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Best Tea Cups: Buyer’s Guide with Porcelain, Glass, and Wood Sets

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Tea is magic — savor it in style with our recommended teacups. Crafted from the finest materials in styles and colors worthy of your brew, they elevate your drinking experience.

Let’s put a pot on and discover what makes these cups and your tea a match made in Heaven.

Our recommendations for Best Tea Cups and Saucers:

Why Is It Important to Choose Your Teacups Carefully?

Choosing teacups won’t be the biggest decision you’ll ever make, but shopping thoughtfully improves the odds you’ll be satisfied with your purchase.

porcelain tea cup

Here are a few good reasons to spend a while and choose your cups carefully:

You’ll use your teacups every day: A good teacup feels like an extension of your hand. If it’s bulky or awkward, it’ll spend more time in your cupboard than on your table.

The shape of cups affects the taste of tea: At least 75-percent of what we taste is actually smelled. Tasting glasses that concentrate the aroma of fine spirits have been used by liquor connoisseurs for decades to magnify subtle flavors — the same principles apply to teacups.

The right teacups enhance your drinking experience: Tea is a work of art — cups are the frame. Their color, shape, size, and feel can enhance or detract from your masterpiece. Like the rest of your décor, teacups should reflect the ambiance you’re trying to create.

Best Tea Cups Reviewed

Are you looking for elegant china set with saucers or perhaps something simple and practical?

Or maybe you want a traditional Japanese or Chinese cup with hand-painted patterns?

We chose various types of tea cups to be reviewed in this guide so that you can find something that suits your preference.

Best Floral Tea Cup Set: Brew To A Tea 8-ounce Cups and Saucers Set

Enjoy traditional afternoon tea with this Wedgwood-inspired porcelain tea set by Brew To a Tea.

Each of the six cups features a unique rose pattern and matching saucer trimmed with ten-carat gold for old-world appeal. The colors are crisp and vibrant.

Brew To A Tea 8-ounce Cups and Saucers Set

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 6
  • Volume (per cup): 8 oz
  • Material: Bone China and 10 Carat Gold Trim
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: No

These 8-ounce cups feature a delicate handle and sloped sides with a gently curved lip for smooth sipping. Saucers measure 5.8 inches and can comfortably hold a dessert.

Made of mid-grade bone china, the construction is weighty and durable enough for everyday use. Neither the cups nor saucers are microwave-safe but can be put in the dishwasher.

Brew To a Tea offers a generous one-year replacement warranty against breakage — ship a set to the tea lover in your life risk-free. It’s a practical yet visually stunning addition to any home.

Pros

  • Each cup has a beautiful and unique rose chinz pattern
  • Well-shaped lip and handle
  • Made with elegant bone china
  • Easy to clean in a dishwasher
  • The set comes with a 1-year warranty

Cons

  • The set is not microwave-safe

Best Set with Spoons: Jusalpha Fine China Tea Cup and Saucer Set with Spoons

Tea is an event with Jusalpha’s fine china cup and saucer set. You’ll receive six cups and matching saucers plus six petite silver-tone stirring spoons that make any occasion special.

Jusalpha Fine China Tea Cup and Saucer Set with Spoons

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 6
  • Volume (per cup): 7 oz
  • Material: Bone China
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: No

Available in 3-ounce and 7-ounce sizes, cups and saucers come in your choice of solid blue, purple, or yellow to match any décor — the finish glows.

Cups feature sturdy handles and matching floral designs on the interior. Saucers are dainty at 4.6 inches and better-suited for holding cups than cookies.

Made of top-quality bone china, your set is guaranteed to be lead-free. Trimmed in gold leaf, it can’t be microwaved but is dishwasher-safe.

If your style lands somewhere between modern and traditional, this set has a terrific look.

Pros

  • Beautiful design available in 3 colors
  • Made with high-quality bone china
  • Stylish gold trimming on cups and saucers
  • The set is dishwasher-safe

Cons

  • Can’t be heated in microwave

Best Glass Tea Cup Set: Teabloom Modern Classic Insulated Glass Teacups

Revel in 5-star hotel quality at home with Teabloom’s modern teacups. If you like your brew hot, these are made of mouth-blown borosilicate glass, double-insulated for superior heat retention.

Unlike regular glass, borosilicate is lightweight and shatter-resistant, plus dishwasher-, microwave- and freezer-safe. The scratch-resistant finish doesn’t sweat, eliminating the need for coasters.

Teabloom Modern Classic Insulated Glass Teacups

Note: Use coupon code “TEA10” to get a 10% discount on all orders from the Teabloom online store.

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 4
  • Volume (per cup): 6 oz
  • Material: Borosilicate glass
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: Yes

Sets come with four 6-ounces cups perfect for any hot beverage. Engineered for convenience, durability, and safety, premium C-shaped handles give cups a balanced feel — wide bases sit firmly on tabletops and are almost impossible to tip over.

Borosilicate is non-porous, so it will never absorb unsavory tastes or odors for a perfect cup every time.

Teabloom’s sweetened an already-great deal on this set with gift-worthy packaging, a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee, and a one-year warranty. It’s a remarkable value.

Pros

  • Modern and elegant design
  • Double-walled for excellent heat insulation
  • Affordable
  • Made with high-quality borosilicate glass
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • The set has a 1-year warranty

Cons

  • The cups have no lip so taking a sip might feel a bit weird at first

Beautiful Bone China Set: Eileen’s Reserve Teacup and Saucer Set

If tea evokes visions of southern hospitality, this exclusive cup and saucer set from Eileen’s Reserve is ready for your next celebration.

The set features four 7-ounce cups and matching saucers, each with a unique floral design in sprightly spring colors against a bright white background.

Eileen's Reserve Bone China Teacup and Saucer Set

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 4
  • Volume (per cup): 7 oz
  • Material: New Bone China
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: Yes

Chip-resistant cups have distinct scalloped edges and a slight lip for an easy pour. Slim C-shaped handles are secure to hold, and cups are stable in the recessed saucer. Sets are dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Made of synthetic bone china — this fanciful set makes a bold statement on any table. The bone ash is man-made, so it’s a foolproof wedding or shower gift for your favorite vegan.

Pros

  • Attractive floral design
  • Nice lip and handle
  • Excellent value for money
  • Vegan friendly
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe

Cons

  • The set has only 4 cups and saucers

Traditional Chinese Tea Cup: I-MART Traditional Gaiwan Teacup

Share in a bit of China’s history with I-Mart’s traditional gaiwan cup.

A gaiwan, or zhong, is a lidded bowl and saucer that hearkens back to the Ming dynasty. Take your pick of designs in calming shades of jade featuring bamboo, lotus flowers, or a Chinese landscape.

I-MART China Traditional Chinese Teacup

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 1
  • Volume (per cup): 8 oz
  • Material: Glazed Porcelain
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: Yes

Made of glazed porcelain, cups and saucers measure over 4 inches across and just over three- inches tall, including the lid. Cups have a gentle lip for sipping but pour heavy because of the large-diameter mouth and curved slope.

8 ounces is large for a teacup, but the lid helps keep the contents warm. If you appreciate Chinese tea culture, this gaiwan is a gem. You won’t be disappointed.

Pros

  • Traditional Chinese teacup suitable for tea ceremony
  • Available in 4 different handpainted designs
  • Buy one — or as many as you want
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe

Cons

  • The shipping box could be more sturdy

Nice Chinese Cup with Infuser: BandTie Travel Loose Leaf Tea Tea Cup Brewing System

BandTie’s complete loose-leaf brewing system is as comfortable at home as it is on the road.

Consisting of an 11-ounce mug, coaster, lid, and infuser, this four-piece set can handle all of your tea-making needs.

BandTie Travel Loose Leaf Tea Tea Cup Brewing System

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 1
  • Volume (per cup): 11 oz
  • Material: Glazed Jingdezhen Porcelain
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: Yes

The hefty porcelain mug comes in your choice of five designs — the black and red dragon patterns are stunning. Their distinctive handle looks unwieldy, but don’t be fooled — it’s a perfect fit for your fingers.

The matching porcelain infuser nestles inside, and the lid fits securely on top for excellent heat retention. All pieces are microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

The upper third of the cup is sloped for a clean pour, and the mug sits securely in the base. The sole drawback is the infuser — the holes are too large to contain fine loose-leaf. Otherwise, it’s a practical and chic way to enjoy your tea.

Pros

  • A complete brewing system
  • Available in 5 impressive designs
  • Stylish and comfortable handle
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe

Cons

  • The infuser holes are too large for finer loose-leaf teas

If you want something more durable, check our reviews of the best travel tea mugs with an infuser.

Best Japanese Tea Cups: KCHAIN 10-ounce Ceramic Japanese Teacup Set

KCHAIN’s Japanese teacup set offers the look, feel, and texture of art-house stoneware. Handmade from heavy, food-safe ceramic, they boast a simple geometric pattern in blues and creams with a floral accent inside.

This set is an excellent choice if you’re looking for green tea cups to enjoy your matcha, sencha, or guykuro. Use these cups with a traditional Japanese cast iron teapot to create an authentic experience.

KCHAIN 10-ounce Ceramic Japanese Teacup Set

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 4
  • Volume (per cup): 10 oz
  • Material: Glazed Ceramic
  • Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
  • Microwave-Safe: Yes

The three-inch diameter feels comfortable and secure in any size hand, and the ceramic is thick enough to be insulating — the exterior cool stays cool. They’re slim for hand-washing, but the glaze is smooth and dishwasher-safe.

Unlike a gaiwan, the sides are straight, so they don’t pour like traditional teacups, but that only adds to their versatility.

Get a set of four for the same price you’d pay for generic department store styles. They’re a must-have for small space living or minimalist homes.

Pros

  • Handmade traditional design
  • Simple and attractive
  • Thick, solid, and durable
  • Very affordable
  • Perfect for green tea

Cons

  • If you are not used to Japanese cups, drinking from them might feel weird at first

Best Wooden Tea Cups: JKLcom Solid Wood Teacups

Get back to nature with this four-pack of solid wood teacups. Crafted from all-natural materials, they’re food-safe and eco-friendly

If you haven’t tried wooden tableware, you’re in for a surprise — it has excellent thermal insulation and an unmistakable primitive appeal.

JKLcom Solid Wood Teacup

Specifications:

  • Number of Cups: 4
  • Volume (per cup): 4 oz
  • Material: Wood
  • Dishwasher-Safe: No
  • Microwave-Safe: No

Holding just 4 ounces each, these cups are ideal for serving small-volume hot beverages from tea to espresso.

Wood is a poor conductor of heat and cold, so cups don’t sweat. The bowed exterior and narrow mouth are similar to whiskey glasses, amplifying flavor and aroma.

Wooden cups have drawbacks. They’re not dishwasher- or microwave-safe and need to be treated with care. Cups are lacquer-coated, so even minor damage can compromise the finish.

If you crave uniformity, you might be disappointed — as a natural product, each cup has a unique grain and shade. But if you’re looking for that special touch for a country kitchen, they’re a fun conversation-starter and very affordable too.

Pros

  • Cool to touch
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Natural and eco-friendly
  • Great for camping and trips

Cons

  • Have to be hand-washed
  • Can’t be heated in a microwave

What to Consider Before Buying a Set of Tea Cups

Let’s take a closer look at the features to consider before investing in teacups:

Material

Teacups are manufactured from a broad range of materials from delicate to unbreakable. Most strike a balance between durability and aesthetics. Tradition favors dainty, elegant teacups, but if your kids are active in the kitchen, consider a rugged style. A single broken cup from a set of six can be challenging to replace.

Most people choose ceramic cups but there is a range of other materials available as well.

Ceramic is heat-hardened clay pottery. Types of ceramic include earthenware, porcelain, china, and bone china — the difference between them is the type and proportion of additives and the firing process.

Next, let’s take a closer look at the different types of teacups available on the market:

Unglazed and Glazed Clay Cups: Fired at less than 2100 °F, clay earthenware remains porous until glazed. Unglazed clay cups retain the natural oils in tea, developing a “seasoning,” like cast-iron frying pans. If you drink the same variety every day, it may enhance your favorite notes. But if you like to mix it up, it can make today’s oolong taste like yesterday’s black tea. Glazed clay cups are stain-resistant, easier to clean, and they don’t absorb unwanted tastes or odors.

Porcelain: Porcelain is made of clay fired at 2600 °F to create a durable product suitable for dinnerware. It’s thick, opaque, and retains heat. Unglazed porcelain is for decorative use only.

China: China is porcelain fired at lower temperatures — 2100-2200°F, resulting in a softer product that’s somewhat less durable but has a gentle finish and a bright white color.

Bone China: Bone china is porcelain with up to 50-percent animal bone ash added — the higher the percentage, the better the quality. Dual-fired, bone china is eggshell thin, but exceptionally hard and chip-resistant. When held up to light, it has a creamy, translucent finish prized for its elegance. The additional firing time adds to its cost.

Glass: Glass teacups are affordable, taste-neutral, and blend into any décor. Made of shatter-resistant borosilicate, most are dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Wood: Wood teacups have a lacquered finish making them liquid- and heat-safe. Perfect for rustic kitchens, they’re lightweight, eco-friendly, and virtually indestructible. But you’ll need to hand-wash them to preserve the finish, and they’re not microwave-safe.

Steel: Steel teacups are a favorite for travel because they’re rugged, shatterproof, and easy to keep clean. But while steel won’t absorb odors, it can impart a bitter metallic taste to hot beverages.

Style

Teacups are as decorative as they are functional in designs that showcase your personal style. Tea has a strong cultural tradition in Asia, so Chinese or Japanese motifs are popular. Think floral patterns for an authentic British experience.

Shapes and colors can blend with existing décor or create a daring contrast. Sleek lines and monochromatic tones add polish to a modern kitchen. Bold hues generate a sense of energy.

Size

Teacups range in sizes from three to ten ounces. The ideal size holds as much tea as you want without holding so much that it goes cold before it’s finished.

Shape

Shape affects how teacups pour and retain heat. Thinner cups with slanted sides pour cleaner than thick cups with straight sides. Models with a lip are easier to sip.

Tea in a wide-mouth cup cools fastest. Thicker, small-mouth cups with sides that curve inward hold heat longest and concentrate aromas for a deeper, nuanced flavor.

Handle

Handles are rare in Asian teacups, but they’re essential in European designs. They should be large enough for your fingers to grasp securely with sound ergonomics that help with balance and stability.

Cups without handles should be insulated or thick enough to protect your hand from burns.


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