Acrylic Glasses vs Glass: Which Should You Buy?
Acrylic or real glass for your home? How they differ on weight, breakage, clarity, scratches and heat, and which suits kids, parties and everyday use.
In this guide
Acrylic glasses look a lot like real glass on a table, but they behave differently once you start using them. Neither one is better for everything. Here is how they compare, and which to choose for your home.
The short answer
- Choose acrylic if you have small children, serve drinks outdoors or at parties, or want something light to carry.
- Choose glass if you often have hot drinks, want it to stay clear for years, or prefer a heavier feel in the hand.
Acrylic and glass compared
| What matters | Acrylic | Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Light | Heavier |
| If dropped | Shatter-resistant, but it can still crack | Often breaks into sharp pieces |
| Clarity | Clear when new | Stays clear for longer |
| Scratches | Scratches more easily | Resists scratches better |
| Heat | For cold and room-temperature drinks | Depends on the glass; check before pouring hot drinks |
| Feel | Light and casual | Solid and more formal |
When acrylic is the better choice
Acrylic makes sense where glass is a worry: a home with toddlers, a terrace or balcony, a picnic, or a party where lots of people are moving around with drinks. It is also easy to stack and store. Remember that shatter-resistant is not the same as unbreakable. Acrylic can still crack if it is dropped hard or squeezed, so treat it with some care.
At Jikra, the crystal diamond glass set and the square juice glass set both come as six 300 ml glasses. If you want them for evening drinks, the old fashioned whiskey glass set gives you a lower, wider shape. The square water jug with 4 glasses is a matching set for serving at the table.
When glass is the better choice
Glass suits everyday use at a dining table, especially if you want something that will stay clear after years of washing. It also has a heavier, more formal feel for guests. The trade-off is that one slip on a hard floor can mean broken pieces to clean up.
How to care for acrylic glasses
- Wash them with a soft sponge and mild soap. Rough scrubbers leave fine scratches that make them look cloudy.
- Avoid very hot water and hot drinks, unless the product page says they are fine.
- Check the page before you use a dishwasher.
- Dry them with a soft cloth to avoid water marks.
Frequently asked questions
Are acrylic glasses the same as plastic glasses?
Acrylic is a type of plastic. It is chosen for glasses because it looks clear, much like real glass.
Can I put hot tea in acrylic glasses?
It is best to keep them for cold and room-temperature drinks, unless the product page says otherwise.
Why do acrylic glasses go cloudy?
Usually it is from fine scratches caused by rough scrubbers. A soft sponge helps them stay clear for longer.
Related guides
Products in this guide
JIKRA Glass Set of 6 – Shatter-Resistant Crystal Diamond Design Drinking Glasses, 300ml
JIKRA Juice Glass Set of 6 – Square Shatter-Resistant Acrylic Glasses, 300ml
JIKRA Whiskey Glass Set of 6 – Acrylic Old Fashioned Glasses, 300 ml
JIKRA Water Jug with Lid – 1800ml Square Jug & 4 Glass Set, BPA Free
