Great stemware is just as important as what’s poured into them. Contrary to popular belief, snagging top-notch wine glasses doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether looking for variety-specific stems, moody goblets, or glassware with a modern flair, there’s an affordable option for every style and preference. Inexpensive wine glasses also make for the ultimate wine gift or gift for hosts, since you’ll spend less time stressing over accidental breakage and more time enjoying that tray of holiday hors d’oeuvres.
It should come as no surprise that we take our glassware seriously, so we sought to test the best affordable wine glasses. After testing 14 wine glasses from Crate & Barrel, Glasvin, Schott Zwiesel, and West Elm, we narrowed our list of favorites down to eight budget-friendly and beautiful picks. Grab your favorite bottle, locate your electric wine opener, and get ready to elevate your next wine-drinking experience at home — with a few extra bucks to put towards your next wine purchase.
Few red wine glasses offer the optimal balance between lightness and sturdiness like that of Schott Zwiesel’s Tour glass. Made from Tritan glass in Germany, these 18-ounce glasses are perfect for bringing out the best in all styles of red wine, though we particularly loved them for lighter and medium-bodied styles. The angular bowl creates decent conditions for swirling, while its thin lip adds a touch of elegance to at-home tastings, happy hours, and wine-drinking sessions.
The glasses are extremely durable and can withstand the dishwasher. We’ve used them for over three years and have washed them both by hand and in the dishwasher, and they’ve survived multiple rounds in the latter with no cracks or scratches. Above all, the glasses look great on the dining room table, feel fabulous in the hand, and offer a quality-to-price ratio that’s hard to beat. At $15 a pop, this is a great mid-price glass that will look great.
Material: Tritan glass | Capacity: 18 ounces | Price per glass: $16
It’s true — our favorite white wine glass is the least expensive out of all the products we tested. Clocking in at 9.75 inches tall, this signature Crate & Barrel glass allows the perfect amount of room for swirling, while ensuring that standard 3.5- to 4-ounce pours don’t look lost in its 14-ounce capacity. In terms of thickness, we deem this glass to be a Goldilocks expression, in that it’s not too thin, yet not too thick — in short, it’s just right.
Although the glasses are slightly taller than average (we found that they might not fit in smaller cabinet spaces), they’re dishwasher safe, though the long stems render them bottom-shelf exclusive. However, their height makes them feel extra special, adding a bit of elegance to simple dinners at home. This is an affordable, everyday wine glass that makes even a tailgating bottle feel just a bit more elevated.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 14 ounces | Price per glass: $7
For a universal stem that covers all of your bases, we recommend this all-purpose wine glass from Libbey. Equipped with a traditional bell-shaped bowl and a slightly curved rim, this universal glass gets thinner from top to bottom while feeling light in the hand. The delicate rim sits gently on the mouth, making simple at-home drinking experiences feel more elegant.
What impressed us most was the glassware’s ability to withstand dishwashers, even commercial models with high-pressure water streams. The stems held up perfectly. Although certainly appropriate for all styles of wine, we found that whites showed slightly better, as the glasses’ narrower build helped to emphasize acidity. For wine drinkers looking to romanticize simple moments at home without breaking the bank, these all-purpose glasses are it.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 16 ounces | Price per glass: $11
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We love the large capacity, thin rim, and above all, unbeatable price point of these versatile wine glasses.
Surprise, surprise — the best affordable wine glassware steal on our list comes from none other than IKEA. The brand’s DYRGRIP glasses measure eight inches tall and have a large 20-ounce capacity per bowl. The wider base makes it better built for red wines, though we found that whites and bubbles do just as well in this crystalline glass.
While not heavy, we noticed that the model has slightly changed over time, becoming a bit clunkier and thicker. While the plus side to this is of course durability, the elegance of the glass has gone down a notch — but at $5 a pop, who’s complaining? The affordable wine glasses are also dishwasher safe and easy to store; two key testing points on our grid.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 20 ounces | Price per glass: $5
For those seeking to add a modern touch to their home wine glasses, we can’t think of a better pick than these Horizon glasses from West Elm. Crafted from lead-free crystal in Germany, these sleek wine glasses offer a slightly more angular shape than traditional structures yet remain delicate and thin-feeling in hand. The bowl-to-stem ratio is right around 50:50, which makes these glasses feel well-balanced.
The Horizon glasses hold 17 ounces, which we found to be more designed for reds — though other colors and styles of wine will work just fine. We found that the crystal material brings an extra touch of elegance, and best of all, the brand notes that the glasses are dishwasher safe. (Note: Although durable, we wouldn’t recommend leaving them in the sink, for fear of tipping and breaking.) The cherry on top here is the price tag; $38 for a set of four breaks down to just under $10 a glass — a steal for the quality and design offered by the product.
Material: Lead-free crystal glass | Capacity: 17 ounces | Price per glass: $10
Glasvin’s universal stemless wine glasses are elegant and stylish — but quite delicate. Their 16.9-ounce capacity allows for optimal aeration and swirling, while the slightly larger opening makes nosing the wines much easier than with your average stemless wine glass. We also found that the bowl of the glass falls somewhere between a traditional red wine glass and a classic white wine glass, making the pick perfect for a variety of styles.
In addition to not being variety or color-specific, we find that the stemless nature of the glassware rendered them much more approachable and casual than their stemmed counterparts, without sophistication or quality ever sacrificed. The glasses are hand-blown and made from lead-free crystal, resulting in a super-thin final product with a delicate feel — which some may find a bit too susceptible to breakage and cracking. However, contrary to what may be expected, Glasvin recommends washing these in the dishwasher to reduce the risk of breakage. These stemless picks are an excellent upgrade for under $50 if properly cared for.
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 16.9 ounces | Price per glass: $25
For wine lovers looking to add a unique flair to their, these vintage-inspired stems from Hawkins are the perfect fit. Hand-blown and available in various colors, these eclectic vintage-inspired glasses have a stout structure and are marked by goblet shapes and sturdy bottoms. The lip of the glass is smooth, curved, and of average thickness. The glass feels quite light despite its hefty appearance.
What we loved most about these distinct glasses is their one-of-a-kind style, as each glass is marked by unique “flecks” (air bubbles) from the artisanal production process. We also loved the antique vibe that these glasses bring to the table. However, their smaller capacities make it somewhat hard to swirl and properly aerate wine, so you might want to break out the wine decanter. On a positive note, their solid structure renders them dishwasher-safe and not susceptible to breakage, which is always a plus when entertaining guests.
Material: Recycled glass | Capacity: 8.5 ounces | Price per glass: $18
For extra-large pours, we like these all-purpose Aspen glasses from Crate & Barrel. Marked by a traditional bell-shaped bowl and thin, slightly tapered rim, these glasses offer enough structure to stand up to your heftiest pours, yet remain light and comfortable despite their larger size. The bowls’ ample room allows for optimal aeration without spilling or splashing, and the tapered rim offers optimal showcasing of aromas.
Crate & Barrel’s Aspen glasses clock in at a whopping 20-ounce capacity, which means they’ll easily fit standard to larger pours of all styles of wine, along with homemade spritzes, wine cocktails, brunch cocktails, and canned libations. The glasses are also hardy enough to withstand dishwashers, we recommend hand washing when possible. We also found the glasses relatively easy to store despite their larger size. While they may not be your go-to for everyday use, they will make a statement at dinner parties and at-home happy hours.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 20 ounces | Price per glass: $5
Our Favorite Affordable Wine Glasses
Truth be told, we couldn’t pick just one set to call our favorite. If you’re looking for red wine glasses, we recommend the durable and dependable Schott Zwiesel Tour 18-Oz. Red Wine Glasses. We like Crate & Barrel’s Hip 14-Oz. White Wine Glass for white wine, and we recommend the versatile Libbey Signature Kentfield All Purpose Wine Glasses for all types of wine. Though slightly more expensive than our other affordable picks, Glasvin’s Universal Stemless Set is an excellent hosting upgrade.
How We Tested Wine Glasses
We tested each glass using the same methodology to ensure that all stemware was assessed fairly. To start, we poured five ounces of wine into each glass and tested a handful of nonalcoholic beverages to highlight versatility. We then described the design, structure, and feel of the glass, noting its ability to showcase aromas and aerate the wine via swirling.
From there, we assessed the material and overall appeal of the glass and followed care and cleaning instructions to determine each product’s ease of use and durability. To conclude, we assessed how each product stood up to other competitors in the category, then finished the test by revealing the price of the item to determine whether we believed the cost to be reflective of the product’s value.
Factors to Consider
Size
Glass size is important for several reasons, mostly in terms of aeration and comfort. Smaller glassware may limit your ability to swirl and aerate wine, though extra-large glassware may be harder to maneuver and feel uncomfortable in hand. Finding items that strike the balance between the two is ideal.
Stem vs. Stemless
Most professionals agree that stemmed glassware is preferred, as holding glassware by the bowl (in the case of stemless glasses) can undesirably raise the temperature of the wine. However, in casual situations — specifically outdoor gatherings — stemless glasses may offer a safer option, as using them provides a lower chance of breakage.
Versatility
Versatility is another key factor to consider when seeking out wine glassware, especially for those with smaller living spaces. Seeking out a universal glass will avoid the need for a number of color and variety-specific glasses — though as a side note, we’ve found that many of these ultra-specific stems are often more versatile than not across the board.
Care
Although hand washing is often recommended, leaving glasses in the sink for extended periods can render them prone to tipping and breakage (as well as potential injury while washing). Choosing dishwasher-safe glassware is often a safer bet. Follow the specific care guidelines provided by your stemware brand of choice.
Other Affordable Wine Glasses We Tested
Strong Contenders
Aaron Probyn Large Red Juniper Wine Glasses, Set of 2 ($51 at Food52)
While beautiful to look at, Aaron Probyn’s Juniper wine glasses are recommended to be washed by hand, which increases the chances of breakage. Additionally, at over $50 for a set of two, these glasses clock in at the higher end of our affordable spectrum. We found the sharp corners and angular shape of these glasses to distract from our sipping experience.
Crate & Barrel Edge 15-Oz. Red Wine Glass ($10 at Crate & Barrel)
We love the unique shape of these Crate & Barrel Edge red wine glasses, though their wide openings made it difficult to properly capture and assess aromas.
Schott Zwiesel Pure Tritan Crystal Cabernet/All-Purpose Stemware, Set of 2 ($90 at Amazon)
We love these glasses — 10/10, no notes — save for the price tag. At nearly $90 for a set of two, these are not affordable.
Editor’s Note: We also included West Elm’s stemless Metropolitan Glassware in this test. While we adored these glasses and appreciated their angular, slightly tapered shape, this stemless set has sold out.
Our Expertise
Vicki Denig is a freelance wine and travel journalist who divides her time between New York and Paris. She is a certified wine specialist who has worked in the wine trade since 2013. Denig’s writing appears regularly in Decanter, Departures, Food & Wine, Liquor.com, and Wine Enthusiast, among others.