4 Best Paper Coffee Filters Reviewed

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on February 17th, 2023

A coffee filter is undoubtedly a must-have. If you’re like me, who can’t imagine going through your day without a delicious cup of brewed coffee?


We’ll discuss the best paper coffee filters in this article, so if you’re interested, stay tuned!

paper coffee filter

Our top recommendations

Hario V60 Paper Coffee Filters #1 and #2

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Unbleached paper is used to make these Hario Paper coffee filters. There’s no need to be concerned about dangerous chemicals contaminating your coffee.

The filters are thick enough to handle the water that passes through them. When it comes to cost, you’ll be relieved to learn that the Hario V60 Paper Coffee Filter is reasonably priced.

Melitta Cone Coffee Filters Natural Brown #4 and #6

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For larger servings, this is the suggested coffee filter. The Melitta Cone is renowned for holding huge amounts of water without harming the coffee’s overall flavor.

It has specific micro holes that allow only the important parts of the coffee grounds to pass through while keeping the rest out.

Melitta 62957 Natural Brown Basket Coffee Filter #4

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When it comes to basket-style paper coffee filters, the Mellita is still the best. Like its cone-shaped counterparts, it can hold a lot of coffee.

In addition, the corporation contributes to global relief eco-restoration programs every year to ensure that trees are continually replenished. It’s a company that gives back to the community. Each step in the coffee-making process is critical, from the bean selection to the brewing procedure.

Making the perfect choice of the best paper coffee filters elevates your coffee experience.

Chemex Bonded Coffee Filter

These Chemex filters are another wonderful alternative for your coffee. They can be used in various pour-over and cone coffee makers in addition to Chemex machines.

Because they remain in place beautifully, you won’t have to worry about spills or slips with these pre-folded paper filters.

The filters have been bleached using the oxygen method. Unbleached ones are also available, but they are more expensive. This pack is now more expensive than the last option, but it is unquestionably worthwhile.

You get 100 filters in a pack, which are large, brewing about 4-5 cups at a time. Furthermore, they are exceptionally thick. You won’t find any grounds in your cup, and you’ll get a smooth, rich beverage instead.

Check out our article on the best Chemex coffee filters.

What is the purpose of the paper coffee filter?

The purpose of a paper coffee filter is to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid, leaving you with a delicious caffeinated beverage. Coffee filters are available in a variety of forms and sizes.

If you’ve been searching for quite a while, you’ve probably noticed that there are two types of paper filters: bleached and unbleached.

Bleached vs. unbleached

You’ll have to choose between bleached and unbleached paper coffee filters when purchasing one. 

Bleached paper coffee filter

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To clean the paper and make it white, it must be bleached with chlorine or go through an oxygen-bleaching process. The entire bleaching process has one major benefit: it leaves the coffee flavorless.

Bleaching, on the other hand, is not free. The intake of chlorine from these filters has been proven to be hazardous to one’s health. Furthermore, it is harmful to the environment.

A better option is to use an oxygen-bleached filter. It provides the same benefits as chlorine-based bleached paper but has none of the drawbacks.

Unbleached paper coffee filter

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The color of unbleached paper coffee filters is light brown. They are not subjected to the same rigorous and chemical-intensive process as bleached paper coffee filters. As a result, they are often less harmful to one’s health.

Unbleached coffee filters are not only better for your health but also benefit the planet because they do not release toxic chemicals into the environment when they decompose. The only issue is that they impart a distinct flavor to the drink. It has a pulpy flavor that you may detect when having coffee.

Factors to consider

Taste Is unaffected by bleaching.

Many people feel that using a bleached or unbleached coffee filter will change the flavor of their coffee, and they are frequently startled to learn that this is not the case. The truth is that it makes no difference which one you choose because the taste of your coffee will not be affected.

To make those filters appear white, there isn’t much bleach used, and it won’t affect the taste of our coffee or produce any negative health effects.

Quality is vital

Remember that the taste of your coffee is unaffected by bleached or unbleached filters. The overall quality of the filter you purchase can have an impact.

Don’t try to save a few pennies while choosing a filter. A few cents can make a big difference in how good your coffee tastes.

When choosing a filter, make sure you choose the right size for your brewing method and the right thickness. Thinner filters allow water to pass through them much more quickly, hurting the brewing process.

The more premium a filter is, the thicker it is, but the price differences are so minimal that they shouldn’t matter. 

Price point

Now that you know that quality is crucial, whether you buy bleached or unbleached, it’s all about the color. Unbleached filters go through fewer production steps, but they cost more than bleached filters.

So, if you want to save money on your filters, go for a filter that has been bleached with oxygen and is a little thicker than the cheapest options. Of course, if you want to be more environmentally friendly, you may choose a lovely unbleached filter. Remember that you’ll have to spend a little more on them.

Paper vs. reusable coffee filters

Even though the brewing procedure is the same, the coffee tastes different, and the same coffee beans taste markedly different when subjected to different filter types. A reusable filter will be included with some coffee machines.

Reusable filters allow oil through

Reusable filters have larger holes, meaning you receive more coffee particles in your cup and more of the coffee oils that would otherwise be lost in a paper filter.

These coffee oils not only add additional complexity to your cup but also make it taste “thicker,” a touch more buttery. This is why coffee made using a french press differs from coffee made with a drip machine.

Paper filters produce a cleaner cup of Joe

Because the paper traps the oils and particles, the coffee that passes through feels cleaner and crisper. Most people prefer this since it’s what they’re used to, but if you lean in and embrace doing your part for the environment, you’ll discover that reusable filters are the way to go.

Paper coffee filters are easier to clean

Pick up the filter and throw it away. You can’t disagree with that as a method, can you?

Reusable filters, on the other hand, must be smashed into the rubbish and cleaned unpleasantly. I’m sure you should throw them in the dishwasher once in a while for a deeper clean, but I rinse mine, and they’re great. 

Are reusable filters really good for the environment?

Fill it with coffee, pick it up, and toss it in the trash. Everyone is doing the same thing every day around the country. That’s a lot of squandering, like a significant amount of garbage.

When properly cleaned and maintained, a reusable filter can endure for years and years.

Shapes

Coffee filters come in three basic shapes: cone, basket, and disk.

Conical filter

A cone filter is a filter that is shaped like a cone.  This is a popular filter shape among homebrewers, especially for manual brewing methods like pour-over. Cone coffee filters are widely regarded as one of the most effective filters for equal extraction. The design of the filter made it easier for the water to go through the grounds.

Basket filter

Also known as a flat-bottomed filter, the basket filter resembles a cupcake case. The edges are crimped and taper to a flat bottom. The grounds are more spread out with a large, flat bottom, which might lead to uneven extraction. Basket coffee filters are used in drip coffee makers and hand brewing methods such as Kalita wave.

Disk filter

Aeropress uses disk filters, which are small flat-circle filters.

Sizes

The form of paper coffee filter you need will be determined by the type of coffee machine you have. A conical filter will offer a slightly stronger flavor since the form allows the water to interact more with the coffee grounds. Compared to the flat-bottomed coffee filter, it has a longer seeping time.

The capacity of your coffee machine will also determine the size of the paper coffee filter. The following are the standard cone filter sizes:

  • Size #1: Single-serve electric cone coffee brewers
  • Size #2: 2-6 cup electric coffee makers and 1 cup non-electric cone coffee makers 
  • Size #4: 8-12 cup cone coffee makers 
  • Size #6: 10-cup non-electric cone coffee makers 

FAQs

If unbleached paper coffee filters require less processing, why are they costlier?

Unfortunately, due to demand and marketing, unbleached coffee filters are more expensive. Consumers will pay extra for a better product for the environment, and marketers can’t help but take advantage.

Can I use a paper towel to filter my coffee?

As long as your paper towels aren’t perfumed or impregnated with cleaning chemicals, you can use them as a coffee filter. The main disadvantage is that they are not as durable as genuine coffee filters. Therefore they must be layered well to avoid a mess. 

Is it true that paper coffee filters are healthier?

If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, you should use paper coffee filters. Most oils, including cafestol, are removed by paper filters from your coffee. Some genetically predisposed people, particularly those who consume more than two cups of cafestol daily, have been proven to have higher cholesterol levels.

Is it possible to reuse a paper coffee filter?

Some individuals reuse paper filters two or three times. On the other hand, most paper filters are only used once since the filter paper quickly deteriorates when exposed to water.

Is it true that coffee brewed using paper filters tastes better?

It is entirely dependent on your personal preferences. Paper filters trap more coffee oils and granules, resulting in a lighter body in terms of color and flavor. This coffee is normally delicious without added ingredients, so you’ll probably like it if that’s your thing.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.