A water filter is a piece of gear that every hiker, camper and survivalist needs. If you spend any amount of time in the outdoors, you should have one with you, regardless of how or what you do when you’re out in the wild. In fact, you probably need more than one. When you’re out in the great outdoors, staying hydrated is should be a priority, and access to clean drinking water is one of the key factors that will determine your survival if something goes haywire. Survival water filters are designed to help keep you hydrated even when there’s no clean water nearby.
Best Pump Style Survival Water Filter
Katadyn Vario Dual Technology MicroFilter
Survival water filters come in many different shapes and sizes, as well as designs, but their basic function is to intake dirty water, filter out the bad stuff, and provide you with crystal clear water that is 99.99% safe to drink.
Not only that, but water filters are good for the environment. They reduce the need for plastic bottles and they don’t require the water to be boiled, so no energy is required (other than your own if you’re using a pump-style water filter). That means that even in non-survival situations, using these kinds of survival water filters is preferable to disposable plastic bottles.
In this guide to the best survival water filters, we’ll go over the different types of water filters available, plus we have a buyer’s guide at the end if you’re not sure what features and factors to prioritize (depends on your specific use-case). We also have the top ten survival water filters (split out into the different types) that we recommend here at Secrets of Survival. We’ve arranged them in groups according to the four styles to keep things nice and simple.
By the end, it should be totally clear which survival water filter is right for you. But we’ve tagged on some FAQs to clarify any remaining questions you’ve got.
Different Styles of Survival Water Filter
There are four styles of survival water filter: straw, pump, water bottle and gravity bag. I’ll go into a bit more detail on each style here.
Straw style
Straw-style water filters are small portable hollow tubes with a filter or filters inside. They are called straw-style filters because you use it just like a straw. You suck water through them, meaning you can drink straight from muddy puddles. They are probably the simplest filters, but they are effective. Straw-style filters are ideal for one person who wants something light and simple. They’re the most portable of the four options, so if you’re shooting from something super lightweight, you’ll want a straw-style filter.
Pump style
A hand pump water filter comprises a bag, a pump, and a tube. By putting the tube in the water you want to filter, and pumping the handle, you suck water up the tube, through the filter medium inside the pump itself and into the reservoir bag. Hand pump water filters are great ways to stock up on good amounts of clean water and are ideal for situations with a few people.
Water bottle style
A water bottle-style water filter is similar to a straw-style filter, the difference being the straw, which contains the filters, is inside the bottle. All you have to do is fill the bottle with water from whatever source you’ve found, and suck it through the straw and filter medium. A water bottle-style filter is a great, simple and lightweight way to ensure you have clean water on the go. The good thing about the water bottle style is it allows you to carry some amount of drinking water with you (rather than forcing you to drink at the location of the source of water like the straw-style). On the other than, it’s less lightweight.
Gravity bag style
The gravity bag-style water filters are the easiest to use in some ways. You have to do the least amount of effort with a gravity bag because, as the name suggests, you let gravity do the work for you. Fill the bag and hang it up somewhere high and let the water flow down the tube, through the filter, into a reservoir below. Gravity bags are great for groups of people because they can filter the largest amount of water.
Top 10 Best Survival Water Filters
Features:
- Up to 100,000 gallons
- 1-micron pore size
- Hollow fiber filter
- Fits in the palm of your hand
- Weighs 2 ounces
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is the smallest and lightest filter made by Sawyer, who has been making survival gear since 1984. They have used their experience to make a great product with the Mini Filter.
One of the best things about the mini-filter is its versatility. You can use it like a straw and drink directly from the source, you can attach it to the half-liter drinking pouch that’s included, or you can screw it onto a standard-sized water bottle and use it as a water bottle-style filter.
The Sawyer Mini Filter’s 0.1 micron, hollow fiber membrane, inline filter removes bacteria, protozoa, E. coli, giardia, vibrio cholerae, salmonella, typhi, leptospirosis, and microplastics, and it’s an ideal water filter for hiking and camping, as well as international travel and emergencies.
Check price of the Sawyer Mini Water Filter
- Lightweight
- Excellent filter tech (0.1 micron)
- Often recommended by survival experts
- Versatile – can be used as a straw or attached to a drinking pouch or water bottle
- Small reservoir – only 0.5 liter
- Slower filter rate
Features:
- Removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics
- Weighs only 2 ounces
- 1,000-gallon lifetime
- Unlimited shelf life
The Lifestraw is an award-winning, lightweight straw-style water filter. It’s a nice size and would fit easily into a day bag. Weighing only 2 ounces, you would barely notice it. The slim, sleek design looks good, and it comes in three colors.
The Lifestraw’s microbiological, hollow fiber membrane filters to 0.2 microns and removes bacteria such as E. coli, parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and microplastics. With the Lifestraw, you definitely feel safe drinking straight from a pond, stream or river.
Because of the LifeStraw’s lightweight and compact design, it would make a great addition to your pack for emergencies. While the straw-style filters aren’t the most convenient, because of their lack of reservoir, they are ideal for worst-case scenarios.
A great thing about LifeStraw is the company’s dedication to improving the world. LifeStraw has helped set up initiatives to deliver clean drinking water to people who need it around the world. They have set up a program where, for every product sold, a child receives clean drinking water for a year. Not only do they make a great filter, but they are using it to do good in the world.
Check price of the LifeStraw Personal
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Great for emergencies
- Good value for money
- Helps bring clean water to those who need it
- No reservoir
- Main use is for emergencies
- Filter not as good as Sawyer Mini
Features:
- Dual pumping modes
- Activated carbon core reduces chemicals and keeps water tasting fresh
- Glass fiber filter
- Ceramic disc filter
- 1-liter or 2-liter per minute pump rate
- Adapter base attaches to water bottles
The Katadyn Vario Dual Technology MicroFilter is often rated one of the best water filters out there, and it’s won a bunch of awards. The ceramic and glass fiber filters are some of the best filter mediums in the business, and the dual piston mechanism which allows for continuous water flow is a game-changer.
By switching which filter membrane the water flows through, you have access to two different flow rates, called ‘Longer Life’ and ‘Faster Flow’ modes. In the ‘Longer Life’ mode, the water passes through the ceramic disc at a rate of 1 liter per minute. In the Faster Flow mode, the water passed through the glass fiber membrane at a rate of 2 liters per minute.
While the Katadyn MicroFilter is a larger pump-style water filter than some of the other filters on this list, its sturdiness makes it feel robust and well made. The long hose allows you to easily access the water source without having to get soaked in the process.
The Katadyn MicroFilter comes with a replaceable activated carbon granulate inside the filter which helps improve the taste and odor of the water. It’s a great pump-style water filter to take with you on multi-day hiking trips. While it’s a little bulkier, its performance makes it totally worth it.
Check price of the Katadyn Vario Dual Technology MicroFilter
- Dual pumping modes
- Well built & feels solid
- Feels solid
- Meets all water filter standards
- Long hose for hard-to-access water sources
- Comes with warranties
- Activated carbon granulate improves taste and odor
- Activated carbon granulate has to be replaced
- Larger and less lightweight than some filters on this list
Features:
- Lightweight
- Drink directly from the source
- Refill water bottles or hydration bladders
- Zero set-up
- One-handed pumping operation
- 1-liter per minute
MSR has come out with a beautiful piece of survival kit with their TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter. It’s one of the smaller filters on this list, weighing just five ounces, and you won’t even notice it stashed in your backpack.
Its simple design makes the TrailShot easy to pump with one hand, which makes it great for refilling your hydration bladder or water bottle or even drinking directly from the source. It can easily handle a liter per minute, so you’ll be back on the trail in no time.
The TrailShot offers slightly more than a pure-emergency water filter. It would be a great filter to take on hikes and camping trips because of its lightweight. The lack of a reservoir and its small size make it less ideal for groups of people or camping for a long time in the same spot. In that case, you might want to get it as an additional water filter for day trips and emergencies.
Check price of the MSR TrailShot
- Small, compact, and lightweight
- Drink from the source of fill your own bottles
- No setup time
- Easy & intuitive to use
- One-handed operation
- Perfect for day hikes and emergencies
- Suited for providing water for only 1 person
- Isn’t suitable for long-term filter requirements
Features:
- 3 filters
- 1 micron
- Removes protozoa, virus, mercury, and lead
- 500ml per minute flow rate
- BPA free
- Removable filters
The Survivor Filter Pro is a nice and solid little pump-style filter that will easily fit in your pack. It meets all the clean water standards, filtering to 0.01 microns through 3 filters – cotton, carbon, and medical-grade UF filter.
The Survivor Filter Pro is well designed and is super easy to use. The pump handle is comfortable, and it can filter 500ml per minute which, while not the fastest, is passing through 3 filters, compared to most other models’ 1 or 2.
The Survivor Filter Pro’s strength is one of its best features. Its shell is made out of the same material as car fenders, plus there’s a steel bar in the handle to reinforce it. All the plastic used is BPA free, and the filters can be washed and reused.
Another great feature of the Survivor Filter Pro is its industry-leading lifetime warranty.
Check price of the Survivor Filter PRO
- Compact size
- Reasonable price
- Lifetime warranty
- Triple filter
- Comparatively slow pump rate
- Doesn’t include bottle or bladder
- The included cup isn’t great
Features:
- 2-stage filter (microbiological and carbon)
- Hollow fiber microfiltration membrane filters to 0.2 micron
- 1,000-gallon lifetime
- BPA-free plastic bottle
- Dishwasher safe
- 22 fl oz
- Recyclable
The water bottle-style filter from Lifestraw is a two-stage water filter, giving users protection from bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. The plastic bottle has a 22 fl oz (650 ml) capacity and is totally BPA free, as well as recyclable. It’s made out of super-strong Tritan plastic, and it feels unbreakable.
The LifeStraw Go has a 2-stage filter. The microbiological stage filters to 0.2 microns, while the activated carbon stage helps improve the water’s taste and odor. The suggested lifetime of the filters is 4,000 liters for the microbiological filter and 100 liters for the activated carbon filter.
As a company, LifeStraw is dedicated to providing clean water to everyone. They have a program where, for every one product sold, they pledge to bring a school kid with clean water for a year. Not only are their filters some of the best out there, but they have a social conscience as well.
The LifeStraw Go is a perfect water bottle-style water filter for day hikes, travel, sports, and emergencies.
Check price of the LifeStraw Go
- Protects against bacteria, parasites, and microplastics
- 2 stage filter, filters to 0.2 microns
- BPA-free, recyclable plastic bottle
- For every bottle sold, LifeStraw pledges to supply one child with clean water for a year
- Light and durable bottle
- Low capacity compared to other models
- Filters will need replacing
Features:
- 1L capacity
- 2 liters/minute
- 1000L lifetime
- Removes bacteria, cysts, and sediment
- 100% PVC and BPA free
- Hollow fiber filter 0.1 micron
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
The Katadyn BeFree is a great, flexible water filter, perfect for hiking, travel, and emergencies. The entire thing only weighs 2 ounces and the flexible reservoir means you can roll it up and stow it in a pack without needing much space at all.
The plastic is totally BPA-free, as well as recyclable. The filter removes bacteria, cysts, and sediment, and filters to 0.1 microns. It can filter up to 2 liters of water per minute, which is better than a lot of filters on this list.
The compact size of the Katadyn BeFree water bottle-style filter makes it perfect for biking, hiking, and camping, as well as international travel and emergencies. The 1.0L capacity, coupled with the size and weight makes it one of the best water bottle-style water filters out there.
Check price of the Katadyn BeFree
- Flexible reservoir so it can pack up small
- Easy to use, just fill and drink
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- Filters to 0.1 micron
- 2-liter per minute filter rate
- The flexible reservoir isn’t as strong as a hard plastic bottle and will eventually wear out
- Solo use only
- Doesn’t have a carbon filter, so doesn’t improve taste or odor
Features:
- 5 or 12 liter gravity bag
- Quick-connecting hose
- Purification cartridge
- Built-in backwashing system
- 4,755 gallons lifetime
- 12 liters/hr flow rate
- BPA free & recyclable
The LifeStraw Mission is a high-volume, high-performance gravity bag that’s great for base camps, emergencies and overseas travel if you need lots of clean water. The Mission comes with a 5 or 12-liter gravity bag, depending on how much water you plan on filtering.
While it has a high volume capacity of 12 liters per hour, the Mission is still light and compact, weighing only 1.17 lbs. The hollow fiber membrane filters water to 0.02 microns and removes viruses, bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.
All you have to do is fill the bag with fresh water and hang the Lifestraw Mission up high and wait. The high-volume capacity makes it a great purifier for groups and long-term requirements. LifeStraw’s dedication to providing the world with access to clean water is another great feature. Every Mission sold is matched by LifeStraw providing a school kid with clean water for a year.
Check price of the LifeStraw Mission
- High-volume capacity
- Quick filter – 12 liters per hour
- Plastic is BPA free and recyclable
- Built-in backwashing system
- Lifestraw’s dedication to providing school kids around the world with access to clean water
- No activated carbon to improve water taste or odor
- Some competitors filter to 0.01 microns
Features:
- 100,000 gallons lifetime
- One gallon bladder
- Removes bacteria, protozoa, cysts, and microplastics
- Filter to 0.1 micron
The lightweight Sawyer 1-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System is perfect for camping, traveling and emergencies. The 1-gallon bag is easy to fill and has a handle at the top for easy carrying. The filter is rated to 0.1 microns and removes all bacteria, protozoa, viruses, cysts, and microplastics.
Weighing only 8.8 ounces, it’s lighter than competitors’ gravity bags. Plus, it filters at a quick rate of 1 gallon per seven minutes, so you’ll never be waiting around for fresh water. The hollow fiber membrane of the filter is good up to 100,000 gallons, so it won’t need to be replaced very often.
The Sawyer 1-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System is perfect if you’re looking for a lightweight gravity bag-style filter. If you’re not too concerned about volume, then it’s a great choice. If you need more than 1 gallon, maybe look at the LifeStraw Mission.
Check price of the Sawyer 1-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System
- Super lightweight – only 8.8 ounces
- Filters to 0.1 micron
- 100,000 gallon-lifetime
- Good value
- Comfortable travel handle for transport
- Smaller capacity than the Lifestraw Mission
- User reviews say the bag is prone to splitting
- No activated carbon to improve the taste or odor of the filtered water
Features:
- 75 liters per minute
- 1,500 liters microfilter lifetime
- 5 oz
- Hollow fiber filter
The Platypus GravityWorks is a well-designed gravity bag-style water filter with a 4.0-liter capacity. It can filter 1.75 liters per minute, plus the microfilter has a lifetime of up to 1,500 liters.
Its filter is effective up to 0.1 micron and filters out bacteria and protozoa, as well as particulates and microplastics. It’s super easy to fill, all you have to do is open the top, scoop up the water and close. Then let the Platypus GravityWorks do the rest.
While it doesn’t have a capacity as large as the LifeStraw Mission, it is a great gravity bag-style filter, ideal for bigger backpacking groups or basecamps. It feels sturdier and better designed than the Sawyer Gravity Bag, mainly because of the differences in quality of the reservoir bags.
Check price of the Platypus GravityWorks
- Super simple and easy to use
- Quick filter rate
- Filters up to 0.1 micron
- Microfilter can be cleaned in 4 seconds
- Higher quality reservoir than the Sawyer
- Less volume than the LifeStraw Mission
- No activated carbon to improve the taste and odor of the water
Buyer’s Guide
Take a look at these key points to keep in mind when you’re buying a survival water filter. Hopefully, they’ll help you make the right decision and get the one best suited for your needs.
What’s it for?
Are you getting a water filter for hiking and camping? Or are you going to store it with your get home bag or bug out bag and only use it in emergency situations? Do you want something that can easily provide water for an entire family or are you running solo? Capacity, filter lifespan, and size will all depend on your specific use cases. If it’s just for emergencies and you don’t have a family, then a portable straw-style filter would make the most sense. If you’re sheltering in place with a family, portability is less of a priority and a gravity-bag style survival water filter might be your best bet.
By answering these questions, you’ll be able to match the filter’s style and features to your requirements.
What style suits your needs?
If you’re going on a day hike, you probably don’t need a 4-liter gravity bag. For day use, maybe think about a water bottle-style filter. Do you only need the water filter for SHTF disaster situations? Then maybe a straw-style filter is right for you.
What features do you want?
Extra features like multiple reservoirs, water bottles, and cups might be what you’re looking for, so always check to see what the filter comes with. A nice added feature is the activated carbon filter in some of the products on this list. The carbon helps take bad tastes and smells out of the water, making it more pleasant to drink.
How good a filter do you want?
Different water filters filter to different specifications – 1 micron, 0.1 micron, and so forth. In all honesty, even the less exact filters will probably work most of the time, but if you want to further guarantee the safety of your drinking water, then a more exact filter is probably what you’re looking for. Carbon filters are also a consideration – they act slightly differently from non carbon filters and can make the water more pleasant to drink. You’ll need to decide whether or not that’s a priority for you.
Hopefully our product reviews, explanations and buyers guide have made it easier for you to choose the best survival water filter for your specific needs.
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