Is it safer to drink from glass or stainless steel water bottles?
Both are safe. Glass doesn't leach at all, and food-grade 18/8 stainless steel barely leaches. Either beats plastic.
What's actually in it
Glass is inert. It doesn't react with water, coffee, juice, or acid. It doesn't add anything to what you drink. The only downside is weight and breakability.
18/8 food-grade stainless steel contains iron, chromium, and nickel. Chromium and nickel can leach in tiny amounts from low-quality steel, especially with acidic drinks. For plain water, leaching is negligible.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Environ Monit Assess found microplastics in nearly every tested bottle of drinking water, with PET and polyethylene fragments making up the bulk. Switching to refillable glass or stainless steel eliminates that source entirely.
If you're nickel-sensitive, look for 316 stainless steel (a higher grade). For kids, glass with a silicone sleeve is hard to break and easy to wash.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Identification and occurrence of microplastics in drinking water bottles and milk packaging. | Environ Monit Assess | 2025 |
What to use instead
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