Last Updated on May 7, 2023 by
Today we are going to look at some of the top water filters for survival that are on the market. Here are our top water filter picks that you can immediately look at.
- SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier
- Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
- LifeStraw Steel Personal Water Filter
- Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking
- FS-TFC Portable Water Filter
We will go into further detail below on the pros and cons of each of these types of water filters. In a survival situation, water purification can become a challenge unless you know how to filter water with charcoal or if you’ve learned other ways to purify water when you are away from home.
Make sure to read all the way to the end as there is an FAQ section that will answer some other related questions about these types of water filters.
Best Water Filters For Survival
Below we are going to look at what I consider to be some of the best survival water filters on the market. So let’s get started!
1. SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier
Steripen Water Purifer Main Features:
- Reusable for up to 8,000 liters.
- Certified by the Water Quality Association.
- Weight: 3.8 ounces with batteries.
- Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x .9 inch.
- 3 year limited warranty.
The SteriPen Adventurer Opti is a fantastic little water purification system. It utilizes UV light to neutralize germs, bacteria, and viruses in drinking water. One of the main reasons that I like this survival water filter is its portable size.
It is so lightweight and small that it allows me to store it even in my pocket. It comes in a small pouch that keeps it protected when not in use. The case of this water filter is also attachable to a belt, which increases its portability.
This purifier requires two lithium batteries for its operation, which can be a little inconvenient. Just make sure to have extra batteries in your survival pack if you are going to choose this type of water filter. The nice thing about this filter is that even though it’s small, it can work on up to 8k liters of water.
It can kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa just in a few seconds, making it an efficient survival water filter. It features chemical-free water treatment, which means you won’t get extra taste or odor in the water.
Another useful feature of this device is its LED light. You can make fair use of it if you are out somewhere in the woods. It will help you illuminate your way. Though the light may not be very bright, it still does the job pretty well.
My favorite feature is its intelligent purification mode. You can press the button once and to purify a liter of water. However, if you need to filter a half-liter of water, you need to press it twice. Of course, the duration of purification also changes with the quantity.
Steripen Water Filter Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Allows chemical-free water treatment
- Highly effective on viruses and other microbes
Steripen Water Filter Cons:
- You need to carry extra batteries.
2. Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
Sawyer Mini Water Main Features:
- Removes 99.99999% of all bacteria.
- Filter rated up to 100,000 gallons.
- Weight: 2 ounces.
- Includes 7-inch drinking straw and reusable squeeze pouch.
“Sawyer products” is a specialized brand of water filters. The Sawyer mini water filtration system is quite an efficient and handy tool for survival situations. It is available in so many different colors that it gives you the freedom to choose your favorite one.
Its ultra-lightweight and extremely portable size is also one of my favorite water filters for survival. It features a 0.1-micron inline filter that stops viruses bacteria and other unhealthy things from reaching you—thus allowing you to drink only safe, clean, and healthy water.
Another fantastic feature of this water filter is its foldable water container. If you want to carry water with yourself, then you can use the container. It will allow you to store the water and use it anytime you want. However, I like using it directly on water sources. It is effortless to use on any water source, whether it be a river, a puddle, or a stream.
The water filter features screws that allow you to attach it to water bottles too. It consists of a hollow fiber membrane that allows the water to enter through micro-pores. It makes the water drinking easy as compared to other drink-through water filters.
Apart from that, the membrane also prevents unwanted stuff from flowing to your mouth. The membrane is stored inside a hard plastic body to prevent it from external damages.
Sawyer Mini Filter Pros:
- Highly effective
- Quick water purification
- Can be used on any source
- Ultra-lightweight
- Portable to the next level
Sawyer Mini Filter Cons:
- The seal ring of the filter bag needs to be improved.
3. LifeStraw Steel Personal Water Filter
Lifestraw Steel Features:
- 2-stage filtration system that eliminates contaminants as well as odors and tastes.
- Food-grade stainless steel straw meets FDA standards.
- Surpasses EPA filter standards.
- Replaceable carbon capsule.
- Filters up to 1,000 liters and does not require batteries.
- Dimensions: 9 x 1 x 1 inches.
The LifeStraw Steel water filter is a fantastic water filter that I highly recommend for survival situations. I began to like it due to the extremely portable construction that allows me to store it in my pocket.
If you are someone who likes hiking and camping, then this is a perfect choice. It is because It contains a 2 stage water filtration system. The multiple stage filtration makes it highly effective in removing the unwanted things from water.
Apart from that, it has activated carbon filtering. Now we all know how useful the activated carbon is when removing odor and taste from water.
The LifeStraw Steel can be a good survival water filter because it can survive environmental challenges. LifeStraw has done a pretty great job by adding caps to both sides of the device. It protects the filter when not in use and prolongs its performance. I also love it’s durability and ruggedness. I’ve used it on backpacking trips and throw it in my camping gear when I’m done.
However, if you are looking for something that can help you filter a large quantity of water, this might not be a good option. Though it isn’t for that purpose as this device allows drinking the water directly from the source.
Lifestraw Steel Filter Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Durable
- Allows the carbon replacement for prolong usage
- Can filter water from any source.
Lifestraw Steel Filter Cons:
- Needs to suck a bit hard for pulling water.
4. Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
Katadyn Pocket Filter Main Features:
- Different in that it has a silver-impregnated ceramic element.
- Filters all microorganisms larger than 0.2 microns.
- Up to 1 quart (1 liter)/minute Cartridge Capacity.
- Weight: 20 oz, Height: 10”.
- Cartridge can clean up to approx. 13,000 gallons.
The Katadyn Pocket Water Filter is also one of my favorite devices for survival. It has a bunch of great features that make it stand out from the crowd. The first thing that I like about this survival water filter is its fantastic design.
It comes in a great carrying case that keeps it protected from environmental challenges. Now, as compared to other water filters for survival, this one is a bit heavy.
However, it is highly effective, which completely covers the weight downside of this device. It is a highly durable filter made of steel and thick plastic. The sturdy construction of this device makes it a bit heavy, though.
I like it because it is effortless to disassemble and straightforward to clean. Apart from that, it comes with a little measuring device that tells you when to clean your filter.
A fantastic feature of this water filter is its pumping mechanism. It allows you to draw water from the source, filter it, and store or drink it. It gives you an option to purify water for later use too. It also has a three-stage filtration mechanism.
First, there is a coarse filter that stops the massive particles from entering the filter. After that, there is a fine filter that removes the dirt particles. Finally, there is an ultra-fine filter, which is the element itself.
There is a floater at the end of the hose that helps the hose to keep floating. This way, it won’t draw a lot of dirt as you pump the water for filtration. The 0.2 microns membrane can filter bacteria and protozoa from the water without any issue..
Katadyn Water Filter Pros:
- Highly durable.
- Extremely easy to clean.
- Can filter a large quantity of water without any problem.
- Easy to use.
- Three-stage filtration.
Katadyn Water Filter Cons:
- Heavy as compared to other filters.
5. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking
Lifestraw Personal Filter Main Features:
- Filters up to 1,000 gallons.
- Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria.
- Weight: 2 ounces.
- Measurements: 9 x 1 x 1 inches.
- Made of BPA Free Materials.
The LifeStraw personal water filter weighs only 2 ounces, which makes it pretty lightweight. It is effortless to carry around so much that you can just wear it around your neck. The thing that I like the most about this survival water filter is its nonchemical filtration.
It doesn’t have any moving parts, which makes it quite long-lasting. It can filter up to 1000 gallons of contaminated water just in a few seconds. However, the only thing that I don’t like is its plastic construction. Although it is pretty lightweight, it can break if dropped.
It contains a membrane of 0.2 microns, which proves highly effective against dirt and bacterias. It allows you to drink water directly from the source without needing an extra container. Apart from that, it doesn’t require any batteries for its operation, which makes it a great survival tool.
Lifestraw Water Filter Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Doesn’t need any chemical
- Quick and easy to use
- Long-lasting performance
Lifestraw Water Filter Cons:
- The same problem, need to suck hard from drawing the water.
6. FS-TFC Portable Water Filter
FS-TFC Water Filter Main Features:
- TRIPLE FILTRATION TO 0.0001 MICRONS.
- Best safety water solutions-Reverse Osmosis Filtration.
- FAST FLOW RATE: 300 ML (10 OZ) PER 20 PUMPING.
- SUS 304 Stainless steel.
- Food Grade materials used.
The FS-TFC portable water filter is a more advanced type of water filter from all the above devices. It consists of a RO (Reverse Osmosis) mechanism membrane that allows it to remove bacteria and viruses. It makes the water 100% clean and safe for drinking and other applications.
I like it due to its fantastic design and pumping action. It allows you to filter the water and store it for later use too. It features triple filtration that enhances the capabilities of the device as compared to others.
The 0.0001 microns size of the membrane is incredibly impressive for all kinds of water. I am sure no bacteria or virus can go through this membrane. It can even work quite efficiently on saltwater due to its ultra-reliable construction.
Another fantastic feature of this survival water filter is its faster flow rate. It allows you to draw and filter 300 ML of water per 20 pumping, which is surprisingly high compared to any other pump filter. It is useful for all kinds of emergencies, which makes it my favorite tool.
The reason that makes me like it is its three-stage filtration process. It also makes the device stand out from the crowd. In the first stage, the water passes from a sand filter where massive particles and dirt removes. After that, the water has to go through an ultrafiltration membrane. It is the part where bacteria and other harmful stuff gets out of the water.
Finally, there is a reverse osmosis filter that further filters it and removes viruses, etc. It makes the device a highly trusted one and extremely efficient. Apart from that, you can use it on any source of water, which is another plus point.
Pros:
- Works surprisingly well on all water sources
- High effective against viruses
- No added chemicals
- Extremely easy to use
Cons:
- Heavy and large as compared to others.
Related Water Filter Questions & Answers
What Is The Best Water Filter For Survival?
The best water filter for survival depends on the situation. In some circumstances, you will need to purify water using chemicals, while other cases you need to filter from lakes or ponds. Now there is a considerable difference between purified and filtered water as the purified water is free viruses and bacteria, while filtered water simply doesn’t contain any visual material.
If you are out in the wilderness, you’ll be looking for something that can help you eliminate both. Luckily the water filters on the US market are designed to meet the standards needed to filter out 99.9% of all water-borne pathogens.
Can You Filter Viruses From Water?
We all know that water contains mostly Norovirus and hepatitis A. If you have a microfilter for survival, then it isn’t sufficient alone. However, you can use some purifying agents such as chlorine dioxide tablets that can ultimately kill viruses.
During my study, I also found that if you own a reverse osmosis water filter, you can get rid of viruses. Another way to remove viruses and other harmful stuff from the drinking water is by boiling.
Boiling water for at least one minute can help to remove all the unhealthy things from it. You can also use chemical-based water purifiers, but that may sometimes add additional odor or taste to the water.
What Is A Reverse Osmosis Water Filter?
Reverse osmosis water filters are water filters that can remove ions, molecules, or any other type of material from water.
These types of filters contain a specialized membrane. It forces the water to pass through that membrane, which removes every unwanted particle such as bacteria and other microbes.
The benefit of these kinds of filters is that they don’t require any additional water purification agents.
Why Do You Need A Personal Water Filter?
A personal water filter is quite necessary. I often go camping whenever I can in the summer and always have one with me no matter what. During such cases, I usually can’t carry a large water tank (which is obvious) to drink water from different sources.
Now we all are aware that water contains a lot of unhealthy stuff that can make us ill. So to avoid drinking harmful and unpurified water, I carry a personal water filter in my bag.
Thanks to the daily developing technology, there are so many portable water filters available now. You can carry them anywhere you go, and the best part is that they don’t occupy a lot of space.
Types Of Filters: Purification vs. Filtering
Water filtration and water purification are two different operations. There are different types and sizes of water purifiers and filters available in the market that can work in different situations. My job is to tell you the difference between them and let you know about other devices.
I have already mentioned that water purification and filtration are two different processes. It means you have to choose according to your needs. I would always go for a system that can help cleaning water from visual material and viruses. Such kind of devices is essential for survival situations.
However, if your filter doesn’t remove the viruses, you’ll have to use an additional purification agent such as bleach or water purification tablets. It can cost you a few extra bucks and additional space in your kit. Though they are small enough, they still do occupy space.
There isn’t any magical product that is best for everybody. However, you should always go for something that provides a balance of these.
Different Types Of Water Filters
Pump water filters
Pump water filters are exactly what they sound like – they take your own energy to pump the water from the lake or stream into the filter. All you need to do is stick one end of the hose into the puddle, pond, or stream and then start pumping with your free hand.
As soon as you pump, the dirty water will go through the hose into the filter, and then into the bottle. These tend to be used when you need to have a little more drinking water on hand quickly. It’s a little quicker to use these if you want to store the water for later use.
Pros Of Pump Water Filters:
- Easy to use
- Easy to maintain
- Allows storing the water for later on
Cons Of Pump Water Filters:
- Heavier and bulkier than other personal water filters.
Gravity water filters
Gravity water filters are also fantastic tools for survival situations. These filters come with two bags where one bag contains dirty water and the other one for storing clean water. These tend to work better for a larger group such as a family of four because you can just hang the filter from a tree and everyone can share the water.
It essentially uses gravity to draw the dirty water from the primary water holding bag. The water then goes through the filter and then reaches the other bag where it stores.
Pros of Gravity Water Filters
- Extremely easy to use
- Gravity will do all the work for you
- Ideal for cleaning a large amount of water
Cons Of Gravity Water Filters
- Needs a place where you can hang them
Personal Water Filters (drink-through filters)
These types of filters are one of my favorites because they do not need to be hung or anything else. They are simple, easy-to-use, and they fit nicely in a bugout bag or hiking pack. The drink-through filters allow you to either store the water inside a bottle or use them directly on the source. The water will go through the filter and then straight to your mouth.
Pros of Drink-Through Water Filters:
- Small size and can fit in a pocket
- Extremely lightweight
- Great for backpacking
Cons of Drink-Through Water Filters:
- Not suitable for a large quantity of water
UV Water Purifiers
Thanks to the daily evolving technology, scientists and engineers have invented a modern technique to purify water. The UV purifiers use Ultra Violet rays to kill the viruses and bacteria and make the water safe. These types of cleaners work differently.
You have to stick them into the water container, whether it be a bottle or any other pot. Then you have to stir for a while inside it, and the UV light will neutralize all the bacteria and viruses.
These type of filters may not be a favorite of mine, but they are popular among backpackers and hikers. I just find the personal water filters to be a bit more simple to use.
Pros of UV Water Filters:
- Extremely lightweight
- Super easy to use
- Helpful against viruses
Cons Of UV Water Filters:
- Limited to a small quality of water at a time
- Requires batteries to operate
Helpful Water Filter Tips
Learn How To Store Water
One of the biggest lessons I can talk about to other people wanting to get started with prepping is learning how to store water. This can seem a little tedious, but it’s one of those elements you shouldn’t go without. And if you are a prepper like me, you can never have too much water.
I’ve written a very detailed post about how to store water long term and it’s extremely helpful at showing you exactly what you need to do in order to have an adequate supply of water.
You have to account for every member of your family plus pets if you have them. This is what can make water storage seemingly so hard to do. You’ll also note that you have to rotate your water to make sure your water stays fresh. Finding the right long term water storage containers can also be a little bit of a job, but once you figure it out, it’s really a piece of cake.
Don’t Buy Just One
Make sure when buying water filters that you don’t buy just one. You have to make sure that you and other members of your family each have a filter for themselves. On top of this, these filters can only last so long. Each variety will tell you how much water you can expect to filter before you need to replace it.
Make sure you understand the limitations to your water filter and plan accordingly. Do you have a filter that just needs the filter replaced or do you have to buy an entirely new system?
You should have a personal water filter in your bugout bag and one in your vehicle at all times. I’ve personally got three – one in my car, one in my bugout bag, and one in my camping box.
Don’t forget like any other item, things can break. This is another reason to have more than one. If a survival situation should occur, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you and your family are taken care of.
Learn Other Ways To Purify Water Without Using A Device
Believe it or not, there are several other ways to purify water if you are away from home. Some of these include using activated charcoal to filter water, boiling your water, bringing along water purification tablets, and understanding how bleach can make your water safe for drinking.
Now remember, filtering water is best served with the devices we reviewed above, but if your device broke and you find yourself stranded with nothing else, know the different techniques and you will be just fine.
You can read our two-part series on water purification by clicking on the following two links:
Have A Small Water Filter and Large Water Filter
Having both a small water filter for your bugout bag and a larger water filter like the Berkey Water Filter for your home is a good idea. I like the Berkey Water Filter for my home because it’s one of those just-in-case type of filter that I have stored in my pantry if something should go wrong. It’s has about 1.5 gallon capacity and can filter water for 1-3 people each day.
Most people will be locking down their homes and staying in when chaos ensues in a town. That’s simply because some people don’t have anywhere else to go. That’s why I’m always an advocate of prepping your home first for a survival situation before you think of bugging out.
Having a proper water filter in your home is a perfect example of preparing to be stuck in your home when some type of martial law is enforced during a pandemic, for example.
Final Thoughts On Water Filters
Having the best water filter for survival is extremely important. The above water filters I mentioned are truly the ones I have personally used and recommend. Let me know if there are any others out there you like. I think much of it is personal preference in the end as well.