Abstract This paper presents a new class of microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonator filter with reduced size and improved stopband characteristics. A comprehensive treatment of both resonator ends loaded with triangular and rectangular shapes is described, leading to the invention of a microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonator. A four-resonator bandpass filter is designed at the operating frequency about 2 GHz, bandwidth of 60 MHz. The size of the slow-wave open-loop resonator is optimized from the standpoint of the unloaded Q -factor. The proposed filter is not only compact size due to the slow-wave effect but also has a wider upper stopband resulting from the dispersion effect. The filter design of this type will be described in detail. The experimental results are demonstrated and discussed.