Tea Balls Buy Now from TeaBallsDirect.com
These are the most common and popular way to use loose tea. They come in different shapes and styles, but they are typically a perforated metal ball that you fill with tea. Let the ball steep in your hot water, and then you pull it out. The most basic ones are a wire mesh ball on a short chain. Tea balls are usually used for single-cup brewing, but you can get larger ones for a whole pot.

Tea Strainers Buy one now
Strainers fit into the top of your cup and catches the leaves as you pour your tea through them, when you brew in a pot. Tea strainers of this kind are usually either sterling silver or china, and I find them much more elegant than the tea balls. Most strainers come in a set, with the strainer part and a small saucer for it to sit in between cups.

Tea Pots with Built-in Filters
There are a wide variety of pots that fit in this category. Folks who make tea frequently love these types of pots. It's a little more convenient than the strainers, because you don't have to filter every cup you pour. Teeli makes several very nice models.

Tea Presses
Just like a coffee press, but for tea. When your tea is steeped to your liking, you just press the plunger and the leaves are pressed to the bottom. Like the pots mentioned above, these are the best ideas when making several cups at a time.

Filter bags Buy online now
There are a few different kinds of these little do-it-yourself teabags. You can get them in reusable cloth or disposable paper. Simple to use, just fill them with tea and pop them in your pot or cup.

These are just some of the basic types of filters or strainers. I'm sure there are a few good gadgets that I've missed. But as you can see, there are lots of ways to clear the dregs out of your cup when using loose tea. (Buy Some Now)