Best Reusable Coffee Filter for Drip and Pour Over

Best Reusable Coffee Filter: Our Top Picks

Our top pick is the GoldTone 8 to 12 cup basket filter, followed by the Barista Warrior cone for pour over and the GoldTone No. 4 cone filter for Cuisinart brewers. We compared fit, mesh material, how well each filter holds back fine grounds, durability, cleaning and how widely each is bought and kept.

GoldTone 8-12 Cup Basket Filter: Best Overall Reusable Coffee Filter

The GoldTone basket filter is the best reusable coffee filter for flat bottom drip coffee makers. GoldTone says it fits most Mr. Coffee 10 to 12 cup basket style coffee makers and replaces paper filters completely.

The filter uses surgical grade stainless steel woven mesh in a rigid BPA free frame with a solid bottom, and GoldTone says it is made in the USA. It rinses clean under running water and is dishwasher safe. GoldTone also sells versions shaped for Hamilton Beach and BLACK+DECKER brewers.

• Fits most Mr. Coffee 10 to 12 cup basket brewers
• Stainless steel mesh, BPA free frame
• Dishwasher safe, made in the USA

The limitation is fit: basket shapes vary by brand, so this version is sized for Mr. Coffee. Skip it if your brewer uses a cone filter. Expect to pay around $7.

Barista Warrior Stainless Steel Pour Over Filter: Best for Pour Over

The Barista Warrior filter is the best reusable coffee filter for pour over. It is made of 304 stainless steel and fits Chemex 6, 8 and 10 cup brewers and Hario V60 02 and 03 drippers without an adapter, so your coffee never touches paper or plastic.

A dual filtration design pairs fine mesh with a laser cut cone to trap grounds while letting oils pass, which gives a full bodied cup. Barista Warrior says one filter replaces 25,000 paper filters, and it rinses clean and is dishwasher safe.

• Fits Chemex 6 to 10 cup and Hario V60 02/03
• 304 stainless steel, dual filtration
• Dishwasher safe

The limitation is body: metal filters let some fine sediment through, which is different from the very clean cup a Chemex paper filter gives. Skip it if you prefer a crisp, sediment free cup. Expect to pay around $35.

GoldTone No. 4 Cone Filter for Cuisinart, 2 Pack: Best Cone Filter

The GoldTone No. 4 cone filter is the best reusable filter for Cuisinart drip coffee makers and other brewers that take a No. 4 cone. The listing says it replaces the permanent filter for Cuisinart machines and brewers, and the two pack gives you a spare.

• No. 4 cone shape for Cuisinart brewers
• Two filters per pack
• Replaces paper or a worn permanent filter

The limitation is that it is shaped for cone baskets only. Skip it if your brewer uses a flat bottom basket. Expect to pay around $11.

Cuisinart GTF Gold Tone Filter: Best Genuine Brand Filter

The Cuisinart GTF is the best choice for Cuisinart owners who want a genuine brand replacement. It is a permanent gold tone filter for 10 to 12 cup Cuisinart coffee makers and helps produce full flavored coffee.

• Genuine Cuisinart part
• Permanent gold tone filter
• Sized for 10 to 12 cup Cuisinart brewers

The limitation is that it costs more than generic versions. Skip it if you are happy with a third party filter. Expect to pay around $14.

LHS Stainless Steel Pour Over Dripper: Best Single Cup Filter

The LHS dripper is the best reusable filter for brewing one or two cups directly into a mug. It is a fine mesh stainless steel cone with a wide metal cup stand, so it sits on top of most mugs without a separate dripper.

Extra fine mesh at the lower part of the filter keeps grounds out, according to LHS. The dripper is light enough for travel and camping, rinses clean or goes in the dishwasher, and comes with a small cleaning brush.

• Fine mesh stainless steel cone with stand
• Brews 1 to 2 cups directly into a mug
• Dishwasher safe, brush included

The limitation is capacity: it is not for full carafes. Skip it if you brew for a group. Expect to pay around $13.

MJULY No. 4 Cone Filter for Ninja, 2 Pack: Best for Ninja Coffee Bar

The MJULY filter is the best reusable option for Ninja Coffee Bar brewers. The two pack uses food grade stainless steel woven mesh in a No. 4 cone shape sized for 8 to 12 cup brews.

MJULY lists the dimensions as 4.8 by 4.64 inches across the top, 2.36 by 0.98 inches across the bottom and 3.58 inches tall, and recommends comparing these with your current filter before buying.

• No. 4 cone for Ninja Coffee Bar brewers
• Stainless steel woven mesh
• Two filters with listed dimensions

The limitation is fit for other brands, so measure first. Skip it if you own a different brewer. Expect to pay around $10.

How Do I Find the Right Size Reusable Coffee Filter?

Check the shape of the filter basket in your coffee maker first: a flat bottom basket takes a basket filter, and a V shaped basket takes a cone filter, usually No. 2 for small brewers and No. 4 for 8 to 12 cup machines. Then match the brand, because basket diameters vary between Mr. Coffee, Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart and Ninja.

If you can, measure the top diameter, bottom diameter and height of your current filter and compare them with the listing. Your coffee maker's manual also lists the filter type. Our guide to the best coffee maker with reusable filter lists machines that include a permanent filter in the box.

Does a Reusable Filter Change the Taste of Coffee?

Yes. A metal reusable filter makes coffee with more body and a richer mouthfeel, while paper makes a cleaner, brighter cup. Metal mesh lets natural coffee oils and a little fine sediment through; paper absorbs oils and traps fines.

Neither is better for everyone. If you like French press style body, you will enjoy a metal filter. If you prefer a very clean cup, stay with paper or use a reusable filter with a finer mesh. Some people who watch cholesterol choose paper because it removes more of the oily compounds called diterpenes.

Reusable vs Paper Coffee Filters

Reusable filters cost more up front but pay for themselves within months and cut waste, while paper filters are cheap, disposable and give a cleaner cup.

Cost

A reusable filter costs about the same as a few months of paper filters and lasts for years with care.

Convenience

Paper filters go straight in the trash with the grounds. Reusable filters need emptying and rinsing after each brew.

Waste

Reusable filters cut paper waste. Coffee grounds can go into compost either way.

For pour over gear, see our guide to the best pour over coffee maker.

How to Clean a Reusable Coffee Filter

After each brew, knock the grounds into the trash or compost, rinse the filter under warm running water from the outside in, and let it dry. Rinsing from the outside pushes trapped grounds back out of the mesh.

Once a week, soak the filter in warm water with a spoonful of baking soda, then scrub gently with a soft brush. For heavy oil buildup, a soak in a solution of water and white vinegar or a coffee equipment cleaner restores flow. Many reusable filters are dishwasher safe. Our step by step guide on how to clean a coffee maker filter covers this in detail, and our coffee maker maintenance guide explains descaling the brewer itself. Browse more filters and tools in our coffee accessories section.

Common Reusable Filter Problems

Most problems with reusable filters come from grind size or a clogged mesh.

• Grounds in the cup: the grind is too fine. Use a medium grind for drip and medium coarse for pour over.
• Slow drip or overflow: oils are clogging the mesh. Deep clean with baking soda or a coffee cleaner.
• Bitter coffee: old oils in the mesh. Clean more often.
• Filter sits crooked: wrong size or shape. Match the basket type and brand.

How Long Does a Reusable Coffee Filter Last?

A stainless steel reusable filter can last for years with gentle cleaning. Replace it when the mesh tears, the frame cracks or the mesh stays clogged after deep cleaning. Plastic framed filters may warp over time if washed on the bottom rack of a dishwasher, so place them on the top rack.

How We Chose

We chose these reusable coffee filters by comparing fit, mesh material, frame quality, cleaning, listed dimensions and how widely each filter is bought and kept. This guide is based on research of product listings and owner feedback rather than in-person trials, and every product sells new on Amazon.

FAQs About Reusable Coffee Filters

Are reusable coffee filters better than paper?

They are better for cost and waste, and they give coffee more body. Paper gives a cleaner cup with less sediment. The best choice depends on the flavor you like.

What grind should I use with a reusable filter?

Use a medium grind for drip coffee makers and medium coarse for pour over. Fine grounds pass through metal mesh and leave sediment.

Can I put a reusable coffee filter in the dishwasher?

Many are dishwasher safe, including the GoldTone basket, Barista Warrior and LHS filters. Use the top rack for plastic frames. Hand rinsing after each brew keeps the mesh clear.

Do reusable filters let grounds through?

A little fine sediment is normal with metal filters. A medium grind and a filter with fine mesh keep it to a minimum.

Can I use a reusable filter in any coffee maker?

Only if the shape and size match. Choose a basket filter for flat bottom baskets and a cone filter in the right number for cone baskets, then check the brand.

Should I use paper and metal filters together?

You can place a paper filter inside a metal one for an extra clean cup, but it removes the main flavor benefit of metal. Most people use one or the other.

Final Verdict

The best reusable coffee filter for most drip coffee makers is the GoldTone 8 to 12 cup basket filter, a dishwasher safe stainless mesh filter made in the USA. Choose the Barista Warrior cone for Chemex and V60 pour over, the GoldTone No. 4 cone or genuine Cuisinart GTF for Cuisinart brewers, the LHS dripper for single cups and the MJULY cone for Ninja Coffee Bar machines.