Genuine Fred Relaxolotl Tea Infuser Review – Is It Worth the Hype?

You want loose-leaf tea without the fuss. Tea balls leak. Mesh strainers clog. And bagged tea feels wasteful.

Fred & Friends

Genuine Fred RELAXOLOTL Tea Infuser, Cute Axolotl…

FUN AND FUNCTIONAL: Add a splash of charm to your next cup of tea with Fred’s Relaxolotl!

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So you see a cute silicone axolotl that holds leaves, clips onto your mug, and claims to be dishwasher-safe. It’s called the Genuine Fred Relaxolotl Tea Infuser. Does it actually work, or is it just a novelty that collects dust? I tested one to find out, and here’s my honest genuine fred relaxolotl tea infuser review — no fluff, just the facts.

Let’s start with what it does well.

What Does the Relaxolotl Actually Do Differently?

Most tea infusers are rigid metal balls or flat baskets. This one is a soft, squeezable silicone creature about the size of your thumb. You pop its head open, fill the body with loose tea, close it, and hang it on your mug rim using its little arms. The tail acts as a counterweight so it stays submerged.

Fred & Friends made this from food-safe, BPA-free silicone that’s heat-resistant and tasteless. That means it won’t add a rubber flavor to your tea, which is a real problem with some cheap silicone products. I’ve used infusers that left a faint plastic taste in the first few steeps — this one didn’t.

Cleaning is dead simple. You flip the head open, dump the wet leaves, rinse with hot water. It’s also microwave-safe if you want to reheat your cup (though I wouldn’t push it past 30 seconds). Dishwasher-safe, too, which is rare for a novelty infuser.

Does It Actually Steep Tea Well?

Yes, with one caveat. The body holds about two teaspoons of loose leaves — enough for a standard mug (8-10 oz). Water flows through the slit at the top and through the arms. Because the silicone is flexible, you can squeeze the body gently to agitate the leaves mid-steep, which helps extraction.

The downside: the opening is smaller than it looks. Finely ground tea (like matcha dust or very broken Assam) can seep out into your cup. I got a few stray bits in my Earl Grey. For whole-leaf teas like oolong or chamomile, it’s perfectly fine. Stick with coarser cuts and you’ll have a clean cup.

Strengths and Weaknesses – The Honest List

• Fun factor is real. The axolotl face is genuinely cute. I’ve had three different friends ask where I got it after they saw it hanging off my mug. It’s a conversation starter, not a dust collector.
• Silicone is high quality. No off-gassing smell out of the box, no taste transfer. The material feels thick enough to last years if you don’t chew on it.
• Easy to clean. Rinses clean in five seconds. Dishwasher top rack works great.
• Not great for fine tea dust. If you drink powdered teas or very broken leaves, you’ll get sediment. That’s the trade-off for the soft silicone design.
• Small capacity. It fits a normal mug, but if you use a 16-ounce travel cup, you’ll need two infusers or a stronger steeping method. The arms also don’t grip thick mug rims well — I had to balance it on my Le Creuset.
• No lid or base. After steeping, you have to set it on a napkin or spoon rest. A tiny plastic tray would have been nice.

Who Should Buy It? Who Should Pass?

Buy it if: You drink loose-leaf tea at home or in the office, you want something more sustainable than tea bags, and you appreciate a bit of whimsy on your desk. It’s a great gift for tea lovers who already have all the standard gear. Also good for kids learning to brew — the silicone won’t break if dropped.

Skip it if: You primarily drink finely ground teas (matcha, very broken Darjeeling). Or if you brew large quantities (pots, travel mugs). Or if you need something that fits every mug shape without wobbling. Also skip if zero loose-leaf mess is your absolute priority — a fine-mesh stainless steel infuser like the nstaygate tea infuser catches every speck.

Final Verdict – Is the Relaxolotl Worth It?

Yes, for the right person. This isn’t the most precise infuser on the market, and it won’t replace a proper teapot for serious brewing. But it does exactly what it promises: makes a single cup of loose-leaf tea easily, with a smile. The silicone quality is better than I expected from a novelty item, and the cleanup is faster than any metal infuser I own.

If you buy one, check the current price on Amazon — it fluctuates, but it usually lands around the same as a reusable tea bag set. For that money, you get a reusable, sustainable tool that’s genuinely fun to use. If you’re on the fence, read a few other ototo enchan tea infuser reviews for comparison — the gnome is another popular silicone option. But the Relaxolotl’s charm is unique.

Bottom line: It’s a genuine fred relaxolotl tea infuser review summary in one sentence — a well-made, cute, practical tool for everyday loose-leaf drinkers who don’t grind their own powder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Relaxolotl fit all mug sizes?

It works best with standard mug rims (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick). Very thick pottery or wide travel mugs may not hold the arms securely — the infuser can slip sideways. I had to prop it on my Yeti mug.

Can you use it with a teapot?

Technically yes, but it’s designed for a single mug. The arms hang on the rim. In a teapot, you’d need to drop the whole thing in and fish it out afterward. Not ideal. For a pot, a dedicated infuser basket works better.

Is the silicone safe for boiling water?

Yes. Fred & Friends states it’s heat-resistant food-grade silicone. I poured 212°F water directly over it multiple times with no issue. It doesn’t warp or discolor.

How much tea does it hold?

About two level teaspoons of most loose-leaf teas. Enough for one strong 8-ounce cup. If you like a very weak brew, you can use less; the body will still stay closed.

Does the axolotl smell like plastic when new?

Mine didn’t. I gave it a quick rinse before first use, and there was zero odor. That’s rare for silicone novelties. If you do notice a faint smell, a soak in hot water and baking soda should knock it out.

Ready to buy? Check the latest price on Amazon