I’m in the market for a new decanter and would love to hear about your favorites. Ideally something easy to clean (can be put into the dishwasher), a slightly wider bottom, and extremely elegant looking (I personally would prefer something modern or mid-century modern). No Pyrex beakers or lead allowed!
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It’s not fancy, but I like the Riedel Cabernet decanter. They used to have a cheaper version sold at Target, I bought several when they were on sale for $20 or less. I think glass, not crystal.
-Al
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This is what I use most of the time. Great decanter.
I love the decanters from La Soufflerie. Some are rather small and some are in a good size.
In the end they just have to be a different vessel to pour into and nothing else, so they might as well just look good.
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The decanter I use all the time, when opening only one bottle, is a very basic glass decanter.
For multiple bottles, however, I’ve got a number of other nice crystal decanters. Here’s one I like that I picked up from Williams Sonoma:
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/williams-sonoma-estate-decanter/?cm_src=SocialShareLink
That bong is very well disguised!
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I have one that looks similar, Terry. Not sure where I picked it up, Liquor Barn maybe. It was pretty cheap.
-Al
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I use the Zalto carafes a lot, which have the advantage of being easy to fit in a refrigerator or ice bucket if you want to cool down whatever you’re serving…
Also love English Georgian cut glass, and finally found a magnum decanter in great shape after a few years looking for the right one 
Amusingly, it cost a touch less than Riedel’s ridiculous “Swan”.
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Oh yes, the “fit into an ice-bucket” thing is real!
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Same here. I have 12 of them. I like the small base, as they fit neatly in the cabinet and, as in @William_Kelley 's example, in the fridge or ice bucket. I have several others, including the “ridiculous swan,” which I got as a gift, but rarely reach for them.
Once, Jonathan’s brother was visiting and looked into the glass cabinet. “What do you do with 12 decanters?” Ummm…same as with 1, only 12 times.
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I collect old decanters, many of them probably have some, or a lot of lead. Having done a fair amount of research, I am super careful, although apparently it takes several weeks for any lead to leach into the wine.
When I do use them and if a long decant is need, I do it in another decanter, and then pour it in just before serving. There is something special about having wine from the same decanter as people had a couple of centuries ago, and speculate who they were and what they talked about.
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I can be lazy. 12 decanters means I could let several just sit there after use until I get around to washing them. 
For the Zalto carafes, do folks prefer using the 75 for 750ml, or oversizing it to the 150?
Recently purchased a Glasvin decanter and I’m a big fan.
It’s nothing fancy but definitely an upgrade from the Amazon or Target decanter I had previously been using.
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I’m even worse than lead. I collect uranium glass. The green decanter is uranium glass and I have a couple gorgeous sets of Champagne glasses that are uranium.
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I like my Zalto.
But for tastings I bought a bunch of IKEA decanters (STORSNIT). Cheap and works just fine. Goes into the dishwasher without any problem.
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Due to my oafish handling my favorite decanters are no longer with us. I make do with these remaining two. A simple cheap glass one from Crate & Barrel in the late 1970’s, and an older hand-me-down.
I do like the looks of that Reidel Cabernet decanter that was mentioned and repeatedly recommended.
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For most bottles, my go-to is the Riedel Syrah decanter. It’s similar to the standard Riedel decanter but features a spout that prevents drips. While it’s been discontinued, you can still find them on eBay for around $35.
For larger formats, I swear by my 2000 cc Erlenmeyer flask. It’s under $40, works like a charm, and never fails to spark entertaining conversations.
Both are dishwasher safe.
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Actually, the first decanter I used was from a cheap Provencal wine I bought many years ago that came in a decanter shaped bottle. I bought it mainly for the bottle. Looked roughly like this although flatter on the bottom.
Wasn’t very high quality glass, though, and eventually became difficult to keep it looking clean.
-Al
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