The Best Filter Water Bottles for Clean Water on the Go

Enjoy purified water at home or on the go with a filter water bottle.

By Erica Reagle | Updated Mar 29, 2021 11:05 AM

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The Best Filter Water Bottle Option

Photo: amazon.com

Filter water bottles offer a convenient and safe way to drink clean water no matter where you are. They are lightweight and portable, so you can take them with you when hiking, camping, working, exercising, or traveling.

Just like water filter pitchers, filter water bottles remove harmful chemicals and contaminants from water using a built-in filtration system. They can be used for regular tap water, but they are especially useful when you are unsure of the water quality or when there is limited access to clean water. Also, a reusable filter water bottle is a handy eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic water bottles.

Keep reading to learn about many of the most important features of filter water bottles, and check out some of the best filter water bottles for your next adventure below.

  1. BEST OVERALL: GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle
  2. RUNNER UP: Survimate BPA Free 4-Stage Filtered Water Bottle
  3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: SimPure 4-Stage Filtered Water Bottle
  4. BEST STAINLESS STEEL: Brita Stainless Steel 20 Ounce Water Filter Bottle
  5. BEST PLASTIC: Epic Nalgene OG Water Bottle with Filter
  6. BEST FOR BACKPACKING: LifeStraw Go 2-Stage Water Filter Bottle
  7. BEST SQUEEZE FILTER: Seychelle Rad/Advanced 28-Ounce Water Filter Bottle
The Best Filter Water Bottle Option

Photo: amazon.com

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Filter Water Bottle

Whether you need a new water bottle for camping, hiking, or just hanging out, there are many different filter water bottles to choose from. Features like material, filtration type, and lid design can play a factor in figuring out which is best for you. Here are some important things to look for when choosing the best filter water bottle.

Material

Filter water bottles are available in different materials including stainless steel, plastic, and glass. The material impacts the water bottle’s durability and weight as well as the quality of the water.

  • If choosing a stainless steel option, look for 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, which means the bottle consists of 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel. Double-walled vacuum insulated water bottles are a common type of stainless steel water bottle. They contain multiple layers separated by a vacuum, which helps keep beverages at their optimal temperature. Stainless steel water bottles are durable, making them a good option for outdoor adventures like hiking.
  • Plastic water bottles weigh less than other types of water bottles, which makes them a good choice for those looking for a lightweight water bottle. If opting for a plastic water bottle, make certain it is BPA-free, meaning it is free of the chemical bisphenol A.
  • Glass water bottles also keep water fresh while preventing chemicals from getting into the water. Filter water bottles are easy to clean and some are even dishwasher safe, but it’s best to wash the filter by hand.

Size and Weight 

Size and weight are two important factors to consider when shopping for a filter water bottle. They come in a range of sizes with different water capacities. The average water capacity for filter water bottles is 17 to 24 ounces. The weight varies depending on the material and filtration system, but most are relatively lightweight. Plastic water bottles weigh less than stainless steel water bottles, and glass tends to be the heaviest.

Since they are typically used on the go, filter water bottles are designed to be portable. They can easily be thrown into a bag or brought on a hiking trip, and many have spill-proof caps, making them easier to transport. Some filter water bottles also come with carabiner clips for additional portability.

Filtration Mechanism

There are a few different filtration mechanisms for filter water bottles, including straw, gravity, squeeze, and pump filters. Each filtration system is designed to filter out harmful bacteria and contaminants from water.

  • Straw filters are contained within a straw and covered by a protective layer. The water is filtered while the user drinks through the straw.
  • Gravity filters use gravity to filter water. Dirty water sits above the clean water reservoir and flows through a filter with the help of gravity.
  • Squeeze filters function similarly to gravity filters but require the user to squeeze the water reservoir to get the water through the filter.
  • Pump filters have a small hand pump that is used to filter the water.

Filtration Systems

The filtration system determines what is filtered out of the water. Carbon and UV are two popular types of filters, and some water bottles use both types of filtration systems.

  • Carbon filters can effectively remove chemicals like chlorine from water, along with bacteria and parasites, but they do not provide any protection against viruses. Carbon filters are suitable when using indoor tap water.
  • UV filters can remove bacteria and viruses, but they cannot filter out chemicals. More advanced—and often more expensive—UV filters are necessary when using water from outdoor water sources or in underdeveloped countries with lower quality water.

Some water bottles may also use multistage filtration systems, including medical-grade PP cotton, coconut shell activated carbon, antibacterial beads, and medical-grade hollow fiber membranes.

Lid Design 

Filter water bottles have functional lid designs to add to their portability. Screw-on, nozzle, or flip-top lids are common types of lid designs for filter water bottles. Some also have straws and silicone mouthpieces built into the lid for added convenience and easy access to the drinking water.

Most filter water bottles feature leak-proof lids that prevent water from leaking out of the bottle. This is an important feature, especially if you want to toss the bottle into a bag and not worry about any spills. Some lids also have one-touch button locks for extra protection against spills.

Filter Longevity

The lifespan of the water filter depends on the quality of the water and how often the water bottle is used. Most filter water bottles can accommodate 40 to 100 gallons of water before requiring a replacement filter. Water bottles with longer-lasting filters are more convenient because they do not have to be replaced as often.

To clean a filter water bottle, remove the filter and rinse it under water while washing the bottle itself in warm soapy water or putting it in the dishwasher. While water filters do not last forever, many filters are recyclable.

Additional Features

Water bottle design and extra features can be important factors when shopping for a filter water bottle. Filter water bottles come in a range of patterns and colors such as mint, clear, and pink to accommodate different style preferences. There are some made specifically for kids in smaller sizes with fun designs, like sports motifs.

In addition to their stylish appearance, there are filter water bottles with ergonomic designs and molded grips for more comfortable holding. Many are designed to fit into standard-size cup holders, and some also come with built-in compasses, which is a useful feature to have when camping or hiking. Other features include integrated carrying loops and carabiners that make it easy to carry and transport the water bottle.

Our Top Picks

Whether it’s for sport, travel, or errands, there’s likely a filter water bottle to suit your needs. From stainless steel to BPA-free plastic and colorful to monochrome, here are some of the best filter water bottles for clean water on the go.

Best Overall

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle
Photo: amazon.com

With an activated carbon filter that purifies water with a simple press of a button, this 24-ounce water bottle is ideal for hiking, camping, backpacking, hunting, and global travel. The filter removes viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. It also filters out particulates, chemicals, and heavy metals for clear water that’s better tasting and better smelling.

This water bottle comes with a replaceable purifier cartridge that can filter up to 65 gallons of water, making it a good choice for emergency situations like natural disasters. The bottle is available in alpine white, camo black, coyote amber, oasis green, and visibility orange.

Runner Up

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: Survimate BPA Free 4-Stage Filtered Water Bottle
Photo: amazon.com

This water bottle has an advanced filtration system with four high-performance purifiers including medical-grade PP cotton, coconut shell activated carbon, antibacterial beads, and a medical-grade hollow fiber membrane. It’s constructed out of food-grade Tritan copolyester that is BPA-free, durable, and heat resistant.

Depending on the water quality, the filter can accommodate up to 1,500 liters of water before needing to be replaced. This water bottle comes with a 360-degree leak-proof lid, handy carabiner clip, and built-in compass for additional support outdoors. Color options include teal, red, purple, and gray.

Best Bang for the Buck

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: SimPure 4-Stage Filtered Water Bottle
Photo: amazon.com

This budget-friendly filter water bottle features an advanced straw filtration system to remove 99.999 percent of harmful contaminants from water. The filter system includes a sediment prefilter, activated carbon, UF hollow fibers, and PP cotton that can filter out suspended solids and visible debris, chlorine, protozoa, microplastic, bacteria, and residual particles. It’s made out of food-grade Tritan material, which is durable BPA-free plastic.

This multipurpose water bottle comes with a removable filter that can be replaced with a straw. The nozzle cap features a one-touch button lock to prevent leaks. There’s also a built-in compass to help when backpacking or camping. The filter has a 1,500-liter lifespan.

Best Stainless Steel

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: Brita Stainless Steel 20 Ounce Water Filter Bottle
Photo: amazon.com

This BPA-free 20-ounce water bottle is equipped with a Brita filter inside the straw to reduce chlorine taste and smell and filter out other common tap water contaminants. Made out of double-wall insulated 18/8 stainless steel, this durable water bottle can keep water cold for up to 24 hours.

It’s designed to fit into most standard-size cupholders and comes with a built-in carrying loop for added convenience and portability. Features include an easy-sip straw and push-button leak-proof lid. For best results, the filter should be replaced every 40 gallons, or about every 2 months.

Best Plastic

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: Epic Nalgene OG Water Bottle with Filter
Photo: amazon.com

Using depth and adsorption filtration, this Epic Nalgene water bottle purifies tap water by removing 99.99 percent of water impurities. Particles are removed through mesh surface areas made from activated coconut carbon fiber that absorb contaminants, including cysts, heavy metals, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Depth filtration prevents suspended waste products from traveling through the coconut carbon fiber layers.

This BPA-free 20-ounce water bottle comes with a 75-gallon filter. An integrated filtration system makes it possible to use this water bottle with a separately sold outdoor adventure filter that filters out biological pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Convenient features include a silicone mouthpiece and built-in carry-loop. This water bottle is dishwasher safe and made in the United States.

Best for Backpacking

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: LifeStraw Go 2-Stage Water Filter Bottle
Photo: amazon.com

This durable filter water bottle is ideal for backpacking, camping, hiking, and travel. It’s made out of BPA-free Tritan with a food-grade silicone mouthpiece. This 22-ounce water bottle features a hollow fiber membrane microfilter and two-stage activated carbon filter. The microfilter removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics with the ability to filter 1,000 gallons of water. The activated carbon filter minimizes chemicals, chlorine, and bad odor while improving taste. The activated carbon filter capacity is 26 gallons of water. This water bottle comes with a carabiner for added convenience on the go.

Best Squeeze Filter

The Best Filter Water Bottle Option: Seychelle Rad/Advanced 28-Ounce Water Filter Bottle
Photo: amazon.com

This lightweight and portable water bottle is a good option for travel, camping, hiking, or backpacking. It features a squeezable bottle and straw for a quick and efficient way to drink filter water. The advanced filtration system incorporates activated coconut carbon and can remove up to 99.99 percent of radiological contaminants including ross beta, alpha radium 226, cesium 137 & 134, uranium, radon 222, plutonium, and strontium.

The water bottle also filters out chlorine, toxic chemicals, and inorganic contaminants, such as aluminum and lead. This 28-ounce bottle is made out of non-BPA-leaching plastic. It weighs only 0.4 pounds and has a filter capacity of up to 100 gallons.

FAQs About Filter Water Bottles

Now that you know more about the variety of features offered from filter water bottles, you may have some lingering questions. Before choosing the best filter water bottle, review the following answers to some of the most popular questions.

Q. Are filter water bottles safe?

Yes, filter water bottles are safe, but it’s important to buy the right type of filter for each specific use. UV filtration systems are often necessary when getting water from an outdoor source or when traveling to a country with lower quality water.

Q. Do filter water bottles filtrate all types of contaminants?

The contaminants filtered depend on the type of filtration system. Carbon filters remove bacteria and chemicals, but they cannot remove viruses. UV filters remove all contaminants except chemicals.

Q. Can a filter water bottle be put in a fridge or a freezer?

Yes, you can put a filter water bottle in the fridge or freezer, but do not put the filter into the freezer as it could get damaged if frozen.

Q. How do I clean my filter water bottle?

Some filter water bottles are dishwasher safe, but the filter itself usually is not. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide for a water bottle’s specific maintenance instructions.