For tea lovers seeking an elevated experience, using the best tea infuser can make all the difference. Once you get a chance to explore a variety of loose-leaf teas, you may never return to a bagged tea again. Loose-leaf teas are packed with superior flavors and aromas, enabling the customization of each cup to suit personal tastes. Whether you’re a seasoned tea connoisseur or a curious beginner, understanding the benefits of using a tea infuser can bring your tea-drinking journey to new heights. Some tea infusers work better than others, and we have the scoop.
Studies show tea helps relieve stress, boosts your immune system, and lowers blood pressure. It can also help you lose weight while you sleep! Who wouldn’t sign up for that? A recent study finds drinking oolong tea before bed increases the breakdown of fat and continues to work even while resting. To reap all the benefits, we’ve scoured ten tea-lover websites to create a list of the top five best tea diffusers our sources recommend most. Do you dunk with one that didn’t make the cut? Let us know in the comments below.
The List: The Best Tea Infusers for Loose-Leaf Varieties
1. Finum Stainless Steel Mesh Brewing Basket
The more room for the tea leaves to move around, the better the flavor, which is why basket-shaped infusers like this one are so popular and work so well. Epicurious raves about this steeper, calling it “the absolute best” they’ve ever used. It works perfectly for any mug size and allows the tea leaves to swirl around freely in the water. No matter what kind of tea you use, from super fine particles to whole flowers, this steeper is the only one they tested that kept everything out of your cup.
Food & Wine likes that this steeper works for both mugs and teapots, letting you brew a single cup or a whole pot. Plus, the lid doubles as a saucer to catch any drips after steeping. No more burning your fingers with a metal tea ball! This mesh steeper is much easier to handle because of the BPA-free plastic frame that stays cool. It’s also great for all tea leaf sizes because the large basket gives them room to expand, and the fine mesh keeps even the tiniest bits out of your drink.
The Spruce Eats was super impressed with this infuser. All you have to do is fill the basket with tea, put it in your mug, add hot water, and relax! It’s even dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. They offer different sizes and colors to choose from. Although it’s on the pricier side for an infuser, they think it’s a fair price for the quality you get.
2. OXO Brew Twisting Tea Ball Infuser
This next product from OXO is a metal ball tea infuser. Food & Wine says this infuser is an upgrade on the classic tea ball. Instead of a fiddly chain, it has a long neck with a handle that lets you rest it on your mug or even stir your tea while it steeps. Plus, filling it is a breeze – just twist, scoop your loose-leaf tea, and you’re good to go!
Better Homes and Gardens loves the big scooping chamber on this infuser. The twist feature lets you grab a generous amount of loose-leaf tea, and the long neck means it fits in most mugs. You can even rest it on the side for a stronger brew. The handle is comfortable to stir with, and has a non-slip grip for easy handling. But the best part? A simple twist after steeping releases the tea leaves into the trash, making cleanup a breeze!
The Spruce Eats says it’s smooth and easy to use, unlike some other handled infusers. They also found that while a few tiny tea particles might escape, it’s not a big deal and overall, the infuser does a great job of keeping your tea leaf-free. Plus, they love the sleek and stylish design with the black handle.
3. Forlife Brew-in-Mug Extra-Fine Tea Infuser with Lid
The Spruce Eats loves this brew-in-mug infuser! The stainless steel basket is dishwasher-safe but also rinses clean easily by hand. They found a few stray leaves after steeping, but they rinsed away without any trouble. The lid doubles as a drip tray and seals well with silicone to prevent condensation on the handle. Most importantly, it keeps your tea leaves contained while letting the flavor spread perfectly throughout your mug.
The New York Times recommends this Forlife Brew-in-Mug infuser for those who prefer a metal option. It’s well-made and gets great reviews from users. However, the water flows a bit slower through the holes than some infusers, and the shorter design means the tea leaves might not steep as evenly. Also, tea leaves are a bit more likely to get stuck in this infuser, but it still brews a delicious cup.
Tea sommelier and tea blogger Jee Choe tells Simply Recipes that the 11-ounce size is just right, not too bulky but big enough for a good cup of tea. The infuser basket is large, almost as big as the mug itself, which allows the tea leaves to release all their flavor. The stainless steel lid keeps your tea nice and hot while it steeps, and you can even use it to hold the infuser basket afterwards for easy removal.
4. Teabloom Glass Tea Infuser
Glass diffusers are perfect for delicate teas, according to Food & Wine. Glass won’t alter the taste of your tea, which is important for those subtle floral or light flavors. The slits are super fine, but they might let a few tiny tea particles through compared to some metal infusers.
Better Homes and Gardens loves how this design lets you brew a single cup of tea right in the mug itself. Whether you’re relaxing or working at your desk, this infuser is a great choice. And if you’re looking for a glass teapot instead, they also recommend the Teabloom Glass Teapot. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, thanks to the wide handle and no-drip spout. Plus, it’s safe to use on the stovetop or in the microwave for versatile tea brewing.
5. Fred & Friends Manatea Tea Infuser
Forget fancy designs, sometimes the best things come in silly packages! USA Today admits they were surprised to love this Fred & Friends tea infuser. They were wary of its cute manatee shape, but it turns out function follows from here. This playful infuser hangs onto the rim of your mug, and even when you tilt it way over for the last drops, it won’t budge – no drip tray needed!
There’s more where that came from! Heavy.com says if a manatee isn’t your style, you can find other fun options from the brand like a “brew whale” or an “octeapus” to add a touch of whimsy to your tea steeping ritual.
Types of Tea Infusers:
- Tea Balls: Metal or mesh spheres that open in half to hold tea leaves.
- Tea Baskets: Larger than tea balls, these infusers can be made of metal or fine mesh. They allow more space for the leaves to expand, resulting in better flavor extraction. They fit inside a teapot or a mug.
- Silicone Infusers: These infusers come in a variety of fun shapes and colors.
- Stainless Steel Strainers:These are durable and ideal for fine teas that may slip through larger meshes. They usually sit atop a cup or teapot and can accommodate a larger volume of leaves.
- Travel Mugs with Infusers: Designed for on-the-go, these mugs have built-in infusers and are ideal for busy lifestyles.
Sources:
- Serious Eats
- Food & Wine
- USA Today
- Epicurious
- The Spruce Eats
- New York Times
- Better Homes & Gardens
- Simply Recipes
- Life Is Better With Tea
- Heavy.com
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.