8 best reusable straws for more sustainable sipping

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

The key to reducing your impact on the planet by switching to a reusable straw is picking one that you can take everywhere with you and will want to use with all your drinks. This flexible silicone number is as portable as they come, with its own compact tin that fits perfectly into your pocket or bag. Whip it out wherever you are and whatever you’re drinking, and then fold it up into its tin until next time. The black straw and case look stylish, and it feels comfortable to drink from, allowing everything from juices to frozen smoothies to pass through with ease. It doesn’t come with its own cleaning brush but it is dishwasher safe.

Best: Metal straws

Rating: 9/10

Stainless steel is incredibly strong and durable, so these straws will last a lifetime. Good job, too, because you’ll want to use them frequently. The tip is nicely rounded and smooth, making for a fantastic mouthfeel, and stainless steel can be cleaned thoroughly with the cleaning brush included, so they are a super-hygienic choice. We particularly liked drinking cold drinks with these 20cm straws but were wary of tackling hot drinks with them for fear of the straw heating up too much. However, they’re fine for drinking coffee when you’re sure the liquid has reached a safe temperature. We were also impressed with the packaging of these straws because it is made from recyclable cardboard.

Best: Edible straws

Rating: 7/10

No jokes, these are 100 per cent natural, edible straws. They’re made entirely from durum wheat semolina and water – better known as pasta – and are vegan, too. They’re designed for use with cold drinks, so don’t attempt to drink your tea with these or you’ll struggle to sip through a floppy straw. Whatever you’re drinking, you’ve got an hour to finish it before the pasta starts to soften, which is plenty of time. We enjoyed drinking juice through these and there was no hint of pasta flavour. They’re also adaptable because, although they’re 20cm long, they can be cut to make them shorter for cocktails. Once your drinks are done, you can save the straws and use them in a recipe. No sweat if you don’t fancy eating them though because they’re totally biodegradable; just dispose of them in your food waste bin. These are a fun novelty that adults and children alike find fascinating but they make no joke of helping to tackle a serious waste problem.

Best: Glass straws

Rating: 9/10

There’s something really quite satisfying about sipping through these tough glass 21cm straws. They are seriously smooth, making them remarkably comfortable to drink from – the best we tested – and the elegant, angled design looks stylish. They come with their own cleaning brush and are easy to get squeaky clean. However, we’d be reluctant to carry them around with us in case of breakages, so they are best for use at home. We love that they’re fully recyclable at the end of their life and that 10 per cent of profits from every sale goes to the Life’s a Beach charity, which helps clear British beaches of single-use plastics. These straws are also excellent value for money at under £1 each.

Best: Bamboo straws

Rating: 7/10

These straws are entirely natural and each one is unique. For example, some are wider than others, giving you options depending on what you’re drinking. They are durable, holding their shape with any liquid, and we’re more than happy to take these out with us – not least because they look a little fancy and exotic. Bamboo is fast-growing, so classed as a sustainable material and they’re biodegradable at the end of their life for a truly environmentally-friendly drinking tool.

Best: Cocktail straws

Rating: 8/10

Most reusable straws are about 20cm in length, making them too long for cocktail glasses. That’s where these little rainbow beauties come in. They measure a dainty 12.5cm and are narrower than the other straws in this round-up, making them perfect for your cosmos and white Russians. Made from food-grade stainless steel, they’re a hygienic choice and come with a cleaning brush, although they can be cleaned in the dishwasher, too. They also have their own organic cotton carry pouch and are perfect for taking on a night out to hand out among your friends.

Best: Portable straw

Rating: 7/10

Attach this straw’s case to your keyring and you’ll never have to worry about being caught short without a straw again – it looks pretty cool too. The telescopic model is the Mary Poppins bag of straws and it grows to 19cm when fully extended. The stainless-steel design is hygienic and pleasant to drink from, and it comes with a short cleaning brush – although we prefer using our own full-size brush to give the entire length a proper scrub. The only downside for us is the price. It is by far the most expensive reusable straw we tried.

Best: For kids

Rating: 9/10

Straws are ideal when your child is transitioning to drinking from an open cup from a beaker spout. They can also help prevent spills, so finding a kid-friendly option is a must. These cute, colourful 20cm straws are perfect for little ones and they’re wide enough for all drinks. The angled design makes drinking easy and they are soft and flexible, as well as kind to and comfortable for delicate little lips. They come with their own cleaning brush but can be popped in the dishwasher for a thorough hot wash. Plus, the adults in your home will enjoy drinking from these straws as much as the kids.