The 8 Best Drinking Glasses of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Libbey Polaris 16-Piece Tumbler Glasses Set

4.8

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart

Libbey’s all-purpose tumbler set checks off a lot of boxes: There are enough glasses to serve 16 people total, the glasses feel durable in your hand, and the curving design makes them feel far more elevated than the price tag suggests. 

This 16-piece set includes eight 17.75-ounce tumbler glasses and eight 15-ounce rocks glasses. Both sizes have a classic design, so they won't feel dated in a few years. The slightly rounded bottom gives the glass a lightweight look, though it's weighted, so it provides stability. This lead-free set is American-made, affordable, dishwasher-safe, and fits into any setting.

I was a fan of the generous capacity during testing—the highball can hold an extra-strong gin and tonic or water with plenty of ice to keep you cool on a hot day, and the rocks glass is ideal for a generously portioned Negroni.

Libbey remains one of the best drinking glass options on the market for any occasion, and Jonathan Stanyard, who runs the bar at Seattle’s Feast, agrees. "Libbey has a huge variety of not only styles, but also levels of quality," Stanyard says. "I find most of the glasses are well-constructed and hold up in a busy environment."

Price at time of publish: $39 for 16-piece set

Material: Glass | Number of Pieces: 16 | Dimensions: 3 x 6.34 inches (tumbler), 3.3 x 4.23 inches (rocks glass) | Capacity: 17.75 ounces (tumbler) 15 ounces (rocks glass) | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Red Co. Vibrant Splash Highball Glasses

4.8

View On Amazon

Red Co.’s vibrant 13.25-ounce glasses all feature a different color on the bottom, which is great for two reasons: It adds a little fun to your glass, while not being overwhelming in design, and it's easy to tell whose glass is whose. Since the hues are infused into the bottom, it won't fade or wear out over time, either. When I added sparkling water to the glass, I liked that it made the drink shimmer ever so slightly with the color of the glass, whether red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple.

While the top of the glass feels delicate and elegant, the weighted bottom stabilizes the glass, giving it a nice feel in your hand and making it less likely to tip over when you set it down. Ripples on the bottom of the glass help manage any condensation that happens with a cold beverage on a hot day. Six glasses are included in the set, and all are dishwasher-safe. If you’re looking for consistency, Red Co. also makes a set of matching lowball glasses.

Price at time of publish: $29 for 6-piece set

Material: Glass | Number of Pieces: 6 | Dimensions: 2.75 inches x 5.75 inches | Capacity: 13.25 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Budget

Libbey Ascent 16-Piece Assorted Glassware Set

4.5

View On Amazon View On Wayfair

Libbey’s Ascent glassware set is a particularly appealing option if you’re stocking your glassware cabinet for the first time—perhaps after a move or for your very first apartment. There are 16 glasses in a set, including eight rocks glasses and eight rounded highball glasses. The rocks glasses hold 13.3 ounces and the highball glasses hold 16 ounces. Note the chunkier, angular base: It makes the glass feel stable in your hand. The large capacity on both the rocks and highball glasses means you can make generously-sized drinks. 

Both are excellent everyday drinking glasses, and for the price, it might be wise to stock up and use them as your go-to party glasses, as you'll never fear if you drop or crack one. In fact, I'd be surprised if one did actually crack because they're surprisingly durable. These low-effort, high-design glasses match any home design and are incredibly versatile. Use them for ice water or mix cocktails, mocktail recipes, and refreshing punches. All are dishwasher-safe for quick cleanup. 

Dean Hurst, beverage director at Datz Restaurant Group in Tampa, Florida, purchases Libbey’s glasses at all the restaurants and bars he oversees. “From the tough to the elegant, Libbey reliably covers options for a wide range of styles and budgets," he says. "They hold up well to constant washing and polishing in a tight bar space.” 

Price at time of publish: $34 for 16-piece set

Material: Glass | Number of Pieces: 16 | Dimensions: 3 x 5.9 inches (tumbler), 3.5 x 3.7 inches (rocks glass) | Capacity: 16 ounces (tumbler), 13.3 ounces (rocks glass) | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best for Cocktails

Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses

4.8

View On Amazon View On Bloomingdales View On Liquor.com

Riedel’s chic Nick & Nora Cocktail Glasses are bartender-approved. Anthony Escalante, bar manager and resident mixologist at Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, Arizona says, “The design is a very clean, classic style, but they're also purposely built, so you can get excellent usage from the set in any bar program without having to sacrifice quality for durability.”

While they look expensive and fragile, they're affordable and dishwasher-safe. The top of the glass is light and airy, while the base is nicely weighted. It's surprisingly resilient to drops and varying temperatures too, according to my at-home tests.

As for design standouts, I liked the whisper-thin glass upper construction and durable base for stability. Thanks to the curve of the glass, the drink flows straight to the middle of your palate, letting the flavors of the cocktail hit in all the right places. On the contrary, there are some noticeable seams on the stem, which aren't exactly a deal-breaker. This set comes with two 4-ounce glasses.

Price at time of publish: $40 for 2-piece set

Material: Glass | Number of Pieces: 2 | Dimensions: 3.03 x 6.02 inches | Capacity: 4 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Heavy-Duty

Bormioli Rocco Bodega Mini 7.5-Ounce Glass Tumbler - Set of 12

4.5

View On Amazon View On Food52 View On Webstaurantstore.com

These drinking glasses are ideal for anything and everything. Even though they look light and delicate, they’re made with tough tempered glass, making them resistant to thermal shock, breakage, chips, and everyday wear. This means they also lend well to stacking. During my tests, I observed that they fit neatly inside each other for easy cleanup and storage. The minimal design will match everything in your glassware and kitchenware cabinets, including the most colorful of place settings.

These glasses come 12 to a set, and each holds 7.5 ounces of everything from wine and water to coffee and desserts. When you’re done with them, pop them in the dishwasher. The tempered finish protects them from getting a cloudy finish.

The glass is thicker, which some folks may not love, but to me, it had the draw of a low-effort glass served on a patio in Italy. Use these to dole out Negronis, small portions of beer, sparkling water, or your favorite house wine when friends roll up. The low profile and durable glass ensure these vessels are versatile. The thicker glass also protects your hand from the chill of ice.

Price at time of publish: $40 for 12-piece set

Material: Glass | Number of Pieces: 12 | Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.25 inches | Capacity: 7.5 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best High-End

Fferrone Dearborn Glasses

4.3

View On 2modern.com View On Farfetch.com

Everyone needs a good set of glasses—you know, the kind you bring out for a celebration. Fferrone makes one of the best options to splurge on, combining vintage flair with contemporary detailing. The brand’s glasses are made in Chicago by former architect Felicia Ferrone, and while they’re American-made, the design pays homage to mid-century Italian design.

Each is carefully blown by hand from borosilicate glass without the use of molds, featuring fluted sides and a curved bottom that looks incredibly stylish perched on a table. Note the inside of the lip is also fluted. I found them slightly awkward to sip from, but if you’re looking for a high-style glass, it’s an easily ignored design detail. It has a pleasant weight and holds temperature well.

Your glass options with this brand include standard water glasses, stemless wine glasses, shot glasses, Collins glasses, and stemless Champagne flutes. While they are on the pricier side, they're made with near-indestructible borosilicate glass. If you happen to tip one over, chances are you’ll be safe from smashes. They're even dishwasher-, oven-, and microwave-safe, which is surprising for a glass at this price point and quality.

Price at time of publish: $138 for 2-piece set

Material: Glass | Number of Pieces: 2 | Dimensions: 2.36 x 6.69 inches (Collins glass), 2.76 inches x 3.94 inches (water glass) | Capacity: 13 ounces (Collins glass), 10 ounces (water glass) | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best for Whiskey Drinks

Lanfula Whiskey Decanter and Glasses

4.8

View On Amazon View On Walmart

“There's a particular style of whiskey glasses that I just love the feel of,” says Benjamin Pozar, who helms the bar at Fogo de Chão in Bedford, Texas. “The base is a square, which is twisted out. It has a fantastic weight and is great for sipping straight spirits.”

Made with high-quality, lead-free crystal, the six appealing glasses and matching crystal decanter have a unique curving shape. I found the glasses to be very heavy, even when empty, giving them a nice, solid feel in my hand. For the folks who want to sit in a cozy chair and sip and swirl an Old Fashioned, this weight is perfect. The lip is pretty thick, though, so it may not be ideal for a top-shelf bottle of Scotch.

If you're not one to ponder the nuances of a whiskey and prefer to sip it in a cocktail, this is certainly an excellent choice.

Price at time of publish: $54 for 7-piece set

Material: Lead-free crystal | Number of Pieces: 7 | Dimensions: N/A | Capacity: 27 ounces (decanter), 10 ounces (glass) | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes