Paper vs Metal vs Cloth Coffee Filters: Which to Use

By Hario USA | Published: 2026-10-18

Category: Comparisons

Compare paper, metal, and cloth coffee filters for your brew method. Learn the flavor, clarity, and cleanup trade-offs so you can choose the right filter for your V60 or immersion brewer.

Quick answer

Paper filters give the cleanest cup with no sediment, metal filters let more oils and fine particles through for a fuller body, and cloth filters offer a middle ground with richer flavor than paper but less sediment than metal. For a Hario V60, paper is the classic choice; for immersion brewing, consider the Hario BATON immersion maker which uses no paper filter at all.

How Filter Material Affects Your Cup

The filter you choose directly controls which compounds from the coffee grounds end up in your mug. Paper traps most oils and fine particles, producing a bright, clean cup with distinct flavor clarity. Metal mesh lets oils and sediment pass, giving you a heavier mouthfeel and more body, but can also let through bitter fines if your grind is too fine. Cloth filters fall in between: they absorb some oils but let enough through for a silky texture without the grit of metal. Each material also affects brew time – paper slows flow, metal speeds it up, and cloth sits in the middle – so you may need to adjust your grind size accordingly.

Filter Trade-offs at a Glance

Paper filter: Best for clarity and brightness. Traps oils and fines. Requires a V60 paper filter (sold separately). Slower flow means you may need a slightly coarser grind. Choose paper when you want a clean, tea-like cup with no sediment.
Metal filter: Lets oils and fines through for a fuller body and more texture. Faster flow works well with a finer grind. Easy to rinse and reuse, but can leave sediment in the cup. Choose metal if you love body and don't mind a little grit.
Cloth filter: Absorbs some oils for a silky cup with more body than paper but less sediment than metal. Requires rinsing and occasional boiling to remove oils. Slower than metal but faster than paper. Choose cloth for a balanced cup that's richer than paper but cleaner than metal.

Filters and Brewers That Match Your Style

V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper - New Colors: The V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper's conical shape allows for deeper layering of coffee grounds, and its spiral ridges and lack of flow restriction allow the user to pour water quickly for a delicate body, or slowly for a heavier flavor. With a paper filter in a V60, you can control extraction by pour speed – fast for a delicate cup, slow for a bolder one. This dripper is ideal for paper filter users who want precision.
"Baton" Immersion Coffee Maker, 170ml: The BATON Immersion Coffee Maker uses no paper filter – Hario reduced plastic by about 50% by using natural materials like bamboo byproduct. If you prefer a metal or cloth filter experience but want a paperless, eco-friendly design, the BATON immersion brewer lets you steep grounds directly and pour through its integrated mesh, giving you a full-bodied cup with less waste.

Which Filter Is Right for You?

Best for

Drinkers who want a clean, bright cup with no sediment – paper filter with a V60 dripper
Eco-conscious users who want a paperless, full-bodied brew – BATON immersion maker with integrated mesh

Not for

Anyone who dislikes sediment in their coffee – skip metal filters unless you use a very coarse grind
Brewers that require a paper filter to function (e.g., classic V60) – cloth or metal alternatives need a compatible dripper