To come up with this list of the best drinking glasses, we thoroughly researched various types of glassware and selected sets based on material, size, quantity, and style. We also spoke to Kristen Pena, principal designer of K Interiors, for expert advice on choosing drinking glasses for your home. One of the most important factors to consider in a glass is sturdiness, says Pena, as many places “sell glasses that break really easily.” If you’re worried about your drinking glasses breaking, look for tempered glass and crystal, which are more durable than soda-lime glass. Our top pick for drinking glasses is the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Tumblers in the mixed set of 12, thanks to their modern look, versatile design, and stackable nature. Who it isn’t for: People who want ultra-durable drinking glasses. For a large set of drinking glasses that you’ll use all day, every day, we recommend this set of 12 mixed tumblers from Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma. Consisting of six short tumblers (12 ounces) and six tall tumblers (18 ounces), this classic and beautiful set is bound to be a staple in your kitchen cupboards for years to come. These tumbler glasses have a neutral design, so you can use them for all sorts of meals and occasions, whether you’re drinking orange juice with breakfast or a cocktail after work. They’re made of lead-free glass and are dishwasher-safe, so keeping them clean and fresh after each use will take minimal effort. These drinking glasses have a thin and lightweight feel, and they’re stackable (up to three glasses high), saving you essential room in your cabinets. The only small downside to these glasses is that even though they are dishwasher-safe, their thinness means they can be a bit fragile, so you might want to hand wash them or place them on the top rack of the dishwasher. These drinking glasses are also available in sets of six in either size, so you can add on more depending on your needs. Price at time of publish: $108 Product Details:
Material: GlassSize: 12 and 18 ouncesQuantity: 12
Who it isn’t for: People who want decorative glasses that make a statement. If keeping costs low is your main concern, this pick from Libbey is an inexpensive set of drinking glasses to consider. Despite their affordable price, these glasses still have a sleek look and come in two different sizes. Half of the set consists of tall glasses with an elegant, long neck, and the other half are shorter rocks glasses, which are especially great for cocktails. These glasses have a versatile design that can be used for both casual and formal occasions. Plus, you can choose from a set of 16 or 24, depending on the size of your household. It’s important to note that the material is on the more lightweight side, so you’ll want to be careful when handling these glasses to prevent accidental breakage and chips around the edges. On the plus side, they’re dishwasher-safe so keeping them clean will never be a hassle. They may not be the most luxe drinking glasses on the market, but they’re still a worthwhile pick for any shoppers looking to stay within a tight budget. Price at time of publish: $35 Product Details:
Material: GlassSize: 11.1 and 15.2 ouncesQuantity: 16 and 24
Who it isn’t for: People who want drinking glasses that come in sets with multiple sizes. For drinking glasses that you can use all the time and for every occasion, we like the Duralex Picardie Tumblers, which are commonly found in French cafes. They have a classic design with a fairly wide shape, but they’re still stackable to save you space in your cabinets. Made from tempered glass, these drinking glasses are known for their durability and chip-resistant material that’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe. They can withstand a wide temperature range, so they can be used for both hot and cold beverages. They’re pretty affordable, too, so you can stock up on the various sizes. (The glasses come in multiple sizes ranging from 3.25 to 17.6 ounces, but we think the latter is the best option for everyday use.) Price at time of publish: $38 Product Details:
Material: Tempered glassSize: 3.25–17.6 ouncesQuantity: 6
Despite their intricately detailed design, these glasses are dishwasher-safe and very durable, so you can use them over and over again without fear of them chipping or breaking at a moment’s notice. Size-wise, they’re perfect for cocktails at 5 inches tall with a 13-ounce capacity (although there’s also a shorter 10-ounce version). They may not be big enough for large pours of water or juice, but if cocktails are your main focus, these gorgeous drinking glasses won’t disappoint. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details:
Material: GlassSize: 13 ouncesQuantity: 6
Who it isn’t for: People who want a set of glasses in a variety of sizes. Whether your kitchen has limited cabinet space or you just like the look of stackable glasses on open shelving, consider this great set of drinking glasses from Bormioli Rocco. They’re designed to fit right on top of one another, freeing up cupboard space and emphasizing convenience. These simple yet elegant glasses can be used for a wide number of occasions and meals, and their relatively tall size means they’re just as good for cocktails (with room for ice cubes) as they are for water, seltzer, soda, and juice. They have a transparent hue and a classic design, able to fit in effortlessly with your other glassware. These stackable drinking glasses are available in sets of 12 for the 7.5-, 12.5-, and 17.25-ounce sizes, but you can also get all three sizes in sets of 18 and 36 pieces. Price at time of publish: From $55 Product Details:
Material: Tempered glassSize: 7.5–17.25 ouncesQuantity: 12–36
Who it isn’t for: People who want a particularly eye-catching set of glasses. Looking for a set of short drinking glasses? Consider this set of six glasses from Pottery Barn. The short size holds 12.5 ounces, which is ideal for cocktails and smaller amounts of water and juice. At just 3.5 inches tall, these short drinking glasses can fit into even the smallest cabinet spaces. They have a transparent, neutral design that works for every occasion, whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or just having a casual dinner at home. These glasses are made from tempered soda-lime glass that’s durable and dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to waste precious time washing and drying each glass by hand. Because of their simple design, these short glasses may not be the most eye-catching option—but if you just want some versatile drinkware that’s on the shorter side, then these glasses are the ideal pick. If you end up deciding you want a mix of different sizes, you can also pick up these glasses in the tall (16 ounces) or tumbler (17.25 ounces) sizes. Price at time of publish: $24 Product Details:
Material: Tempered soda lime glassSize: 12.5 ouncesQuantity: 6
Who it isn’t for: People who want lightweight glasses. If you prefer taller drinking glasses instead, we love this set of six from Schott Zwiesel. They’re elegant, versatile, and truly beautiful, thanks to their sparkling crystal construction and distinctive shape. They’re perfect for more formal occasions and dinner parties, but you can appreciate their beauty all the time by using them to elevate everyday beverages, too. These drinking glasses have a wider and thicker bowl than other tall drinkware, making them notably sturdy. At 10 inches tall, they boast a substantial capacity of 18.4 ounces. They’re made with a mix of titanium and zirconium crystal that adds to their durability and long-lasting nature. These glasses are also dishwasher-safe and designed to be chip-resistant, so you don’t have to waste time worrying about them breaking easily or showing flaws after just a few uses. Keep in mind that they are heavier than many other drinking glasses, so those who prefer lightweight glasses may want to consider another set. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details:
Material: CrystalSize: 18.4 ouncesQuantity: 6
Who it isn’t for: People who want glassware that’s very durable and sturdy. Thin drinking glasses may be a bit less durable than thicker ones, but their lightweight feel and stylish look can still make them worthwhile additions to any kitchen. This set of six glasses is made from ultra-thin glass that will be a joy to drink from. Despite their lightweight design, these glasses have a large capacity of 16 ounces, so you can use them for everything from seltzer to water to cocktails. The drinking glasses come in three color options: clear, optic (clear with striped ridges), and forest green. Because of their thinness, these glasses aren’t the most durable or sturdiest options out there. But they’re still dishwasher-safe and extremely stylish, and they feel great to drink out of thanks to their unique material and shape. Best of all, they’re far cheaper than many other thin drinking glasses on the market. Price at time of publish: $21 Product Details:
Material: GlassSize: 16 ouncesQuantity: 6
Who it isn’t for: People who want drinkware that’s easy and comfortable to hold. Who needs plain drinking glasses when you could have a gorgeous set of decorative glasses, like these beauties from Bormioli Rocco, instead? Featuring six tumbler glasses embossed with intricate Victorian-style engravings, this set will undoubtedly make an eye-catching and sophisticated addition to your drinkware collection. Each 11.5-ounce tumbler is made from soda-lime glass and is meant to be used for cold drinks like water, iced tea, lemonade, and more. The gorgeous pattern on each glass will make them stand out from the rest of your tabletop items, but their clear design will keep them from stealing the show too much. Additionally, these glasses are dishwasher-safe, although you can always wash them by hand to avoid the risk of any potential breaking or chipping on the designs. Just be warned that because of the engravings, these glasses might not be the most comfortable to hold. Still, they’re gorgeous to look at thanks to their unique design. Price at time of publish: $26 Product Details:
Material: Soda-lime glassSize: 11.5 ouncesQuantity: 6
Who it isn’t for: People who want drinkware that comes in multiple sizes and shapes. Another surefire way to have your drinking glasses stand out is to pick up a set in bright, beautiful colors. Our Place’s Night + Day Glasses come in a whopping 10 colors all inspired by earth tones, such as Rosa (berry pink), Azul (electric blue), and Dawn (sage green). There are even two mixed-color options in warm and cool hues. Available in sets of four and eight, these colorful 12-ounce drinking glasses are the ideal size for coffees, cocktails, and desserts. They’re made from recycled glass and are designed to be durable and stackable, and they’re also dishwasher-safe. They’re not as tall or wide as some other glasses on our list, and they only come in one size—but we think the vibrant color options make them a great find. Price at time of publish: From $50 Product Details:
Material: Recycled glassSize: 12 ouncesQuantity: 4 and 8
Who it isn’t for: People who want a drinkware set that comes with many glasses. These modern drinking glasses from Blomus have a rounded silhouette and a circular base that make for a unique design. The 14-ounce size can hold a moderate amount of liquid like water or juice. They’re made from hand-blown glass (but still dishwasher-safe) and come in two versatile yet elegant hues: coffee and smoke. Unfortunately, these drinking glasses are a bit pricey, especially considering the set only comes with two. But based on the high-quality material and attractive modern design, this set of drinking glasses still stands out from others on our list. Price at time of publish: $36 Product Details:
Material: GlassSize: 14 ouncesQuantity: 2
Who it isn’t for: People who want glasses that won’t discolor or scratch easily. Want a set of drinking glasses that you’ll never have to worry about shattering or chipping? These glasses from US Acrylic are made from thick, durable plastic that can handle drops and falls without breaking. The set comes with eight pieces—four 12-ounce glasses and four 16-ounce glasses—and all of them have a simple, no-frills design with a smooth top edge and thick base. Even though they’re made from plastic, they have a sleek glass-like look. Because of their shatterproof material, you can use these drinking glasses indoors or outdoors without worry, making them especially great for backyard barbecues, cocktail parties, and even camping trips. They’re dishwasher-safe, too. One thing to keep in mind is that these plastic glasses can get discolored and scratched fairly easily, so you might be better off hand-washing them if you want them to look new for as long as possible. But we think that’s a small price to pay for inexpensive drinking glasses that won’t break. Price at time of publish: $26 Product Details:
Material: PlasticSize: 12 and 16 ouncesQuantity: 8
How to Shop for Drinking Glasses Like a Pro
Versatility
This is an important factor to consider when shopping for drinking glasses, as some sets are much more versatile than others. If you’re looking for everyday glasses you can use for water, cocktails, juice, and more, opt for a larger set that’s dishwasher-safe (so you can clean and reuse them quickly), but if you plan on only using them for a certain beverage or occasion, you can afford to be more selective in your search.
Material
Most drinking glasses are made from glass, and the thickness of the glass can affect the type of care that’s needed to keep them clean and long-lasting. Thinner glass (like soda-lime glass) may be nicer to hold and drink from but more likely to shatter, while thicker glass (like tempered glass) can take up more room in your cabinet but be far more durable. There are also glasses made from sleek crystal and affordable plastic, among other materials, so think about your taste and what you plan on using them for before buying.
Size
Drinking glasses come in a wide variety of sizes, with each option meant for different beverages. Pena says that smaller glasses, typically around 7.5 ounces, are ideal for cocktails and “even red wine for a casual party.” Meanwhile, 12.5-ounce glasses are great for coffee and juice, and 16-ounce glasses are best for hearty pours of water or seltzer. “I’m a big water drinker, so I keep 16-ounce glasses on the ready,” Pena says.
Quantity
You can purchase drinking glasses individually or buy them in a set, which can range in quantity. Some sets contain just two glasses, while others contain two dozen—and what works best for you depends on how many glasses you need and what price you’re willing to pay.
Questions You Might Ask
How many drinking glasses should you own?
That depends on the size of your household, as you should have at least one full place setting per person, which usually consists of three to four glasses. Having extras can be helpful in case any break or you have company, though. Ideally, you should have “at least two times the number of glasses to that of your other dishes,” says Pena, since you use them so often.
What type of glass is strongest?
Tempered glass is much stronger than soda-lime glass, and it can handle spills and small drops with relative ease. That’s not to say it can never break, but it’s extremely durable and should last for a long time. If you do opt for soda-lime glass for the sake of price or convenience, you might want to pick up some extras in case they get damaged in the dishwasher or dropped at a party.
What type of glass is the highest quality?
Crystal glass is the highest quality, due to its durable nature, heavier weight, and ability to refract light, making for a beautiful appearance. Because of this, though, it tends to be pricier than regular glass, which is typically slightly less durable but can still be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleanup, as a perk.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, The New York Times, and many other publications. She frequently covers home products and did significant research on drinking glasses for this story, including speaking to Kristen Pena, principal designer of K Interiors.
