Best Reusable Straws on the Market 2020

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One of the most successful campaigns in recent years would have to be the one prompting people to move away from using disposable straws.

Cafes and restaurants now offer paper straws, there’s a lot of education on the damage that the disposable ones do, and people see it as an easy way to make a change for the better.

Although there’s been a huge shift in our reliance on these harmful disposable products, there’s still the chance to do one better.

With your own reusable straw, you can ensure you keep up the good work while you’re at home, and even have a quality straw to take with you on the go, ensuring that you never have to opt for a plastic one again.

So, what are the best reusable straws on the market?

There are a few different types of straws out there, depending on what material you prefer. Metal, silicone, and eco-friendly plastic alternatives are some of the most popular, with further features like collapsible straws being trendy choices as well.

With your own plastic straw, you can commit to this change along with the rest of the world, and start to make a real difference from home.

With our help, you’ll find the best reusable drinking straws on the market in all shapes, sizes, and materials, and be able to do your part for the environment in a small but effective way.

We’ve searched far and wide to come up with the best choices for reusable straws on the market, giving you only the best of the best to select from. These represent our favorites in the eco-friendly straw department and we’re sure they’ll make your life a lot better, and greener, as well.

Best Metal Reusable Straws: Hiware 12 Pack Reusable Straws

Hiware 12 Pack Reusable Straws
  • Number: 12
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Type: Straight and bent

To equip your home or business with enough straws to make a real difference to the planet, the Hiware 12 Pack of Reusable Straws is our favorite.

These are the best reusable metal straws money can buy, and as well as containing the drinking device, you’ll also get cleaning brushes and a natural cotton bag if you ever want to take them with you.

There are lots of options for how to personalize your straws, with colors available including rose gold, gold, silver, black, and even rainbow. 

What customers loved most about these straws was how they made their drinks taste. Sometimes with cheaper stainless steel straws, it’s easy to taste the metal in your mouth afterward, and this puts a lot of people off from using them.

However, the Hiware brand has ensured this doesn’t happen, so all you’ll be able to taste is your refreshing drink.

Although, customers didn’t particularly like the coating on some of the colored options. Some people have mentioned that the rose gold straws started to lose their color after a few months. To prevent this from happening, you might want to stick to the stainless steel silver color only and avoid disappointment.

The Hiware Straws are BPA and lead-free, and are made with 18/8 food-grade stainless steel. Within the pack, you’ll get three straight straws and three bent straws for 10.5″ tumblers, and three straight and three bent ones for smaller 8.5” tumblers.

Having both sizes was a nice touch and meant you didn’t have to drink uncomfortably with a larger straw in a small glass just to be eco-friendly.

These straws are easy to clean thanks to the two nylon cleaning brushes, and you can throw them straight into the dishwasher to do the job for you.

Each of Hiware’s straws is capable of replacing 500 plastic straws, and sometimes more, which means the entire set can save 6,000 disposable straws from reaching the ocean and landfills.

To get your hands on the 12 pack of stainless steel drinking straws from Hiware and make a real difference, head to Amazon for the best price.

They offer free shipping on your first purchase, otherwise, you’ll have to pay a small fee, or invest in a few packets to share with friends and family and skip the shipping charges altogether. 

Runner Up: Vehhe Metal Straws

Vehhe Metal Straws
  • Number: 4
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Type: Straight and bent

Vehhe has created a set of stainless steel straws to suit every person, with color choices including gold, silver, and rainbow.

Within this set, you’ll get four straws which comprise of two bendy straws and two straight straws, both measuring just over 10 inches. Within the set, you’ll also get a cleaning brush that fits inside of the straws, making it easy to keep them in good condition.

According to customers, they loved having the choice to use either a bent or straight straw, as it made it easier to use them with a bigger range of drinks.

If you have kids especially, the addition of the curved kind helps them to get a handle on the straw, so one set is more than enough for the whole family. The size is big enough for most tumblers and won’t topple out of smaller drinks, so it’s a good versatile pick that suits all kinds of beverages.

There were a few disappointing comments about how thin the straws are, so if you’re someone who prefers a thicker style and a wider diameter, these might not be for you.

Those who drink thicker smoothies and shakes with them will probably want to upgrade, otherwise, the chunks of fruit and other ingredients can cause a blockage.

Vehhe Metal Straws are made with 18/8 304 grade stainless steel making them food grade and safe for human consumption. They’re BPA free, plastic-free, and will keep their color even with years of use, helping you to make a real difference when switching from disposable straws.

When you’re ready to clean them, just put them in the dishwasher, and if they ever need an extra touch, you can use the included cleaning brush.

The straight straws measure 10.5” and the bent straws 10.03”, and all of them come contained in an eco-friendly carrying pouch, so all parts having the environment in mind.

One package of these straws has the potential to save thousands of plastic ones from ending up in the ocean, and it’s an affordable way to do your part.

The Vehhe Reusable Straws are convenient and affordable, with the best price for the set being on Amazon.

Best Silicone Reusable Straws: Flathead Reusable Silicone Straws

Flathead Reusable Silicone Straws
  • Number: 10
  • Material: Silicone
  • Type: Bent

If the average stainless steel straw feels too harsh for you to drink from, a silicone option may be best.

Our pick for the top silicone reusable straws come from Flathead, made from 100% food-grade BPA free silicone, they’re a softer way to do your part for the planet, with all of the benefits that silicone comes with.

These straws can be used with either hot or cold drinks and they’ll keep their shape either way, as well as being free from the nasty chemicals that normally leach from plastic straws.

Customers’ favorite thing about the Flathead Reusable Straws is how soft and flexible they were, without losing any of their durability.

They’re a great choice for children as there’s no risk of being poked with stainless steel, and the tough silicone construction means they’re built to last for years. People found them less harsh on their teeth as well, so if you have sensitivity in that area, making the switch to silicone is better.

The width of these straws is just slightly bigger than a regular straw, which didn’t please some customers. If you’re used to drinking heavier drinks like smoothies and fresh juices with pulp and other thicker ingredients, you might have to struggle to get them through.

For thin liquids, it shouldn’t be a bother, unless you’re someone who prefers a larger diameter straw with a wide opening.

For a silicone type, these are the best reusable straws with case and cleaning brush included, just as you’d get with stainless steel.

Flathead Reusable Straws come in a pack of 10 and with different pastel colors of teal, purple, pink, and blue, making them one of the more stylish options enabling you to do your part for the environment.

Flathead has designed these straws to be compatible with Tervis, RTIC, and Yeti 30 and 40oz tumblers, but there’s no end to how you can enjoy them.

As an extra-long straw with a bent shape, they’re not ideal for short tumblers and measure around 10 inches in length. You can use the included cleaning brush or put them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning, and because they’re food-grade silicone they can withstand the highest temperatures.

If you prefer silicone over stainless steel, our top pick is the Flathead Silicone Reusable Straws. For a softer and funkier way to cut down on disposable and reusable plastic straws, these silicone ones are a great choice.

Runner Up: WonderSip Reusable Straws

WonderSip One-Click Open Reusable Drinking Straw
  • Number: 5
  • Material: Polypropylene
  • Type: Opening straw

WonderSip has created a truly unique type of drinking straw with its one-click open reusable straws. These polypropylene straws are made in a one-piece design that opens in half and then closes as needed, giving you an easier way to keep them clean without relying on fiddly brushes and tools.

With five straws in each pack, you’ll get a product with a whole lot of personality compared to other reusable options.

The best thing about these straws was their design, and how they offered a unique way to drink and keep clean reusable straws.

Customers loved how you could open up the Wondersip straw with the special button which saved a lot of hard work with cleaning brushes, and their kids were prompted to drink even more water because of the fun designs.

There are so many styles to choose from as well, so you can choose one that matches your personality and taste.

On the downside, the Wondersips are very expensive compared to other reusable straws, and this alone could put some people off.

Although the open and close function is helpful, some customers found that one of their straws in the set lost its seal after a few months which rendered the straw useless, and for the high cost, this isn’t something you want happening.

The WonderSip Reusable Straw comes in many shapes and sizes, with options including the standard size of 8 inches, a 6-inch junior straw, and a 10.5-inch long straw. Within each of these sizes, you can also choose the design you want for the one-click button including butterflies, leaves, and dolphins.

The button has more than one function, so it’s not just there to help you open and close it. You can also use it as a straw stopper to keep it from moving around, which is a nice feature to have for convenience.

With an 8mm diameter, it’s good for most sizes of drinks as well, so you have a lot of versatility. The straws are made with polypropylene which is BPA-free plastic, but slightly less durable than silicone, which would have been a nicer touch.

If you want your straws to have some personality, the Wondersip Reusable Straws are a great option. These straws are a great way to get your kids excited about drinking water and doing their part for the environment, so they’re worth the extra cost.

Best Collapsible Reusable Straws: Doboli Reusable Collapsible Straws

Doboli Reusable Collapsible Straws
  • Number: 2
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Type: Collapsible

When convenience and compactness is your goal for a drinking straw, the Doboli Reusable Collapsible Straw is a great choice. This straw collapses down to a miniature size small enough to fit in your pocket and is a full nine inches when it’s extended, so you get the best of both worlds.

The Doboli Straws come in a huge range of colors and designs, including black and blue, rose gold, and black and pink, so you can choose one to suit your style.

According to customers, the best touch of this straw was the included keychain that allows you to keep it with you. This means you can be out and about and use your use, without having to remember to pack it along it=n your bag.

However, the Doboli Reusable Collapsible Straw has some minor design flaws which can become an issue when not cleaning properly.

According to customers, there was a tendency for rust to develop if you didn’t dry it out. For the price, this is something that will hopefully be fixed in the next model and will help them to last a lot longer.

With the unique telescopic design, this large straw can compact down to virtually nothing and can be packed away in your pocket if you wish.

You’ll get everything you need includes like two straws, a cleaning brush, a carrying case, and a keychain. The nine-inch straw suits most types of tumblers and it has a straight shape without a bend on the end, which some people prefer to drink from.

The Doboli Reusable Straws are made with stainless steel so it’s safe for human use and easy to clean in the dishwasher if you’d rather not use the included stainless steel brush.

This material makes them ideal for enjoying either hot or cold beverages, and when taken care of, will last for years and save potentially thousands of straws from ending up in the oceans or landfills.

To get your hands on these compact and convenient drinking straws, head to Amazon for the lowest price of around $6 for a pack of two.

The Doboli Reusable Collapsible Straws are a gamechanger for people who always forget to bring their straws along, and they can help you make your mark on the planet but reducing your reliance on disposable straws the fun way.

Reusable Straw FAQs

Reusable straws have been one of the biggest icons of the eco-friendly movement, representing a very easy way that we can all make a difference.

As with any new product, people have a lot of questions about how they work and their effectiveness, so we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked ones to give you an insight into the reusable straw.

Why Should You Use Reusable Straws?

WHY SHOULD YOU USE REUSABLE STRAWS?

The key reason why plastic straws are no longer viable is because of their harm to the planet and the person using them.

These straws contain ingredients like BPA and polypropylene that are capable of leaching dangerous chemicals into the liquids we drink, but they also help attract other chemicals and bacteria when they’re in the ocean.

Furthermore, they present a risk to marine life and wildlife as a choking hazard and can sit in landfill for hundreds of years.

Best Way To Clean Reusable Straws

If your reusable straw doesn’t come with its personalized cleaner, there are some other options for keeping it clean.

Some can be put in the dishwasher, others can be washed with a pipe cleaner, and the stubborn ones can be cleaned by placing some dental floss through the middle of them and scraping around their edges.

Are Reusable Straws Safe?

ARE REUSABLE STRAWS SAFE?

Although the main goal of a reusable straw is to reduce landfill and our strain on the planet, they’re considered a much safer option for humans as well.

Bamboo, silicon, paper, stainless steel, and glass are all alternative options that are far healthier to drink from than sipping from a plastic disposable straw, so there’s no need to worry about your health.

Are Metal Straws Worse Than Plastic?

There are some claims that to develop a metal straw uses around the same amount of energy as making 90 disposable plastic ones, but if you plan on using it forever and take care of it, you can far surpass this.

Choose a metal straw made from recyclable materials and stainless steel, and keep it in good condition so it lasts for years to come.

The Eco-Friendly Way to Sip

Whether you like to sip on ice-cold lattes or prefer drinking your water through a straw, there’s no need to do any harm to the environment while you do it.

Gone are the days when people would churn through countless plastic straws in the name of convenience, with the reusable straw now offering far more convenience than ever.

With our top picks, you’ll be able to find a straw that fits you perfectly and gives you the convenience and peace of mind that these revolutionary green products offer.

Just one simple switch like using a reusable straw can lead to an avalanche of change in your life, so enjoy the feeling that being eco-friendly brings.


It’s Time To Switch Over To Reusable Straws

If you’re still using plastic straws regularly, you’re contributing to the plastic pollution problem.

In the U.S. alone, 500 million straws are used every day, and approximately 8.3 billion plastic straws are creating plastic waste on the world’s beaches, as National Geographic reports.

The good news is that some countries and states are banning plastic straws.

Where are plastic straws banned?

U.S. cities such as Seattle and states such as California have banned plastic straws, and these offenders are also banned in two countries: Seychelles and Vanuatu, as Statista reports.

Let’s look at why you should ditch plastic straws in favour of reusable ones.

We’ll start with why plastic straws are so problematic – for the environment and our health.

Contents

Why We Need To Stop Using Plastic Straws

Woman Drinking Juice

You might think using plastic straws isn’t as bad for the environment as using other plastic, such as plastic bags, but they come with many dangers.

  • Plastic straws contain harmful chemicals. These include Bisphenol A (BPA) and polypropylene. Both of these release toxic chemicals.
  • Plastic straws harm marine life. Various animals in the ocean, such as seals, turtles, whales, and dolphins can be harmed or even killed by plastic pollution. Sometimes animals mistake plastic items such as straws for food, which can result in choking and death. This is especially problematic if you consider that plastic breaks into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which makes it even easier for marine animals to consume them and fall ill.
  • Plastic straws can’t be recycled. They’re so small and lightweight that they can’t get through the mechanical recycling sorter. This causes them to fall through screens that are used for sorting through materials, and when they mix with other materials they’re too small to separate properly, which means they just end up contaminating other materials that can be recycled, as Strawless Ocean reports.
  • Plastic straws hang around for hundreds of years. Because plastic doesn’t decompose easily, it’s been predicted by research (via World Economic Forum) that by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight.

Safer Alternatives To Plastic Straws

If you love to use plastic straws, you might wonder how you’re supposed to replace them.

But there are tons of alternatives available to you!

Let’s look at some popular straw materials, as well as their pros and cons, so that you can leave plastic behind in favor of reusable straws.

Metal Straws

Metal Straw

Metal straws are great because they don’t contain toxins you’ll find in plastic straws and they can be reused many times.

They’re also strong, so they won’t suffer wear and tear as easily as plastic – just think of how many times a plastic straw you’ve opened has had a tear in it before even being used!

You can even find stainless steel straws, such as ones by Zero Waste Society. They’re safe to clean in the dishwasher and rust-proof.

One of the drawbacks of metal straws is that they can absorb the temperature of your drink, and this can make them feel very cold or hot when you drink from them.

This can be problematic if you have sensitive teeth.

Glass Straws

Glass Straws

One of the best things about using glass straws is that they can tolerate hot as well as cold temperatures really well.

They don’t contain toxins like plastic does and you can find glass straws that have designs on them, so you can customize your straws according to your personal style.

Check out the rainbow accent glass straw from Drinking Straws. It also comes with a cleaning brush to make cleaning it inside and out super-easy!

One of the things to be wary of when purchasing glass straws is that they can shatter and break, so always make sure you buy shatterproof straws.

Bamboo Straws

Bamboo Straws

Bamboo straws are worth considering if you want to stop using plastic straws.

This is because when you don’t want to use them anymore you can prevent them from being thrown into the bin by putting them in your compost.

They’re completely biodegradable. When using bamboo straws,  you’ll also love that they don’t change the taste of whatever you’re sipping.

Choose bamboo straws such as those by Natural Neo. They come with a cleaning brush included.

One of the potential drawbacks of using bamboo straws instead of plastic ones is that they can become soggy when used for a long time. This can make using them feel unpleasant.

Silicone Straws

Silicone Straws

Silicone is becoming a popular alternative to plastic, even for straws! Silicone is durable and strong, while also being very flexible.

Straws made of silicone are tolerant of high temperatures and dishwasher safe, but it’s worth bearing in mind that silicone straws aren’t biodegradable like bamboo straws are.

Silicone also can’t be recycled easily as it’s difficult to find a silicone recycler.

If you love the idea of silicone straws, consider this 12-pack by Hiware. It even comes with a handy case!

How To Clean Your Reusable Straws

Cleaning your reusable straw can be really easy because many straws are sold with cleaning pipes included.

But, what if yours doesn’t have one? How do you clean it to ensure that it remains hygienic and safe for use?

Here are some easy methods to consider.

Boil Reusable Straws In Water

Boiling your reusable straws will help to remove germs, and it’s safe for use on glass, silicone, and stainless steel straws.

You can also add natural cleaning ingredients, such as baking soda and vinegar, to the water to give them an extra clean.

This isn’t a good method to clean your bamboo straws, however, as they will become soggy.

If you’re using this method to clean your glass straws, make sure you never put them in boiling water when they’re cold.

This is because they’re made of borosilicate glass, which can handle very high temperatures but can experience thermal shock if it’s exposed to extreme temperatures too quickly.

Here’s how to clean your reusable straws in boiling water:

  • Fill a pot with enough water to submerge your straw. Add vinegar or baking soda to the water if you like.
  • Let the water boil for about 10 or 15 minutes.
  • Then, allow the water to cool down.
  • Rinse the straw with water.

Use Dental String To Clean Reusable Straws

This method is great for all types of reusable straws, including bamboo, and it makes use of dental string, water, and liquid dish soap.

If you don’t want to use dental string,  you can use regular string.

Here’s how to do it:

  • In a bowl, submerge the straw in water and put in a bit of liquid dish soap.
  • Guide a piece of dental string through the straw. This ensures that you can hold it tightly while pulling the straw up and down so that the soapy water can clean the inside of the straw.
  • If you want, you can also put some baking soda in the water as baking soda is good at scrubbing items clean.
  • When you’re done, rinse the straw.
  • If you don’t feel like this is giving your reusable straw a proper clean, try using a long Q-tip instead of dental string.

Deep-Clean Your Reusable Straw With Soap And Water

If you feel like your reusable straw is in need of a deeper clean, like if you’ve just enjoyed a thick smoothie, put it in soapy water overnight.

Then, the next day, put liquid dish soap into the straw while blocking the end of the straw with your thumb.

Then, put warm water into the straw and cover the top while you give the reusable straw a good shake.

This will clean the straw and get rid of any dirt that’s trapped along its inside walls.

When you’re done, you will need to rinse the straw well with water to prevent soap residue.

Can You Wash Reusable Straws In The Dishwasher?

You can wash most reusable straws in the dishwasher.

Put them in an upright position on the utensil rack. This will enable water to spray up into the straw and give it a good clean.

How To Clean Bamboo Reusable Straws

As we’ve already seen, you can’t always clean your bamboo reusable straw in the same way as you would other types of straws because it can become damaged.

So, how should you clean it?

Here are some important tips to follow, especially because bamboo straws can become moldy if you don’t clean and dry them well.

  • Some bamboo straws can be put in the dishwasher, but others can’t. Always check the cleaning instructions according to the straw manufacturer’s guidelines before you go ahead.
  • You should always wash your bamboo straw after using it to prevent dirt accumulation. Do this by washing it with warm water and some liquid dish soap. However, don’t leave your straw to soak in water for longer than a few minutes as this can cause it to swell.
  • After washing them, let your bamboo straws air-dry naturally.

Related Questions

How can you carry your reusable straw?

To ensure your straw stays hygienic, you should purchase a reusable straw sleeve. You can find a range of products on Amazon.

How long will a bamboo straw last?

You’re looking at an average of six months of use, but by cleaning your straw regularly you could extend its lifespan. Metal, glass, and silicone straws will probably last longer than that.

Conclusion

It’s time to say goodbye to plastic in all forms – including your single-use straws.

In this article we’ve outlined some of the best plastic straw alternatives so you can be healthier because you won’t be putting yourself at risk of the chemicals in plastic.

Cheers to that!

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