A reusable straw is a small thing that goes wrong in one specific way: you can’t see inside it. So the question isn’t only what it’s made of. It’s whether you’ll actually get it clean, and whether it fits the cup you drink from every day.
This guide covers eight sets across steel, glass, silicone and plastic, and says plainly which cleaning tool comes with each. We haven’t used these ourselves. Where a review exists, we name it: Reviewed and TechGearLab both ran straws through their own tests and cover some of these brands. Where none does, the pick rests on the listing.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, maker information and the independent reviews we name.
Quick verdict: which straw set to buy
Buy the Klean Kanteen 4-pack for most people. It is steel with removable silicone tips, and TechGearLab reports it took the least damage in its hammer test. Choose Hummingbird glass if taste matters most, or Softy Straws silicone if you want the feel of a soft, bendy straw.
Five straw sets side by side
Five of the eight, one for each material or need. All eight are covered in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Material | Cleaning tool | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw 4-PackBest overall
|
Most people | Stainless steel with silicone tips | Not named on this listing | View on Amazon |
| Taste and easy inspection | Glass | Brush | View on Amazon | |
Softy Straws Wide Silicone Straws, 9-InchBest silicone
|
Soft feel | Silicone | Squeegee | View on Amazon |
Hiware 12-Pack Stainless Steel StrawsBest for a big household
|
Big households | 18/8 stainless steel | 2 brushes | View on Amazon |
Ello Impact Reusable Plastic Straws, 8-PackBest for tall tumblers
|
Tall tumblers | BPA-free plastic | Straw cleaner | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best reusable straws
1. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw 4-Pack – Steel With Soft Tips
Steel lasts, but bare steel on your teeth isn’t much fun. Klean Kanteen fixes that with removable silicone tips on an 8 mm stainless straw. The maker says the 8 mm width suits iced coffee, smoothies and pressed juice, and says plainly that it isn’t meant for boba.
The reviews back it up. TechGearLab tested a Klean Kanteen steel set for pleasantness, cleaning, durability and versatility. It reports this brand “showed the least damage from the hammer test” and found the silicone tip easy to remove and clean. Reviewed says the silicone part detaches so you can scrub both pieces, though it found the brush in its set stiff at first.
One thing to check: this listing doesn’t name a brush in the pack, only that the set is dishwasher safe. Reviewed’s set included one, but we can’t confirm the same for this listing, so plan on owning a straw brush. Our bottle brush guide covers related cleaning tools. Length isn’t given on the listing either, so check it against your tallest tumbler.
Why we like it
- Removable silicone tips
- Least hammer-test damage per TechGearLab
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker
- Lifetime manufacturer coverage on the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 1005789 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, silicone tips |
| Count | 4 |
| Length | Not stated |
| Width | 8 mm |
| Cleaning tool | Not named on this listing |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Lifetime manufacturer |
Why we recommend it
It suits nearly everyone who wants one durable set, with tips that make steel more comfortable. It’s the one pick here backed by two separate reviews of its brand’s straws.
Skip it if you drink boba. The maker says this width isn’t intended for it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong review record
- Tips come off for scrubbing
- Clear maker warranty
Cons
- Brush not named on this listing
- Length not stated
- Reviewed found its brush stiff at first
2. Hummingbird Clear Bent Glass Straws, 9-Inch – Clean Taste, Handmade in the USA
Glass doesn’t add a taste of its own, and you can see whether it’s clean. Those are the two reasons to buy it. These are bent, 9 inches long and 9.5 mm outside, in a pack of four with a cleaning brush. The maker says each is handmade by glass artists in its US studio and describes the glass as certified BPA and lead free.
Reviewed names Hummingbird as a pick and says the width suits smoothies, and that the straws are dishwasher safe. It also found the straws sturdy if handled correctly, but in its drop tests they “immediately shattered on concrete.” That’s the honest trade: glass feels nice and it can break.
Because of that, we wouldn’t choose these for a young child or a hard floor. The maker offers a money-back guarantee on the listing. Hummingbird also sells straight, longer and narrower versions if bent ones don’t suit your glass.
Why we like it
- Clear glass shows residue
- Cleaning brush included
- Named in Reviewed’s guide
- Handmade in the USA per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | HB-Glass-Straw-9-9-Bent |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass |
| Count | 4 |
| Length | 9 in |
| Width | 9.5 mm outside |
| Cleaning tool | Brush |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | 100% money-back guarantee |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who cares about taste and wants to see that the straw is clean. It’s also a good fit for smoothies at home.
Skip it if it will go in a bag or near small kids. Steel or silicone is a safer choice for rough handling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No metal feel
- Easy to inspect
- Brush included
Cons
- Shatters on concrete per Reviewed
- Not for rough use
- Needs some care when washing
3. ZWILLING Sorrento Glass Straw Set – Heavy Wall, Colored Glass
If the Hummingbird is the plain workhorse, this one is the nicer-looking table set. It has four straight borosilicate straws in a color mix of rose, mustard yellow, light green and light blue, plus one cleaning brush. ZWILLING describes the wall as heavy for durability and says the straws are for hot and cold drinks.
It’s a better-known kitchen name than most in this category, and that’s part of the appeal when you’re giving one as a gift. The listing is thin, though. It doesn’t state a length, width or dishwasher rating, so don’t assume they’ll reach the bottom of a tall tumbler.
Colored glass also gives up a little of what makes clear glass useful, since it’s harder to see residue inside. Clean them with the brush right after a thick drink. Our search didn’t turn up an independent review of this set, so this pick rests on the maker’s details.
Why we like it
- Borosilicate glass, per the maker
- Cleaning brush included
- Hot or cold drinks, per the maker
- Colored set for the table
Key specifications
| Model | 39500-602 |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Count | 4 |
| Length | Not stated |
| Width | Not stated |
| Cleaning tool | Brush |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a gift, or a household that wants its glass straws to look good on the table. It’s a set for careful hands.
Skip it if you need a known length. The listing doesn’t state one, and Hummingbird does.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Heavy wall, per the maker
- Brush included
- Handsome colors
Cons
- Sparse listing
- Color hides residue somewhat
- No review found
4. Softy Straws Wide Silicone Straws, 9-Inch – Soft and Bendy, With a Squeegee
Silicone is the closest thing here to the disposable straw you grew up with. Reviewed calls Softy Straws tasteless and bendable like a traditional plastic straw, and says they work with smoothies, coffee and water. The size is 9 inches, with a 7 mm inside and 9 mm outside width.
Instead of a bristle brush, you get a squeegee. Reviewed says it “pulls through the straw to remove debris.” The maker also says they’re dishwasher safe and rated from -40 to 500 degrees, and that you can cut them down for a smaller cup. That last part is handy if the straw sticks out too far.
Softy markets these for adults and for kids and toddlers. We’d follow the maker’s own guidance on age and supervise small children with any straw. Silicone can pick up smells over time from what you drink, so keep an eye on them if you switch between coffee and water. That’s our own caution rather than a maker’s statement.
Why we like it
- Soft, teeth-friendly material
- Squeegee reaches the full length
- Named in Reviewed’s guide
- Can be cut to fit, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | mm-straw-1 |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone |
| Count | Not stated on this listing |
| Length | 9 in |
| Width | 7 mm inside, 9 mm outside |
| Cleaning tool | Squeegee |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who dislikes hard straws, and a household with cups of different sizes. For smoothies, the wide size is the useful one.
Skip it if you want a straw that stays straight in a thick drink. A soft straw can bend out of the way.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Soft on teeth
- Simple cleaning tool
- Covered by an independent review
Cons
- Set count isn’t clear on this listing
- Can bend in thick drinks
- Thin brand
5. Softy Straws Stainless Steel Straws, 9-Inch – Squeegee, Brush and Case
This is the same maker’s steel version, and it’s a different straw in nearly every way. It’s 18-8 stainless with removable food-grade silicone tips, 9 inches long and curved, with a 5 mm inside width. That’s narrow, closer to an ordinary straw, so it isn’t for thick smoothies.
Where it stands out is cleaning. It comes with both a squeegee and a brush, along with a drawstring carrying case. Few sets here include both tools. The listing also says the tips and the straws are dishwasher safe, so you can take it apart and run it through.
The fit claim is broad: the maker says it works with most tumblers from 12 to 32 ounces. For a 40-ounce cup, you’d want something longer. Neither Reviewed nor TechGearLab covers this steel version in what we read, so treat it as a listing-based pick.
Why we like it
- Both squeegee and brush
- Removable silicone tips
- Carrying case included
- Stated 5 mm inside width
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Material | 18-8 stainless, silicone tips |
| Count | 4 |
| Length | 9 in |
| Width | 5 mm inside |
| Cleaning tool | Squeegee and brush |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who carries a straw out and wants all the cleaning tools in one box. For water, iced coffee and thin drinks, it’s a neat kit.
Skip it if you mainly drink smoothies. A 5 mm width will struggle with thick drinks.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most cleaning tools here
- Comes with a case
- Comfortable tips
Cons
- Narrow for thick drinks
- No independent review found
- Too short for very tall cups
6. Hiware 12-Pack Stainless Steel Straws – Twelve Straws in Two Lengths
A big family or a shared office burns through straws, and twelve goes a long way. This set has six straight and six bent straws, in 8.5-inch and 10.5-inch lengths, with a 6 mm bore, two cleaning brushes and a cotton pouch. The longer ones reach the bottom of a 30-ounce tumbler, according to Hiware.
TechGearLab tested a Hiware 12-pack and gives a mixed picture. It says some of the thin straws were among the easiest to clean, but it also found them “denting significantly when hit with a hammer.” So expect easy cleaning and less strength than the Klean Kanteen. A dented straw is worth replacing, since it gets harder to clean inside.
There are no silicone tips here, only polished rounded ends. That means you’ll have bare steel against your teeth and a colder or hotter feel with extreme drinks. Hiware is an Amazon-first brand, but TechGearLab’s review does give its basic steel set some independent backing.
Why we like it
- Twelve straws in two lengths
- Two brushes included
- Easy to clean per TechGearLab
- Travel pouch included
Key specifications
| Model | SSS |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/8 stainless steel |
| Count | 12 |
| Length | 8.5 and 10.5 in |
| Width | 6 mm bore |
| Cleaning tool | 2 brushes |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits families, shared kitchens and anyone who keeps losing straws. It’s also an easy way to find out if you like metal straws at all.
Skip it if you bite your straws or drink very hot drinks. There’s no soft tip, and these dented in TechGearLab’s hammer test.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large count
- Two lengths for different cups
- Brushes included
Cons
- Dents more easily per TechGearLab
- No silicone tips
- Bare metal feel
7. ZOKU Collapsible Metal Straw With Case – Fits on a Key Ring
ZOKU’s pocket straw telescopes from 4 inches to 9 inches and packs into a 4.4-inch case with a key ring loop. The case also holds the cleaning brush. It’s 18/8 stainless with a silicone mouthpiece, and the maker says it’s fine for hot and cold drinks.
The convenience comes with a cost. A telescoping straw has joints. TechGearLab says of a different collapsible model, the Doboli, that its “two joints where the segments meet” make it hard to ensure cleanliness. That review isn’t of the ZOKU, but the same design question applies. Extend it fully, brush each section, and rinse soon after use.
ZOKU rates it dishwasher safe, top rack only. You also get only one straw, so this is a personal item rather than a household set. If you only ever use a straw at home, a plain straight one is simpler and easier to keep clean.
Why we like it
- Telescopes from 4 to 9 inches
- Case holds straw and brush
- Key ring loop
- Silicone mouthpiece
Key specifications
| Model | ZK307 201 |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/8 stainless, silicone mouthpiece |
| Count | 1 |
| Length | 4 to 9 in adjustable |
| Width | Not stated |
| Cleaning tool | Brush |
| Dishwasher | Top rack |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a commuter or traveler who wants a straw on hand when out at a cafe or restaurant. It takes up almost no room in a bag.
Skip it if you want the easiest cleaning. Joints are harder to clean than a straight tube, as TechGearLab found on another collapsible.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very small when packed
- Case keeps it clean in a bag
- Adjustable length
Cons
- Joints complicate cleaning
- Single straw
- No independent review of this model found
8. Ello Impact Reusable Plastic Straws, 8-Pack – Long Enough for a 40-Ounce Cup
Plastic might seem like the wrong answer on a page about reusable straws, but it solves a problem the others don’t. At 11.5 inches, these are the longest straws on this page, and Ello says they fit most cups and tumblers up to 40 ounces. If you own a giant tumbler, most straws here won’t reach the bottom.
You get eight BPA-free plastic straws and one straw cleaner, and all parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. Plastic won’t break like glass and won’t feel as cold as steel. The listing shows a lifetime warranty. For more on those big cups, see our cold drink tumbler guide.
The downside is that plastic is more likely than steel or glass to show scratches and stains over time, in our view, so replace these when they start to look tired. The listing doesn’t name the specific plastic, and we found no independent review of this set. Ello doesn’t say the width either, so try it with your thickest drink before relying on it.
Why we like it
- 11.5 inches, the longest here
- Straw cleaner included
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Lifetime warranty on the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 298-8819-914 |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free plastic (type not stated) |
| Count | 8 |
| Length | 11.5 in |
| Width | Not stated |
| Cleaning tool | Straw cleaner |
| Dishwasher | Top rack |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Why we recommend it
It suits owners of 30- and 40-ounce tumblers who want a long straw and don’t need steel. It’s a practical pick for desks and cars.
Skip it if you want to leave plastic behind altogether. That may be why you’re shopping for reusable straws in the first place.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest straw here
- Won’t shatter
- Eight in a pack
Cons
- Still plastic
- Plastic type not named
- No review found
What each material gets right and wrong
Steel is the durable default, and TechGearLab’s hammer test shows that even steel varies. It gets cold in a cold drink and hot in a hot one, which is why silicone tips exist. Glass is easy to inspect and adds no taste of its own, but Reviewed’s drop test shows what happens on concrete. Silicone is soft and forgiving, though it can bend in a thick drink. Plastic gives you length and low weight, and it is the least appealing if your goal is to stop using plastic.
Amazon Basics was on our list to check, and the Amazon Basics straw we found is a disposable flex straw, so it isn’t here.
How to choose a reusable straw
Start with your cup. Measure it. A 9-inch straw is fine for a 20-ounce tumbler, but a 40-ounce cup needs something closer to the Ello’s 11.5 inches.
Width follows the drink. A 5 mm inside width is fine for water and iced coffee. Smoothies need more, and the 7 mm Softy or a 9.5 mm-outside glass straw suits them better.
Look at the cleaning tool. Reviewed says most sets come with a brush, and to clean “from both ends.” It also suggests dental floss as an alternative after soaking. We list the tool for every pick, and one listing doesn’t name any.
Think about who’s using it. Glass isn’t for rough handling. For children, follow the maker’s own age guidance and supervise them.
Removable parts. TechGearLab found silicone tips easy to clean on some straws, but it also found residue collecting where metal meets the tip on one set. Take tips off when you wash.
Replace what’s damaged. Chips in glass and dents in steel both make a straw worse. We’d bin a chipped glass straw right away.
How we picked these eight straw sets
We looked for in-stock sets from named makers, covered each main material, and kept Amazon-first brands to two (Hiware and Softy Straws). We read Reviewed’s guide by Courtney Campbell and Monica Petrucci and TechGearLab’s metal straw review, and we credit them with their test results. Those reviews cover brands and sets that may not match each listing exactly, so we say so where it matters.
We haven’t used these straws ourselves. Specs come from each Amazon listing, and where a listing doesn’t give a figure we write “Not stated.” We checked the CPSC recall database by brand and saw nothing for these straw sets.
Reusable straw questions, answered
Are metal and glass straws better than silicone?
They’re different. Steel is strongest, and glass shows dirt and adds no taste of its own. Silicone is softest. Pick by your drink and who is using it.
How do you clean a reusable straw?
Use the included brush or squeegee right after use, working through from both ends as Reviewed advises. If the maker rates it dishwasher safe, run it through too. Take off any silicone tips first.
Do glass straws break easily?
Reviewed found its picks sturdy when handled correctly, but they shattered on concrete in its drop test. Don’t use them where they may fall on a hard floor.
What length of straw fits a 40-ounce tumbler?
Ello says its 11.5-inch straw fits cups up to 40 ounces. The 9-inch and 10.5-inch straws here are aimed at smaller cups, so measure yours.
Can you use a metal straw for hot drinks?
ZOKU says its straw works for hot and cold drinks, and that its silicone mouthpiece protects teeth. Steel does take on heat, so silicone tips help if you drink hot beverages.
Our final pick for everyday sipping
Related guide: Glass vs stainless steel straws.
The Klean Kanteen 4-pack is the set we’d start with, and it’s worth adding a brush if yours doesn’t come with one. Glass lovers should go to Hummingbird, and a soft-straw fan will want Softy. For more on the cups they go in, see our cold drink tumbler guide or glass water bottle guide. If you’d rather leave the cooking to someone else tonight, call Julia’s to order at (346) 546-8283.