Travel light, travel safely anywhere you go – leave room for these survival water filters in your bug-out pack now!
More than 3.5 million deaths each year…mostly children
The cause?
Dirty water and related diseases.
What if you tested for harmful contaminants in your water?
Or…
You find yourself where waterborne bacteria and heavy metals are pretty widespread.
What are you going to do?
Let me help you with that…
Dirty water needs to be filtered to remove contaminants. Thanks to experts who stayed up all night trying to come up with a solution.
Now…
There’s a durable, reliable, simple, and efficient survival water filtration device for you.
Sure, you know about water filters…
…but are they really effective in removing bacteria and protozoa in contaminated water?
Let’s find out!
We’ve rounded up ten of the best survival water filters. Read and discover…
- Which among the portable water filters topped the chart;
- What’s the difference between a pump filter and straw filters;
- Affordable survival water filter with activated carbon filters, and;
- Lots more…
Water you waiting for…
Stop, look and list it!
INTRODUCTION
The water crisis claims more lives through disease than any war through guns.
Truth be told…
…safe drinking water is a luxury for a lot of people across the globe. And half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.
But not all is bad…
Thanks to several organizations helping to improve water conditions in many countries.
We can survive on our own and help others survive as well.
Our list includes ultra-light survival filters and simple, fast, durable, and affordable chemical drops to pump filters.
Given how important a clean source of hydration is, there’s no excuse not to have one in your pack.
Let’s get this done!
Best Survival Water Filter
Best Hand-Pump Portable Survival Water Filter – Editor’s Choice
Survivor Filter Pro Water Purification System
Color – Green
Power Source – Hand Pump
Capacity – 100,000 Liters
Material – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Purification Method – Hollow Fiber Membrane, Activated Carbon Filter
Manufacturer – Survivor Filter
Overall Score:
91
The Bottom Line:
A long-lasting, dependable, easy-to-use water filter hand pump that may be used with fresh water directly, pumped into a cup that is attached to it or pumped into any portable hydration pack. This hand pump is ideal for filtering large jugs of water for the entire family.Pros
- It has included water cup
- Easy to clean using the backwash syringe
- Affordable price and great customer service
- Portable and comes in a nice carrying case
- Perfect for a single person backpacking or hiking
- Light and convenient size for backpacking and camping
- Easy to filter clean water and separate unfiltered water
Cons
- Slow pump
- The inlet hose is a little flexible
Summary
Our Editor’s Choice by Survival Filter is not the smallest or the lightest hand pump water filter, but it works.
We stumbled across this beast. The price is right, and we thought we couldn’t go wrong with it.
Boy, was I right!
We tried filling 4-6 bottles, and it takes a lot of pumping to fill a 32 oz water bottle. But it pumped all the water for all bottles. Plus, we all tried it.
Our water source was VERY heavy with sediment, but we just let it hang in the collapsible bucket for a bit to let it all settle. Water had no taste, and the filter was easy to use.
We’re confident that this filtration pump will serve you well when camping or in any survival situation.
One thing we observed, though, is…
The end of the hose, which you place in the water, floats rather than sinks when there’s a slight current. So, pumping was less efficient; the air was being pumped instead of water.
But, this beast no doubt worked better for still water.
Best Ultralight Survival Water Filter – Best Value
Outdoor Portable Filtration Emergency Survival
Color – Blue
Power Source – None
Capacity – 1500 Liters
Material – Straw
Purification Method – Hollow Fiber Filter/Membrane
Manufacturer – NatureNova N\W
Overall Score:
90
The Bottom Line:
NatureNova straw water filters are lightweight and portable and weigh less than 3.5 ounces – they fit your hands, pocket, bag and act as essential backpacking and hiking gear, also work well for the family in times of emergency.Pros
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Filtration rate is fast and remove impurities
- Great for campers and emergency situation
- It comes with a backwashing syringe and water pouch
- Use it with water filter bottles, your mouth, or with and without the straw
Cons
- Not suitable for saltwater use
- The capsize does not fit European bottles, only US
- Dirty water can leak off the side if not careful in squeezing your bottle
Summary
If you want a much better, lighter, and more affordable way of filtering water – our Best Value by NatureNova N\W got your back!
You can opt to buy 1 up to 6 of these survival water filters at an affordable price.
This is as good as the LifeStraw personal water filter.
It has a 7-inch water tube that allows you to drink without laying on the ground. The backwash syringe will clear out all the dirt from filtration. And the straw that it comes with allows you to connect with various standard bottled water.
We tested this beast in coffee and seem to have filtered out something because the coffee doesn’t taste like coffee at all – it’s terrible!
We also did a coke bottle – slow flow, but it worked better when the filter bottle was squeezed.
These are great to have. Keep one in your truck or boat. A great addition to your emergency bug-out bag.
You never know when you might need one. Be prepared
This can replace 2000 bottled water, and it’s portable to take anywhere.
Don’t use it for drinking salt water, though.
Best High-performance Survival Water Filter – Top pick
Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
Color – Blue
Power Source – None
Capacity – 0.5 Liters
Material – Plastic
Purification Method – Hollow Fiber Membrane
Manufacturer – Sawyer Products
Overall Score:
90
The Bottom Line:
Sawyer makes an excellent survival filter that’s small, lightweight, compact, and most importantly easy to filter your water using your favorite bladder or water bottle – and won’t break your bank as well.Pros
- Light, small, and compact
- Visible at night (orange color)
- Easy to clean and assemble
- More versatile than the straws – several ways to use it
- The filter is compatible with plastic water bottles and hydration packs
- It can take water at any water source with immediate results
Cons
- The hydration pack is small – invest in large capacity bags
- Flow was somewhat weak
Summary
Look no further…
Our Top Pick by Sawyer Products is perfect if you want something smaller and lighter to fit in your bug-out pack.
Who would think you can turn brown, dirty water into clean, perfectly safe water with such a small, affordable filter?
This beast is a powerhouse and continues to go
above and beyond.
You can use it as a squeeze filter with the supplied bag and a platypus bag.
Speed and ease of use when squeezing are topnotch! However, we observed that this filter shines when used as a drip system.
Aside from that…
You could hang the bag with the filter from a cord with a trap clip and let the gravity water filter do the work. 1-liter filters quickly and is a lot more convenient than holding it.
Make sure the threads are going on straight and not at an angle to avoid leakage. If done correctly, you’ll have an average of 5-6 liters of water per day for drinking and cooking.
If you’re backpacking, camping, or hiking – this beast is a must-have!
Best Personal Survival Water Filter
Emergency Survival Water Straws
Color – Multicolor
Power Source – None
Capacity – 5500 Gallons
Material – None
Purification Method – Sedimentation
Manufacturer – Practical Survival
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
These water straws make for a convenient way to store as long-term storage supplies for future use. A must-have for preppers and anyone who likes to camp, hike, or use it for emergencies.Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- No expiration date – replace when clean water stop flowing
- Multiple filtering options
- It can filter high volumes
- You get more than 1 in the package
Cons
- Not compatible to all filter bottle
- It’s not advisable to use during winter
Summary
Just in case…
You can keep a kit or two in your vehicle or take it with you when you go outdoors.
These 5-pack emergency survival water straws will provide you extra security in emergency situations for you and your loved ones to stay hydrated.
It’s lightweight – absolutely will not add weight and space to your bug out…
You can bring this beast whether camping, fishing, hunting, or simply enjoying nature’s wilderness.
Here’s the catch…
This water filter doesn’t expire. You can replace the filter once the water stops flowing.
Don’t hesitate to stock this filter because we’ll never know when we need it most. So, we must prepare for situations like electrical grid failure, vehicle breakdown, or weather-related emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, tornados, and heavy storms.
One thing you should always remember…
Don’t drop the filter on hard surfaces or leave it with water inside during winter because it might freeze and damage the filter’s membrane.
Best Survival Water Filter with Emergency Lighting
Electric Water Filter System
Color – Black
Power Source – Electric
Capacity – 100,000 Liters
Material – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Purification Method – Ultrafiltration, PP, KDF, and Activated Carbon
Manufacturer – BKLES
Overall Score:
87
The Bottom Line:
BKLES electric pump water filters have five stage filtration and an even better filter for larger volumes of water for cooking and cleaning – leave a bucket while you do whatever else you need.Pros
- It can be hung on a backpack, belt, trousers, etc.
- It can be powered in multiple ways – power supply, solar panel, vehicle power supply, etc.
- Electric backwash
- One click pump water
- Emergency light source – small flashlight on the front
- It comes with portable packaging bag
- Great for quick stops at streams to fill bottles
- Easy to charge, attach the hoses and swap out filters
Cons
- Pump is weak
- Battery didn’t last long
Summary
If you want something electric to carry on every adventure…
BKLES meets all the emergency standards of producing clean water whenever and wherever you are.
The pump is strong and allows you to collect water freely if you’re multitasking or injured and can’t pump water yourself.
Although the mechanical build and battery of this filter impressed us…
A 5-stage filter should, at the very least, impact the water purity of contaminants on a TDS meter.
The tap water tested 164 using a TDS meter. After filtration, it results in 156. It didn’t affect the clarity of micro-contaminates of the basic minerals in our tap water. But, there’s a change in the taste of the water.
Also…
It did a great job of filtering water in a small aquarium we use for testing.
Another nifty feature…
This beast comes with a small flashlight, so you won’t have to worry about being in the dark.
Best Pocket Survival Water Filter
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter
Color – Blue
Power Source – AC/DC
Capacity – 130,00 gallons
Material – Ceramic
Purification Method – None
Manufacturer – Katadyn
Overall Score:
85
The Bottom Line:
Katadyn is a robust and portable filter made of materials ideal for long-lasting and continuous use even under extreme circumstances. It greatly filters safe and clean water into hydration packs and bottles.Pros
- Easy to clean and assemble
- A durable full metal body
- It gives different quality water
- Simple and great for summer, fall, and spring use
- Great design for ease of use when pumping
- A 20-year warranty is available
Cons
- Not for cold weather
- It’s slightly bulky
- Slow water transfer
- It will not filter saltwater
- Pricey
Summary
Out of the higher-priced Katadyn survival water filters – this one is topnotch! While the cost is high, it still does a great job of purifying water.
This is not the fastest water purifying device. Still, it does pump a quart of water within 5 minutes, and the water tastes pretty good.
Here’s the thing…
We don’t recommend using this for backpacking due to its weight and slow flow.
If you live where there’s a lot of moving clear water…
Using a life straw or inline water filter is much easier. It’s quite heavy if you’ll use it for backpacking.
Aside from that…
We also don’t recommend using this filter above freezing times. If any moisture is left in the filter’s pore will result in freezing, expanding, and ultimately cracking, which will not break this filter but your trip as well.
On a positive note…
This beast is built like a tank and would be a great item in a base camp with people sharing filtered water.
Overall, it’s a little bulky but works great and is reasonably priced for what it offers.
Best Four Stage Survival Water Filter
FS-TFC Portable Water Filter Pump
Color – Multicolor
Power Source – Hand Press
Capacity – 8000 Liters
Material – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
Purification Method – Ultrafiltration, KDF and Activated Carbon
Manufacturer – Outdoor Water Filter
Overall Score:
87
The Bottom Line:
This portable water filter set is very straightforward to use, and it is compact and light so that it can be added to your backpacking, hiking kit or emergency set without taking up too much space. It also includes a zippered bag to keep the set together and clean while in your backpack.Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight and durable
- It’s good to filter 2,000 gallons
- Simple, quick, and compact
- Lifetime warranty is available
- It won’t take a lot of space in your bags
- Filter chlorine and metallic taste out of water
Cons
- Pouch is small
- It will not filter saltwater
- No instructions included
Summary
This beast is true to its name – simple, compact, and portable.
You can easily put the straw filter tube into a water source. Use the pump to draw filtered water into your hydration bag or bottle. And, this packs up small and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
The kit comes with everything you need…
Two sets of tubing arrive with your filter – the white one with the grey filter on end – the one that goes into your water source and the bottom side of the pump.
The blue hose goes into the top of the pump and the other end into your water collection bag. It’s not difficult to pump the water through the filter, and the pieces of the tubing remain in place while in use.
Not only that…
It also comes with a carrying case and a plastic water bottle. The water bottle can easily clip to your pack with the carabiner and straw top.
We went to a local lake to test this beast out. After pumping it into a cup with water tested, we tested the water, and it tasted great. The water doesn’t taste bad or gritty, no aftertaste as well.
The price is half the price of our Editor’s Choice but a bit pricey compared to our Best Value and Our Top Pick.
However…
This filter is good in terms of quality. But, if you have a certain water filter budget, check out our Best Value and Top Pick.
If you want a good quality and reasonably priced filter, this is for you and our Editor’s Choice.
Overall, it’s worth the investment in getting this filter as an emergency backup. Not only is it straightforward to use, and it provides safe, clean water in the event you can’t safely acquire a water source when you need it most.
Best Detachable Survival Water Filter
Water Filter Straw WS02
Color – Blue
Power Source – No Need
Capacity – 200,00 Liters
Material – Plastic
Purification Method – Hollow Fiber Membrane
Manufacturer – Membrane Solutions
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
A small, light and easy to use straw filter for multiple purposes such as backpacking gear, hiking gear, travel accessories, camping safety, and survival equipment and emergency preparedness that allows you to attach a water bottle to it, attached to a gravity water feed bag.Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to disassemble and clean
- It came with a lanyard
- Backwashing, no need for a syringe
- Adapt normal water or soft drink bottle to filter water
Cons
- It doesn’t work for seawater
- A bit pricey compared to Life Straw
Summary
A real contender in the water filter department and more versatile than Katadyn Vario Multi Flow Microfilter.
Our WS02 water filter straw is now the only detachable straw on the market; both ends can be disassembled.
That means it just needs to replace the filter element anytime and anywhere. No need to replace the straw tube shell frequently, which is truly reusable, money-saving, and more environmentally friendly.
A detachable mouthpiece connects with the common bottle for backwashing. No need for an extra syringe, making cleaning easier.
Aside from that…
This backpacking water filter is made up of a 0.1-micron hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane, coconut shell GAC filter, and double PP fiber filter.
And removes bacteria and protozoa, harmful heavy metals, iodine, chlorine, and bad odor and makes water taste better.
Furthermore, even when the filter pore size is reduced, it can still maintain the ideal flow rate (500 ml/min). long life expectancy to deliver at least 20,000 gallons of pure water.
It’s also compatible with soft water pouches or standard disposable filter bottles.
You can use this as a backup filter. Add an extension silicone pipe on the emergency water filter for more distance to drink. Replacement filters provide enough freshwater for you and your family.
Best Battery-Powered Portable Water Filter Survival Water Filter
Survivor Filter Pro X Electric Water Filtration System
Color – Green
Power Source – Electric
Capacity – 100,000 Liters
Material – N/A
Purification Method – Ultrafiltration
Manufacturer – Survivor Filter
Overall Score:
87
The Bottom Line:
If you’re going off-grid camping or hiking with a group, Survivor Filter Pro is a terrific addition to your backpack because it performs exactly what it promises. The useless water may be converted into safe, delicious drinking water, which is especially useful for filtering huge bottles of water for the entire family.Pros
- Lightweight
- It doesn’t have built-in batteries
- Lifetime replacement warranty is guaranteed
- Included USB wall charger and micro USB cable
- Back washing syringe and carrying case
Cons
- The micron filter gets sometimes clogged
- Easy to press button – might cause accident
Summary
This beast is easy to set up and works great in filling 4 gallons of jugs in 25 minutes.
It has two hoses, one for input and one for output. It has an ON-OFF push button on top, and the best part is it’s electric, so no hand pumping!
The electric feature is what convinced many to buy this. And also the option of USB or battery power, plus the triple filtration process.
The supplier test report has positive results and many reviews from other users.
Aside from that…
It can be used directly from fresh water, pumped into the attached cup, or pumped into any portable hydration pack. A great way to get potable water without chemical treatment. It also includes a back flush syringe for filter cleaning and when the flow slows.
It doesn’t have built-in batteries, which is a huge advantage, as there will be no need to trash the whole device when the battery eventually degrades or breaks down.
With 2 AA batteries…
I’m sure a distance hiker may use it daily for weeks, possibly months, without changing batteries.
Overall, this beast is easier to use than a gravity filter.
Best Survival Water Filter With Dual Technology Microfilter
Katadyn Vario Multi Flow Microfilter
Color – Black
Power Source – AC/DC
Capacity – 2.5 Liters
Material – Glass
Purification Method – Pleated Glass-Fiber
Manufacturer – Katadyn
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
With the included water filter, storage bag, and cleaning pad, Katadyn is one of the best survival water filters that you can add to your backpacking trip, canoe, and hiking adventure because of its speed, simplicity, and effectiveness.Pros
- Easy to use
- Fast and light
- Water tastes great
- It can filter around 500 gallons
- Filter is reusable and cleanable
- Available in one-year warranty
- It does come with a second hose
- It comes with a water filter, storage bag, and cleaning pad
Cons
- The activated carbon filter may remove some taste of chlorine, but will not eliminate it in the water
- Filter gets sometimes clogged
- A bit bulky for backpackers
Summary
You wouldn’t trade this for anything.
Katadyn Vario is designed for camping, backpacking, hiking, and emergency use, where you want to assure that the water is free from bacteria and protozoa.
Katadyn Vario is a wonderful water filter.
We tried water from a mud puddle, which came out perfectly clean and tasted great! Just be careful with the Katadyn system – especially cleaning the inside.
Why?
This is not like an average filter with disposable filters. You can filter water if the filter is kept in good shape.
However…
This filter is not really designed to remove chlorine. The carbon filter will remove some chlorine, but the easiest way is to aerate the water. Chlorine is a gas that will dissipate with aeration.
In a backpacking, camping, or hiking scenario…
….you’ll be purifying surface water that won’t have any chlorine in it, to begin with.
And in an emergency survival situation…
You probably won’t be all that worried about removing chlorine – in fact, you might be adding chlorine to try to kill any pathogens in the water. A bit of “off taste” will not be your major concern.
On a positive note…
This has a ceramic filter, meaning it will be good for up to 6-8 years unless you are using it every day – maybe a good 5 years.
Suppose you notice that the water flow slows a little bit…
All you need to do is to take out the ceramic filter and wipe it down with a clean cloth or steel wool – and it will be back to its normal flow.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q – What is the best water filter for survival?
A – When purified, drinking water is nowhere to be found. It’s always better to have an ultra-light water filter that removes chemicals like our Editor’s Choice, Best Value, and Top Pick in this list.
Q – How do you purify water in survival?
A – The basic process of filtering water in a survival situation is to remove debris such as soil, dirt, sediment, sticks, leaves, and any animals living in the water. To create a survival filter, you will need to gather various materials such as pebbles, sand, cloth, and charcoal.
Q – What is the best filtering material to purify water?
A – Sand and gravel make good water filters because they form permeable layers. When the sand particles are next to one another, there are tiny spaces between them. Water can pass slowly through these tiny spaces, and some dirt particles get trapped.
Conclusion: Best Survival Water Filter
A lot of good survival water filters are out there – the question is – which one has top notch features and will serve you well?
Our Editor’s Choice by Survivor Filter is a long-lasting, dependable, easy-to-use water filter hand pump that may be used with fresh water directly. It comes with a pump into a cup attached to it or any portable hydration pack.
This hand pump is ideal for filtering large jugs of water for the entire family. We’re confident that this filtration pump will serve you well when camping or in any survival situation.
On the other hand…
Suppose you want lightweight, portable straw filters weighing less than 3.5 ounces. Our Best Value and Top Pick are your best bet!
Both are excellent survival water filters that are affordable, lightweight, portable, and especially easy to use with your preferred hydration pack.
You can even just drink directly to the available water source wherever you are, which will clean your water with no aftertaste. However, our Best Value is not suitable for filtering saltwater.
Our Top Pick can be used in several. The filter is compatible with plastic water bottles and hydration packs. And can take water from any water source with immediate results.
Water is necessary for our everyday activities – whether it’s for bathing, cooking, or drinking.
When an unexpected calamity strikes – how long are you gonna survive without water?
They say…about three to four days. The good thing is – water is everywhere, but some are contaminated.
That’s why…
You should always keep a durable and long-lasting survival water filter in your bunker, pantry, vehicle, etc. – just in case.
