From mesh baskets and tea infuser mugs to travel-friendly tumblers, our favorites will help you brew the perfect cup.
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Ss Wire Mesh
An excellent cup of tea begins with impeccable brewing. Whether you’re using an electric kettle or a traditional teapot, preparing tea requires using specific methods to turn it into the best possible version, which is why tea enthusiasts can tell the difference between a well-brewed cup and one done hastily.
In order for tea to be at its best, containing the most lovely flavors and aromas, it should be infused into hot water using a vessel that gives the tea leaves space to expand. "An infuser is a great way to make loose-leaf teas," says Lisa Boalt Richardson, director of the World Tea Academy and author of Modern Tea: A Fresh Look at an Ancient Beverage. But with multiple types of infusers available, it can be hard to know which one to choose. So, with help from a tea expert, we’ve highlighted our favorite mesh, ball, and glass infuser models. That way, you don't have to keep guessing.
The fine mesh keeps particles from entering your cup, and its lid helps retain heat while doubling as a drip tray.
Its design may not appeal to everyone.
Those intimidated by the heat of metal tea balls will breathe a sigh of relief using this mesh alternative, which is easier to handle while hot due to the BPA-free plastic frame that doesn’t conduct heat. It’s ideal for larger tea leaves because they’ll have plenty of space to infuse the water, but it also works well for smaller leaves thanks to the fine stainless steel mesh that prevents even the smallest particles from entering your beverage.
Suitable for both mugs and kettles, you can use it for brewing a single cup or an entire pot of your favorite loose-leaf tea. And once it's done brewing, the lid will act like a saucer for the basket to prevent any last drops from trickling onto your surface. The look of its practical design may not appeal to everyone. But when it makes tea this good, who really cares? You may even find it quickly becoming one of your tea-making essentials.
Price at time of publish: $15
You can brew multiple cups of tea at once with this rustproof set.
The mesh has larger holes than some other models.
Featuring a chain that hooks the ball to a mug or kettle, this set of three tea balls makes tea infusing quick and simple. They’re functional for any type of tea and close tightly to prevent any bits from landing in your cup. Once your tea is brewed and you’re ready to remove the infuser, you’ll unlatch the mesh ball and dispose of the contents.
To make a fully-flavored cup, you’ll only want to fill the ball halfway, giving the leaves space to expand as they soak in the water. Because the mesh has larger holes than some other options, these balls are best suited for tea with larger leaves, as they can allow some fine particles to sift through.
Price at time of publish: $6
Numerous presets take the guesswork out of brewing, and it doubles as a basic water kettle.
The instructions aren’t very thorough, meaning it might take some trial and error.
It's never been easier to customize your perfect cup, thanks to the presets of this Breville tea maker. Simply add water to the kettle and tea leaves to the infuser, and then tell the machine how hot you want the water to get and how long you want it to steep. Your tea will come out as mild or strong as you prefer, and the temperature presets denote which type of tea they’re ideal for, taking the guesswork out of brewing. That way, you can have the perfect flavor profile to enhance any new tea-based drinks you might want to try out.
The kettle can make up to four cups of tea at once, and, with its compact size and attractive design, you can easily store it in a cabinet or on your countertop. Figuring out how all its flashing lights and buttons work may be a bit difficult at first, but with a little bit of trial and error, you'll be brewing a flawless cup in no time.
Price at time of publish: $170
You can use it for hot and cold-brew teas, and its double-walled glass will keep it from sweating, leaking, or holding on to odors or flavors.
It won't keep your tea insulated as long as some stainless steel models.
For those of us who love to take our tea on the go, you can't go wrong with Pure Zen's tea infuser tumbler. Unlike most travel containers on the market, this one is made of double-walled borosilicate glass, which makes it ideal for enjoying the purest flavor of all your favorite teas and helps maintain an ideal temperature for longer.
Its innovative design, with removable lids on both sides, allows you to use the infuser either at the top or bottom of the bottle. This makes it useful for both short brews (with the infuser at the top) and longer, cold brews (with the infuser at the bottom) — or you can remove it altogether for a bottle of fruit-infused water. And its glass walls take the guesswork out of how much water you can add, preventing any unintentional spills. Although it won't keep your tea warm (or cold) as long as some stainless steel models, its versatility and functionality more than make up for it.
Price at time of publish: $35
It’s suitable for most teapots and mugs and is safe for microwaves and dishwashers.
Small leaves may get into the water through the slits in the glass.
Suitable for various vessels, from a large kettle to a single mug, this versatile infuser is an excellent choice for individuals and households with multiple tea drinkers. It’s made from a durable type of glass that can withstand and retain heat well (so you can use it on the stove, in the microwave, and even throw it in the dishwasher), plus the lid doubles as a drip tray to keep your countertop clean after you remove the infuser.
Unlike some metals, glass won’t add any unwanted flavors to your tea, making this model one of the best options for lighter teas with more delicate flavor notes. And Its slits are laser-cut, so they're extra-fine; however, they may still let a few more small leaves or particles through than some metal infusers.
Price at time of publish: $15
Its all-in-one functionality is efficient, and its minimal design is easy on the eyes.
Its small capacity may not be enough for some tea lovers.
Brew your tea in the same cup you’ll drink from (less cleanup!) with this 12-ounce mug by Mora Ceramics. We love this pick not only for its name (mora is Latin for "slow down") but also for its well-thought-out functionality and attractive, minimal design. It would also make a great gift for any tea lovers in your life.
The ceramic lid serves two purposes: It acts as a coaster for your infuser once the tea is ready and keeps your brew hot during steeping and in between sips. And it also comes with a convenient teaspoon, which — like its infuser — is vacuum-coated with titanium to prevent any rust or erosion. Plus, they even took the guesswork out of how much water to add to your mug for the perfect brew. All you have to do is add four grams of loose-leaf tea to the basket and then fill it up to the top with hot water for the optimal ratio.
Price at time of publish: $20
The extra-long handle makes it great for any size mug, and its twisting feature allows you to scoop and empty it with ease.
It doesn't include a stand to catch the drips when you're done brewing.
This OXO infuser is another take on the tea ball, but this time with a few extra features. Rather than a chain that hooks to the mug, this one has a long neck with a plastic handle that allows you to rest it against the side of your cup or even stir your tea while it brews. And, instead of having to open your tea ball manually to fill it, this one only takes a twist and a scoop, and then you're ready to steep all your favorite loose-leaf teas.
Its twisting feature also makes it pretty easy to empty and clean without anything getting stuck in the holes, while making it less likely that any stray leaves escape as you brew. Its one drawback is that it doesn't come with anything to rest it on for catching drips after you're done.
Price at time of publish: $12
This convenient teapot rests easily on top of your mug so you can filter your tea right into it.
There are a lot of parts to disassemble for cleaning.
Some people prefer steeping tea in a teapot, but it can be a lot of hassle if you only want one or two servings. This infuser teapot fixes all those problems effortlessly with its simple and innovative design. Unlike a traditional teapot, this one sits directly on top of your mug for easy pouring when your tea is done, and it efficiently filters out the leaves with its stainless steel strainer as it goes.
All you have to do is add your desired amount of leaves to the pot, fill it with water, and let the infusing magic happen. You can use it for iced or hot tea, and its clear design lets you watch as your tea leaves unfurl and infuse the water with flavor and color. And when you're not pouring, you can set it down on its matching coaster until you're ready for another cup. The ABERDEEN is constructed from BPA-free Tritan plastic, so it's virtually unbreakable and completely food-safe. However, when it comes time to clean it, it may take a moment to disassemble all its tiny seals and parts. On the bright side, it is dishwasher safe.
Price at time of publish: $30
The Finum Reusable Stainless Steel Brewing Basket is our top pick because it’s great for all types of tea and is easy to use and store. The plastic will keep you from burning your hands, and the lid doubles as a drip tray to prevent spillage.
Tea infusers come in an assortment of types and materials, with the most common being steel. “I like all stainless steel infusers for home use,” Richardson says. Infusers are available as balls that open in half and lock, simple mesh baskets, or containers with lids — and some lids double as a coaster or drip tray. There are also glass models, which some people prefer to preserve the delicate flavors of their tea. Depending on what type of mug or brewing vessel you use, some options may work better than others.
You’ll want to choose a tea infuser compatible with your needs and lifestyle. If you have a hard time working around hot metals, choose one that has plastic or other heat-resistant materials around its edges, so you don’t have to worry about hurting yourself. Some models also have additional features that make them easier to use, such as a long handle or a design that makes it easier to remove or pour. Most of our recommended infusers are dishwasher-safe, so cleanup typically requires minimal effort. However, you may have to put in some extra work to extract any stuck tea leaves.
Depending on how much tea you like to drink in one sitting, you may want to pay attention to the size of your infuser. Some infusers — like tea balls — are better for infusing a single cup of tea, while larger infusers can serve up to four cups (tea party, anyone?). Another thing to consider when it comes to size is how big the openings are on your infuser. Infusers with very small openings, like those made of metal mesh, are less likely to allow any tea leaves or fine particles to escape into your finished cup. However, those with larger holes may let a few pieces slip past and are better suited for bigger tea leaves.
A tea infuser is a tool designed to steep loose-leaf tea while preventing small particles from getting into your drink. Many tea infusers are made from mesh stainless steel to do just that.
“Loose-leaf teas are whole tea leaves or broken whole tea leaves," says Richardson. "They can offer a greater depth of flavor, but since they are not in a teabag or sachet, there isn’t anything to allow the tea leaves to be removed from the teapot or teacup.” That's where a tea infuser comes in handy.
Using a tea infuser involves combining tea leaves and hot (or cold) water. “The tea leaves are placed in the infuser and then set in a cup or teapot,” Richardson says. “Hot water (sometimes boiling but not always — green teas need lower water temperature) is poured over the tea leaves, and then the tea leaves are steeped in the water for anywhere from two to five minutes depending on the tea.” You can also steep some teas over a longer period in cold water to make a cold brew or iced tea.
On average, a teaspoon of tea leaves per cup of water is a good starting point, according to Richardson, but she says you can always adjust depending on how strong you want your tea to be.
“As a rule of thumb, adjust the amount of tea in the infusion instead of adding more time to steep the tea,” Richardson says. “If tea leaves are left in the water for too long, your tea will become too bitter.”
Contributor Ariane Resnick is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author who typically finds herself craving tea when the weather turns cold. She was excited to speak with Lisa Boalt Richardson, director of the World Tea Academy and author of Modern Tea: A Fresh Look at an Ancient Beverage, to learn everything possible about tea infusing and help her determine the best tea infusers on the market.
Concertina Galvanizada By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.