It’s universally accepted that drinking any beverage, be it water or a spicy marg, tastes exponentially better when it’s out of a chic glass. We don’t make the rules here! And let’s face it, the run-of-the-mill water glasses out there tend to leave a little something to be desired. So naturally, we took it upon ourselves to source a selection of alternatives that bring a fresh dose of color, shape, and personality to the table. Pun fully intended.
Now, buying a stylish drinking glass that you can easily swap into your current stockpile shouldn’t have to entail a big-budget revamp. If you’re the type who happens to break them all too easily, maybe consider starting out with just a few, in lieu of splurging on a whole set. Either way, we set out to uncover the coolest options on the market right now, and (spoiler alert) you definitely won’t want to miss out on what we found.
Here, the best unique drinking glasses you can buy now.
Best Overall
Kinn Home Set of 6 Jade Glasses
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Courtesy of Kinn Home
Material: Soda textured jade glass | Size: 3.75 or 4 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe on low temperature cycle
Looking to add some vintage charm to your space without the hassle of actually finding vintage glassware? Check out this set of green-tinted glasses from Kinn Home. Sold as a set of six, these glasses are lightly textured and look like something you'd find in a thrift store, but you can get them brand new. They're available in two sizes (8 and 12 ounces), and are even dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance. Whether you're sipping on lemonade or a gin & tonic, these glasses will be the first you reach for.
Best Budget
Bormioli Rocco Italian Crinkle Glasses
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Material: Tempered glass | Size: 4.25 or 6 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe
If you’re in the market for a set of drinking glasses with an edgy touch that's simple enough to use every day, Food52 has you covered. These Bormioli Rocco crinkle drinking glasses combine the best of both worlds with their sculptural forms that give "design-forward" a whole new meaning. Made in Italy and crafted of tempered glass, they look amazing as is but even better when filled with a colorful beverage. Choose between three varied sizes—each set comes with six beautifully crinkled glasses.
Best Splurge
Lateral Objects Gradient Glass
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Material: Hand-blown glass | Size: 4.625 inches | Care: Hand wash recommended
Not afraid of embracing a saturated element when it comes to your tabletop situation? These unapologetically bold and vividly colorful gradient glasses spotted on Coming Soon are definitely poised to make a statement. Hand-blown and individually tinted in a high-contrast finish, the drinking glasses are made in Poland and come in four striking colorways. Given the unique nature and meticulous design of the glasses, it’s recommended to hand wash them to preserve their integrity.
Best Tall
St. Frank Iridescent Smoke Drinking Glass
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St. Frank
Material: Hand-blown glass | Size: 5.5 inches | Care: Hand wash only
St. Frank’s dedication to working with and empowering artisans around the world means you can rest assured that you will be finding a truly unique and special piece. These iridescent smoke drinking glasses are a prime example. The handblown pieces were crafted in a remote town in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, so no two will be perfectly alike—though each still boasts the perfectly imperfect finish as seen here.
Best Small
HAY Tint Tumblers
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Material: Borosilicate glass | Size: 3.5 inches | Care: Hand wash only
Swap these tinted tumblers into your everyday rotation for a well-deserved change from the ordinary. HAY never fails to deliver on the style front, and these Scandinavian-inspired tumblers are no exception. Choose between a soft blush or a vivid green tint and let the pieces bring a fresh touch of spring to your space. Made of borosilicate glass, this set is as sturdy as can be and yet entirely minimalist and chic. Available in a set of two, the smallish tumblers are prime for indulging in ice-cold margaritas.
Best Colorful
Anthropologie Flor Glasses, Set of 4
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Courtesy of Anthropologie
Material: Recycled hand-blown glass | Size: 6 inches | Care: Hand wash only
Infuse your table with a bold splash of color and pattern courtesy of Anthropologie’s Flor Glasses. Currently available in two varied colorways, the vibrant tones of each set can double as an artful accent. Bear in mind that the crafted nature of the pieces means that they will likely feature subtle variations, lending a true one-of-a-kind feel. Mix and match a medley of these and allow them to elevate your tablescape with a burst of personality.
Best Colorblock
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Colorblock Tumblers
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Material: Hand-blown glass | Size: 4 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe, but hand wash recommended
A cool colorblock rarely goes out of style, and these two-tone tumblers from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are proof. Available in a set of four, the hand-blown smoky green glass tumblers are handmade and are a part of a broader collection, which includes highball glasses as well as a matching pitcher. Entertainers, take note. Bold yet refined, the pieces are small enough to fit comfortably in one’s hand yet roomy enough to hold just the right amount of whatever it is you will be imbibing.
Best Sculptural
Ichendorf Milano Tall Cup with Smoke Base
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Courtesy of Misette
Material: Borosilicate glass | Size: 3.14 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe at low temperature, but hand wash recommended
If it's "unique" you're looking for, you can't do much better than Ichendorf Milano's Tall Cup. Featuring a narrower tinted base that gives the overall piece a sculptural vibe, this glass is guaranteed to make a statement. It's made in Italy of borosilicate glass that has been handblown and lampworked, so you know you're getting something truly exquisite and of the highest quality. It's on the expensive side and sold individually, so you can mix and match with your current drinkware if you don't want to spend too much.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Kinn Home Set of 6 Jade Glasses (view at Kinn Home), which are tinted green for a vintage look and are dishwasher-safe. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, we recommend the Bormioli Rocco Italian Crinkle Glasses (view at Food52), which are durable, sculptural in appearance, dishwasher-safe, and surprisingly affordable.
What to Look for in a Drinking Glass
Material
Most drinking glasses are made of, well, glass—although the type of glass differs. Borosilicate glass is highly durable, making it one of the best materials for drinking glasses. Soda lime glass is less durable, although it's usually much less expensive, making it a still popular option for drinkware. Tempered glass is the most durable option, and glassware made using it is typically highly resistant to breaking and chipping. It's thicker than other types of glass though, so it's not quite as stylish as other options.
Size
When it comes to drinking glasses, you can find options ranging from small (four inches) to tall (16 inches). Standard drinking glasses usually fall somewhere between 12-14 inches, but it's really up to your personal preference. If you want a drinking glass that's versatile enough to use every day, whether for water or cocktails, go for something larger. If you typically drink out of a water bottle during the day and just want decorative glasses you can pull out for dinner parties, something small will do.
Care
Depending on the materials used and any decorative features added, some drinking glasses will be hand-wash only. If you don't have a dishwasher or plan to only use your favorite glasses when you have guests over, that shouldn't be a problem. If you want more of an everyday glass that you can place in the dishwasher regularly, just double check that you pick one that's strong enough to handle it.
Why Trust MyDomaine?
Anna Kocharian is a freelance design and lifestyle writer. As an enthusiast of colorful glassware, she’s amassed quite an extensive collection of artful pieces, which she is more than eager to show off when hosting. To write this article, she considered style, material, and shape of each drinking glass, looking for out-of-the-box options that still remained functional.