Best Glass Carafes
A glass carafe is easily one of the most important home essentials you’ll ever buy and here’s why. Let’s start with your ability to make everyone’s favorite iced teas, lemonades, or fruit punches in one of the extra-large format glass carafes so that you always have a ready supply of perfectly chilled refreshments. If you enjoy entertaining with good wines and zero pretense, why not decant into one of the many beautifully tapered designs that look perfectly at home on the most elegant table setting. For those who work from home, it’s time to eliminate those water-glass-refresh interruptions, by including a full carafe of chilled water as part of your daily desk set up. And if you wake in the night, feeling thirsty, check out the tidy little carafes with cups, that stack neatly on your bedside table. Now, you can see why it’s an essential.
Top 6 Glass Carafes
Editor’s Pick: Emica 37-ounce Borosilicate Glass Carafe with Stainless-Steel Drip Proof Spout
For hot beverage lovers that enjoy having their favorite brew handy, this is the perfect carafe. Constructed from heat-proof borosilicate glass, you can pour boiling water directly into the vessel making it ideal for teas, hot lemon water, tisanes, and more. And because it includes a silicone, heat-proof neck sleeve, dispensing your hot beverage is always safe and easy. If cold or iced drinks are more your style, you’ll appreciate that this carafe can be chilled in the freezer before use, for a frosty cold finish. And for spa-inspired infusion waters that include sliced fruits or cucumber, a handy silicone strainer and stainless-steel drip-proof spout ensure you pour just the beverage, not the flavorings. At 37-ounces, this versatile carafe is the perfect size for everyday use.
Who Should Buy This Glass Carafe?
This versatile option is the perfect choice for those looking for a substantially sized carafe that can hold everything from hot, freshly brewed beverages to cold or iced drinks.
Pros:
- Heat-proof borosilicate glass
- Freezer-proof
- Handy silicone strainer
- Non-drip spout
- Heat-resistant silicone neck sleeve
Cons:
- Multi-piece construction makes clean-up a hassle
Specs:
Volume: 37 ounces
Carafe Material: Borosilicate glass
Stopper Material: Silicone and stainless steel
Runner Up: Libbey 24-ounce Glass Carafe with Glass and Plastic Stopper
This slimline, no-nonsense carafe made by a leading brand in glass manufacturing, is the ideal size and shape for use in the home office, kitchen, bathroom, or patio. A smaller 2.75-inch footprint takes up minimal space on counters or desktops and because it features a solid glass stopper with plastic seal, there are no worries about tipping and spilling. The wider mouth of this carafe makes it easier to fill and pour your favorite cold beverages while unobstructed access to the carafe interior makes for faster clean-ups. It also means you can use this carafe for storage other than liquids. This carafe’s 3-cup capacity is perfect for staying hydrated throughout your work morning and eliminates the need for bulky water jugs that can take up precious desk space.
Who Should Buy This Glass Carafe?
The perfect choice for those who want to stay hydrated as they work, but don’t want the hassle of a more cumbersome pitcher.
Pros:
- Streamlined shape with minimal footprint
- Smaller, 24-ounce capacity
- Glass stopper with plastic seal
- Wider mouth for easier filling/pouring/cleaning
Cons:
- Cannot be used with hot water
Specs:
Volume: 24-ounce
Carafe Material: Glass
Stopper Material: Glass and plastic
Best Multi-Purpose: Purefold 40-ounce Hand-Blown Borosilicate Glass Carafe with Built-In Strainer
The larger, 40-ounce capacity of this elegant, hand-blown glass carafe makes it the perfect choice for when entertaining friends and family. Made from heat-proof borosilicate glass it can be filled with boiling water for preparing all your favorite teas and tisanes or be used directly on the stovetop without risk of cracking or shattering. The stainless-steel lid includes a fitted strainer that makes this carafe ideal for dispensing waters infused with slices of cucumber and fresh fruits for when you feel like a healthy, spa-inspired detox. A tapered neck allows for a comfortable, secure grip whenever pouring and a drip-proof stainless-steel spout turns this graceful glass carafe into a natural decanter when it’s time to present and serve your favorite wines.
Who Should Buy This Glass Carafe?
If your cupboard space allows for just one glass carafe, this versatile option may be just what you’re looking for. Built to withstand extreme heat or cold, it’s the perfect size for decanting ice water during a family meal, or to brew a full pot of tea to chill in the fridge.
Pros:
- Larger capacity
- Hand-blown, borosilicate glass
- Drip-free spout
- Tapered, easy-grip neck
- Built-in strainer
Cons:
- Heavier than similar carafes
Specs:
Volume: 40-ounces
Carafe Material: Borosilicate glass
Stopper Material: Stainless-steel
Best for Entertaining: Glasseam 47-ounce Borosilicate Glass Carafe with Stainless Steel Stirrer
If your repertoire of signature drinks includes home-made lemonade, iced tea, or maybe a fruity sangria, this is the glass carafe you’ve been waiting for. Not only is it made from heat-proof borosilicate glass for greater versatility and ease of use with either boiling or freezing water, but it also features a wider mouth that allows you to pop in all those chunky fruit wedges, ice cubes, or cucumber slices that make your beverages so flavorful. The large, 47-ounce capacity is the ideal size for entertaining, and because it features a stainless-steel, 360-degree non-drip spout – perfect for pouring from any angle – quick service of refreshments has never been easier. A built-in strainer allows you to decant liquids minus the fruit pulp while the long-handled stainless-steel stirrer makes mixing and blending ingredients, simple.
Who Should Buy This Glass Carafe?
This is the perfect choice for those who love to entertain. The larger capacity and 360-degree non-drip spout make serving up your favorite beverages quick and easy.
Pros:
- Heat-proof borosilicate glass
- 360-degree non-drip spout
- Extra-wide mouth
- Built-in strainer
- Tapered, easy-grip neck
Cons:
- No heat-proof sleeve
Specs for Comparison:
Volume: 47-ounces
Carafe Material: Borosilicate glass
Stopper Material: Stainless-steel, rubber
Best Stylish: AVACRAFT 40-ounce Borosilicate Glass Carafe with Silicone-Based Drip-Free Spout
The long, tapered shape of this hand-blown glass carafe makes it a natural vessel for decanting all your favorite wines and ports. Made from shock-proof borosilicate glass, it’s designed for daily use in the busiest of households and is an ideal option when preparing hot brews such as teas and tisanes or your favorite iced beverages. The stainless-steel lid of this elegant carafe features a snug-fitting silicone base that not only seals tightly to prevent leaks but can preserve the freshness of your beverage for days. And with the slanted, non-drip spout, you can be sure that pours will be clean and neat, leaving the carafe and your tabletops free from messy dribbles. Best of all, this flask is dishwasher-safe, for an always pristine presentation.
Who Should Buy This Glass Carafe?
If you’re looking for the durability of heavy-duty glass, but with a little more finesse for those times you’re entertaining, look no further. This elegant carafe does double- and triple-duty as a teapot, an iced beverage pitcher, and a wine decanter.
Pros:
- Shock-resistant borosilicate glass
- Heat and cold resistant
- Snug-fitting stainless-steel and silicone stopper
- Drip-proof spout
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Neck too narrow for cubed ice
Specs for Comparison:
Volume: 40-ounce
Carafe Material: Borosilicate glass
Stopper Material: Stainless-steel and silicone
Honorable Mention: Household Essentials 16-ounce Hand-Blown Glass Carafe with Matching Tumbler
If you lose out on much-needed sleep because you wake thirsty and have to head off to grab a quick glass of water, then we’ve got the carafe for you. This mini-sized hand-blown glass carafe includes a matching tumbler for quick and easy access to hydration day or night. For overnight guests, it’s a welcome gesture of hospitality and for those bed-bound due to age or illness, it’s the ideal way to ensure fresh water is always within reach. The smaller, 16-ounce size takes up minimal space on your bedside table and because the glass tumbler sits neatly and securely atop the carafe, you have the perfect all-in-one solution to quenching your thirst regardless of the hour. A standard sham base is weighted to prevent the stacked unit from tipping easily.
Who Should Buy This Glass Carafe?
This carafe is an ideal option for those who tend to wake in the night feeling thirsty, who have overnight guests, or who care for the infirmed and want to ensure ready access to fresh water – night and day.
Pros:
- Hand-blown glass construction
- Includes carafe and tumbler
- Shaped to stack securely
- Weighted sham for better balance
Cons:
- Not suited for boiling water
Specs:
Volume: 16-ounces
Carafe Material: Glass
Stopper Material: n/a
What Are the Benefits to Using a Glass Carafe?
The benefits of using a glass carafe are down to convenience and a healthier lifestyle. Filling a small, medium, or large carafe with fresh water each morning, then placing it on your desk, by your work-out area, your end-table, or on your back deck while you garden, is a great prompt and easy way for you to remember to stay hydrated throughout your day. And because today’s carafes come with a stopper/spout feature (unlike an open pitcher), they’re easy to pour, won’t spill, and will prevent debris from entering your beverage.
What to Look for When Buying a Glass Carafe
Construction
As with any kitchen essential, you need to think about how you’re going to use it. If you want a product that can hold heated or boiling water, you need a carafe constructed from a borosilicate glass that can withstand hot temperatures. Because carafes – unlike pitchers – don’t’ come with a handle, you’ll need to consider its weight and how well it tapers at the neck for a secure yet comfortable grip. And if your goal is to use the carafe for hot liquids, you’ll want to look for a design that includes a silicone or heat-proof grip at the handle for safe and easy pouring.
Ease of Use
Glass carafes come in any number of shapes, sizes and materials – yes, glass isn’t always just glass – and all three components will factor large when it comes to making a decision. If you want something for brewing hot teas and beverages, borosilicate glass is the only material you’ll want to consider and even though this material is renowned for its heat-proof capabilities, not all are suitable for stovetops. Tapered necks allow for an easy, more comfortable grip, but if you plan to use your carafe for hot liquids, look for a design with a silicone or heat-proof sleeve. And while we typically think of glass products as being dishwasher-safe, that may not be the case with your choice of carafe. If this is an important feature, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before making your purchase.
Bottom Line
If you haven’t thought about incorporating the super-versatile glass carafe into your everyday life, now’s the time to reconsider. Whether it’s a compact version for bedside or desktop use, generously sized for family dining, or a more elegant design that will elevate your entertaining skills, carafes are a convenient, affordable way to enjoy your favorite beverages wherever and whenever you want them.