If you want to know how to purify water in the wild and stay safe during your travels, you need to select the best portable water filter that offers the most features at an affordable price. Our extensive research found the LifeStraw lives up to its reputation and offers the most portable option. For camping with friends and family, we found the Go Berkey Kit provides the most water in the least amount of time. As for purification tablets, the Potable Aquas performed the best.
Reusable LifeStraw Go BPA-free water bottle filters water while drinking; great for travel, backpacking, camping, and emergency kits
LifeStraw hollow fiber membrane water filter removes bacteria and protozoa from lakes, streams to ensure safe, clean drinking water
Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites without chemicals, iodine or batteries
Durable, 23-ounce, leak-proof bottle made of BPA-free Tritan and features a food-grade silicone mouthpiece; replacement filters available separately
Some users complain of filter breakdown when not constantly using
Limited volume capacity
stainless steel Go Berkey, made of high-quality AISI 304 stainless steel polished to a high luster
1 qt Storage capacity, is 3 lbs empty, measures 14" high with a 4" diameter and produces up to 1 gallon of purified drinking water per hour.
Filters 99.9% of bacteria and viruses as well as other contaminants like lead.
More expensive than most portable filters but makes up for it in purifying capabilities
Slower water flow through filter
Proven protection against bacteria and protozoan cysts down to 0.2 micron with pleated glass-fiber filter media
4-Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
The field cleanable filter protector screen extends the life of the cartridge in challenging conditions
Long-time trusted option for backpackers with it's ultra-light 11oz, compact size and compatibility with hydration bladders
Lid can sometimes not seal properly
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If you consume tap water as is, you expose yourself to lead, mercury, chlorine, herbicides and even pesticides. Many of these substances can affect the taste and color of tap water and some are even powerful enough to produce an odor.
However, that’s not the worst part. These contaminants put you at risk of numerous diseases. Gastrointestinal issues, reproductive problems and neurological illnesses are some of the health risks that contaminated water pose. The best way to prevent your immune system from being compromised is by getting a water filter. But when you have a busy life and tend to travel a lot, what you need is the best portable water filter.
Best Portable Water Filter
LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw for Hiking, Backpacking, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness
Pros
- 2-stage activated carbon filter
- 23-ounce capacity
- 0.2-micron pores
Cons
- Difficult to suck water from the bottle
Made of BPA free tritan, Lifestraw Go water filter bottle is just the environment-friendly product you’ve been looking for. It is perfect for use during travelling and camping and is a great addition to your emergency kit.
This product is a success with users because it has a 2-stage activated carbon filter installed inside. The filter helps to reduce chlorine and remove odor from water. Unlike common filters that just remove contaminants, Lifestraw Go makes sure the filtration process doesn’t leave an aftertaste. The 23-ounce water bottle is leak proof and is able to remove 99.99%of waterborne bacteria. It is also effective in removing waterborne parasites without using any batteries or chemicals.
The microfiltration membrane has 0.2-micron sized pores that trap all the contaminants and parasites in the water. So, the next time you need a handy device, you know which product to opt for. This is just the water filter backpacking product you need to make your trips safe. Going through Lifestraw reviews, we found that many users complained that it’s difficult to suck water from the bottle.
Best Camping Water Filter
Go Berkey Kit (1 qt.) Water Filter with Black Berkey Primer and Sport Berkey Bottle (22 oz.)
Pros
- Additional components increase life of the product
- Purifies 6000 gallons of water
- Compact product
Cons
- Leaky filter
- Changes taste of water
If you want to know how to purify water in the wild for a few people at once, we’ve got just the product for you. Berkey Water Filter System is a compact device, just 23” tall, but it completely purifies water for you. By removing 99.9999% of viruses and pathogenic bacteria, the filter system ensures that you and your family have access to clean and safe drinking water wherever you go. It also helps to significantly reduce protozoa in the water so that it is perfect for consumption.
What users love about this emergency water filter system is its durability. You can filter and purify 6,000 gallons of water with the existing components and replace them after that to increase the purification power of the product by 6,000 gallons!
So, if you are planning a few days of camping by the river, don’t forget to pack the Berkey Water Filter System too. This product has a gravity water filter system that you need to enjoy delicious and nourishing drinking water in the wild.
Berkey Water Filter System provides great relief to travelling families, but some users aren’t a fan of this product. A handful of users complained that the filters started leaking after just a few months and had a significant impact on the taste of the water.
Best Survival Water Filter
Sawyer Products Squeeze Water Filter System
Pros
- Hands-free water consumption
- Standard threaded top
- 0.1-micron pores
- Light weight
Cons
- Flimsy bag rips under pressure
- Filter tends to leak
If you are looking for a simple first need water filter system that is easy to carry around, you’ll fall in love with Sawyer’s Squeeze Water Filter System. It is a durable product that collapses to fit in the palm of your hand. Now that’s a completely portable product!
The Squeeze Water Filter System is reusable and can clean water taken from any fresh water source. Be it a lake or a river, you can quench your thirst easily. The 0.1-microninline filter just weighs 2 ounces so it’s convenient to carry around.
If you are into cycling and need a hydration solution that doesn’t require both hands, you’ll be delighted with the wonders of Sawyer’s Squeeze Water Filter System. You can use the pouch to spray water directly in your mouth or store it in a bottle. Either way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you can remove 99.99999% of bacteria and protozoa. You can also protect yourself from cysts such as E. coli and Salmonella. Using the adapters you can also create a gravity water filtration system.
The best part about this product is that the squeeze filter can be screwed onto bottles with the standard threaded top. This means you don’t need a specific bottle to take advantage of this opportunity. Despite the many benefits of sawyer products mini water filtration system, some users didn’t like the product and complained that it ripped when they applied pressure. Other customers had issues with the filter, which they claim leaked after the first few uses. This led many users to believe that it’s the poor design of the product that is causing all the issues.
Best Backpacking Water Filter
Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter
Pros
- Quick-connect fittings
- Filters 11 ounce
- 0.2-micron pores
Cons
- Leaky carbon core
- Stiff plunger handle
Activated carbon core is the distinguishing feature of Katadyn pocket water filters. It helps to reduce chemicals and also improves the taste of the water. At the same time, the 0.2-micron filter purifies the water, making it safe to drink. So, whatever the source of water is, Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter helps protect you from harmful organisms.
To keep you well hydrated, the manufacturers have designed Quick-connect fittings that help you sip water on the go. Just connect the fittings to the ¼ inch hydration pack connections and stay hydrated throughout your trip.
The filter protection screen is an additional feature that makes sure the contaminants don’t wear out the filter quickly. The screen also helps you clean highly contaminated water with the best results.
The compact and lightweight design of the product makes it perfect for hikers and cyclists who rave about this product. It is ultra-light and can help you filter 11 oz of water at a time. Another great feature about the portable water filter is that it’s also compatible with hydration bladders.
Other than its functionality, users also love the transparent design of this product. It allows you to take a look at the filtration process. Watching the process is mesmerizing and it indicates that the product is working as advertised. Customer views about Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Filter System are mostly favorable; however, some users did find a few faults in the product. A few complained that the activated carbon core kept leaking from the first use, while others found that the pumping mechanism is too difficult. They had to pump with all their might, which caused the handle to break after a few uses.
Best Salt Water Portable Water Filter
Survivor Filter Pro
Pros
- Meets the US EPA drinking water standards
- Uses 3-stage filtration technology
- Filters 17-ounce every minute
- 0.1-micron pores
Cons
- Flimsy plunger handle
- Can’t filter heavy metals
Survivor Filter PRO is a great product that you can use to filter water on the go. The dual hollow fiber membrane provides the product a filtration power of 0.1 microns, thus removing 99.999% bacteria, staph and virus from the water. This product has a large fan base, as it removes lead and mercury as effectively as a home filter system.
Another feature that makes it a favorite for travelers is the fast filtration speed. You can filter 17 oz. of water per minute. Hence, this product is the perfect choice for families who like to travel. The fast flow rate gives you clean and safe water within a minute, so you can quench your thirst quickly.
For this product, manufacturers have used Polysulfone medical grade filter that was also used to make the visors for the Apollo astronauts. The device cleans and purifies water in three stages. Stage one makes use of the ultra-filter pre-filter to remove algae and E. coli. The second stage makes use of the carbon filter to reduce chemicals and heavy metals from the water and the last stage uses the internal ultra-filter, clears out staph and virus. Thus, the water passes through 3 filters.
This product is also BPA free and the shell is made with ABS material. All in all, these materials combine to make this survival water filter a durable product that also improves the taste and odor of the water. The product comes highly recommended and meets the US EPA drinking water standards.
Even the long list of features doesn’t seem to satisfy everyone as some users did find faults with the product. Some users complained that the plunger handle wasn’t sturdy enough and snapped after a few uses. Others weren’t too happy about the filter’s performance and criticized its inability to filter heavy metals.
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets With PA Plus
Pros
- Purifies water in 35 minutes
- Removes iodine taste
Cons
- Doesn’t remove dust particles
- The iodine may stain the bladder
Storms and heavy rains can damage or break pipelines, which in turn will influence the quality of drinking water. That’s why you need a solution that can help filter the water, purify it and make it safe to consume.
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets can purify water for you. All you need to do is add the tablets to the water body and wait. The tablets will complete the purification process within 35 minutes, and you’ll be able to enjoy suitable drinking water. Now there’s no need to fear contaminated water because this product will help make the water bacteriologically sound.
When you are using this product, make sure you follow the given instructions on the pack, and you can make any water suitable for consumption. Add two tablets for every liter of water to remove all the bacteria and to get safe drinking water.
A pack contains 50 tablets, which means you can easily purify 25 liters of water within a reasonable amount of time. The PA plus neutralizing tablets included in the pack helps to remove the iodine taste and color, making the water just like regular tap water, minus the contaminants of course. However, if the water is muddy, it will still be muddy after the treatment. The contaminants in it will be gone but the particles will remain in there. You’ll have to use a filter to clean it away or let them settle at the bottom before drinking the water.
Even though the product promises pure and clean water, some users aren’t impressed with it. A handful complained that the water was a bit murky and didn’t look safe to drink. The taste was also described as awful, making it difficult to consume. Some even complained that the tablets stained their bladder.
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Conclusion
Whether you’re planning a hiking trip or intend to visit a country on the farthest corner of the world, you can ensure your safety with the help of these emergency water filters. Even salt water doesn’t stand a chance against the best saltwater purifier on the market. So, plan your next trip with ease of mind, and know that you can now easily keep gastrointestinal issues at bay!
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