The Best Prepper Water Filtration Tools for Survival

Last Updated on 1 year by Todd

A couple of months back, we friends went for camping at Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont. The trip was adventurous indeed but it gives a small yet fruitful lesson to me that always keeps a prepper filter with you when you are going for camping or hiking.

So what happened actually, on one unfortunate night, I lost my way towards my camp. It took me around one and a half day to find my group’s camp. I had no food and no water. The only option I had was to drink puddle water that was surely full of contaminants. But luckily, I had an emergency water filter in my backpack and that was the most precious thing to me at the time.

Still, it’s precious to me.

Indeed it saved my life.  So that day I learned a lesson to keep a portable water filter in your bag always.

Prepper water filters are meant to be used by preppers in emergency situations that may occur anytime. Just like me. These water filters give clean and pure water instantly without wasting any time. Usually on camping or hiking, when you don’t get clean water, then it’s time to use an emergency filter. They are so simple and easy to use. You can purify even the lake or stream water.

So without wasting further time, let’s check out the best prepper water filtration tools for survival

Best Prepper Water Filtration Tools for Survival

Choosing the best survival water filtration system could be a bit tricky task, especially when you do not have complete knowledge about the product. Since I have researched a lot before buying a survival water filter for myself, so that’s why I have decided to review some best survival water purifiers. Let’s Review the best water purifiers for camping.

 

 

1. Sawyer Products – Best prepper water filtration system

The first one on my list of best survival water filters is a super amazing and quite reliable water filter.

Sawyer mini water filtration is without a doubt is the best among the entire emergency water filter.

I purchased this filter a few months ago to put in a survival/camp pack, and it’s now filtered approximately 40 liters of water. This filter transforms murky lake water to crystal clear and delicious drinking water, as well as questionable garden hose water. I was at first hesitant, of course. Who would believe that brown, dirty water may be made clean and completely safe with such a little, inexpensive filtering device? But have no fear; this filter is a powerhouse that keeps on delivering.

I really love my filter water bag (Link below). It’s less than $10, just like the container you get with the filter, but it allows you to filter 70oz rather than 16oz. I also picked up a grommet kit from a local craft shop and inserted two grommets in the bag’s seam. After that, I threaded one foot of para-cord through the grommets and hung the bottle on a tree limb or anywhere else convenient.

So this means when you are short of filtered and clean water, Sawyer mini water filtration system promises to give you healthy and hygienic water every time you need it.

Besides this, the Sawyer water filtration unit is so small and petit in size that you can easily keep it in your backpack. The best part is, you won’t even feel its weight as it weighs only 2 ounces.

You know what; Sawyer guarantees you pure and clean water. The reason is every sawyer filter is performance tested three times during the manufacturing process.  Just to ensure you safe and healthy water.

But you have to keep an eye on the filter lifespan, as you have to replace the inner filter after consuming 100,000 gallons of water from it.

Sawyer mini water filtration system is quite budget savvy as you don’t need to buy special water bottles for using it. You can even use this filter with normal water bottles or you can even stick it directly into your water source.

So if you are in dire need of the best survival water filtration system, then Sawyer mini water filtration system is the perfect choice for you.

 

 

2. LifeStraw – Best Emergency Water Purification System

If you are in search of a handy, portable, and instant water purification system then LifeStraw is the best brand to quench your thirst.

LifeStraw has recently launched a personal water filter which is so handy and portable that you can carry it along with you whenever you want.

I like to go hiking and camping in the backcountry all across the United States. Carrying enough water for my trips is simply not possible due to the weight. I’ve previously carried a General Ecology First Need XL water purifier and filled nalgene bottles with it on these excursions. Because I no longer have to carry the LifeStraw, I doubt I’ll be refilling nalgene bottles any more because it’s smaller and lighter than the First Need XL.

On a recent trek in the Rocky Mountains, I took a LifeStraw for a test. Every stream, lake, or other water source that I came across wasRefreshing! Fresh snow melt and lakes inhabited by beavers and other animals were among my options. There was no extra flavor to the water, and I didn’t get sick during or after the excursion.

The best part about this is, it is an instant filter. You don’t need to fill water into it. Just place the LifeStraw water filter into any water source and take a sip, you will get cleaned purified water on the other end. It’s just like a straw but straw with membrane microfilters.

These microscopic membranes have microscopic pores of around 0.2 microns in size. This way LifeStraw personal water filters hold the bacteria, protozoa, and dirt particles and you will get clean and contaminated free water.

In short, this simple and portable prepper water filter will give you clean water and helps you get rid of waterborne bacteria and protozoan even on your hiking and camping trips.

 

3. MSR MiniWorks – Best prepper water filter

If you are not a fan of squeeze style water filter, then this one will surely give you goosebumps.

MiniWorks Ex microfilter is a pump style water filtration system that is quite handy and easy to carry.

This pump filter is specially designed keeping in mind the long-lasting hiking and camping trips, so it can withstand all the rugged and rough water conditions.

I am sure, if you have kept MiniWorks microfilter in emergency situations, you will never be out of clean and pure water.

Let’s peep into its features to know more about it.

Interestingly, this ceramic filter can  filters up to 2000 liters of water , after which it needs a little maintenance period. These ceramic water filters are totally replaceable, you can replace them with a new one after its lifespan is completed.

MiniWork Ex microfilter filters and provides clean and safe drinking water at the rate of a liter per minute.

It features a filter pore size of about 0.2 microns which is quite helpful in getting rid of bacteria, protozoan, dirt, and different chemicals.

This survival water purification system by MSR is compatible with any wide-mouth water bottle.

It will not be a wrong statement if I said that MiniWorks Ex microfilter is indeed the heavy-duty and best portable survival water filter.

 

 

4. Katadyn Hiker Pro – Best Prepper Water Purification Systems

Katadyn is a well known and popular name when it comes to the higher quality and long-lasting performance of water filters. It provides safety and convenience to the user by providing clean and pure water. Katadyn has been making tremendous water filters for preppers, one of them is the hike pro best emergency water filter.

In addition to this, the activated carbon in the core of the filter cartridge improves the quality and taste of water.

Besides doing this it reduces the harmful chemicals from the water and makes it eligible to drink.

I used this pump. This was the first time I ever needed to pump water. I didn’t think it would be efficient or safe, but I brought it with me because I wanted to be careful. I could not be more pleased! We were in a bind since our group had run out of water and needed to refill numerous bladders. Because I had the pump, I was among the few sent to get water.

Another member of our group had a pump with similar capabilities. When we arrived at the stream and began filling the bladders and Nalgene bottles given to us, I discovered that I could easily pump out 3 liters of filtered/drinkable water for every 1 liter pumped by the other pump.This pump is tiny and light, yet it packs a punch. I wouldn’t go on a journey without it!

You always look to keep lightweight stuff in your backpack when leaving for camping or hiking.

Furthermore, it is so efficient in filtering water that it pumps 1 liter per minute.

It features quick-connect fittings that attach directly to 1/4inch of hydration pack connection. This way you will remain hydrated even during emergency conditions.

 

 

5. Etekcity Water Filter – Best Portable Water Filter Survival Kit for Camping

Etekcity is an international brand that has been working day and night to manufactures quality water filters and outdoor equipment.

Etekcity camping portable filter is a straw type water filter that is one of the ideal filter straws to be used in emergency survival conditions.

I assure you that If you have an Etekcity portable filter straw in your pocket, you will never be deprived of fresh and clean water.

The filter straw is equipped with three filtration levels. This first one is a pre-filter which is situated at the base of the filter straw. This part will come in contact with water and therefore it protects the large contaminants from entering into the filter straw.

Water enters through the pre-filter then moves towards the activated carbon filter. In the last water will pass through the 0.01µm hollow fiber UF inline membrane. This membrane will filter out 99.99999% of bacteria and other micro-organisms. This is the last stage of filtration. The water here is clean and safe to drink.

This is how Etekcity will provide you with clean drinking water even in your tough and hard times.

The filter is efficient enough to 1500L of safe drinking water and the water yield can be 400ml/min.

Etekcity survival water purification system is really light in weight that can be carried easily in your survival kit or your backpack. It weighs only 2.08 ounces.

It would not be wrong if I say that the Etekcity portable water filter is one of the best survival water filtration systems.

 

 

6. Membrane Solutions – Survival Water Purifier Gear

Membrane solutions is a popular company that is committed to provide first-class membrane materials and membrane products.  That’s the reason we have chosen this membrane solutions water filter straw on our list.

Let me tell you one thing when we tested membrane solution portable water filter, we were surprised to see the level of clean water it provide. The water was as clear as crystal with no harmful chemicals in it.

I drank water from two different creeks while backpacking. I did not get sick or die and the water tasted great. The only thing that would be better is if the cap had reverse threading so a water bottle could be screwed into it to force water through for camping and pouring into a pot or canteen for later.

All thanks to its Quadruple Filtration technology, which comprises of 4 stages.

Stage 1 is called screen pre-filter, it provides the first defense against large sediments. Whereas, stage 2 is called PP nonwoven, which filters out the small impurities? On the other hand, the third stage is the antibacterial stage which is equipped with activated carbon which adsorbs and removes odor and organic matters. Stage three is followed by the last stage of ultrafiltration, which removes 99.9999% of bacteria and other microorganisms. The ultrafiltration stage is equipped with a hollow fiber membrane that has a pore size of 0.1micron.

I think you can imagine how pure and clean the water would be from the membrane solution portable water filter.

Membrane solutions emergency water filter is quite compact and petit. It is only 6.7” long and 1.1” in diameter. It can be easily fit into any bottle cup or glass.

As far as its weight is concerned, it weighs only 6 ounces. This means you can keep this straw filter in your backpack as well.

Furthermore, it is made up of safe and heavy-duty ABS material. Also, it meets EPA drinking water standards.

In a nutshell, if you need long-lasting fresh and filtered water even in survival conditions, then membrane solution is the right choice for you.

 

 

7. Miniwell Gravity – Best water filters for preppers

The last one on my list of best water filters for emergency preparedness is a gravity water filter from the house of MiniWell.

Let me make it clear to you, it’s not a personal water filter. In fact, it satisfies the demands of a group of people.

It is so efficient and simple to use. I still can’t figure out why this gear hasn’t got any attention as it should be.

Well, let’s see what this is and how it works.

It works by the action of gravity.

You will receive a small pocket size filter with some essential accessories, which include,

Unfiltered water reservoir, which will hold the contaminated water

Clean water collapsible bottle, which will store the clean and purified water

Tree strap, which will be used in fastening the water reservoir bottle to any suitable place.

Hose and hose clip, for transferring the unfiltered water towards the filter.

Its working is quite simple, all you have to do is just fill the unfiltered water reservoir with some contaminated water and hang it on the tree. Connect the filter and hose to clean water bottle. And that’s it, ultra-light gravity filter is ready to be operated under the action of gravity.

On a two-day backpacking trek in the Colorado high country, I used this to filter water. I filled the raw water from a glacier runoff supply since the sediment level was near zero, with the goal of removing pollutants such as moose and other animals. It filtered quickly and the clean water reservoir was a lifesaver for convenience of use. My only criticism is that holding down the bag’s lock was difficult. I’m a carpenter who believes he has decent hand strength, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get it on.

The filter is efficient enough to produce 2000L of fresh and clean water. The pore size is 0.1 micron which means you will get water that is free from bacteria, dust, and protozoa.

The clean water reservoir is capacious enough to serve the whole group of people. It has got 3 liters of capacity. The reservoirs are made up of high quality of food-grade material with convenient and comfortable handling.

MiniWell gravity water filter is the best choice for hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, traveling, and survival supplies.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Prepper Water Filtration Tools:

Sometimes in the worst scenario, puddle water may be the only drinking option. Your emergency water filter will efficiently filter out the harmful elements from this dirty water. But there are several ways that may increase the filtering efficiency of your survival water filter. This way you will have extra clean and pure drinking water. In order to deal with such a situation there are several ways to follow:

• Let the contaminated water settle out naturally

So before treating the dirty water in a portable water purifier, it is recommended to let the water settle out naturally. For this purpose a wide mouth water bottle is suitable. Pour water into the bottle and wait for the sedimentation process to occur. It will take time like 30 minutes. After that, you will have clean water at the top with all the dirt particles settled at the bottom.

Now you can further treat this water in an emergency water filter.

• Filter the water using cheesecloth:

If you do not have any water bottle with you then you can filter the contaminated water using a cheesecloth or even a white thin cloth may work.

With this process, you can quickly eliminate a lot of dust and debris. Again, this process will require some time. The dirtier the water, the longer it will take to filter.

After filtering through cheesecloth, now you can filter this water in your survival filter. By doing so, you are increasing the life of your portable water filter.

• Don’t let your filter freeze

If you are in a survival situation where you are forced to bear the cold temperature then make sure to empty your filter properly after each use. As if you let your filter freeze, then it will be entirely ruined regardless of the fact how new the filter is. You can keep the filter close to your body in order to protect it from freezing.

What is the best water filtration system for survival?

• Sawyer- Mini Water Filtration System
• Personal Water Filter by Lifestraw
• MSR MiniWorks Water Filter
• Katadyn Hiker Pro
• Etekcity Water Filter
• Membrane Straw Water Filter
• Miniwell Gravity Water Filter

How do you purify water in survivalist?

The best way to purify water in survivalist is by boiling it. Boiling kills bacteria and removes all impurities from water. To boil water, you need to use a pot with a lid. You should also use a stove top and not a campfire. Campfires can spread fire that may harm your survival. You can also use a solar stove to boil water. It will require sunlight to work.

You should also make sure that you have a filter system in your water filtration system. Filters are important in survivalist because they are designed to remove impurities from water.

You can also use iodine tablets to purify water in survivalist. Iodine tablets will remove the chlorine and other harmful chemicals that are found in tap water. You will need to follow the directions that come with the tablets. You should also add the tablets to your water when it is cold.

How Does LifeStraw Work?

The LifeStraw uses a special filter that prevents the spread of germs and bacteria. It removes 99% of common household pollutants including viruses, bacteria, and cysts. It is recommended for people who are traveling or living in places where safe drinking water is not available.

The LifeStraw comes with a replacement filter that you can use up to 100 times. It can also be used to filter ocean water or rainwater.

What Kind of Water Can You Use With LifeStraw?

LifeStraw works with any type of water, including tap, bottled, spring, well, and ocean water.

LifeStraw Filter Replacement Cost

You will need to replace the filter after the first 100 uses. The replacement filter costs $19.99.

Conclusion:

We have reviewed all types of emergency water filters be it a pump filter or a straw type filter. We have covered almost every type. These reviews have been presented on a fair and neutral basis without any biasness. After reading this brief article you will have choice to select the best water filter for your family with clean water if SHTF.

Survival water filters are the must-have item in your backpack if you are leaving for any outdoor trip. This will save you whenever you are out of clean water.

What is the best way to purify water in a survival situation?

Kill germs and other bad things in water by boiling it. Boiling won’t get rid of all forms of pollution, but it’s still one of the safest methods for killing germs.

What is the most effective filter for around water?

Reverse osmosis systems are the most effective filters for drinking water. Reverse osmosis helps get rid of 99% of water contaminants, including chemicals like chlorine and heavy metals.

What is the best filtering material to purify water?

Sand and gravel are excellent water filters because they form permeable layers. Because the sand grains are close together, there are tiny gaps between them. Water may flow slowly through these tiny holes, trapping some of the dirt particles.

What is better than LifeStraw?

The LifeStraw is a great device, but it’s not nearly as useful as the Sawyer Mini. It has a 0.1 micron filter (versus 0.2 micron) and can clean up to 100,000 gallons of water (versus 4,000). While the LifeStraw is also an outstanding product, it pales in comparison to all that the Sawyer Mini can accomplish.

Can you drink ocean water if you boil it?

The removal of salt from sea water, making it drinkable, is known as desalination. This is either done by heating the water and capturing the steam (therm) or passing it through special filters (membrane).

Can you drink ocean water with LifeStraw?

If you want to use the LifeStraw to make water safe and drinkable, it won’t remove salt. So it’s probably not a good idea for your yacht’s emergency lifeboat kit. It must never be used with seawater or water that has been chemically contaminated.

What does the LifeStraw not filter?

The LifeStraw can’t remove mineral salts, heavy metals, chemicals (except chlorine), or viruses. It is not intended to alter the water’s pH and is only meant to filter biological pollutants.

Does LifeStraw filter viruses?

The LifeStraw Family is a low-cost, simple to use, and highly effective water filter that removes almost all pathogens (99.9999 percent of bacteria, 99.99 percent of viruses, and 99.9 percent of protozoan parasites) from water that passes through it.