The Best Camping & Hiking Water Filters
We compared eight portable water filters for camping and hiking, based on owner ratings, expert reviews, and specs. The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System is our top pick for its balance of performance and price.
Updated
The bottom line
The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System (B00FA2RLX2) is our top pick for a camping and hiking water filter. It offers high-performance filtration at a reasonable price, removing 99.99999% of bacteria and protozoa and 100% of microplastics. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (B006QF3TW4) is a close runner-up, especially for those who prioritize portability and simplicity, though it does not filter viruses. For a budget option, the Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 (B0D7M47SFY) provides good value but requires more frequent filter replacements.
Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System $28.99
Best balance of performance and price
The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System offers high-performance filtration for $28.99, removing 99.99999% of bacteria and protozoa and 100% of microplastics. It's compact, versatile, and has a high customer rating. The tradeoff is its slightly higher price compared to some alternatives.
Check price on Amazon
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $13.49
Best for portability and simplicity
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is highly portable and simple to use, priced at $13.49. It removes 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites but does not filter viruses. Suitable for those who need a lightweight, easy-to-use option.
Check price on Amazon
Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 $11.99
Good value with frequent filter replacements
The Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 offers good filtration at $11.99 but requires more frequent filter replacements. It removes 99.99999% of bacteria and has a high customer rating.
Check price on AmazonThe field, ranked
- Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System Best balance of performance and price 9.0/10 $28.99 Amazon
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Best for portability and simplicity 8.5/10 $13.49 Amazon
- Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 Good value with frequent filter replacements 8.0/10 $11.99 Amazon
- Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System High-performance but slightly overpriced 8.0/10 $23.99 Amazon
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Effective but expensive 7.5/10 $79.95 Amazon
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Effective but expensive 7.5/10 $33.03 Amazon
- Practical Survival Reusable Emergency Water Filter Straws Good filtration but higher price 7.0/10 $35.98 Amazon
- Practical Survival Reusable Emergency Water Filter Straws Good filtration but higher price 7.0/10 $71.98 Amazon
Where the differences show up in daily use
The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System (B00FA2RLX2) is versatile, fitting into various containers and offering a reusable squeeze pouch and drinking straw. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (B006QF3TW4) is simpler to use but requires more effort due to its squeeze design. The Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 (B0D7M47SFY) is lightweight and easy to carry but needs more frequent filter replacements.
Who should buy which
Hikers and campers who need a versatile and high-performance filter should choose the Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System (B00FA2RLX2). Those who prioritize portability and simplicity might prefer the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (B006QF3TW4). Budget-conscious buyers should consider the Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 (B0D7M47SFY), despite its need for more frequent filter replacements.
What owners complain about after buying
Owners of the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (B006QF3TW4) mention that it does not filter viruses, making it unsuitable for urban environments. Some users of the Membrane Solutions Personal Water Filter Straw S1 (B0D7M47SFY) complain about the need for frequent filter replacements. The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System (B00FA2RLX2) has fewer complaints, but some users find it slightly overpriced.
The also-rans
The Practical Survival Reusable Emergency Water Filter Straws (B09LDFR8HX and B0B72JVNFC) are highly rated but come at a higher price point, making them less competitive. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (B087D7K48X and B07C56LR6N) are effective but expensive, offering no significant advantages over the cheaper LifeStraw model (B006QF3TW4).