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Unique, modern and nearly unbreakable glassware.

The perfect glassware set should not only look nice when your table is set for a meal, but each glass should also be lightweight enough to hold comfortably while you dine and durable enough to stand up to all kinds of daily wear and tear. Great drinking glasses should be functional as well — each vessel in a glassware set should be able to hold plenty of liquid. It's also helpful to buy drinking glasses that are easy to care for (read: dishwasher safe). The best glassware sets also contain cups in various sizes for versatility — like larger glasses for water and smaller glasses for beverages like juice or milk — and complement most dinnerware sets.

When researching glassware sets in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, we evaluated both traditional and unique drinking glasses in a range of prices, weights and styles. In general, we like glassware sets that have taller glasses suited for iced drinks, such as water or lemonade, and shorter glasses appropriate for smaller servings of beverages like milk. Our picks include best-selling models from popular brands like Libbey and Tervis, most of which are made of high-quality glass and come in two or more sizes.

Ahead, a comprehensive look at all of the best glassware sets, according to our Lab pros, plus additional information about how we chose the best drinking glasses and a comprehensive guide to selecting quality glassware sets for your household's needs.

Chances are you've seen these drinking glasses — or ones just like them — in someone's kitchen. The beveled design is undeniably classic but doesn't skew farmhouse. The glasses look great in homes of practically any style. Plus, they're ideal for everyday use. The manufacturer touts the tempered glass as being 2.5 times stronger than ordinary glass, and when our Lab pros had these glasses in hand, they were impressed by their durability. While it does add to the weight — a con for some — the drinking glasses feel solid in hand. It's clear that they're shatter- and chip-resistant, which makes them a solid choice for families with kids. And even if a glass does happen to break, you can buy individuals for easy replacement.

These dishwasher-safe glasses are incredibly versatile too. The set of 24 includes four different sizes (six of each), ranging from a very small 3.25-ounce espresso-type glass to a larger 17.5-ounce tumbler that stack neatly to conserve cabinet space. Another perk: You can fill each one with cold or hot beverages. The glass can withstand sudden temperature extremes from -4ºF to 212ºF, meaning these can go directly from the freezer to the microwave.

Libbey glasses are popular because they strike the right balance of affordability and quality. The brand manufactures attractive glasses that are durable and fuss-free. This set of 24 is a great example of its offerings: they are stylish with clean, modern lines that coordinate with just about any type of dinnerware.

Although you only get two sizes (12 of each size), the tumbler is a sizable 15.2 ounces, and the rocks glass is larger than many other shorter glasses at 11.1 ounces. Our Lab pros also like that the shorter glass has a wide diameter, making it easier to clean, should you opt to hand-wash it. They are, however, dishwasher safe. Plus, Libbey makes wineglasses to match.

These everyday drinking glasses hold ample fluid yet are comfortable and lightweight enough to hold in your hand. They're durable enough to stand up to everyday use and easy to clean in the dishwasher. Our Lab pros call them "fashion-y items," noting how sophisticated they look. It's a glass you'll want to continuously reach for and would be happy to hand over to a guest.

And even though they're on the thinner side, they feel sturdy when you're holding them, so you don't have to worry about breaking them. (Even if you end up cracking or shattering one or two, you can buy separates for quick and cost-effective replacements.) If there's any downside, it's that the sets come in single sizes. If you like to stock drinking glasses with varying capacities, you'll have to purchase multiple sets.

There is no denying the beauty of this glassware set, from the rich colors (available in nine shades, ranging from a brilliant blue or ruby red to a moodier black or neutral clear) to the unique molded hobnail design. Our Lab pros are "obsessed with these" and say that even though the glasses look like a fragile work of art, they're surprisingly sturdy and durable. They're also dishwasher safe, so there's no need to fret about hand-washing.

The glasses come in two sizes: a taller 13-ounce cup and a shorter 10-ounce cup. Unfortunately, each set of six contains only one size, so you'll have to settle on a single size or make two purchases to get both.

Our Lab pros were smitten with this unique glassware set, noting how truly exquisite they look in person. The hammered glass's warbled texture creates a beautiful pond-like pattern that reflects nicely in the light. The line's everyday drinking glasses come in two sizes — a generous 18.6-ounce glass and a shorter 8.8-ounce glass — plus other vessels (sold separately) to complete the set, including stemless wineglasses, stemless champagne glasses, tumblers, goblets and carafes. The set is currently available in a traditional clear color, pictured, and will be available in four additional muted shades in the spring. It's worth noting that because of the natural hammering and handmade style of this product, the glasses are relatively inconsistent in terms of thickness. Our testers didn't mind this, but note that you might want to handpick each one in person if you're choosy about uniformity. Keep in mind: These drinking glasses aren't dishwasher safe, so you'll have to wash each by hand.

Because they're virtually unbreakable, glassware sets like this one by Tervis are great for families with children. They're also ideal for people who frequently use their outdoor space for eating or entertaining. These BPA-free plastic glasses are unlikely to shatter — even if you drop them on a stone patio. And they're incredibly versatile, since the double-wall construction means they can house both cold and hot beverages without taste or odor retention. They can even go into the microwave, freezer or dishwasher without compromise. Our Lab pros particularly like how much liquid the 16-ounce glasses hold, noting that despite the large capacity, they're exceptionally lightweight and easy to hold. And if you prefer another size, options abound: Choose from 10-, 12- or 24-ounce sizes.

Unlike the other vessels in the glassware sets on our list, these drinking glasses are rectangular in shape, offering a substantial aesthetic that's fit for a home bar. One look at them, and you can envision a cocktail inside. The glasses are crystal, which is a nice upgrade from the standard glass most drinking glasses are made of. But they're not at all delicate. Although it makes them a bit heavy, our Lab pros like how durable they feel in hand. Another pro: They come in two standard sizes — a tall 16-ounce glass and a shorter 11-ounce glass — with eight of each size.

Another great choice for families with young children, this set of 12 acrylic glasses is virtually indestructible. They also stack neatly inside the cabinet, so you can stock plenty of them so no matter how many glasses the kids use, you'll always have clean ones on hand. While plastic glassware can get cloudy, our Lab pros say these are nice and clear, expertly mimicking the look of true glass. Just note that the manufacturer says you can put these in the dishwasher, but frequent washing may make that crystal clear aesthetic hazy or even crack over time.

RELATED: How to Clean Cloudy Glasses

When choosing the best glassware sets, we rely on our expertise as trained chefs and our testing experience from similar categories, including the best dinnerware sets. We consider the material, weight and style of the drinking glasses, as well as how many cups come in each set and how many different sizes are included. In general, we like sets, but it's a nice bonus if you can purchase separates in case one breaks.

We also look for glassware sets that can withstand daily use — glasses that are durable and easy to clean. Are the glasses dishwasher safe? If not, does a bottle brush fit easily inside to clean them by hand? Additionally, we examine each set to make sure the glasses all look similar to each other and that there are no obvious defects, especially in the more unique sets, since some handmade glasses — even those in the same set — can look very different from one another.

✔️ Material: Drinking glasses come in a variety of materials, including glass and plastic. The material not only affects durability, but it also has an impact on weight, cleanability and overall style. In general, our experts prefer glass options because they look more sophisticated and tend to be easier to clean, but our pros note that other materials like acrylic can be nice to have on hand, since they're usually less breakable.

✔️ Size: When it comes to drinking glasses, size obviously equates to volume, or how much liquid it can hold. Our experts prefer sets that include at least two different sizes: short (about eight ounces or less) and tall (about 12 ounces or more). This way, you'll have something more appropriate for larger servings, like when you're trying to reach your daily water intake, and something better suited for smaller servings of beverages, such as milk or a cocktail.

✔️ Style: Glassware may seem relatively basic, but there's a lot of variety out there. Much like the material the glasses are made of, the style itself can affect durability. Often, traditional thick-walled glasses are less breakable, while unique, handmade options are more fragile. When considering style, you may also want to factor in whether the brand manufactures complementary vessel offerings — like matching wineglasses.

✔️ Ease of cleaning: Can you send the glasses for a spin in the dishwasher, or do they need to be hand-washed? For convenience, we prefer dishwasher-safe glasses for everyday use. But if you fall in love with drinking glasses that require hand-washing, make sure a bottle brush can fit inside without any problem. This way, you can effectively clean them without using much elbow grease.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab features a team of product experts, chefs, and writers who frequently collaborate in making the best recommendations out there. Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, teamed up with Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience testing and writing about consumer products to name the best glassware sets. Papantoniou headed up Lab testing, while Earley distilled the findings, conducted additional research, and wrote this roundup.

The pair has a collective 20 years of experience testing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances. Both Papantoniou, a professional recipe developer, and Earley are also both trained in classic culinary arts.