezing or heating glasses unless the manufacturer specifically specifies that it is okay to do so.

Conclusion

In this post, we looked at the benefits and drawbacks of several varieties of glass, as well as the fundamentals of how glass is created. We’ve also looked at various techniques for reducing the stress we put on our drinking glasses on a regular basis, which may assist avoid breaking due to heat or mechanical shocks.

We hope you enjoyed our review of the best drinking glasses, and that you were able to find the right set for your home, whether you need beer glasses, a set of hiballs for iced tea and cocktails, or some plastic tumblers for use in the yard.

FAQs

What is the healthiest glass to drink from?

Borosilicate glass, like ordinary glass, is safe to drink from. Borosilicate glass aids in sustainability by keeping plastic waste out of landfills, which is excellent for the environment.

Which glasses are best for drinking water?

Duralex is a French brand. Tumbler Picardie Clear.
Bormioli Rocco Everydayware Set of 16 Bodega Glasses…
Assorted glassware from Libbey Polaris.
Toyo-Sasaki Glass Fino Stacking Glass 13 oz (Set of 6)…
EQ3 Vesper Tumbler… Libbey Esquire 5 oz Side Water Glass (Case of 72).
CB2 Marta (Set of 8) Double Old Fashioned Glasses

What are the best glasses for soft drinks?

Fizzy beverages taste best when served in flutes.

Sparkling and carbonated beverages should be served in tall glasses with a narrow mouth, such as flute glasses. This reduces the surface area of the drink, which helps to maintain the bubbles and keeps it from getting flat too rapidly.

Are there drinking glasses that don’t get cloudy?

MADE OF 100% BOROSILICATE – Borosil Vision glass bowls are both aesthetically beautiful and long-lasting.
These glass bowls are quite adaptable.
STAIN & SCRATCH RESISTANT – Unlike regular soda lime glass, these borosilicate glass bowls do not cloud with frequent usage.

What is the most non toxic glass?

Borosilicate glass is also an excellent choice for sports bottles. Not only are sports bottles made of “boro,” but Borosilicate glass test tubes, funnels, and beakers are used in labs because the material is inert (does not mix with chemicals) and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Which brand is best for glass?

India’s Leading Glass Manufacturers
India Glass by Asahi.
RG La Opala Limited.
Borosil Glass Works Limited.
Saint-Gobain Sekurit India Pvt Ltd is a company based in India.
Modigaurd Gujarat Guardian Limited…
HNGIL stands for Hindustan National Glass & Industries Limited.

Is it better to drink water out of glass or plastic?

Because glass bottles are nonporous, bacteria and other harmful chemicals are far less likely to leach into your drinking water than plastic water bottles. This is just one of the numerous advantages of using glass bottles instead of plastic.

What color lens is best for water?

While copper, rose, brown, and gray tinted lenses are best for bright sunlight, rose and yellow tinted lenses are best for low light conditions on the water, such as early morning, evening, or when it’s overcast. They minimize glare without reducing the field of view.

Should you drink glasses of water everyday?

You’ve undoubtedly heard that you should drink eight glasses of water every day. That’s simple to remember and a sensible objective. The majority of healthy individuals can keep themselves hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some persons, less than eight glasses of water each day may suffice.

How do I pick the right glasses?

Remember that opposites attract while looking for the ideal frames. Choose glasses that contrast with your facial contours and add symmetry and balance to your prominent features. You may virtually try on hundreds of eyeglass frames at Eyeconic to determine which designs match your look.

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