Everybody loves water right? Even if you don’t think you do, believe me your body absolutely adores the stuff. Personally, I drink litres and lites of the stuff each and every day and could even drink a tree under the table (obviously the table would be a metal one…)
And if you’re here, it’s presumably because you love water too but more specifically, cos you’re looking for the best-filtered water bottle that money can buy. Good call.
A semi-decent filtration water bottle may be a life saver when out on a hike and will even take the edge off tap water when you’re at home. But if you’re looking for a filtered water bottle for sustained travel, prolonged backpacking, and serious survival activities then a semi-decent bottle just won’t cut it. You need the best.
In this post we are going to look at the best filtered water bottles for travel, camping, hiking and surviving that money can buy you in 2024.
- Quick Answer: The Best Filtered Water Bottles
- The Top 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles
- The Importance of Water Purification – Why You Should Travel with a Filtered Water Bottle
- Choosing a Filtered Water Bottle for You – A Buyer’s Guide
- The Best Filtered Water Bottles – Tried, Tested and Rated
- The 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles at a Glance!
- FAQ about the Best Filtered Water Bottles
- Final Thoughts on Buying a Filtered Water Bottle for Travel
- Buy Us a Coffee!
Quick Answer: The Best Filtered Water Bottles
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- Best Overall Filtered Water Bottle – Grayl Geopress Purifier Bottle
- Runner-Up for Best Filtered Water Bottle – LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
- Best Cheap Filtered Water Bottle – Epic Water Filters Epic Nalgene OG
- Best Ultralight Filtered Water Bottle – Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle
- Best Filtered Water Bottle for Extreme Conditions – Seychelle Extreme Water Filter Bottle
- Best Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle – Clearly Filtered No.1 Filtered Water Bottle
- Best Glass Filtered Water Bottle – Escape Glass Filtered Water Bottle
- Best 1 Litre Filtered Water Bottle – OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Bottle
- Jump to -> Bottle Round-Up
The Top 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles
Grayl Ultralight Purifier Bottle
- Price > $89.95
- Size > 16.9 fl oz
Seychelle Extreme Water Filter Bottle
- Price > $45.95
- Size > 28 fl oz
Clearly Filtered No.1 Filtered Water Bottle
- Price > $79.65
- Size > 20 fl oz
OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Water Bottle
- Price > $26.95 – $29.95
- Size > 34 fl oz
The Importance of Water Purification – Why You Should Travel with a Filtered Water Bottle
As a traveler, it’s essential to stay hydrated, especially when exploring new and unfamiliar places. However, tap water quality can be questionable in some destinations, and buying bottled water can be expensive and environmentally damaging. That’s where filtered water bottles come in.
Filtered water bottles are a must-have item for any traveler, and there are several reasons why. Firstly, they provide clean drinking water, no matter where you are in the world. Using a filtration system, they remove impurities and contaminants from the water, ensuring that it’s safe to drink. This is particularly important in areas where tap water quality is questionable or when you’re hiking in the wilderness and need to refill your bottle from a natural water source.
Secondly, filtered water bottles are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic water bottles. Travelers often generate a significant amount of plastic waste, and buying bottled water can contribute to this problem. By using a filtered water bottle, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact and help protect the planet.
Photo: @themanwiththetinyguitar
Cheap Water Purification Methods: Some Budget-Friendly Number Crunching
Thirdly, using a filtered water bottle can actually save you money in the long run. In some touristy areas, prices for bottled water can be inflated, and buying multiple bottles can quickly add up. With a filtered water bottle, you can refill for free at public water fountains or natural sources, saving you money and reducing your reliance on single-use plastics. Seriously, while paying $50 up front may feel like a lot, I spent that in one month on bottles water in India…
In addition to the practical benefits, using a filtered water bottle can also improve the taste of water. Tap water in some destinations can have an unpleasant taste or odor due to high levels of chlorine or other impurities. A filtered water bottle can remove these impurities, making the water taste fresher and more enjoyable to drink.
Photo: @themanwiththetinyguitar
In conclusion, a filtered water bottle is an essential item for any traveler. It provides clean drinking water, reduces environmental impact, saves you money, improves taste, and is incredibly convenient. Investing in a filtered water bottle is a wise decision that will benefit both you and the planet. Don’t leave home without one!
Choosing a Filtered Water Bottle for You – A Buyer’s Guide
Ok, so now that you’re questioning how you ever made do without a water filtration bottle, let’s talk about how you can find the right one!
Since we’re doing this in threes, there are three things to keep in mind when hunting down and choosing your water filter drinking bottle: the material, the size, and the coverage of protection. Consider these wisely and you’ll be stoked on the investment you made into your anywhere-anytime water drinking experience.
Your Water Bottle’s Material
You’ve got three (hah, see) basic choices with this each with their own pros and cons:
- Plastic – But you said plastic was the antichrist and- Hey! Not all plastics are equally evil – some have just committed offences considered especially heinous.
Pretty much any filtered drinking bottle (unless they’re particularly terrible) will be constructed from BPA-free plastic. The especially good amongst those will be constructed from Tritan which is both BPA-free and durable as all hell. The down shot to plastic is that there is almost no insulation (so your water will be life-nourishing but not at a refreshing-cool temperature) and they’ll still never be as durable as steel.
- Stainless Steel – Tougher and stronger than plastic, a stainless steel filter water bottle will survive all the calamities of travel and is the optimal choice for clobbering someone. If you’re ever in the situation where you need to beat someone up with a water bottle, go for stainless steel.
But at the cost of all that extra toughness (and insulation) comes the extra weight. This makes it not always the preferred option for the outdoor adventurers seeking how to purify water in the wild.
- Glass – Yeah, I wouldn’t really recommend a glass water bottle with a filter. The perks? Well, it’s glass, I guess; drinking out of glass is nice.
The cons? I mean, it’s glass. You figure it out.
Your Water Bottle’s Size
I think this kind of goes without saying, but for the best travel filtered water bottle, you want one that fits nicely in your hand, backpack, or anywhere else. At the very least, it shouldn’t be so big that hanging it from your person with a carabiner becomes a highly optimised form of self-flagellation.
The bigger it is, the heavier it is. But also, the bigger it is, the less you have to refill it. It’s a trade-off.
Generally speaking, sizes range from about 500-1000 mL (17-34 fl oz). The bottom end of the scale gives you something more ultralight; the top end will be bulkier but you’ll also be stopping for refills half as much. See, maths is useful! It all depends on how much pure drinking water you think you need.
Choose what’s right for your preference but remember that it’s another addition to your pack’s size so take in all the usual considerations you would with any gear purchase.
Your Water Bottle’s Coverage of Protection
The last thing to consider is what exact nasties your filtered water bottle filters out. Some filter bottles are not made, in any form, to combat the conditions of third-world water drinking sources. They’re more for filtering out that ‘yukky tap water’ sensation from all that terrible clean free drinking water when you’re hitting the gym in your activewear for spin class.
But the best filtration system water bottles for travel, hiking, and adventuring tend to stand up to a bit more. That said, even amongst the premium choices, they don’t all offer the same protections. Not all water purifier bottles are able to remove viruses, heavy metals, or other gut-wrenchers.
Depending on where you’re going and just how extreme you are (and how apprehensive you are about dysentery), it’s crucial your water purifying system is properly covering your ass (hah).
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Join REI Today!The Best Filtered Water Bottles – Tried, Tested and Rated
So, here it is. Let’s do this. The top 8 best filtered water bottles!
1. Grayl Geopress Purifier Bottle – Best Overall Filtered Water Bottle
This is it: the ‘whoa, mama’ choice. If you’re really after the absolute best water filtration bottle for travelling, then you can give up on the rest of my extremely well-written and well-researched article and just grab yourself a Grayl Geopress. Actually, if you’re super-serious about your water filtering, I would urge you to have a look at our in-depth review.
Grayl bottles are damn good. They’re so good, in fact, that they make this list twice! In terms of usage, it functions similarly to an AeroPress (in reverse). Water goes in the outer sleeve, you push the filter in, and the water filters into the inner container ready to be drunk without murdering your stomach lining. It’s a simple yet highly effective method of water purification.
You see, the Grayl water purifier removes just about anything that’s out to ruin your day 24-48 hours after ingestion and the following incubation period. Its water filter removes viruses and heavy metals (on top of the standard bacteria and parasites) so you’re protected against anything you’ll find in a stagnant puddle or worse.
Size-wise, the Grayl Geopress cuts a fine balance. Carrying 24 fl oz (710 ml for all my metric bros) of liquid and weighing 15.9 oz (450 grams), it’s big (and durable) enough while still fitting nicely into your backpack. Or hanging off a carabiner without repeatedly striking you in the worst possible location…
Price-wise, you’re looking at the premium option. It’s on the top end of the spectrum for filter bottle prices but it also tops the chart in quality. It’s one of those ‘worth the investment’ choices.
And, of course, the most important question – does it work? You’re damn right it does! We’ve put the Grayl Geopress Purifier Bottle through its damn paces (including trekking expeditions in the Karakoram in Pakistan) and the little beauty has come out on top every damn time. No poops; no pukes; no Cholera. The way it should be.
So what’s the hold-up? You were looking for the best filtered water bottle for travel, hiking and anything else, right? Well, this is it!
2. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle – Runner-Up for Best Overall Filtered Water Bottle
Here’s the deal: I can’t give a personal hands-on of the LifeStraw bottle but I can give one of the LifeStraw filter itself. It carried me through 5 months in South Asia and into Southeast Asia and it’s still going strong.
That was on one filter straw, mind you. Not a single replacement was needed. One LifeStraw water filter lasts for approximately 1000 gallons (4000L) of water so it comes with the peace of mind that you’re not going to suddenly be filter-less mid-adventure.
Of course, there has to be a caveat with the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle to make it runner-up. There is and that’s in your protection coverage. The LifeStraw bottle falls short in this area filtering out only protozoa: no viruses, chemicals, or heavy metals. For this reason, it falls behind in the race of the LifeStraw vs. the Grayl.
But if full coverage isn’t something you need, then the LifeStraw Go is an excellent choice. Coming in at a much more digestible price, the water bottle is a good size (22 fl oz/650 ml) and weight (10 oz/285 g). It’s also durable; I watched a mate drop his down a few mountains in the Himalayas and he just kept sipping water from it like it was no problem.
3. Epic Water Filters Epic Nalgene OG -Best Cheap Filtered Water Bottle
We have all probably owned a Nalgene at some point. This Epic Nalgene OG filter bottle by Epic Walter Filters takes the same classic bottle we all enjoy up a few notches by adding the cleverly designed water filter element. Practical, easy to use, and very importantly – this bottle won’t break the bank either.
The Epic Nalgene OG uses their patented Everyday Filter system – and as the name implies – it is intended for everyday use. Like any filter bottle, the filter does not have an endless life span and the filter will need to be replaced after roughly 75 gallons. Speaking from experience – I typically end up filtering 3-4 liters of water per day when I am traveling or backpacking so one filter can get me through almost two months on the road or in the mountains.
For the best budget option for hikers and backpackers on this list – The Epic Water Filters Epic Nalgene OG is a truly excellent product!
If you are going to be in countries with ultra-sketchy water sources, keep in mind the Epic Nalgene OG is not a complete purifier.
4. Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle – Best Ultralight Filtered Water Bottle
I told you Grayl bottles made the list twice. This is Grayl’s ultralight option for all the gram-counting fiends. It’s smaller than the Geopress holding only 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) and weighing in at 10.9 oz (310 g).
That’s about your only difference though because all of the high-quality badittude of the Geopress still carries over. The Grayl Ultralight still filters out all the terrible beasties, it’s still made of high-quality materials, and it still kicks ass.
It comes in at a lower price than the Geopress and doesn’t hurt as much if you drop it on your toe. Its lower weight and smaller frame make this the best filtered bottle for hiking and anything outdoors where the bulky choice doesn’t cut it.
The only real negative is you have to fill it up twice as much… but, oh well. You can’t have your cake and eat it too!
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5. Seychelle Extreme Water Filter Bottle – Best Filtered Water Bottle for Extreme Conditions
When I say extreme conditions, I’m mean extreme conditions. The Seychelle water filtration bottle does it all. It does your bacteria, your viruses, your protozoa, your radiological contaminants… wait, what?
Yup! On top of all the other much-needed protection, you have the extra layer against biohazards with the Seychelle water filter bottle. This one is for you, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone spelunkers.
The Seychelle Extreme Water Bottle even filters out fluoride. It really is the one-stop-shop for all your water purification needs.
The downside is the design; I mean, just look at the thing. You’d think a high-tech filtration bottle that filters out radioactive contaminants would look less like the bottle I took to school when I was seven. It’s clunky and unwieldy and coming in at 28 fl oz (830 mL) just makes it a bit more chunky than necessary.
But, I suppose, the ability to still drink clean water after the nuclear fallout crisis inevitably arrives and we’re all driving super-charged dune buggies across apocalyptic wastes is worth the added bulk.
6. Clearly Filtered No.1 Filtered Water Bottle – Best Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle
If life was a Jackie Chan movie where you partook in a series of increasingly zany fights using household objects as weapons, then this would be the bottle to bitchslap some generic henchman with.
It’s stainless steel: that means you’re going to have a seriously difficult time breaking it no matter how many Himalayan mountains you drop it off! That also means that the bottle has some insulation to keep your water refreshingly cool (or heart-meltingly warm) while you adventure.
The Clearly Filtered also filters out all the nasties (with a disclaimer): viruses, bacteria, and metals begone! It’s even a water bottle that filters fluoride!
So what’s not so awesome? Well, its construction just isn’t as tight as many of the other entries on this list. It doesn’t feel as well put-together as a lot of other water filter drinking bottles with the lid having some noticeable threading difficulties.
Regardless, if a stainless steel filter water bottle is your preference, the Clearly Filtered is one of the better ones out there. It’s one of the best-insulated filter water bottles you’ll find that also covers you for all the murderous organisms that are out to ruin your lactose tolerance.
7. Escape Glass Filtered Water Bottle – Best Glass Filtered Water Bottle
Now, mind you, I don’t know why you’d want a glass filter bottle for travelling. If we were graphing drops off Himalayan mountaintops survived by filtered water bottles, then the Escape Bottle would certainly come last.
But, it’s still a good filtration bottle that comes with all the bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from the best water purifier bottles. Replaceable filter that protects you from the whole shebang (BUT (and here’s that disclaimer), not with the stock filter; you have to buy the Outdoor filter separately), and it comes in a silicone sleeve (to counter that whole ‘made of glass’ thing). It also feels fancier to drink from because everybody knows that drinking from glass tastes better.
It is worth noting that both the Escape and Outback bottles (they’re made by the same dudes) are a hard purchase to justify. I’ve included them here for the folks who don’t want plastic but the hard truth is that for nearly the same price you could be purchasing a Grayl Geopress (the premium option), or one of the other cheaper purifier bottles on this list, and it would be a much better purchase all-round.
Still, if you’re after a glass filtered water bottle, this the choice for you.
8. OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Bottle – Best 1 Litre (34 fl oz) Filtered Water Bottle
Oh, so 700 ml wasn’t enough? And 800 ml wasn’t enough? The 500 ml ultralight water bottle definitely wasn’t enough then…
Well, ok, this is for you… you thirsty son-of-a-bitch.
The OKO H2O is made from NASA technology which means that you’re basically an astronaut with one of these. It’s got all you need: durable Tritan plastic (yep, back to plastic) and a filter that covers you for the worst-of-the-worst (although only reduces chemicals, fluoride, and metals present).
It’s also pretty damn lightweight for the size! It comes in at 5.2 oz (145 grams) which is good because, given its volume, you’ll probably be hanging it off your pack or belt.
Oh, on that, you don’t have to get the Papa Bear size; it comes in a Mama Bear and Baby Bear size too. That means it gets even lighter making this another good filtered water bottle for hiking and long walks into the wild.
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉
Buy on REI!The 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles at a Glance!
Right, so there are all your precious details. By now, I hope, you have a general idea of what’s the best water filter bottle for your needs.
If you want to see how the choices stack up against each other, look below. I’ve got a quick comparison of the individual specs and a comparison of the pros and cons too. After that, check out the FAQ to see if any of the burning questions about filtered bottles that you may have are answered.
The Hateful Eight’s Specs Roundup:
It’s all about them specs!
| Bottle | Volume | Weight | Filter Life | Flow Rate | Coverage of Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayl Geopress Purifier Bottle | 24 fl oz (710 ml) | 15.9 oz (450 g) | 350 cycles (65 gal/250 L) | 5 litres/minute | All the uglies! |
| LifeStraw Go Water Bottle | 22 fl oz (650 ml) | 7.8 oz (222 g) | 1,000 gal (4,000 L) | 1.2 litres/min | Bacteria, parasites, microplastics NO viruses or metals |
| SurviMate Filtered Water Bottle | 22 fl oz (650 ml) | 6.7 oz (191 g) | 396 gal (1500 L) | 550ml/min | All the uglies! |
| Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle | 16.9 fl oz (499.79 ml) | 12.5 oz (354.37 g) | 300 cycles (40 gal/150 L) | 3 litres/minute | All the uglies! |
| Seychelle Extreme Water Filter Bottle | 28 fl oz (828 ml) | 2.5 oz (71 g) | 150 gal (567.81 L) | Dunno sorry 🙂 | All the uglies plus bonus radiological uglies! |
| Clearly Filtered No.1 Filtered Water Bottle | 20 fl oz (591.47 ml) | – | 25 gal (94.64 L) | Dunno sorry 🙂 | All the uglies! |
| Escape Glass Filtered Water Bottle | 24 fl oz (700 ml) | 1 lb (453 g) | 75 gal (285 L) | Dunno sorry 🙂 | All the uglies BUT only with Outdoor Filter (sold separately) |
| OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Bottle (1 Litre) | 34 fl oz (1 L) | 5.2 oz (145 g) | 100 gal (378 L) | On the weak side. | All the uglies! |
The Hateful Eight’s Pros and Cons Roundup
Let’s call this the tl;dr section of the roundup.
| Bottle | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Grayl Geopress Purifier Bottle | +Innovative design +Consistent filtering of all contaminants +No goddamn straw | -Premium price |
| LifeStraw Go Water Bottle | +1000 gallons of filtering! +LifeStraw’s Give Back program supplies children with clean drinking water (through purchases) | -Doesn’t filter viruses or metals |
| SurviMate Filtered Water Bottle | +Cheap +4-stage filtering +Bonus compass | -Difficult to suck (through the straw) |
| Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle | +Innovative design +Consistent filtering of all contaminants +Smaller than the Geopress | -Smaller than the Geopress (it’s a double-edged sword) |
| Seychelle Extreme Water Filter Bottle | +Even filters radiological contaminants | -Bottle design is unwieldy |
| Clearly Filtered No.1 Filtered Water Bottle | +Steel=durability +Steel=insulation | -Doesn’t come with the virus/bacteria filter -Overpriced for what you get |
| Escape Glass Filtered Water Bottle | +Glass bottles are nice | -Glass bottles are fragile -Doesn’t come with the virus/bacteria filter -Overpriced for what you get |
| OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Bottle (1 litre) | +Damn good size-to-weight ratio +Included o-ring carabiner +Different size options | -Size makes it tougher to pack and carry |
Frequently Asked Questions on Water Purifier Bottles
- Do filtered water bottles filter out beneficial minerals?
Nope, you’ll be still getting all your nutrients. That said, if you’re travelling somewhere water needs a filter, it’s a good idea to drink water with the electrolyte powder added on occasion just to ensure your body is still getting the best. - Are filtered water bottles dishwasher-safe?
Some are, some aren’t. But, like, seriously… that’s a really dumb question. Like, just wash it by hand, dude. When did washing the dishes go outta vogue…? - How do I clean my filtered bottle?
Again, weird question. Soap and water, man… c’mon. - Is a filtration bottle refrigerator-safe?
The fridge is fine but I’d advise against sticking it in the freezer. Those filters are fancy tech! - How do I know when my filter needs replacing?
It can vary from filter to filter but eventually, your flow rate will slow to a crawl or stop entirely. In the case of the Grayl bottles, the pumping process will have slowed dramatically. - Do I really need a filtered water bottle?
I’m sorry, did you skip the part about my mate Tyrone?
FAQ about the Best Filtered Water Bottles
Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:
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Final Thoughts on Buying a Filtered Water Bottle for Travel
To be brutally, savagely honest, I kinda think you’re a dillweed if you don’t buy one.
The fact is, you’ve gotta travel with a bottle. If you’re not doing that already, we’re going to have a serious chat. The impact of plastic bottles on the environment is abhorrent: don’t be a part of the problem.
But if you’re travelling, a standard drink bottle isn’t going to get you very far. You’ll still have to buy purified water to put in your travel bottle… which probably means buying a plastic bottle of water.
Do you want to know how many countries the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) has declared to have safe-for-drinking tap water? 38. Do you want to know how many countries there are in the world? 195. I’ll let you crunch that particular math.
If you’re travelling or adventuring, sooner or later, you will be somewhere without safe drinking water. Enter filtered water bottles! Science once again swooping into to save us with its crazy inventions!
Seriously, don’t skimp out on buying a filtration bottle. Get the best filtered water bottle you can. Leave the Tyrones of this world behind: take nothing but photographs!
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