A drink tastes so much better when it’s in the right glass. The best glassware will showcase the colors of your drink and enhance its unique flavors and aromas for the ultimate tasting experience.
There are as many types of drinking glasses as there are drinks. Beer glasses bulge at the bottom to increase nucleation and make more bubbles, while whiskey glasses taper at the top to concentrate the bouquet of your bourbon on your nose.
That’s before we even mention all the different materials. Sturdy glass will withstand regular wear and tear, while a crystal piece adds elegance to any cocktail hour. There are so many varieties of glassware, and so many glassware dealers, that it can be difficult to know where to start.
I’m a shopping writer. I’ve spent hours scouring the sites of the top glassware dealers to bring you the very best pieces. I’ve found glasses for casual and formal dining occasions, suitable for both everyday use or after-dinner drinks. They’re stylish, too, fit for display on your dining table or one of the best bar carts.
Best glassware 2024
Capacity: 15 oz
Material: Glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 1
+Versatile
+Affordable
-Only sold in singles
This glass will lend everyday elegance to your drinks cabinet. It’s suitable for both casual or formal dining. With a 15-ounce capacity, this tumbler is slightly on the larger side, but it should still fit safely inside most standard dishwashers. Straight sides and a simple design make this glass perfect for presentation; it could hold anything from ice and water to colorful cocktails to breakfast parfaits. While these glasses are only sold in singles, they’re highly affordable, and would make a great addition to your glassware collection.
Capacity: 16 oz
Material: Glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 12
+Ideal for larger gatherings
+Dishwasher-safe
-May not suit all drinkers
The Libbey Pint Glass is one of the best beer glasses you can buy. It’s slightly wider at the top than it is at the base, so it’s easy to hold, and there’s a nice smooth rim for easy sipping. Thanks to its 16-ounce capacity, this glass can accommodate generous servings of beer, water, soft drinks, or even cocktails. Each glass can be bought separately, or in sets of four or 12, which are ideal for larger gatherings. Plus, you can put them straight in the dishwasher when the party’s over.
Capacity: 23 oz
Material: Crystalline glass
Dishwasher-safe: No
Set size: 1
+As seen on Scandal
+Dramatic silhouette
-Delicate
-Only sold in singles.
This super-sized wine glass is Olivia Pope-approved: it’s the exact glass that Kerry Washington sips from in scenes from the hit show Scandal, on Hulu. The combination of an ultra-wide wide bubble bowl and an elongated slender stem creates a dramatic silhouette. The Camille Glass is picture-perfect, but it’s pretty high-maintenance, too. You’ll need to cradle the bowl as you clean the glass by hand to protect it from high temperatures.
Capacity: 5 oz
Material: Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 2
+Hand-blown and hand-engraved
+Ornately elegant
-On the smaller side
These crystal glasses are expertly crafted. Hand-blown and engraved with subtle floral designs, they’ll lend timeless elegance to your glassware collection. These glasses are just about dishwasher-safe, if you’re careful to place them on the top rack and wipe away any soapy residue. For the perfect gleam, you’re better off handwashing. With a five-ounce capacity, this glass is definitely on the smaller side. While the bowl’s size makes it unsuitable for larger servings, it’s perfect for single-shot cocktails, and it’s still one of the best martini glasses on the market.
Capacity: 9.5 oz
Material: Lead Free Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 4
+Classic design
+Suitable for most drinks
-Hand wash for best results
A classic lowball glass like this one is the cornerstone of any good drinks cabinet. Cut in the traditional English style, this double old fashioned glass will showcase the colors of your spirits. This versatile piece is perfect for serving scotch, single-shot cocktails, or soft drinks. The Spiegelau Perfect Serve Glass comes in single and double old fashioned sizes, both of which are large enough to accommodate a serious splash of spirits. Just bear in mind that, though this glass is technically dishwasher-safe, you’ll need to avoid harsh detergent and rinse each piece thoroughly for best results.
Capacity: 18 oz
Material: Tritan glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 1
+Perfect for cocktails
+Dishwasher-safe
-Only sold in singles
This tall and tapered tumbler is perfectly proportioned. With an 18-ounce capacity, this glass can accommodate a generous splash of spirits, while leaving plenty of room for ice and mixers. It’s only three inches wide at the base, so it’s easy to hold, no matter the size of your hands. This tumbler is made from Titan glass, which has been reinforced to withstand everyday wear and tear. It’s break-, chip-, and scratch-resistant, and dishwasher-safe, too. Just be aware that these glasses are only sold in singles. If you’re building your first glassware collection, and you’re looking for a set of tumblers, you might get a better deal elsewhere.
Capacity: Unspecified
Material: Glass
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 4
+Hand-blown and -decorated
+Dishwasher-safe
-Unspecified capacity
A single set of these champagne flutes would be perfect for smaller gatherings. You could give each diner their own design, ranging from classic stripes to playful polka dots. Unusually for hand-blown and -decorated glassware, these pieces are totally dishwasher-safe. If you’re a fan of these beautiful and practical flutes, you can shop the whole Pulcinella collection on OKA to add matching wine glasses and tumblers to your drinks cabinet. The only downside is that OKA doesn’t specify the capacity of their glasses, so you’ll have to spend to see.
Capacity: Various, ranging from 6 oz to 15 oz
Material: Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 4
+Sleek design
+Dishwasher-safe
-Not a matching set
The blocky, rectangular design of this glassware will cut a cool shape in your drinks cabinet. Each side is elongated to increase aeration and enhance the unique bouquet of your wine. These crystal glasses are break-, chip-, scratch-, and stain-resistant, and they’re totally dishwasher-safe. Only avoid if you’re shopping for a matching set: these glasses are designed to vary in shape and size.
Capacity: 6.5 oz
Material: Lead Free Crystal
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Set size: 1
+Perfect for whiskey tasting
+Dishwasher-safe
-Less suitable for larger drinks
If you’re a whiskey connoisseur, or you want to become one, this is the best whiskey glass to buy. The Stölzle Lausitz Glencairn Whiskey Glass is tailor-made for tasting. The short and solid base grounds your glass, promoting swirling without spilling. It bulges at the bottom to increase aeration and tapers at the top to send the aromas of your whiskey straight to your nose. It’s quick and easy to clean, too, sitting snugly inside standard and commercial dishwashers.
Best glassware FAQs
How can I tell if it’s good-quality glassware?
While you can’t always tell good-quality glassware just by looking at it, there are a few key indicators to consider.
First is thickness. You’ll want a thicker glass for everyday use, sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear, but a thinner, more delicate glass for a champagne flute. The thickness of a glass is usually listed online.
Next is clarity. A truly gleaming glass will reflect the light and look clean. The clearest glasses are often those that have been hand-washed and polished. The cut of your glass is also important, but it’s more a matter of personal preference. Single or double old fashioned glasses tend to be cut in the traditional English style, while many modern pieces are sleek and streamlined.
You should be able to get a good look at your glass from the listing image online, but you won’t be able to hear it. High-quality glass should make a ringing noise when tapped, while cheaper materials will make a dull thunk. You also won’t be able to feel the weight of your glass until you have it in your hands. As a general rule, crystal glass is heaviest, though every glass will feel slightly different.
Who makes the best glassware?
Which glassware dealer is best all depends on what sort of glass you’re looking for. For everyday elegance, the Asheboro Glass tumbler at Target ticks all the boxes. For occasion glassware, it’s worth splashing out on a really special piece. Schott Zwiesel makes modish, angular glasses, while OKA’s Pulcinella range offers timeless elegance.
Should glassware be stored upside down?
Sturdier glasses should be stored with their rims down to prevent dust collecting. More delicate pieces, such as wine glasses or champagne flutes, should be stored right side up. Thin rims aren’t designed to bear the weight of a whole glass, so storing these delicate pieces upside down could cause them to crack.
Final thoughts
Once you’ve purchased one, some, or all of the best glasses, it might be time to elevate the rest of your table. Set each place with the best plates, and lay out one of the best flatware sets.
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