With nearly 500 million disposable plastic straws ending up in landfills every year in the United States alone, there has been a huge market for sustainable alternatives that can be used over and over again.
While glass straws and bamboo straws get most of the spotlight in the eco-friendly straw world, stainless steels straws are quickly becoming a popular option.
In addition to being eco-friendly and reusable, metal straws are perhaps the most durable option on the market. Unlike bamboo, they will not degrade over time and, unlike glass straws; they will not break or shatter with continued use.
If you like to use a straw for your iced tea, hot coffee, or thick blended smoothies, and you want to invest in a set of straws that will last for decades, stainless steel is a great alternative to your traditional plastic straw.
Ready to give metal straws a try?
Read below to find our favorite stainless steel straw sets that will meet a variety of needs.
Article NavigationAre Metal Straws Safe?Top Stainless Steel Drinking Straw Brands1. SipWell – For Everyday Use (Bent)2. X-Chef – For Everyday Use (Straight)3. Eco at Heart – Best for Smoothies4. Otavay – Best Variety Set5. PrimeStraws – Great for KidsConsiderations For Buying Metal Drinking StrawsLengthDiameterShapeMaterialCleaning BrushReusable Stainless Steel Straws
Are Metal Straws Safe?
When made with food-grade stainless steel, metal straws are 100% safe and are much better for the environment than traditional, disposable plastic straws.
Because they’re made from metal, they’ll also last much longer than other reusable straws like bamboo, which degrade over time, and glass straws, which can break after continued use.
However, metal straws can take some getting used to.
Because they are completely inflexible, it’s important to be careful when bringing them to your mouth – hitting your teeth or lips with them can cause minor injury since the metal straws don’t have the give and flexibility of traditional plastic straws.
For this reason, you’ll want to be careful if you’re using metal straws for drinks for small children – they shouldn’t run with the straws, and should have enough coordination as not to inadvertently poke themselves with the straw while drinking.
Top Stainless Steel Drinking Straw Brands
1. SipWell - For Everyday Use (Bent)
At approximately 9-10 inches each (7-8 inches after the bend), the extra-long straws from SipWell are perfect for most 30-ounce tumblers and mojito or collins glasses.
They are slim straws, best suited for thin beverages like water, juice, coffee, and tea.
The straws are made from 18/8 stainless steel, are rust- and scratch-proof, and can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Each pack comes with four drinking straws and a cleaning brush to make sure you’re getting any stuck-on bits off the inner walls before washing.
What We Love
The size and thin diameter of these straws make them compatible with most tumblers up to 30 ounces, so you don’t have to buy a specific tumbler to use them with. In smaller tumblers, they might be slightly long, but they still get the job done. These are versatile straws, which can be used with a variety of drinking vessels.
What We Didn’t Like
If used in a metallic cup, these straws do tend to be a little noisy. For use in quiet environments, or if you’re sensitive to noise, try these straws with a non-metal tumbler or drinking glass.
2. X-Chef - For Everyday Use (Straight)
The straw set from X-Chef contains four straight 8.5-inch straws, each made from rust- and scratch-proof-304 stainless steel.
The company is so confident in their product that all buyers are guaranteed 100% one-year warranty – if you experience any breaking, rust, or warping on your straws, the company will refund your money or replace the product.
The straws fit tumblers up to about 20 ounces, and a variety of drinking glasses.
The straw set comes with a nylon cleaning brush, and all the straws can be run through the dishwasher.
What We Love
In addition to being sturdy and smooth, these straws also leave no metallic aftertaste while drinking. Simply give them a rinse in soapy water before the first use, and you won’t have any taste of metal in your beverage.
What We Didn’t Like
At 8.5 inches each, these straws are a little too short for larger tumblers. If you do most of your drinking from a tumbler with a larger volume, look for a longer set of straws.
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For the avid smoothie drinker, these Eco at Heart extra wide smoothie straws is the perfect solution.
At 4/10” diameter and 8.5 inches long, these straws slurp up thicker beverages like smoothies, shakes, and blended frozen drinks without issue.
The straws are made from high grade 18/8 stainless steel, and will not bend or break the way other reusable straws can.
They are eco-friendly and free of plastics and BPA.
For easy cleanup, the straws can be cleaned with the included nylon cleaning brush and then be placed in your dishwasher.
Each set includes four drinking straws, a nylon cleaning brush, and a free smoothie recipes e-book that includes 25 different concoctions.
What We Love
The straws are perfect for smoothies and shakes, but they’re also incredibly versatile. Many reviewers find them wide enough for blended and frozen beverages, but not so wide that they can’t be used with other, thinner beverages. A single set can meet your needs for a wide variety of drinks.
What We Didn’t Like
While the cleaning brush is great for removing stuck-on smoothie bits, it is a little too short to reach the middle of the straw from each end. Rinse immediately after using to ensure any residue gets washed away.
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4. Otavay - Best Variety Set
Perhaps you’re looking to replace your disposable plastic straws with stainless steel alternatives, but you don’t want to commit to a single straw length or shape. For those who need a variety of straws, the Otavay set of six straws contains a straw for every need.
Each set comes with four bent drinking straws, one extra long straw, and one extra wide straw, as well as a handy cleaning brush.
Each straw is made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel that won’t rust, corrode, stain, or bend. They are safe, non-toxic, and BPA-free.
The straws are dishwasher safe and can be used with a variety of tumblers, glasses, and mugs, as well as many types and textures of beverages.
What We Love
The versatility of this set is unparalleled and makes things economical – rather than having to buy two full sets of single-shape straws, you can have one straw for your tumbler, one for smoothies, and a few multi-use everyday straws, which saves you money and valuable drawer space.
What We Didn’t Like
While reviews for this straw set are overwhelmingly positive, some purchasers noted that the straws had a somewhat tin aftertaste to them, even after washing and rinsing.
5. PrimeStraws - Great for Kids
PrimeStraws’ stainless steel straws with silicone clips make them unique, and a great choice for small children or adults of any age.
The silicone clips keep the straws locked in place, and prevent them from slipping out of a tumbler or moving around the rim of the cup you’re trying to drink from.
Each 10.5-inch straw is made from premium stainless steel, which won’t stain, warp, or rust, and can be run through the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
The straws are ergonomically bent, and fit most 20-30 ounce tumblers, and a variety of glasses and cups. Each pack contains four drinking straws, and the silicone banding comes in red or blue. The sets also include a convenient nylon cleaning brush.
What We Love
The addition of the tumbler clips make these a great option for children, so they have less of a chance of knocking their teeth or lips against the straw while trying to chase it around the glass. The colored silicone straw covers also add a little fun and personality to the straws.
What We Didn’t Like
As each straw has a diameter of a quarter of an inch, the straws are a little too narrow for smoothies. They only work well with thinner beverages like water and juice.
Considerations For Buying Metal Drinking Straws
Length
Do you tend to drink from a tumbler on the way to work, or a coffee mug?
Before purchasing your straws, consider the length that makes sense for the vessel you usually use. A straw that’s too short will disappear into your drink, while one that’s too long might slide out of the glass or move frustratingly along the rim.
If you drink from many types of cups and mugs, consider purchasing a variety pack of straws that includes a few of different lengths.
Diameter
If you’ve ever tried to drink a thick smoothie or shake through a narrow, traditional straw, you know that width can affect how easy or difficult it is to drink something.
On the flip side, a straw that’s too wide for your thin beverage can make it difficult to draw the liquid up.
Consider the viscosity of the beverages you usually consume – if you rarely make smoothies or blended beverages, a set of straws that are a quarter- to half-inch wide will probably be perfect for your thinner drinks, but a dedicated smoothie drinker should invest in wider straws that can accommodate the thicker liquid.
Shape
The shape of your straw comes down to personal preference – do you prefer an ergonomically bent straw, or one that’s straight as an arrow?
In addition to personal preference, certain shapes might lend themselves better to use by adults or children, with bent usually being the preferred shape for little kids.
On the whole, though, this comes down mostly to which shape you like best.
It’s important to remember that, because stainless steel straws are made with a single piece of metal, they’re fixed in the position you choose – they aren’t “bendy” like disposable straws, which might allow you to make them bent or straight depending on your preference at that time.
If you don’t want to commit to a single shape, consider getting a set of both types!
Material
Always look for straws that are made from food-grade stainless steel, usually 18/8 stainless steel.
This ensures that the metal straw won’t rust, warp, or break during use, meaning you will be able to use it for longer, saving you money, and it won’t develop any troublesome rust, which will prevent your family members from getting sick.
The use of food-grade stainless steel will also cut down on the chance that the metal straw will have any tin- or metallic aftertaste, meaning your drinks will taste just as good as they do through traditional straws.
Cleaning Brush
Especially if you’re using your straws with smoothies or blended drinks, it’s important to choose a straw set that includes a cleaning brush. Usually made with nylon bristles, the cleaning brushes are a cylindrical shape and can scrub stuck-on bits to ensure an even, spotlessly clean.
If possible, make sure the cleaning brush is at least half the length of the straw, to make sure you can scrub off any residue or stuck-on bits in the middle of the straw.
If your set doesn’t include a cleaning brush, you should plan to rinse the straw immediately after use, which can be difficult if you’re using your straw in a travel mug, or somewhere you don’t have access to a sink.
Reusable Stainless Steel Straws
If you’re looking to invest in reusable, sustainable drinking straws, and want something that will last for years and years, stainless steel straws are worth a closer look – and deserve a spot in your kitchen.
With a variety of shapes and lengths to accommodate all kinds of beverages and drinking vessels, you can choose a pack of single-shape or length straws, or try a variety pack that includes all kinds of straws for many different beverages.
No matter what shape or style you pick, making the switch from disposable plastic straws to sustainable stainless steel drinking straws will ultimately be healthier for your family, economical, and better for our planet – it’s a triple win!
This is a very well written comparison article & just what I needed. THANK YOU!
Question: any recommendations on a carrying case?
This is a great question. It’s not something we thought of to be honest. But doing a quick scan, I found this option from Simply Straw, which is made from hemp, flax and cotton. Seems like a pretty decent option if you ask me.
Your article was very helpful to me. I have only one complaint and that is because from the title I thought it would address titanium straws as well as steel straws. I imagine many of the issues pros and cons would be the same. I have been trying to weigh the merits of both. Why would a person choose one over the other?
Hey! That’s a really great idea. We’re going to work to improve the article and add in your suggestion. Thanks
Hi,
I currently use the SipWell straws to drink my Concentrace Trace Minerals and it’s beginning to rust. Perhaps the minerals are causing it but just an FYI!
That’s odd – stainless shouldn’t rust. Either way, thanks for the input as it’s always helpful.
Thank you for your helpful review on SS straws, curious are any Made in USA or all china or where?
Thanks!
I am also interested to know where straws are manufactured. I want to purchase straws made in the USA.
Putting extremely hard things in your mouth is asking for trouble. They could cause all kinds of damage to your mouth and kids can get hurt playing with them. I wouldn’t recommend anyone purchase these.
I’ve been using a steel straw now for over a year. I really don’t see how it could damage one’s mouth as you just place your mouth on the straw and sip. And of course you would not let a child play with one! But there are MANY items in the kitchen or house that a child shouldn’t play with. Not sure why that would be a deterrent unless a child is allowed to run around with a drink in their hands. Anyway, I don’t see how injuring oneself could be a common issue!