10 Best Tea Infusers in 2022 (Tea Sommelier-Reviewed)
Are you looking to drink some of the delicious blends of tea that are only available in loose-leaf varieties? If so, you will need a way to brew the tea without all of the leaves escaping into your drink and this is where infusers are invaluable. They will allow the full flavor of any tea to infuse while preventing the leaves from entering your cup.
We've done the research to find the best tea infusers available and chose the Extra Fine Tea Infuser by Yoassi as our favorite. The fine mesh keeps the leaves inside and the wide handles ensure the basket can be used with even the largest cups. We have nine more infusers for you to peruse and also a buying guide reviewed by a certified tea sommelier to help you make your choice.
Quick List - Top Tea Infusers
I am a Certified Tea Sommelier and blogger at teacachai.com with a business and fashion background. Besides drinking tea, I enjoy creating tea-infused recipes, cocktails/mocktails, teaching workshops and sharing all about tea. I got into tea at a young age and have always been super passionate about it!
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How to Choose a Tea Infuser – Buying Guide
Choose From Different Materials for Different Flavor Profiles
Stainless Steel Mesh Maintains Flavor and Steeps More Finely Crushed Leaves
Stainless steel can be very effective at infusing tea, but an important concern is how large the infuser holes are. If the holes are too small, the tea won't infuse correctly and it will taste weak. However, if the holes are too big, then leaves might slip through the holes and into your tea.
Finding the right-sized holes to infuse your tea without allowing leaves to escape is a tricky balance and it can be very difficult to judge this without trying the infuser for yourself. We would recommend looking at reviews before purchasing a stainless steel infuser as this will give you a better idea of how effective the infuser is.
Stainless steel is a great material for infusers. It is very easy to clean up and doesn't affect the tea's flavor. I always recommend using basket infusers versus submersion ones because they allow leaves to unfurl and infuse properly.
The way to avoid getting tiny tea leaves falling through the strainer is to purchase good-quality tea. This means that the tea leaves and/or buds, in general, will be larger in size than what you would find inside mass-market teabags, and they should be intact.
Silicone for Fun Shapes and Colors
When you see something is made from silicone, it's usually going to be something that's cute to look at. Silicone is highly versatile and allows tea infusers to be made in fun shapes and colors. If you want to add some personality to your tea, then silicone infusers are the best choice.
However, much like stainless steel infusers, you have to be careful with the size of the holes. The holes are often larger in silicone infusers and have a tendency to allow leaves to escape. This is because silicone infusers aren't as effective at brewing tea as steel, so the holes have to be made larger. Try to avoid silicone infusers with tiny holes as they won't infuse your tea.
If you decide to get a silicone infuser, read reviews and check the packaging to make sure it’s high-quality food-grade silicone. This should also be noted in the product description if it's the case. This is important to check as if the silicone is of lower quality, it might have a plasticky flavor or leach chemicals into your tea.
Although these types of infusers can be fun, I don't recommend them because the leaves are kept too tight within them. Tea leaves need to expand and have the most possible contact with the water to get an optimal extraction.
If you would still like to get one, then try to avoid using it with tea types that need a considerable amount of room to expand.
Paper Doesn’t Need to Be Washed, as It’s Disposable
When choosing a paper infuser, look for one that’s unbleached to ensure that you’re not accidentally consuming any chemicals. If you are concerned about the environment and our expanding landfills, make sure you buy one that is fully biodegradable. Many disposable teabags and infusers are actually sealed with plastic.
Something else to look out for is that some paper infusers come with a string handle and some don’t. The string makes it easier to remove the infuser from your tea once brewed, and this can especially be helpful if you're brewing your tea in a tall tumbler.
Pick Between Basket and Submersion Infusers
Submersion Infusers Work for Smaller Servings
Submersion infusers are probably the ones that you see around more often. They can come in fun shapes, such as a scuba diver relaxing in your tea. However, the cute gimmicky ones tend to be lower quality and aren’t quite as effective at steeping tea leaves.
If you choose a submersion infuser, look for an option that’s as large as possible, and be sure that the handle or chain is a good length for the cup you plan on using. You should also make sure that it can securely close so the leaves don't escape, but is easy to open so you can clean it.
Basket Infusers for Fuller Flavor
Generally speaking, the larger the basket is, the better the flavor will be as the leaves will have more space to spread out and infuse their flavor. We would recommend looking at baskets that are over two inches wide and deep, but if you're infusing tea in a larger cup, such as a tumbler, you may want to look at infusers that are three inches deep instead.
Some infusers may even have a narrow lip that sits neatly over the edge of a cup, which means that they can only be used with cups of a certain thickness. Other infusers ensure they're universal by having handles that allow them to be used on cups of all sizes.
When choosing a basket infuser, you should also try to look for one with a lid. This will prevent too much heat from escaping while your tea is brewing and help those high-heat teas achieve maximum deliciousness. Many lids also double as a rest to hold the infuser when the brewing time has elapsed.
Deep basket infusers are placed inside a cup or mug and are perfect for making a single serving of tea. They allow leaves to float, unfurl and move freely in more space, allowing more contact with the water, which leads to better extraction. They are also very practical because they're really easy to clean.
Consider Container and Infuser Combos That Can Multi-Task
Mugs that come with an infuser basket are some of the cutest things you can drink tea from. They often come as a set with a matching lid, which can also be used as a rest for the basket when the tea has finished brewing. Depending on the size of the mug, the infuser basket might also fit on your other mugs as well.
For those on the move, a tumbler with an infuser is an option. Tumblers tend to be tall and skinny, making it difficult to use traditional baskets as these are usually too wide and shallow to fit in the bottle. Submersion infusers can also be tricky unless they have a long enough chain. Included infuser baskets are made specifically for the tumbler, making for easy steeping and retrieval.
Mugs that come with an infuser basket are very practical, and so are teapots that come with a strainer. I'm not a fan of tumblers with infusers because you can't leave the leaves to steep for too long without the tea getting bitter.
So, if you want to use these for on-the-go, I recommend steeping your tea somewhere else and then pouring it into the tumbler for travel.
Look for Features That Help You Use it Safely and Conveniently
The majority of the time, you will be infusing tea in very hot, if not boiling, water. This means it's important to be safe and ensure that your infuser isn't going to increase the risk of getting burned or scalded.
For submersion infusers, look for ones that have a chain or a handle that remains out of the hot water. These will make it easier to remove the infuser from your cup when it has finished brewing and is especially helpful with narrow and deep containers such as tumblers.
With baskets, you should choose ones that have a handle that extends past the edge of the cup. Again, this makes it easier to remove once the brewing has ended.
Remember that stainless steel conducts heat, so part of a basket or submersion infuser that doesn't touch the hot water is essential. Although this might still get a little warm, it's unlikely to get so hot that it will burn.
Although silicone doesn't conduct heat as strongly as stainless steel, it can still get hot. In fact, opening a silicone submersion infuser can be very dangerous because the heat will build up and get trapped inside. Leave anything made of silicone to cool down before touching it.
Something else that may come in useful is infusers that come with lids or trays to rest the infuser in once brewed. These make it easier to leave the infuser to cool before trying to empty or clean it as you can simply take the infuser out of the mug and rest it on the lid.
10 Best Tea Infusers
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yoassi Magic Teafit Disposable Tea Infuser (100 Filters) | | Best for Wide Cups | |
2 | Chefast Chefast Tea Infuser Set | | Best Set of Multiple Sized Infusers | |
3 | House Again Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid | | Best for Not Allowing Leaves to Escape | |
4 | Genuine Fred | | Best Universal Silicone Infuser | |
5 | Fox Run Wittle & Everett Tea Pot and Tea Infuser Set | | Best Large Infuser | |
6 | OXO OXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball Infuser | | Best for Tall Mugs | |
7 | Pure Zen Tea Glass Tea Infuser Bottle with Double Lid｜13 oz | | Enhance Your Tea Experience Anywhere with Double-Walled Glass Infuser Bottle | |
8 | Bstean Bstean Tea Filter Bags (100 Filters) | | Best Disposable Option | |
9 | Ototo Tilevo Dinosaur Loose Leaf Tea Infusers (Set of 2) | | Best Fun Silicone Infuser | |
10 | FineGood FineGood Tea Bag Silicone Tea Infuser with Six Colors | | Best for Guests |
YoassiMagic Teafit Disposable Tea Infuser (100 Filters)
Best for Wide Cups
Pros:
- Fine mesh keeps tea leaves inside
- Can be used with wide cups
- Includes lid to keep the heat inside
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Not the strongest of materials, according to some reviews
Although the basket itself is only three inches wide, the double handles on this infuser stretch out to just under five inches, ensuring the basket can sit on even the widest cups. It is made from stainless steel and has very fine holes to infuse your tea while not allowing the leaves to escape.
There are some reports from reviewers that after a few months of use, the bottom of the basket fell out, rendering it unusable. Most reviewers agree that this basket is easy to use and effective at infusing tea, however, They praise the size of the basket for giving the tea leaves room to expand.
ChefastChefast Tea Infuser Set
Best Set of Multiple Sized Infusers
- Small and large basket infusers
- Infusers have lids and long chains
- Includes a tea scoop with bag clip
- One-year warranty
Cons:
- Some reports that lids may not lock fully
This set of two submersion infusers comes in two different sizes. The smaller one is perfect for single-serving cups whereas the larger one works great for teapots. With this set, you also get a tea scoop to help you fill the infusers.
Some reviewers report that locking the lids on the infusers can be difficult and that the latches can become loose after a few uses. However, the mesh is the correct balance of being fine enough for tea to steep without leaves escaping through the holes.
House AgainSweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid
Best for Not Allowing Leaves to Escape
Pros:
- Infuser is made from fine mesh
- BPA-free silicone
- Tray can be used to rest infuser on
- Set of four color-coded infusers
Cons:
- Can be tricky to attach the handle to the infuser, according to some
Silicone and stainless steel both have their advantages and by using both materials, this infuser takes advantage of them. The basket is made from stainless steel and has the small infuser holes associated with that material. The silicone handles ensure the heat doesn't travel and add a colorful edge to each infuser.
According to reviewers, it can be difficult to put the silicone handles back onto the infuser once it has been filled. They also say that the infusers can struggle to infuse tea in larger mugs. Reviewers praise the infusers for not leaking tea leaves though and say they're easy to clean.
Best Universal Silicone Infuser
Pros:
- Sits on the edge of your cup
- Fun design
- Food-safe, tasteless silicone
- Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
Cons:
- Holes are too large for small leaves
Meet Mr. Tea, a cute silicone infuser that leans on the side of your cup as he brews your tea. The design of the infuser means that it doesn't matter how wide or tall your cup is but you will need to ensure you use enough water to cover the infuser to the waist so it can infuse.
The holes can be too large for finer teas according to reviewers, so it's best to use this with larger leaf teas. Reviewers say that it does infuse well and is more effective than many other silicone infusers at brewing tea. Overall, they liked how easy to use this item is and that it can be used on any cup.
Fox RunWittle & Everett Tea Pot and Tea Infuser Set
Best Large Infuser
Pros:
- Extra-large infuser
- Easy to fill and clean
- Chain and hook are attached
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Mesh is thin and a little weak, according to some
If you're looking for an infuser for a large mug or a teapot, this may be the right choice for you. It's large enough to brew several cups of tea at once and can also be used as a spice infuser. The two halves of the infuser screw together to keep your tea leaves inside.
The quality of the mesh is questioned by some reviewers, however, as some found it to be too thin and prone to becoming misshapen. However, many other reviewers praise the infuser for its size and have used it for not only tea but also adding spices to soup and other food items.
OXOOXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball Infuser
Best for Tall Mugs
- Extra-long handle
- Container doubles as a scoop
- Dishwasher-safe
- BPA-free plastic end on the handle
Cons:
- Not enough space for all leaves to expand
This submersion infuser features a seven-inch-long handle that can reach down into even your tallest mug without getting lost. The ball head rotates fully open to also act as a tea scoop, eliminating the need for a separate spoon. It has small holes to keep your leaves inside, although the smallest particles can get through.
Reviewers say that you need to be careful when filling the infuser, as if it is too full it won't close correctly and the tea won't have enough room to expand and infuse. It's very easy to use and easy to clean, and this makes it a hit with most reviewers.
Pure Zen TeaGlass Tea Infuser Bottle with Double Lid ｜ 13 oz
Enhance Your Tea Experience Anywhere with Double-Walled Glass Infuser Bottle
- Suitable for brewing hot or cold
- Designed for drinking on the go
- Double-wall insulated to retain heat
- 100 percent BPA-free glass
Cons:
- Reports of leaks
Crafted for tea aficionados on the move, the Pure Zen Tea Glass Tea Infuser Bottle combines functionality with elegance. This 13 oz. (400ml) double-walled borosilicate glass tumbler keeps beverages hot or cold without condensation, ensuring a comfortable grip. Its stainless steel infusion filter accommodates various tea types, from delicate green teas to robust herbal blends, while also serving as a versatile fruit infuser or cold brew coffee maker. Engineered for convenience, the leakproof design with flat lids guarantees stability, making it ideal for travel or daily use. Moreover, its BPA-free construction ensures safety, complemented by easy-clean features. Packaged in a nature-inspired sleeve, this tea infuser bottle makes for a thoughtful gift, embodying both style and functionality for tea lovers seeking an eco-friendly hydration solution.
BsteanBstean Tea Filter Bags (100 Filters)
Best Disposable Option
- Biodegradable and chlorine-free
- Bags are UV-processed and unbleached
- Bags close securely with the drawstring
- Included clip prevents losing bags in your drink
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the seams can be weak
These teabags are a safe and biodegradable way to infuse your tea. They come in two different sizes and are sealed by pulling on the attached drawstrings. The strings measure just over six inches in length and with the included clip attached, you don't need to worry about losing the string in your cup.
Reviewers say that you need to be careful when filling these bags as the seams are a little weak and can split, especially if the bags are overfilled. The drawstring is effective at sealing the bags though and will prevent any tea from escaping.
OtotoTilevo Dinosaur Loose Leaf Tea Infusers (Set of 2)
Best Fun Silicone Infuser
Pros:
- Long neck makes it suitable for large cups
- Made from food-grade and BPA-free silicone
- Dishwasher-safe
- Available in three colors
Cons:
- Holes are too large for small leaves
This infuser is made entirely from silicone and will be a cute addition to any tea lover's collection. Nessie's long neck peaks out of your cup while the infuser contained in the body allows your tea to brew. At just over five inches tall, this infuser will sit in most cups and mugs.
However, according to reviewers, the holes in the infuser are too large, and using it with teas that have medium or small leaves will result in leaves in your tea. It's fine with larger leaf teas though and many reviewers praise the sturdiness of the neck and love how cute this is.
FineGoodFineGood Tea Bag Silicone Tea Infuser with Six Colors
Best for Guests
- Color-coded six-pack
- Rope and tag are attached so bags won't get lost
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Food-grade, non-toxic silicone
Cons:
- Holes are too big for fine tea
These adorable tea bag-shaped submersion infusers are ideal for guests as they are all suited for single-serve cups. They’re also different colors, which makes it easy to distinguish the cups. This is especially useful if your guests want different teas or extras.
However, reviewers report that the holes are on the larger side, and the bags themselves don’t allow much space for the tea leaves to spread out and infuse effectively. On the other hand, reviewers like the colors, the reusability, and how easy they are to fill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about tea infusers? Daniela is here to answer a commonly asked question on the Internet!
How do I brew loose leaf tea without an infuser?
Daniela says, "Honestly, if you don't have any tea-making tools and equipment on-hand, you can easily make loose leaf tea in a mason jar, a measuring glass, or any container that is heat-resistant. You can use loose leaves, steep them and then strain the tea from the mason jar with any kitchen strainer into mugs, cups, or pot."
Looking for Tea to Put in Your Tea Infuser?
Though you've picked out your tea infuser, you can't forget about the most important thing—the tea! There are plenty of types and brands to deliberate over, so if you need help finding the right one, check out our other articles.
Top 5 Tea Infusers
No. 1: Yoassi｜Magic Teafit Disposable Tea Infuser (100 Filters)
No. 2: Chefast｜Chefast Tea Infuser Set
No. 3: House Again｜Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid
No. 4: Genuine Fred｜
No. 5: Fox Run｜Wittle & Everett Tea Pot and Tea Infuser Set
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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