Consumer Reports' Favorite Water Glasses Are Under $20 And Come From A Durable French Brand

When figuring out kitchenware supply, it's usually pots and pans or other larger, more complicated items that get the most attention, and sometimes the highest budget. Often overlooked are smaller, less flashy items that are still essential to daily use, like cutlery or coffee mugs. Water glasses are one of those seemingly unimportant kitchen items, but selecting the most durable and useful water glasses might be one of the smartest decisions you can make for a frequently used item. Luckily, Consumer Reports released a list of the best drinking glasses for a summer of entertaining, with one set of favorites from a French legacy brand that comes in at under $20. 

Consumer Reports actually chose not one, but two, sets of affordable Duralex tumblers as "water glasses that do it all," citing that the glass tumblers are both durable and versatile. Great for any type of drink, from water, coffee, and soda to wine, beer, and cocktails, Duralex's Le Gigogne Glass Tumblers and Le Picardie Clear Glass Tumblers have two distinct looks that are sure to fit in with almost any aesthetic. The Le Gigogne drinkware comes in a set of six for $18, whereas the Le Picardie option sells for sightly higher, with a set of six costing $20 — each set is available on the company's United States website. Both sets of six Duralex drinking glasses for those low prices are smaller, holding only three fluid ounces each, but both options are also available in larger sizes at slightly higher price points.

You might recognize the fluted design of Duralex's Le Picardie tumblers as the short water glasses at your favorite restaurant, and they reflect a classic French-style of glassware that is easy and comfortable to hold in your hand. A more rounded and modern look, Le Gigogne translates to "nested" in French, which is a fitting name as these small tumblers stack and nestle neatly on top of one another, making them a great choice for anyone working with limited cabinet space. Similar to the Le Gigogne tumblers, the Le Picardie glasses also stack neatly on top of one another for effortless storage.

Duralex glasses are made with tempered glass, which the company claims is 2.5 times stronger than regular glass. The tumblers are safe to put in the dishwasher, freezer, and microwave. All Duralex products are also free of cadmium and lead, non-toxic, and the tumblers are even BPA-free. Although you may be tempted to bring home quirky and inexpensive vintage glasses from the thrift shop, sometimes it's worth it to invest in brand-new drinkware, as some vintage glassware can contain lead. 

With revered durability, Duralex's tempered glass tumblers are great for beverages or even for serving foods with varying temperatures, like affogatos where hot espresso is poured over a scoop of frozen ice cream. Duralex glassware is also non-porous, meaning that it's less likely to absorb any colors or odors, making both sets of tumblers simple to clean and low-stress to use frequently.