The 5 Finest Reusable Straws of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

I began utilizing reusable consuming straws in 2015 when a good friend gave me a glass straw for my birthday. I beloved that straw and used it each day till a 12 months later, it shattered into smithereens in opposition to my mason jar. (Enjoyable truth: Glass straws can accumulate tiny nicks that ultimately 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 I’ve realized lots about what makes a very good straw, however after misplacing an outdated favourite, I wished to seek out the greatest reusable straw.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 gained’t depart you thirsty for extra.

The Winners, at a Look

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

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

Bamboo straws stain simply and aren’t as sturdy as metallic or silicone. However if you happen to like their look and texture, the ibambo straws are a very good purchase. They’d a smoother end than the opposite bamboo choices I examined, and the cleansing brush was improbable. 

There isn’t a lot variance between manufacturers of glass straws. They break simply, after all, 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 would match within the “tiny pocket” of my denims. The straws are skinny and supremely flexible, and the cleansing squeegee labored effectively. You possibly can select from three coloration units, and so they’re dishwasher-safe. 

The Assessments

• Chilly Water Take a look at: I stuffed 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 develop 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 vast 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 Realized

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

In the event you solely use straws for water and different skinny liquids, you don’t want to fret a couple of straw that’s vast sufficient to deal with thicker stuff. However smoothie drinkers will recognize a straw with a 0.3-inch—or wider—opening. My profitable straw, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 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. Among the straws within the bundle I obtained have been wider, owing to the pure variations in bamboo.

The Finest Straws Mixed Metallic and Silicone

Metallic straws ticked all of my bins: sturdy, secure to drink from, dishwasher-safe, and stain-resistant. However the metallic didn’t really feel good in opposition to my tooth, and it turned uncomfortably chilly in ice water or iced tea. One of the best straws have been manufactured from metallic with a silicone topper. The OXO straws have 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 Travel Case had a silicone topper, but it surely was too small to be helpful. The Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw Set additionally featured silicone caps, however they have been lengthy and floppy—not straightforward to drink from! 

10 Inches Was a Handy Size

Most straws I examined have been 10 inches lengthy—splendid for medium and huge sizes of to-go cups, and highball-style glasses. As you will see in a lot of the footage on this assessment, 10 inches appears silly-long in most of my drinking glasses, however total 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—have 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 have been a intelligent concept in concept: They’re meant to slip simply into the small openings of to-go lids. However in observe, they have been disagreeable to sip from, and it was robust 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 robust—particularly in the event that they weren’t washed immediately. Many of the straws match within the to-go lids simply positive, so an oval form wasn’t vital.

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

Bamboo Straws Have been Typically 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 truth I seen in an unofficial follow-up take a look at with a blackberry shake. They’re additionally probably the most “naturally flavored,” and so they imparted a woody style to the water, iced tea, and smoothie. Extra concerningly, the Bambaw bamboo straws have 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.

The entire 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 have been thick and had vast 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. Nevertheless, I’m relentlessly robust 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 worry.

The Standards: What to Search for in a Reusable Straw

One of the best reusable straws have been snug 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 positive for sipping at house. If you need a metallic 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. One of the best bamboo straws are comparatively uniform in dimension and form, with no splinters on the edges. Glass straws must be manufactured from borosilicate glass, which is robust. 

Our Favourite Reusable Straws

What we appreciated: These metallic 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 robust, 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 all the straws, that is the one I opted to maintain for on a regular basis use.

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

Key Specs

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

What we appreciated: These silicone straws are simply the fitting thickness for a sturdy-yet-squishable straw. (In the event you wish to chunk or chew on straws, you’ll doubtless discover this one very palatable.) The underside of the straw is angled—a sensible characteristic for getting the previous few drops of no matter you’re consuming. It was significantly useful with my smoothie. They’re 0.3 inches in diameter, which is loads vast 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 wash with the comb. The model’s brand 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
• Model: Bent
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe (though hand-washing is good to attenuate scent pickup)

What we appreciated: 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 plenty of lengthy, fluffy bristles. 

What we didn’t like: The straws diversified wildly when it comes to thickness, however that’s as a result of they’re constituted 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 a little bit quick for 16-ounce to-go cups.

Key Specs

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

What we appreciated: 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 eliminate stuck-on particles. I had no downside cleansing them, regardless 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
• Model: Bent and straight
• Diameter: 0.4 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe, however hand-washing is really helpful

What we appreciated: These straws have 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 coloration selections however didn’t take up house in a drawer. Though I used to be initially skeptical of the silicone squeegee, it labored rather well on crusted-on spinach bits. In the event you don’t like this dimension, you should purchase related types from GIR in additional vast, cocktail glass, and kid-friendly sizes.

What we didn’t like: These straws are positively floppier. That’s intentional—they should 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
• Model: Straight
• Diameter: 0.3 inches
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe (though hand-washing is good to attenuate scent-pickup)

The Competitors

• Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw Set: The Kleen Kanteen straws took the silicone topper directive too far: They featured a straight metallic straw with a really versatile, very floppy bent silicone mouthpiece. They have been awkward to drink from, though I did like the intense major colours of the silicone toppers.
• ALINK Stainless Steel Straws: With no silicone sheath, I cringed each time my tooth clinked in opposition to these straws’ chrome steel. They obtained very chilly throughout the ice water take a look at.
• Koffie Straw: The Koffie Straw is marketed at espresso drinkers who worry 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 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 have been not obtainable.
• Bambaw Bamboo Reusable Straws: These straws have been poorly manufactured. A number of had cracks and splinters across the mouth, and their thickness and diameter diversified broadly from straw to straw.
• Nightingale Reusable Silicone Straws: Though this set earned factors for its agency, secure building, 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 attention-grabbing concept, however finally not that helpful.) I disliked the heavy seams working alongside the highest and backside of your complete straw. Though that was a characteristic shared by all silicone straws, these have been significantly pronounced.
• Softy Straws: So far as silicone straws go, these have been positive. However the extra-long, notched cleansing squeegee was a nightmare to make use of. Rumor has it I nonetheless haven’t been capable of extract it from the center of one among my take a look at straws. 
• Zoku Reusable Straw with Travel Case: This collapsible metallic 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 greater than a tube of lip balm. However it 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 wash a reusable straw?

It is dependent upon the kind of straw. Metallic straws are dishwasher-safe, however it is best to take away any silicone components earlier than working 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 must be hand-washed. Keep away from soaking bamboo straws to attenuate warping. The within of all straws must be cleaned with a cleansing brush—most include one, however you may buy them online for reasonable.

Are plastic straws dangerous for the setting?

Plastic straws contribute to land and ocean air pollution, though they’re not the only wrongdoer. 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 setting, microplastics could make their manner into people who devour seafood and salt. That mentioned, microplastics have been confirmed to be current just about all over the place, together with tap water and produce.

Are reusable straws higher for the setting?

Doubtlessly. As with reusable napkins, the fabric sourcing and manufacturing practices matter. It’s additionally vital to attenuate your waste, so if you happen to do select to purchase a reusable straw, preserve 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 Consultants

• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor at Critical Eats. Earlier than becoming a member of the workforce, Rochelle freelanced for the location.
• 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 current critiques embody dishwashing gloves and waffle makers.
• For this assessment, Rochelle examined 13 straws, evaluating them on their efficiency in smoothies, iced tea, and to-go cups.