Best Portable Water Filters | WhatIs180.com

10 Best Portable Water Filters
One thing every adventurer has in common is the need for fresh water, especially on longer expeditions where there may not be many water sources available. Luckily, there’s a wide variety of portable water filters on the market, which means you’ll rarely have to worry about where your next drink will come from. Check out our list of the best water filters below to see which option is right for you!

FS-TFC 4-Stage Portable Water Filter Pump 0.01 Micron Water Purifier
First up on our list of the best water filters is the FS-TFC four-stage portable water filter pump. Featuring four-stage filtration at an affordable price, you can be sure your drinking water is ready for consumption with this portable water purifier. This model also offers an incredibly fast flow rate of 50 ounces per minute, making it one of the better options for group hiking and camping. This portable water filter also features an ergonomic handle for easy pumping, along with food-grade materials for extra cleanliness and durability. Add in the lifetime warranty and you have one of the best backpacking water filters right at the top of our list.
Product Details
- Best Safety Water Solutions: Sand Filter Head, Cleanable 100,000L UF Prefiltration, Heavy Metal Remove KDF and Activated Carbon Fiber, Provide Medical Grade Filtration, remove larger than 0.01um, such as organics, metal ion, cancer-organic substance, and other soluble salts in water.99.999% Removal which Matches or Exceeds Most Home Systems.
- FOUR STAGE FILTRATION TO 0.01 MICRONS: Remove Rate up to 99.999%,Including virus, bacteria, parasites, fluoride, arsenic, chlorine, lead, Most heavy metals, taste, and chemicals. Low-Pressure Hollow Fiber Membrane (Ultra Filters) and KDF Filtration – It's the Most efficient Water Filter for Outdoor Water. 20 times more efficient than the competition at 0.2 microns and none of the Competition Comes Close with Our Heavy Metal Removal.
- SUPER FAST FLOW RATE OF 1,500ML (50 OZ) PER MINUTE: 1.5L/Min Fast Flow is 2-3 times more efficient than the competition. Can be used directly from fresh water source, pumped into an Empty water bottle, or pumped into any portable hydration pack. Perfect for backpacking gear for outdoor activities, hiking, camping, scouting, backcountry travel, and emergency preparedness.
- Unique Design Handle & Stainless steel Piston Rod: Ergonomic design handle for less push effort, SUS 304 Stainless steel More Reliable &Never Broken. Water inlet and outlet Have Non-Slip Undercut, Support For Normal Usage and Backwash. FOOD GRADE MATERIALS: Main Body ABS Material, Polysulfone Medical Grade Ultra Filter, BPA Free, Comes with internal Composite Filters, Water pouch, and Silicone tubing, Travel Bag, Manual Book.
Waterdrop Personal Water Filter Straw
If you’re looking for an even more portable water filter for hiking or emergency use, the Waterdrop Personal Water Filter Straw is worth your time! Made from premium materials and designed with versatility in mind, this portable water filter can connect to water bags and water bottles to offer you clean drinking water anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or doing any kind of traveling in a remote location, this portable water purifier will allow you to rest easy knowing you’ll always have clean drinking water close at hand.
Product Details
- Premium materials: Effectively Reduces 99% of harmful substances. The adoption of high-grade coconut shell-activated carbon fiber improves odor and taste, ensures water safety, and delivers a better drinking experience.
- Versatile uses: Use with water bags or connect to water bottles to filtrate water for drinking. Both ends of it can be disassembled and connected with water bags and water bottles to offer you clean drinking water anywhere, anytime.
- 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.
- Innovative super-wash design: No need for the extra syringe to backwash. It eliminates cumbersome fittings and saves space, brings you pure water with the greatest convenience and comfort.
- Smaller frame: Smaller frame but bigger capacity, Waterdrop Filterstraw 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.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Onto one of the more recognizable names on our list of the best water filters: the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. A staple in the camping and hiking community, the LifeStraw is an exceptionally portable option for personal and emergency use. This portable water filter is great for backpacking because of its small size, and it lasts for over 1,000 gallons of water even with its small form factor.
This hiking water filter removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics with ease, and you’ll be making a difference when using it too. For every LifeStraw product purchased, a school child in need somewhere around the world will receive safe drinking water for an entire year! In addition to its venerable reputation, being able to provide for those less fortunate makes this one of the best portable water filters around.
Product Details
- Removes bacteria & parasites: The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella) and 99.999% of waterborne parasites (including giardia and cryptosporidium)
- Removes microplastics: Removes the smallest microplastics found in the environment (down to 1 micron), and reduces turbidity down to 0.2 microns
- Rigorous Testing: All claims are verified with laboratories using standard testing protocols set by the US EPA, NSF, ASTM for water purifiers
- Long Lifetime: The microbiological filter will provide 4,000 liters (1,000 gallons) of clean and safe drinking water with proper use and maintenance
- Make an Impact: For every LifeStraw product purchased, a school child in need receives safe drinking water for an entire school year.
- BPA Free materials
Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
Next on our list of the best water filters is another ultra-portable option, this time from Sawyer. The Sawyer MINI combines the intense filtration offered by the more robust options out there with the convenience and versatility of smaller backpacking water filters. Able to filter a whopping 100,000 gallons—yes, you read that right—the Sawyer MINI is an incredibly economical camping water filter. It can attach to a bottle, water pouch, or hydration system on your pack, which means the MINI portable water filter ensures that you’ll have clean drinking water anywhere.
Product Details
- Ideal for outdoor recreation, hiking, camping, scouting, domestic and international travel, and emergency preparedness
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of MINI units individually tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer
- Attaches to included drinking pouch, standard disposable water bottles, hydration packs, or use the straw to drink directly from your water source
- Removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium); also removes 100% of microplastics
- Filter rated up to 100,000 gallons; includes one Sawyer MINI filter, 16-ounce reusable squeeze pouch, 7-inch drinking straw, and cleaning plunger
Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter
If extreme portability is less of a concern for you, the Katadyn Hiker Pro could be the backpacking water filter for you. Although it’s still able to be carried easily, the Katadyn Hiker Pro is larger than some of its alternatives. Featuring a hand pump and compatibility with various bladders, the Hiker Pro is an excellent portable water filter for any hiking enthusiast.
Product Details
- Proven protection against bacteria and protozoan cysts down to 0.2 micron with pleated glass-fiber filter media
- Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
- The field cleanable filter protector screen extends the life of the cartridge in challenging conditions
- Long-time trusted option for backpackers with it's ultra-light 11oz, compact size and compatibility with hydration bladders
Survivor Filter Pro - Hand Pump Camping Water Filter
Another portable water filter with an included pump is the Survivor Filter Pro. Boasting a lifetime warranty and a fast flow rate of 17 ounces a minute, the Survivor is a great camping water filter for traveling with the whole family. Even with its compact size, this camping water filter has great output, and you can pump water directly from a fresh water source, into the attached cup, or into any portable hydration pack. This hiking water filter’s durable BPA-free construction, fast output, and versatile application make it one of the best water filters on our list.
Product Details
- Independently Tested in the USA to show 99.999 percent filtration removal of tested Virus, bacteria, parasites and reduces heavy metals, unpleasant tastes, and odors
- Proven protection against any unwanted objects in your drinking water; Reduces Heavy Metals and Improves taste, thanks to Dual Hollow Fiber Membrane (Ultra Filters) and Carbon Filtration - 20 times more efficient than the competition at 0.2 microns and none of the Competition Comes Close with Our Heavy Metal Removal
- Shell is ABS Material (Same Material Used on Car Bumpers), Polysulfone Medical Grade Ultra Filter (Same Material Used in Visors of Apollo Astronauts), Food Grade Activated Carbon, and Handle Contains Steel Bar Inside for Extra Support. BPA Free
- Super Fast Flow Rate of 500 Milliliters (17 Ounces) per Minute; Can be used directly from fresh water source, pumped into an attached cup or pumped into any portable hydration pack; Perfect for filtering large jugs of water for the whole family
Outback Plus Emergency Water Filter System
One of the less flashy options on our list of best water filters is the Outback Plus emergency portable water filter system. Comprising two buckets and requiring no electricity or pumping, the Outback Plus is a rudimentary portable water filter that will make sure you have plenty of fresh water if the need arises. With a proven track record for different disaster relief organizations over the years, you can be sure this portable water purifier is up to the task.
Product Details
- Removes 99.99% of Viruses; 99.9999% of Bacteria
- No Electricity. No Pumping. Simple Setup. Portable. Compact & Easy to Store.
- Perfect for Emergency, Survival or Disaster Preparedness
- Produces 6-12 Gallons Per Day; Filters Good for Up To 1,800 Gallons of Water
- Proven Record - Used by Disaster Relief Organizations since 2003
Platypus GravityWorks High-Capacity Water Filter System
Returning to the more compact options, here’s the Platypus GravityWorks high-capacity water filter system. This high-capacity, gravity-fed, hollow-fiber portable water filter is perfect for group camping, outdoor activities, and emergency preparation. This portable water purifier requires no pumping and is completely gravity-fed, which means you can set it up quickly and get on with the fun. It includes a four-liter dirty water reservoir, a four-liter clean water reservoir, a hollow-fiber microfilter, hoses, a shutoff clamp, and a storage sack so you have everything you need to operate this portable water filter and then some.
Product Details
- High-capacity, gravity-fed, hollow-fiber water filter system is ideal for group and family camping, outdoor adventures, and emergency preparedness
- Meets all EPA/NSF guidelines for removal of 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa, including giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, salmonella, cholera
- No pumping required; reservoir fills easily and hangs from a tree to deliver four liters of filtered water for cooking and washing in 2.5 minutes
- Includes 4-liter dirty water reservoir, 4-liter clean water reservoir, hollow-fiber microfilter, hoses, shutoff clamp, and storage sack
- Replaceable cartridge filters up to 1,500 gallons; produces a flow rate of 1.75 liters/minute; kit weighs 11.5 ounces; made in the USA
Albert's Filter Water Bottle
If you’re looking for a personal-use option that doubles as a water bottle, Albert’s filter water bottle may be the choice for you. As far as hiking water filters go, this form factor is excellent, since it is a portable water purifier contained in its own bottle. The super-fast flow rate and high-quality materials make this a backpacking water filter that’s built to last.
Product Details
- HIGHT PERFORMANCE FILTRATION SYSTEM: 0.1-micron dual Hollow Fiber Membrane (Ultra Filters) and 5-micron Active Carbon Filter. Effectively removal 99.9999% of bacteria, rust, sediment, algae, and other suspended impurities in nature water. Removal of odor, chlorine, harmful chemicals then makes the water taste better and safe.
- SUPER FAST FLOW RATE OF 400 ml (13.5oz) PER MINUTE: Can be used directly from fresh water source of the river, stream, lake, rainwater, etc, pumped into cups, water bladders, or pumped into any portable hydration pack. Perfect for filtering large jugs of water for the whole family!
- HIGHT QUALITY MATERIALS & SAVE MONEY: Our portable water filter bottle build-out of strong food-grade Tritan plastics, manufactured with FDA Certificated, BPA-Free ABS, very safe. Filters up to 5,000 liters (1,320gallons) of water purification, can replace at least 9,000 single-use plastic bottles (500ml). The camouflage bag with a retractable strap can protect the bottle well, and it can be hung on your backpack. A double-layer ceramic membrane has a long lifespan & easy to clean.
- WHAT YOU GET: 1 x Ceramic Water Filter, 2 x Active Carbon Filter, 1 × Food-grade Silicone Tube, 1 × Transparent Design Bottle, 1× Pump Cap, 1 × Cleaning Sandpaper, 1 × Camouflage Protective Bag.
Katadyn Vario Water Filter
Rounding out our list of the best portable water filters is the Katadyn Vario Water Filter, a dual-technology microfilter for camping, backpacking, and of course, emergency preparation. The adapter base allows this portable water filter to be attached directly to a water bottle, and it features two different flow modes: one for speed, and one that preserves the longevity of the filter. Make sure to check out this portable water purifier if you’re looking for a durable technologically advanced water filter for backpacking.
Product Details
- A simple turn engages a ceramic pre-filter for long life in dirty water or a pleated glass fiber filter in normal conditions
- Produces up to two quarts per minute in the faster flow mode and one quart per minute in longer life mode
- Uses a replaceable Katadyn carbon core and cleanable ceramic disc
- The adapter base attaches directly to water bottles or an output hose can be used to fill hydration systems or larger containers
- Replaceable carbon core keeps water tasting fresh; reduces chemicals, odors, and toxins throughout the life of the cartridge
- Dual piston technology provides maximum output with minimum effort