Tested: The 6 Best Filtered Water Bottles for Cleaner Hydration

The trail is getting steeper and the sun is beating down on your skin, draining your energy with each aching step you take. Your head starts to feel cloudy and light, so you take a knee and try to regain your equilibrium. Unfortunately, your throat is dry and you’ve never felt more thirsty in your entire life. Luckily, you have your purifying water bottle to turn cool stream water into a refreshing drinkable liquid.

Roaming through nature’s landscapes is therapeutic, but in order to enjoy the full experience of being unplugged, you have to be prepared for the worst. Getting a standard water bottle isn’t enough, especially for longer trips in the backcountry. With a filtration water bottle, you can scoop up a tall drink anywhere there’s still or moving water and hydrate without fear of getting sick. It’s a simple piece of gear, but it’s a must-have if you spend most of your free time outdoors because it can save your life. We’ve analyzed a heaping number of decontamination containers and filtered out the mediocre offerings to build this list of the best purifying water bottles available.

How We Tested

After surveying the landscape of potential suitors, you might be tempted to just go with a non-filtration bottle rather than one of the vessels in this guide. After all, there’s a lot of information to sift through. For this guide, we looked at some of our favorite filtered water bottles and pinned them up against one another, along with some newcomers we’ve only heard of through word-of-mouth. For our shortlist of contenders, we looked at capacity, materials, cap/lid design, carrying handle, and various miscellaneous features.

For the stainless steel options, we took a cursory look at coldness retention, checking to see if the water was still cold to the touch after 24 hours. However, the options below are more for sanitation and health, especially when all you have is tap, river, or well water available. We also looked at leakage. I did this by drying the bottles’ outer walls and then tossing them around quite a bit to see how much, if any, moisture appeared on the outside. There’s also a term we’re coining called, “cap agreeability,” after noticing a scale of difficulty when putting these caps back on after filling or drinking. Some required multiple screwing/unscrewing in order to get them on properly. More on how these fared down below.

What to Look For

Size: The size of your water bottle will largely depend on your personal preference. The larger the capacity, the heavier the bottle will be. So if you’re commuting or going to the gym, you won’t want something that weighs more than it needs to. However, this will also determine how often you’ll need to fill up, so if you’re not in a place where you can fill up regularly, you might want to opt for something with more capacity. Likewise, keep in mind factors such as the bottle’s footprint, especially if it will take up space on your desk or be required to fit inside a cup holder. For the outdoors, try to strike a balance between large and small. We went for a lot of 24-ounce options for this particular guide.

Cap/Lid: While most filtered water bottles feature some sort of straw cap, there are some exceptions. Likewise, your activity of choice will determine the type of lid you’ll want on your bottle. For working out, you’ll want a narrow spout, which prevents you from taking in too much at once, which can lead to cramping. Moreover, if a spill were to happen, there would be a smaller exit point for the liquid to come out of. If you’re driving in a car, you might want a built-in straw to minimize spilling even further and make it easier to open up one-handed. If you’re traveling long distances and looking for a bottle to throw into your bag and preclude leaking altogether, you might want a basic open-mouth drinking spout with a solid twist cap.

Materials: For a daily vacuum-insulated water bottle, you might want to look exclusively for stainless steel housing. And while that’s mostly the case here as well, filtered water bottles may also come in plastic. After all, temperature retention is less important than keeping your beverage purified.

Filtration: A lot of respected companies will use their own proprietary filtration system but the key here is looking for how efficiently each filter performs. This information is usually listed on a brand’s website and can come in the way of a percentage (e.g., 99.99% of waterborne pathogens) and/or a list of preclusions (e.g., removes microplastics, chlorine, E.coli, etc.).

Duration: Each water filter has an inherent lifecycle –– it’s inevitable. However, you should know approximately how long your filter is good for, be it 1,000 gallons or 1,000 liters.

Dishwasher Safe: Just because you’re water’s being purified, it doesn’t mean it isn’t still important to clean your water bottles well, and often. Mold can accumulate, which can cause illness and foul odors. But fitting your hands inside these flasks can be a challenge for most. That’s why you’ll either want a quality bottle brush or find a thermos that’s dishwasher-safe.

Sawyer Mini Water Filter

Best Filtration Converter: There’s a good chance you don’t want to just ditch your favorite water bottle just because it doesn’t act as a filter as well. Well, Sawyer offers a solution with its Mini Water Filter. Instead of buying a whole new water bottle, you can turn your current container into a purification machine. The device weighs just 2oz and can fit in the palm of your hand. Rated up to 100,000 gallons of usage, it’s made with a hollow fiber membrane for a high flow rate and can be used to drink straight from a stream if you happen to lose your bottle on a hike. The filter removes 100% of microplastics, 99.99999% of all bacteria including cholera and salmonella, and 99.9999% of all protozoa. Available in a handful of colors, the filter fits the threads of most water bottles, but it can also be used with the included 16-ounce reusable pouch.

The Good

In terms of filtration, the Sawyer can make any dirty water taste great. You can use it to drink directly from a river or stream, or you can attach it to the accompanying water bladder. In the latter case, I loved how I could keep the contraption attached to the bladder without it leaking. I even tested this by turning it upside down and squeezing it fairly hard. Most of you might be familiar with the more popular LifeStraw unit (we have the bottle version below) but I liked that the Sawyer came with a bladder, an extension straw, and even an extraction syringe. Also, this unit has one of the highest durations of any filter here at around 100,000 gallons, which is 100x more than the LifeStraw Peak straw.

It should be noted that in order to use this in accordance with a non-filtration bottle, you’ll need to fill up the accompanying bladder and squeeze the water out of the filter into your vessel. You can also put the water directly into the bottle itself and use the extension straw, although it’s made of pretty flimsy plastic and might break on you.

The Not So Good

Luckily, the Sawyer is also compatible with other bladders as well, which is great because the one it comes with isn’t the most durable. It didn’t break on me but others have complained that this can happen after some time. My main issue with the drinking experience, however, is how hard I had to suck in order to get water out. Also, if I’m drinking straight from the bladder itself, I physically have to turn it upwards for anything to come out.

Some might not love the aerated texture of the water that comes out of the Sawyer, although if you’re in a pinch for clean water, this isn’t really something worth complaining about.

Verdict: Aside from the obvious ability to be extremely packable when hiking and adventuring, the Sawyer water filter is a handy little device that comes with a bladder and extension straw to allow you to filter water into any non-filtration bottle. The sucking process is a bit difficult and you have to turn the bladder all the way upright in order to drink, but if you’re an off-grid adventurer, this is a true essential.

Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle with Straw

Best Budget-Friendly Steel Bottle: Brita’s popularity and ubiquity in the home water filter industry is so widespread that it’s nearly become a proprietary eponym. And for good reason; the brand’s filtration tech balances performance, longevity, and price better than almost anyone. But many may not know that Brita also makes an efficient filtration water bottle, available in several colorways in a cup-holder-friendly design. Made of double-wall stainless steel, the 20-ounce bottle will help dilute the odor and taste of chlorine, in addition to getting rid of everyday contaminants found in tap water — although its exact percentages aren’t provided by the brand. Replaced after 40 gallons, the filter replaces up to 1,800 plastic bottles every year so you can enjoy water anywhere while helping to preserve our planet’s health.

The Good

The 20-ounce Brita water bottle has a minimalist design that’s rather accessible yet adds style to your loadout. I loved the bi-colored wall-lid combo, bookended by a matching silicone handle up top. Likewise, this unit is cup-holder friendly and also rather affordable. The vacuum-insulated construction claimed to keep water cold for up to 24 hours and only gained a few degrees the next day. And while the leak-proof lid did precipitate a small amount, it delivered as promised overall.

I also really appreciated the price on this bottle, which comes in right over $30, which is about the price most people should expect to pay for a water bottle. The drinking experience was pleasant here as well. There wasn’t a lot of extra sucking required, plus the squishy mouthpiece wasn’t harsh against the teeth like some straws can be. The top lid latches shut over the straw, opening again with the push of a button. And best of all, there’s no in-between when it comes to closure; you don’t run the risk of thinking it’s latched shut when it’s not. On that same note, the lid itself had really good agreeability, threading with ease without any issues.

The Not So Good

As much as I really loved the Brita 20oz, I do wish there were some sort of powder coating on the outside. The cap lends itself to both gym and outdoor activities with its touchless straw, but often times these environments are rife with extraneous moisture, be it on your hands or in the environment itself. As such, this bottle was a bit slippery, even when I wasn’t experiencing sweaty palms. Also, the 40-gallon replacement might be a little low for some, so keep that in mind.

Verdict: Attractive, affordable, and cup-holder-friendly, the Brita 20oz Insulated Filtered Water Bottle lives up to the brand’s reputation, producing great-tasting water in a vessel that’s easy and enjoyable to drink from. We loved the design language and the hands-free straw cap. However, we do wish there were a powder-coated option available for scenarios where your hands might be slippery.

WaterWell 500ml Foldable Squeeze Travel Water Bottle

Best for Travel: Your standard stainless steel water bottles are great for almost any situation. However, saving space is not one of their strong suits. This 500mL Foldable Squeeze bottle option from WaterWell is one of the only filtration bottles that can fold up into your pocket or bag when empty, which makes it our top pick for traveling. If you’re hiking, camping, or traveling abroad, you’ll want something like this that won’t take up much room in your bag. Filtering 99.9% of all waterborne pathogens, the long-lasting filter has a duration of about 1,000 liters, which is over 264 gallons. Best of all, the filter has an auto-shutdown feature once it’s no longer good to use, preventing you from accidentally drinking from it when you shouldn’t.

The Good

Made for the outdoors, the WaterWell 500mL Foldable Squeeze Water Bottle has a lightweight, packable design that is truly easy to travel with, even with the filter installed. It takes up hardly any extra space than that of the filter itself. The straw lid is touchless, preventing you from needing to contaminate your drinking surface. Plus, it’s equipped with a small carabiner for attaching to your backpack or belt loop.

Compared to other squeeze bottles, the WaterWell also has a nice design, bolstered further by the polyester sleeve that comes with the vessel, which can be removed for cleaning. Each bottle also comes with a syringe, like the Sawyer above, for extracting water from a stream so you don’t have to get any bacteria on the outside of your bottle itself. I also loved that, if you get it on a flat surface, the bottle can stand up on its own.

The Not So Good

My main issues with the WaterWell are pretty crucial and have to do with leakage and taste. For one, the flavor of the filtered water has a sort of plasticky flavor, which I didn’t necessarily hate but wasn’t as enjoyable as some of the others I tasted. However, the plastic is also BPA-free, so it’s not like you’re drinking anything unsafe.

The biggest flaw of the bottle, however, is that it leaks really easily when water is inside. It didn’t take much of a squeeze for water to come out of the screw cap (although, admittedly, I thought it would have leaked from the straw instead). This doesn’t nullify it from use; the foldable precept is still great for packing into a backpack and drinking contaminated water on-site. It’s also important to note that the lid here was the least agreeable of the options I tested.

Verdict: Sporting a surprisingly attractive exterior, the WaterWell Foldable Squeeze Water Bottle is a 500-milliliter vessel that can literally pack away into your bag when empty without taking up much room at all. While we didn’t love how easily it leaked, this is still a solid choice for traveling or camping, as long as you keep it empty in transit. We especially loved the auto-shutdown feature which prevents you from drinking the water if the filter is expired. Likewise, the bottle is capable of standing up on its own when empty.

LifeStraw Go Series Stainless Steel 24oz

Best Upgrade: LifeStraw has revolutionized the way we access clean water when in the wilderness or even off-grid with its eponymous advanced filtration straws that allow you to sip from any water source while removing 99.999999% of all bacteria and 99.999% of parasites, microplastics, silt, and sand. A few years back, the brand decided to put its tech inside actual water bottles, which were just given a big update a few months ago. Still protecting you from things harmful to your body, this double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel container will keep you hydrated throughout your arduous journey. For this update, a leak-proof lid was added, as was an actual grab handle, and a drinking spout replaced the fold-in straw. The microbiological filter housed inside the bottle is made to provide you with 1,000 gallons of drinkable water, while a secondary replaceable filter lasts for 26 gallons. The bottle will even get rid of any bad odor or taste from the contaminated water you scoop up for your enjoyment. 

The Good

For testing, we went with the 24-ounce version of the LifeStraw Go for its balance of capacity and size, allowing it to fit into most cupholders and not be super cumbersome to bring along with you. However, there are steel versions in 18oz and 1L containers, along with two plastic versions in 22oz and 1L sizes. I noticed the flow of the LifeStraw, while among the most inconsistent, was very pleasant when it was operating fluidly. There wasn’t a ton of resistance and the water tasted the best. In terms of coldness retention, the LifeStraw performed well after 24 hours, with minimal gain.

Since there are two filters at play, read the setup very carefully before your first use. I initially thought the dual-lid would cause issues when it came to opening and closing, the cap was able to unscrew the straw cover element without moving the bottom, wider portion at all. Likewise, after tossing the bottle around a bit, I found the lid was completely leakproof as advertised. Cap agreeability was also very high here, with no need to correct after initiating lid twisting.

The Not So Good

To be honest, 26 gallons is not a lot when it comes to filter replacement, especially when the $60 unit doesn’t come with a second filter upon purchase. Additional filters are $25 each, on top of the pricey bottle unit. Albeit, LifeStraw’s filter promises to remove the highest amount of pathogens of the filters we tested (tied with Sawyer) but the net cost of the entire LifeStraw experience is still not for the faint of heart.

In terms of usability, the LifeStraw does have a slight inconsistency with its flow, which might cause you to be frustrated at times (I know I was). And while the water tasted very pure, the straw nozzle did have a silicone-like flavor on the tongue.

Verdict: Boasting arguably the best filtration system on this list, the LifeStraw Go transposes its masterful tech to the world of insulated water bottles. While the secondary filter is only good for 26 gallons, the microfilter membrane will last for 1,000 gallons. We loved the taste of the liquid, as well as the leakproof lid mechanism, although we admit that the bottle is rather pricey, especially once you factor in the cost of the filter replacements. Nonetheless, if you want maximum filtration and several size options (including a 1-liter vessel), this is a solid choice.

Larq PureVis Insulated 25oz

Best UV Water Sanitizer: If you’re looking for arguably the most stylish water bottle, filter or no filter, then just look at LARQ. The brand’s PureVis sports a sleek aesthetic that blends minimalism with a stunning and memorable design. Available in 17- and 25-ounce sizes and a handful of colorways with interchangeable colored silicone sleeves, the bottle doesn’t use a typical carbon filter but instead taps UV sanitation technology. Thanks to its super-powerful UV-C LED light that’s built into the cap, the unit can eliminate 99.9999% of germs and bacteria like E.coli from the water inside with the touch of a button. Lasting up to a month on a single charge, the light can also clean the inside of the bottle when empty and only takes 60 seconds to get the job done. Featuring stainless steel construction, the bottle is double-walled (there is a more lightweight single-wall version available as well in larger sizes). We got hands-on with the 25-ounce version.

The Good

One of the most attractive water bottles around, and the most attractive on this list, the Larq PureVis will instantly elevate your desk space, cupholder, or what have you. Sporting a brutalist-era minimalism, the 25-ounce bottle also has a lot else going for it. Aside from that extra ounce above the standard 24oz models, this vessel lets you get a good amount of fluid inside without adding a lot of extra weight, removing even more thanks to the lack of an additional filtration system like the others.

Built into the cap is the super-powerful UV-C LED light that claims to eliminate about 99% of germs and bacteria, including E.coli, from the liquid inside. After charging it via USB, the button on the lid is pressed, which activates one of three different cleansing levels, from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. You can do this when the bottle is empty or you can shake around the liquid for a thorough cleansing when full. The benefit of this system is you can filter other liquids as well without affecting their taste. Also, it’s important to note that, unlike other filters, the UV light here doesn’t need to be replaced –– only charged!

In terms of ice retention (not a requirement for this guide), the Larq is one of the best. I put ice cubes inside and there were still some left after 24 hours, even dropping the temp of the water in the process. The Larq also has superb cap agreeability. Not once did I have to recorrect the lid when putting it back on thanks to the socket-like design.

The Not So Good

Speaking of the socket-like lid, you shouldn’t overfill the bottle. If the water is too high, it will spill out when putting the lid back on. Also, fitting in with the minimalist design, there’s no handle on the lid, which is a big drawback and a bummer for instances when you want to go hiking or running. You can’t use a carabiner to attach this to a bag.

Lastly, there will be some who are a bit trepidatious about UV-style sanitation for purifying water, but rest assured that this method is totally proven by science and can actually remove major pathogens.

Verdict: Lightweight and supremely stylish, the Larq PureVis is outstanding when it comes to temperature retention as well. Whether or not you’re skeptical of UV-based cleaning, the tech involved here certainly makes a difference in taste as well. $100+ is a lot to ask for a water bottle, but if you want one of the best top-tier options, this is a great choice.

GRAYL GeoPress Ti 24oz

Best for the Outdoors: Made for global use, the Grayl GeoPress Ti can turn any sample from a freshwater source into drinkable H20 by pressing the 24-ounce bottle on the ground for just 10 seconds to activate its ceramic fibers and carbon filtration. Like the LifeStraw bottle, it will protect you from harmful waterborne pathogens that could enter your body. It removes 99.9% of viruses including norovirus and hepatitis, 99.9999% of bacteria like E. Coli and salmonella, and 99.9% of protozoan cysts. Inside the CP4 Grade 1 titanium housing is a replaceable purifier cartridge that will be efficient for 350 cycles or a total of 65 gallons. Other features include a non-slip topo pattern on the side, a small twist cap that ventilates the air during purification, and butterfly handles on the side that allow this bottle to double as a cooking vessel, equipped with an additional cook lid as well (a version without the cooking lid is available for $20 less). With a simple design, the purifying water bottle will fit most backpacking packs so you can keep it close when you’re out in the wild. And it’s tested to NSF Standards 42+53 to ensure high-quality performance.

The Good

If the Larq is attractive for its minimalist, architectural influence, the Grayl GeoPress Ti has it made in terms of sheer coolness. Along with the titanium housing, the topo pattern is just beautiful and a real conversation starter. Despite it being a bit heavier in weight, the grip on the side is really sturdy, plus there are two carrying options: one on the lid and another on the side of the bottle. A separate D-ring is used for attaching this to a carabiner.

While most purification water bottles require a straw lid to operate, thus creating resistance when drinking, the Grayl’s press system allows you do all the filtering in one go so that you can drink freely. The GeoPress also benefits from a dual lid, which lets you sip or chug, as well as put ice in the bottle. Titanium as a material is also really good at precluding flavor transfer, so you won’t taste anything weird when consuming your water. Also, I really loved the non-slip bottom on this bottle. Other non-slip bottoms I’ve used in the past create a sort of resistance that can actually cause the bottle to topple over when bumped but this one is integrated really well.

The Not So Good

Despite being made of titanium, the Grayl is still rather heavy for a 24-ounce water bottle. I can only imagine what a stainless steel version would feel like. The non-titanium versions are made with a heavy-duty plastic material instead, perhaps for that very reason. It’s also essential to mention that the entire Grayl press operation won’t be very easy to use for most people. Removing the top portion from the bottom portion requires brute strength, and then pressing the bottle back together for filtration, while using your own body weight, still takes a good deal of effort.

And it goes without saying that the GeoPress Ti is very expensive for a water bottle. Most will not be willing to spend $200 for a vessel, even if it’s this cool. The non-titanium plastic model is still $100.

Verdict: Despite the lofty price tag (and we mean lofty), the Grayl GeoPress Ti is a beautiful titanium-built water bottle that filters all your water ahead of time so you don’t have to deal with the typical resistance of a filtration straw. Not only is this vessel a great conversation starter, but it’s also a great camping option with dual carrying handle options, a D-ring for attaching to your bag, and two drinking spouts for adding ice or flavor mixes. If you’re tired of the typical filtration bottle, you need to check this one out…as long as you can afford it!

Filtered Water Bottles Comparison Chart

Why Buy a Filtered Water Bottle?

The obvious reason to get a purifying water bottle is to have the convenience of turning dirty water into healthy, drinkable water for your adventure. In addition, it’s also beneficial for the environment. With a purifying water bottle in your hiking backpack, you won’t need to purchase cases of plastic water bottles, helping to preserve our environment. And you’ll also benefit financially so you can invest your money in more EDC treats for your loadout. If you’re a pure adventurer who practically lives outdoors, or a weekend warrior addicted to getting your fix of backcountry exploration, a filtration water bottle is a must-have item.

How Filtration Works

Before we get to the list, we’ll briefly go over how purifying water bottles work. The water decontaminating bottle has its own built-in filter system. A typical purifying bottle will utilize a filter made with activated charcoal with an electron-positive charge. When the water passes through the filter system, it removes bacteria, chlorine, metals, and also any weird tastes for your convenience. The design of water bottle filters varies, as some will remove the contaminants from the water as you’re drinking it and others will filter the liquid as it enters the container. There’s also been an uptick in recent years of UV sterilization bottles, which use powerful UV light to remove unwanted germs and bacteria.

There are also water bottle filtration systems that remove undesirable substances and sediment, but many do not work well for backcountry use. Although these types of water bottles will remove certain contaminants, they are not built to remove bacteria and viruses, so they shouldn’t be used for filtering open-source water. We have included some filtration water bottles made just for tap water to provide you with further options for your convenience. Think about which type aligns with your preferences before committing to a particular model.

Honorable Mentions

Not only super affordable but the Hydros Water Filter Bottle is a plastic option that focuses on speedy water filtration, recognizing that most options take FOREVER to filter. We weren’t able to get hands-on with this bottle but you can pick one up for about $20.

If you want another affordable stainless steel option, check out the PHILIPS Everyday Insulated Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle, which hovers just over $20 and comes in a few colorways.

If you’re curious about the Grayl tech but don’t want to pay $200 for the titanium option, you can grab this plastic UltraPress version that comes in a cheaper (and smaller) $90 package instead (there’s a titanium version too).

This $200 Vitaloop FlexGuard Multistage Water Filtration Bottle is similar to the GRAYL but not nearly as cool or as rugged. Also, the steel GRAYL is just $80 so most will likely go with that instead. However, we thought this stainless steel bottle was worth mentioning anyway.

Tested: The Best Insulated Water Bottles

If you’re not so worried about purified water, head over to our guide to the best stainless steel insulated water bottles for everyday use.