The Best Affordable Glassware Sets Look Deceptively Expensive

A $20 foursome of Italian martini coupes is just one of our favorites.

Updated Apr 16, 2023 11:24 AM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

The desire to own elegant (okay, pricey) drinking glasses is at odds with the reality that such precious vessels will often, inevitably, meet a shattered end. Unless you possess otherworldly poise and endless funds to shell out on stemware—or are just really into thick and chunky coupes—the alternative to this dilemma is finding affordable glassware that looks deceptively expensive. As design editors and online-shopping experts, we’ve sussed out enough drinkware to know the good budget-friendly buys from the bad, chintzy duds. Below are our findings for the best affordable glassware sets on the Internet. All included sets come reviewer- or editor-approved, clock in under $100, and range from pairs of crystal highballs to etched-flute foursomes. There are sixers of stackable wineglasses and collections containing eight elegant martini coupes. (We even tossed in a few singles between $2 and $10 a pop for good measure.) While we’ve distinguished our best overall editors’ pick for each affordable glassware category, the accompanying sets are just as compelling.

Our favorite affordable wine glasses are all of the stem persuasion—but what they lack in stemless stability they more than make up for in timeless elegance. Our top pick for the category is a classic Domino-favorite set by the Italian glassware giant Bormioli Rocco, thanks to a design that affords stackable convenience and grape-variety versatility. Honorable mention goes to H&M Home's single $10 stemmed glass with a rich green-tinted base.

Whether you’re looking for something chunky and minimal, funky and modern, or sharp and classic, we found an affordable martini set to match. While first place goes to Crate & Barrel's enduring Aspen silhouette, our runner-up favorites are making incredibly compelling cases—particularly the $25 set of four Z-stem glasses (the ’90s are back, baby) and an extra-tall martini duo we found hiding on Amazon.

These little drinkware vessels offer big vintage charm. Our favorites span quirky colored-glass sets to fresh cocktail saucer styles to (our winner) a foursome of paneled coupes that Wayfair reviewers have rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for being sturdy yet delicate. "Thrilled with these glasses," one such reviewer raves. "Superstylish. Large enough to hold a generous pour. Sturdy enough that I’m confident they won't break easily. If they could cook and clean, I’d consider marrying them." High praise.

Although stemless recycled Moroccan glasses gave our ultimate winner a run for its money, we simply couldn't resist crowning OKA's regal set of four etched champagne flutes as the best affordable winner. Their aesthetic feels distinctly heirloom—aka expensive—and we adore the subtle fluted silhouette. Runner-ups include a blue-tinted and textural set of four from Anthropologie and a classic duo by Swedish glassware maker Orrefors.

Highballs are, perhaps, the most versatile of all the affordable glassware on our list; they look good serving just about any drink you can think of, from water to whiskey to rum punch. While they might not be the most exciting stylistically, we found four sets that afford a little more pizzazz. Think of details such as grid-etched edges, elegant footed bases, a 50% off amber-tinted foursome, and—our personal favorite—rippled pedestal silhouettes. Viski's Raye Pearl Diver glasses are crafted from crystal that reviewers describe as lovely yet sturdy and compliment-winning.

Use these cuties for water, juice, or table wine—pick your poison. Our favorite set from LSA beat out the competition due to the subtly ribbed exterior and stackable shape. We’d be remiss not to mention, however, Crate & Barrel's iconic Bodega glasses (a personal favorite) for those who are in need of a full 12-piece set. If you’re in the market for something with a little more stylistic soul, then shapely pink-tinged or crinkle-textured tumblers might do the trick. We’re also digging Ichendorf Milano's handmade borosilicate cups accented with a dot of color and Anthropologie's currently on-sale set of recycled stained soda glass.

We love a set made from amber and green soda-lime glass. Our favorites cover these and more, with the top set splashing into the blue-tinted category. Italian glassware brand Ichendorf Milano is a boon for affordable glassware featuring very unique shapes, sizes, and colors. Made in collaboration with Swiss designer Michel Carlot, the $45 foursome is handcrafted from flame-worked glass in a "petroblue" tint.