Best Portable Water Purifier

Portable water purifiers are great for camping or hiking trips. They are also convenient for everyday life since they can purify tap water at home.

The main purpose of these devices is to remove harmful contaminants from drinking water.

There are several types of water purifiers out there, each designed for specific purposes.

Water purification systems come in two forms: gravity-based and pump-based.

Gravity-based systems rely on the force of gravity to pull contaminated water through a purifier medium.

Pump-based systems use pumps to push water through a purifier media. Some purifiers combine both methods.

Here are some of the best portable water purifiers you can buy!

What's In This Article

The FS-TFC Portable Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Purification System is a compact unit that provides a lot of bang for your buck.

It includes everything you’ll need to start purifying right away, and it also has a built-in storage container.

This purifier is ideal if you don't want to invest in a larger, more expensive model. It offers plenty of value for money. It's compact, lightweight, and easy to use.

The FS-TFC Portable Reverse Osmosis Water Purification System is the perfect purifier for taking on the go. It's designed to fit snugly in your backpack when hiking.

It's small enough to carry around easily but large enough to handle most situations.

It includes everything you need to get started right away including the purifier cartridge itself, a storage bag, and a manual.

It features an easy-to-use pump control that allows you to adjust the amount of pressure applied to the water.

It comes with pre-programmed settings for hot and cold temperatures so you won't have to worry about adjusting it yourself while on the road. This purifier has a capacity of 8000 liters.

This purifier is ideal for people who want to take their water purification on the go. It has been tested to provide safe drinking water even under extreme conditions.

The FS-TFC utilizes reverse osmosis purification in a 3 stage process.

Stage one removes sediment, using a sand purifier to get rid of all the visible dirt you can see floating about in the water.

Stage 2 uses a hollow fiber membrane as part of the reverse osmosis process, to give ultra-purification of the contaminants that aren't visible.

The final stage gives medical-grade purification. It fully uses reverse osmosis membrane technology to purifier out any final contaminants.

The carbon block removes impurities from the water. Then it goes through a hollow fiber membrane which helps reduce chlorine taste and odor.

Finally, it uses a silver ion resin cartridge to eliminate any remaining bacteria.

If you’re looking for a high-quality water purifier, the FS-TPC Portable purifier is a good choice.

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Lifestraw is an innovative solution to a portable purifier while out on the go. Traditional portable purifiers are clunky and sometimes long and hard to operate.

Torben Vestergaard Frandsen noticed this. It annoyed him so much that he decided to create a personal

purifier that worked quickly, efficiently, and could fit into the palm of your hand. Thus the Lifestraw was born.

The Lifestraw looks exactly like a straw and works like one too. Simply place it in the water you want to drink and suck. Inside the tubing is a compact purifier.

The Lifestraw is made up of three parts: the purifier, the tube, and the cap. The purifier is a replaceable cartridge that fits inside the tube.

The tube connects to the cap. When you remove the cap, the tube pops off and you can dispose of it.

The first thing you’ll notice is how light it feels in your hand. That's because it's only 1.7 ounces (47 grams).

You can also tell by its size that it will be comfortable to hold in your hand. It's small enough that you can throw it into your pocket if needed. It's also very durable.

It's made from food-grade silicone rubber and stainless steel. So it should last you a lifetime.

The Lifestraw has two settings. One setting allows you to draw 3 liters per minute. This is ideal for drinking water when camping or hiking.

The other setting allows you to draw 5 liters per minute. For drinking water at home or during emergencies.

It comes with two replacement cartridges. One is for normal tap water and the other is for iodine treated water.

Both have been tested and certified safe for human consumption. They both work well and don't leave any residue behind.

The Lifestraw also comes with a carrying case. It's perfect for storing the Lifestraw and keeping it clean. If you do decide to store it somewhere else, make sure it's clean before putting it away.

Though the Lifestraws have a much lower lifespan than normal portable purifiers, it's a lot more affordable too.

Lifestraws can come singularly or in affordable multipacks. And these purifiers also come in four different colors: green, blue, mountain blue, and dark gray.

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Like the Lifestraw, we have another unique option. The GRAYL GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle purifiers

are designed to provide emergency relief for families who live in areas where there is no access to potable water.

These bottles are built specifically for outdoor activities. They’re not meant to be used indoors. But they do work great outside.

These bottles are made from BPA-free plastic and are FDA approved. They’re also dishwasher safe and completely leakproof.

Because they’re made from BPA-free material, they won't leach chemicals into your water.

They also feature a built-in purifier which makes them extremely efficient.

Each bottle holds 24 ounces of water. This means you get approximately 4 gallons of purified water.

And each bottle lasts about 5 years. So it's a good investment.

They’re also incredibly easy to use. Just fill them up, screw on the lid, and start purifying. No batteries are required. The bottles have a very decent flow rate of 5 liters per minute.

They come in several different colors including camo black, coyote amber, oasis green, and wandered red.

If you want something that can be used outdoors but doesn't require batteries, then this might be the best option for you.

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Going back to more traditional purifiers, we have the Purewell Water Purifier Pump. Like most pumps, this one has a reservoir attached to it.

You simply attach the pump to the reservoir and connect it to your water sauce. Then turn on the pump and let it run until your desired amount of purified water is ready.

This pump features an automatic shutoff so you don't need to worry about running out of power.

There's also a pressure regulator to ensure the water coming out of the faucet isn't too strong.

The Purewell Water Purifier comes in one size. It's capable of purifying 793 gallons of water before the cartridge needs replacing.

And then it can do another 793 gallons, and so on. It has a very fast flow rate of 1400ml per minute.

The pump itself is durable and reliable. It's made with stainless steel parts and aluminum housing. It's also compact enough to fit inside any backpack.

It's also compatible with all standard household faucets as well as outdoors. So you don't need special adapters.

That makes it incredibly versatile. The ergonomic design also means this purifier pump is very efficient and easy to work with.

If you’re looking for a simple way to purify water without having to carry around bulky equipment, then this may be the best option for your needs.

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Have you ever been to a hospital and seen those IV bags? Well, the SimPure Gravity Water purifier kind of looks like one of those but blue. It's ergonomic and environmentally friendly in design.

You just fill up the reservoir with dirty water and then use the attached purifier straw.

This will allow gravity to pull the water through the purifier.

Once the water passes through the purifier, it’ll come out into the straw to be drunk immediately.

The SimPure Gravity Water purifier has a capacity of 2 liters. It's capable of purifying 1 liter every hour.

But if you want to get more out of it, you can increase the volume by filling the reservoir.

The SimPure Water purifier has a built-in air vent which allows the purifier to dry out.

This prevents bacteria growth from taking place. It also helps prevent mold from growing.

Another feature of this purifier is its ability to purify chlorine and heavy metals.

It does this using activated carbon. Activated carbon is a porous material that absorbs chemicals and toxins.

Another great thing about this purifier is that it doesn't require electricity to operate.

It uses only natural forces to purify water. It can purify up to 27 liters per hour.

So if you’re looking for a portable water purifier that won't break the bank, then this could be the perfect choice for you.

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Yes, you read that right, a bucket. How can a bucket purify water, you ask? Well obviously the outside of this purifier may look like your average bucket, but inside the middle, there's a gravity-fed nano purification system.

This means that the water will pass through a layer of resin beads before coming out into the bucket. The resin beads are made from polypropylene.

They have an extremely small pore size. This makes them ideal for purifying out any impurities or contaminants.

It's important to note that this purifier isn't designed to remove all contaminants.

It's meant to remove chlorine and heavy metals. You should still boil the water after using this purifier.

This Outback Water purifier System comes with a 5-gallon bucket. It's not very large but it's big enough for most people.

Its flow rate is 0.1 liters per minute, which isn't the best flow rate but it's still better than some out there. The flow rate is low because of how deep the purification process is.

It can be used for up to 1,800 gallons. This bucket was designed as an emergency purification for families in areas with poor water, like Flint, Michigan.

The purifier can last up to 12 whole months before needing to be replaced.

If you plan on camping, hiking, fishing, boating, or anything else outdoors, then this might be the best option for you.

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The Survivor Pro Water Purification System is designed for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts.

This is the ultimate survival purifier if you’re planning on living off the land.

This purifier was independently tested and was found to remove 99.999% of viruses and bacteria in the water.

It reduces sedimentary and heavy metal contamination quickly and effectively and will leave you with incredibly pure-tasting water.

The shell of this purification system is made from ABS material. If you didn't know, ABS material is the same material they use for car bumpers.

So this purifier can brave a fall or two with minimal scratches. It's got a great flow rate of 500 ml per minute.

Simply place the pump in direct contact with a water source and follow the instructions for use.

You’ll need to replace the cartridge every 3 months, and this purifier uses gravity feed technology, so it doesn't require batteries.

The only downside to this purifier is its price tag. It's definitely not the cheapest option available.

However, if you’re looking for the highest quality purifier, then this one is worth the money.

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The Moko portable water purifier is perfect for anyone who needs to stay hydrated while away from home.

This is the most compact water purifier available today. It weighs less than 8 ounces and it takes up very little space.

The Moko portable purifier is a good choice for people who are always on the go. It's small enough to fit into almost any backpack or bag.

It comes with a built-in storage tank that holds about 4 liters of purified water. You can store your water in the fridge until you need it. It's lightweight so you won't feel weighed down while using it.

The Moko portable water filters out chlorine, lead, mercury, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and other common contaminants. It also removes bacteria such as E. coli.

This purifier requires no electricity and it works even when there isn't any power. Simply fill the reservoir and let the water run through the purifier. The purifier will automatically shut itself off after 30 minutes.

The Moko water purifier features an easy-to-use design. Just turn the knob clockwise to activate the purification process.

When done, simply turn the knob counterclockwise to stop the purifying process.

The Moko purifier can be used in areas where there is no access to clean drinking water. It's ideal for camping trips, hiking, fishing, boating, and much more.

The Moko is backed by a 1-year warranty. It has a capacity of 600 gallons and a flow rate of 0.132 gallons a minute.

If you want to enjoy fresh drinking water wherever you go, then the Moko portable water purifier might just be what you’ve been searching for.

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The Sawyer Squeeze Water purification System is an excellent, portable, water purifier.

Designed with an attachable purifier and pouch, this purification system goes straight to the water source and purifies as you drink. It's great for hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Sawyer Squeezes includes three different types of purifiers:

Hard Plastic Purifier – Removes 99.99% of all impuritiesSoft Plastic Purifier – Removes 98.7% of all impurities; best for children under 3 years oldCarbon Purifier – Removes 97.9% of all impurities, great for adults over 50 years old

Each purifier lasts approximately 540 gallons before needing replacement.

To replace the purifier, open the lid and remove the plastic cover. Then, unscrew the top cap and pull off the purifier. Replace the new purifier and screw back on the top cap. That's it!

The Sawyer Squeeze uses two carbon purifiers (one inside the other) to remove harmful chemicals from water. This makes it safe enough for babies and toddlers to drink.

It's important to note that the Sawyer Squeeze does purify out 99.99999% of viruses or parasites.

The Sawyer Squeeze was designed to fit into most standard car cup holders. It weighs only 0.2 pounds and fits easily into a backpack or purse.

The Sawyer Squeeze doesn't include a pump but it does come with a carrying bag. The bag is made of durable nylon and it's large enough to hold the entire unit.

The Sawyer Squeeze system measures 7.5 inches long x 2.5 inches wide x 4 inches tall.

This product features a built-in carry handle and a removable purifier cartridge. The purifier cartridge is easy to change and it's dishwasher safe.

If you want to enjoy fresh, healthy water anytime you need it, then the Sawyer Squeeze Water purifying System is a fantastic option.

This product is backed by a 10-year limited warranty.

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Don't be put off by the word electric, this portable water purifier is still excellent outdoors – provided it has a good charge.

This is one of the few products available which can purify up to 500 liters of water at once.

It's ideal for camping trips, hiking holidays, or even just when you’re away from home.

Its compact size means it can go anywhere in your tent, backpack, or vehicle.

There are five main stages to the purifying process:

Stage 1: Pre-purification process. This removes the larger bits of sediment.Stage 2: Kinetic Degradation Fluxion. This reduces hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and heavy metals.Stage 3: Granular Activated Carbon. This further removes chemical and heavy metals.Stage 4: PP Cotton Layers. This removes any leftover sand, rust, and other impurities.Stage 5: Ultra Purifier Layer. This final layer of purification works to remove any leftover contaminants and sterilize the water.

The whole system runs on a 12v DC power supply. You’ll find the purifier includes an integrated battery charger.

Simply plug it into a wall socket and charge the internal battery overnight. On a full charge, the purification system will last 10-15 days minimum.

The purifier will last for around 600 liters of water and needs replacing every 6 months. The purifier itself is very simple to operate.

You simply fill the reservoir with tap water and attach it to the purifier. Once attached, turn the valve clockwise until the green LED lights up.

This purifier also has a cool All Day button. Just hook it up to a water source and it’ll automatically purify the water for you. Leaving your hands free.

Once the LED starts flashing, press the button again and the purifier will start purifying the water.

The purifier is also equipped with a flow meter. This allows you to see how much water is being purified through each stage.

The purifier is very lightweight and folds down flat for storage. The purifier comes supplied with a handy carrying pouch and is covered by a warranty.

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Similar to the Lifestraw, the Membrane Solutions Water Purifier Straw came later on.

However, this product is more advanced than Lifestraw in some ways. It uses a membrane for its purification process.

The membrane purifies out bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites. It does not purify chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, nitrates, nitrites, and pesticides.

It's designed as a portable water purification device. So it's easy to carry it around with you when you’re traveling or outdoors. It's small enough to fit in your pocket or bag.

The purifier is made of plastic, so it won't break if dropped. It's also leakproof. There are no moving parts that could get stuck.

The purifier is compatible with all standard water bottles. You don't have to buy special bottles.

It has a capacity of 5000 liters before being discarded and has a flow rate of 500 milliliters per minute

The purifier comes supplied with a carrying case. It protects the purifier while it's stored away.

The case also doubles as a stand for drinking directly from the purifier.

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There you have it! Some of the best portable water purifiers are currently on the market.

Some of these would do a fantastic job, others might not work for you.

The best way to figure out whether a portable purifier is right for you is by looking at what you might need. Luckily we’ve created a buyer's guide to help you figure it out!

Here in our buyer's guide, we’ve detailed all the things you need to know before buying a portable water purification system.

We’ve also gone over any jargon you might come across. All to help you figure out what you’re looking for.

There are many different kinds of water purifiers available today. The most common ones include:

When choosing a water purifier, consider how often you plan to use it and what kind of water you will be purifying.

If you plan to drink only bottled water, then you don't need a purifier. On the other hand, if you plan to purify tap water, then you need to choose a good-quality purifier.

If you’re looking for a water purifier to use on the go, then a portable one is best.

As we briefly touched on already, there are different types of water purification systems. Here are some examples of them.

These are the most basic types of purification systems. They usually consist of a container where you put your water.

Then they have a purifying medium inside which will remove impurities such as dirt, sediment, rust, and sand.

These can be found in many places including camping stores, outdoor equipment shops, and even hardware stores.

Most simple purifiers are very cheap. But they don't last long because they have little purifying power.

Also, they tend to clog up easily. This means that you’ll have to replace them often.

They’re great for people who want something quick and cheap. If you just want to drink clean water, then you probably don't need anything else.

This is a bit more sophisticated than simple purifiers. In fact, they’re actually considered to be the most effective type of purifier. What makes them better is their ability to absorb contaminants.

They’re usually made of activated carbon. Activated carbon is an organic material that absorbs toxins and odors. It's commonly used in air purifiers and deodorizers.

A sorbent purifier works by absorbing contaminants through the pores of the activated carbon. When the activated carbon becomes saturated, it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

If you’re using a sorbent purifier, make sure that you keep your water bottle away from direct sunlight. This is because UV rays can damage the active carbon.

If you’re going to be traveling a lot, you may want to invest in a reusable purifier. This will save you money and reduce waste.

Reusable purifiers are designed so that you can reuse them multiple times.

You simply take the filter off, rinse it out, and put it back into place.

You can find reusable filters in many places including online retailers. Just look for "reusable" or "disposable".

Disposable purifiers are much cheaper than reusable ones. However, they only last about two weeks.

So, if you plan on doing a lot of travel, you might want to get a reusable purifier instead.

Fluoride is one of the main reasons why Americans have tooth decay. That being said, fluoride is added to public drinking water supplies to prevent cavities.

Unfortunately, this has caused problems for those who don't like the taste of fluoridated water.

The problem is that fluoride doesn't dissolve well in water. This causes it to build up in pipes and reservoirs. Eventually, it ends up in the tap water.

To avoid this issue, you can use a fluoride-free water purifier. These are basically the same as regular purifiers except that they’re specially designed to filter out every last bit of fluoride in a volume of water.

These are some of the best types of purifiers available today. They’re also known as RO (reverse osmosis) purifiers.

In short, these work by passing water through a membrane. The membrane separates the pure water from the contaminated water.

It does this by creating a pressure differential between the two sides of the membrane.

The pure water is forced through the membrane while the contaminated water remains trapped on the other side.

RO purifiers are expensive. But they do provide the highest quality water possible.

Plus, they’re easy to maintain. All you have to do is change the cartridge every few months.

When choosing a water purifier, there are several factors you need to think about. First, you’ll want to decide whether you want a portable or fixed purifier.

Portable purifiers come with a reservoir. A reservoir allows you to store purified water until you need it. Fixed purifiers, on the other hand, are permanently installed.

Next, you’ll want to choose between a sediment purifier and a carbon block purifier.

Sediment purifiers trap particles such as dirt and rust. Carbon blocks remove bad tastes and odors.

Finally, you’ll want to determine which type of purifier is right for you. There are three basic types of purifiers that are best for outdoor

and portable purification systems: activated charcoal, ion exchange resin, and reverse osmosis. Each one offers different benefits.

Activated charcoal purifiers are great for removing chlorine and heavy metals. They also help eliminate odor.

However, they aren't very effective at purifying out bacteria. This means that they won't necessarily protect against illness.

Resin purifiers are good for removing chlorine and heavy metal contaminants.

They also help eliminate bad tastes and odors, but not all of them are effective at removing bacteria.

This is the most effective type of purifier. It's also the most expensive. Reverse osmosis removes everything from chlorine to lead. It even helps eliminate bacteria.

Plus, it provides the cleanest-tasting water. However, it takes longer than other purifiers to purify your water. Also, it requires more maintenance.

If you’re looking for the best way to purify your water, then a reverse osmosis system may be the best option.

Finally, we have our FAQs. Here we answer some of your burning questions about portable water purification systems.

This is a tricky question. It really depends on what you need the purifier for. Let's say it's for outdoor use, perhaps hiking.

And you just need to purify the water you’ve come across. The purifier that's best for that is a sediment purifier.

These are typically made of plastic and can hold up to five gallons. They work well because they don't require much maintenance. Simply rinse them off after each use.

If you’re going to be using the purifier in an area where you might have a lot of debris, like a swimming pool, then you should get a carbon block purifier.

These are usually made of ceramic and can hold up to 50 gallons. They’re great for eliminating chlorine and heavy metals.

The answer here is simple. If you’re planning to use the purifier for long periods of time, then you should go with a resin purifier. They tend to last longer than any other purifier.

Again, this is something that depends on how you plan to use the purifier.

For example, if you’re going to be camping or hiking, then you probably shouldn't worry too much about changing the purifier.

But if you’re going to drink the water regularly, then you should change the purifier every few days.

You should replace your purifier once it starts producing cloudy water. That's when it's time to buy a new purifier.

Every single manufacturer of water purifiers will detail the service life of any filters used in their product, so as long as you read your purifier manual, you’ll know exactly when it's time for a change.

The same is true of disposable purifiers. Either the packaging, the advertising, the product itself, the manual, or the manufacturer's website will tell you how long it's good for.

A prefilter isn't strictly necessary. In fact, many people prefer to skip the pre purifier altogether.

But if you do decide to add one, make sure it has a high-quality rating.

Some people do like to use prefilters because they can actually be pretty helpful.

After all, they’ll reduce the amount of sediment that gets into your purifier.

This means that your primary filter will last a lot longer than usual.

Plus, they make the purifier run smoother. A prefilter is especially beneficial if you’re going to use the purifier in areas where there's a lot of debris.

Yes! Gravity purifiers are very similar to sediment purifiers and can absolutely work outdoors.

They simply rely on the force of gravity to remove particles from the water.

Carbon block purifiers are used for removing chlorine and heavy metals. Charcoal purifiers are designed to remove impurities such as rust and odor.

RO stands for reverse osmosis. It's a process that uses pressure to separate molecules based on their size.

During reverse osmosis, water passes through a membrane that separates the water into two streams: pure drinking water and wastewater.

This is why most RO systems include a storage tank. The pure drinking water goes back into the house while the wastewater goes down the drain.

Yes! You can use a reverse osmosis system inside your home. Just make sure that you keep the intake pipe at least 10 feet above ground level.

Also, make sure that you install a shutoff valve so that you can turn off the flow of water.

There are three main types of reverse osmosis systems: countertop, under-counter, and whole-house. Countertop units are small enough to fit on top of your kitchen sink.

Under-counter models are usually larger than countertop ones. Whole-house units are the largest of all.

So that's everything you need to know about portable water purification systems and some of the best ones on the market.

There are lots of key things to remember before picking a purifier. And the most important thing is to know what you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for a decent portable purification system that will last a long trip, then it's probably not wise to get an electric purifier.

Especially if you’re going hiking or camping, and won't have access to electricity.

Though these purifiers probably work the best, no one wants to be stuck with half-purified water because the battery ran out.

We’d recommend gravity-fed purifiers to solve that problem. And, since the boom in popularity of outdoor activities,

portable water purifiers have since evolved to keep up. The Lifestraw is the primary example of this.

The effect of these kinds of products on the world, not just on people looking for clean water on a hike, is astronomical. They make clean water for everyone a much more realistic target.

Dara Brant is the Managing Editor at Green Building Elements. Prior to joining us she covered alternative energy news and local developments at Your Energy Blog. Dara has a passion for sustainable living and wants to do more than her fair share to help build a better tomorrow for future generations. You can connect with Dara on LinkedIn.