We Tested Tea Infusers–These Four Stood Out

For tea drinkers, a morning feels incomplete without a steaming cuppa. And as dedicated tea people know, loose-leaf tea is where it’s at. But, for that, a tea infuser is needed.

For those new to the tea world, tea infusers are a great way to save waste (by avoiding single-use tea bags) and unlock tea’s fuller flavor. Individual tea bags can actually hinder tea extraction. According to The Spruce Eats, steeping loose-leaf tea allows “room for tea leaves to absorb water and expand as they infuse. This allows the water to flow through the leaves and extract a wide range of vitamins, minerals, flavors, and aromas from the leaves.”

So, to find the best tea infusers, we tested 10 of them—priced between $7 and $31. 

The Winners, at a Glance

Out of the ball tea infusers we tested, we found that the Norpro was the easiest to load, remove, and clean. This stood true for fine leaf, whole leaf, and flower bud teas. The small clasp ensured that the infuser stayed closed during steeping, and the chain—attached to an adorable mini teapot weight—made retrieval easy.

The Fenshine proved an excellent choice when it came to basket tea infusers. From fine-leaf tea to flower bud tea, each tea type was easy to load into this particular infuser. With each test, we found that no leaves made it through the infuser and into the hot water. The handy rubber and stainless steel cap doubled as both a top and a small dish for the infuser after steeping.

For those looking for a larger basket infuser, the Finum was a great option. The depth of the infuser was excellent for making multiple servings of tea, as well as for fitting an entire flower bud with room to spare. Nothing got past this infuser’s mesh (we couldn’t say this for all the models we tested.)

During testing, we were very pleased with how this dainty infuser from OXO handled fine leaf, whole leaf, and flower bud teas. From loading to steeping to cleaning, this infuser was excellent from start to finish.

The Tests

• Fine-Leaf Tea Test: In order to see how the strainers handled fine-leaf tea, we steeped one to two servings (depending on the height of the infuser) of fine-leaf tea in each infuser. We paid careful attention to if any of the leaves fell through the holes.
• Larger Whole-Leaf Tea Test: We used larger-leaf tea to test each infuser’s usability and performance. We noted if any leaves escaped the infusers.
• Flower Bud Tea Test: We loaded a dried flower bud into each infuser and then noted how the buds expanded and if they fell apart during the removal process. 
• Usability and Cleanup Tests: Throughout testing, we evaluated how easy the infusers were to load, unload, and clean. 

What We Learned

We Tested Two Types of Tea Infusers

The 10 infusers we tested fell into two camps: ball and basket infusers. Ball infusers were great for single servings of tea. These small, orb infusers were comprised of two mesh or stainless steel halves (with tiny holes for straining) and were hinged in the middle. Sometimes a clasp held each half closed, while other models required a twisting or pinching motion to shut them. During steeping, the infusers rested on the bottom of the mugs. When it was time to remove them, we pulled a long handle or chain to tug the infusers back up to the surface.

Then, there were the basket infusers: great for anyone looking to steep more than a single serving of tea. These were cylindrical and open at the top. Loading simply required setting the infuser on the lip of the mug and then dropping the appropriate amount of tea leaves inside. Their lids also doubled as small dishes to rest the infusers on after use. Like the ball infusers, the basket models we tested were made from mesh and plastic or stainless steel, with small holes for filtration.

Some Tea Infusers Struggled, Especially with Fine Loose-Leaf Tea

It’s always great when something meets the basic requirements of its job description. And, happily, nearly all the infusers contained tea leaves well. We were especially pleased with the performances of some of the cylindrical basket infusers, such as the Fenshine and Finum. Both of these infusers passed our fine loose leaf, whole loose leaf, and flower bud tea tests with flying colors.

A few of the other infusers struggled. The Teabloom Universal Glass Tea Infuser leaked leaves with every single test. (Had we wanted to watch pretty petals swirl gently in a glass vessel, we would have purchased a tea-themed snow globe.) Each of the ball tea infusers had shortcomings too, specifically when handling fine loose-leaf tea. While the Norpro Stainless Steel Mesh Tea Infuser Ball was one of our overall top picks, even this model leaked, thought it was one singular, fine leaf.

Certain Infusers Were Easier to Load Than Others

Out of all the basket and ball tea infusers we tested, we found the basket models were much easier to load. All you had to do was drop the tea into the infuser’s open top, then set it on a mug.

Ball tea infusers, though, required a bit more work. For example, we had to add tea leaves and then twist the handle of The OXO BREW Twisting Tea Ball Infuser to close it. There was also the Jexcull Snap Ball Tea Strainer that relied, annoyingly, on squeezing both of the infuser’s stainless steel arms together to split the mesh orb in two. Much tougher!

When It Came to Basket Infusers, Size and Length Were Important

Since we removed each infuser at the end of every test, it quickly became apparent which basket infusers had superior handles. The best options had plastic and rubber handles (these stayed cool!) or ones that extended beyond the diameter of the mug. The Fenshine, FORLIFE, and OXO basket handle lengths all excelled here: we could easily pick them up and out of the mug.

The Teabloom had no handles at all, and we admit some strong language escaped us when we removed the hot glass infuser. With its stubby, small handles, the Vahdam Classic Tea Infuser was hard to pick up, as its handles got coated with condensation after brewing.

Cleaning the Infusers Was (Mostly) Easy

Giving the infusers a quick rinse with hot, soapy water immediately after use removed most of the debris. But while cleaning, we did run into some issues. The Teabloom, for example, flaunted a few tiny slits in the glass for filtration. These slits were more of a hindrance than a help, though, since multiple leaves became stuck inside the narrow passageways and were tough to remove.

The Criteria: What to Look for In a Tea Infuser

During testing, we carefully considered each tea infuser’s performance, usability, and cleanup. The best infusers retained almost all tea leaves. Our top picks were also very easy to handle. We looked for minimal spilling when loading tea leaves, handles that did not gather too much heat or condensation (which could lead to burnt fingers), and mesh that did not trap leaves during cleanup.

What we liked: The Norpro was one the easiest ball tea infusers to use. While others required spinning or pinching to open and close the two halves of their orbs, the Norpro consisted of two simply designed but generously sized halves connected by a hinge and closed with a clasp. We really liked the size of this infuser; there was even room for a flower bud to completely unfurl within its confines. Only during our fine tea leaf testing did we notice a small singular leaf escaped it. Unloading this particular infuser was also very easy. We were pleased with the chain that connected the infuser and the adorable mini teapot weight. The chain meant we didn’t have to fish out the infuser after steeping, and the weight ensured that the chain didn’t go completely overboard. We’d recommend this infuser for those looking to make a single serving of tea.

What we didn’t like: While we were very pleased, overall, with the Norpro infuser, we did wish that the chain had just a little bit more length. We conducted our testing using a 20-ounce mug, and there was very little give to the chain as it extended down the outside of the cup. This meant the infuser was not resting at the bottom of the mug.

Price at time of publish: $6.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Includes: Infuser
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

What we liked: Loading and unloading the Fenshine was effortless thanks to the two thin stainless steel arms that extended away from the basket itself. The arms stayed cool and dry during steeping since they reached over the edge of the mug and away from any steam. This made removing the infuser from the mug especially easy. The Fenshine also came with a lovely rubber and stainless steel cap that acted as both a lid—it snapped easily into place—and a small dish that the infuser could be placed on top of after steeping. Cleanup was very easy as well. And for those who want to travel with a tea infuser on hand, the Fenshine was one of the smallest, most compact basket infusers we tested and had adjustable handles. (The basket did have room for more than one serving of tea, though.)

What we didn’t like: The slight unsteadiness of the Fenshine was our sole disappointment. The rounded, stainless steel arms did not have any grip on the lip of the mug where it rested. This meant that when we picked up the mug to move it, the infuser did shift from side-to-side (but its contents didn’t spill into the water).

Price at time of publish: $9.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel and rubber
• Includes: Infuser and lid
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

What we liked: The Finum was one of the largest infusers we tested (though it should be noted it is sold in a smaller size as well). It handled teas of various sizes well. After steeping fine leaf, whole loose leaf, and flower bud teas, not even the tiniest bit of tea escaped. The entire infuser was quite lightweight, including the lid, and easy to load and unload. The small plastic handles were unaffected by condensation and heat, so removal was painless.

What we didn’t like: When cleaning the Finum, we ran into multiple difficulties. While the depth of the infuser was a plus for capacity, the infuser’s narrowness at the bottom of the vessel meant that reaching it was a challenge. We had to stick our entire hand into the infuser to remove any leaves that were stuck. That said, if you turn it over and give it a rinse with your sink’s spray attachment, that should do the trick. We also wish that the lid snapped on a bit more snugly.

Price at time of publish: $13.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel and BPA-free material
• Includes: Infuser and lid
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

What we liked: We were very pleased to test so many worthy, competitive basket infusers, including the OXO. Loading was very easy since the OXO was cylindrical and did not leave too much room for tea leaves to spill over the side while filling. Unloading was also easy. The infuser’s arms extended beyond the lip of the mug so we did not have to deal with any hot, condensation-flecked stainless steel when removing. We also liked that two out of three of the tests—the whole leaf and flower bud tea—resulted in zero tea leaves escaping the infuser.

What we didn’t like: While the OXO performed very well overall, a few specks of fine tea leaves did indeed make it past the infuser. We also wish that the handles were adjustable (like the Fenshine) so that storing the infuser did not take up as much space.

Price at time of publish: $15.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel and silicone
• Includes: Infuser and lid
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

The Competition

• OXT 3 Pcs Tea Infuser: For anyone looking for a bargain, this set of three identical infusers might prove tempting! But we did not love the infuser’s clasp (it was stubborn to close) and a few leaves escaped during steeping.
• Teabloom Universal Glass Tea Infuser: We really liked the appearance of the Teabloom infuser, but it proved very inconvenient (and damp) to remove from the mug. Pieces of leaves repeatedly got stuck in the filtration slits during cleaning.
• Vadham Classic Tea Infuser: Unfortunately, we were not fans of the Vadham’s tippiness. It was also challenging to clean since leaves got stuck in the infuser’s filtration pores.
• OXO BREW Twisting Tea Ball Infuser: While we didn’t mind the cool twist-to-open feature of this ball infuser, the number of leaves that escaped during steeping made it not worth it.
• Jexcull Snap Ball Tea Strainer: When measuring out tea, we definitely prefer to avoid a mess. The Jexcull made this difficult since we had to squeeze both handles together in order to open and load the infuser.
• FORLIFE Brew-in-Mug Extra-Fine Tea Infuser with Lid: Although the FORLIFE was definitely in the running as one of our favorites, a few leaves escaped during steeping and it was a bit of a hassle to clean.

FAQs

How do you use a tea infuser?

Ball tea infusers can be loaded with a serving size of tea leaves, snapped shut, and then submerged in hot water. For basket tea infusers, loose leaf tea leaves can be measured out directly into the basket and then hot water can be poured over the basket. Over time, the leaves will unfurl and the tea leaf flavors and qualities will steep into the water.

Can you use a tea infuser for coffee?

Only a few of the tea infusers we tested also doubled as brewing baskets for coffee. We found that those that were cylindrical and had a tight mesh were sometimes advertised as able to filter both tea and coffee. While this may work fine in a pinch, we recommend just investing in a pourover coffee maker.

How does a tea infuser work?

Tea infusers are usually small, reusable stainless steel strainers, or mesh baskets. Users can spoon loose-leaf tea directly into the infusers, pour hot water over the leaves, and then wait for the tea to steep. These infusers ensure that little to no tea leaves end up in the final cup, while also allowing the tea leaves to fully unfurl and infuse their flavors.