Have you heard? Reuse, reduce, and recycle doesn’t just apply to trash anymore. Now, we can save the turtles in style. The last few years has brought about countless conversations about sustainable living, reducing your carbon footprint, and cutting down on single-use plastics. The best reusable straws have become more than just a way to stay green; they’re also an accessory, a part of your daily routine, and a great way to help you stay hydrated. From sleek stainless steel to vibrant silicone, these straws offer durability, versatility, and a guilt-free sipping experience.
Americans reach for a straw when enjoying all kinds of beverages. From our morning iced coffee to a post-workout protein shake, it’s easy to go through a handful of straws every single day. But single-use plastic straws are wasteful, and that’s before even mentioning the danger they pose to marine life. When discarded, many plastic straws ultimately end up in the ocean, where sea turtles and other creatures may ingest them and be wounded or killed. Reusable straws are an easy way to continue enjoying your beverages without creating harmful waste. And research suggests that many American voters are already in favor of enacting such policies, with a 2020 survey of 2,000 adults reporting that 37% support a ban on single-use straws.
With the rise in popularity of the anti-straw movement, several alternatives have been offered. Popular coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ have switched many of their beverages to a straw-free lid. Other businesses have opted for paper straws, which draw criticism for their rapid disintegration in liquid. Researchers from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) understand the frustration, and are developing a 100-percent biodegradable, environmentally-friendly paper straw that doesn’t get soggy. But until such an option becomes widely available, it may be a good idea to keep a reusable straw or two on hand.
With all of this in mind, it might seem daunting to try and stay hydrated, get your caffeine fix, and save the planet all in one sip. That’s why we took the liberty of doing the hard part for you! To help find the best reusable straw for you, we looked high and low to bring you this list of the most frequently recommended straws, according to expert reviews. As always, if you have a favorite we missed, be sure to leave it in the comments below!
The List: Best Reusable Straws, According to Experts
1. OXO 4-Piece Reusable Straw and Brush Set with Case
With an easy-to-clean design, a perfectly-sized silicon mouthpiece, and a chic carrying case, the OXO four-piece set stands out as a great value, especially for its affordable price point. It provides drinkers with just about anything that they could want in a reusable straw set and more. “Extendable and come with a sturdy and easy-to-use cleaning brush as well as a case to carry everything,” writes Good Housekeeping. “The silicone part of the straw moves so you can adjust the length (genius!), and it’s nice to sip out of silicone vs. metal.”
“The straws in the OXO 4-Piece Reusable Straw and Brush Set with Case come in two pieces: Their stainless steel base punches through a plastic to-go lid easily, while the pliable silicone tip feels comfortable in your mouth,” writes Wirecutter. “It’s easier to push a cleaning brush through the separate segments (which come apart) than through one long straw. Plus, you can slide the tip up and down the steel base to adjust the length of the straw to fit your drinking vessel.”
This straw got tons of shoutouts as a great pick for coffee drinkers. “The silicone tips keep the straws from feeling as hot or ice-cold as your coffee, and the set is easy to transport,” writes Food & Wine. “OXO’s 4-Piece Reusable Metal Straw Set and Case is designed to be portable and includes an extra comfortable BPA-free silicone tip with each straw. If that’s not enough, the carrying case fits both straws, tip and cleaning brush so you’ll never be straw-free again.”
2. FinalStraw
The creator’s of FinalStraw really knew what they were doing when they made this marvel of a reusable straw. It’s everything you didn’t know you needed (and maybe even more). “They’re collapsible, making them particularly easy to keep on hand,” writes New York Magazine. “[FinalStraw] thought of everything: It can fit on my car keys (inside its case), it’s easy to clean (with boiling water or some good soap), and most importantly, the silicone is very comfortable to drink from.” All of this comes in a plastic-free packaging, furthering their mission of sustainability.
“The best-selling option from FinalStraw might be the only straw you’ll need” writes HGTV. “The straw features a silicone interior with a stainless steel exterior that pulls apart to fold down and fit into this tiny keychain carrying case. We like that you get the sturdiness of a stainless steel straw, meaning it’s great for poking through lids, but you also get the soft mouthpiece from the silicone tip.”
In addition to an elegant design, the FinalStraw also manages to perfectly balance convenience with quality. “When it comes to portability, this pick from FinalStraw takes the cake, as it collapses down to just 7 cm in its carrying case,” writes Popular Science. “For those that need a compact straw that can seamlessly go from morning coffee to evening cocktails, this portable design makes it easy to be more sustainably minded. Plus, it comes in a wide variety of colors to make them more fun than typical polished metallic options.”
3. Klean Kanteen Steel Straws
If you’re looking for an affordable set of quality straws to use at home without compromising on quality, the Klean Kanteen Steel Straws are the choice for you. Coming in a convenient (and affordable!) multipack, you’ll have extras on hand for all your favorite beverages. “They have a stainless steel base and a silicone tip, and they’re comfortable to drink from and easy to clean,” writes Wirecutter. “They’re not extendable, but they come with a brush, and at the time of publication, you could get a set of four Klean Kanteen straws for about the same price as the set of two OXO straws.”
“While stainless steel straws are ideal for punching through plastic to-go lids, silicone straws have a softer mouthfeel,” writes The Spruce Eats. “For the best of both worlds, this straw was designed for both scenarios. The bottom piece is made of stainless steel, and the top part is a curved silicone flex tip, so it is very comfortable to drink through since you can sip without having to tip your head at an awkward angle.”
In addition to being affordable and user-friendly, another highlight of this set is its easy cleaning. Not only are these straws dishwasher safe, but their unique design allows even closer hand-cleaning for anyone looking to go the extra mile in sanitizing their straws.”These reusable straws by Klean Kanteen have a silicone tip with a stainless-steel bottom for easy sipping and cleaning — the silicone tip is removable, so testers found them easy to clean,” writes Good Housekeeping. “Available in either four- or eight-packs, they come in a variety of bright colors with a cleaning brush included.”
4. ALINK Glass Smoothie Straws
For anyone looking for a different approach to the reusable straw design, enter the ALINK Glass Smoothie Straws. This elegant set of glass straws is easy to clean, affordable, and comes with multiple different kinds of straws and two different cleaning brushes (though of course, these straws are dishwasher friendly!) “From piping-hot morning tea to a post-workout protein smoothie, these ALINK Glass Smoothie Straws are equipped for just about any beverage,” writes Popular Science. “If you dislike the feel of steel or silicone as you drink, glass straws can mimic the feel of sipping right from the glass itself.”
“This eight-piece set adds an air of glamor to any drink with straight and angled options and two included brushes for easy cleaning,” writes Food & Wine. “Made from food-grade, durable borosilicate glass, this straw offers the best of all worlds with no metallic aftertaste. The clear glass is easy to clean and dishwasher safe, while the wider body allows you to easily sip homemade smoothies and shakes.”
In addition to the design’s elegance and versatility, this set of straws was also praised for its size. “When drinking smoothies or boba tea, you need a wider straw that can accommodate a thicker beverage,” writes Good Housekeeping. “The Alink glass smoothie straw is 14mm wide, which is nearly double the width of most reusable straws. They come in a set of two with a cleaning brush. Testers loved that they worked well with hot and cold beverages.”
5. GoSili Reusable Silicone Straws
Rounding out our list with a more colorful option for the whole family, the GoSili Reusable Silicone Straws find themselves a popular fit for families with little children. While inflexible stainless steel and glass straws can be unsafe for little mouths, silicone straws are just as bendy as they are fun. “For those who don’t like the stiff feel of steel or glass, these silicone straws are teeth-friendly and great for families,” writes Popular Science. “Making the switch to reusable straws can be uncomfortable—especially for those with sensitive teeth or who prefer a softer, flexible straw. To have the best of both sustainability and comfort, look to GoSili Silicone Straws, which offers all the durability of other materials without stiffness. The silicone used in GoSili is European-grade, meaning that it has no open pores to harbor bacteria, added fillers, and is hypoallergenic.”
“Among the silicone straws we tested, the GoSili Reusable Silicone Straws stood out for their thick and translucent material. If you have kids, or are wary of jabbing yourself with a hard straw, you may prefer a softer, all-silicone straw over one that contains metal. We think these will hold up to some chewing better than thinner ones we tried, and we like that you can see through the straw to tell if it’s clean,” adds NY Times. “The GoSili straws come in a few lengths, ranging from a short 5½ inches to an extra-long 10 inches, plus an extra-wide option that works for boba. We recommend getting a multipack that comes with six straws in two colors and three different lengths so you can use them in kids cups too.”
The GoSili Reusable Silicone Straw set holds the unique place of being the only fully silicone straw set on our list. “Reusable straws made entirely from silicone have the added benefit of being even more maneuverable,” notes New York Magazine. “You also don’t have to worry about bumping your teeth. Silicone is an especially great alternative for people with disabilities who can’t use stainless steel but still want to avoid disposable plastic. The straws come with a small aluminum carrying case and are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free.”
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Sources:
- NY Times
- USA Today
- Good Housekeeping
- The Spruce Eats
- Food & Wine
- NY Mag
- Condé Nast Traveler
- HGTV
- Popular Science
- GearLab
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links.