We picked Hamilton Beach’s permanent coffee filter as the best reusable coffee filter you can buy today. It’s an excellent bucket filter design with a fine steel mesh that produces great results and is easy to clean. However, we have filters from several brands and varying designs to make sure you can find the best pick for your filter.
What do the best reusable coffee filters look like? The most important thing is a design that fits your coffeemaker. However, the quality of coffee filters can also vary based on the materials it’s made of – with well-crafted stainless steel being particularly important. The right grips for safely handling the filter are also nice, and features that make them easy to wash are always welcome. While plastic components are an option, there are high-quality, BPA-free plastics that make great additions to these filters.
Top 6 Best Reusable Coffee Filters
#1 Hamilton Beach Permanent Reusable Coffee Filter
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This durable model has a masterful design and is very easy to handle, making it a great top pick. It’s a perfect fit for offices and busy venues.
- Stainless steel mesh for cleaner brews
- Large handle for ease-of-use
- Dishwasher safe
- Not designed for smaller coffeemakers
Hamilton Beach already has amazing lines of kitchen products, so we weren’t surprised that they also make a great reusable coffee filter. This gold-tone stainless steel filter has one of the finest meshes of any filter we reviewed, excellent for creating a clean pour (check out our guide below to learn more about taste differences, too). It’s also dishwasher safe and simple to clean with just a thorough rinsing. If you want more gadgets with these features, you might be interested in our best coffee maker list.
Coffee drinkers should note that this is a basket design sized to fit 8 to 12-cup coffee makers. You must get a filter that properly matches your coffee machine. The handle is also one of the largest we’ve seen, so you may want to make sure your machine has enough room to properly close. There is a link provided on the buy page to enter your model number and check for compatibility. If you prefer to make coffee filterless, you might be interested in our guide to the best Nespresso machine instead.
#2 Yeosen Reusable Coffee Filter
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Yeosen’s model is designed with full stainless steel for every component to make sure it lasts. There’s also a handy accessory for cleaning and scooping, making it perfect for busy families.
- No plastic parts
- Less likely to absorb odors
- Easy to clean
- The handle is small and thin
The full stainless steel design of this filter means there are no plastic parts to crack, wear, or bend under the heat, making it one of the most durable reusable filters around – and quite easy to clean, too. The bucket filter is designed for 8 – 12 cup coffee machines, and is specifically made for Mr. Coffee models – there’s also a version made for Cuisinart “Ninja” coffee makers too, but the filter should be fine for any machine with the same general design.
It also comes with a handy accessory. There’s a matching spoon for scooping coffee ground, which also has a small brush at the other end. That makes it a good choice for keeping close by your coffee maker so you use it as needed for cleaning or measuring. If your coffee maker has a single-serve option, you’ll also want to read our guide to the best coffee pods.
Related: See also the best single-serve coffee maker.
#3 Ovalware Paperless Reusable Coffee Filter
Award: BEST DUAL MESH
WHY WE LIKE IT: The excellent laser-cut filter keeps coffee grounds from your cup while preserving all the flavor. It’s a great pick for smaller drip machines.
- Excellent design for smaller machines
- Durable silicone grip
- Simple rinse cleanup
- Rim is a little hard to handle
- Not designed for dishwashers
Bucket filters are great, easy to use, and ideal for larger coffee machines – but not every coffee maker is made for bucket filters. If you need a cone filter for your machine, this stainless steel version is an excellent choice. It has a unique “dual filter” technology with a laser-cut filter on the outside and a fine mesh on the inside to help keep all the flavor intact while getting rid of coffee grounds.
Note that the filter is made specifically for Chemex and Hario drip coffee machines, but it will fit models of another similar size, although the silicone grip can be a little difficult to handle without some practice. For cleaning, rinse under warm water and occasionally soak in a vinegar mixture. You’ll love using these filters when you make your best decaf coffee in the morning.
Related: Also check out the best pour-over coffee maker.
#4 LHS Pour Over Reusable Coffee Dripper
Award: BEST MANUAL
WHY WE LIKE IT: This design is perfect for those who want to try manual drip coffee without a machine, and fits in or on top of cups depending on the size. It combines usability and style with high-grade components.
- Rests perfectly on top of the mug; no machine needed
- Supporting base with silicone ring
- Cleaning brush included
- Not for use in coffee machines
Maybe you prefer to let nature and gravity do the work: If you’re a fan of manual coffee drippers (a favorite for cold brews and other styles), this reusable coffee filter pour-over design is made just for you. It can make 1-2 cups of coffee via 0.2mm mesh holes specifically made for drip brewing. The filter can be used standalone for sitting inside a cup, but it also comes with a base for perching on top of the cup – including a silicone ring to help prevent slips.
The filter also has a handy outcrop for holding and positioning, as well as a reinforced base to funnel your dripping coffee expertly into the cup. When it’s time to clean up, you can rinse in the sink or use the dishwasher as needed. If you want the highest quality coffee, you’ll also want to read our guide to the best whole bean coffee.
#5 Mr. Coffee Basket-Style Reusable Coffee Filter
Award: MOST ECO-FRIENDLY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Made for larger Mr. Coffee machines, this lightweight model includes an extra-durable base. The easy-fit design and compatibility with large coffee makers make this a great choice for offices.
- Great for larger java makers
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Extra stability with plastic base
- The handle is a little flimsy
This reusable coffee filter Mr. Coffee brand model is made for machines that handle 10 to 12 cups of coffee. While Mr. Coffee is a very common brand, the filter isn’t necessarily made for other models so be careful to measure first as necessary. The model has a gold-tone stainless steel mesh and propylene frame, which makes it very lightweight. The strong base frame is particularly handy for durability.
The handle, while made with plastic, does allow for very easy positioning and lifting. The filter is dishwasher safe or can be cleaned in the sink if necessary. If your office or organization runs through a lot of coffee filters throughout the day, a couple of these filters could be a great and eco-friendly solution. If you prefer cold brew coffee, you’ll also want to read our guide to the best cold brew coffeemaker.
#6 PureHQ Reusable Mesh Ground Coffee Filter
Award: BEST FOR SINGLE SERVE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This pack works for Keurigs and is compatible with other pod-based models. The rubber seals and extra mesh lining is an added plus.
- Create your own coffee ground single-serve
- Fine stainless steel mesh
- Rubber seals
- Can require more maintenance than other filters
With Keurigs and their associated pods so common, it’s no surprise if you need a different sort of reusable filter, especially at home. This kit includes a bucket filter designed for hybrid machines like K-Duo coffeemakers, which can also make coffee the traditional way. However, you also get two reusable K-Cup filter replacements that can take the place of a K-Cup with the grounds of your choosing. It’s not quite the same, but you get results and you don’t have to run through disposable K-Cups every day.
The filters are made from a combination of plastic and a particularly fine stainless steel mesh. The pod versions include a diffusion cone at the top so that water is spread evenly, and a rubber gasket to make sure the seal is tight. Clean these thoroughly after you use them.
How We Decided
We looked at the three critical features of all reusable coffee filters to research the best and find out which are far superior to paper coffee filters.
The first consideration is the overall design. We researched to choose some of the best bucket and cone filters for our list – bucket filters tend to be a little more durable overall and more suited for reusing filters since they go with larger coffee machines – an ideal pairing for offices where coffee is frequently made and you go through a lot of filters otherwise.
Then we looked at the materials themselves. A good reusable coffee filter needs to be made of high-quality stainless steel that can withstand many washings without losing integrity. We liked to see frames made of either more stainless steel or durable silicone, but some of our picks also use alternative plastics that are entirely food-safe and odor-free.
We also spared bonus points for more unique filtration options, like pour-over filters that are designed for standalone coffee making, or filters that come with bonus options for reusable Keurig cups.
We also liked to see handy accessories like spoons and brushes so you have a whole kit ready to use right out of the box.
Best Reusable Coffee Filters Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Shape and Design
There are three basic coffee filter design features you need to be aware of when buying filters like these, so let’s cover them:- Bucket: Is the filter shaped like a bucket? Then you need a coffee machine that’s designed for bucket-style filters! The handy thing about bucket filters is that they usually include a handle that makes them easier to lift without risking burns. However, keep in mind that bucket filters are generally made to fit larger coffeemakers (8 cups and over). The smaller the coffee maker, the more likely that this size won’t work – always check first.
- Cone: Reusable cone filters are made for smaller coffee makers with cone designs for the filter. These filters are a bit more difficult to lift out so they must have good grips. They generally work better for drip coffee machines, too.
- Pour-over models: These are reusable filters that are designed to perch above a cup and naturally produce drip-based coffee through gravity. They have a significantly different design than other filters that make it easy to control the filter and adjust for different cup sizes. On the other hand, you could just use this filter-type with the best pour-over coffee makers.
- Materials
Always take a look at what your filter is made of. Most good filters are made of stainless steel mesh, which should always be food grade and easy to clean. Other components may be made out of silicone or propylene, although it’s possible to avoid plastic parts if you really want to. Although, for siphon coffee makers, you’ll find that their filters are typically made of paper or cloth. However, you can compare drip vs siphon coffee makers first before you decide on which type to buy. - Grips
How are you going to lift and clean the filter to brew coffee again? Look for handles, silicone grips, or tabs that make it easy to lift the filter safely, empty it, and rinse it out for next time. Not all filters do a good job of including grips. - Accessories
It’s also nice to see filters that come with handy accessories. This may include brushes to help with cleaning the filter or spoons for scooping ground coffee. It’s nice to have some dedicated tools to help out when you start using reusable filters.
