While some may consider choosing the best stainless steel coffee filters to be a matter of simply finding one at a reasonable price, those who are serious about their coffee know that there’s much more to it than that.
After all, whether it’s a coffee filter, a Moka pot, or anything else, selecting the very best coffee gear is all about finding those products that are perfectly suited, not only to your budget but to the very way that you like to consume your cup of the good stuff.
Not that finding this perfect product is ever a simple task. With so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to determine if the filter you’re looking at is going to serve you as well as you’d hope.
That’s where this guide comes in.
What is a Stainless Steel Coffee Filter?
A stainless steel coffee filter is simply a metal version of the regular filter papers you may already be using to brew your morning coffee.
While they can be more expensive than paper filters, you only really need to buy a steel filter once versus the repeated purchases you’d have to make with their paper counterparts. In other words, while you’ll pay more in the short term, you’ll ultimately save a serious amount of money in the long term.
Not only that, buying stainless steel coffee filters is far better for the environment as they can be reused time and time again without the need to mindlessly throw away the waste paper.
Who Needs a Stainless Steel Coffee Filter?
Given what we’ve said above, it makes sense that you’re looking to cut down on the cost of preparing the perfect cup of coffee, or if you’re looking to minimize the impact your lifestyle has on the environment, then a stainless steel coffee filter would make for a worthwhile investment.
Still, that’s not the only reason to get one.
The superior filtration systems and ultra-thin mesh employed by these types of filters also ensure that you don’t get coffee sentiment in your cup and that oils aren’t absorbed up in the way that they are with paper, ultimately resulting in a richer flavor.
With that being said, if your priority is to create the best-tasting coffee possible, going stainless steel is a worthwhile idea.
Stainless Steel Coffee Filter Buyer’s Guide
Before I get into my reviews, allow me to share with you some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a stainless steel coffee filter to help you determine the one that’s right for you.
Type of Coffee and Coffee Maker
While some filters can be universally applied, some are specifically designed for pour-over coffee while others work better with specific coffee machines, and others still are designed purely for cold brew. As such, when you’re selecting a filter, it’s vitally important that you check that the one you’re looking at is fully compatible with the way you like to make your coffee.
Size
If you’re a solo coffee drinker, or perhaps if you simply share your morning cup with your significant other, a smaller, 1-2 cup filter will be more than sufficient. If you like to brew up for friends or simply prefer to consume a lot more coffee throughout your morning, look for those filters that are suitable for up to four cups or more.
Mesh Size and Design
One of the reasons I love stainless steel filters versus paper ones is that the mesh that the coffee filters through is often of a superior design, with much smaller gaps in the design. This means that you don’t get any rogue bits of ground beans floating in your morning cup and ensures that only full flavor gets through.
Stability and Support
Unless you’re careful, brewing your coffee can turn into a bit of a messy business, especially if your filter isn’t stable and starts to wobble or even spill while you’re trying to pour. That’s why I tried to single out those that came with a solid stand to hold everything in place and why I recommend you do too.
Durability
On a related note, although steel coffee filters aren’t the most expensive things in the world, you still want to ensure that they’re going to last you for years to come if you’re going to get any true value out of them. As such, high-grade steel and solid construction quality should be important things to consider, giving you the peace of mind that the one you pick will serve you well for countless cups of coffee ahead.
Selection Criteria
Each one of the top five products you’s about to read about was carefully picked out by me and me alone. I included these particular products for no other reason than I truly believe they’re the best steel filters around right now.
Whisk and Mix does not receive payment from any brand to endorse or feature their products. This gives me the freedom to review everything fairly and accurately, detailing what I don’t like about each one and what I do.
Here are some of the things I considered when making my selections:
Variety
As I just mentioned in the buyer’s guide, coffee filters come in various sizes and are designed for all different types of coffee. Therefore, when making my choices, I tried to go with a broad cross-section of different filters to help you find one that suits your needs.
That said, I still made sure that quality was a top priority and tried to ensure that each different type was the best of its kind.
Price
As you’ll see in the reviews below, I’ve tried to include those filters that are right at the top of the pricing scale, as well as more budget-friendly options to help you find one that’s affordable to you.
Consumer Reviews
When whittling down my list to just five filters, I only went with those products that had online feedback that I could access and paid close attention to both positive and negative reviews to ensure a greater degree of fairness.
Top 5 Best Stainless Steel Coffee Filters
1. E-Prance Pour Over Coffee Dripper
Competition for the all-around best stainless steel coffee filter was incredibly tough, but in the end, I felt compelled to give the nod to the E-Prance Pour Over Coffee Dripper simply because no other filter on the market quite ticks so many boxes.
If coffee time is a social occasion for you, you’ll love the fact that it’s big enough for brewing up to four cups of coffee while still giving you the option to pour a solo cup for those moments of downtime. Meanwhile, the 0.22m super-fine mesh design does offer an exceptional level of filtration, allowing you to take complete control over the extraction time to ensure the perfect cup of coffee.
I also love how easy this one is to put together and maintain. The two separate parts click together in an instant, with both the cone and detachable stand easy to carry if you’re heading off on a trip. Cleaning time takes no more than sixty seconds, meaning you’ll be ready to pour that next cup of coffee in no time.
Pros:
- It comes with a 180-day, 100% money-back guarantee
- The detachable stand fits almost all mugs, including those that come with coffee makers such as Chemex and Hario V60
- Built with international food-grade stainless steel.
Cons:
- It doesn’t work as well for pre-grounded coffee as it does with coffee beans
- More expensive than many other filters.
2. The Tube: Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you prefer to leave your favorite french press behind and opt for something a little cooler, you’ll find that The Tube: Cold Brew Coffee Maker serves as the best stainless steel coffee filter for a cold brew that money can buy right now.
Incredibly affordable, this tall, lightweight filter fits completely over any 32 oz, wide-mouth mason jar, after which all you need to do is add your coffee, pour in some water, and leave it to brew overnight. The one thing I like about this is that the mesh is incredibly tight, with a smart, weave-like design that helps to ensure you don’t get any nasty sediments leaking through and spoiling your morning brew.
Pros:
- It comes with a 1-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee
- Includes free brew guide and recipe eBook
- High-quality, built-to-last construction.
Cons:
- It can be tricky to clean
- It doesn’t allow you to tightly close the lid on your mason jar.
3. Barista Warrior Stainless Steel Coffee Filter
Hands down the most attractive coffee filter on this list. There’s more to the Barista Warrior Stainless Steel Coffee filter than simply its stunning good looks. The stylish copper-coated finish is complimented with a handsome size that allows it to fit snugly on most popular coffee makers and deliver up to 10 cups of the good stuff.
Elsewhere, I’m a huge fan of the dual filtration system, which combines the standard exterior mesh with a laser-cut filter on the interior, an excellent design feature that scores of users say result in a superior tasting coffee. Finally, the fact that this is remarkably easy to clean in under a minute also helps to make it a favorite among die-hard coffee aficionados.
Pros:
- It comes with a six-month manufacturer’s guarantee
- Includes non-slip silicone ring to prevent spillages
- Very easy setup.
Cons:
- Most expensive filter in this list
- Not dishwasher safe.
4. LHS Store Pour-Over Coffee Stainless Steel Coffee Filter
Heading back down to the lower end of the pricing scale, the LHS Store Pour-Over Coffee Stainless Steel Coffee Filter comes in both 2-cup and 4-cup options so that you can choose the option that’s perfectly suited for you. Not that size and flexibility are all that this one has to offer.
Working with your favorite pour-over coffee kettle, the ultra-fine, 0.22mm mesh design allows for a smooth pour with nothing getting into your morning brew that shouldn’t be there. Elsewhere, I love the extra-wide metal cup stand that provides added stability and support and maybe a deal-breaker for anyone who finds that lesser-quality filters tend to wobble or spill.
Pros:
- Made from 1/8-grade stainless steel to provide durability
- It comes with a cleaning brush to clean the mesh easier
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Water can flow through quickly, meaning you may have to pour slower to get a stronger brew.
- It can be tricky to attach the cone to the stand.
5. GoldTone Stainless Steel Coffee Filter
If you’re looking to get your hands on the best coffee gear possible without spending over the odds, the GoldTone Stainless Steel Coffee Filter is well worth a look. Our pick of the best budget stainless steel coffee filter, the low price belies the high-quality construction.
The 1/8-grade, food-safety quality stainless steel more than holds its own, ensuring repeated use -and even travel- without any damages or rusting, while the precision filtration prevents any sediment from spoiling the perfect cup.
It’s also worth noting that, unlike other filters, this one doesn’t absorb coffee oils, ensuring that you get a richer, more flavorsome coffee every time.
Pros:
- Available in gold or silver-tone
- Compatible with Mr. Coffee and Black & Decker Coffee Maker
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- It can be messy to clean up
- Doesn’t work as well with Aeropress Coffee Maker.
Which is the Best Stainless Steel Coffee Filter Option for You?
Throughout this guide, it’s been my sole intention to arm you with all the information you could need to make an informed choice when it comes to purchasing a new stainless steel coffee filter. Having done so, I hope that if there’s one thing you’ve learned, it’s that when we’re talking about the “best” coffee filters around, what we’re really talking about is finding the one that’s best for you.