The range of water filtration options can be overwhelming. We've created a handy hydration guide to help you with some of your questions, along with a comparison chart on our popular filter choices.
Filter Comparison Chart
Tablets vs Filters
- Tablets are the lightest option available
- Over the lifetime of a filter they are MUCH cheaper
- Tablets do nothing to make water more palatable, in fact they have a mild chlorine taste which takes some getting used to. If using tablets, a t-shirt can be used to "pre-filter" the water to make it a little less muddy but the water coming out the other side will still be brown
- Tablets generally will kill all viruses and parasites, whereas filters are generally only effective against bacteria and larger parasites
- Filters are higher effort but more immediate effort. In water <10C tablets will require two hours in the water before it is safe to drink.
What to Look For in a Filter
- Weight: Our lightest option is the Lifestraw Peak Solo at 48g. The Kataydyn BeFree 0.6L is another featherweight choice, weighing in at 59g for the filter and included silicone squeeze bottle.
- Lifetime: Depending on the design of the microporous filter they use, filters vary significantly in the functional lifetime (note: filters will need to be backflushable or washable in some other way to reach anywhere close to their advertised lifetime) which can make a big difference to “price per litre” over their lifetime.
- Fittings and versatility: The most common thread configuration on a filter is one male and one female 28mm thread. This is a very common thread found on many softbottles, soft drink bottles, and all sorts of vessels. Some filters have different threads that may be less versatile or require an adaptor. If you want to use your filter with a bladder look out for inline capability
- Viruses and parasites: All our filters remove bacteria, but few will remove viruses, and parasite capability varies. None of our hiking filters remove heavy metals.
- Can the cartridge be replaced?
Gravity Filtration Systems
Gravity filtration systems can be ideal where ease of use, higher capacity, and convenience for multiple users are important. Non-gravity personal water filters, on the other hand, are more suited for individual, on-the-go use, and are typically more compact and portable.
- Ease of Use: Gravity filters require minimal effort to operate. You simply fill the upper chamber with water, and gravity handles the rest, while non-gravity filters often require manual pumping or sucking.
- Higher Capacity: Gravity systems typically have larger capacities, allowing you to filter more water at once compared to personal filters, which are often designed for individual servings or smaller quantities.
- Convenience for Multiple Users: Gravity filters can be used to provide clean water for multiple people at once, making them more suitable for groups or families, whereas personal filters are generally designed for individual use.
- Less Physical Effort: With a gravity filter, you don’t need to pump or squeeze to get water, which can be a significant advantage if you’re dealing with large volumes or have limited strength.
- Greater Filtration Volume: Gravity systems can be equipped with larger and more complex filters that often have higher capacities for removing contaminants, while personal filters might be more limited in this regard.
Our Top Picks
- Lifestraw Peak Solo: Best for solo hikers counting grams. A great price too!
- Sawyer Squeeze: Best group filter. Long lasting and high flow rate.
- Katadyn BeFree: Ultralight and ready to go out of the box, this great for couples with a middle of the pack flow rate. Doesn't last as long as most other options.
| Filters | Straws | Squeeze Filter Bottles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platypus Quickdraw | Sawyer Squeeze | Micro Squeeze | Lifestraw Solo Filter | Lifestraw Personal Water Filter Straw | Lifestraw Collapsible Squeeze Bottle with Filter | Katadyn Befree | |
| Price ($) | $129.95 | $99.95 | $69.95 | $54.95 | $49.95 | $79.95/$89.95 | $99.95/$119.95 |
| Weight filter only (g) | 65g | 85g | 57g | 48g | 65g | 110g (including filter and bottle) | 59g/63g (bottle and filter) |
| Lifetime (L) | 1000L | 4000L | 4000L | 2000L | 4000L | 2000L | 1000L |
| Poresize (microns) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Flow Rate (L/min) | 3 | --- | Less than the Squeeze | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Best Use | Premium design | Long lasting and in-line compatible, perfect for groups | In-line compatible, light, and compact. Great for solo hikers or couples | In-line compatible, ultralight, high flow rate | Drinking direct from streams and ponds | Out of the box convenience with bottle, and super easy filtering | Ultralight convenience and super easy filtering |
| Connection details | Squeeze nozzle with an included 28m adapter on the clean end, proprietary fitting on the dirty end | Both ends standard 28mm fitting | Both ends standard 28mm fitting | Both ends standard 28mm fitting | Standard 28mm fitting at dirty end | N/A | N/A |
| Included water bottle | Yes, 1L | Yes, 2 x 1L | Yes, 1L | No | No | Yes, 650ml or 1L silicon squeeze bottle | Yes, 600ml or 1L silicon squeeze bottle |
| Replaceable cartridge (Yes/No) | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Backflush syringe | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Not back-flushable but can be cleaned |
