14 Best Camping Water Filters In 2021

Are you looking for camping water filters? There are so many different camping water filters on the market today. In this guide, we discuss the factors to consider when choosing a water filter as well as review some of the best camping water filters to help you make an informed decision.

 

1.  LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

The LifeStraw personal water filter removes bacteria and parasites from water to make it drinkable water. Its hollow fiber membrane technology removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.999% of waterborne parasites. This water filter will transform 4,000 liters (1,000 gallons) of contaminated water into clean and safe drinking water.

Additionally, the LifeStraw water filter also removes microplastics in the environment and reduces turbidity down to 0.2 microns. This water filter is rigorously tested and there is no expiration date for it. All of the materials are BPA-free. The LifeStraw water filter is well suited for camping, hunting, hiking overseas traveling, and other adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        What We Like:

• Hollow Fiber Membrane Technology
• BPA Free Materials
• Removes Bacteria & Parasites
• Removes Microplastics
• 0.2 Micron Pore Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Sawyer Water Filtration System

The Sawyer water filtration system consists of tiny hollow fiber membranes that allow water to enter their cores through tiny micropores. This water filtration system removes 99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa as well as 100% of microplastics. It can filter up to 100,000 gallons.

Additionally, this water filtration system features 0.1-micron absolute filtration which implies that there is no pore size larger than 0.1 microns in size. This water filtration is ideal for traveling outside of the country, camping, hiking, hunting, scouting, and many other adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

          What We Like:

• Removes Bacteria, Parasites & Microplastics
• Filters Up To 100,000 Gallons
• 0.1 Micron Pore Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  LifeStraw Go Water Filter

The LifeStraw Go Water Filter filters out waterborne bacteria, parasites, chemicals, and microplastics. Its 2 stage carbon filter minimizes odor, and chlorine and leaves no after-taste. Its hollow fiber membranes feature microscopic pores with 0.2 microns that trap bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.

Additionally, this water filter lasts up to 1,000 gallons. It is great for traveling, camping, hiking, scouting, and many other adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• 2 Stage Carbon Filter
• Removes Bacteria, Parasites & Microplastics
• 0.2 Micron Pore Size
• BPA-Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Sawyer SP129 Water Filtration System

The SP129 removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. It is rated to 0.1-micron absolute filtration which means that there is no pore size larger than 0.1 microns in size. You can use this water filtration system when you go camping, travel overseas, scouting, hiking, hunting, and many other adventures. The SP129 comes with two 32-ounce, BPA-free water pouches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• Hollow Fiber Membrane
• 0.1 Micron Pore Size
• Versatile Hydration
• Fiber Protection
• BPA-Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Membrane Solutions Straw Water Filter

This water filter is a 4-stage filtration system with a filter screen, PP cotton, and hollow fiber membranes. It removes bacteria and parasites as well as improves the taste of the water. If you are going camping, hiking, hunting, or traveling, this water filter will provide you with clean water free of bacteria and parasites.

Additionally, this water filter fits bottles, cups, or glass. It is lightweight and weighs 2 ounces which makes it portable for your outdoor adventures or traveling. This water filter features a pore size of 0.1 microns which makes it filter out 99.99999% of tiny materials. It works up to 300+ gallons of water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

         What We Like:

• 4-Stage Filtration System
• Removes Bacteria, Parasites & Microplastics
• 0.1 Micron Pore Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Survivor Filter Pro Water Filter

The survivor water filter removes bacteria, and parasites and reduces heavy metals from the water. Its shell is made of ABS, features a polysulfone filter, and food-grade carbon and its handle contains a steel bar for support. Its 0.1-micron filter blocks bacteria and parasites from the water. This water filter is ideal for emergency situations, camping, hunting, hiking, scouting, traveling, and many other adventures. This water filter works up to 2,000 liters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• Removes Bacteria & Parasites
• 0.1 Micron Pore Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  LifeStraw Flex Advanced Water Filter

The LifeStraw flex advanced water filter is a 2-stage water filter. With its 0.2-micron pore size, it removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics while reducing lead and chemicals. It works up to 500 gallons. Whether you are traveling overseas, camping, hunting, hiking, scouting, or on other adventures, this water filter will provide you with clean drinking water. It exceeds EPA standards and the 53 standards of the NSF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      What We Like:

• 2-Stage Water Filter
• 0.2 Micron Pore Size
• Removes Bacteria, Parasites & Microplastics

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.  Katadyn Water Filter

The Katadyn water filter removes bacteria and parasites from the water making it clean and drinkable. With its 0.1-micron water filter, it filters out bacteria and parasites. It filters up to 1,000 liters of water without using chemicals. Its hydrapak soft flask is durable, rugged, BPA-free with no backflushing or clumsy tools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• BPA-Free
• 0.1 Micron Pore Size
• Removes Bacteria & Parasites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.  NatureNova Water Filtration System

 

The NatureNova Water Filtration System features a 4-step filtration.  It gets rid of 99.999999% of tiny particles from contaminated water with its hollow fiber membrane. Its PP cotton wipe and activated carbon also help clean the water of unwanted particles.

Additionally, its Active Absorption Technology absorbs tiny particles from the water to make it clean and safe for consumption. NatureNova removes up to 0.01 microns pore size of substances in the water and maintains the optimal flow rate (550mml/min).

 

 

 

 

        What We Like:

• Active Adsorption Technology
• 4-Step Filtration
• Removes Up To 0.01 Microns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.  Platypus Water Filter System

The Platypus water filter system is a high-capacity, gravity-fed, hollow-fiber system that removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water to make it clean and drinkable. It meets all EPA/NSF guidelines for the removal of these unwanted organisms and things. This water filter is made of hundreds of hollow fibers that are formed into one filter. It features 0.2 microns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      What We Like:

• 0.2 Micron Pore Size
• Removes Bacteria, Parasites & Microplastics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.  LifeStraw Flex Water Filter System

The LifeStraw flex water filter system is a 2-stage water filter. It can be used as a simple straw filter to drink directly or as an inline filtration system. It removes bacteria and parasites from water to render it clean and drinkable. It also improves the taste of the water, removes odor, and reduces organic chemical matter like pesticides, herbicides, and VOCs.

Additionally, the LifeStraw Flex exceeds the NSF-42 standard for chlorine reduction and the NSF-53 standard for the reduction of lead and other heavy metals up to 25 gallons. It features a filter with 0.2-micron pores in size.

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• 2-Stage Filter
• Removes Bacteria & Parasites
• 0.2 Micron Pore Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.  Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter

The Katadyn water filter removes bacteria and parasites from water with its 0.2 microns with pleated glass-fiber filter media. The taste of the water is enhanced and chemicals are reduced with activated carbon in the core of the filter. The life of the cartridge is extended with the field cleanable filter protector screen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• 0.2 Micron Pore Size
• Removes Bacteria & Parasites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.  Waterdrop Water Filter Straw

The Waterdrop water filter straw reduces 99% of harmful substances to make the water clean and drinkable. The odor and taste are also improved with its high-grade coconut shell-activated carbon fiber. You can use this water filter straw with water bags or connect it to water bottles to filtrate water.

This water filter straw can be used for traveling, emergency situations, camping, hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor adventures. It can provide water up to 100,000 gallons. This filter features a 0.1-micron pore size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

        What We Like:

• Removes Bacteria & Parasites
• Improves Odor & Taste
• 0.1 Micron Pore Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.  Ginkin Water Filter Pump

The Ginkin water filter pump features a 5-stage filtration system that features 0.01 micron. Its UF membrane removes unwanted materials from the water to render it clean and drinkable. This water filter pump generates 1500ml of drinking water per minute. The Ginkin water filter pump is made of ABS shell and it is BPA-free.

 

 

 

 

 

       What We Like:

• 5-Stage Filtration System
• 0.01 Micron Pore Size
• Removes Bacteria & Parasites
• BPA-Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What To Look For In A Camping Water Filter?

1.  Pore Size

The size of the tiny holes in a filter determines what goes through. It is designed and intended for only water to filter through but the size of the pores is very important. The smaller the pores, the smaller the contaminants that are blocked out. Any item larger than 0.1 will be filtered out and will not go into your drinking water.

Additionally, some filters have an “absolute” pore size of 1 micron which means each pore is 1 micron or smaller. Any contaminant larger than 1 micron will not enter your water. Other filters have a “nominal” or “mean” pore size of 1 micron which means that some pores are smaller and some pores are larger than 1 micron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  NSF/EPA Ratings

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is an independent organization that develops public health standards for products. The NSF provides ratings for products and you can look for the NSF certification on the label of the water filter. The NSF has 53 standards for the reduction of lead and other heavy metals. There is also the Environmental Protection Agency EPA) which has its own standards. You will want to also check that it meets the standards of the EPA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Removal of Contaminants

You want to get a water filter that will remove almost all of the bacteria, parasites, and microplastics in the water. Many water filters are designed with a 0.1-micron size which filters out almost all of these contaminants. You will want to verify that the filter you choose gets rid of all the contaminants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Filtration Rate

Another important factor to consider when choosing your water filter is its filtration rate. This is the amount of filtered water a filter produces each day. You will want to pay close attention to this number. If you are camping, hunting, hiking, or traveling overseas, you want a filtration rate that will exceed your daily consumption of water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Quality of Water

You want a water filter that not only removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. You want the filter to improve the taste of the water, remove any bad odor, maintain the right pH balance and preserve the natural healthy minerals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Materials

You want a water filter that is made of high-quality materials. Many water filters are made of a BPA-free ABS shell with no backflushing. The water filters are also designed to be leakproof with O-rings or a sealed case to prevent harmful pathogens from leaking through and into the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  Lightweight & Portable

When camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, or traveling overseas, you want a water filter that is lightweight and portable. This makes it easy for you on your outdoor adventures. You really don’t want to add significant weight to your gear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Types Of Water Filters

Besides the lightweight and portable water filters used for camping, traveling, hiking, and many outdoor adventures, there are mainstream water filters that are used in the home.

 

1.  Pitcher Filters

Pitcher water filters are compact and self-contained. They filter small amounts of water and can be placed in the refrigerator on the countertop. They require no installation and usually filter water to be used later. However, pitcher filters typically reduce only a few contaminants.  Additionally, the water sits for a period of time in plastic and could pick up plastics which is not good.

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Faucet-Mount Filter

Faucet-mount filters provide ongoing filtration and remove a good number of contaminants like lead, sediment, chlorine taste and odor. Always read the paperwork to be certain of what it filters out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Countertop Water Filters

Countertop filters can be freestanding or hooked up to your faucet. It does not require installation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Undersink Filters

Undersink filters free up countertop space and do not require refilling. It requires more complex installation that may involve changes to your plumbing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Reverse Osmosis Filters

Reverse osmosis filters are more effective in removing contaminants but this filter is expensive and wastes a lot of water. They rely on electric power which means they will not work when there is a power outage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Shower Filters

Shower filters are used in the bathroom and use carbon or oxidation-reduction filtration. They reduce sediment and chlorine taste and odor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  Whole House Water Filters

Whole house water filters improve the quality of water in your home and require a complex installation process that requires a licensed professional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bottom Line

Camping water filters are very important to your health and the success of your outdoor adventures. With so many products on the market today. It can be a little daunting to choose the right one for your needs. In this guide, we review some of the best camping water filters to help you make the right decision. Our recommendation for a water filter is the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter.