OXO Brew Tea Infuser Basket

One of the best things about this infuser is its versatility—it adjusts to fit mugs and cups ranging from 2.5" to over 5" in diameter. People have successfully used it with everything from standard coffee mugs to wide-mouth mason jars. The expandable basket sits inside your vessel, so as long as your cup is within that range, you're good to go.

The perforations are extremely fine, which is one of the most praised features—15 reviewers specifically mentioned that tea leaves don't escape. That said, a few users noted that ultra-fine teas (like certain rooibos or very dusty blends) can have some particles pass through, but this is fairly rare and happens with most infusers. For the vast majority of loose leaf teas, you'll get a clean cup.

Most users find it very easy to clean—12 reviewers called it out as a major plus. The fine mesh rinses well, and many people just toss it in the dishwasher. A couple users mentioned that some sticky or fine leaves can cling to the bottom and sides, but a quick rinse under the tap or a gentle brush usually handles it. The design is simple with no hard-to-reach crevices.

The lid actually serves two smart purposes: it keeps your tea hot while steeping (important for proper extraction), and when you're done, you flip it over and it becomes a drip tray for the infuser basket. This prevents tea-stained counters and tables. Just note that on very wide mugs, the lid won't create a perfect seal, but it still helps retain heat better than nothing.

It's genuinely great for both. Beginners love it because it's dead simple—just scoop in your tea, pour hot water, steep, and remove. It even comes with an instruction card showing temperatures and ratios. But it's also appreciated by serious tea enthusiasts because the large basket lets leaves fully expand (which is key for quality brewing), and the fine perforations handle delicate teas well. One herbalist even uses it for medicinal tea preparations.

The construction is generally sturdy, but a few users reported that the bottom disk can detach at the seam over time—this seems to be the main durability concern. Also, like most stainless steel tea accessories, it may develop some staining with regular use, though this is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect performance. Given how well it works and how many people love it, these are relatively minor trade-offs for most users.