Brewing Loose-Leaf Teas

 Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written and edited by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. To select these products, he read customer reviews, researched the history of teapots, and looked into the advantages and disadvantages of different materials.

Sources

Shunan Teng is the founder and CEO of Tea Drunk and an avid tea educator. Tea Drunk was founded in 2013 and has a brick-and-mortar tea house in New York City. Its teaware and Chinese teas can be purchased online.

The Best Teapots for Brewing Tea and More

Stylish, versatile, and convenient brewers at every price point

Verdict

The Cusinium Glass Teapot is our top pick because it is easy to use, versatile, offers a modern design, is stovetop safe, and received high praise during testing. If you want to save some money, our runner-up option, the Hiware Glass Teapot, received similarly high ratings but comes in at a slightly lower price point.

The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh

There's a reason teapots have been around for thousands of years. They are the most reliable way to balance even the subtlest flavors, whether it's from teabags or, more commonly, loose-leaf tea. With so many options out there, though, it's difficult to know what teapot to buy. That's why we've tested some of the best teapots available today. No matter how you take your tea, we've got the perfect teapot for you.

Best Overall

Cusinium Glass Teapot with Infuser

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon$20

What We Like

• Stovetop, microwave, and dishwasher safe

• Easy to use

• Sleek design

What We Don't Like

• Only makes 3-4 cups

If you are looking for a versatile, everyday teapot that can brew hot and cold tea, looks sleek, and outperforms the competition, the Cusinium Glass Teapot Kettle with Infuser is our top pick. This model holds three to four cups of tea in borosilicate glass so durable that you can put it directly on a gas stovetop. When the stainless steel parts are removed it can also go in the microwave to warm up your tea when it cools down a little. An added bonus is that it's dishwasher safe, so you can clean it easily after a long day. 

The Cusinium also scores points for ease of use. It comes with helpful instructions and a handy chart that indicates the required water temperature and brewing time for different types of tea. We tested the teapot by brewing loose-leaf earl grey tea. The flavor was excellent and the filter completely removed all sediment.

Anyone who has ever poured hot water out of a teapot knows that burns do happen, but this lid is designed to stay cool so your fingers stay safe. And the ergonomic handle allows for a firm grip while holding the pot while the spout is spill-free. If the 32-ounce capacity is too small for avid tea drinkers, it's also available in 43 ounces. Overall, we were impressed with the teapot's high-quality design and user-friendly operation.

Material: Glass | Capacity: 32 or 43 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.7 x 5.9 inches

The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Hiware Glass Teapot

Amazon

View On Amazon$23

What We Like

• Attractive design

• Easy to handle

• Microwave and dishwasher safe

• Non-spill spout

What We Don't Like

• Stovetop capability is questionable 
  

  
  

Hiware Glass Teapot Kettle with Infuser Review

The Hiware Glass Teapot is similar to our best overall option but comes in at a lower price. It not only has a stylish silhouette, complete with a large handle and slightly goosenecked spout, but you can also see the beautiful colors emerge in your tea as it steeps. The material is ideal to showcase flowering teas, too, should you choose to steep openly in the pot instead of using the included stainless steel infuser filter.

We tested a slightly larger version of this item, but this model holds roughly 34 ounces, which is more than enough for a few cups of tea. The borosilicate glass can be placed directly on gas or electric stovetops. However, the instructions aren't clear about whether or not water can be boiled directly in the teapot so we decided against it.

Overall, we were pleased with its performance. It brewed flavorful black tea that was free of sediment thanks to the mesh strainer. For a couple of extra bonuses, the teapot can go in the microwave when the stainless steel parts are removed, and it can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning after a long day. The affordable price is in line with ceramic teapots, so you're not paying a premium for the glass design.

Material: Glass | Capacity: 33.8 ounces | Infuser: Yes | Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.1 x 5.4 inches

The Spruce Eats / Sage McHugh

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

 Cusinium Glass Teapot with Infuser at Amazon ($20)

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Runner-Up, Best Overall:

 Hiware Glass Teapot at Amazon ($23)

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Best Color Options:

 Sweese Porcelain Teapot at Amazon ($26)

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Best Budget:

 Bodum Assam Tea Press with Stainless Steel Filter at Amazon ($20)

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Best Stoneware:

 RSVP Stoneware Teapot at Amazon ($26)

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Best Ceramic:

 Tealyra Daze Ceramic Teapot at Amazon ($25)

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Best Set:

 Sweejar British Royal Series Tea Set at Amazon ($73)

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Best High-End:

 Royal Albert Old Country Roses 3-Piece Tea Set at Amazon ($194)

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Best Cast Iron:

 Old Dutch International Cast Iron Sapporo Teapot at Amazon ($25)

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Best for Office:

 Saki Chaiovar Electric Samovar at Amazon ($165)

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