Choosing the right kind of drinking glasses is important because some elements can affect the health of everyone in the family. Looking into this topic, we have discovered that there have been questions on what drinking glasses are lead and cadmium-free. We checked it out and thoroughly researched this to create a list of options for lead and cadmium-free drinking glasses.
11 Options for Lead and Cadmium-free Drinking Glasses:
- Borosil 12-ounce Drinking Glasses
- Anchor Hocking Rio Small and Large Drinking Glasses
- JoyJolt Faye 13-ounce Highball Drinking Glasses
- Glaver's Tumbler Beverage Set
- La Rochère Napoleon Bee 10-ounce Tumblers
- Duralex Unie Glass Tumblers
- Luminarc Perfection Stemless Wine Glass
- Ball Mason Drinking Jars
- Bormioli Rocco Sorgente Glasses
- Spiegelau Red Wine Glasses
- Libbey Signature Westbury Champagne Flutes
Knowing that your drinking glasses are lead and cadmium-free will ensure that you and your family's health will always be at its best. In this post, we will talk about the best options you can find for safe drinking glasses. Keep reading because we'll also talk about how to find if your glassware has lead and cadmium, as well as check out the safest glass options you can drink from.
11 Options For Lead & Cadmium-Free Drinking Glasses
Drinking glasses are one of the most important additions to any kitchen. After all, no celebration or get-together will be complete without a good drinking glass. How else would your guests enjoy those delicious cocktails or that meticulously chosen wine without the right drinking glass?
Over the years, many discussions have been about the dangers of lead and cadmium leaching out of glassware. While most glasses on the market today are already lead and cadmium-free, people are still looking for options on the kind of glassware they should buy. Here is a list of the best lead and cadmium-free drinking glasses we've compiled for you.
1. Borosil 12-ounce Drinking Glasses
Get the Borosil drinking glasses on Amazon.
Let's start with the classic, straight-walled drinking glasses. The Borosil 12-ounce drinking glasses are the no-brainer basic drinking glass you will most likely see in many homes. These glasses are made of 100% borosilicate, which makes them very resistant to extreme temperature change. They are also dishwasher-proof, so you'll have clear glasses after repeated use.
2. Anchor Hocking Rio Small and Large Drinking Glasses
Check out the Anchor Hocking Rio glasses on Amazon.
Anchor Hocking is a brand that is well known for its high-quality and durable glassware since 1905. The Rio small and large drinking glasses are perfect for any entertaining kitchen. This set comes with 11-ounce and 16-ounce tumblers, perfect for cocktails or even some whiskey for a quick nightcap.
3. JoyJolt Faye 13-ounce Highball Drinking Glasses
See these JoyJolt Faye Highball glasses on Amazon.
If you are looking for great highball glasses to complete your collection, the JoyJolt Faye is an excellent choice. These glasses have a thick bottom base and a rolled rim, which gives off a good heft when you hold them in your hands.
4. Glaver's Tumbler Beverage Set
Get the Glaver's Tumbler set on Amazon.
Lead and cadmium-free glassware doesn't always need to look very plain and boring. These tumblers from Glaver's has an elegant wide-ribbed design etched on the inside of the glass. Originally made as beer glasses, these tumblers can also be used for cocktails or any kind of drink you'd like to serve your guests.
5. La Rochère Napoleon Bee 10-ounce Tumblers
Check out the La Rochère Napoleon Bee tumblers on Amazon.
Another set of glassware with a beautiful design is this La Rochère Napoleon Bee tumbler. This glassware set proudly displays the Napoleon symbol of "l'Abeille" or the bee, and is part of a signature glass collection from the same brand. These tumblers are smaller than most, but they are perfect for serving short drinks or punch during a lively get-together.
6. Duralex Unie Glass Tumblers
See these Duralex glass tumblers on Amazon.
Another kitchen classic, Duralex is a brand that consistently makes metal-free drinking glasses. These Unie glass tumblers are one of their basic yet most popular designs on the market. They are temperature shock-resistant and stackable, which is a great feature, especially if you have limited space in your kitchen cabinets.
7. Luminarc Perfection Stemless Wine Glass
Get these Luminarc stemless wine glasses on Amazon.
The Luminarc Perfection stemless wine glass is made from pure, hypoallergenic soda lime glass and is 100% lead-free. These stemless wine glasses can hold up to 15 ounces of liquid, perfect for that lovely red wine you picked for tonight's nightcap.
8. Ball Mason Drinking Jars
Grab these Ball Mason drinking jars on Amazon.
If you're a fan of the Ball mason jars, you'll be happy to know that they are lead and cadmium-free and can also double as drinking glasses. Of course, Ball has also created a special set of drinking jars that come with sip and straw lids to make drinking easier. These drinking jars can hold up to 24 ounces of beverage, so you don't have to worry about refilling quickly.
9. Bormioli Rocco Sorgente Glasses
Check out these Bormioli Rocco glasses on Amazon.
For those looking for glasses with personality, these Bormioli Rocco glasses are perfect for you. These Sorgente glasses have finger grooves that make it easier for guests to grip their glass easily. The design also gives off a sense of motion, making you feel like the glass is moving with you as you party.
10. Spiegelau Red Wine Glasses
Get the Spiegelau red wine glasses on Amazon.
Another wine glass set in this collection is the Spiegelau red wine glass set. This beautiful stemware is elegant and classic, and every home should have one.
11. Libbey Signature Westbury Champagne Flutes
Get these Libbey champagne flutes on Amazon.
For every celebration, we shouldn't forget the bubbly. The Libbey Signature Westbury champagne flute is a beautifully-designed, lead-free stemware that will captivate your guests. These champagne flutes were made with a ClearFire glass composition to give that perfect clarity without sacrificing durability.
Can You Tell If Your Glassware Has Lead Or Cadmium?
While lead and cadmium have been very common in many industrial processes throughout the years. However, the common use of these metals in kitchenware and glassware has been a concern for many individuals. In a 2017 study by the University of Plymouth, it is worth noting that 70% of these drinking glasses have traces of lead and cadmium.
Most glassware with trace amounts of lead and cadmium is antique crystal and other decorative glassware. Newly manufactured glassware is less likely to have lead and cadmium in them. However, it's not a bad idea to check for that possibility.
You can start by grabbing a glass and feeling its weight in your hands. Lead drinking glasses are much heavier than lead-free glasses because metal adds weight. You'll notice the difference between antique glassware and newer drinking glasses.
Another way to test glassware for lead and cadmium is by tapping the side of the glass. Using your fingernail or a fork, tap the glassware very gently. If you hear a gentle and dull "clink," your glass is most likely metal-free. If it makes a long, drawn-out ringing sound, your glassware has traces of metal. The longer the sound, the more lead or cadmium there is in the glass.
Holding glassware up to the light can also show you if there are traces of lead or cadmium. The pure glass refracts light, so you'll immediately see a rainbow when the light hits it just right. If you find it hard to get the prism of light to break into a rainbow, your glassware will likely have lead.
What Is The Safest Glass To Drink From?
One of the best options to choose from when looking for a lead and cadmium-free set of glassware is borosilicate glass. This type of glass uses boron trioxide and silica, which are both safe and environmentally friendly. They are more heat-resistant than other glasses, making them an excellent choice for durable glassware.
Alternatively, you can also look for glasses made of soda lime. It's another non-toxic option for glassware, but they are less durable than borosilicate glass. This type of glass cannot withstand too much heat, so pouring hot water on soda lime glassware will make it crack. It is also cheaper, but you'll see the reasons for the glassware's durability.
Final Thoughts
The right drinking glasses should keep you and your family healthy. While there have been studies that small amounts of lead and cadmium in glass aren't something to worry about, there is nothing wrong with looking for the best options. The right glassware can ultimately be the best choice you can make for your family.
Are you looking to learn more about the best drinking glasses you can have for your family? Look no further because we have articles that may interest you:
Do Drinking Glasses Wear Out? [And How To Prevent That]
Acrylic Vs. Polycarbonate Drinking Glasses: Which To Choose?
