Paper filters are one of those small things you only notice when you’ve run out at six in the morning. A reusable filter solves that for good. It also changes your coffee a little, because metal lets through oils that paper holds back. Some people love the fuller cup, and others miss the clean taste. Either way, it is worth knowing before you buy.
The hard part of choosing a permanent coffee filter isn’t the mesh. It is the fit. A basket won’t work in a cone brewer, a #4 cone isn’t a Chemex filter, and the best filter in the world is useless if it doesn’t sit properly in your machine. So start with what you brew on, and pick from there.
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Quick verdict: the best reusable coffee filter by brewer
For a flat-bottom drip machine, buy the GoldTone 8-12 Cup Basket Filter. For a machine with a #4 cone, the Able Number Four is the one to look at. If you own a Cuisinart, Chemex, AeroPress or Keurig, buy the filter made for it, listed below.
Five reusable filters side by side
| Filter | Best for | Shape | Fits | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GoldTone 8-12 Cup Basket FilterBest overall
|
Flat-bottom drip machines | Basket, 8-12 cup | Mr. Coffee, most 10-12 cup | View on Amazon |
Able Number Four Metal Cone FilterBest #4 cone
|
Cone-basket drip machines | #4 cone | Most #4 brew baskets | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart Gold Tone Cone Filter 10-12 CupBest for Cuisinart cones
|
Cuisinart cone brewers | Cone, 10-12 cup | Check your Cuisinart model | View on Amazon |
Able Kone Steel Filter for ChemexBest for Chemex
|
Chemex pour-over | Tall cone | Chemex | View on Amazon |
AeroPress 316 Stainless Steel FilterBest for AeroPress
|
AeroPress brewers | Flat disk | Standard AeroPress sizes | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best reusable coffee filter
1. GoldTone 8-12 Cup Basket Filter – The Simple Swap for Paper Baskets
If your drip machine takes those round, flat-bottomed paper filters, this is the place to start. GoldTone’s basket drops in where the paper used to go. The listing says it fits most Mr. Coffee 10-12 cup basket-style brewers, and it replaces paper without any other change to your routine. It measures 4.5 inches across the top, 2.25 inches across the bottom and 2.5 inches tall, so compare that with your brew basket before you order.
The filter is a stainless steel woven mesh set in a rigid plastic frame, and GoldTone says both are made in the USA and that the plastic is BPA free. This version has a solid bottom, so water passes through the sides. Rinse it under running water or put it in the dishwasher.
This is the one filter on this page that outside guides cover directly. Homegrounds names a GoldTone mesh basket its best metal basket, for a body close to a French press, while pointing out that it is not fully metal and only suits 8-12 cup machines. Roasty Coffee also lists a GoldTone basket for Mr. Coffee brewers. Neither describes a measured test.
GoldTone sells similar baskets for other brands, with different bottoms, so buy the one named for your machine. The listing says it is not for Keurig or other one-cup systems.
Why we like it
- Named by Homegrounds and Roasty Coffee
- Made in the USA, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
- Dimensions published, so you can measure first
Key specifications
| Model | Tek-mrbf8/12 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Basket, solid bottom |
| Fit | Most Mr. Coffee 10-12 cup basket brewers |
| Material | Stainless mesh, BPA-free plastic frame |
| Size | 4.5 in top, 2.25 in bottom, 2.5 in tall |
| Made in | USA |
| Care | Rinse, or dishwasher |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose this if you own an ordinary basket drip machine and simply want to stop buying paper.
Skip it if your machine uses a cone. A basket will not sit properly in a cone holder.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cheap to run once bought
- Easy rinse
- Fuller body than paper, per Homegrounds
Cons
- Plastic frame, not all metal
- Only for 8-12 cup basket machines
- Some fines can reach the cup
2. Able Number Four Metal Cone Filter – Etched Steel for #4 Cones
Many better drip machines use a #4 cone instead of a flat basket. Able built this filter for them. The listing names Moccamaster, Cafe by GE, Krups, Cuisinart and Mr. Coffee brewers that take #4 baskets, while making clear that Able is not affiliated with those brands.
Mesh is a woven cloth of wire. This filter is different: the listing describes a single layer of stainless steel with fine square-to-round holes at graduated density. Able says the single layer is easier to clean than mesh, needing only a rinse and an occasional scrub, and that the holes resist blockage. A food-safe polymer ring holds the shape.
The top is 4.75 inches wide. The listing gives the height as both 3.4 inches and 111 millimeters, which don’t match, so measure your basket and allow for either figure. Able says the filter is designed in Portland and assembled in China.
We rest this pick on the listing and maker details. Metal lets through oils that paper holds back, so expect a heavier cup than you get from paper.
Why we like it
- Single-layer steel, easier to clean than mesh, per Able
- Fits most #4 baskets
- Sold by a specialist coffee maker
- Rinse and reuse
Key specifications
| Model | ABN4CF |
|---|---|
| Shape | #4 cone |
| Fit | Most #4 brew baskets |
| Material | Stainless steel, food-safe polymer ring |
| Size | 4.75 in top width; height figures conflict |
| Made in | Designed in Portland, assembled in China |
| Care | Rinse, occasional scrub |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits owners of a good cone-style drip brewer who want a sturdy filter and don’t mind a fuller cup.
Skip it if your machine’s basket is shallow. Check the height carefully, since the listing’s two figures disagree.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits many brands
- Simple cleaning
- No woven mesh to trap grounds
Cons
- Height figures conflict
- Not a fit guarantee for every brewer
- Some sediment is normal for metal
3. Cuisinart Gold Tone Cone Filter 10-12 Cup – The Factory Part for Cone Brewers
Many Cuisinart drip machines use a cone. The GTF is the maker’s own permanent filter, sold as a genuine Cuisinart item in a 10-12 cup cone size. If yours has gone missing or the mesh has torn, it is the obvious first look.
The listing is short. It says this is a permanent gold-tone filter meant to give full-flavored coffee, and a bullet says it is laser cut. It gives no material, dimensions or list of compatible models. A very similar listing tells buyers to enter their model number to confirm the fit, and you should do the same check against your manual.
Before you buy at all, look in the box your machine came in. Several Cuisinart brewers in our coffee maker guide list a gold-tone filter among what comes with the machine, so you may already own one.
This pick rests on the listing and on Cuisinart making the part for its own brewers. Cuisinart’s basket version has a separate listing, covered further down, so don’t mix the two up.
Why we like it
- Made by the brewer’s own maker
- Listed as a 10-12 cup cone
- Replaces paper for good
- Simple, single-part design
Key specifications
| Model | GTF |
|---|---|
| Shape | Cone |
| Fit | 10-12 cup cone; check your model |
| Material | Gold-tone; base metal not stated |
| Size | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this for a Cuisinart cone brewer that has lost its filter, or to replace a worn one.
Skip it if you can’t confirm your model. Fit on cone filters varies more than the name suggests.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Maker’s own part
- Permanent design
- Sold as genuine
Cons
- Very thin listing
- Fit list not given
- Material not stated
4. Able Kone Steel Filter for Chemex – Paper-Free Chemex Brewing
Chemex paper is famously thick, and that is a large part of why Chemex coffee tastes so clean. The Kone goes the other way. It sits in the neck of a Chemex and lets through the oils the paper would hold back, so you get a heavier, rounder cup from the same pot. The listing calls it a full-bodied brew rich in oils.
Able builds it from one piece of precision-welded, photo-chemically etched stainless steel, with an injection-molded food-safe polymer support ring. The listing’s size field reads 5.12 by 5.12 by 4.13 inches. Able’s black version of the filter lists a fit for 6- and 8-cup Chemex pots. This listing says only that it is compatible with Chemex, so confirm it for other sizes.
Cleaning is a rinse and an occasional scrub. Able says the single-layer design avoids the oil and sediment build-up of mesh and cloth.
Homegrounds’ general note on metal drippers applies here: fines can get through without a paper liner. So pour gently and leave the last of the pot if you don’t like sludge. This pick rests on the listing and maker details. For the brewer itself, see our pour over coffee maker guide.
Why we like it
- Built to fit a Chemex
- Single piece of etched stainless steel
- No paper to buy
- Rinse clean
Key specifications
| Model | ABKCF4 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Tall cone |
| Fit | Chemex |
| Material | Etched stainless steel, polymer ring |
| Size | 5.12 x 5.12 x 4.13 in |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Rinse, occasional scrub |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This is the one for Chemex owners who want more body and less paper, and accept a less crisp cup.
Skip it if you love the clean taste of a paper Chemex. This filter is meant to change it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fuller cup from a Chemex
- No paper waste
- Sturdy one-piece build
Cons
- Only for Chemex-type pots
- Fines can pass
- Loses the classic clean Chemex style
5. AeroPress 316 Stainless Steel Filter – The Maker’s Own Metal Disk
An AeroPress uses a small paper disk, and those are easy to run out of when you travel. This is AeroPress’s own metal replacement. It is a flat stainless disk that sits in the filter cap in place of paper, and you rinse it and use it again. That is handy on a camping trip or in a hotel room.
The listing says it is 316 stainless steel, which AeroPress calls much more durable than the 304 grade used in other filters. It fits the standard-size Original, Clear, Go, Go Plus and Premium brewers. It is sized for standard models, so an AeroPress XL owner needs an XL-size filter, which AeroPress also sells. AeroPress brand products are warranted for one year against defects in materials and workmanship.
AeroPress says it keeps out grounds while letting flavorful oils through, for a balanced cup with less grit. Roasty Coffee mentions metal filters as the way to the stronger style some AeroPress users call faux-presso. Expect more body and a little more texture than paper gives you.
AeroPress also sells a Gold Tone version with a finer filter and a titanium coating, if you want something between paper and this disk. This pick rests on the listing and maker details.
Why we like it
- Made by AeroPress itself
- 316 stainless, per the listing
- One-year warranty
- Nothing to pack but the disk
Key specifications
| Model | 81M48 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Flat disk |
| Fit | Original, Clear, Go, Go Plus, Premium |
| Material | 316 stainless steel |
| Size | Standard size |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Rinse |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
Choose this if you own a standard AeroPress and want to travel without packing paper disks.
Skip it if you have the XL, or you love the very clean cup that paper gives an AeroPress.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sure fit on listed models
- Durable grade of steel
- Very small to pack
Cons
- Standard models only
- Small and easy to lose
- More texture than paper
6. Hamilton Beach Permanent Gold Basket Filter – A Handle That Lifts It Out
This is the second good choice for flat-bottom machines. The listing says it fits most 8-12 cup coffee makers with basket-style filters, which is broader wording than the Mr. Coffee fit on the GoldTone. The small handle lets you lift out a hot, wet filter without pinching the mesh.
Hamilton Beach says the mesh is food-grade stainless steel and that the filter is 100 percent BPA free. It is dishwasher safe, or you can wash it under running water. The maker also says that natural coffee oils pass through the mesh, so expect more body than paper gives.
Hamilton Beach makes plenty of drip machines, so this comes from a maker that knows what those brew baskets look like. The listing gives no dimensions, so check that your basket is a standard round one. This pick rests on the listing and maker details, and we didn’t read an outside review of it.
Why we like it
- Fits most 8-12 cup basket machines, per the maker
- Food-grade stainless mesh
- Handle for lifting out
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 80675R |
|---|---|
| Shape | Basket |
| Fit | Most 8-12 cup basket brewers |
| Material | Stainless mesh, BPA-free parts |
| Size | 12-cup; dimensions not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher, or rinse |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits anyone with a standard basket drip machine, especially one that isn’t a Mr. Coffee.
Skip it if your basket is unusually small or tapered. Without dimensions, you can’t check it in advance.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad fit wording
- Maker also sells drip machines
- Easy to lift out
Cons
- No dimensions on the listing
- Some fines can pass
- Handle adds a part to rinse around
7. Cuisinart Gold Tone Basket Filter – For Round-Basket Cuisinarts
Not every Cuisinart uses a cone. For models with a round basket, this GTF-B is the matching gold-tone part. Cuisinart says it is designed for round basket coffee makers and that its permanent design lets you reuse it again and again.
Care is simple: wash it in warm, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly. As with the cone version, the listing leaves out material, dimensions and a model list, so use your manual to confirm that the machine takes a GTF-B.
We include both Cuisinart filters because they are different parts for different machines, and buying the wrong one is the common mistake. If your machine isn’t a Cuisinart, either the GoldTone or the Hamilton Beach gives you more information to shop on. This pick rests on the listing and on Cuisinart making the part for its own machines.
Why we like it
- Maker’s own part
- Designed for round baskets
- Clear washing instructions
- Reusable
Key specifications
| Model | GTF-B |
|---|---|
| Shape | Basket |
| Fit | Round basket Cuisinart brewers |
| Material | Gold-tone; base metal not stated |
| Size | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Warm soapy water, rinse well |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This is for owners of a round-basket Cuisinart whose original filter is lost or worn.
Skip it if your Cuisinart uses a cone. That needs the GTF above.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Maker’s own part
- Plain care steps
- Replaces paper
Cons
- Thin listing
- Fit list not given
- Dimensions not stated
8. Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter – Your Own Grounds in a Pod Brewer
A pod machine doesn’t have to mean pods. The My K-Cup is Keurig’s own refillable filter: you add your own ground coffee and brew one cup at a time. It is the way to use a bag from a local roaster in a machine built for convenience.
This listing says almost nothing beyond that, so be careful with fit. Notes from our single-serve research show that My K-Cup versions differ between brewer models, and many Keurig listings name the filter as a separately sold accessory. Check that your brewer’s manual names this filter before you buy.
Knock out the grounds and rinse it after each cup. This pick rests on Keurig’s listing, which is thin. For the machines themselves, see our single-serve coffee maker guide.
Why we like it
- Keurig’s own refillable filter
- Brews any ground coffee you like
- Cuts down on used pods
- Single-cup size
Key specifications
| Model | 5000382705 |
|---|---|
| Shape | Refillable cup |
| Fit | Keurig; check your brewer |
| Material | Not stated |
| Size | Single cup |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits Keurig owners who want to use their own coffee for some or all of their cups.
Skip it if your brewer’s manual doesn’t name it. Versions differ, and the listing won’t tell you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Maker’s own part
- Fewer pods to throw away
- Choice of coffee
Cons
- Very thin listing
- Fit varies by brewer
- One cup at a time
How to choose a permanent coffee filter
Fit decides almost everything here, and flavor comes second. These are the points to check, in order.
Shape first
Take the old filter out and look at it. A round, flat-bottomed paper filter means you need a basket. A paper cone with a pointed or wedge bottom means a cone, usually size #4 on a full-size drip machine. Pour-over brewers and the AeroPress have their own shapes. A drip coffee maker manual will normally tell you which it takes.
Size and depth
Measure your brew basket. Ask whether the filter will sit level and whether the lid can still close. A filter that is too tall can stop the machine from closing, and a loose one can let coffee run around the edge and into the pot.
Mesh, etched steel or cloth
Woven mesh is the usual choice for gold-tone baskets. Etched steel, like the Able filters, has a single layer with tiny holes that Able says is easier to clean. Cloth sits somewhere between metal and paper, but Roasty Coffee warns that it needs careful washing, drying and storage to avoid mold, and it wears out in time. That extra upkeep is why no cloth filter is on this list.
What gold tone means
Gold-tone filters get their color from a finish, and AeroPress describes its own gold version as a titanium coating. The color doesn’t tell you how well the filter works. Compare the shape, the fit and the frame instead. A plastic frame is normal on baskets, and the listings here that mention it say it is BPA free.
Your grind
Metal has larger openings than paper, and Roasty Coffee notes that mesh lets fine particles through. If you see sludge at the bottom of the cup, try a slightly coarser grind before you blame the filter. Our burr grinder guide for drip coffee explains why a more even grind helps.
Cleaning
Dump the grounds in the trash or compost, not the sink, then rinse right away while the oils are still loose. Able suggests an occasional scrub. Check the listing before using a dishwasher, since the GoldTone and Hamilton Beach baskets say they are dishwasher safe, while other listings say nothing.
How we chose these eight filters
We started with reusable filters from identifiable makers that were in stock on Amazon, and we favored filters made by the brewer’s own maker or by a coffee specialist. We read each listing for shape, fit, material and care. We have not used these products ourselves, and Julia’s does not claim to use any of them.
Outside evidence is limited for this product. The GoldTone basket appears in guides from Homegrounds and Roasty Coffee, though neither describes a measured test. The other seven picks rest on the listing and maker details, and each pick says so. We left out the many low-cost mesh filters from little-known sellers, because a filter sits in hot water every day and we wanted a maker we could identify behind it.
We also checked CPSC recall records by brand and found no recall of these filters.
Reusable filter questions, answered
What is the best permanent coffee filter?
It depends on your brewer. The GoldTone suits most basket machines, the Able Number Four suits #4 cones, and owners of a Cuisinart, Chemex, AeroPress or Keurig should start with the filter built for that brewer.
Does a reusable coffee filter change the taste?
Yes. Hamilton Beach, Able and AeroPress all say that oils pass through their metal filters. Homegrounds describes a body close to a French press from a metal basket. Expect a fuller cup with a little more sediment than paper gives.
Are metal coffee filters bad for cholesterol?
This is worth knowing about. Harvard’s Nutrition Source says unfiltered coffee, such as French press and Turkish coffee, contains diterpenes that can raise LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and that filtered drip coffee has almost none. That page doesn’t address metal filters directly. If your cholesterol is a concern, ask your doctor, and consider staying with paper.
Can you use a paper filter inside a reusable filter?
Ninja says its permanent filter can be used alone or with paper, which suggests the idea is sound on some brewers. There is rarely a reason to do it with a good filter, so follow your brewer’s manual.
How long does a reusable coffee filter last?
The makers here don’t give a figure. Replace it if the mesh tears or the frame cracks, or if grounds begin to reach the pot.
How do I clean a stained gold-tone filter?
Cuisinart says to wash its filter in warm, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly. Able suggests a rinse and an occasional scrub. Follow your own filter’s instructions, and rinse well so no soap reaches the next pot.
Our final pick for your brewer
Related guide: Best coffee filters.
Related guide: Coffee filter alternative.
For most basket machines, buy the GoldTone. For a #4 cone, buy the Able Number Four. If you are still choosing a machine, see our coffee maker guide, and if you want a cup with a lot of body by design, our French press guide is a good next read.