This is a gear review of the Best Filtered Water Bottles for 2024.
If you are looking for a Water Bottle with a filter for Hiking, Backpacking, or Traveling I have narrowed down the choice to the best available for 2024.
The best filter water bottle will be able to retain your water, but it should also do other things like keeping the water cool and free from particulates or impurities. These bottles are a bit different from a Backpacking Water Filters or Backpacking Gravity Filtes and serve the purpose of both a water bottle and a filter.
To make sure you get the most out of your water bottle, I’ve put together a list of the best filtered water bottle for hiking and backpacking in 2024.
How We Tested
All the Filtered Water Bottles in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. Some of the Filtered Water Bottles were purchased and some were supplied by the manufacturer. They have been rigorously tested by the author while hiking and traveling. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the best water bottle with a filter for hiking and backpacking 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.
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Water Bottles With Filters For Hiking
The best water bottles with filters in 2024 are:
- LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
- Water to Go Filtered Water Bottle
- Epic Nalgene OG
- GRAYL Ultrapress Water Purifier (+ Filter) Bottle
- Survimate Filtered Water Bottle
- Purewell Filtered Water Bottle
- Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
- Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle
- Philips Water GoZero Active Bottle
- Seychelle Rad/Advanced Water Filter Bottle
- Membrane Solutions Water Filter Bottle
Hiking Filtered Water Bottle Comparison Table
| Brand | Weight | Filter Chemicals | Filter Life | Removal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle | 9 oz | Yes | 1000L (100L carbon filter) | bacteria, parasites, microplastics |
| Water to Go Filtered Water Bottle | 4.9 oz | Yes | 200L | viruses, bacteria, parasites, microplastics |
| Epic Nalgene OG | 9.6 oz | Yes | 285L | N/A |
| GRAYL Ultrapress Water Purifier (+ Filter) Bottle | 12.5 oz | Yes | 125L | viruses, bacteria, parasites, microplastics |
| Survimate Filtered Water Bottle | 10 oz | Yes | 1500L | N/A |
| Purewell Filtered Water Bottle | 10.4 oz | Yes | 1500L | bacteria, parasites, microplastics |
| Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle | 16 oz | Yes | 150L | N/A |
| Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle | 7.7 oz | Yes | 150L | N/A |
| Philips Water GoZero Active Bottle | 19 oz | Yes | 200L | N/A |
| Seychelle Rad/Advanced Water Filter Bottle | 6.7 oz | Yes | 550L | N/A |
| Membrane Solutions Water Filter Bottle | 10 oz | Yes | 1500L | bacteria, parasites, microplastics |
Best Filtered Water Bottle – Overall
LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
Weight: 9 oz / 255 grams
Pros:
> Filters 99.9% of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.
> Can be used with natural water sources and tap water.
> Sturdy and durable.
> Can filter 1000l before needing a new filter
Cons:
> Mouthpieces can leak.
> Doesn’t filter heavy metals.
> Replacement filters are costly.
LifeStraw is well known in the outdoors and survival circles for its filtered water bottle and filter products. Their original product was a straw that allowed you to drink directly from streams and rivers.
The Lifestraw Go has been recently updated and improved from the previous model which was already awesome. The straw is built into a bottle so that you can get fresh water on the go. And an update from the previous model, there is a screw-on cap that covers the mouth of the water bottle.
Starting with the superficial elements, it comes in a 22 oz and a 1l size which is great if you’re doing longer hikes or traveling. It also comes in quite a few different colors and designs, so you can choose one that suits you.
If we look at the filtration, you get a 2-part filtration system made up of a membrane microfilter and an activated carbon filter. Combined, they filter out 99.999% of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics and reduce the presence of chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and larger particulates. The filter lasts around 1000 liters and the activated carbon lasts around 100 liters. This will replace a lot of disposable water bottles.
The only downside to this bottle is the fact that it doesn’t do anything about heavy metals like lead and the mouthpiece can leak a little. Water can leak from the bottle when pressure builds up inside the bottle. This can happen if the water gets warm in the sun.
Overall, a wonderful choice. It is one of the best filtered water bottles for hiking, traveling, and camping and can manage natural water sources as well as tap water.
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Water Bottle with filter for Hiking – Runner Up
Water to Go Water Filter Bottle
Weight: 4.9 oz / 139 grams
Pros:
> Lightweight
> Filters everything from chemicals to viruses, bacteria and protozoa
> Nice water soft water bottle
Cons:
> Lid can leak when pressure builds up
> It takes a bit of suction to filter the water
The Water-To-Go water bottle filter is impressive. It is ultralight and removes almost everything from the water. For example, it removes viruses, bacteria, parasites, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics.
The lightweight soft sided bottle is comfortable and allows you to squeeze it when filtering and drinking water. The bottle feels nice and is the correct size to be used as a cycling water bottle and fits into most cup holders in cars.
It comes with a small filter inside that lasts around 200 liters. While this is a bit less than many of the other filters it is important to remember that this bottle filters everything. Filters are easily replaced and this reusable water bottle will replace plastic waste significantly. It does take a bit of suction to filter and drink the water which is assisted by the soft bottle. But don’t expect the water to flow like it does from your faucet at home.
I used and tested this water bottle when hiking and cycling, as well as at home and when traveling. During testing, I filled the bottle with chlorinated water from a swimming pool to see if the activated carbon filters the chlorine taste and smell. It removed most of the string chlorine taste and smell. I like this product so much it is a permanent fixture on my bicycle when cycling as it has replaced my cycling water bottle.
Overall, the Water-to-Go Water Bottle filter is impressive as the runner-up for the best water filter bottle for 2024.
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Best Budget Filtered Water Bottle
Epic Nalgene OG
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Up to a huge 48oz capacity.
> Range of colors and designs.
> Can use adventure filters to drink from streams and rivers.
> Removes chemicals like chlorine and calcium.
Cons:
> Adventure filter sold separately.
> Poor design leaves water out of reach.
This is an American made filtered water bottle that can be used with tap water but not natural source water. You’ll need a different filter to use it in the wild.
The bottle comes in a range of great colors and designs which means you can add a bit of personality to your bottle.
Coming in 20 oz, 32oz, or 48oz sizes, this bottle is a behemoth. It’ll keep you hydrated all day long. The size makes it perfect for longer day hikes. If you pair it with the Nalgene Outdoor Adventure filter you can even fill it up from streams and rivers.
The everyday filter that is supplied works hard to remove up to 99% of tap water impurities. Presumably, this is mostly chlorine and calcium as it uses an activated carbon filter.
There is a bit of a design flaw with this filtered water bottle. The straw stops about 100ml from the bottom which makes it really difficult to get the last 100ml of water.
You could unscrew the cap and drink, but then the water wouldn’t be filtered. It’s annoying but not the end of the world. A good filtered water bottle for traveling or camping.
Overall, this is one of the best filtered water bottles for travel and if you are on a budget.
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Best Filtered Water Bottle for Travel
GRAYL Ultrapress Water Purifier Bottle
Weight: 12.5 oz / 354 grams
Pros:
> Filters 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and microplastics.
> Removes chemicals and heavy metals.
> Doesn’t use a straw to drink.
> Compact, lightweight, but durable.
Cons:
> Expensive.
> Small 16 oz capacity.
> Requires brute strength to work.
This bottle might be ultralight in weight, but it is a heavy lifter in terms of the work it does on your water! The Grayl Ultrapress is better than their other model the Grayl Geopress in my opinion but not by much.
It does the full works on your water, filtering out particulates, chemicals, heavy metals, viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
It’s the way that this bottle filters that makes it stand out from its competitors. Unlike most of the other bottles on this list, the Grayl does not use a straw filtration system. Instead, it uses a cartridge system.
The filter cartridge sits at the base of the inner canister. You fill the outer canister with water and then press the inner canister down and into the outer. The water is forced through the filter into the inner canister.
What’s great about this is you don’t have to use a straw to drink. The lid opens, and you can gulp down the water to your heart’s content.
What’s less great is the amount of force you need to apply to get the water through the filter. Some people find it excessively difficult to push the filter into the outer canister.
This could be because they need to replace their filter, or it could be the case that the system requires a fair amount of strength.
Overall, this is one of the best filtered water bottles for traveling and will reduce plastic waste will replace a lot of bottled water.
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More Quality Filtered Water Bottles
Survimate Filtered Water Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Filter microorganisms, microplastics, and chemicals.
> Long-lasting filter.
> Durable and sturdy construction.
Cons:
> Difficult to draw water through.
> Some reports of a chemical taste.
This bottle can take some serious use and abuse. According to the manufacturers the filter is able to withstand a year of continuous use before it needs to be replaced. Think of all the hiking you could do in that time!
The filter is a 4-part construction consisting of activated carbon, medical-grade hollow fiber membranes, and PP cotton. It can remove bacteria, protozoa, particulates, chemicals like chlorine and chloride, as well as microplastics.
The filtered water bottle is made from durable materials that can take a bit of a beating. This makes it ideal for outdoor pursuits.
The only real downside is how difficult it is to draw water through. There seems to be a bit of an odd connection between the mouthpiece and the filter straw which makes it difficult to suck up.
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Purewell Filtered Water Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Filters chemicals, particulates, and microorganisms.
> Durable, sturdy, and reliable.
> BPA free.
Cons:
> Only 22oz capacity, some of which is taken up by the straw.
> Difficult to draw water through.
This is similar in design to the Membrane Solutions bottle featured further down. It uses a filtration straw attached to the mouthpiece as the filtration system.
The filter has two parts, an activated carbon filter for removing chemicals like chlorine and chloride, and a hollow fiber UF filter that prevents most bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics from entering your body.
Made from hardened Tritan plastic, this bottle is BPA free plastic and incredibly durable. It is shockproof and leakproof meaning you can chuck it in your backpack and forget about it.
In terms of handy features, there is a sturdy carry handle, a carabiner to attach to your bag, and a built-in compass on the lid.
There are a few reviews which claim that it is difficult to draw water through the straw. This is not unique to the Purewell bottle, but it is frustrating.
Overall, this is a reasonably priced filtered water bottle for travel or hiking.
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Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> 20oz and 32oz capacity.
> Keeps water cool for 24 hours.
> Comes in a range of bright colors.
> Filters out most of the chlorine in your water.
> Cheap and easy to replace filters.
Cons:
> Can’t be used with natural source water.
> Doesn’t filter out microorganisms.
> Some reports of leakages around the spout.
Brita is famed and loved for their water filtering jugs, so it’s natural to find them in the filtration bottle section too!
This stainless-steel water bottle is sleek, stylish, and functional. They have a built-in star with a removable filter. This allows you to draw water through the filter before it hits your mouth.
Unlike some of the other bottles we’ve seen, this one does not handle natural source water. It is only designed to be used with tap water.
This is because the activated carbon filter does not remove bacteria, protozoa, viruses, or microplastics. What it does do is filter out the chlorine, chlorides, and other chemicals that make your tap water taste gross.
As you’d expect from Brita, it does its job really well. The water tastes deliciously clean and fresh for the life of the filter.
The filters themselves are cheap enough to buy and last for about 2 months or 40 gallons. They come in a box of six, so they should see you through the year.
Overall, if you are looking for one best filtered water bottles for around town or at home then this one is for you.
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Brita Premium Water Filter Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Choice of 5 colors.
> Great price.
> Large 26oz or 36oz capacity.
> Pack of filters is unbelievably cheap.
Cons:
> Doesn’t filter out heavy metals, particulates, or microorganisms.
> Handle is a bit of a weak spot for leaks and breakages.
This plastic bottle is a cheaper option from Brita. It utilizes the same filtration system as it’s stainless-steel brother, but it’s easier on the wallet.
The bottle is made from BPA free plastic and comes in 5 different whimsically named colors. Including ‘Sea Glass’ and ‘Night Sky.’ It’s nice to have a choice of color, honestly. Many water bottles tend to come in just blue or black.
The other great thing about this bottle is that it comes in a 26oz size and a 36oz size. That’s an amazing amount of great tasting water to enjoy!
Like the other Brita bottle, this is not designed to be used with natural source water. It does not filter out particulates or microorganisms. The filter is designed to remove chlorine and other chemicals found in municipal water.
You won’t find this bottle in most serious hiker’s packs but for day trips and young hikers, they’re ideal. They are also great for day to day use at home, work, or in the gym.
As you’d expect from Brita, they do make the water taste a lot better because they remove a lot of the chlorine.
Overall, this is one of the best filtered water bottles for traveling or around town.
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Philips Water GoZero Active Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Interchangeable filters allow you to use both tap and natural water.
> Filters indicate when they need changing.
> Reduces 99% of the chlorine in the water.
> Cheap price.
Cons:
> Smaller 20oz capacity.
> Leaks around the handle.
> Filters can only handle 52 gallons before replacement.
If you’re on a budget, this bottle is the way to go. The Philips Water GoZero Active bottle can be used for tap water or natural source water provided you switch out the filter.
You see, Philips have two interchangeable filters, one for tap water and one for natural source.
A cynic might say it’s a way of getting more money, we think it’s more about keeping production costs down.
The product we have linked to is the bottle with the tap water filter. This means that this bottle is great for shorter hikes, but not so good for multi-day hikes.
Luckily both the natural water and tap water filters are available cheaply and easily on Amazon. This means that you don’t have to go out and buy yourself two bottles. You can swap out the filters as you need them.
The bottle is squeezable to make it easier to drink. It also makes it slightly more resistant to cracking or fall damage.
There do seem to be a few issues with the fit of the handle. The strap sits below the cap and is held in place by the cap. However, if you don’t line the handle up precisely, you do get some water seepage around the cap.
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Seychelle Rad/Advanced Water Filter Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Filters 99.9% of bacteria protozoa, and radiological matter.
> Squeezable to assist with sucking.
> 28oz capacity.
> Filters out chemicals and heavy metals.
Cons:
> Difficult to draw water through.
> Some reports of a chemical taste.
This thing is a powerhouse of a filtration bottle. Not only does it remove turbinates, chemicals, heavy metals, and asbestos, but it also filters out radioactive materials! That is incredible.
It removes up to 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, and radiological contaminants. It also reduces the presence of lead, chlorine, arsenic, copper, mercury, and aluminum amongst others. This really is an all you could need filtration bottle.
You can drink as soon as you’ve filled it up meaning you have instant access to 28oz of clean and safe drinking water.
To help you drink more easily through the straw, the bottle is soft on the sides. This means you can squeeze the bottle to add more pressure without having to suck harder. It’s easier on the cheeks by far!
The downside to this filtered water bottle is the fact that it is incredibly difficult to clean. There are so many parts to the filter that taking it apart and reassembling it is pretty tedious. There are also some reports that the seal isn’t quite tight enough.
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Membrane Solutions Water Filter Bottle
Weight: Not Known
Pros:
> Filters 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics.
> Can be used for natural water sources and tap water.
> Can filter up to 1500l before replacement.
> Replacement filters are cheap.
> Has a mini compass in the lid.
Cons:
> Smaller capacity.
Filter takes up a lot of the already limited capacity.
This bottle has a 4-stage filtration system that removes everything from large particles like sand and silt down to tiny microorganisms and invisible chemicals.
With a 22oz capacity it’s not the largest bottle on the market, but the fact that you can fill it up in every stream you pass through does make up for its smaller size!
This bottle is made from BPA free, food grade Tritan plastic. It is totally safe to drink from time and time again.
As for the filtration system, it performs excellently, filtering out 99.9% of bacteria, microplastics, and protozoa. It also removes chemicals like chlorine, chlorides, THMs, and VOCs. In essence, it removes all the nasty chemicals that are found in groundwater.
The high level of removal is awesome. You can literally see the difference in your water as you drink it!
What’s extra great about this bottle is the increased flow rate through the mouthpiece. In some filtered water bottles, you have to put a lot of effort and energy into sucking the water out. This bottle has made it easier by adding a small gas hole in the bottle top.
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Water Filter and Bottle Buyers Guide
Types of Filters
There are a few different kinds of filters used in water bottles. Some are more effective against specific particulates and contaminants.
Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon is a really common filter material. It is essentially charcoal in block or particulate form.
Carbon filters are excellent at removing chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and chlorides. They are also great at removing microplastics, lithium, and phosphates. During testing I purified water from a highly chlorinated swimming pool to test of the chlorine taste and small was removed,
They do not remove waterborne bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. Carbon filters are sometimes used in conjunction with other filters that do remove biological contaminants.
The main downside of activated carbon is that it doesn’t last very long before it needs to be replaced. Often as little as every 100 liters it needs to be replaced.
UV Filters
These are not as common because they are so expensive. They work by blasting bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms with UV rays. The UV rays kill the microorganisms, but they don’t remove chemicals or other compounds in the water. The Steripen is the best UV filters (review pending and will be added to this page soon).
Ion Exchange Filters
These are primarily for home use water filters and maybe for people with RVs, not for hiking, but I thought I would mention them anyway. These filters use a positively charged substance like sodium to grab onto negatively charged chemical impurities like calcium and magnesium.
These filters don’t always remove harmful microorganisms or heavy metals. You need to check the manufacturer’s advice.
Longevity
Filters don’t last forever. Eventually, they become so full of filtered chemicals, particulates, and microorganisms that they are no longer effective. Their flow rate will slow down and make it very difficult to drinking water from the filter.
Ideally, you want to purchase a bottle that allows you to change the filter but keep the bottle. This will help you reduce waste and keep your spending down. Most of the water bottles in this review allow for a change of filters.
You also want to look out for filters with longer life spans. This will save you money if you’re a frequent user.
Lifespans are usually listed by the amount of water filtered in liters or in days. It’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for changing filters to make sure your water is safe and clean. 1000 liters is considered normal and that should last most people on average over an extended period in remote areas when traveling or hiking.
Natural Water Source vs Tap Water
An important thing to get your head around early on is the fact that some bottles with filters are only designed to be used with tap water. This means that it is not safe to fill your bottle with water from streams or rivers.
Other filtered water bottles have more extensive filtration systems and built-in purification systems. These can be filled by rivers and streams.
If you’re planning a multi-day hike out in the wilderness, a filtration/purification bottle is going to be your best choice. A Water Bottle with a filter such as the ones on the LifeStraw Go, Water to Go Filtered Water Bottle and GRAYL Ultralight being among the best.
If you’re only doing a day hike, and you know you’ll be able to refill in a campground or town, you will be fine with any of the other water bottle filters in the review.
Price and Affordability
The price is what most people tend to focus on when they’re buying a filtered water bottle.
Many people fall into the mistake of buying the cheapest possible water bottle available. This is because most people don’t think about the additional features available on top quality filtered water bottles.
When you’re looking to purchase a water bottle with a filter, you need to pay a bit more for the filtration feature.
As a rough guide, $20 is the cheapest filtered water bottle that you can get. The cheaper options tend to have average-quality filters and poor-quality build.
At the higher end, you can expect to pay upwards of $50 and sometimes as much as $125. These filtered water bottles tend to be survival type bottles that filter and purify water. This means that you can drink from natural sources as well as taps. Great in the backcountry or when traveling overseas in areas with sketchy water quality.
When traveling it is so much cheaper to do your own filtered water rather than buy plastic bottles filled with filtered water. If you add up the cost of a filtered water bottle compared to making your own filtered water then it is very economical. Buy a quality filtered water bottle and think of each water bottle you save from landfill.
Conclusion
The Best Filtered Water Bottles for Backpacking and Hiking are:
- LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
- Water to Go Filtered Water Bottle
- Epic Nalgene OG
- GRAYL Ultrapress Water Purifier (+ Filter) Bottle
- Survimate Filtered Water Bottle
- Purewell Filtered Water Bottle
- Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
- Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle
- Philips Water GoZero Active Bottle
- Seychelle Rad/Advanced Water Filter Bottle
- Membrane Solutions Water Filter Bottle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is stainless steel, plastic, or glass better for water bottles?
Water generally tastes better out of a glass bottle because it doesn’t pick up any of the taste of the steel or plastic bottles.
As you’d imagine, the major issue with glass is its fragility. Even hardened glass bottles can’t withstand the same amount of force as a stainless steel or plastic bottle.
The other thing to be aware of with glass bottles is that they don’t tend to keep your water cold or hot depending on the circumstance. They don’t really have particularly good thermal insulation, so your water will warm up in the sun or cool down in the shade. Leave the glass filtered water bottles at home and use either plastic or metal.
Steel bottles are much more practical. They will dent before they break, and they are great at insulating your drink. Some stainless-steel bottles can hold a temperature for about 24 hours! But they are heavy and can retain the metallic taste.
Plastic water bottles are the most common kind on the market. They can have a bit of a funny taste initially depending on the materials used.
Can Bacteria Be Filtered Out Of Water?
Yes, it can!
There are lots of different ways to remove bacteria from drinking water. Tap water, for instance, is treated with chlorine to remove the bacteria, while home filtration systems use UV rays to destroy water.
If you want to be pedantic, you’d argue that the bacteria aren’t actually filtered. Instead, they are killed by chlorine, UV rays, or ozone. Either way, the end result is the same, you get water without bacteria.
Are BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottles Better?
If you are looking for a plastic water bottle, make sure you choose a BPA-free bottle. BPA is a chemical that is found in a lot of industrial resins and plastics. Studies have shown that it can have a negative impact on human health.
Plastic bottles are great because they are lightweight, sturdy, easy to clean, and cheaper to make. They’re not as sturdy as stainless-steel bottles, but they definitely beat glass.
BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process
The author, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small independent adventurer and outdoor gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari is not part of a large blog network and is proudly independent. All reviews on this site are independent and honest gear reviews of outdoor products by the author.
The author, Brad McCartney is a very experienced triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read more). He was a manager of an outdoor retail store and is very experienced in what is important when using and testing gear for reviews like this.
BikeHikeSafari will never receive any money for reviews and they do not accept sponsored reviews on this website. All the comments about the gear reviews are from the author based on his years of experience. Hope this independent review was helpful for you.
