Shatterproof glasses are the kind of thing you don’t realize you need until the moment hits — you’re hosting a party, you decided you’d do the planet a solid by not using disposable plastic cups, and so you’re nervously watching as your guests drink and laugh and gesture while clutching one of your prized, real-deal wine glasses and, whelp, your set of six is now five.
Thankfully, the options for shatterproof glassware (or at least glassware that’s really hard to shatter) have gotten much sturdier, much more convenient, and much less ugly. I used fluted acrylic cups for my grandmother’s 75th birthday, and not only were they elegantly designed, I could toss all 12 into the dishwasher without worrying they’d crack. Many are stackable, too, which helps limit the amount of cabinet space they take up when not in use.
Shatterproof glassware looks and feels so good now, it’s worth using when you’re not having a party, too. If you have kids or pets, for instance, break-resistant drinkware can be a game changer. And for those who (understandably) don’t want to give up the classy look and feel of traditional glass, many shatterproof options on the market now mimic it very well — including specialty glasses for craft beer and specific wine varietals. Traditional glassware is nice, but having a set or two that you don’t have to be so precious about is even nicer.
What you decide to get depends on your needs. Are you looking to update your everyday glassware collection with more durable replacements? Do you need something for a special event? To figure out the best options, we tapped some experts who work with shatterproof drinkware as part of their jobs — the bar supervisor at an all-inclusive resort who needs to balance aesthetics with the danger of broken glass by a pool, a real estate agent who needs durable options for staging and hosts open houses. From jewel-toned coupes for cocktail hour to durable stemless wine glasses in poppy shades, these are the best shatterproof glassware options out there right now. Buy a set, and give your guests (and yourself) the gift of a night free of party fouls.
What to consider:
The material
There are a ton of new high-tech options for shatterproof glassware, but the materials each have their pros and cons. Tritan plastic is a BPA-free copolyester that looks, feels, and has about the same weight as actual glass, but is shatterproof. “Tritan plastic offers the best combination of durability, dishwasher safety, and a glass-like aesthetic,” says Waél Deek, partner and beverage director at One More Hospitality, the group behind popular restaurants like Alice, an Italian seafood spot in New York. He says it has the same clarity as glass and can produce the same “clinking” sound. Another popular material is Tritan crystal glass, formulated by Schott Zwiesel and made from titanium-based crystal instead of plastic, which mimics real glass pretty well.
For something more lightweight and budget-friendly, go for acrylic, Deek says. However, acrylic is less durable than Tritan and may not do as well in the dishwasher (even if it’s “dishwasher-safe.”) For those seeking some temperature control, stainless steel usually offers insulation to help keep drinks cool or hot.
In addition to Tritan and acrylic, Arley de Jesús Esteban Ruiz, bar supervisor at the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort, recommends tempered glass. Though it’s technically not shatterproof, it gets an honorable mention for being able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
How you’ll use it
Amanda Wiss, founder of NYC-based home staging company Urban Staging, buys a ton of shatterproof glassware to limit accidents between showings. She says it’s especially clutch for kids and great for use around pools and hot tubs — places where you don’t want to risk getting broken glass around bare feet.
But from there, the size, style, and material you want will depend on how exactly you’re planning to use the glassware, and what you’re planning to drink out of it. Do you need wine glasses for weekend patio hangs and don’t feel like taking out the expensive stuff? Tumblers for a kid’s birthday party where you’ll have a bunch of eight-year-olds running around? Insulated cups so you don’t have to sip warm wine at the beach? There are different looks and features for all these uses. Wiss adds that you should consider the cleanup part of the equation; make sure your glasses can handle heat if you want to clean them in the dishwasher. And although there are many break-resistant options that are also dishwasher-safe, Abby Martinie, brand ambassador and chief mixologist at Four Roses Bourbon, still recommends hand-washing.
One more note: Although shatterproof glassware is made from highly durable materials, it’s essential to note that no drinkware is completely break-resistant. De Jesús Esteban Ruiz says that people should always account for a potential breakage rate even with shatterproof glassware. “Having a few spares on hand can be beneficial,” he says.
Here then, are the best options on the market
