If you are the type of person who loves to be out in nature, with the safety and ease of knowing that you are drinking pure, refreshing water, then these portable filters are perfect for your next adventure.
Imagine it’s a hot, sunny day – you’re sweating and thirsty from a beautiful hike, and you realize you have no water, then you reach down into a cool, mountain stream, fill up your bottle, and keep walking.
When selecting a portable water filter, whether active carbon or iodinated resin, it can help remove bacteria and viruses found in water sources, plus other contaminants and pollutants found in groundwater and tap water – including possibly fluoride, chlorine, and heavy metals, depending upon the filter (up to 99.99%).
Even in cities with relatively clean water, these portable water filters are recommended for optimal performance for removing contaminants, plus they’re designed for outdoor sports, hiking, camping, and survival and emergency situations.
For a boost in health and wellness, these filters are great items to keep in your glovebox, gear bag, and for your daily water bottles. You get the clear purity of ultra-filtered water wherever you are; whether filling up at the soccer field, office or serene mountain lake while trekking.
Table of Contents
How do the Top 7 Compare?
Here’s where you can read about the water bottle filters that I recommend in more depth. Find out which filters have the best features, what people who reviewed the items had to say, a link to purchase, and more.
Product | Features | Our Rating | Checkout |
---|---|---|---|
SaverPak Seychelle BottleAdvanced filter, Large 28 oz. bottle, BPA-free plastic | 95% | ||
LifeStraw Go Water2-Stage filtration, BPA-free bottle, the Charity program | 85% | ||
Survivor Filter3-Stage Filtration, Squeeze bags, Extra filters | 90% | ||
Sport BerkeyEasy to carry, Self-filtering, BPA free bottle | 85% | ||
SurviMateBuilt-in compass, BPA free plastic, Easy to use | 90% | ||
Outdoors 365BPA free filter bottle, Built-in Compass, plus Carabiner | 90% | ||
Time Whale Song2-Stage filter, Reusable BPA-free bottle, Leak-proof design, Included cleaning kit | 90% |
SaverPak Seychelle Bottle
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: Advanced filter, Large 28 oz. bottle, BPA-free plastic
For people looking to buy the best filtration available plus an extra large bottle for travelling to Mexico or for exploring the wilderness of your own backyard, this Seychelle filter design offers iodinated resin that removes up to 99.99% of fluorine, bacteria and heavy metals, including lead – winning the #1 pick for filter to get when searching for advanced purity beyond a simple layer of carbon – providing the best for your top performance.
I really like the interchangeable filters, especially the Supreme filter option, which the best level of filtration and pure water for you to drink with added alkalinization.
They are good for 100 gals of water, equivalent to saving 1,207 bottles of water for the environment and your wallet!
Now, the draw pressure it takes to pull the water through this filter straw does increase with their Supreme filter, so if that would be an issue, you could always go with the Advanced option. I prefer the top level of filtration, so I chose the Supreme.
- Alkaline pH filter options
- Makes water taste delicious from the tap and outdoors
- For use in extreme conditions
- May require a lot of pressure to use straw
- Possibly leaks when the straw is not closed properly
Results
The SaverPak Seychelle model with Supreme filter option provides an advanced filtration system plus an extra large BPA-free bottle for extended trips.
So far, this bottle is #1 on my list for purity and carrying capacity, and I would recommend buying the Supreme filter for the added bonus of alkalinization, which is so important for achieving your best level of wellness.
LifeStraw Go Water
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: 2-Stage filtration, BPA-free bottle, the Charity program
Now, if you are looking for a filter bottle that will save you in a pinch, PLUS with a charitable social mission?
Then it‘s this one.
Whether filling up on the trail or keeping yourself and your belly happy on a trip to New Delhi, this LifeStraw water bottle has a 2-stage filter design with a semipermeable membrane and active carbon which will help save you from bacteria, stomach viruses, and chlorine in tap water overseas.
No need to carry tablets or bottled water – in fact, the water you filter through this straw will most likely be even cleaner than most standards of bottled water. Now you can drink the purest water at home and abroad.
Plus, the added bonus of the LifeStraw brand includes a wonderful charity program, and they donate safe drinking water to children overseas for an entire school year with each purchase.
One of the possible issues that some people had with the LifeStraw is that it leaks when tipped over, possibly contaminating the mouthpiece – especially if your water source is questionable.
The best way to avoid this is to keep the bottle packed tight, upright in your pack or in a cup holder so that it won‘t tip over.
Other than that, reviewers were really happy with this model, without the need for water purification tablets or pumps, you can now carry just one – the LifeStraw Go Water.
- Saves you from common stomach bugs overseas
- Social charity 1-for-1 giving the program
- Easy to pack in your bag
- May leak unfiltered water when turned over, so keep upright
- Does not remove all fluorine or heavy metals.
Results
For an economical option that would be great to use at the gym and while traveling, the LifeStraw is a great choice paired with a social benefit mission to help give kids access to clean drinking water.
If you are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to buying bottled water paired with a notable social mission, the LifeStraw is a really cool option.
Survivor Filter
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: 3-Stage Filtration, Squeeze bags, Extra filters
If you are on a mission to find the best portable water filter adaptable to diverse conditions, the Survivor Filter was built for you.
With extra filters and interchangeable parts, the Survivor includes USA quality testing and easy maintenance, with a 3-Stage filter and better protection than comparable brands, plus it comes with spare cotton pre-filters, making it a good choice for storage and camping.
Two things that I really like about this model is 1) the Squeeze Canteen bags available in the Squeeze Kit upgrade, which makes the whole filtration process so much easier.
For groups or filling up multiple jugs, this is the one to go with and 2) the mouthpiece cap that pops on and off is a feature that helps to keep things clean.
Think about it: if you are caught in an emergency, do you want to be sucking a straw out of a puddle while spitting it mouthful by mouthful into your date’s canteen, or do you want to simply lean down, fill up the canteens, get up, connect them to the filter straw, and squeeze the bags for a steady flow of filtered water right into your cup?
If you are like me, you probably will go with Survivor model just for the added option of the canteens.
Oh, and I forgot to mention..
Speaking of being adaptable, you can use Dasani or Smart bottles to connect as squeeze bottles, just in case.
So what are you waiting for?
Equip yourself with this filter straw for cleaner water and you will be more than prepared for your next camping trip or survival situation.
- Squeeze Kit upgrade
- 3-Stage filtration
- Customer support
- Filtration rate slows after the first liter of water
- Use a cloth to pre-filter for best results
Results
If you are looking for a great filter for your bug-out bag or dedicated water bottle for the gym, go with this one.
Make sure to choose the Squeeze Kit with two canteens, and you will be sure to be all set for hiking, backpacking, traveling, and emergency situations.
Sport Berkey
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: Easy to carry, Self-filtering, BPA free bottle
Want to make your water safer, plus eco-friendly? Now you can go zero waste with this portable bottle filter by Berkey, could be perfect for your lifestyle! Ideal for hiking, biking, the gym and daily use, this Sports model is portable and lightweight for easy carrying.
Just make sure to keep it upright when filled in your bag! It drips when tipped over, so probably not the best choice for your kid‘s backpack – yet for keeping in your car, it would be awesome!
Use for filling up at water fountains or even river streams, plus you get the confidence that you are drinking clean water, free of chlorine and contaminants.
For improving your health and wellness, it’s easy to carry and saves plastic bottles from going into the ocean!
One thing to be aware of is that it’s important to give the straw a light cleaning from time to time so algae don‘t form.
Also, the bottle will require some getting used to since it requires a bit more suction than a regular straw, and it‘s totally worth it! For clean drinking water, the Sport Berkey is a nice choice.
- Great taste with a lightweight design
- Eco-friendly
- Leaks or drips when tipped over in the bag, keep upright
- Filter straws for hand wash only
Results
If you are looking for an easy filter bottle to carry with you on-the-go, this is a great choice. Some people don‘t like that a sports bottle can‘t be inverted without leaking, yet if you are doing light exercise and can keep it upright, overall it‘s a sexy choice.
For more wellness, get this filter bottle by Sport Berkey.
SurviMate
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: Built-in compass, BPA free plastic, Easy to use
Looking to get your scout a bottle for using on the trail, and in the city? Then this SurviMate water bottle with integrated filter is for you. Plus, it has a built-in compass, just in case you ever need to use it.
For wandering around the streets of Münich, to hiking on a wilderness trail, with this bottle you will know that you are protected to drink clean, filtered water.
Of course, there are certain instructions to follow, and you probably will benefit by giving it a regular cleaning just like you would with another bottle.
Great for emergency and survival situations, or for just keeping with you in your car or backpack, this filter bottle will greatly improve the quality of your drinking water, and allow you to live a healthier life, free of toxic chemicals and common residuals found in treated water.
With the SurviMate, you can rest assured that you and your family‘s health will be protected, plus you have a backup plan when you forget to bring water on your next vacation. You‘ll be all set. Maybe you‘ll even get an extra one as a gift? Try the SurviMate for ultimate survival.
- Ideal size for the gym (25 oz)
- Great tasting
- Coconut filter
- Requires extra effort to sip versus using a pitcher
- Doesn‘t fit standard cup holders
Results
Apart from the water tasting great, I was won over with the compass. Clean water wherever you go, plus a compass for hiking or survival situations.
Could you really go wrong?
Just remember to follow the directions, don‘t use with salt water, and this filter by SurviMate will last a long time, even with regular use.
Change the filters every 3 months or so, keep clean, and you‘ll improve your health getting one of these today.
Outdoors 365
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: BPA free filter bottle, Built-in Compass, plus Carabiner
For another great choice for your outdoor and city adventures, this water bottle by Outdoors 365 is super easy to use and you will never get lost with the built-in compass.
It has a 2-stage filter straw that removes 99.99% of harmful bacteria and other contaminants, making most groundwater drinkable – ideal for camping or emergency situations.
Users reported an awesome taste, plus feeling safer while in nature. Reviewers like that the BPA-free bottle is durable and sturdy for short trips and long-term backpacking.
For biking and summer weather, it holds a lot of cold water and can be very refreshing. Whether in the middle of the woods or before your next flight at the airport, this water filter bottle will improve your health and essential safety.
You are what you drink!
This Outdoors 365 travel filter will help you achieve your optimal wellness, at home and on-the-road.
- Built-in compass
- Handy gift item
- Great for trekking
- One user reported that the seal does not hold once taken apart. May require care to put back in precisely after cleaning
Results
For everyday use and higher purity than bottled water, this portable filter by Outdoors 365 is an excellent option to buy.
It is low-priced and provides essential filtration for your health, giving you better, double filtered water for drinking.
For use with sports, camping and daily errands, this filter is a great choice.
Time Whale Song
Our Rating:
Price: Check the latest price
Key Features: 2-Stage filter, Reusable BPA-free bottle, Leak-proof design, Included cleaning kit
If you are looking to go on extended trips and not worry about getting sick from the water overseas, then this portable filter bottle by Time Whale Song is for you.
It has an extended filter life of up to 1500 liters for tap water, ideal for work and travel, plus an extra fine 0.01-micron filter for cleaner drinking water, this bottle is dishwasher safe – but not the filter straw – which can be washed by hand with warm water and the added cleaning brush.
With its fiber membrane and coconut activated carbon filter, this model can filter up to 99.99% of common bacteria like E. Coli, Giardia, and other organic contaminants.
Plus this filter helps reduce odor, chlorine, some heavy metals, and leaves zero aftertastes.
For proper use, fill up at fresh and groundwater sources like brooks, ponds, puddles and tap water. Caution: do not use with sea water, carbonated beverages or alcohols.
Don‘t use with hot water, freezing water, extremely dirty water, or industrially polluted water.
Ideal for using directly in rivers and lakes without carrying a cup or tons of water. Users reported a durable design and love the eco-friendly price. So, why not get a few?
- 0.01 Micron filter
- Bonus cleaning brush
- Leak-Proof design
- No glass layer between plastic
Results
When looking for a water filter, the TWS bottle offers superior quality water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water, with lots of benefits by using less plastic.
You get a BPA-free bottle, hours and hours of use and the confidence of drinking water that is cleaner and better for your health.
Editor’s Choice
Wow! So now that I listed all the reviews for the filters, included below are my top 3 choices for best in price, best in treatment rate, and the overall best value for the money. OK, here are my top 3 picks:
Best in Price
SaverPak Seychelle Bottle
The Seychelle bottle wins the award for best at price with its advanced filtration options and extra-large 28 fluid ounce design. The interchangeable filters offer ultra-customization and long-life for your investment, making it Best in Price, although one of the higher priced options on the list.
Best in Treatment Rate
Survivor Filter + Squeeze Kit
The Survivor bottle is my personal favorite, and it happens to also have the best flow rate among other bottles thanks to the optional canteens in the Squeeze Kit upgrade. In addition to using the straw, you also can quickly filter liters of water at a time with the Survivor, the best choice for a steady Treatment Rate.
Overall Best Value for the Money
Outdoors 365 Portable Filter
The Outdoors 365 wins the award for the best value for the money due its super cool built-in compass and reliability from leaks. If you are looking for a model between the $averPak and the Survivor, then get this one and you will never get lost.
In addition to being able to fill up on-the-go, and being ideal for people traveling abroad, these water filters are great for people who like to be prepared wherever they go. Because clean drinking water is such an essential for daily survival, an outdoor water bottle that allows you to drink water overseas or directly from rivers, streams and lakes is an essential item for your travel kit. In fact, getting a couple of them for your family probably wouldn’t hurt!
Why Get a Filter Bottle?
If you are still wondering why to get a filter straw or bottle for daily use and outdoor excursions, then this might be of interest to you:
While the water from the faucet may look crystal clear, it likely contains pollutants according to test results released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Even in 1st world countries, there have been common contaminants and pollutants found in tap water by the EWG. That’s why using a filter bottle is your most important DIY step to drinking cleaner water and ultimately preventing stomach bugs or future concerns.
The fact is that you can take steps to make sure that you and your family are getting the cleanest, safest water possible. We can journey to the northern glacier formation, climb the mountain to the hidden source of the purest water stream of ice, fill up our bottles and hike back down… and then install a new home filter to remove the majority of the contaminants mentioned above. Journey to the mountain, or go to the beach, just bring your filter bottle and you’ll be fine.
How does it work?
All the filters in the list work by filtering in 1, 2 or 3 stages. Most are primarily based on Carbon Filters – this is a relatively efficient and common way to purify water, based on using a carbon filter, which absorbs a large number of chemicals, like most of the chlorine and other residuals. These designs can range from a filter straw like the Survivor, that can be used with squeeze bags, to the filter bottle that filters the water through a carbon straw as you drink it. Carbon filters are great at removing a number of chemicals, including chlorine, benzene, radon, solvents trihalomethane compounds, VOCs such as pesticides and herbicides and many other industrial and agricultural chemicals that may be found in tap water as it travels through the pipes.
Carbon filters improve taste and quality, yet there are some things to remember, like that for your home it would be wise to get a Reverse Osmosis system to remove an even higher percentile of dissolved inorganic contaminants and heavy metals. For portable use, the filter straw and iodinated resin designs listed above are excellent.
What’s at risk?
Heavy Metals – found in residential homes built before 1986, one of the main metals that are most likely to be found is lead from the water pipes, fixtures, and solder. That’s because Congress didn’t prohibit the use of lead-based pipes before then, which means many neighborhoods still register for dangerous levels of exposure. Other heavy metals registered in tap water are mercury, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic and radon, each with their own health concerns.
Carcinogens – made popular in the Oscar-nominated film Erin Brockovich, which first informed the general public about the presence of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals in our water supplies. The most common and most dangerous contaminant in tap water all over the country is hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6. Other types of carcinogens and neurotoxins found in water supplies include: benzene, chlorine, fluoride, dimethyl disulfide, carbon disulfide, Naphthalene, trimethylbenzene and the list continues.
Chloroform – this chemical found in water is a byproduct of the chlorination process. Bathing or showering in chlorinated tap water exposes individuals to toxic chloroform, the famous chemical used on handkerchiefs to make people pass out.
Trihalomethanes – these are from the reaction between the chlorine used in tap water and the dissolution of natural organic matter in the water. At higher levels, they have been associated with health problems like cancer and difficulties in pregnancy.
Viruses and Bacteria – these are water-borne pathogens that are sometimes found in high levels in tap water posing a moderate to high health concern including adenovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A and E viruses, rotavirus, norovirus and others, too.
Go For the Best
At the end of the day, there are more than a handful of filters here that you can choose from. I hope you feel you learned something and go on to upgrade to clean, pure water (at least 99%) with a better portable water filter for your daily routine and to travel. At the end of the day it’s all about quality, and choosing the right water filter that works for you, paired with the best purity rate for an all-around great decision for your health. If this review helped you, and you have an idea or question to add to the discussion, please feel free to send in your comment, and get in touch. I look forward to hearing about your experiences with the filter you choose. Good luck!
+10 points for reading all water bottle filters for camping list, now you can choose the best portable water filter for you and your family! Adios, and Cheers to your health! Why not get one now?