Tritan vs acrylic vs polycarbonate vs polystyrene vs PET: which plastic is best for glasses?
By Kirsty Cook, Govino SA · Updated · 2 min read
Short answer: For reusable drinkware, Tritan™ is the best all-round plastic. It's glass-clear, shatterproof, dishwasher safe for hundreds of cycles and free of BPA and BPS. Acrylic looks good new but scratches and cracks; polycarbonate is tough but made with BPA and clouds over time; polystyrene and PET are cheap single-use options. Govino glasses are made from Tritan.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tritan (Govino) | Acrylic (PMMA) | Polycarbonate (PC) | Polystyrene (PS) | PET | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity | Glass-clear, stays clear | Clear when new, scratches and hazes | Very clear, can cloud in dishwashers | Often cloudy or thin | Clear but thin, flimsy |
| When dropped | Flexes, doesn't shatter | Can crack or chip | Very tough | Snaps into sharp pieces | Dents and crushes |
| Dishwasher | Yes, hundreds of cycles | Hand wash recommended | Yes, but clouds over time | No (single-use) | No, warps in heat |
| BPA | BPA- and BPS-free | BPA-free | Made with BPA | BPA-free | BPA-free |
| Reusable for | Years | Months to a few years | Years | One use | One to a few uses |
| Feels like | Fine glass | Hard plastic | Hard plastic | Party cup | Party cup |
Tritan
A copolyester made by Eastman. It combines the clarity of acrylic with toughness close to polycarbonate, without bisphenols, and it shrugs off dishwasher detergents. It costs more per glass, but it lasts. More on Tritan.
Acrylic
The most common "plastic wine glass" in homeware shops. Acrylic is clear and BPA-free but brittle: it scratches easily, can craze (fine cracks) with hot water and detergents, and can crack or chip when dropped on a hard floor. Hand washing is usually recommended. Detail: Tritan vs acrylic.
Polycarbonate
Very tough and clear, used for catering tumblers. The catch is that polycarbonate is made with BPA, and it tends to cloud and etch with dishwasher use.
Polystyrene
The hard, clear disposable "crystal" cups and flutes sold for parties. Cheap and rigid, but brittle: they crack into sharp pieces and are designed for one use. Polystyrene (resin code 6) is rarely recycled in South Africa. Detail: Tritan vs polystyrene.
PET
The plastic of cooldrink bottles. PET cups are light and widely recyclable, but thin, easily crushed and not suited to hot dishwashers, so they're used once or a handful of times. Detail: Tritan vs PET.
Which should you choose?
- Glasses you'll use for years at home, on the boat or at the lodge: Tritan.
- Venues and repeat events that wash and reuse: Tritan, which costs less per use than disposables.
- A one-off party where nothing will be washed: disposables are cheaper up front, but you'll buy them again next time.
Quick answers
What is the best plastic for wine glasses?
Tritan copolyester. It's glass-clear, shatterproof, BPA-free and dishwasher safe, which is why premium brands like Govino use it.
Is acrylic or Tritan better?
Tritan. Acrylic scratches, crazes and can crack, and is usually hand-wash only; Tritan stays clear through hundreds of dishwasher cycles and doesn't shatter.
Is polycarbonate BPA-free?
No. Polycarbonate is made using BPA. Tritan is free of BPA and BPS.
Are polystyrene wine glasses reusable?
Not really. Hard polystyrene party glasses are designed for single use and crack easily.