The 5 Best Plastic Drinking Glasses of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Cocktail Kingdom Yarai Acrylic Tumbler Set

4.8

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Cocktail Kingdom's acrylic line is "quite deceiving," says Dean Hurst, beverage director at Datz Restaurant Group in Tampa. Why? They have the bright look of glass and feel great in the hand with just the right amount of weight, making them a safe and durable choice for a pool deck or active home bar. Our home tester is an old-fashioned lover, and she appreciated that this glass was not only large enough to fit a round ice cube, but was also durable enough to come with her to a sauna or pool. Whiskey lovers, take note: These stackable 10-ounce glasses are wide enough to hold a large ice ball or cube. They come in a case of 12 or 24.

Especially ideal for the glassware snob, the design takes the cut crystal patterns of Japanese Yarai mixing glasses and translates them into acrylic that withstands drops and spills. You can pop these in the dishwasher after use, but hand-washing will increase the lifespan. If you want the feel of real glass with the durability of plastic, opt for this set. While our tester has found many plastic glasses crack when you stack them, these are incredibly durable—you’re unlikely to snap one. Since it does come in larger sets, our tester suggested buying a full set to keep on hand for parties. They're sturdy enough for such situations, and they still have the appearance of a high-end cocktail glass.

Price at time of publish: $35

Material: Acrylic | Capacity: 10 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Whiskey

Host Whiskey Freeze Cooling 9-Ounce Acrylic Glass

4.4

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If you like ice-cold drinks, these glasses are crafted to keep your beverage freezer-level chilled sans the dilution of an ice cube. Simply store them in your freezer and when you’re thirsty, take them out, pour your drink of choice, and sip away. Our tester appreciated that the chilled glass prevents dilution, making this a smart alternative to large cubes. It also means you don’t need to opt for a whiskey stone, so rocks aren’t clunking around in your glass.

How do they stay cold? The double-walled construction features a proprietary cooling gel, which keeps drinks between 43 and 53 degrees. A cozy silicone band protects your hand from the cold and your drink from the warmth of your hand. While they're designed specifically for whiskey, these glasses will keep a rainbow of beverages cold, from lemonade to Moscow mules, and each one holds 9 ounces of liquid. The glass does sweat a lot, though, so if you're sipping this inside, be sure to use a coaster, or it will start slipping and sliding around.

Price at time of publish: $23 for Whiskey Grey - Set of 2

Material: Silicone | Capacity: 9 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best for Wine

Govino Shatterproof Outdoor Wine Glasses

4.3

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There’s a lot to love about these plastic wine glasses. They have the appeal of real crystal with a brilliant reflective finish. Made from lightweight, bendable material, these glasses are completely shatterproof. They look great, are environmentally friendly, and are completely serviceable for even the biggest wine nerds. 

The design is particularly clever—a contoured shape and small dent in the side of each glass lets your thumb sit comfortably, making it easier to hold, a feature our tester loved. They can be reused again and again and are completely recyclable should you decide you’re done with them one day. Other options include a Champagne flute, beer glass, cocktail glass, or whiskey glass, all of which are shatterproof. There’s even a matching decanter for serving.

Price at time of publish: $13 for Set of 4

Material: Polymer | Capacity: 12 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Clear

Le'raze Classic 16-Piece Premium Quality Acrylic Tumblers

4.8

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Looking to stock up your outdoor home bar? This set of 16 high-quality acrylic glasses will do just that. Included are a total of 16 glasses (eight 12-ounce rocks glasses and eight 16-ounce highball glasses) made with unbreakable, BPA-free acrylic. Even though they aren’t glass, the cups have an elegant look for upscale drinking.

Our tester was impressed with the clarity, as the plastic has the brilliance of high-end glass. While many plastic glasses tend to get foggy and lose their shine quickly after purchasing, these remained beautiful and crystal-clear wash after wash. You'd definitely think these were glass if you weren't holding them. Break them out for any occasion, and once you're done, you can place them in the dishwasher to use all over again. Just note that our tester noticed a bit of wear and tear (minor scratching and such) after a couple of spins through the dishwasher, so to keep these looking their best, we recommend hand-washing.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Acrylic | Capacity: 16 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack only)