MATERIALS

Cost and Margin

Plastic drinkware carries a lower unit cost, which can make it attractive for high-volume promotional runs or entry-price retail programs. Stainless steel costs more per unit but supports higher retail pricing and stronger perceived value, which often results in healthier margins per sale.

The right choice depends on where the product sits in your lineup — a giveaway item and a hero SKU have very different economics.

Performance and Durability

Double-wall stainless steel holds temperature for hours and survives years of daily use without cracking or clouding. Plastic is lighter and shatter-resistant but offers little insulation and tends to scratch, stain, and retain odors over time.

For any product promising hot or cold retention, stainless steel is the only material that reliably delivers on the claim.

Safety and Perception

Consumer awareness around plastics and chemical leaching continues to grow. Food-grade stainless steel is inert and does not transfer flavors or compounds into liquids, which increasingly matters to buyers positioning a brand around health and quality.

BPA-free plastics address part of this concern, but stainless steel remains the stronger story for premium and wellness-oriented brands.