all-time in class

25 of the Very Best Drinking Glasses

Photo: Courtesy of the retailer

When it comes to glassware, the sexier vessels — a coupe, a flute, a wineglass — seem to get all the glory. But a simple h2o drinking glass (which tin be just as appropriate for juice, vino, iced coffee, or, yes, a G&T) gets used more than whatever of those options — and is but as worthy of praise. Whether you're in the market for a basic, stackable matching gear up or for something bolder to spruce upward your dinner table, the choices are many. To assistance you in your search, we asked 21 of our favorite restaurant, beverage, and interior-pattern experts how they take their H2o. I've also included a few affordable favorites of my own equally the Strategist's unofficial home-bartending expert (if yous want to know about the best barware to pair with your new drinking glasses or the bar cart to place them on, I've also got y'all covered).

All-time overall | All-time assorted sets | Best short | Best tall | All-time decorative

Material: Drinking spectacles come up in a multifariousness of materials that will determine both the look and the immovability of the vessels, equally well as whether they are dishwasher or freezer safe. Our experts agree that while thin glass looks sophisticated, it is more fragile than tempered options. And if you have kids (or are clumsy), opting for practically indestructible acrylic is probably your best bet.

Volume: The amount of ounces each glass can concur will affect more than merely how quickly information technology takes you to reach your daily hydration goal. Aside from aesthetics, the size and book of the drinking glass will influence what types of drinks y'all tin can make. If you plan to use your drinking spectacles for highball cocktails, you'll probably want to stick to tall glasses that are 12 ounces and above, whereas short spectacles under eight ounces will be best if yous're partial to a glass of cerise vino or a neat whiskey at dinner.

Set number: Most of the spectacles downwards beneath are sold in sets. Your entertaining needs, budget, and the corporeality of space you lot take will all determine how many glasses you should purchase. A set up of two is great for just you and your roommate, whereas sets in larger increments are great if y'all're the entertaining type. We've even included a few restaurant-course styles sold in bulk (that you may want to go in on with a friend or two, since you probably won't need all 72).

Duralex Picardie Glass Tumblers, Set of 18

Tempered glass | From 8 3/4 oz | Set of 18

Duralex's Picardie spectacles are a favorite among our panelists. Information technology's easy to see why: They are available in contrasted sizes, and so y'all'll e'er have the correct one at mitt if someone wants water, juice, or a stiffer beverage. More important, as Tracie Battle, a senior designer at online interior-design service Havenly, says, their "classic await will never go out of style." She explains that they are made of thicker tempered drinking glass, which "offers more durability and a more than expensive look." Hudson Wilder founder Conway Liao and writer (and former Lucky Peach executive editor) Rachel Khong likewise swear by these glasses, with Khong saying that her set is "still going stiff after many many years." This 18-piece set includes 3 sizes and vi glasses in each size.

Bormioli Rocco Dailyware Bodega Glasses (Set of 16)

Tempered glass | From 11.6 oz | Set of sixteen

This fix of Dailyware Bodega spectacles from Bormiolo Rocco — which includes eight shorter double old-fashioned spectacles and eight taller highball glasses — is interior designer Katrina Hernandez'south choice. She uses the glasses in both her house in the country and her Brooklyn apartment. "They're perfect for water or a cocktail. Information technology'south a set of two sizes, but both are relatively shorter and more mod," she says. Hernandez adds that they're thin, but not "scary sparse where you experience they could pause in your hand at any moment." She also appreciates the rounded edge of the lip as well. The Bodega is also a favorite fashion of Julie Mulligan, the owner and designer of cocktail lounge and eating house Lot xv, because it's "versatile and depression maintenance just all the same chichi." She says that it's "cracking for all kinds of home drinking and serving" and can even be used for displaying flowers. "They accept a neat smooth lip to drink from and the price is only right," she adds.

Libbey Polaris 16-Piece Assorted Glassware

Glass | From xvi 1/4 oz | Set of 16

Battle besides recommends Libbey's Polaris glasses for their "super-unique shape," which has a rounded, weighted base that feels hefty while still existence sleek. This set comes with eight drinking spectacles and eight smaller rocks glasses, offering the best "bang for your buck, at just over $2 per glass," she says. They're BPA-free and dishwasher-condom, too.

Toyo-Sasaki Glass 13 oz. Fino Stacking Glass (Set of 6)

Thin drinking glass | xiii oz | Fix of 6

If chiffonier infinite is limited, shorter glasses may exist the way to go. Both Liao and Amanda Spina, the full general manager of Williamsburg's Four Horsemen restaurant and Nightmoves bar, swear past these shorter, stackable glasses past Japanese visitor Toyo-Sasaki. "I always want precious, delicate, thin Japanese glassware at the restaurant, but it's got to be strong enough to autumn onto a rubber mat and not break," says Spina. "And information technology must exist stackable." These glasses, which are each most four-inches high, tick all those boxes. "They're a little more unique and contemporary than the ubiquitous Duralex," she adds, "but merely equally practical." Liao agrees, noting their stackable design makes these "perfect for New York apartments."

Libbey Esquire 5 oz. Side Water Glass (Case of 72)

Glass | 5 oz | Set of 72

According to Mulligan, Libbey is "an manufacture standard for style and wearability in the pattern world." The petite Esquire side water glass is one of her best favorites, and she says that they're great for the habitation but also in a restaurant setting. The sparse drinking glass, slightly curved shape, and weighted base make information technology a little more than interesting than your standard, straight-sided h2o glass. Intended for the service manufacture, these glasses come in a instance of 72, which is more than an average household volition ever need. But if these appeal to you lot, consider splitting a example with a family member or friend (or several family unit members or friends). The cost-per-drinking glass comes out to merely a tad over a dollar, which honestly can't be trounce.

EQ3 Vesper Tumbler

Thin glass | 11.six oz | 1 Count

If you dearest the delicate look but are on a tighter budget, I swear by these glasses from Canadian homewares brand EQ3 (I was gifted a prepare of three and plan on ownership a few more than to round information technology out to an fifty-fifty six). The glass is whisper thin and has so far withstood both my dishwasher and my clumsy hands.

CB2 Marta Double Old Fashioned Glasses (Set of 8)

Thin drinking glass | 11 oz | Set of 8

The CB2 Marta glass has a similar experience as the smaller Bodega glasses above, and comes recommended by Athena Calderone, the founder of lifestyle blog Eye Swoon. She likes that they have "clean, straight lines" and are "made of ultra-thin glass." She also says that "the price is deceiving — they look and feel far more than expensive than they actually are," adding that they're "definitely a crazy-good blindside for your cadet." Non to mention:"They look as proficient sitting around on the tabular array as they do on open shelving, which is helpful because that's what I have at home," Calderone says. Interior and event designer Ken Fulk is also a fan.

Our Place Drinking Glasses (Set of 4)

Glass | 12 oz | Gear up of 4

If cabinet space is limited, shorter glasses may exist the way to become. I love this handsome set from Our Place that was kindly gifted to me final year — and featured in this year'southward impress gift guide — because non only are they short, they're also stackable. Available in sets of 4 and eight, these heavy-bottomed beauties feel wonderfully hefty in your manus, look more expensive than they are, and are great for drinking everything from water to old-fashioneds to wine. In addition to the clear version shown, they come up in five other colors (bonus: If you lot can't decide, there are besides multicolored sets).

Duralex Unie Tumbler 7 oz (Set of 6)

Tempered glass | 7 oz | Set of 6

Mulligan'due south go-to "for something clean and classic" are these tumblers from Duralex. She likes that these glasses are stackable, but more chiefly, that "they've withstood the examination of time in my dwelling house, which is no piece of cake feat." Fabricated in France of tempered glass, they're also dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe.

Libbey Endeavor Rocks Glasses (Pack of 12)

Glass | ix oz | Prepare of 12

Instead of a glass with direct sides, possibly you'd prefer ane that has a tapered V-shape. Paul Malvone, a co-founder of Boston Burger Company, says the mode is better for stacking. "At the eatery, nosotros prefer a nine-ounce erstwhile fashioned Attempt rocks glass," he says. "They're a trivial better-looking than a traditional drinking glass, and are versatile enough for water or a soft drink, or even a hard drink."

Riedel O Water Glasses (Set of 2)

Drinking glass | eight oz | Set of 2

Shelley Kleyn Armistead, a partner at Gjelina Group who is in accuse of the interior pattern and tableware at all of its restaurants, is a fan of these simple Riedel water glasses. "I honey the silhouette," she says. "At the restaurants, nosotros really apply them for wine considering there's something almost them that feels friendly and outgoing, a dissimilarity to how vino is so often served." Of grade, they also work beautifully for water. Non too large and not too pocket-size, "they experience similar spectacles that should be used for daily enjoyment," equally Armistead puts it.

Spiegelau Classic Bar Longdrink Glass (Set of 12)

Glass | 12 ane/4 oz | Set of 12

"At abode, I use these 12-ounce Collins spectacles, which are tall and a handsome vessel for cocktails" says Nick Rancone, the owner of the Twin Cities–based Twist Davis Group of restaurants. While they're nice enough for serving drinks like a Tom Collins, gin buzz, or even a mojito, Rancone likes these because "they're multipurpose enough to use for simply evidently water, as well. I like that it can do double or triple duty."

Libbey Impressions Tumbler Glasses (Set of 4)

Drinking glass | 16 three/4 oz | Fix of iv

Libbey'southward highball Impressions glasses hold more fluid than the brand'southward shorter Esquire glasses in the department above, merely they accept a similar curved look and come up in a more than reasonable quantity (a set of iv as opposed to a case of 72). They're recommended by Decorist interior designer Katy Byrne, who says they're her meridian option for an everyday water glass. "It's the perfect weight with an elegant detail that not only looks nice only provides the perfect grip spot," she tells the states.

Luigi Bormiolo Classico SON.hyx Highball Glasses (Set of 4)

Drinking glass | 16 1/four oz | Fix of four

These highballs from Luigi Bormioli come recommended by Boxing: "This fix is minimal in fashion and works well for several different drinks, whether a simple glass of h2o or a mint mojito," she says. Battle adds that they're also a great choice if you lot have kids: "They are a more than durable pick without having to cede the await of drinking glass."

Happy Hour Acrylic Highball Glasses (Set of 4)

Acrylic | 12 oz | Ready of 4

If you're looking for something even more than durable, Battle says "this is an nearly identical alternate to the Luigi Bormiolo Classico drinking glass, but is made of an acrylic that is BPA, Phthalate, atomic number 82 and latex gratuitous." They're another great option "if you desire the wait of glass but don't want to run the risk of them shattering," she adds. They're as well bachelor in a smaller "double quondam fashioned" style and in a turquoise, which she thinks is "slap-up for summer."

Libbey 133 9 oz. Highball Glass (Set of 36)

Glass | nine oz | Fix of 36

This stackable highball glass is a favorite of Employees Just co-owner Igor Hadzismajlovic for its convenience. "We utilise the 9-ounce highball glass by Libbey at habitation, which is stackable, and is a must for a tiny New York apartment," he says. "It's actually the same glass nosotros use at Employees But, besides. They're thick enough to eliminate breakage, which is especially important for a drinking glass that is about frequently used."

Recycled Highball Glasses (Set of 4)

Recycled glass | sixteen oz | Set up of iv

Sustainable-living expert Danny Seo, the editor-in-main of Naturally, Danny Seo magazine, loves these glasses that are made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled glass — or "the stuff you toss out in your recycling bin," equally he puts it. Seo adds that "the organic texture and shape lends well to pairing them with clean modern dinnerware." And we call back the slightly bulbous silhouette is a footling more interesting than that of your standard highballs.

Ikea Kallna Glass (Set of 6)

Tempered drinking glass | 10 oz | Set up of 6

Don't sleep on Ikea's kitchen department, especially when it comes to tableware. Food stylist Judy Kim recommends these ridged glasses, another variation on a elementary texture. "They're so durable," she says. (Strategist writer Emma Wartzman can attest to this, as she owns a couple of sets and has dropped them with absolutely no breakage on more occasions than she tin count.) You can buy them in clear, but "I as well love the green-blueish colour," Kim says. "They reflect really pretty light all around, peculiarly if you're exterior in the sunday."

Honey Tall Tumblers (Set of 4)

Glass | fourteen oz | Set of iv

For glasses with a bit more texture, Battle recommends these from Williams Sonoma, which feature a pattern inspired by honeycombs. She thinks they'd work well in "a more eclectic kitchen space." Made in Italy, they're also freezer safe, which Battle points out isn't common. "Pull these out of the freezer in the center of summer to immediately arctic a drinking glass of lemonade," she says.

Marta Optic Double Old-Fashioned Glasses (Set of 8)

Thin glass | 11 oz | Set of 8

Kim also likes these slightly higher-cease spectacles from CB2, which take a similar design to the Ikea set. "The main difference is that they're superthin," she says, "which ways you accept to be careful when stacking and washing them (though they can go in the dishwasher). Just they're so lightweight to concur and and then satisfying to beverage out of. It feels like a high-quality glass at a not-crazy toll."

Williams Sonoma Dorset Triple Old-Fashioned Glass (Set of 4)

Crystal | 15.2 oz | Set up of 4

Afterwards years of drinking out of a drove of mismatched glasses, maybe yous're looking to invest in glassware strong enough for daily use just elegant enough for special occasions. According to filmmaker Taylor Steele, the founder of Solento Organic Tequila, a set of these could exist merely the ticket. "This is a classy glass," he says. "It's made from paw-cut crystal, creates beautiful shadows, and is perfect whether you lot're sipping h2o or something a little stronger."

Iittala Kartio 7 oz. Tumblers in Light Blue (Set of 2)

Glass | 7 oz | Set of 2

Susan Buckley, the vice president of nutrient and beverage operations at Atelier Ace, told u.s. that "this is the classic tumbler we employ at Narcissa," the restaurant at The Standard, Eastward Hamlet. The glasses are V-shaped and therefore stackable, a feature Buckley calls "a plus." She also adds that they "sit nicely relative to accompanying wine glasses, have a nice experience when you hold them in your hand, and are potent without feeling clunky." The light blue hue makes them especially memorable. "We're lucky to accept an astonishing tabletop stylist who spent hours sourcing these perfect glasses."

Zafferano Perle Beverage Glass (Set of 6)

Glass | ten.8 oz | Prepare of 6

For spectacles with even more color options, consider these sets from Italian brand Zafferano, which we heard about from Rebecca Carey, the food-and-beverage managing director at the Viceroy Chicago hotel (and its restaurant Somerset and rooftop bar Devereaux). "Using their products just makes me happy," she says. She uses the Veneziano tumblers (in amethyst) at her domicile and says she gets "a lot of compliments on them." She's also used the Perle glasses (in cobalt) at work, calling the style "really striking and special."

Merci Lucca Water Glasses

Recycled glass | iii.ii oz | one count

"I plant these at a store in Paris," Kim says, "and I wish I had bought more." Turns out the store ships internationally — good news for anyone drawn to this archetype silhouette and the striking colors. Some are currently sold out, but "yous tin can buy them individually. It would exist fun to mix and lucifer the complementary shades," Kim says.

Xaquixe Apasco Oaxacan Rocks Glasses (Set of 6)

Recycled glass | Due north/A | Gear up of six

Both Polonsky and Armistead are huge fans of these handblown glasses. "Non only does Salime, the adult female who makes them, utilize recycled glass," Armistead explains, "merely she as well powers her ovens with methane that she makes from manure from a local farm (which she so turns into fertilizer to requite dorsum to the subcontract) besides equally old, burned cooking oil from local restaurants. When I say it's a sustainable drinking glass, I really hateful it." (If you're interested in reading more about the makers, you can do so here.) Polonsky loves how the glasses are slightly imperfect and vary from glass to glass but are all as satisfying in weight, shape, and size.

• Tracie Battle, a senior designer at online interior-blueprint service Havenly
• Susan Buckley, vice-president of nutrient and drinkable operations at Atelier Ace
• Katy Byrne, Decorist interior designer
• Athena Calderone, founder of lifestyle blog Middle Swoon
• Rebecca Carey, food-and-beverage director at the Viceroy Chicago hotel
• Ken Fulk, interior and event designer
• Igor Hadzismajlovic, Employees Only co-owner
• Katrina Hernandez, interior designer
• Rachel Khong, author and former Lucky Peach executive editor
• Judy Kim, food stylist
• Shelley Kleyn Armistead, partner at Gjelina Group
• Conway Liao, Hudson Wilder founder
• Paul Malvone, co-founder of Boston Burger Company
• Julie Mulligan, possessor and designer of cocktail lounge and restaurant Lot 15
• Anna Polonsky, founder of food-focused strategy-and-design consultancy Polonsky & Friends
• Nick Rancone, owner of eatery group Twist Davis Group
• Danny Seo, editor-in-main of Naturally, Danny Seo magazine and sustainable-living skillful
• Amanda Spina, the general manager of Williamsburg's Four Horsemen restaurant and Nightmoves bar
• Taylor Steele, founder of Solento Organic Tequila
• Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer
• Emma Wartzman, Strategist writer

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25 of the Very All-time Drinking Glasses