To Find the 5 Best Reusable Straws, I Drank Gallons of Water, Iced Tea, and Smoothies

I started using reusable drinking straws in 2015 when a friend gave me a glass straw for my birthday. I loved that straw and used it daily until a year later, it shattered into smithereens against my mason jar. (Fun fact: Glass straws can accumulate tiny nicks that eventually compromise the straw’s structural integrity.)

Since then, I’ve tried all sorts of reusable straws: flexible silicone straws, stainless steel straws, and “all-natural” bamboo straws. I’ve learned a lot about what makes a good straw, but after misplacing an old favorite, I wanted to find the best reusable straw. To do so, I tested 15 of them, using the straws to drink lots of cold water, iced tea, and thick smoothies. I found five winners that won’t leave you thirsty for more.

The Winners, at a Glance

These straws are easy to keep clean—metal doesn’t stain—and they have a handy carrying case, so you can take them wherever your iced drink adventures bring you. The silicone topper makes them easier and comfier to sip from.

These straws were sturdy and did not remind me of floppy worms! (I could not say the same for other silicone straws.) Most of the silicone options I tested were too narrow to accommodate a thick smoothie, but these had no problem.

Bamboo straws stain easily and aren’t as durable as metal or silicone. But if you like their appearance and texture, the ibambo straws are a good buy. They had a smoother finish than the other bamboo options I tested, and the cleaning brush was fantastic. 

There isn’t much variance between brands of glass straws. They break easily, of course, but look nice in a smoothie glass and don’t stain. This set comes with both straight and bent straws. 

The GIR straws came with a carrying case that could fit in the “tiny pocket” of my jeans. The straws are thin and supremely bendy, and the cleaning squeegee worked well. You can choose from three color sets, and they’re dishwasher-safe. 

The Tests

• Cold Water Test: I filled a drinking glass with ice water and popped in a straw. I let it sit for three minutes, then drank from the straw, noting if it had become uncomfortably cold.
• On the Go Test: To determine how well the straws played with to-go lids, I took them to a coffee shop and ordered an iced tea. I inserted the straw into the lid’s opening, noting whether it punctured the lid easily or had to be forced in. 
• Smoothie Test: 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 wide enough to accommodate the viscous liquid. Once I finished, I let the straw sit in the glass for three hours. I hand-washed the straw, using the included brush or cleaning wand, and noted if it was easy to scrub off the crusted-on smoothie.

What We Learned

If you only use straws for water and other thin liquids, you don’t need to worry about a straw that’s wide enough to handle thicker stuff. But smoothie drinkers will appreciate a straw with a 0.3-inch—or wider—opening. My winning straw, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Straw and Brush Set, had a generous 0.5-inch diameter. The ibambo Bamboo Reusable Straws squeaked by with a paltry 0.25-inch diameter opening, although that was just the product’s official measurement. Some of the straws in the package I received were wider, owing to the natural variations in bamboo.

Metal straws ticked all of my boxes: durable, safe to drink from, dishwasher-safe, and stain-resistant. But the metal didn’t feel good against my teeth, and it turned uncomfortably cold in ice water or iced tea. The best straws were made of metal with a silicone topper. The OXO straws were an outstanding example of this design, with a snug-fitting top that could be slid off or adjusted for a taller or shorter straw. The Zoku Reusable Straw with Travel Case had a silicone topper, but it was too small to be useful. The Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw Set also featured silicone caps, but they were long and floppy—not easy to drink from! 

Most straws I tested were 10 inches long—ideal for medium and large sizes of to-go cups, and highball-style glasses. As you'll see in most of the pictures in this review, 10 inches looks silly-long in most of my drinking glasses, but overall I think it's better to have a too-big straw. Two of my winners—the ibambo Bamboo Reusable Straws and GIR Reusable Silicone Straws—were a petite eight inches, which could fall short in a 16-ounce iced coffee. But they'd be a better choice for kids or mixed drinks.

The silicone straws I tested had either circular or oval openings. The oval openings were a clever idea in theory: They’re meant to slide easily into the small openings of to-go lids. But in practice, they were unpleasant to sip from, and it was tough to suck a smoothie through their small openings. The Koffie Straw in particular was miserable with a peanut butter smoothie. Cleaning them was also tough—especially if they weren’t washed straight away. Most of the straws fit in the to-go lids just fine, so an oval shape wasn’t necessary.

Some of the silicone straws had angled bottoms, which were very helpful in slurping up the last few drops from a cup. This design wasn't found on any of the bamboo, metal, or glass straws, so if sipping every ounce of smoothie from your cup is important to you, get a silicone straw, like the Flathead Bent Reusable Straws.

Natural bamboo straws look appealing, and they’re touted as a more eco-friendly option (most are biodegradable). But they stain easily, a fact I noticed in an unofficial follow-up test with a blackberry shake. They’re also the most “naturally flavored,” and they imparted a woody taste to the water, iced tea, and smoothie. More concerningly, the Bambaw bamboo straws were cracked and splintered around the edges straight out of the box. The ibambo straws had smoother edges, but there was a big variance in width.

There isn’t much room for innovation when it comes to glass straws: They’re all pretty much the same. The glass straws I tested were thick and had wide openings. Dried-on smoothie was easy to wash off. In fact, I couldn’t find any discernible differences between the Hiware and JimJim straws beyond the fact that the JimJims are now unavailable. However, I am relentlessly tough on glassware and worry it’d be only a matter of time before all of my glass straws shattered. The less accident-prone among us can enjoy glass straws without fear.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Reusable Straw

The best reusable straws were comfortable to drink from, durable, and could be cleaned easily. Taking your straw on the go? You’ll want one with a carrying case. For medium- and large-sized cups, 10 inches was an ideal length, but eight inches worked just fine for sipping at home. If you want a metal straw, look for one with a removable silicone topper. Silicone straws should have rounded openings and angled bottoms, and shouldn’t be too floppy. The best bamboo straws are relatively uniform in size and shape, with no splinters at the edges. Glass straws should be made of borosilicate glass, which is strong. 

Our Favorite Reusable Straws

What we liked: These metal straws are durable, dishwasher-safe, and very sturdy. The silicone top slid on easily and could be adjusted for a taller straw. The topper was strong, and never flopped around. The straws come with a carrying case and the cleaning brush is well-designed, with a handle at the end for better leverage. (The brush also fits inside the case.) After testing all of the straws, this is the one I opted to keep for everyday use.

What we didn’t like: The silicone topper was prone to picking up scents and flavors, so you’ll want to hand-wash it and use an unscented dish detergent. They’re pretty pricey for just two straws.

• Material: Stainless steel, silicone
• Style: Straight
• Length: 10.5 inches
• Diameter: 0.5 inches
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

What we liked: These silicone straws are just the right thickness for a sturdy-yet-squishable straw. (If you like to bite or chew on straws, you’ll likely find this one very palatable.) The bottom of the straw is angled—a smart feature for getting the last few drops of whatever you’re drinking. It was particularly helpful with my smoothie. They’re 0.3 inches in diameter, which is plenty wide for most shakes and smoothies. The seams that run along the top and bottom of the straws are thin and discrete. The set includes a drawstring carrying case.

What we didn’t like: Because the straws are bent, they’re harder to clean with the brush. The brand’s logo is stamped onto the top portion of the straw, which wasn’t a big deal but felt a bit weird in my mouth (although that’s the norm with silicone straws). These cost almost $25 for 10 straws, which is more than most people need.

• Material: Silicone
• Length: 10 inches
• Style: Bent
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe (although hand-washing is ideal to minimize scent pickup)

What we liked: The ibambo straws had a lightly lacquered finish that resisted staining and scents. It also made the straws nice to drink from. (The other bamboo straw I tested, the Bambaw, had a rough, splintered texture.) The included bristle brush was one of the best I tried, with lots of long, fluffy bristles. 

What we didn’t like: The straws varied wildly in terms of thickness, but that’s because they’re made from real bamboo stalks. They shouldn’t be soaked, so you’ll want to clean them right after use to avoid crusted-on smoothies or lingering flavors. They’re a little short for 16-ounce to-go cups.

• Material: Bamboo
• Length: 8 inches
• Style: Straight
• Diameter: 0.25
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

What we liked: This set includes two straight and two bent straws. They’re 10 inches long, which works well with highball and tall glasses. The cleaning straw is great, and because the straws are totally clear, you can see and get rid of stuck-on debris. I had no problem cleaning them, no matter how much smoothie became caked on.

What we didn’t like: Like all glass straws, these are highly breakable. They’ll accumulate tiny, invisible-to-the-eye nicks and dings, which will make them less safe to use over time.

• Material: Borosilicate glass
• Length: 10 inches
• Style: Bent and straight
• Diameter: 0.4 inches
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing is recommended

What we liked: These straws were super fun to fold and pack away! They nestle into a small carrying case roughly the size and shape of an earbud holder. The set includes five straws, which gave me a nice range of color choices but didn’t take up space in a drawer. Although I was initially skeptical of the silicone squeegee, it worked really well on crusted-on spinach bits. If you don’t like this size, you can buy similar styles from GIR in extra wide, cocktail glass, and kid-friendly sizes.

What we didn’t like: These straws are definitely floppier. That’s intentional—they have to be flexible so they can fold into the carrying case—but people who prefer a sturdier straw will want to look elsewhere. The silicone case picked up pet hairs and mysterious bottom-of-the-tote-bag confetti. They’re on the shorter side.

• Material: Silicone
• Length: 8 inches
• Style: Straight
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe (although hand-washing is ideal to minimize scent-pickup)

The Competition

• Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw Set: The Kleen Kanteen straws took the silicone topper directive too far: They featured a straight metal straw with a very flexible, very floppy bent silicone mouthpiece. They were awkward to drink from, although I did like the bright primary colors of the silicone toppers.
• ALINK Stainless Steel Straws: With no silicone sheath, I cringed every time my teeth clinked against these straws’ stainless steel. They got very cold during the ice water test.
• Koffie Straw: The Koffie Straw is marketed at coffee drinkers who fear teeth staining. But the lid-friendly oval mouth was unpleasant to drink from, and I couldn’t fit the cleaning brush inside. Might I suggest a whitening toothpaste instead?
• JimJim Clear Glass Straws: It was a toss-up between these and the glass straw winners, the Hiware—until I learned that the JimJims were no longer available.
• Bambaw Bamboo Reusable Straws: These straws were poorly manufactured. A few had cracks and splinters around the mouth, and their thickness and diameter varied widely from straw to straw.
• Nightingale Reusable Silicone Straws: Although this set earned points for its firm, stable construction, the mouth was more flat than round and was difficult to drink a smoothie from. (This design, like the Koffie Straw, is made to be used with a disposable to-go cup’s lid. An interesting idea, but ultimately not that useful.) I disliked the heavy seams running along the top and bottom of the entire straw. Although that was a feature shared by all silicone straws, these were particularly pronounced.
• Softy Straws: As far as silicone straws go, these were fine. But the extra-long, notched cleaning squeegee was a nightmare to use. Rumor has it I still haven’t been able to extract it from the middle of one of my test straws. 
• Zoku Reusable Straw with Travel Case: This collapsible metal straw hit many of my marks—it had a (small) silicone topper, a cleaning brush, and a carrying case that wasn’t much bigger than a tube of lip balm. But it had a habit of collapsing while I was using it, a betrayal I simply couldn’t forgive.

FAQs

It depends on the type of straw. Metal straws are dishwasher-safe, but you should remove any silicone parts before running them through a cycle because silicone traps and holds onto scents and flavors (dishwasher detergent doesn’t pair well with iced tea.) Bamboo, silicone, and glass straws should be hand-washed. Avoid soaking bamboo straws to minimize warping. The inside of all straws should be cleaned with a cleaning brush—most come with one, but you can buy them online for cheap.

Plastic straws contribute to land and ocean pollution, although they’re not the sole culprit. Plastic bags and single-use plastic packaging also contribute to the problem. Small plastic particles (microplastics) are absorbed by soil, animals, and humans. Beyond being harmful (obviously) to the environment, microplastics can make their way into humans who consume seafood and salt. That said, microplastics have been proven to be present pretty much everywhere, including tap water and produce.

Potentially. As with reusable napkins, the material sourcing and production practices matter. It’s also important to minimize your waste, so if you do choose to buy a reusable straw, keep it in good condition and use it for as long as you can. An eco-friendly version of any product loses its green shine if it’s quickly discarded into a landfill.

Why We’re the Experts

• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor at Serious Eats. Before joining the team, Rochelle freelanced for the site.
• She has been writing about food professionally for 15 years, and has been reviewing appliances and cooking equipment for Serious Eats for three years. Her recent reviews include dishwashing gloves and waffle makers.
• For this review, Rochelle tested 13 straws, evaluating them on their performance in smoothies, iced tea, and to-go cups. 
  

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