What is the healthiest cup to drink from?

13 January, 2026 Marketing Department

When you’re choosing drinkware for your team, it’s tempting to focus on the design first—color, shape, that satisfying “clink” when you set it on the table.

But if you’re asking what’s healthiest, the real question is simpler:

Which material is the most stable, non-reactive, and least likely to leach anything into your drink—especially when exposed to heat, acidity, and daily use?

Let’s break it down so you can pick the best Team Drinkware for your office, events, giveaways, or everyday hydration—confidently and safely. (Craft Clothing)

What “healthiest” really means for a cup

A healthy cup is one that:

  • Doesn’t leach chemicals or heavy metals into your drink

  • Stays stable under heat (hot coffee, tea, soup-y drinks, etc.)

  • Doesn’t hold onto odors or flavors (because that can encourage bacteria buildup if it’s hard to clean)

  • Is easy to wash thoroughly and holds up to repeated use

That’s why most “best” answers come down to inert materials—the ones that don’t react much with what you drink.

The top healthiest cup materials

1) Glass (best for “pure” drinking)

If your priority is the cleanest taste and the lowest chance of anything leaching into your drink, glass is the gold standard.

Why it wins:

  • It’s generally non-porous and non-reactive, so it won’t absorb flavors or odors easily.

  • It’s great for water, iced drinks, coffee, tea, and even acidic drinks like juice.

What to watch out for:

  • Breakability (unless you choose thicker, more durable glass styles)

If you want drinkware that feels crisp, clean, and straightforward for daily use, glass is a strong contender.

2) Stainless steel (best all-around for teams on the move)

For busy teams who need something durable, lightweight, and travel-ready, stainless steel is one of the best choices—especially for tumblers and bottles.

Why it’s a favorite:

  • It’s tough, long-lasting, and travel-friendly

  • It works well with insulated designs that help keep drinks hot or cold

  • It’s a smart match for team setups because it handles everyday wear and tear

A balanced note:

  • Studies show small amounts of nickel/chromium can leach from stainless steel under certain conditions (often more with acidic content and longer contact time). For most people, this isn’t an issue with quality drinkware used normally, but it’s worth knowing—especially for anyone with a strong nickel sensitivity. (PMC)

If your goal is healthy and practical for daily team use, stainless steel is hard to beat. (Craft Clothing)

3) Ceramic (healthy choice—when it’s made and glazed properly)

Ceramic mugs are a classic for a reason: they feel premium, they’re comfortable to sip from, and they look great on desks.

But here’s the catch: the safety depends on the glaze and quality control.

What to watch out for:

  • Some traditional or poorly regulated ceramics can have lead in the glaze, which can leach—especially with hot or acidic liquids, or if the surface is worn or cracked. Health authorities warn against using ceramicware that has leachable lead for food or drink. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

How to choose ceramic safely:

  • Stick to reputable suppliers

  • Avoid old, damaged, or heavily worn mugs

  • When in doubt, use questionable pieces for display, not drinking

When ceramic is done right, it’s a cozy, solid option for coffee-heavy teams.

What about plastic cups?

Plastic drinkware can be fine for certain uses, but if “healthiest” is your goal, it’s usually not the first pick—especially for hot drinks.

Why people hesitate:

  • Heat and wear can increase the chance of chemical migration, depending on the plastic type and quality.

If you’re choosing plastic for events or sports settings, it’s best to go for high-quality, food-grade options and use them as intended (and replace them when they’re scratched, cloudy, or warped).

A quick cheat sheet for choosing Team Drinkware

If your team mostly drinks…

  • Water (room temp / cold): glass, stainless steel, properly made ceramic

  • Hot coffee / tea daily: stainless steel tumbler, high-quality ceramic mug

  • Iced coffee / juice / acidic drinks: glass is excellent; stainless is fine for normal use; avoid questionable ceramics

  • On-the-go / outdoor team days: stainless steel (durable, easy to carry)

The healthiest cup is the one your team will actually reuse

A cup can be “perfect” on paper—but if it’s hard to clean, too delicate, or annoying to carry, it ends up unused.

That’s why reusable, high-quality drinkware is such a smart move for teams: it supports daily habits, reduces waste, and becomes part of your team’s routine (and identity). (Craft Clothing)

And if you’re building that kind of everyday essential for your crew, customized drinkware turns it into something people actually keep—because it feels personal, practical, and worth bringing everywhere.

Make your Team Drinkware feel like it belongs to your team

Whether you’re building a clean desk setup with mugs, gearing up for a sportsfest with tumblers, or preparing company giveaways people won’t leave behind, the right material makes all the difference.

Explore Team Drinkware from Craft Clothing and customize pieces your team can use again and again—made to look good, feel good, and hold up to everyday life. (Craft Clothing)

Is it better to drink from ceramic or stainless steel?
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