Hot or Cold? A Temperature Guide to Choosing Cup Material

The single fastest way to narrow down a cup material is by the temperature of what you're serving. Here's a quick reference.

Cold beverages (under 45°F)

• PP plastic: the industry standard — flexible, cost-effective, great for smoothies and bubble tea. See PP cups.
• PET clear: best for visual presentation of layered or colorful drinks. See PET cups.
• PLA compostable: PET-level clarity with a plant-based, compostable story. See PLA cups.

Hot beverages (up to 200°F)

• Styrofoam (EPS): best insulation, keeps drinks hot longest, lowest cost per unit. See styrofoam cups.
• Paper (single or double wall): the most widely accepted format for coffee shops, with eco-friendly lining options. See paper cups.

Rule of thumb

Standard PP, PET, and PLA plastics are not rated above roughly 110-140°F and will deform with hot beverages. Never substitute a cold-rated plastic cup for hot service — beyond the material failure risk, it's a burn hazard for the customer.

Dual hot/cold operations

If your menu spans both, most businesses stock two cup lines rather than compromising on one material for both temperature ranges. Talk to us about a mixed hot/cold cup program.