I've tried several versions of a tea ball, a couple that I just had hanging around, and then one or two new ones via Amazon. I've started drinking herbal tea with meals, and so started experimenting again.One I already had on hand was basically two spoons with holes in the spoons and a handle you could squeeze to open. But was a pain to fill (holding the handle open while filing it with the other hand, or trying to scoop the tea out with the spoons separated). Not a great solution.I got another one from Amazon that was a small finely meshed, small-enough-to-fit-in-a-cup canister made out of metal. The metal lips on the top of the canister rested on the top of the cup. It was pretty, and had the advantage of retaining even the most fine-grained pieces of tea, but the holes were so tiny that the water barely got through them even after a few uses and careful washing.This one is a keeper. The mesh is not too fine, and what tiny specks leak through are barely noticeable in the brewed tea. The little rock at the end keeps the chain from slipping into the cup. The ball is easily opened and then re-latched. The half ball size is just right for the amount of tea I use, and is easy to fill. It can be cleaned thoroughly and quickly.This one passes all the tests.