Some might suggest that a drink tastes the same no matter what kind of cup you’re drinking it out of, whether it’s a crystal glass or a disposable cup. But just as the choice in framing can complement or diminish a work of art, glassware undoubtedly affects the drinking experience. If you like to bartend at home or you want something to drink water or juice out of, a beautiful glass can enhance the experience in a simple but powerful way. Of course, you don’t always want to break out your most beautiful glassware for every occasion. That’s why it’s worth having glasses made out of different materials.
If you’re making cocktails like a martini or a Manhattan, you’ll want to invest in the appropriate martini or coupe glass. The same goes for wine. But for regular cold drinks like water or soda, the best kind of glass to get is a tumbler. A tumbler is a broad catchall term for a drinking glass with a flat bottom and no handle. The main sizes are rocks glasses (also referred to as lowball glasses) and highball glasses. Intuitively, the former is a short glass and the latter is a tall one. These types of glasses are great for everyday settings because they hold enough liquid and are comfortable in the hand. While highball is a type of cocktail and “rocks” typically refers to alcoholic drinks with ice, these glasses are perfectly suited to non-alcoholic beverages, too.
We’ve included a mix of acrylic and glass drinkware and kept our suggestions to regular tumblers, rather than specialty glasses like wine or coupe glasses. Acrylic is a durable type of plastic that, when well made, can be a pretty convincing stand in for genuine glass. It’s shatter-proof, which is why it’s great for outdoor entertaining like picnics or BBQs. Glass is aesthetically pleasing, feels satisfying to hold, and is great for everyday use or special occasions. We also kept practicality in mind; some of these glasses are stackable and others have weighted bases to resist falling. Plus, many of these include a mix of sizes, making it easy to stock up on all the glassware you could need in one purchase.
1. Libbey Classic 16-Piece Tumbler and Rocks Glass Set
Libbey’s glassware is trusted in bars and restaurants, so it’ll be more than up to the task for home applications. These glasses have a large weighted bottom, reducing condensation and helping stabilize the glass. Plus, the heavy-bottomed glass adds a sophisticated look. Each order consists of eight 13-ounce glasses and eight 18-ounce glasses. It’s a good variety and value, and the smaller glasses aren’t too small for serving water or other beverages.
Pros: Affordable value from a trusted brand that has been around since 1818. Stylish glasses are well-suited to special occasions and everyday use.
Cons: Glasses could be thicker.
2. US Acrylic Classic 8-piece Premium Quality Plastic Tumblers
These glasses from US Acrylic consist of eight acrylic glasses, which have the elegant look of glass coupled with the durability of plastic. There are four 12-ounce glasses and four 16-ounce glasses, making this set a good value and variety. The tumblers have a classic un-textured look, meaning they can suit any taste. The plastic cups are BPA free, and their durability makes them great for outdoor entertaining.
Pros: Lightweight but durable. Variety set of eight.
Cons: Dishwashing can result in fogging up. Not very stackable.
3. US Acrylic 20oz Restaurant-Quality Beverage Tumblers
These plastic tumblers from US Acrylic have the classic look of and sturdy design of a cup you might get at a diner or a corner burger joint. They come in assorted colors, and the generous 20-ounce capacity means you won’t have to run back and forth for refills. Each order consists of 16 glasses. These glasses come in clear, multi-color, or coastal, which is a mix of blues and grays. The notched design on the inside of the glasses make them very easy to stack.
Pros: Classic diner look, easy to stack. 16 glasses for this price is a good value for anyone who needs a lot of drinkware.
Cons: Somewhat sharp edge around the lip of the glass.
4. Duralex Picardie Clear Tumbler, Set of 6
It’s a big risk to make glass products and name your brand Duralex — but the brand has consistently pulled it off thanks to the quality of their products. In fact, Duralex claims to have invented tempered glass, and the iconic Picardie glass is sturdy and temperature-shock resistant. These glasses have a classic textured pattern along the sides, and their curved design makes them easily stackable. This listing makes it easy to choose between different sizes between 3 ounces and 17 ounces.
Pros: Tempered glass resists breakage and temperature shock. Microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
Cons: Somewhat expensive.
5. Paksh Novelty Italian Highball Glasses
These glasses from Paksh Novelty are listed as highball glasses, and their dimensions are pretty similar to what you might expect from a Tom Collins glass, which can be thought of as a subcategory of highballs. Tom Collins glasses are typically tall and thin with straight (rather than tapered) sides. This set includes six glasses which are made in Italy. They have thick bases to help keep them upright and a minimalistic design. They’re dishwasher safe, as well.
Pros: Dishwasher-safe glasses. Manufactured in Italy. Stylish Tom Collins glasses are well suited for entertaining.
Cons: Somewhat fragile.
6. SCANDINOVIA Drinking Glasses
These drinking glasses come in a range of festive colors, including blue, yellow, green, and purple. In addition to the eye-catching colors, they have a stylish textured design. This set includes six lowball glasses which are made out of durable Tritan plastic. They’re resistant to the murkiness that can happen to plastic cups. The glasses are easily stackable and are dishwasher safe, making them as convenient as they are stylish.
Pros: Made from durable Tritan plastic which is stronger than acrylic. Comes in a range of festive colors. Has some shine, like genuine glass.
Cons: Somewhat more expensive than other plastic glassware.
7. NOVICA Classic Blown Drinking Glass
These glasses aren’t especially cheap, but they still look way more expensive than they actually are. They have bubbles and imperfections that make each glass unique — that’s because they’re hand-blown by artisans. The glasses are also certified fair-trade and made with recycled glass, reducing the environmental impact of the production. Each order consists of a set of six 14 ounce glasses. This style of glass is commonly referred to as “Mexican glass,” which is distinctive for its blue trim around the edge of the rim.
Pros: Unique glasses that are hand-blown by artisans, fair-trade certified and made using recycled glass. Thick and durable.
Cons: Expensive.
8. Home Essentials 12-pc. Set
These tumblers from Home Essentials have a dimpled design that is akin to the classic look of a glass beer stein. They’re made out of dishwasher-safe glass. The sets are a great value, especially if you don’t have any glassware. That’s because 12 glasses of varying sizes are included, making it easy to have a fully stocked bar cart or cabinet with just one order. The three sizes are 17 ounces, 13 ounces, and 7 ounces. There are four of each size.
Pros: Good value, includes three different sizes of glasses totaling 12 glasses. Dimpled design that is reminiscent of German beer steins.
Cons: Could be better packaged during shipping.
9. Libbey Polaris 16-Piece Tumbler and Rocks Glass Set, Clear
These glasses from Libbey are unadorned but are still striking due to their distinctive shape. They have a rounded bottom but straight sides, which gives them a modern and sophisticated look. Libbey’s glassware is fairly common in restaurants and bars, and it’s not hard to see why. Their glasses are affordable, durable, and good looking. This set consists of 16 pieces, including eight 16.25-ounce glasses and eight 12.25 -ounce glasses. In addition to the clear color, you can choose smoke, which has an ombre look that gets darker toward the bottom.
Pros: Good value for 16 glasses. The order includes eight highball and eight rocks glasses. Sleek and modern look.
Cons: Straight shape makes them less stackable.
10. US Acrylic Palmetto 20-ounce Clear Plastic Tumblers
These plastic cups from US Acrylic have a distinctive and striking diamond pattern across the bottom of the glass. Each tumbler have a generous 20-ounce capacity, making it easy to fill up without having to constantly get up for refills. They’re convenient, too. The tapered design makes them stackable and they’re dishwasher safe.
Pros: Stylish design. Affordable value, 16 glasses are included for a low price. BPA-free plastic.
Cons: Lightweight, not as sturdy as some of the other options.