There are pros and cons to this conical, gold-coated filter. I'm still using mine after 7 years, with one replacement, so overall, I prefer this to paper filters with some comments on pros and cons:
Pros:
You can reduce the use of paper products.
You never run out of paper filters
Makes a decent cup of coffee
Fits machine that use number 4 cone filters (I use a DeLonghi drip machine; this will fit a number of coffee machines, not just Cuisinart.)
Cons:
Finer grinds make their way through this filter. So there is more sludge in the bottom of the carafe. The paper filters seem to retain more of the fines, and you get less sludge. The last, let's say, quarter cup of cofee in the bottom of the carafe is not drinkable.
The gold eventually wears off. It is bonded to the mesh, but gold is relatively inert and doesn't bond well to anything. So I have replaced this filter once, when the gold wore off. Once in six years, which isn't bad.
Summary: I like this filter enough to replace my number 4 paper filters and I use it every day.