What to Buy Bar & Drinks The 8 Best Drinking Glasses, Including a Few of Our Tested Favorites Our list includes versatile tumblers from Duralex, Luminarc, Material, and Bormioli. By Melissa Vogt Melissa Vogt Melissa has been writing in the food and wine industry for more than a decade. She contributes to local and national publications as a California Wine Appellation Specialist, with certification through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) at the Advanced Level 3. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 18, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Food52 Who hasn't collected a surplus of drinking glasses over time? Yet, who really finds their mismatched glassware functional, much less appealing? More practical: a set or two of drinking glasses that can accommodate water, a glass of wine, your favorite nonalcoholic drink, and more. To curate the best drinking glasses for everyday use, we asked bar and restaurant industry professionals which qualities to look for and also included a few picks we've tested over the years and still love. Considering factors like volume, material, and versatility, we selected the best drinking glasses across multiple categories. Keep reading to find the best drinking glasses for your needs, from space-saving stackable glassware to chic tumblers that will look right at home on your home bar cart. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Luminarc Stackable Glasses at Food52 Jump to Review Best Tumbler: Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Tumblers at Williams-Sonoma Jump to Review Best Stackable: West Elm Drinking Glasses at West Elm Jump to Review Best Set: Bormioli Rocco Bodega Collection Glassware at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Material Full Glass Set at Materialkitchen.com Jump to Review Best Value: Duralex Made In France Picardie Clear Tumbler at Amazon Jump to Review Best Acrylic: CB2 Old-Fashioned Glass at CB2 Jump to Review Best Colorful: Our Place Drinking Glasses at Fromourplace.com Jump to Review Best Overall Luminarc French Tightrope Stackable Glasses, 2 Sizes, Set of 6 Food52 View On Food52 With a stair-step design, Luminarc's lightweight French Tightrope Stackable Glasses are ideal for storing and holding comfortably — a characteristic that beverage professionals emphasize. Made from tempered glass, this set is super durable. While the 10.75-ounce volume may seem limiting, the smaller size can help you curb water waste. They're also available in a 6-ounce version if you're looking for something tiny. The best part about these gorgeous glasses is that they are stackable, which means you can save kitchen cabinet space by nesting them. For their durability, modern aesthetic, and lightweight, space-saving design, these Luminarc glasses easily get our pick as the best overall drinking glasses. Price at time of publish: $24 Quantity: Set of sixVolume: 10.75 ouncesMaterial: Tempered soda lime glassDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Tumbler Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Tumblers Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma These tumblers from Williams Sonoma are made of thin, lead-free glass for a super clean, minimalist aesthetic. Their thin construction also makes them incredibly lightweight. Though not stackable, their slender construction allows them to stand side by side in your cupboard without taking up too much space. They may look dainty, but they're actually quite durable. Plus, they can be popped into the dishwasher. Choose between this small 12-ounce tumbler set, a taller 18-ounce set, or a mixed set for the best of both worlds. Whether you're stashing these drinking glasses next to your favorite mixing glass during cocktail hour or next to your water filter pitcher, you'll definitely want to keep these tumblers out on display. Price at time of publish: $48 Quantity: Set of sixVolume: 12 ouncesMaterial: Lead-free glassDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Stackable West Elm Stacking Drinking Glasses, set of 4 West Elm View On West Elm The West Elm Double Old-Fashioned glasses will bring bright, fun colors to your kitchen while offering functionality. Whether you opt for blue, green, or amber glass, you can also choose between the double old-fashioned size and a taller highball glass size, and purchase them as a set of four, eight, or 16 to seriously multiply your collection. These glasses stack for convenience, and the colors pop even more when nested. Traditional soda lime glass, the material that most glass products are made of, may not be the strongest material on the market, but it should give you many years of good use. Price at time of publish: $32 for highball, set of 4 Quantity: Set of fourVolume: 10 ouncesMaterial: Soda lime glassDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Set Bormioli Rocco Bodega Collection Glassware Amazon View On Amazon View On Food52 The beauty of these Bormioli Rocco bodega glasses is their simplicity, versatility, and range of sizes to choose from. Associate director Megan Soll has owned a set from the same brand for four years and says that not one has shattered, clouded, or discolored. “Half the time we default to them as wine glasses as well — a true choose-your-own-adventure piece of drinkware," she says. "They come out sparkling clean in the dishwasher every time, and they’re versatile enough to use as old fashioned glasses for cocktails, juice at breakfast, or even parfait cups in a pinch," Soll adds. Choose between three sizes (7.5 ounces, 12.5 ounces, or 17.25 ounces), or buy the complete set in increments of 18 or 36 glasses. of making this set ideal for those who want a range of sizes at home. Stack them for simple storage. Price at time of publish: $46 Quantity: Set of sixVolume: 7, 9, 10, and 16 ouncesMaterial: Borosilicate glassDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Splurge Material The Full Glass Set Material View On Materialkitchen.com If you're in the market for a new set of drinking glasses that double as chic cocktail vessels, look no further than this sleek set. In our Material glassware review, we were blown away by their style and function. Each set comes with four stackable glasses and is available in three cool colors: clear, “Malachite” green, and a gray called “Haze.” "After testing these for months, I like these glasses for just about anything, from my daily water with lemon to an after-dinner glass of wine," says senior editor Dana Fouchia. "They’re whimsical and interesting to look at, and they add a touch of elegance that my other drinking glasses simply do not." Price at time of publish: $65 Quantity: Set of fourVolume: 12 ouncesMaterial: Borosilicate glassDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Value Duralex Made In France Picardie Clear Tumbler Amazon View On Amazon View On Webstaurantstore.com You've likely come across Duralex Picardie glasses many times before. The brand's petite 3.25-ounce glasses are popular in many of New York's bars and restaurants. We prefer the brand's 12.62-ounce Picardie glasses for use at home. With their thick walls and heavy-bottom base, Duralex's Picardie glasses are as sturdy as glasses come. The tempered glass resists chipping and even thermal shock. The 12.62-ounce size makes them ideal for spritzes or soda water. You can fit a whole set of six stackable glasses on one shelf, which is why bars and restaurants often use them. Plus, their crystal-clear design will not stain. This is a win-win in terms of value, so we recommend picking up a set or two to add to your dining room table spread ahead of holiday hosting. Price at time of publish: $40 Quantity: Set of sixVolume: 12.62 ouncesMaterial: Tempered GlassDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Acrylic CB2 Acrylic Double Old-Fashioned Glass CB2 View On CB2 Take one glance at this double rocks glass, and you won't know it's made of acrylic until you pick it up. Yet, knowing the material won't shatter provides ease that glass doesn't; you can look forward to no more broken glasses on your new patio furniture. Use these stylish, sturdy glasses outdoors or indoors. The tapered design allows for stacking, too, so you can stock up for entertaining. Though stout, these glasses hold 16 ounces. Price at time of publish: $4 Quantity: Sold individuallyVolume: 16 ouncesMaterial: Clear acrylicDishwasher Safe: Yes Best Colorful Our Place Drinking Glasses View On Fromourplace.com A versatile pick for serving everything from iced coffee to cocktails, these stackable glasses from Our Place do double duty as everyday drinking glasses and stackable wine glasses. Choose from a variety of neutral warm and cool colorways, or go for this set of four that includes a mix of Dusk, Clear, Rosa, and Sunset. "As their name implies, these versatile drinking glasses seamlessly go from day to night in my household," says commerce editor Danielle St. Pierre, who owns three sets of these glasses (and says she still wants more!). "The sets stack neatly in my cabinet, and these glasses also make whatever I'm drinking look chic, whether it's sparkling water or an evening spritz. At 12 ounces, they're the perfect size for any beverage." Price at time of publish: $50 Quantity: Set of four; set of eightVolume: 12 ouncesMaterial: Recycled glassDishwasher Safe: Yes Factors to Consider Quantity Building a good glassware collection means buying a set or more. The majority are sold in a set of six. Depending on the number of people in your household and how quickly you wash glassware will determine if you need more than a set or two. Those entertaining often will want to snag a few sets to make sure you have amble glassware for guests. Volume This is a personal preference. For those primarily looking for great water glasses, and who drink a lot of water in one sitting, you'll want to go with a larger volume of 16 ounces. Most glasses do not hold more than this volume size. But for those who like a smaller glass, 10 to 12 ounces is a solid range for all-purpose use, whether holding a cup of cold brew with cream, a craft cocktail with ice, and enough water to get you through a meal. Material Higher-end drinking glasses consist of crystal while more affordable sets are typically made with soda-lime glass or the stronger borosilicate. Consider whether you want a microwave- and freezer-safe glass when looking at glassware, as some materials (like tempered glass) fare better than others. For those with a habit of breaking glassware, or who have toddlers around, consider acrylic. Versatility Are you looking for glassware for just water? Do you want it to also double for cocktails? How about coffee and wine? Consider your beverage needs and your cupboard space. If you need a versatile glassware collection that you can use for a number of drinks, we recommend investing in one of the all-purpose styles that accommodate different beverages. Frequently Asked Questions Are drinking glasses recyclable? Not all glassware can be recycled. As there isn't just one kind of glass, you may need to contact the manufacturer to ask which type of glassware you have and whether it contains additives (like a coating or inclusions that make them temperature-resistant) that may prevent it from being recyclable. Once you have this information, you can check with your local recycling plant to see if they will accept it. Consider repurposing or donating glasses that you can't recycle. What is the best way to clean drinking glasses? Most drinking glasses are dishwasher safe. Some manufacturers recommend hand-washing to keep the glass shiny and clear and to promote longer life. Are drinking glasses tempered? Not all drinking glasses are tempered. In this list, three are made of tempered glass. If stronger durability and thermal-shock resistance are a major consideration, go with tempered glass. Crystal is a bit more delicate and is not recommended for use in the microwave or freezer. Our Expertise Years of tasting and writing about food, wine, and spirits guide Melissa Vogt's research. As a tourist, Vogt seeks out local bars, and she's well acquainted with where to find good libations in her hometown of Santa Rosa, Calif. Read more of her writing on her website and in Napa Valley Life, Very Napa Valley, and Wine Country This Month. These drinking glasses were selected through Melissa's research and conversations with restaurateurs and experts in the drinks business. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit