The Best Water Purifier For Travel In 2024: Purchasing Guidance

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter, Portable Water Purifier
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter, Portable Water Purifier

The Personal Water Filter is a compact and lightweight portable water purifier that filters out viruses and bacteria, as well as any other microorganisms in your water. It simply fills the container with water, adds the included device, shakes it up, and enjoys! Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle - Filter for Hiking

Whether you're in the market for a new water bottle or need to purify your water in a pinch, the Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier is a versatile piece of outdoor gear. This 24 oz water bottle filters out dirt and particulates from your water making it safe to drink. It also absorbs harmful chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, along with heavy metals, flavors, and odors. Read Review

3. Best Realiable: CrazyCap 2.0 UV Water Purifier & Self Cleaning Stainless Steel

2.0 UV Water Purifier & Self Cleaning Stainless Steel is the best way to enjoy fresh water without any risk of spoilage or contamination with a CrazyCap SELF-CLEANING bottle. This ingenious filter system starts working as soon as you open the cap, eliminating all odor and dirt particles that could potentially get inside your bottle and contaminate your drink. With just a few taps of the finger, you can enjoy pristine drinking water whether you’re at home, camping, Read Review

4. Best Economical: Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw, Portable Water Purifier

Get a healthier, more refreshing experience with this portable water filter straw. With a smaller frame, and safer materials than the big filter straws on the market; it is convenient to use and ensures safe drinking water. Read Review

In today’s world, we are always on the move, and so are our homes. Hence, it becomes necessary to have a clean and hygienic environment wherever you stay or go. Imagine spending several weeks in a different place and not being able to have the perfect surroundings due to dirt, germs, insects, and other harmful substances in the air. That is why you should always have access to a filtered water purifier for your home or whenever you travel.

Suppose you’re planning on traveling for longer than usual this summer and looking for an affordable way of ensuring that your home stays as clean as possible every time you visit elsewhere. In that case, you should consider getting yourself the best water purifier for travel.

Our experts have determined the models that would be the greatest fit for your requirements, specifically our Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter, Portable Water Purifier with a smaller pore size that can filter out 99% virus, after doing extensive study and analysis over a considerable time. Consider GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle - Filter for Hiking as an alternative if you're still undecided. Other suggestions on this list are definitely worth considering, and we've put up a useful shopping guide to help you decide!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter, Portable Water Purifier
Our Score:
9.8
Membrane Solutions
  • ✅Smaller Pore Size - We all know that the smaller pore size, the higher the filtering accuracy, Our pore size is 0.1 microns which can filter out 99.99999% of the tiny material. Compared to the 0.2-micron filter straw on the market, Membrane Solutions 0.1microns pore size filter straw maintains the optimum flow rate (500ml/min) while maintaining the filtration accuracy.
  • ✅High-Quality Materials & Versatile Filtering Modes - Build out of strong food-grade plastics, manufactured with BPA-Free ABS, ensures water safety and delivers a better drinking experience. Compared to the big filter straw on the market, Membrane Solutions water filters have a smaller frame, more convenient to use and more filtered modes, ideal for connecting with soft water pouch or disposable water bottles to squeeze, even as a replacement gravity filter to get pure water for family & group.
  • ✅Portable & Long Life-Span - This straw filtration at only 7.1'' long and 1" in diameter fits any bottle, cup, or glass. It weighs just 2 ounces and fits in the palm of your hand, pocket, gym bag, backpacks, survival packs and purses. Both ends of Upgrade straw filter are removable for cleaning to extend Longer Lifespan ensures it provides up to 5,000 liters (1,320 gallons) of drinking water. You can take it anywhere you want conveniently.
TOP Choice #2 GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle - Filter for Hiking
Our Score:
9.7
GRAYL
  • FILTERS & CLEANS: particulates (e.g. sediment, microplastics) and adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS, chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, flavors and odors
  • EMERGENCY PREPARATION: Equipped with replaceable purifier cartridge good for 65 gallons (250L). Perfect for home or car prep kit so you are ready for any natural disaster, water emergency, or survival situation.
  • PURIFY WATER ANYWHERE: Make sketchy water clean to drink. Ideal for outdoor adventures (hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, hunting, bushcraft), global travel, and survival situations. Simply – Fill. Press. Drink!
  • 60 SECONDS TO PURE REFRESHMENT | So easy, even the kids can do it! With just a few taps of the finger, you can enjoy pristine drinking water whether you’re at home, camping, on the sports field, or in the parent pick-up line. Tap the cap twice for quick 60-second cleansing, or five times for deeper 2-minute purification.
  • SUPER INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL | Durably crafted of BPA-free 304 stainless steel with double-walled vacuum insulation, the CrazyCap flask is virtually indestructible. It stands up to the occasional drop, won’t leak, maintains hot beverages for 12 hours, and keeps drinks icy cold for up to 24 hours without breaking a sweat.
  • UV-C: PURIFICATION OF THE FUTURE | The CrazyCap 2 has been Tested and Certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI 55 for Disinfection Performance, Class B when used in Crazy Mode. CrazyCap’s powerful ultraviolet light is your family’s new favorite tech! Built right into the cap, our hard-working rays are on the same wavelength as the UV used to sanitize operating rooms, water treatment plants, and other serious stuff.
  • ✔️Smaller Pore Size - We all know that the smaller pore size, the higher the filtering accuracy, Our pore size is 0.1 microns which can filter out 99.99999% of the tiny material. Compared to the 0.2-micron filter straw on the market, Membrane Solutions 0.1microns pore size filter straw maintains the optimum flow rate while maintaining the filtration accuracy.
  • ✔️4-Stage Filtration - Our 4-Stage Filtration system includes a coarse filter screen, pp cotton, coconut shell activated carbon and hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes. which can remove 99.99999% of harmful substances (pollution, odor, chlorine and organic chemicals, etc.) and improve the taste. Ensuring the safest water in the worst environments.
5 Survimate Filtered Water Bottle BPA Free with 4-Stage
Our Score:
9.4
SurviMate
  • 【Long Lifespan & Replaceable 】:No need to worry about replacing filters for up to 1500L/year of continuous usage. Replaceable filters save you money as the water bottles themselves have a very long life. (According to different water quality, the lifespan of the filter would be a little different.)
  • 【Advanced purification System 】: Survimate purifier water bottles have 4 advanced high-performance purify installed, they are: Medical Grade Hollow Fiber Membrane, Coconut Shell Activated Carbon, Beads and Medical Grade PP Cotton.
  • 【Safe Like Baby Bottle】:Survimate Bottles are made from Food Grade Tritan Copolyester, without any bad smell, it's BPA-free, heat resisting and extremely durable.
  • 💧【Premium materials】: The adoption of high-grade coconut shell activated carbon fiber improves odor and taste, ensures the water safety and delivers better drinking experience.
  • 💧【Smaller frame】: Smaller frame but bigger capacity, Waterdrop filter straw can provide safe drinking water up to 100,000 gallons. It is easy to absorb water and can quench your thirst instantly. Match with water bags or bottles for the ultimate drinking experience.
  • 💧【Outdoor water needs】: Fulfill all your outdoor water demands: hiking, camping, domestic and international travel, emergency preparedness (tornadoes, rainstorms, earthquakes, floods, etc.) to meet the emergency water demand in a variety of situations.Each straw weighs only 0.19 pounds.
  • 【Extra Trust In Every Drop】This camping essentials water filter provides 1500 liters (396 gallons) of clean and safe drinking water. Compare with other camping equipment, NatureNova removes up to 0.01 microns pore size of foreign substances in water, also maintains the optimal flow rate (550ml/min) while keeping the filtration accuracy of this hiking gear.
  • 【Ultralight For Any Adventure】Lightweight and portable camping accessories weighs less than 3.5 ounces, which fit your hands, pocket, bag and act as a backpacking gear. It is ideal for hiking, camping and travelling. Always be prepared in emergency supplies ,pack a life straw inside your survival tools and emergency kit will help you reduce fear, anxiety, and losses during water shortage and other emergency circumstances.
  • A Survival Essential Assistant: Water filtered bottles are ideal for backpackers and overseas travelers as an alternative to chemical or pump purification. Super convenient. No wait time and no funny aftertaste. Perfect for travel, backpacking, camping, and emergency kits
  • Lightweight & Unique Design: When you remove the filter inside and change it into a straw, the filter bottle becomes a sports water bottle. Nozzle cap and push-button lid, which keeps your mouthpiece safe, clean, and free of contaminants, prevent leakage. Weighing less than 10 ounces and you probably won’t notice that while you are traveling
  • Advanced Filtration Capability: Filter water bottles with made up Medical-grade Hollow Fiber UF Membrane, Coconut Shell Activated Carbon and Medical-grade PP Cotton, advanced 4 filtering stages to remove 99.99999% harmful ingredient, reduces the taste and odor of chlorine
  • PRECISE FILTERING:Precise filtration system removes sediment, dust and other particles in the water.Special multi-functional advanced activated carbon fiber and high polyiodine resincan effectively reduce water turbidity and remove bad taste
  • LIFESPAN: Can treat minimum 2000L(530Gallons) water from any freshwater lake, river, or stream.
  • FILTER MATERIAL: filling high polyiodine resin + granular coconut shell activated carbon + carbon fiber + hydrophilic hollow fiber microporous membrane
  • Long Lifespan: Even though the Water Filter Backpacking Straw is small in size, it boasts a 1500-liter filter capacity so you can enjoy using it for more than a year! Best of all, the package includes two survival water filter so you always have a spare on hand.
  • Fresh Water: Reducing the risk of infection by removing E. coli, legionella and salmonella, this water filter survival is designed to deliver fresh, pure drinking water. It’s also designed to reduce chlorine, harmful particles and bad odor to improve the taste.

What to Look For in a best water purifier for travel?

You may know that shopping is one of the essential activities in a human being’s life. Selecting the best product will affect your daily life. However, which factors can make this purchase effective? If you are looking for best water purifier for travel for your demands, you will waste your time with incorrect data. But it would be best if you weren’t so nervous about that. We have a group of experts to research best water purifier for travel, and they’ve given reliable information.

There are lots of essential things you should keep in mind. On the other, just some of them are most focused. Here are the critical factors related to buying best water purifier for travel you may want:

Durability And Longevity

A filter's life expectancy greatly depends upon its method of filtering (cartridges, hollow membranes, chemical or ultraviolet light). Water filters for backpacking can be used up to 250 L.
The cartridges used by one-piece filters can last between 200 and 500 L without the need for replacement. You may have to replace your entire unit if you use filters that last longer.
They will last forever if you continue charging them or replacing the batteries as needed.

Type Of Backpacking Water Filter

Some filters are simple to set up and allow you relax as your water is being filtered. Gravity filters, for example, use gravity to filter water.
Other filters require active participation-meaning you have to physically filter the water usually by either squeezing or pumping it through the filter.
You should also remember that backpacking water filters can crack if they are exposed to extreme cold temperatures.

Cleanliness Of Water Source

Water can be murked up in different ways by various elements, such as leaf debris and glacial sediment. You will need something to serve as a filter if you intend to purify water with tablets.
A simple bandana, depending on the condition of your water, can be used as a prefilter.

Weight

It is important to weigh your gear, including backpacking equipment. Water filters should also be considered when planning a long-distance journey.
Although this is not the norm, it tends to make a compromise between speed and weight. Filtration times are generally longer if the filters are smaller or lighter.

Filtration Or Purification Speed

Are you patient? While some filters can be done quickly, others require a lot of patience. You should also consider the number of people for whom you are filtering water. More people mean more water, and therefore more work.
Purifying water with chemicals like chlorine and iodine can take as long as 4 hours, while some filters are quick and easy. You should be on a backpacking trip of any length, no matter how short or long.

Purification Vs. Filtration

It's important to understand the differences. What is the difference between a water filter or a purifier? It's the amount of microorganisms each removes.
While purification kills viruses, filtration eliminates bacteria, protozoa and sediment.
In the USA, bacteria in drinking water is an issue. International travel is safer because of waterborne viruses.
The water is also more enjoyable to drink if it's filtered.

FAQs

What's The Difference Between Filtration And Purification?

Most filters use either a pump or a tube to filter the water. To combat viruses, purifiers combine a chamber or tube with activated carbon and another chemical component.

Each of these options protects against bacteria or protozoa. Many also provide protection against toxins, chemicals and viruses. Based on your budget and preferences, we recommend that you choose the best one.

Can Viruses Be Filtered Out Of Water?

Yes! Yes! Purifiers were designed to protect and filter everything that you might encounter in the backcountry, or in developing countries.
You can protect your filter and purifier against any microorganisms or bacteria as long as you follow the directions.

What Is The Best Way To Purify Water When Backpacking?

It is best to find clean water sources when backpacking to purify your water. Clear, flowing water is what you want -- anywhere between a running stream and a babbling creek.
Avoid areas with stagnant ponds and runoff from livestock or urban areas. or debris. Also, you will need to locate a secure place where gravity filters can be refilled, pumped, and hung.
Some filtering options, such as chemical filters or tablets, require you to wait longer for water to be clean.

Do I Need To Boil My Water If I’m Using A Backpacking Water Filter?

It is a common practice to boil water in backcountry areas. This is because backpacking water filters don't remove viruses and chemical treatments aren't effective in neutralizing protozoa such as giardia or cryptosporidium. Boiling water does the trick. Boiling water can be time-consuming and may require extra fuel, or even a backpacking stove, if you don't have any options. A lightweight filter can be useful in case your fuel supplies run dry.

How To Maintain Your Water Filter?

It is important to maintain your filter on the trail and at home. Backflushing is a common cleaning method for hollow fiber filters. This involves running filtered water in reverse through a filter that pushes larger particles out of the cartridge back to its source. When filtering water that is sediment-filled, backflushing can be especially useful. Backflushing ceramic filters is also beneficial. However, they can still be used to clean any blockages manually without risk. Avoid freezing your filter by not flushing it regularly. Remove the cartridge from the tank and store in your sleeping bag or chest pocket to prevent water from freezing, causing damage.
To kill any bacteria, wash any other tubes and reservoirs with soap. Then, flush the cartridge with one capful of bleach and one quart of water. Rinse the cartridge with warm water, and dry it completely.

How Long Does A Backpacking Water Filter Last?

The filter type determines the filter's life expectancy. Hollow fiber and activated charcoal cartridges need to be changed every few hundred times or after filtering has been completed. While some filters may last years, others will need to be replaced once they are worn out.
Some filters and purifiers only require new batteries, or they can be recharged.

Overall, the statistics we described here are not all of them. Instead, we always freshen it up continually as the data is updated and available. It would be best to remember things we mentioned above, including brand’s value, product’s value, product’s highlights, important specs, customer ratings & reviews. 

Our readers, you guys, are always respected and treated with top priority so that you are supposed to receive the most up-to-date information on our site. You should feel free to contact us for support with the product’s problems. Thanks for reading, and we wish you a happy shopping.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio