Anti-spiking drink covers: types, guide prices and how to choose
Updated October 2026
In short: an anti-spiking drink cover (also called a drink protector or cup cover) covers the top of the glass so that nobody can slip anything in unnoticed, and you drink through a straw. There are three main types: the drink-cover scrunchie, the single-use adhesive cover and the silicone lid. Bracelets and strips that detect drugs are something else: they don't cover the drink.
Anti-spiking drink covers: quick comparison
| Type | How it works | Reusable? | Carried on you? | Guide price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drink-cover scrunchie | Fabric scrunchie with an elastic cover kept in a pocket; it covers the glass and lets a straw through. | Yes, machine washable | Yes, in the hair or on the wrist | Higher per unit; depends on quantity and customisation | Campaigns that want the item used all night and kept |
| Adhesive cover | A sheet stuck over the glass; you drink through a straw. | No, single use | No, handed out at the bar or safe-night point | Very low: about €0.24 per unit in a Spanish public contract for 5,000 custom covers | Mass hand-outs on a single night |
| Silicone lid | An elastic lid that fits over the rim, usually with a straw hole. | Yes | Has to be carried in a bag or pocket | From €0.85 to €2.09 per custom unit depending on quantity, excl. VAT (promotional catalogue, 2026) | Merchandise and personal use |
| Detecting bracelet, strip or kit | Changes colour if it detects certain substances in a drop of the drink. | Usually not | Yes | Varies | Only as extra information: it doesn't cover the drink or detect alcohol |
Prices are a guide and vary with supplier, quantity and customisation. Sources are listed at the end of the guide.
Drink-cover scrunchie
A fabric scrunchie that hides an elastic cover in a pocket. You wear it in your hair or on your wrist and, when needed, the cover goes over the glass in a couple of seconds and lets a straw through.
- Pros: it is worn all night, so it is at hand every time you order another drink. It is reusable and machine washable, and because it looks like an ordinary scrunchie people use it without feeling watched.
- Cons: it costs more per unit than an adhesive cover and takes longer to produce when customised.
This is Tailsip's format. We explain it in depth in Anti-spiking scrunchie: what it is and how it works.
Single-use adhesive cover
A sheet, often paper or plastic, stuck over the top of the glass; you drink through a straw. Many Spanish councils hand them out at safe-night points with the campaign logo.
- Pros: the cheapest option per unit and the easiest to hand out in large numbers.
- Cons: it covers one drink only and creates waste. If the person orders another drink, they need another cover.
Silicone lid
An elastic lid stretched over the rim of the glass. It usually has a straw hole and can be washed.
- Pros: reusable and cheap.
- Cons: you have to remember to carry it and it is easy to lose. Depending on the model, it may not fit wide glasses well.
Drug-detecting bracelets, strips and kits
They don't cover the drink: they show whether certain substances, such as GHB or ketamine, are present in a drop. An analysis by a Complutense University of Madrid researcher in The Conversation warns that these devices focus on secret drugging and overlook that alcohol is the main substance in sexual assaults involving chemical submission. They can give a false sense of security.
Which one to choose
For a council or safe-night point
For a mass hand-out on one night, adhesive covers are the cheapest. If you want the campaign to be seen and to last, a scrunchie is worn and reused at the next festivals. Many safe-night points combine both. See our material for councils and safe-night points.
For a festival or club
A branded scrunchie works as a welcome gift or in VIP areas: people take it home and keep using it. At the bar, a single-use cover can complement it.
For a company
As merchandise, a scrunchie has the advantage of being used every day with the logo on show.
For personal use
Look for a reusable model you always carry. Tailsip only takes orders from organisations, events and companies, from 500 units.
What to check before buying anti-spiking drink covers
- Fit: it should suit the glasses and cups used at your event.
- Straw: people should be able to drink without uncovering the glass.
- Reuse: single use, or an item people keep.
- Customisation: logo, colours and campaign message.
- Lead time: custom production takes weeks; order well before the date.
- Message: hand it out with information on what to do if spiking is suspected. We explain it in Drink spiking and chemical submission: what it is and how to prevent it.
Frequently asked questions about anti-spiking drink covers
What is an anti-spiking drink cover?
A lid or cover that goes over the top of the glass so nobody can slip anything in unnoticed. You drink through a straw. The most common types are the drink-cover scrunchie, the adhesive cover and the silicone lid.
Do anti-spiking drink covers really work?
They make it harder for someone to secretly slip a substance into a drink, but they don't stop an attacker taking advantage of someone who has been drinking. They are one more prevention measure, not a guarantee.
How much does a custom anti-spiking drink cover cost?
It depends on the type and quantity. In a 2026 Spanish public contract, 5,000 custom adhesive covers cost about €0.24 each excluding VAT. Custom silicone lids range from about €2 in small runs to under €1 for thousands of units. A drink-cover scrunchie costs more per unit but is reused. For a Tailsip scrunchie, ask us for a quote.
Which is better, a scrunchie or an adhesive cover?
Adhesive covers are cheaper and suit a mass hand-out on one night. A scrunchie is worn and reused, so both the protection and the campaign message last longer.
Do drug-detecting bracelets replace a drink cover?
No. They only detect some substances, not alcohol, which is the most used in chemical submission. And they don't cover the drink.
Sources
- Aranjuez council. Minor contract for 5,000 custom adhesive drink covers with straws (€1,213 excl. VAT; awarded in 2026; in Spanish).
- Prices of custom silicone lids: catalogue of a Spanish promotional-products supplier checked in October 2026 (€2.09 per unit for 50 units and €0.85 for 5,000 units, excl. VAT).
- Prego Meleiro, P. (Complutense University of Madrid). Sumisión química: la dudosa utilidad de los dispositivos para detectar drogas en la bebida. The Conversation, 2024.
- Comunidad de Madrid. Sumisión química (in Spanish).
Keep reading: Drink spiking guide · Drink-cover scrunchies in campaigns · Material for safe-night points