We Tested the Best Plastic Drinking Glasses for Enjoying a Beverage Al Fresco (2023)

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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 hand with just the right amount of weight, making them a safe and durable choice for a pool deck or active home bar. Essentially, if you want the feel of real glass with the durability of plastic, opt for this set.

Especially ideal for the glassware aficionado, the design takes the cut crystal patterns of Japanese Yarai mixing glasses and translates them into acrylic that withstands drops and spills. Whiskey lovers will appreciate that these stackable 10-ounce glasses are not only large enough to fit a round ice cube, but also durable enough to bring to the sauna or pool. You can pop these in the dishwasher after use, but hand-washing will increase the lifespan.

While we have found that 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, we suggest 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. When you're done, simply stack them and keep them in your cupboard since they take up a minimal footprint.

Price at time of publish: $35

Material: Acrylic | Capacity: 10 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 6 | Dimensions: 3.5 x 3 inches

If you like ice-cold drinks, these glasses are crafted to keep your beverage freezer-level chilled sans the dilution of an ice cube. Store them in your freezer and when you’re thirsty, take them out, pour your drink of choice, and sip away. During testing, we 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 be sure to use a coaster if you're sipping this inside to keep it from slipping and sliding around.

Price at time of publish: $23

Material: Silicone | Capacity: 9 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: No | Number of Pieces: 2 | Dimensions: 4.72 x 5 inches

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, they're also completely shatterproof. They look great, are environmentally friendly, and are completely serviceable for even the biggest wine nerds.We love them for sitting on a rooftop, hanging out in the park, or hosting friends who may get a little clumsy after a few glasses of wine (read: breakage!).

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 we definitely appreciated. They can be reused again and again and are completely recyclable should you decide you’re done with them one day. Other options within the brand 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: $23

Material: Polymer | Capacity: 12 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 4 | Dimensions: 3 x 3.75 x 3 inches

Looking to stock up your outdoor bar cart? This set of 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. Each glass has a generous capacity to fit all sorts of drinks, from sangrias to Bloody Marys and beyond. And, even though they aren’t real glass, the cups have an elegant look for upscale drinking.

We were particularly impressed with the clarity of these pieces, 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. We did notice a bit of wear and tear (minor scratching and such) after a couple of spins through the dishwasher, so we recommend hand-washing to keep these looking their best.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Acrylic | Capacity: 12 and 16 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack only) | Number of Pieces: 16 | Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.25 and 6 x 2.75 inches

These lightweight, unbreakable tumblers from Tervis are designed with double-walled insulation to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. They come in a 4-pack and are available in an assortment of colors (and color combinations) to match any kitchen or style. Made in the United States, these BPA-free plastic drinking glasses are also safe to use in the dishwasher or microwave—a rare feature when it comes to insulated drinkware.

During testing, the glasses were resistant to drops and spills, making them perfect for drinking outdoors and ideal for families with children. Although the lip of the tumbler is thicker than similar cups, it was properly curved to allow the liquid to flow cleanly without making a mess. Even when the cup was loaded up with ice, the double-walled design kept our hands at room temperature and our drinks freezing cold, just the way it should be. We were also impressed by the lightweight construction, another perk for outdoor use.

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 16 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 4 | Dimensions: 6 x 3.4 x 2.6 inches

For durable, regular use, these multi-hued glasses add a little bit of color to your daily dining. The set of six glasses comes in a rainbow of colors, including pink, violet, orange, and clear, with a crystal effect that gives them an effervescent appeal. The interior has slight dabbling to ensure they won’t stick together when stacking and storing. They have a nice weight to them, too.

Break them out for poolside hangs, picnics, and camping trips. Since these glasses won’t break or chip when they fall, kids can use them worry-free. Seriously, you could probably throw them as far as you could, and they still wouldn't shatter. These would also be great to hand out at a party since the bold colors mean no one will mix up their drinks.

Be cautious when cleaning, though. While they are great for every occasion, they will crack in the heat of a dishwasher, so they should be hand-washed carefully. Beyond that, the brand declares these virtually unbreakable, so if you’re prone to breaking glasses, they're a solid solution. Each one holds 12 ounces and stands about 4.5 inches high.

One thing to note is that these glasses have a textured pattern on the inside but not on the outside. If the pattern was on the outside, you might be able to better grip the product. That said, these are fairly standard plastic glasses. The lip is quite thick, but if you're not swirling whiskey, it doesn't make a huge difference.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 14 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: No | Number of Pieces: 6 | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 4.5 inches

Final Verdict

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