I began utilizing reusable consuming straws in 2015 when a buddy gave me a glass straw for my birthday. I beloved that straw and used it day by day till a 12 months later, it shattered into smithereens in opposition to 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 rather a lot about what makes a very good 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 numerous 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—and so they have a useful carrying case, so you’ll be able to take them wherever your iced drink adventures carry 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 slim to accommodate a thick smoothie, however these had no drawback.

Bamboo straws stain simply and aren’t as sturdy as steel or silicone. However for those who like their look and texture, the ibambo straws are a very good purchase. That they had a smoother end than the opposite bamboo choices I examined, and the cleansing brush was incredible. 

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 properly. You may select from three shade units, and so they’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 change into uncomfortably chilly.
• On the Go Take a look at: To find out how properly 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 compelled 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 large 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 wash off the crusted-on smoothie.

What We Discovered

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

In case you solely use straws for water and different skinny liquids, you don’t want to fret a couple of straw that’s large sufficient to deal with thicker stuff. However smoothie drinkers will recognize 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 number of the straws within the package deal I acquired had been wider, owing to the pure variations in bamboo.

The Greatest Straws Mixed Metallic and Silicone

Metallic straws ticked all of my bins: sturdy, secure to drink from, dishwasher-safe, and stain-resistant. However the steel didn’t really feel good in opposition to my tooth, and it turned uncomfortably chilly in ice water or iced tea. The most effective straws had been fabricated from steel with a silicone topper. The OXO straws had been an impressive instance of this design, with a snug-fitting prime that may very well 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—splendid for medium and enormous sizes of to-go cups, and highball-style glasses. As you will see in a lot of the photos on this overview, 10 inches appears silly-long in most of my consuming glasses, however general I feel 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 might fall quick in a 16-ounce iced espresso. However they’d be a more sensible choice 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 principle: They’re meant to slip simply into the small openings of to-go lids. However in apply, they had been disagreeable to sip from, and it was powerful to suck a smoothie via their small openings. The Koffie Straw specifically 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 mandatory.

A number of the silicone straws had angled bottoms, which had been very useful in slurping up the previous couple of 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 necessary 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, and so they’re touted as a extra eco-friendly possibility (most are biodegradable). However they stain simply, a reality I observed in an unofficial follow-up take a look at with a blackberry shake. They’re additionally essentially the most “naturally flavored,” and so they 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 an enormous variance in width.

All the Glass Straws Have been High quality

There isn’t a lot room for innovation with regards to glass straws: They’re all just about the identical. The glass straws I examined had been thick and had large openings. Dried-on smoothie was straightforward to clean off. The truth is, I couldn’t discover any discernible variations between the Hiware and JimJim straws past the truth that the JimJims are actually unavailable. Nevertheless, 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 most effective reusable straws had been comfy to drink from, sturdy, and may very well 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 residence. If you would like 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 most effective bamboo straws are comparatively uniform in measurement and form, with no splinters on the edges. Glass straws ought to be fabricated from borosilicate glass, which is powerful. 

Our Favourite Reusable Straws

What we favored: These steel straws are sturdy, dishwasher-safe, and really sturdy. The silicone prime slid on simply and may very well 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 selecting 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: Stainless-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 proper thickness for a sturdy-yet-squishable straw. (In case you wish to chew or chew on straws, you’ll doubtless discover this one very palatable.) The underside of the straw is angled—a sensible function for getting the previous couple of drops of no matter you’re consuming. It was notably useful with my smoothie. They’re 0.3 inches in diameter, which is a lot large 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 emblem is stamped onto the highest portion of the straw, which wasn’t an enormous deal however felt a bit bizarre in my mouth (though that’s the norm with silicone straws). These price virtually $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 good to attenuate 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 among the finest I attempted, with numerous 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 constructed from 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 just a little quick 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 contains two straight and two bent straws. They’re 10 inches lengthy, which works properly with highball and tall glasses. The cleansing straw is nice, and since the straws are completely clear, you’ll be able to see and eliminate stuck-on particles. I had no drawback 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 secure 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 beneficial

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 contains 5 straws, which gave me a pleasant vary of shade 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. In case you don’t like this measurement, you should purchase related kinds from GIR in further large, cocktail glass, and kid-friendly sizes.

What we didn’t like: These straws are positively floppier. That’s intentional—they need to be versatile to allow them to fold into the carrying case—however individuals who desire 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 aspect.

Key Specs

• Materials: Silicone
• Size: 8 inches
• Fashion: Straight
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe (though hand-washing is good to attenuate 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 intense major colours of the silicone toppers.
• ALINK Stainless Metal Straws: With no silicone sheath, I cringed each time my tooth clinked in opposition to these straws’ chrome steel. They acquired very chilly throughout the ice water take a look at.
• 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. May I counsel a whitening toothpaste as an alternative?
• 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 obtainable.
• Bambaw Bamboo Reusable Straws: These straws had been poorly manufactured. A couple of had cracks and splinters across the mouth, and their thickness and diameter different extensively from straw to straw.
• Nightingale Reusable Silicone Straws: Though this set earned factors for its agency, steady building, the mouth was extra flat than spherical and was tough 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 attention-grabbing thought, however in the end not that helpful.) I disliked the heavy seams working alongside the highest and backside of the whole 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 certainly one of my take a look at straws. 
• Zoku Reusable Straw with Journey Case: This collapsible steel straw hit lots of my marks—it had a (small) silicone topper, a cleansing brush, and a carrying case that wasn’t a lot greater than a tube of lip balm. Nevertheless it had a behavior of collapsing whereas I used to be utilizing it, a betrayal I merely couldn’t forgive.

FAQs

What’s the easiest way to scrub a reusable straw?

It depends upon the kind of straw. Metallic straws are dishwasher-safe, however it is best to take away any silicone elements earlier than working them via a cycle as a result of silicone traps and holds onto scents and flavors (dishwasher detergent doesn’t pair properly with iced tea.) Bamboo, silicone, and glass straws ought to be hand-washed. Keep away from soaking bamboo straws to attenuate warping. The within of all straws ought to be cleaned with a cleansing brush—most include one, however you’ll be able to purchase them on-line for affordable.

Are plastic straws unhealthy for the setting?

Plastic straws contribute to land and ocean air pollution, though they’re not the only real perpetrator. Plastic baggage 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 setting, microplastics could make their manner into people who eat seafood and salt. That stated, microplastics have been confirmed to be current just about in every single place, together with faucet water and produce.

Are reusable straws higher for the setting?

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

Why We’re the Specialists

• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor at Severe Eats. Earlier than becoming a member of the crew, 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 Severe Eats for 3 years. Her latest evaluations embody dishwashing gloves and waffle makers.
• For this overview, Rochelle examined 13 straws, evaluating them on their efficiency in smoothies, iced tea, and to-go cups.