When youre out camping, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your water is clean. Thats why its important to choose a good camping water filter. But with all the different brands and models out there, how do you know which one is right for you?
Thats where we come in. Weve put together a list of the best camping water filters on the market, based on our own extensive research. Weve also included ratings and reviews from other customers, so you can get a better idea of which ones are worth your money.
10 Best Camping Water Filters | June 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)
Last updated on June 12, 2023
11 minutes
OUR TOP PICKS
Top #1
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness
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A Few Of Our Ranking Metrics:
Check below for our tips on purchasing the best Camping Water Filters:
View Buying Guide
The 10 best Camping Water Filters
Top #1
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness
95%
Customer
Satisfaction
100%
Overall
Score
94%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The LifeStraw is a great product for camping because it removes bacteria and parasites, microplastics, and turbidity. It also has a long lifetime and makes an impact by providing safe drinking water to school children in need.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It can be challenging to start.
It is simple to use and carry.
It is good for 10,000 gallons of water.
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Top #2
Sawyer Products Squeeze Water Filtration System
93%
Customer
Satisfaction
96%
Overall
Score
92%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is lightweight and easy to use, it removes harmful bacteria, protozoa, cysts, sediment, and 100% of microplastics, and it has a high-performance 0.1 micron absolute inline filter.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The sawyer is simple to use.
The water is clear and delicious.
Some of the water was disgusting, but it's better when filtered.
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Top #3
Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
97%
Customer
Satisfaction
95%
Overall
Score
92%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is small and lightweight, fits in the palm of your hand, removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, and removes 100% of microplastics.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It keeps you from dying, unless a bear or pack of wolves eat you.
But hey, at least you can feel good about not passing any harmful bacteria or parasites to the critter that's gnawing on your bones.
performed beautifully on a 2,500' elevation gain hike that was expected to clock in around 9 miles round-trip.
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Top #4
GRAYL UltraPress 16.9 oz Water Purifier & Filter Bottle for Hiking, Backpacking, Survival, Travel
94%
Customer
Satisfaction
92%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
This product is easy to use, fast and efficient. It removes all pathogens and pollutants from water making it safe to drink.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The company has since, launched a 24oz that has the top connected to resolve the issue.
It is near perfect in filtering water.
It makes it easy to drink clean water.
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Top #5
Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter, Fast Flow, 0.1 Micron EZ Clean Membrane for Endurance Sports, Camping and Backpacking, One Size, 8018006
93%
Customer
Satisfaction
92%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The filter removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like Giardia & Cryptosporidium 99.9%, surpassing EPA standards. The filter is collapsible for easy storage and fits in tight spaces (jacket pockets, purses, backpack, fly vests). The Ez-clean membrane is simple and easy to clean by simply shaking or swishing the filter to clean debris. Filters up to 1, 000 liters of contaminated water without using chemicals or other devices.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The water flow rate is fast.
The filter does not clog or leak.
It is easy to carry around.
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Top #6
Membrane Solutions Straw Water Filter, Survival Filtration Portable Gear, Emergency Preparedness, Supply for Drinking Hiking Camping Travel Hunting Fi...
99%
Customer
Satisfaction
92%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
SGS certificated. Test Report NBF21-004693-01. Ideal for recreation, hiking, camping. Pocket size and lightweight. Fits in any bottle, cup, or glass. Lasts up to 5,000 liters (1,320 gallons).
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is easy to use.
The 5 step filtration system gives the user a piece of mind that their water is being used cleanly.
It is good for keeping water clean and fresh.
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Top #7
Portable Camping Water Purifier Dual 0.01 Micron Water Filtration System for Outdoor Backpacking, Hiking, Emergency - Dual Filters Version
87%
Customer
Satisfaction
92%
Overall
Score
92%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The best features of this product are that it is full automatic, has a fast purified water flow rate, and is long endurance.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
The tool is good for Survival purposes.
It is small and compact.
The case does carry everything in it.
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Top #8
Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw, Camping Water Filtration System, Water Purifier Survival for Travel, Backpacking and Emergency Preparedness, 1.5...
99%
Customer
Satisfaction
91%
Overall
Score
89%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The Water Filter Straw is a 5-stage efficient filter that reduces harmful substances like chlorine, particulates, sediment, stones, sand, dirt, bad taste and odor in water. It also has a recyclable straw design that keeps the inside of the filter clean at all times. The Water Filter Straw is perfect for outdoor activities and first aid survival.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is good for hiking, camping, prepping, emergencies and home use.
It is good for clean water needs.
It has a perfect clean taste.
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Top #9
Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter, Lightweight, Compact Design for Personal or Small Group Camping, Backpacking or Emergency Preparedness, on...
92%
Customer
Satisfaction
90%
Overall
Score
91%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
This product is a water filter that is proven to protect against bacteria and protozoan cysts down to 0.2 micron, with pleated glass-fiber filter media. It also has activated carbon in the core of the filter which 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.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is good because it has a customer service that is outstanding.
It is easy to service.
It is good for hunting.
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Top #10
Mini Water Filter NatureNova Portable Emergency Water Filtration System Hiking Camping Straw Survival Gear Emergency Preparedness
96%
Customer
Satisfaction
90%
Overall
Score
86%
Product
Quality
View on Amazon
WHAT WE LIKE:
The lightest filter on the market, with an advanced filtration technology that eliminates 99.9999% of the passage of particles, pollutants, chlorine and impurities. The 0.01 Micron 2 stages fibre membrane and medical grade pp cotton inline filter provide outstanding filtration. The product is perfect for outdoor adventures, backpacking, camping, hiking and travelling. The lifespan is up to 100,000 gallons and it can be connected to a drinking pouch or threaded water bottles for easy use.
Pros & Cons From Reviewers:
It is easy to use and has a fast flow.
It makes great gifts for birthdays or Christmas.
It is great for bikepacking.
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Camping Water Filters Buying Guide : What You Need To Know
*Our top pick for the best Camping Water Filters
Attributes Of High Quality Camping Water Filters
- The ability to remove harmful contaminants from water.
- The ability to improve the taste of water.
- The ability to filter out sediment and debris.
- The ability to provide clean, safe drinking water.
How To Choose The Best Camping Water Filters
When you are looking for a water purifier for camping, you will want to make sure that you find one that is the right size for your needs. There are many different sizes of water purifiers on the market, so you will want to take the time to find one that is large enough to hold the amount of water that you need it to. You should also make sure that the container is made from a durable material so that it will not break easily.
The next thing that you need to consider when choosing a water purifier for camping is what type of filtration system it uses. There are many different types of filtration systems on the market, so you will want to find one that is going to be able to remove all of the impurities from the water. The most common type of filtration system is a carbon filter, but there are also other types available.
Once you have considered these two factors, you will then want to look at the price of the water purifier. There are many different prices on the market, so you will want to find one that fits into your budget. You should also make sure that you read reviews about the different water purifiers before making your final decision. This way, you can be sure that you are getting a quality product for your money.
What To Avoid When Looking For The Best Camping Water Filters
When it comes to choosing the best camping water filters, there are a few things that you need to avoid in order to make sure that you get the most out of your investment. Here are four of the most common mistakes that people make when choosing camping water filters:
1. Not Checking the Filter’s Capacity
One of the first things that you need to do when choosing a camping water filter is to check its capacity. This is important because you need to make sure that the filter can actually handle the amount of water that you’re going to be using it for. For example, if you’re only going to be using the filter for one person, then you don’t need to get a filter with a very high capacity. However, if you’re planning on using the filter for a group of people, then you’ll need to make sure that it has a higher capacity so that everyone can have access to clean water.
2. Not Considering the Type of Water You’ll Be Filtering
Another mistake that people make when choosing camping water filters is not considering the type of water they’ll be filtering. This is important because different types of water require different types of filters. For example, if you’re only going to be filtering rainwater, then you won’t need a very strong filter. However, if you’re planning on filtering river or lake water, then you’ll need a much stronger filter in order to remove all of the contaminants from the water.
3. Not Checking for Certification
When you’re looking at different camping water filters, it’s important to check and see if they’re certified by any organizations. This is important because it will give you an idea of how effective the filters actually are. There are a few different organizations that certify filters, but the two most common ones are NSF International and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If a filter is certified by either of these organizations, then you can be confident that it will do a good job of filtering out contaminants from your water.
4. Not Checking the Price
Finally, one of the biggest mistakes that people make when choosing camping water filters is not checking the price. Just because a filter is expensive doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily better than other options on the market. There are plenty of high-quality and affordable options available, so don’t let price be the only factor you consider when making your decision.