The 5 Greatest Reusable Straws of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

I began utilizing reusable consuming straws in 2015 when a pal gave me a glass straw for my birthday. I liked that straw and used it each day till a yr later, it shattered into smithereens towards my mason jar. (Enjoyable reality: Glass straws can accumulate tiny nicks that finally compromise the straw’s structural integrity.)

Since then, I’ve tried all kinds of reusable straws: versatile silicone straws, chrome steel straws, and “all-natural” bamboo straws. I’ve realized so much about what makes a great straw, however after misplacing an previous favourite, I needed to seek out the finest reusable straw. To take action, I examined 15 of them, utilizing the straws to drink plenty of chilly water, iced tea, and thick smoothies. I discovered 5 winners that received’t depart you thirsty for extra.

The Winners, at a Look

These straws are straightforward to maintain clear—steel doesn’t stain—they usually have a helpful carrying case, so you may take them wherever your iced drink adventures convey you. The silicone topper makes them simpler and comfier to sip from.

These straws had been sturdy and didn’t remind me of floppy worms! (I couldn’t say the identical for different silicone straws.) A lot of the silicone choices I examined had been too slender to accommodate a thick smoothie, however these had no downside.

Bamboo straws stain simply and aren’t as sturdy as steel or silicone. However should you like their look and texture, the ibambo straws are a great purchase. That they had a smoother end than the opposite bamboo choices I examined, and the cleansing brush was implausible. 

There isn’t a lot variance between manufacturers of glass straws. They break simply, in fact, however look good in a smoothie glass and don’t stain. This set comes with each straight and bent straws. 

The GIR straws got here with a carrying case that might match within the “tiny pocket” of my denims. The straws are skinny and supremely flexible, and the cleansing squeegee labored effectively. You may select from three colour units, they usually’re dishwasher-safe. 

The Assessments

• Chilly Water Take a look at: I crammed a consuming glass with ice water and popped in a straw. I let it sit for 3 minutes, then drank from the straw, noting if it had turn into uncomfortably chilly.
• On the Go Take a look at: To find out how effectively the straws performed with to-go lids, I took them to a espresso store and ordered an iced tea. I inserted the straw into the lid’s opening, noting whether or not it punctured the lid simply or needed to be pressured in. 
• Smoothie Take a look at: I made a thick smoothie with banana, peanut butter, and spinach. I used the straw to drink the smoothie, observing if the straw’s diameter was broad sufficient to accommodate the viscous liquid. As soon as I completed, I let the straw sit within the glass for 3 hours. I hand-washed the straw, utilizing the included brush or cleansing wand, and famous if it was straightforward to clean off the crusted-on smoothie.

What We Realized

The Most Versatile Reusable Straws Have been at Least 0.3 Inches Extensive

When you solely use straws for water and different skinny liquids, you don’t want to fret a couple of straw that’s broad sufficient to deal with thicker stuff. However smoothie drinkers will admire a straw with a 0.3-inch—or wider—opening. My successful straw, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Metal Straw and Brush Set, had a beneficiant 0.5-inch diameter. The ibambo Bamboo Reusable Straws squeaked by with a paltry 0.25-inch diameter opening, though that was simply the product’s official measurement. A few of the straws within the package deal I acquired had been wider, owing to the pure variations in bamboo.

The Greatest Straws Mixed Steel and Silicone

Steel straws ticked all of my bins: sturdy, protected to drink from, dishwasher-safe, and stain-resistant. However the steel didn’t really feel good towards my tooth, and it turned uncomfortably chilly in ice water or iced tea. The perfect straws had been made from steel with a silicone topper. The OXO straws had been an impressive instance of this design, with a snug-fitting prime that might be slid off or adjusted for a taller or shorter straw. The Zoku Reusable Straw with Journey Case had a silicone topper, but it surely was too small to be helpful. The Kleen Kanteen Stainless Metal Straw Set additionally featured silicone caps, however they had been lengthy and floppy—not straightforward to drink from! 

10 Inches Was a Handy Size

Most straws I examined had been 10 inches lengthy—perfect for medium and huge sizes of to-go cups, and highball-style glasses. As you will see in many of the footage on this evaluate, 10 inches appears silly-long in most of my consuming glasses, however general I believe it is higher to have a too-big straw. Two of my winners—the ibambo Bamboo Reusable Straws and GIR Reusable Silicone Straws—had been a petite eight inches, which may fall brief in a 16-ounce iced espresso. However they’d be a better option for teenagers or blended drinks.

Oval Silicone Straws Have been a Miss, however Angled Bottoms Have been Nice

The silicone straws I examined had both round or oval openings. The oval openings had been a intelligent thought in idea: They’re meant to slip simply into the small openings of to-go lids. However in observe, they had been disagreeable to sip from, and it was powerful to suck a smoothie by way of their small openings. The Koffie Straw particularly was depressing with a peanut butter smoothie. Cleansing them was additionally powerful—particularly in the event that they weren’t washed right away. A lot of the straws match within the to-go lids simply advantageous, so an oval form wasn’t crucial.

A few of the silicone straws had angled bottoms, which had been very useful in slurping up the previous few drops from a cup. This design wasn’t discovered on any of the bamboo, steel, or glass straws, so if sipping each ounce of smoothie out of your cup is essential to you, get a silicone straw, just like the Flathead Bent Reusable Straws.

Bamboo Straws Have been Generally Tough Across the Edges

Pure bamboo straws look interesting, they usually’re touted as a extra eco-friendly choice (most are biodegradable). However they stain simply, a reality I seen in an unofficial follow-up check with a blackberry shake. They’re additionally probably the most “naturally flavored,” they usually imparted a woody style to the water, iced tea, and smoothie. Extra concerningly, the Bambaw bamboo straws had been cracked and splintered across the edges straight out of the field. The ibambo straws had smoother edges, however there was a giant variance in width.

The entire Glass Straws Have been High quality

There isn’t a lot room for innovation in relation to glass straws: They’re all just about the identical. The glass straws I examined had been thick and had broad openings. Dried-on smoothie was straightforward to scrub off. In actual fact, I couldn’t discover any discernible variations between the Hiware and JimJim straws past the truth that the JimJims are actually unavailable. Nonetheless, I’m relentlessly powerful on glassware and fear it’d be solely a matter of time earlier than all of my glass straws shattered. The much less accident-prone amongst us can take pleasure in glass straws with out concern.

The Standards: What to Search for in a Reusable Straw

The perfect reusable straws had been comfy to drink from, sturdy, and might be cleaned simply. Taking your straw on the go? You’ll need one with a carrying case. For medium- and large-sized cups, 10 inches was a super size, however eight inches labored simply advantageous for sipping at house. If you need a steel straw, search for one with a detachable silicone topper. Silicone straws ought to have rounded openings and angled bottoms, and shouldn’t be too floppy. The perfect bamboo straws are comparatively uniform in dimension and form, with no splinters on the edges. Glass straws needs to be made from borosilicate glass, which is robust. 

Our Favourite Reusable Straws

What we favored: These steel straws are sturdy, dishwasher-safe, and really sturdy. The silicone prime slid on simply and might be adjusted for a taller straw. The topper was sturdy, and by no means flopped round. The straws include a carrying case and the cleansing brush is well-designed, with a deal with on the finish for higher leverage. (The comb additionally suits contained in the case.) After testing the entire straws, that is the one I opted to maintain for on a regular basis use.

What we didn’t like: The silicone topper was vulnerable to choosing up scents and flavors, so that you’ll need to hand-wash it and use an unscented dish detergent. They’re fairly dear for simply two straws.

Key Specs

• Materials: Chrome steel, silicone
• Fashion: Straight
• Size: 10.5 inches
• Diameter: 0.5 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe

What we favored: These silicone straws are simply the best thickness for a sturdy-yet-squishable straw. (When you prefer to chew or chew on straws, you’ll possible discover this one very palatable.) The underside of the straw is angled—a wise function for getting the previous few drops of no matter you’re consuming. It was notably useful with my smoothie. They’re 0.3 inches in diameter, which is lots broad for many shakes and smoothies. The seams that run alongside the highest and backside of the straws are skinny and discrete. The set features a drawstring carrying case.

What we didn’t like: As a result of the straws are bent, they’re more durable to scrub with the comb. The model’s brand is stamped onto the highest portion of the straw, which wasn’t a giant deal however felt a bit bizarre in my mouth (though that’s the norm with silicone straws). These price nearly $25 for 10 straws, which is greater than most individuals want.

Key Specs

• Materials: Silicone
• Size: 10 inches
• Fashion: Bent
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe (though hand-washing is right to reduce scent pickup)

What we favored: The ibambo straws had a flippantly lacquered end that resisted staining and smells. It additionally made the straws good to drink from. (The opposite bamboo straw I examined, the Bambaw, had a tough, splintered texture.) The included bristle brush was top-of-the-line I attempted, with plenty of lengthy, fluffy bristles. 

What we didn’t like: The straws different wildly when it comes to thickness, however that’s as a result of they’re made out of actual bamboo stalks. They shouldn’t be soaked, so that you’ll need to clear them proper after use to keep away from crusted-on smoothies or lingering flavors. They’re somewhat brief for 16-ounce to-go cups.

Key Specs

• Materials: Bamboo
• Size: 8 inches
• Fashion: Straight
• Diameter: 0.25
• Care directions: Hand-wash

What we favored: This set consists of two straight and two bent straws. They’re 10 inches lengthy, which works effectively with highball and tall glasses. The cleansing straw is nice, and since the straws are completely clear, you may see and do away with stuck-on particles. I had no downside cleansing them, irrespective of how a lot smoothie turned caked on.

What we didn’t like: Like all glass straws, these are extremely breakable. They’ll accumulate tiny, invisible-to-the-eye nicks and dings, which is able to make them much less protected to make use of over time.

Key Specs

• Materials: Borosilicate glass
• Size: 10 inches
• Fashion: Bent and straight
• Diameter: 0.4 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe, however hand-washing is really helpful

What we favored: These straws had been tremendous enjoyable to fold and pack away! They nestle right into a small carrying case roughly the dimensions and form of an earbud holder. The set consists of 5 straws, which gave me a pleasant vary of colour selections however didn’t take up area in a drawer. Though I used to be initially skeptical of the silicone squeegee, it labored rather well on crusted-on spinach bits. When you don’t like this dimension, you should purchase comparable types from GIR in additional broad, cocktail glass, and kid-friendly sizes.

What we didn’t like: These straws are undoubtedly floppier. That’s intentional—they must be versatile to allow them to fold into the carrying case—however individuals who want a sturdier straw will need to look elsewhere. The silicone case picked up pet hairs and mysterious bottom-of-the-tote-bag confetti. They’re on the shorter facet.

Key Specs

• Materials: Silicone
• Size: 8 inches
• Fashion: Straight
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe (though hand-washing is right to reduce scent-pickup)

The Competitors

• Kleen Kanteen Stainless Metal Straw Set: The Kleen Kanteen straws took the silicone topper directive too far: They featured a straight steel straw with a really versatile, very floppy bent silicone mouthpiece. They had been awkward to drink from, though I did like the brilliant major colours of the silicone toppers.
• ALINK Stainless Metal Straws: With no silicone sheath, I cringed each time my tooth clinked towards these straws’ chrome steel. They acquired very chilly in the course of the ice water check.
• Koffie Straw: The Koffie Straw is marketed at espresso drinkers who concern tooth staining. However the lid-friendly oval mouth was disagreeable to drink from, and I couldn’t match the cleansing brush inside. Would possibly I counsel a whitening toothpaste as a substitute?
• JimJim Clear Glass Straws: It was a toss-up between these and the glass straw winners, the Hiware—till I realized that the JimJims had been not accessible.
• Bambaw Bamboo Reusable Straws: These straws had been poorly manufactured. A number of had cracks and splinters across the mouth, and their thickness and diameter different broadly from straw to straw.
• Nightingale Reusable Silicone Straws: Though this set earned factors for its agency, steady development, the mouth was extra flat than spherical and was troublesome to drink a smoothie from. (This design, just like the Koffie Straw, is made for use with a disposable to-go cup’s lid. An fascinating thought, however in the end not that helpful.) I disliked the heavy seams operating alongside the highest and backside of your entire straw. Though that was a function shared by all silicone straws, these had been notably pronounced.
• Softy Straws: So far as silicone straws go, these had been advantageous. However the extra-long, notched cleansing squeegee was a nightmare to make use of. Rumor has it I nonetheless haven’t been in a position to extract it from the center of considered one of my check straws. 
• Zoku Reusable Straw with Journey Case: This collapsible steel straw hit a lot of my marks—it had a (small) silicone topper, a cleansing brush, and a carrying case that wasn’t a lot larger than a tube of lip balm. But it surely had a behavior of collapsing whereas I used to be utilizing it, a betrayal I merely couldn’t forgive.

FAQs

What’s one of the simplest ways to scrub a reusable straw?

It is determined by the kind of straw. Steel straws are dishwasher-safe, however you need to take away any silicone elements earlier than operating them by way of a cycle as a result of silicone traps and holds onto scents and flavors (dishwasher detergent doesn’t pair effectively with iced tea.) Bamboo, silicone, and glass straws needs to be hand-washed. Keep away from soaking bamboo straws to reduce warping. The within of all straws needs to be cleaned with a cleansing brush—most include one, however you may purchase them on-line for affordable.

Are plastic straws dangerous for the surroundings?

Plastic straws contribute to land and ocean air pollution, though they’re not the only offender. Plastic luggage and single-use plastic packaging additionally contribute to the issue. Small plastic particles (microplastics) are absorbed by soil, animals, and people. Past being dangerous (clearly) to the surroundings, microplastics could make their method into people who devour seafood and salt. That stated, microplastics have been confirmed to be current just about all over the place, together with faucet water and produce.

Are reusable straws higher for the surroundings?

Probably. As with reusable napkins, the fabric sourcing and manufacturing practices matter. It’s additionally essential to reduce your waste, so should you do select to purchase a reusable straw, maintain it in good situation and use it for so long as you may. An eco-friendly model of any product loses its inexperienced shine if it’s rapidly discarded right into a landfill.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor at Critical Eats. Earlier than becoming a member of the group, Rochelle freelanced for the positioning.
• She has been writing about meals professionally for 15 years, and has been reviewing home equipment and cooking gear for Critical Eats for 3 years. Her latest opinions embody dishwashing gloves and waffle makers.
• For this evaluate, Rochelle examined 13 straws, evaluating them on their efficiency in smoothies, iced tea, and to-go cups.