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25 of the Very Best Drinking Spectacles

Photo: Courtesy of the retailer

When information technology comes to glassware, the sexier vessels — a coupe, a flute, a wineglass — seem to get all the celebrity. Just a simple h2o glass (which can be just as appropriate for juice, vino, iced java, or, aye, a G&T) gets used more than any of those options — and is but equally worthy of praise. Whether you're in the market for a basic, stackable matching set or for something bolder to spruce up your dinner table, the choices are many. To aid you in your search, nosotros asked 21 of our favorite restaurant, beverage, and interior-design experts how they take their H2O. I've also included a few affordable favorites of my own as the Strategist's unofficial home-bartending expert (if you want to know near the best barware to pair with your new drinking glasses or the bar cart to place them on, I've also got you covered).

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

Material: Drinking glasses come up in a variety of materials that will determine both the look and the durability of the vessels, also as whether they are dishwasher or freezer safe. Our experts concord 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 all-time bet.

Book: The amount of ounces each glass tin can hold will touch more than than simply how apace it takes you to achieve your daily hydration goal. Aside from aesthetics, the size and book of the glass will influence what types of drinks you can make. If you plan to utilize your drinking spectacles for highball cocktails, y'all'll probably want to stick to tall glasses that are 12 ounces and in a higher place, whereas short spectacles under eight ounces will be best if you're partial to a drinking glass of cherry-red wine or a keen whiskey at dinner.

Fix number: Most of the glasses down below are sold in sets. Your entertaining needs, budget, and the amount of space you have will all make up one's mind how many glasses you should purchase. A set of two is great for just yous and your roommate, whereas sets in larger increments are great if you'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 2, since you probably won't need all 72).

Duralex Picardie Glass Tumblers, Set of 18

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

Duralex'south Picardie glasses are a favorite among our panelists. It's piece of cake to see why: They are available in assorted sizes, so you'll ever take the right one at hand if someone wants water, juice, or a stiffer drink. More important, every bit Tracie Battle, a senior designer at online interior-pattern service Havenly, says, their "classic look will never go out of style." She explains that they are made of thicker tempered glass, which "offers more than durability and a more expensive await." Hudson Wilder founder Conway Liao and writer (and former Lucky Peach executive editor) Rachel Khong also swear by these glasses, with Khong saying that her ready is "still going stiff after many many years." This 18-piece set includes three sizes and six glasses in each size.

Bormioli Rocco Dailyware Bodega Glasses (Set of 16)

Tempered glass | From xi.6 oz | Set of xvi

This set of Dailyware Bodega glasses from Bormiolo Rocco — which includes eight shorter double old-fashioned glasses and eight taller highball glasses — is interior designer Katrina Hernandez's selection. She uses the glasses in both her business firm in the country and her Brooklyn apartment. "They're perfect for h2o or a cocktail. It's a prepare of two sizes, but both are relatively shorter and more modern," she says. Hernandez adds that they're thin, but not "scary thin where yous experience they could break in your manus at whatsoever 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 restaurant Lot 15, because it'south "versatile and low maintenance but still chichi." She says that it'south "great for all kinds of home drinking and serving" and can even exist used for displaying flowers. "They have a not bad smooth lip to drink from and the price is just right," she adds.

Libbey Polaris 16-Piece Assorted Glassware

Drinking glass | From 16 1/iv oz | Set of xvi

Battle likewise recommends Libbey's Polaris glasses for their "super-unique shape," which has a rounded, weighted base of operations that feels hefty while notwithstanding beingness sleek. This set comes with eight drinking glasses and 8 smaller rocks glasses, offering the best "bang for your buck, at just over $two per drinking glass," she says. They're BPA-costless and dishwasher-safe, besides.

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

Thin glass | 13 oz | Fix of 6

If chiffonier space is limited, shorter glasses may be the manner to go. Both Liao and Amanda Spina, the general manager of Williamsburg'southward Four Horsemen eatery and Nightmoves bar, swear by these shorter, stackable spectacles by Japanese company Toyo-Sasaki. "I e'er want precious, frail, thin Japanese glassware at the eating house, but it's got to be stiff enough to fall onto a rubber mat and not break," says Spina. "And it must exist stackable." These glasses, which are each about four-inches high, tick all those boxes. "They're a little more than unique and contemporary than the ubiquitous Duralex," she adds, "but just as 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 industry standard for style and wearability in the design globe." The petite Esquire side water drinking glass is one of her all-time favorites, and she says that they're great for the home but likewise in a restaurant setting. The thin glass, slightly curved shape, and weighted base get in a little more than interesting than your standard, directly-sided water drinking glass. Intended for the service industry, these glasses come in a instance of 72, which is more than than an average household will always need. But if these entreatment to y'all, consider splitting a case with a family member or friend (or several family members or friends). The toll-per-glass comes out to simply a tad over a dollar, which honestly can't be beat.

EQ3 Vesper Tumbler

Thin glass | 11.6 oz | 1 Count

If you dearest the delicate expect but are on a tighter budget, I swear by these spectacles from Canadian homewares brand EQ3 (I was gifted a set of iii and plan on buying a few more to round it out to an even vi). The glass is whisper sparse and has then far withstood both my dishwasher and my clumsy easily.

CB2 Marta Double Old Fashioned Glasses (Set of 8)

Thin glass | xi oz | Set of 8

The CB2 Marta glass has a similar feel as the smaller Bodega spectacles above, and comes recommended past Athena Calderone, the founder of lifestyle web log Center Swoon. She likes that they have "clean, straight lines" and are "made of ultra-sparse glass." She also says that "the toll is deceiving — they look and feel far more expensive than they really are," adding that they're "definitely a crazy-good bang for your buck." Not to mention:"They look every bit skilful sitting around on the tabular array equally they do on open shelving, which is helpful because that'south what I have at dwelling house," Calderone says. Interior and event designer Ken Fulk is also a fan.

Our Place Drinking Glasses (Set of 4)

Glass | 12 oz | Set of 4

If cabinet space is express, shorter glasses may be the way to become. I honey this handsome prepare from Our Place that was kindly gifted to me terminal year — and featured in this year's print gift guide — considering non only are they brusque, they're likewise stackable. Bachelor in sets of iv and eight, these heavy-bottomed beauties feel wonderfully hefty in your hand, look more expensive than they are, and are dandy for drinking everything from water to old-fashioneds to vino. In addition to the articulate version shown, they come in 5 other colors (bonus: If you tin can't decide, there are also multicolored sets).

Duralex Unie Tumbler 7 oz (Set of 6)

Tempered glass | 7 oz | Set of vi

Mulligan'southward become-to "for something make clean and classic" are these tumblers from Duralex. She likes that these spectacles are stackable, but more importantly, that "they've withstood the test of time in my domicile, which is no like shooting fish in a barrel feat." Made in France of tempered drinking glass, they're also dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safety.

Libbey Endeavor Rocks Glasses (Pack of 12)

Glass | ix oz | Set of 12

Instead of a drinking glass with straight sides, peradventure you'd prefer ane that has a tapered V-shape. Paul Malvone, a co-founder of Boston Burger Company, says the style is better for stacking. "At the eating place, nosotros adopt a ix-ounce erstwhile fashioned Endeavor rocks glass," he says. "They're a little ameliorate-looking than a traditional drinking glass, and are versatile enough for water or a soft drinkable, or fifty-fifty a hard beverage."

Riedel O Water Glasses (Set of 2)

Glass | eight oz | Fix of 2

Shelley Kleyn Armistead, a partner at Gjelina Group who is in charge of the interior design and tableware at all of its restaurants, is a fan of these simple Riedel h2o glasses. "I love the silhouette," she says. "At the restaurants, we actually use them for wine because in that location's something about them that feels friendly and approachable, a contrast to how wine is so ofttimes served." Of course, they too work beautifully for water. Not too big and not too small, "they feel like glasses that should exist used for daily enjoyment," as Armistead puts it.

Spiegelau Classic Bar Longdrink Glass (Set of 12)

Drinking glass | 12 i/iv oz | Set of 12

"At home, I employ 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 dainty enough for serving drinks like a Tom Collins, gin fizz, or even a mojito, Rancone likes these because "they're multipurpose enough to use for just plain water, too. I like that it can exercise double or triple duty."

Libbey Impressions Tumbler Glasses (Set of 4)

Drinking glass | sixteen 3/4 oz | Set of 4

Libbey'due south highball Impressions spectacles concord more fluid than the make's shorter Esquire glasses in the section above, but they have a similar curved await and come up in a more reasonable quantity (a set of four as opposed to a case of 72). They're recommended by Decorist interior designer Katy Byrne, who says they're her pinnacle choice for an everyday water drinking glass. "It'due south the perfect weight with an elegant item that non only looks prissy but provides the perfect grip spot," she tells us.

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

Glass | 16 i/4 oz | Set of iv

These highballs from Luigi Bormioli come recommended by Battle: "This set is minimal in mode and works well for several different drinks, whether a simple drinking glass of water or a mint mojito," she says. Boxing adds that they're also a great selection if yous have kids: "They are a more durable selection without having to sacrifice the look of glass."

Happy Hour Acrylic Highball Glasses (Set of 4)

Acrylic | 12 oz | Set of 4

If y'all're looking for something fifty-fifty more durable, Battle says "this is an nearly identical alternate to the Luigi Bormiolo Classico glass, but is made of an acrylic that is BPA, Phthalate, atomic number 82 and latex free." They're another great option "if you want the wait of glass just don't want to run the risk of them shattering," she adds. They're as well available in a smaller "double former fashioned" mode and in a turquoise, which she thinks is "bully for summer."

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

Drinking glass | 9 oz | Gear up of 36

This stackable highball drinking glass is a favorite of Employees Only co-possessor Igor Hadzismajlovic for its convenience. "We use 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 really the same glass nosotros use at Employees Simply, too. They're thick plenty to eliminate breakage, which is especially important for a drinking glass that is virtually frequently used."

Recycled Highball Glasses (Set of 4)

Recycled glass | sixteen oz | Set of 4

Sustainable-living skillful Danny Seo, the editor-in-chief of Naturally, Danny Seo magazine, loves these spectacles that are fabricated from 100-pct mail-consumer recycled glass — or "the stuff you toss out in your recycling bin," as he puts it. Seo adds that "the organic texture and shape lends well to pairing them with make clean mod dinnerware." And nosotros recollect the slightly bulbous silhouette is a little more interesting than that of your standard highballs.

Ikea Kallna Glass (Set of 6)

Tempered glass | ten oz | Set of 6

Don't sleep on Ikea'due south kitchen section, peculiarly when it comes to tableware. Food stylist Judy Kim recommends these ridged glasses, another variation on a simple texture. "They're so durable," she says. (Strategist writer Emma Wartzman can adjure to this, as she owns a couple of sets and has dropped them with absolutely no breakage on more than occasions than she tin count.) You can purchase them in clear, but "I also love the dark-green-blue color," Kim says. "They reflect actually pretty light all around, especially if you're outside in the sun."

Honey Tall Tumblers (Set of 4)

Glass | 14 oz | Fix of 4

For glasses with a scrap more than texture, Boxing recommends these from Williams Sonoma, which feature a design 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 mutual. "Pull these out of the freezer in the middle of summertime to immediately chill a drinking glass of lemonade," she says.

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

Sparse glass | 11 oz | Gear up of 8

Kim also likes these slightly higher-end spectacles from CB2, which have a similar design to the Ikea set. "The primary departure is that they're superthin," she says, "which means you take to exist careful when stacking and washing them (though they can go in the dishwasher). But they're so lightweight to hold then satisfying to drinkable out of. It feels similar a high-quality glass at a not-crazy price."

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

Crystal | 15.two oz | Set of iv

Later years of drinking out of a collection of mismatched glasses, mayhap y'all're looking to invest in glassware strong enough for daily use but elegant plenty for special occasions. According to filmmaker Taylor Steele, the founder of Solento Organic Tequila, a set of these could be just the ticket. "This is a classy drinking glass," he says. "It's made from hand-cut crystal, creates cute shadows, and is perfect whether you're sipping water or something a lilliputian stronger."

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

Glass | 7 oz | Set of ii

Susan Buckley, the vice president of nutrient and beverage operations at Atelier Ace, told united states of america that "this is the classic tumbler we use at Narcissa," the eatery at The Standard, East Village. 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 feel when you lot hold them in your hand, and are potent without feeling clunky." The light blue hue makes them specially memorable. "We're lucky to have an amazing tabletop stylist who spent hours sourcing these perfect spectacles."

Zafferano Perle Beverage Glass (Set of 6)

Glass | 10.eight oz | Gear up of 6

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

Merci Lucca Water Glasses

Recycled glass | 3.2 oz | i count

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

Xaquixe Apasco Oaxacan Rocks Glasses (Set of 6)

Recycled drinking glass | North/A | Set of 6

Both Polonsky and Armistead are huge fans of these handblown spectacles. "Not only does Salime, the woman who makes them, employ recycled glass," Armistead explains, "but she also powers her ovens with methyl hydride that she makes from manure from a local farm (which she then turns into fertilizer to requite back to the farm) likewise every bit one-time, burned cooking oil from local restaurants. When I say it's a sustainable glass, I really mean it." (If you're interested in reading more nearly the makers, you can do and then here.) Polonsky loves how the glasses are slightly imperfect and vary from drinking glass to glass but are all equally satisfying in weight, shape, and size.

• Tracie Boxing, a senior designer at online interior-blueprint service Havenly
• Susan Buckley, vice-president of food and beverage operations at Atelier Ace
• Katy Byrne, Decorist interior designer
• Athena Calderone, founder of lifestyle weblog Eye Swoon
• Rebecca Carey, nutrient-and-beverage director at the Viceroy Chicago hotel
• Ken Fulk, interior and event designer
• Igor Hadzismajlovic, Employees Only co-possessor
• Katrina Hernandez, interior designer
• Rachel Khong, writer and quondam Lucky Peach executive editor
• Judy Kim, food stylist
• Shelley Kleyn Armistead, partner at Gjelina Grouping
• 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 grouping Twist Davis Grouping
• Danny Seo, editor-in-master of Naturally, Danny Seo magazine and sustainable-living adept
• Amanda Spina, the full 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