11 Best Travel Water Purifiers of 2023

Are you planning to travel around the world? If yes, a travel water purifier is a must for your health. Here is a list of some of the best options to try.

Are you backpacking across Europe? Or, are you planning a romantic getaway to Paris? In all cases, you need to be careful about water quality.

On the one hand, most countries worldwide have poor water quality. On the other hand, you’ll find plenty of sketchy brands selling ‘bottled water’ that is repackaged tap water. In both cases, it’s a health hazard.

Even if you’re buying original purified water from a known brand, it can still get expensive. Why not make a one-time investment instead? In this guide, I’ll discuss the best water filters for traveling to help you select a travel water purifier for your next vacation.

Best Travel Water Purifier

Every product in this list meets the quality and durability standards that a traveler aims for. Plus, they’re all from trusted brands and boast positive customer feedback.

SteriPen Ultra UV Water Purifier

Equipped with UV light, the SteriPen Ultra UV Water Purifier can destroy pathogenic germs in tap water, saving you from diseases.

The UV light’s intensity can kill up to 99.9% of the microbes. Once you charge this travel water purifier, it lasts up to 50 treatments.

In simple words, it equals up to purifying 15,000 liters of water. Even if you’re on a longer trip, a single charge will last you through the whole duration.

At the front of the purifier is an OLED display. It shows you all you need to know, including the battery status and the treatment results.

More importantly, the purifier is conveniently charged via a solar panel or wall socket. If you’re taking your laptop along on the trip, you can charge the SteriPen Ultra UV Water Purifier using that too.

Highlighting Features

• UV light cleansing
• OLED display
• Multiple charging methods
• Long battery life for 50 treatments

LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottles

If you don’t want to carry a separate travel water purifier, you can get the LifeStraw purifying bottle with a built-in purifier. The reusable bottle has a BPA-free build that makes it safe for travelers.

Moreover, this award-winning bottle can remove any kind of impurity. That includes parasites, bacteria, microplastics, and chemicals in drinking water. The expert-engineered filter membrane removes even the smallest particles with ultimate efficiency.

It has a two-stage activated carbon filter that leaves no aftertaste. Even better, it reduces the odor from tap water. The resulting water will be fresh, clean, and odorless. Since there’s two-layer protection, the purifier removes 99.9% of the protozoa, bacteria, and chemical waste. With a 23-ounce capacity, the bottle is suitable for a solo traveler.

Also, it’s leak-proof. Thus, you can easily keep it in your travel tote. Plus, the replacement filters are easily available online. So, you can buy a new filter every time you head out for an adventure.

Highlighting Features

• Food-grade silicone mouthpiece
• 23-ounce capacity
• Two-stage carbon filter
• Removes odor and chemical waste
• Leak-proof design

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter

With a 0.1 micron cutoff, this water filter can remove even the tiniest microorganism in your drinking water. It has been designed to remove bacteria and protozoa from water, as per the EPA standards.

Possibly the best feature of this water filter is the collapsibility. It can contract to a smaller size to easily fit in your backpack. It can also fit in tight spaces, such as jacket pockets.

When expanded, it’s a one-liter bottle flask that should be enough for a single traveler. Moreover, it features Ez-clean membranes that can be cleaned with a simple shake or swish. Doing so removes the debris from the filters.

So, you don’t need to carry any cleaning tools. Owing to the Stay Clean drink nozzle, the mouthpiece stays clean even after filtering a thousand liters of dirty water. You can also replace it with a standard water bottle cap after several uses.

Highlighting Features

• 0.1-micron water filter cartridge
• Collapsible
• Stay Clean drink nozzle
• Filters up to 1,000 liters

GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier

Every traveler looks for simplicity, whether it’s in the luggage or the itinerary. The GARYL sublime water purifier provides just that, making it quick and simple to filter drinking water.

All you have to do is fill up the bottle and press a button on the lid. Then, simply wait for 15 seconds. Viola, you now have bacteria and chemical-free water ready for consumption.

While most other purifiers utilize a single technology, this particular bottle has three technologies for purifying water. First, the ceramic fiber removes larger particles. Second, there’s a network of positively-charged ions that removes chemical impurities.

Lastly, the activated carbon filter takes care of microbial waste. On the whole, the filter removes 99.99% of bacterial and protozoal waste.

Furthermore, the bottle is compact. It fits in the side pockets of most backpacks. You can also keep it in the cup holder of your vehicle.

Highlighting Features

• 15-second filtering
• Three purifying technologies
• 16-ounce capacity
• 99.99% pathogen removal

Seychelle Rad Water Filter Bottle

The Seychelle Rad is one of the best water purifiers for international travel since it’s extremely portable.

It uses the Ionic Adsorption Micro Filtration technology that removes bad odors along with contaminants. Featuring some of the best travel water filters, this bottle can also remove cloudiness, silt, and chlorine from drinking water. Even better, it frees water of up to 99.99% bacteria, cysts, protozoa, and viruses.

As compared to the GRAYL purifying bottle, this one is much larger with a capacity of 28 ounces. Therefore, you can share it with your spouse or travel buddy.

Most other bottles are only efficient against common impurities. But the Seychelle water filter bottle can also remove trihalomethanes, glyphosate, and PFOS.

Highlighting Features

• Ionic Adsorption Micro Filtration technology
• Removes chemical contaminants too
• 28-ounce capacity
• Suitable for RVs and emergency kits

Purewell Water Purifier Pump

Some travelers are not satisfied with purifying bottles, and I understand that. That’s why I’ve put this Purewell Water Purifier Pump on the list. It has a flow rate of up to 1400ml per minute and a compact size that makes it quite portable.

The anti-skid design ensures that the pump won’t topple off no matter where you’re using it. Since it has a rubber bottom, the filter stays firmly put on any surface.

Plus, it boasts a high filter capacity of up to three thousand liters. Thus, you’ll only need to remove the filters after many vacations.

The 0.01-micron water filter restricts the passage of bacteria and physical contaminants into your drinking water. More importantly, this travel water purifier has a four-stage filtration system for maximum efficiency.

The manufacturers seem to be pretty confident about this product. That’s why they offer a 24-month free replacement warranty.

Highlighting Features

• Four-stage filtration
• 0.01-micron pore size
• Replaceable carbon filters
• Anti-skid rubber design

Epic Nalgene Ultimate Outdoor Travel

If there’s one family travel hack you need to know, it’s that kids get thirsty and need to pee in the weirdest places. That’s why it’s good to have the Epic Nalgene outdoor travel bottle in your backpack.

Being a 32-oz bottle, it’s suitable for more than one person. Also, it can remove 2000% more impurities than an average filtering water bottle.

The filters remove pretty much everything you can expect to find in drinking water. That includes PFOA, fluorides, chlorine, lead, viruses, cysts, silt, bacteria, and much more.

Since it has an activated carbon filter, the travel bottle can effectively remove heavy metals too.

Additionally, it has been tested independently against NSF and ANSI standards. So, you can rest easy knowing that the water purifier is up to the hygiene and safety standards in the US.

For every purchase of the Epic Nalgene bottle, the company gives 1% of the sales to environmental organizations.

Highlighting Features

• Activated carbon filters
• Passed NSF testing
• ANS-compliant
• 32-oz capacity

See Related: Best Travel Drones

GRAYL Geopress 24 oz Water Purifier

The GRAYL Geopress water bottle purifier for international travel makes your outdoor adventures safe and enjoyable.

Whether you’re out hiking, backpacking, traveling, fishing, or RVing, the water bottle goes with you. Thanks to the compact design, you can fit it in your backpack or cupholders.

As for purification, the water bottle has the best water filters that remove impurities from freshwater sources. Moreover, they restrict the entry of heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics into drinking water. Once all this trash is out, the water smells and tastes better.

Besides efficiency, the GRAYL water purifier also impresses in terms of speed. It can purify up to 24 ounces of water in just eight seconds. Plus, there’s no setup time. All you have to do is fill the bottle, press a button, wait for a few seconds, and then gulp.

Most importantly, the purifier’s performance is consistent across all sources. Whether you’re filling water from a taco stand or a murky river, the output will always be 99.99% pure drinking water.

Highlighting Features

• Purifies 24 ounces of water in eight seconds
• Consistent purification
• Pathogen-removing filters

See Related: Best Travel Purses

SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Personal Water Purifier

Claiming to be the best UV light travel water purifier, this device is a must-have for avid travelers. Unlike purifying bottles or pumps, it does not take up a lot of space in your luggage. Instead, it fits easily in your pocket or handbag.

You can use it to cleanse up to 8000 liters of water. Thus, a single filter will go a long way. Owing to the carbon filters, the water purifier can remove 99.99% of germs from the water. Hence, it makes even the dirtiest water clean and healthy for consumption.

In doing so, the purifier leaves the water’s pH and taste unchanged. When you’re out hiking or camping, the water sensor on this purifier can be used as an LED flashlight too.

On average, it can kill even the most harmful bacteria, such as cryptosporidia, in just 90 seconds. Besides, the package includes two CR123 batteries, so your first trip is sorted. You also get a neoprene case to store the water purifier. It also keeps the device safe from physical and mechanical damage. Since it comes with a belt loop, you can always keep the purifier at your arm’s length.

Highlighting Features

• 99.9% pathogen removal efficiency
• Filters up to 80000 liters
• LED flashlight
• Comes with a neoprene case and belt loop

Sawyer Products Water Filtration System

The Sawyer Products device is a budget travel water purifier for travelers. It’s suitable for people who love hiking, scouting, camping, and outdoor activities.

It features an efficient 0.1-micron inline filter that is compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Weighing just 2 ounces, the purifier won’t increase your luggage’s weight. Plus, you won’t even feel its presence in your backpack.

The purifier comes with a drinking pouch, but you can also attach it to your water bottle. It can remove 99.99% of bacterial contaminants, including E.coli. It rids the water of 100% microplastics, making it safe for drinking. With a 16-ounce drinking pouch, the water filtration system is suitable for family travels too. Moreover, there’s a seven-inch drinking straw and a cleaning plunger.

Highlighting Features

• 99.99% pathogen removal
• Removes 100% microplastics
• 100,000 gallons filter rating
• 16-ounces

LifeStraw Flex Advanced Water Filter with Gravity Bag

Gravitational filtration systems prove to be the best travel water purifiers for longer trips. The LifeStraw Gravity Bag removes up to 99.99% impurities from water, regardless of the source.

It has a carbon-fiber capsule that improves the taste of drinking water. Besides, it also reduces the presence of heavy metals and chlorine.

Exceeding the EPA drinking standards, the LifeStraw Flex cleanses every sort of living impurity from water. Moreover, it has a lifetime of up to 500 gallons. Replacement carbon capsules are readily available too.

For every purchase you make at LifeStraw, the company gives safe drinking water to a school child in need.

Highlighting Features

• NSF 53 standards
• EPA-compliant
• 0.2-micron filter
• 500 gallons per carbon capsule

See Related: Tentrr Review

What to Look For In a Water Purifier?

Portable water filters for travel are lifesavers, especially if you’re traveling to countries with poor water quality.

With a rise in international travel, the availability of water purifiers in the market has also increased. Therefore, it can often be a bit tough to choose the best portable water purifier.

But, worry not. I’m here to help. Here are some things to consider when buying a water purifier.

Filtration Technology

First off, you must check the filtration technology used by a travel water purifier.

Most models have carbon filters, as they’re the best for removing heavy metals and bacterial contaminants. Additionally, activated carbon helps improve the taste and smell of water.

Another technology that you’ll find in travel water purifiers is electro-adsorption. In this method, the impurities are separated from the water, based on charge.

Some purifiers have dual technologies. As a result, they’re often more expensive but have better performance.

Pore Size

The pore size indicates the smallest particle that can pass through the filter.

Thus, if a filter has a pore size of 0.1 microns, only particles smaller than that can pass through it. The filter will trap every organism or substance larger than 0.1 microns.

A travel water purifier must at least have a 0.1-micron filter. Experts regard this size as effective in removing microorganisms, microplastics, and silt.

Types of Water Purifiers

Typically, there are three types of travel water purifiers:

• Gravity bags
• Filtration pumps
• Water bottles

You can choose the right type depending on your preference and the amount of space in your luggage.

Water pumps usually take up more room than the other two types. Some water bottles can be contracted to fit in the luggage. Meanwhile, others are already compact enough to fit most backpacks’ side pockets.

Possibly the easiest purifiers to carry are the gravity bags since they fit in tight spaces too.

Here is a depiction of all the various types of water filers and purifiers.

Capacity

Are you traveling alone, or is it a family trip? Depending on the number of people in the group, you should buy the travel water purifier accordingly.

Travel bottles normally have a capacity of 16 to 32 ounces.

See Related: Best Travel Atomizers

Final Words

Regardless of how often you travel, you should have a travel water purifier at home. It’s a necessity for every time you’re out in an unknown place.

Alternatively, water purifiers make a wonderful travel gift for a friend or family member who loves to be on the go.

In this guide, we’ve discussed the best travel purifiers, including gravity bags, bottles, and filtration systems.

Thus, you’ll find a suitable option to ensure safe water consumption irrespective of where you are in the world.

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