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Our top picks are stylish, sturdy, and strong, despite looking delicate. thermos flask food jar
For most of us, a well-brewed cup of coffee or an espresso drink is an ideal, if not necessary, way to start the day. Whether you’re a fan of pour-overs or you delight in a drip machine that lets you program it in advance, little makes many people happier than a hot cuppa. Of course, what you drink your coffee or other hot beverages out of matters too, just as much as how you store it and grind it does. While a ceramic mug is a comfort, a glass coffee mug can bring an elevated feel to your sipping.
As a fan of double-walled glass mugs, I never tire of seeing the layers of coffee and crema develop out of my machine and into the cup. Glass coffee mugs give you the lovely ability to watch the magic happen, as well as to see what you’re drinking more easily as you do so. Everything from hot cider sprinkled with cinnamon to cocoa with whipped cream looks more festive in them. To help you find the best glass mug for your morning brew, we’ve rounded up our favorite picks, all of which we’ve tested ourselves. From the finest lidded choice to the best with a hint of color, we’ve got all the info you need to choose your next coffee vessel.
With excellent ability to hold heat, these mugs are comfortable to hold and can accommodate a variety of hand sizes.
Fingerprints and scratches can occur easily.
Easy to clean and well-designed, we loved the retention of heat and cold in this set of two double-walled Zwilling mugs. Because they’re on the taller and leaner side, they’re the perfect choice for everything from layered espresso drinks to hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. We thought the simple, clean lines of the glass would suit any minimalist or modern aesthetic, and the large handle is sufficient enough in size to accommodate bigger hands, while still being feasible for smaller ones.
We loved that these glass mugs didn’t retain any odors or flavors from our drinks like ceramic mugs can, and even when filled with a hot beverage, the outer layer was only slightly warm to the touch. That makes them particularly safe for those who love extra-hot drinks. While we did find that they scratched somewhat easily and fingerprints showed up more vividly than we’d care for, those attributes were minimal compared to how well they worked and how good they looked as they did.
Capacity: 12 ounces | Double-walled: Yes | Borosilicate Glass: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Thick and sturdy, they’re perfect for those making the switch from ceramic.
The handle has a noticeable seam down the middle.
If you’re on the fence about shifting from ceramic mugs to glass, consider this highly affordable set of Libbey mugs your gateway. As strong in value as they are in construction, we loved the simple design and slightly bigger-than-average capacity. Short and squat in shape, they appear remarkably similar to your average ceramic coffee mug. If you love curling up with an oversized drink that you want to stay hot for longer, and you don’t want to overspend on it, this is a go-to set. And since it comes with 12 mugs in total, it's perfect for large families or for gifting the extras.
In our tests, we found these to be just like ceramic; there was no need for extra caution when handling, and they’re versatile in usage. We love that they’re family-friendly and rough-and-tumble ready, able to be placed in both the microwave and the dishwasher. Despite the thick walls, they remain on the lighter side, which also makes them a breeze to handle when full. The handle itself does have a noticeable seam down the middle, but that didn’t make it uncomfortable to hold when sipping.
Capacity: 13 ounces | Double-walled: No | Borosilicate Glass: No | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Lightweight despite their thick walls, the design is unique and modern.
With a 10-ounce capacity, they’re a bit small, and they’re not technically dishwasher-safe.
These Lyssen mugs come in a set of four, and at an excellent price: They’re under $6 apiece. We love that the glass lid doubles as a coaster, which is wonderful for multipurpose usage as well as for easy storage. The addition of the lid can also help hold in heat to keep your drink hot for longer. Their design is at once modern and classic, with an interesting inlay throughout the cup that is reminiscent of tree growth rings.
While they aren’t made of borosilicate glass or dishwasher-safe, we found that they held up perfectly well when we ran them through the dishwasher (though that is not manufacturer-recommended). You should also avoid pouring boiling water directly into them to prolong their lifespan. Because they only hold ten ounces, they’re better suited for a cup of tea or a small coffee rather than a large, elaborate beverage. But since they’re easy to hold and equally easy to use, they’re perfect for both entertaining and everyday sipping.
Capacity: 10 ounces | Double-walled: No | Borosilicate Glass: No | Dishwasher-safe: No
Dainty and retro in style, these glasses are as attractive as they are useful.
They feel more fragile than your average mug, so they may require extra care when handling. This means they also run a greater risk of being damaged during shipping.
Fans of 1960s and ‘70s style will go wild for these amber mugs, which have an unusual but attractive shape and design. You can only fit a single finger in the handle, so it makes for a more dainty sipping experience, although they are better suited for people with smaller hands versus extra large ones. While we initially thought they seemed fragile, their usage proved them to be perfectly durable — outside of the one that arrived already broken. (We had no other issues with its replacement though.) The glass is heat resistant, and they’re safe for both the microwave and the dishwasher.
These mugs are easily stackable for storage thanks to the shapes of the bottoms, which easily nest together so they don’t tumble over on your cabinet shelf. And with an 11-ounce capacity, they hold a reasonable amount of liquid too. Because of their looks, we think they’re ideally suited for entertaining, as they would look lovely on a table, and their appearance is definitely worthy of display. But they’re also good for adding a bit of flair to your everyday coffee ritual.
Capacity: 11.2 ounces | Double-walled: No | Borosilicate Glass: No | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Their double-walled construction makes them a solid value, and they fit well under a portafilter.
They may be less sturdy than standard espresso cups.
Our favorite element of these double-walled glass espresso cups by De’Longhi, a trusted brand in the espresso and coffee space, is the flared lip. Not only does it add a touch of elegance to their appearance, but it also makes for easy sipping without spillage. We love the looks of these glasses overall, which feature a double wall and a taller, thinner shape than standard espresso glasses. The double wall adds insulation to keep your espresso hot while leaving the outside of the glass cool to the touch, and that feature worked just as well for these small cups as it did for the bigger coffee mugs we tested.
While most glasses you’d use to pull an espresso shot wouldn’t be pretty to drink out of, these can do double duty for both preparation and presentation, making them versatile in utility. And even though they are so light and delicate, we found them comfortable to hold and had no problems with durability. While they are stackable, however, you should exercise caution for storage.
Capacity: 2 ounces | Double-walled: Yes | Borosilicate Glass: No | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
The Zwilling Sorrento Plus Coffee Mug Set snagged the top spot as one of our favorites during testing, and they’re the best double-walled glass coffee mugs we tried overall. Their comfortable handle and excellent heat retention make them a joy to sip from, and they look great to boot. If you’re looking for a more simple and affordable option, the Libbey Robusta Glass Mugs impressed us with their versatile durability, and they’re less than $40 for a set of 12.
To properly examine these glasses, we reviewed everything from their design to their functionality, focusing on their practical utility in each of those arenas. We scrutinized their design by ascertaining each mug’s size, shape, and material, including how they felt in our hands. To determine their practical functionality, we incorporated the mugs into our normal morning routines, which included making a cup of coffee and allowing it to sit for several minutes (around 20 to 30 in total) to assess how well the mugs retained heat. We also used them for specialty coffee drinks, such as lattes, where applicable. For espresso mugs, we used them to pull various-sized shots to test their capacity, and we also drank out of them regularly to assess the comfort level when sipping.
We looked at whether or not the glass mugs imparted unwanted flavor to beverages, or if they held onto any odors or flavors between uses. Additionally, we cleaned and cared for them per manufacturer instructions — as well as running some that did not say they were dishwasher safe through the dishwasher to see how they fared — and noted how well they would, or wouldn’t, work as regular drinking glasses for someone’s daily beverages. To choose our favorites, we placed equal importance on design, size, material, and care.
Many people consider borosilicate to be the ideal choice of glass for hot and cold beverages because it is engineered to withstand changes in temperature better than standard glassware, and it does a better job than other types at stopping the leaching of chemicals into and out of the glass. However, any heat-resistant glass is an acceptable option when you’re looking for a glass mug. The downside of borosilicate is that it can be thin, and the thickness of a glass is typically the most important element of it being sturdy.
Double-walled glass tends to retain heat better than glass with a single wall, while also remaining cool to the touch. That’s because the space between the walls leaves room for air, which allows for better insulation. The liquid also remains contained on the inside of the glass, which allows the outer wall to maintain a more moderate temperature.
This is based on your personal preferences; always choose a glass that you know is a shape your hands are happy to hold. Handle size is also vital, as too small of a handle will make it difficult to hold or carry, while one that’s too big can make taking each sip feel unwieldy and cumbersome.
Despite glass being overall more breakable than ceramic, a glass coffee mug can still be durable and last a long time. Avoid putting your glass mug in the sink with silverware, handwash it if you have the time, and treat it more gently overall than you would a ceramic mug. A little extra care is all that’s required to ensure that your glass mugs last a good while.
Each has its merits. While ceramic typically holds heat better, double-walled and thick glass mugs may do better than ceramic. Ceramic is more durable than thin or delicate glass; however, glass is superior for not retaining smells or flavors from past beverages. Glass is also less prone to staining than ceramic.
A double-walled glass mug has both an inner and an outer wall with a layer of air in the middle that allows for added insulation. That means that the part of the glass you touch, on the outside, doesn’t come into contact with your drink. This serves to keep the glass cool to the touch while keeping your beverage hotter for longer.
Many glass coffee mugs are safe for both the microwave and the dishwasher. Before attempting to microwave your mug or wash it in the dishwasher, read the item’s instructions or packaging information to find out if that specific mug is safe for those uses.
Bodum Bistro Coffee Mug ($ 29 at Amazon)
We liked both the look and feel of this mug, as well as the experience of using it in general. It’s on the smaller side, at 10 ounces, and made of double-walled borosilicate glass. However, one of the glasses broke when left in the sink. While it didn’t appear delicate, we were chagrined at how easily it shattered. Even though you get two for the price, we didn’t feel that it was a strong value, as it broke so quickly.
Cantina Glass Coffee Mug ($5 at CB2)
This borosilicate glass mug did not feel nearly as sturdy as its construction would have led us to assume it would be. It was uncomfortably lightweight, and one of the glasses arrived already broken inside the package. We also found the handle too small to use comfortably, though the mug itself was small enough to fit nicely in one hand.
KeepCup Brew Cork Glass Travel Mug ($32 at Amazon)
The cork strip on the outside of this mug prevents you from burning your hand on the glass of the KeepCup, but it also impedes your ability to properly clean it thoroughly. We liked the look of the glass and the idea of it being able to function as an on-the-go cup, but not being able to remove the cork felt like a flaw. Additionally, the glass got very hot to the touch if not held through the cork.
insulated travel water bottle Ariane Resnick is a special diet private chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author. She has written for platforms such as Simply Recipes, The Spruce Eats, Allrecipes, Huffington Post, and Health. She owns a set of double-walled glass mugs that she never tires of using.