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MSR MugMate Review

This simple and durable filter is easy to use, produces a decent cup of coffee, and can be used for looseleaf tea
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MSR MugMate Review (We used the MSR MugMate as a secondary filter for our Snow Peak brew. Just look at everything we removed from the...)
We used the MSR MugMate as a secondary filter for our Snow Peak brew. Just look at everything we removed from the bottom of our cup!
Credit: Penney Garrett
Price:  $24 List
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Manufacturer:   MSR
By Mary Witlacil and Penney Garrett  ⋅  May 21, 2021
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 15
  • Taste - 40% 6.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 8.0
  • Group Cooking - 15% 4.0
  • Portability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The MSR MugMate is a classic backpacking coffee filter that can also be used to steep loose leaf tea or even pre-filter water. It's the most lightweight and durable option in our review, aside from instant, and can nest inside pretty much any wide-mouth mug for easy transport in a backpack. While it's not meant for making more than a cup or two at a time, it's easy to clean and move on to another brewing session quickly. If you need a bullet-proof, ultralight option for backpacking, this little dude can't be beat. This is why it was awarded our Top Pick for Backpacking Award. See how it measures up versus competitors in our article on the top camping coffees.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Easy to use and clean
Durable
No waste
Can use for tea
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the best flavor
Not ideal for multiple cups
Difficult to control extraction
Does not collapse for travel

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A tried-and-true, no-fuss filter that is great for backpacking and can also be used for steeping tea and pre-filtering waterGreat taste, easy to use, and lightweight - we love this plastic iteration of the classic glass and ceramic versionsDurable, light, and compact, this is a fantastic option for backpacking trips or any kind of light travelIf you're on a budget but love pour over coffee, this is a fantastic optionIf you are counting every gram in your bag, this is a great ultralight option - just be sure to pour carefully
Rating Categories MSR MugMate Hario V60 Plastic D... Primula Coffee Brew... Melitta 1-Cup Pour-... GSI Outdoors Ultral...
Taste (40%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Ease of Use (25%)
8.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Group Cooking (15%)
4.0
6.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
Portability (10%)
8.0
5.0
9.0
5.0
9.0
Weight (10%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Specs MSR MugMate Hario V60 Plastic D... Primula Coffee Brew... Melitta 1-Cup Pour-... GSI Outdoors Ultral...
Measured Weight Filter alone: 0.7 oz
Filter + lid/coaster: 1.0 oz
Dripper alone: 2.95 oz
Dripper + scoop: 3.37 oz
1.1 oz 2.01 oz 1.1 oz
Brew Type Filter Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over
Main Material Nylon/Stainless steel Hard plastic Nylon filter Hard plastic Nylon filter
Filter Needed No Yes No Yes No
Notable Features Can be used for coffee or tea, compact Cone shape, large hole, ribs along side Rests on any mug Can see cup without lifting dripper Collapsible to fit under fuel canister

Our Analysis and Test Results

The MSR MugMate is an ultralight, no-frills pour-over filter perfect for anyone wanting fresh coffee miles deep into the backcountry. This little filter nests easily inside your favorite mug and will add just over half an ounce to your pack-weight (if you leave the lid behind). We love that it is featherweight, durable, easy to use, and that it can be used for coffee, loose leaf tea, or for pre-filtering your water. It produces absolutely drinkable coffee, and while other brewers deliver better flavor, the versatility makes it ideal for backpacking and other adventures that require a simple, lightweight coffee brewing method.

Performance Comparison


msr mugmate - this filter is easy to use, both for coffee and tea. we think it's a...
This filter is easy to use, both for coffee and tea. We think it's a great companion for all manner of outdoor adventures.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Brew Features


The MugMate is an ultra-durable, fine-mesh filter that allows you to brew coffee without the need for additional paper filters. This tried-tested-and-true method for backcountry coffee brewing is unbeatable. While coffee professionals may prefer something that delivers a more nuanced flavor, the MugMate gets the job done and for a fraction of the weight of other brewing methods. The square shape and the fact that it brews by steeping within a confined space with a micro-filter means that controlling the nuances of extraction can be difficult. However, as long as you remember to remove the Mugmate within a few minutes, your coffee should be delicious. One of our reviewers has used it for nearly a decade, having proven itself as an indispensable part of her backpacking kit for the long haul.

This brewing method is most compatible with a shorter mug so your grounds can more effectively steep, as you will want to ensure your coffee is fully submerged while brewing. Brewing works best with a medium grind, and it produces the best flavor when brewed for three to four minutes. Brewing details aside, the featherweight of this device makes it ideal for ultralight backcountry endeavors, hence its designation as our Top Pick for Backpacking.

msr mugmate - depending on the height of your preferred mug you will need to add...
Depending on the height of your preferred mug you will need to add more or less coffee in order to match the amount of water needed to fully cover everything.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Taste


The MugMate delivers decent flavor, but it isn't the most delicious of our test-suite as the brewer remains submerged during extraction. The rudimentary steeping system and lack of paper filters can produce a slightly bitter cup.


That being said, some of our taste-testers were unable to discern a difference between coffee made with the MugMate and other brewers using paper filters. If you aim to enjoy good, fresh coffee in the backcountry, and you need to shave grams wherever you can, then this brewer is the one for you.

msr mugmate - a decent cup of joe from the mugmate. the optional lid also works as...
A decent cup of Joe from the MugMate. The optional lid also works as a holder for your spent coffee grounds or tea leaves.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Ease of Use


Making coffee with the MugMate is about as easy as it gets. Simply place it into your mug, add ground coffee or loose leaf tea, add hot water until you submerge your grounds, wait a few minutes, and remove.


There is an optional lid/coaster that can be used to cover your brew while it is steeping, but most folks choose to leave this behind to save weight. If you decide to bring it along, you can avoid losing a little heat during the brewing process and can use it as a trivet for the wet filter when you're finished. For most of us, we'll accept the heat loss for the weight savings, and we'll be ready to roll once we're done brewing coffee and have tamped the spent grounds into the trash.

msr mugmate - the mugmate's lid can be used to cover everything while you're...
The MugMate's lid can be used to cover everything while you're brewing or as a coaster for the dirty filter afterwards. That being said, it's an easy piece to lose and isn't necessary if you're trying to shed weight and keep things simple.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Group Cooking


This brewer was not designed for brewing gallons of coffee at a time, but if you're sincerely interested in the MugMate, that probably isn't what you're looking for either. This aside, with some efficient water boiling and steeping, you could blast through several rounds of coffee with the time it takes to steep. Depending on the size of your mug, you could load this puppy up with enough grounds to steep a larger cup — maybe enough for two — though you may be forced to sacrifice some flavor.


Thankfully, the MugMate is quick — taking about 4 minutes per brew, depending on your preferences — and with a little water, this buddy can be thoroughly cleaned up and ready for round two in no time. Alternatively, if you want to make a giant pot of cowboy coffee, you could use the MugMate to filter each individual cup to avoid having grit in your brew.

msr mugmate - with a bit of water (or a river!) you will be cleaned and ready to...
With a bit of water (or a river!) you will be cleaned and ready to re-brew in no time.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Portability


Outside of instant coffee, the Mugmate is among the most portable options for brewing coffee that you can find.


When not in use, the MugMate can store inside of your mug so that you can easily stash it in your backpack. If you leave behind the lid, it is the most lightweight and, by far, the most durable backpacking filter in our review.

msr mugmate - durable and small, this filter is an easy travel buddy.
Durable and small, this filter is an easy travel buddy.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Weight


Aside from a packet of instant coffee, the MugMate is the lightest weight option in our review, weighing in at 0.7 ounces without the lid and just 1.0 ounce with the lid.


For the durability and unbeatably light weight, this little filter cannot be outdone. Hence why it is our Top Pick for Backpacking.

msr mugmate - while we sometimes appreciated the "lid" of the mugmate, it's also...
While we sometimes appreciated the “lid” of the MugMate, it's also not necessary and potentially easy to lose. Leave it at home and shed almost half an ounce.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Value


Of all the coffee makers included in this review, the MugMate is not the most or least expensive. It is, however, the lightest weight option outside of instant coffee in our test suite, and it is a fairly inexpensive option for the weight and durability it provides. For long-haul backpacking and adventures where every gram counts, the MugMate proves to be of incomparable value. This easy-to-use and ultra-durable brewer does not require paper filters, nor does it require a delicate hand. It is easy to brew with, easy to clean, and durable (as long as you are careful with the mug tabs). Use and abuse it, and you will still be sure to have a fantastic backcountry brewing method for years to come.

Conclusion


What is not to love about the MSR MugMate? It is ultra-lightweight, durable, and among the easiest to use. You can use it to brew both coffee and loose leaf tea, and you could also use it to pre-filter large sediment and earth matter out of your water. When making coffee for your whole crew, there are better options out there. But, in a pinch, it is easy to clean, rinse, and refill for each additional cup. While coffee professionals concur that this brewer doesn't produce the best flavor, it is completely drinkable and feather-light, making it a great choice for backpacking.

msr mugmate - the mugmate is an excellent option for backpacking and any trip...
The MugMate is an excellent option for backpacking and any trip where you might also have tea drinkers.
Credit: Penney Garrett

Mary Witlacil and Penney Garrett