Double-walled, twice as nice – Pavina glass review
24.6.2025
Translation: Julia Graham
Pictures: Pia Seidel
The double-walled Pavina glasses make your coffee or tea seem weightless, but are they practical? I tested them for a few weeks and put them under the magnifying glass to find out.
The transparent, double-walled Pavina glass was released in the early 2000s, originally intended for tea. It maintains the drink’s temperature for longer and gives it a floating look. Visually, it didn’t really grab me at the time. But now? Bodum has brought out a few upgrades since then: double-walled glasses are now available in new shapes, designs and colours, for example and are real eye-catchers. I finally wanted to get my hands on some glasses that would work for hot and cold drinks. So I asked for some samples to review. No more burnt fingers with tea or wet hands from cold brew. But do they really deliver what they promise? Let’s find out.
The design: minimalist, but floatingly elegant
Whether you’re sipping coffee, matcha latte or cold brew, everything looks fancy in these glasses. It almost looks as if your drink is hanging in the air. This floating look brings lightness to the table. And as for the new colours, I love them. I opted for the bulbous version in pink and blue, but there are also yellow, green and even transparent fluted models, for example, if you want more structure.
Keeps warm, stays cool
Practically speaking, the glasses don’t disappoint either, as they maintain the temperature of your drink like a protective bubble. Hot drinks stay warm much longer without burning my fingers.
While a warm drink in a conventional cup at room temperature (approximately 20 °C) often cools down from «very hot» to «drinking temperature» after just 10 to 15 minutes and becomes lukewarm after 20 to 30 minutes, I’d estimate that a drink in a Pavina glass stays pleasantly warm to drink for around 20 to 30 minutes. You can also see the difference with cold drinks. While ice cubes in a standard glass often melt after 20 to 30 minutes, they remain solid in the Pavina glass even after around an hour. And best of all, no condensation forms, so the surface stays dry. Bye-bye, coasters.
What also sets Pavina apart from my other glasses is the silicone stopper on the base. This ensures pressure balance between the two glass walls. It means that the pressure building up in between can escape but liquid can’t. The brand explains this is exactly why you can put the double-walled glasses in the oven up to 180 °C or in the freezer up to -20 to -30 °C (without any liquid in them, of course). I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it sounds practical.
Everyday test: robust or diva?
The Pavina glasses are made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, allowing them to withstand extreme temperatures without any problems. Hot tea? No problem. You can pour it in without fear of shattering the glass. Another advantage of borosilicate glass is that it’s lighter than normal glass and yet stable. This is why it’s also used in labs.
Nevertheless, I was a little worried that the lenses would be sensitive as they’re so light and seem thin. But nope, they’re hardwearing. Even clumsy hands and dishwashers are no match for them. After tipping them over on the table and several rounds in the machine, they still look as good as new. Nevertheless, if you drop them on a tiled floor, it’s end game for borosilicate glass too. So you’re better off being careful.
Size – something for everyone
The Pavina collection is available in four sizes. I tested the medium version (350 ml), which is perfect for tea, coffee or small smoothies. For large iced coffees or soft drinks, I’d use the bigger ones (450 ml). The small version (80 ml) would be ideal for espressos. But it’s really a matter of taste.
In a nutshell
My new go-to
At first I was sceptical because the Pavina glasses are delicate and appear weightless, but it turns out they easily withstand everyday use. Above all, they protect my hands, as the surface remains at room temperature with both hot and cold drinks. The set of two isn’t cheap. But in my opinion, they’re worth the investment in the long run. Pavina is perfect if you appreciate style, even with your everyday drinks.
Pro
- Stunning aesthetics thanks to the soft pink and floating look
- Double-walled, keeps drinks hot or cold for longer
- No condensation on the outside
- Brosilicate glass keeps them light and robust
- Various colours and designs to choose from
Contra
- Scratches or wear more visible than with transparent glasses
Header image: Pia Seidel
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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