Choosing the ideal filtered water bottle for prepping, survival, hiking or other outdoor activities can be quite the challenge when you are spoilt for choice. In this review we will cover which filtered water bottles are worth buying in our top ten list below. Filtered water bottles can be incredibly useful in ensuring that the
Choosing the ideal filtered water bottle for prepping, survival, hiking or other outdoor activities can be quite the challenge when you are spoilt for choice. In this review we will cover which filtered water bottles are worth buying in our top ten list below.
Filtered water bottles can be incredibly useful in ensuring that the water you are drinking is filtered free of any potential contaminates and other harmful chemicals such as lead, fluoride and chlorine. They also aid in the removal of any microbiological and viral contaminants, making your drinking water much purer to consume.
Having the ability to drink from almost any natural water source regardless of the water quality is a wonderful benefit of using a filtered water bottle especially for preppers bugging out. You won’t want to leave the house without one. A filtered water bottle might just be the solution to a clean, drinkable water source that you’ve been looking for.
Things To Consider When Buying Water Filter Bottles
Material
One thing to consider when buying a water filter bottle is what material it is made from. You will of course want your water bottle to be durable and have the ability to withstand the elements if you plan to take it outdoors, meaning that it will need to be of a high-quality material.
Ideally you will want to choose a BPA free water filter bottle, meaning it doesn’t contain Bisphenol A, which can be harmful to humans. Most bottles will have a 3 in 1 filtration system made from activated carbon, nano alumina and other various different filtration ingredients.
Price
One of the main things to look out for when looking for a water filter bottle will be the price and what you can afford, as they can be much more expensive than just a regular bottle. The price may vary depending on the brand that you choose to purchase from.
Things such as what the filter bottle will be used for can also affect the price, for example the best water bottle with filter for backpacking may be less expensive than a filter bottle used for mountain climbing or one which has been specifically made for other extreme environments.
Prices can range from as low as £20 and go up to over £100, so be sure to choose one that suits your needs and budget.
You might think £40 is expensive for what is essentially a drinking bottle with a filter, but that bottle means you and your family can scoop up water from just about anywhere for months on end and know that it is safe to drink, saving you carrying or storing hundreds of litres of water.
Effectiveness
Before purchasing a water filter bottle, it is worth reading reviews on the choices you think you want to buy. Ask yourself how effective are these bottles at filtering water? Do they do an okay job or do reviews mention to stay clear and not bother purchasing?
You don’t want to purchase a filter bottle that doesn’t work as intended, especially in a life-or-death survival situation, as that would be a waste of money. Instead, narrow down your choices and do a quick google search on how effective they are at filtering water, it also helps to know what materials the filter is made from, as some are better than others.
Size
You will want to consider the size and the weight of a filter bottle before buying one. You don’t want something that won’t hold the capacity of water you require, and you also don’t want something that is overly large and bulky as this can become challenging to carry.
For example, a filter water bottle with straw attached will be ever so slightly taller than one without when it comes to storing it in your bug out bag, but it does make drinking much easier, especially for the children or elderly people.
Ideally you will want a compact size that holds just enough until you can refill it again, a 500ml capacity is usually more than enough.
Top 10 Best Water Filter Bottles
- TOP PICK - Sport Berkey Bottle  | This is our top choice as the best water bottle with filter for travelling. This water filter bottle is reasonably priced and holds up to 600ml of water.
The bottle is 11.2” tall and has a diameter of 2.6” making it small, compact and ideal for just about any situation.
It is incredibly durable and long lasting, with a 50-year storage life. The bottle has around 160 refill usage when filtering heavily untreated water, and around 640 refills if you’re using normal drinking water. |
- PREMIUM PICK - LifeStraw Go  | Our premium choice of filtered water bottle is the LifeStraw Go, which has a slightly larger capacity of 650ml. The bottle comes in 3 unique colourways and features activated carbon capsules which help to reduce any bad tastes and can be easily replaced.
The bottle also removes 99.999999% of all waterborne bacteria’s such as E-Coli. With this premium filtered water bottle, you can drink from just about any fresh water source in the world without having to worry about harmful bacteria.
If you’re looking for a sensibly priced, premium option that does the job it was built for from a top name in water filtration technology, then the LifeStraw Go is definitely worth considering. |
- BUDGET PICK - Water To Go  | If you’re adventuring on a budget and want the most bang for your buck, then the Water to Go Purification Filter Bottle is the perfect choice. Small and compact, just like it’s price.
Removing over 99.9% of bacteria as well as being BPA free, you won’t find a filtered water bottle as good for the price. The bottle is incredibly light weight, only 98g including the filter. It also contains a timer which indicates when the filter needs to be changed.
The filter is effective for around 3 full bottles each day for roughly 2 months, and the bottle is used around the world in places like India and Africa. |
LifeStraw Universal  | Coming in at number 4 on our list, the LifeStraw Universal is simple but effective. You can fill the LifeStraw Universal from just about any water source you happen to stumble upon on your travels. It can filter water from puddles, streams and rivers.
The filter is incredibly long lasting and offers filtration of around 4,000 litres of water, making this bottle very sustainable.
Offering a replaceable water filter as well as a choice of mouthpieces and cap sizes, the lid is also leak proof so you won’t need to worry about any spillages of precious water if kept in your backpack. |
Water To Go Active  | The slightly bigger version of our budget choice, the Water to Go Purification Filter Bottle can hold up to 75cl of water which is more than enough for water for any situation.
The filter on this bottle is good for around 3 bottles full per day, over a period of around 3 months, making it very long lasting. The bottle itself is BPA free and is FDA approved.
An ideal choice for any outdoor adventure, you can be sure this filter bottle will remove 99.9% of chlorine, fluoride, bacteria and any other harmful chemicals, materials or bacteria that may find its way into your water. |
Katadyn BeFree  | You won't need to bring a fluid pack or bottles of water with you for outdoor adventures like canoeing and kayaking, or bug out fishing expeditions. Due to its incredibly fine and minute pore size of only 0.1 microns, this small and lightweight fibre filter only weighs 59g, yet can remove germs, parasites, and silt.
The 600 ml foldable flask is BPA and PVA free and will fold up small enough to fit even into the tightest locations like cycling jerseys, fishing jackets or running shorts.
The filter works fast and is sure to see you through many adventures. It is also super easy to keep clean, which makes it perfect for taking on the go. |
OS Filtration Bottle  | If you’re looking for a filter water bottle with straw, then the OS Filtration Bottle might just be the ideal choice. The 75cl capacity bottle features a built-in drinking straw and is dishwasher proof, making it easy to clean.
The bottle is BPA free and can filter water from just about any water source with the exception of salt water sources.
Perfect for everyday use or taking on an adventure, the OS Filtration Bottle manages to eliminate more than 99.9% of any heavy metals, bacteria, chlorine or other nasty chemicals that might be found in your water, leaving you with safe drinkable water. |
BRITA Fill & Go  | If you’ve been searching for a BRITA filter water bottle, look no further. The BRITA Fill & Go comes with a very reasonable price tag and won’t break your bank account, making it another great budget filter water bottle choice.
This bottle holds up to 0.6L of water and removes impurities from your drinking water, enhancing its taste.
The MicroDisc lasts for up to 1 month or around 150L of filtered water. For the money, you won’t find a better filter water bottle. The bottle is dishwasher safe and easy to clean, meaning you can quickly take it on the go again. |
LifeStraw Flex  | The LifeStraw Flex adds to the adaptability and preservation of a refillable bottle by being incredibly long-lasting and light.
The two-stage filter guards against germs, viruses, and micro plastic particles, as well as metals and other contaminants which may have made their way into your water. Trekking, backpacking, and survival scenarios are all good uses for the bottle.
A foldable squeeze bottle is included. This bottle is also very eco-friendly and is recyclable, so you won’t need to worry about harming the environment. It is recommended that you should change the filter in this bottle every 3 months for optimal filtration. |
LifeSaver 4000UG  | This military grade water filter bottle can purify up to 4,000 litres of water before it's needed to have the filter replaced. This makes it incredibly long lasting and ideal for survival situations where you might not be able to pick up another filter bottle any time soon. With its failsafe technology, the bottle won’t allow any water to pass through the filter once its lifespan has ended, meaning you can’t ingest any water which has not been purified. Enjoy water without the nasty taste, this bottle also helps to remove the turbidity of muddy or cloudy water. |
FAQS
How do filter bottles work?
A filter bottle works by containing a small filter which contains activated carbon as well as a mixture of other ingredients and a binder which holds them all together. Water can then pass through the porous filter. Harmful chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine which can cause water to have a nasty taste are broken down and removed.
Why do I need a water filter bottle for camping?
As humans, we need fresh drinking water to survive. When camping, you may not always have access to fire or an electric stove to boil and purify water. Therefore, it is helpful to have a water filter bottle when camping so that you can have fresh and purified drinking water for you and your party.
What do filter water bottles actually filter out?
Filter water bottles filter out a number of harmful chemicals and impurities from water which may cause the water to have a nasty taste or may cause the water to be harmful to consume. These include things like bacteria, viruses, parasites, chlorine, fluoride, hardness and sediment as well as things like heavy metals.
How long do water bottle filters last?
How long a water bottle filter lasts will depend on the brand of water bottle you choose to purchase. Some bottles filter may only last a month, while others can last well over three months. The LifeSaver 4000UF, for example, can filter over 4,000L of water before needing a new filter!
Benefits of filter bottles for preppers
The biggest benefit to preppers by having a water filter bottle is that the majority of them will let you filter water from just about any water source. This means you can purify water from things like muddy puddles, lakes, rivers and more. It ensures you will never have to go without clean, drinkable water.
Summary
Hopefully this above list of the top 10 water filter bottles will help you make an informed decision on which water filter bottle to purchase for your bug out or bug in situation.
A water filter bottle is a great addition to any preppers array of survival gear for just yourself or your whole family. In fact, it is probably worth picking up a few at a time if your survival budget allows, or at the very least stocking up on replacement filters for the water filter bottle you choose to buy.
By having a water filter bottle, you can ensure that you always have pure and clean drinking water as long as you have a water source. Water is a key component to survival, so you will want to make sure that you always have a way of obtaining some.
A water filter bottle might just be the single item to save your life in a survival situation when clean water stops flowing from the taps.
