Swap Your Tea Bags for These Loose Leaf Tea Infusers

It’s no secret that plastic is becoming more difficult to avoid in everyday life, especially in the kitchen. Now, a new Chemosphere study has revealed that some popular tea bags release billions of microplastics during the brewing process, which have been shown to negatively affect the environment and human health.

But don’t panic—you can still enjoy your morning cup of Earl Grey or evening chamomile. I’ve been using loose-leaf tea infusers for years and find them easy to use and far more affordable than tea bags in the long run. If you’re ready to make the switch like I did, we’ve rounded up the best options for loose-leaf tea infusers starting at just $8.

Best Tea Infusers at Amazon

OXO 6-Ounce Brew Tea Infuser Basket

A stainless steel loose-leaf tea infuser basket has been a staple in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. It’s simple, efficient, easy to clean, and large enough to provide ample space for tea leaves to expand and release their flavor. OXO goes a step further by including a dual-function silicone lid that doubles as a drip tray. The lid also has extra small holes to prevent small grains of loose tea from leaking out.

Reinmoson Extra Fine Mesh Tea Infuser

Tea infuser baskets work great for a single cup, but if you want to brew a pitcher of tea or even steep tea in an insulated water bottle, you’ll need something longer. Apart from a 4.3-inch chain with an s-handle to secure onto the edge of your mug, this tea strainer features extra fine mesh holes for minimal sediment leaks. The lid screws on and off easily but still fits tightly to keep any leaves from escaping.

OXO Brew Twisting Tea Ball Infuser

There are a ton of different tea ball infusers out there, but I’ve found many of them to be difficult to open and frustrating to clean. OXO’s version solves this problem with a twisting feature to easily load and empty tea leaves. As an added bonus, it also has an extra-long handle to access your deepest mugs and a nonslip grip to avoid burning hands.

Tea Forte Cherry Blossom Kati Cup Double-Walled Ceramic Tea Cup

Available in 14 different fun patterns and colors, this ceramic tea cup from Tea Forte infuses your tea while on the go. Perfect for busy mornings, you could even take it into the office to steep multiple cups throughout the day. Best of all, there’s no plastic involved—the infuser is made using stainless steel, and the insulated, double-walled mug is ceramic.

Hiware Borosilicate Loose Leaf Glass Tea Pot

This beautiful teapot lets you boil, steep, and serve your tea using one tool. It’s crafted from super durable borosilicate glass that’s safe to use on the stovetop and in the microwave, while the fitted infuser is made from rust-resistant 18/10 stainless steel (the same quality I look for in a good flatware set).

OHOM Leiph Self-Heating Teapot Set

Made by the same company as my favorite mug warmer, the OHOM Leiph Self-Heating Teapot Set is modern, elegant, and multipurpose. The built-in stainless steel strainer lets you steep tea directly inside the handcrafted ceramic pot. It brews up to 20 ounces of tea at a time, and the accompanying pad keeps everything warm while doubling as a wireless phone charger.

Pure Zen Tea Infuser Travel Mug

Take up to 13 ounces of freshly brewed tea to the office, gym, or anywhere else with this Pure Zen Tea Infuser Travel Mug. It combines borosilicate glass and stainless steel, which are ideal for both hot and cold infusions. The reversible filter allows for three different brew methods: Place it on top for shorter hot tea infusions, place it on the bottom for long infusions or cold brews, or remove it entirely to make fruit-infused water.

Finum Biodegradable Paper Tea Filter Bags

If you’re still attached to paper tea bags, consider a more eco-friendly product for loose-leaf tea. These paper filter bags are easy to fill with a foldable flap and an expanding base that allows leaves to develop fully. Made with unbleached, natural FSC-certified fibers, they’re completely biodegradable and compostable.

It’s important to note that not all disposable tea bags are tainted with microplastics. Individually wrapped tea bags are convenient and often more accessible, so there’s definitely still a place for them in the kitchen. Look for tea bags made with paper or plant-based materials without flexible plastic sealants. And, seek out brands that are transparent about their packaging. Traditional Medicinals, for example, uses BPI-certified compostable wrappers and tea bags made from wood pulp with no plastic included during the production process.