Sip your hot drink in style with the best cup and saucer

Add some style to your tea-time gatherings with the best cup and saucer. Though we’re not in the world of Bridgerton, this doesn’t mean we can’t add a dainty piece of tableware to our collection, to make tea-times a little fancier. After all, a cup of tea is the beating heart of our nation – and we’re not sure where we’d be without it. From the kettle to the cup, we’ve found some affordable sets for your home.

Though mugs are practical and easy to hold, we can’t deny that there is a certain elegance to a cup and saucer set. Almost like a magnetic pull, we are drawn to this tableware, mainly for its beauty. If you are anything like Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances, you may like to sip in style, breaking out a beautiful teapot with fine china for guests. However, many shoppable sets nowadays aren’t so coveted, or as priceless.

Best cup and saucer set at a glance:

• Best bone china tea cup and saucer: Wedgwood Midnight Crane – View Offer at Wedgwood
• Budget buy: Gold Rim Breakfast Cup and Saucer – View Offer at Dunelm
• Retro-inspired collection: Clarence Ceramic Cup and Saucers Set – View Offer at Oliver Bonas

Not only do saucers come in handy, catching overflow and splashy accidents, but they also serve as protection for surfaces from possible heat damage. Plus, we’re definitely guilty of stashing a few biccies in our saucers, ready to be dunked into our tea. Biscuits, honestly, taste better that way. Of all the gifts for tea lovers you could find, a matching cup and saucer set would be special, indeed. Although, we’re not knocking an ever-so-handy, personalised tea subscription.

A cup and saucer set is now seen as the tableware of the past, much like a stovetop kettle. However, at Yours, we love feeling nostalgic and looking back on past traditions fondly. So whatever type of hot drink you enjoy – whether black coffee, matcha tea, or an indulgent hot chocolate – we’ve chosen a range of the best cup and saucer sets that hopefully will inspire your tea-time (or coffee) experiences. Soon enough, you’ll be inviting King Charles and Queen Camilla around for a spot of tea…

Best cup and saucer sets

Cup and saucer buyer’s guide

Are you looking to add a touch of elegance to your daily tea or coffee? Well, the best cup and saucer set may make an ideal addition to your tableware collection. Whether you’re hosting a Bridgerton-style tea party with friends, or need a little 'me-time', here is what you may need to consider. You'll be ready to sip in style in no time...

What to consider:

Size – will vary from cup to cup. This factor is all down to you – and what you like to hold. Dainty cups aren’t for everyone, as they may be less ergonomic and likely hold less tea or coffee.

Material – comes next, with sets arriving in various materials: such as porcelain, bone china, ceramic and more. Pick a cup, provided it matches your style and how clumsy you tend to be. After all, some materials are more delicate (and therefore, pricier) than others.

Personal touch – above all, maybe the most important factor in this guide. After all, investing in tableware that matches your personal style and complements your home décor will be a treat. Luckily, we’ve listed a wide range of styles from vintage patterns to rather avant-garde styles.

Ergonomic handle – means: how comfortable is this cup to hold? After all, barely being able to hold a handle may ruin your drinking experience. Choose a set that fits your fingers and that you find easy to hold. For this, we’ve included picks with customer reviews…

Saucer size – may be something to think about. In theory, a saucer holds your cup and prevents drops of tea from staining the carpet. However, we see it as a place to hold a biscuit or two, close to our tea for dipping. If you are partial to a treat, consider a decent saucer size.

Cleaning – may be a job we dread, but with many modern sets, you’re catered for. Some of our picks are dishwasher-safe, saving you time (and effort) scrubbing out tea stains.

Budget – should be high up on your list, especially since things are getting a little pricier. To avoid spending too much, set a budget. But, if you’re looking to treat yourself, take a look at the bone china sets from Wedgwood. There are many sets that are great value for money.

FAQs

How do I hold a cup and saucer?

Many of us may not know how to properly hold a cup and saucer. Traditionally, there is some etiquette to learn when handling fine bone china for afternoon tea. If you’re keen on knowing how, we’ve found a fabulous YouTube video from etiquette expert William Hanson:

What materials are cups and saucers made from?

Thanks to John Lewis, we have some clarity on what our picks are made of...

Earthenware - is strong and practical, often a little thicker than other ceramics. It's ideal for everyday use.

Stoneware - is made at high temperatures, making it tough, heat resistant and can come in a number of glazes.

Porcelain - an affordable luxury, is renowned for being translucent, tough, glazed and durable.

Fine china - is an affordable china made from synthetic bone ash. It’s creamy in colour and delicate, too.

New bone china – a modern take to bone china, is made from porcelain and calcium oxide to achieve the look.

Bone china – can be surprisingly durable – not to mention translucent, despite its delicate appearance.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Yours, an all-rounder who will write on anything from décor to wellness. When not scouring the net for the best home bargains, Piper is listening to a musical soundtrack and tending to her houseplants.