The paper micro-filter is what gives the AeroPress its signature clean, grit-free cup. Where a French press relies on a metal mesh that allows fine grounds and oils to pass freely into the brew, the AeroPress micro-filter traps both, producing something closer in clarity to a pour-over while retaining the body and speed the AeroPress is known for. Made from white, chlorine-free, food-safe paper with ultra-fine micro-sized pores, each filter is custom-cut to fit the AeroPress cap precisely, ensuring even pressure distribution across the full surface and consistent extraction with every press.
The paper material absorbs bitter-tasting oils as the coffee passes through, which produces a brighter, cleaner cup with more pronounced clarity in the flavour. This makes the paper filter a particularly good choice when brewing lighter or medium roasted coffees where delicate tasting notes are worth preserving. For those who prefer more body and oil in the cup, a reusable metal filter is the alternative, though the two can also be used in combination, including when using the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap, which works with paper, metal, or both simultaneously. We always recommend a quick rinse of the filter with hot water before brewing to remove any residual paper taste and seat the filter evenly in the cap.
Each pack contains 350 filters, which is a generous supply for any regular AeroPress brewer. They're biodegradable, compostable, and made in the USA. Compatible with the AeroPress Original, AeroPress Go, AeroPress Go Plus, and AeroPress Clear. Note that these are standard size filters and are not compatible with the AeroPress XL, which requires a larger filter size sold separately.
- Brand: AeroPress (USA)
- Filter type: Paper micro-filter, circular
- Colour: White (chlorine-free bleaching process)
- Material: White, chlorine-free, food-safe paper
- Diameter: 2.5" (6.4cm)
- Pack quantity: 350 filters
- Single use: Yes
- Biodegradable: Yes
- Compostable: Yes
- Country of manufacture: USA
- MPN: 81R24
- Compatible models: AeroPress Original, AeroPress Go, AeroPress Go Plus, AeroPress Clear
- Not compatible with: AeroPress XL (requires separate XL filter size)
How many brews do I get from a pack? Each pack contains 350 individual filters, each designed for single use. One filter per brew means 350 coffees per pack, which should keep even a daily AeroPress brewer well stocked for a good while.
Are AeroPress paper filters biodegradable and compostable? Yes. The filters are made from biodegradable, compostable paper and can be added to a home compost bin after use, along with the spent coffee grounds. Simply eject the puck after brewing and compost the lot.
What is the difference between paper and metal filters for the AeroPress? Paper micro-filters absorb some of the coffee's natural oils and trap fine grounds, producing a cleaner, brighter cup with more clarity. Metal reusable filters allow oils and very fine particles to pass through, producing a fuller-bodied, slightly richer result with more texture. Neither is objectively better; it depends on your coffee, your roast level, and what you prefer in the cup. Both filter types are also compatible when used together, particularly with the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap.
Do I need to rinse the filter before brewing? It's good practice. A quick rinse with hot water before placing your coffee grounds in the chamber removes any residual paper taste and helps seat the filter evenly against the cap. It takes seconds and is worth doing consistently.
Are these filters compatible with the AeroPress XL? No. These are standard size filters with a 6.4cm diameter, designed for the AeroPress Original, Go, Go Plus, and Clear. The AeroPress XL uses a larger filter size, which is available separately.
Can I use these filters with the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap? Yes. The paper micro-filters are fully compatible with the Flow Control Filter Cap and are in fact recommended for use with it, particularly when making espresso-style coffee. The paper filter traps grounds that might otherwise clog the valve. You can also use a paper filter alongside a metal reusable filter simultaneously for different flavour results.
Are AeroPress micro-filters the same as other round paper filters? They are custom-cut to the exact diameter of the AeroPress cap at 6.4cm, which ensures a precise fit with no bypass around the edges. Generic round filters of a similar size may work in a pinch but are not guaranteed to seat as accurately or perform as consistently. For best results, the official AeroPress filters are worth using.
Can I fold or double up the filters for a cleaner cup? Some brewers do use two filters stacked together, which produces a slightly cleaner, more filtered cup but also slows the flow rate and increases the effort required to press. It is safe to do but not necessary for most brews. The single filter design is sufficient for a clean, grit-free result under normal use.
The Story Behind AeroPress
The AeroPress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, a retired Stanford University engineering lecturer and lifelong tinkerer best known for creating the Aerobie flying disc. Frustrated by the bitterness and lack of control he found in conventional brewing methods, Adler applied the same engineering curiosity to coffee that he had brought to his sporting inventions, experimenting with prototypes in his garage until he had something genuinely new. The result was a deceptively simple device that used air pressure and immersion together to extract smooth, full-flavoured coffee in under two minutes, with a clarity and lack of bitterness that set it apart from anything else on the market.
The coffee world took notice quickly. The AeroPress became a favourite among specialty coffee enthusiasts, baristas, and travellers alike, celebrated for its speed, versatility, and near-indestructible build. In 2008, the World AeroPress Championship was founded, an annual competition that has since grown into a global event held across dozens of countries, with competitors publishing thousands of recipes that continue to push the limits of what the brewer can do.
Two decades on, the AeroPress range has expanded to include the Go, Go Plus, Clear, XL, and Premium models, but the core principle remains exactly as Adler conceived it: a straightforward, pressure-based brewer that produces outstanding coffee with minimal fuss, wherever you happen to be.