The Best Reusable Straws for Home and Travel

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Disposable single-use plastic straws have been under fire in recent years, and for good reason: they clog up our waterways, contribute to the plastic waste in the ocean, and are harmful to wildlife. Some companies offer paper straws as an alternative, but those become less sturdy as they soak in drinks, and still increase your ecological footprint. An increasing number of brands now offer washable, reusable straws, and some even offer portable models that are easy to carry with you on the go.

There are several things to consider when shopping for reusable straws, like material: reusable straws are available in silicone, stainless steel, bamboo, and hard plastic. Silicone straws are softer and less likely to cause injury to the mouth than other types, but can be difficult to clean. On the other hand, stainless steel is easy to clean, but is very rigid and may not be appropriate for children. Bamboo is a renewable resource and eventually recyclable but the wood can permeate flavors if left sitting for too long in a liquid. Finally, reusable plastic straws are easy to clean and more eco-friendly than their disposable counterparts, they can feel rigid in your mouth.

A second element to keep in mind is ease of cleaning: you’ll need a brush or two to scrub out the inside of the straw, because the dishwasher won’t do it. The best reusable straws are smooth on the inside, making them easier to clean with a brush. If you plan to travel with your straws, consider whether or not the straw is portable: some come with pouches for travel in a bag or purse, while others fold down into small keyring cases.

Our Top Picks

We scoured the extensive reusable straw options available on the market and assembled these quality recommendations.

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BEST OVERALL: StrawExpert Set of 16 Reusable Straws

These reusable stainless steel straws from StrawExpert feature colorful silicone tips and pull together some of the best features of stainless and silicone. Made of durable food-grade stainless steel with a .5 millimeter wall, these straws are sturdy and have a smooth feel. Their multicolored silicone tips slide over the stainless steel for comfortable and safe drinking, plus dishwasher safety. These tips also help distinguish which straw belongs to each person using them. Adding to the convenience of this package, StrawExpert includes a selection of straight and bent-top straws in varying lengths to fit all size cups up to 30 ounces. This set contains four 10.5-inch straight straws, four 1.5-inch bent straws, four 8.5-inch straight straws, and four 8.5-inch bent straws. Four cleaning brushes and a travel pouch are also included.

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BEST STAINLESS STEEL: YIHONG Set of 8 Reusable Straws

The Yihong Set of 8 Reusable Straws provides outstanding durability, featuring 6 millimeter FDA-approved stainless steel walls. The set of four straight and four bent 10.5-inch straws will fit in any tumbler or glass up to 30 ounces. The food-grade steel ensures that there is no unpleasant metallic aftertaste. The Yihong set comes in black, silver, gold, and fun rainbow finishes. A travel pouch is included with the set, as well as two cleaning brushes to scour the straws after use. If stainless steel is your ideal reusable straw, note that this set is also available in an 8.5-inch length, so you can outfit your straw set with multiple sizes quite reasonably.

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BEST SILICONE: Flathead Set of 10 Reusable Silicone Drinking Straws

Silicone straws offer safety for children and adults alike, as they’re more flexible and less likely to cause tooth injury if bumped. These 10-inch bent silicone straws are made of food-grade, BPA-free silicone and can be easily trimmed to length for smaller cups. While not a major consideration, it is worth noting that these straws feature a lovely, muted color palette—many silicone straws are brightly colored, while these are more subtle. The set includes 10 straws, a travel pouch, and teo polymer cleaning brushes. The Flathead straws are safe to run through the dishwasher, but to get them really clean, the brushes are the best tools to use.

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BEST BAMBOO: Bambaw Reusable Bamboo Drinking Straws

Handcrafted in Bali from organically-grown bamboo, these Bambaw straws are an ecologically-smart option. The set of six 5.5-inch and six 8.5-inch straws are crafted from abundant, fast-growing, sustainable bamboo plantations and are eventually biodegradable. Unlike stainless steel straws, these can be used for both hot and cold drinks without danger of burns and are sturdier than silicone. The Bambaw set includes 12 straws, a cleaning brush, a large storage pouch, and a small pouch to carry a few straws in a purse or backpack.

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BEST HARD PLASTIC: Dakoufish Reusable Glitter Straw

The Dakoufish Reusable Glitter Straw Set is available in 9- and 11-inch lengths in a multicolored set of 12 or in single colors. Made of durable BPA-free hard plastic, these straws are designed to fit in all kinds of glasses and tumblers, and have a rim close to the end to prevent the straws from being pulled out of lidded cups. The straws are not dishwasher safe, but come with a long brush for easy cleaning, and can be recycled when they eventually wear out. Well-suited for families with kids or shoppers who just like a little sparkle, these straws require little maintenance and can be reused again and again.

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BEST PORTABLE: Doboli 2 Pack Reusable Metal Straws

For many shoppers, the primary reason for buying reusable straws is to use them at restaurants, where straws may not be available or guests are wary of servers handling straws or putting their mouths directly on a glass. These stainless steel Doboli straws are 9.25 inches long—suitable for most drinking vessels—and telescope down to just under 4 inches. They slide into a small stainless steel case equipped with a keychain for convenient portability. When you’re ready to use the straw, remove it from the case and pull both ends to extend the straw to your desired length. This Doboli set includes two straws with case options in a variety of colors. Two cleaning brushes are also included for cleanup when you get home.

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BEST COMBINATION PACK: M Mozaci Reusable Straws

If you’re not sure which kind of reusable straw is right for you, the M Mozaci set gives you an opportunity to try several types with one purchase. The set includes four heavy-gauge 18/8 stainless steel straws, four optional silicone tips to affix to the stainless steel straws for comfort, four wide silicone straws, four narrow silicone straws, and three cleaning brushes. The M Mozaci straws have a bent design and a 10.5-inch length. These straws are designed to fit through virtually any manufacturer’s lid and are long enough to fit tumblers up to 30 ounces.

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BEST FOR CHILDREN: Softy Straws Silicone Straws

Softy Straws’ set of six Silicone Reusable Drinking Straws are made with FDA-approved food grade-silicone. They’re very flexible, conveniently collapsible, extra soft, yet durable, so if a child gnaws on their straw it won’t break into pieces and become a choking hazard. The diameter is slightly smaller, making these straws safer for children by preventing them from sucking up too much liquid or ice cubes. These Softy Straws are dishwasher safe, though the manufacturer recommends using the included “straw squeegee” to clean the interior thoroughly.

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BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Vehhe Drinking Straws Reusable 4 Set

The Vehhe reusable straws set includes two straight and two bent sturdy food-grade stainless steel straws, a cleaning brush, and a travel pouch. The straws are 10.5 inches long and suitable for use in glasses and tumblers up to 30 ounces. These Vehhe straws come in rainbow and rose gold hues and are offered at a very low price point—you can easily purchase a set for home and work, one for each car, or simply stock your home. The straws are conveniently dishwasher safe and will last for years.

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ALSO CONSIDER: Yoocaa Reusable Silicone Collapsible Straws

If you desire portability and prefer a silicone straw, these Yoocaa collapsible silicone straws are a worthy option. This set of two 9.9-inch FDA-approved silicone straws fold into thirds without denting or tearing to fit into the two included travel cases. The cases also have a space for the foldable cleaning brush, so you always have the tools on hand to clean out your straws. The cases are fitted with a keychain to attach it to your bag, backpack, or belt loop. Great for kids and adults, the straws are available in numerous colors and can be used over 1000 times each before they begin to deteriorate.