Paper vs. metal coffee filter
Not a sustainability question with a coffee side effect. They make genuinely different cups, and you should choose the cup.
| Aspect | Paper filter | Metal coffee filter |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee oils | Largely retained by the paper | Pass through into the cup |
| Body | Lighter, cleaner | Heavier, with more texture |
| Sediment | Effectively none | Some, more with a finer grind |
| Grind adjustment needed | None beyond the brewer's usual range | Usually a little coarser, or fines pass straight through |
| Ongoing cost and waste | A running cost and a waste stream, though papers compost | Bought once |
| Cleaning | Lift the whole bed out and bin it | Rinse every brew, chemical soak periodically |
Which should you choose?
If you brew pour-over for clarity, a metal filter removes the thing you chose the method for. If you like a fuller cup and would rather not buy papers, it is a genuine upgrade rather than a compromise. Cloth sits between the two and asks more of you than either.