Portable water purifiers are a reliable and convenient way to get clean, fresh water in the most remote places from nearly any source. Having one in your backpack you will be able to remove from your water all harmful substances and contaminants, viruses and fungus, as well as bacteria. Anywhere you go you will now have a sufficient clean water supply. The market of today offers a broad range of all sorts of efficient portable purifying systems, be it purification tablets, filter bottles or ultraviolet purifiers. In this article, we are going to review the best and the most popular models to give you the idea which purifier might suit you better.
First let us consider the lightest purifiers that are obviously much more convenient for hikers. Two most popular models in this category are Steripen Adventurer Opti and MSR Miox.
Steripen Adventurer Opti
Steripen Adventurer Opti is incredibly popular among camping and hiking lovers and for good reason. Having the weight of only four ounces it is almost unnoticeable in your backpack, but it will produce nearly 16 ounces of clean water per minute. Besides it’s truly convenient in use, just dip it into a vessel with water, turn it on and whirl it a little.
The principle of its operation is based on the use of UV light so that the molecules of viruses and bacteria get reorganized and thus eliminated. All types of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms will be killed this way.
The pen operates from the batteries the charge of which is enough for purifying nearly twenty-five gallons of water. It is the best compact option utilizing ultraviolet light.
MSR Miox
MSR Miox has also won the hearts of the users due to its compact design, ultra lightweight, and ultimate convenience. If you take this exceptional device weighing just 3.6 ounces with you, you will easily and quickly get clean water free from Cryptosporidium, Giardia, all sorts of bacteria and even viruses. To use it you only need to add some water, shake it and press the button. Upon pressing the button, a strong portion of mixed oxidants will be produced which will eliminate any and all contaminants. And again all that is required for operation of this device are batteries that will last for purifying of up to 25 gallons. Besides it will purify your water without exhausting pumping or unpleasant iodine taste, even though it will take some more time for purification than the abovementioned device.
Lifesaver Systems 4000
Another cost-effective and simple water purifier well estimated by hikers and backpackers is Lifesaver Systems 4000. It is reported to have become the first portable water purifier destroying all harmful viruses in the water. Lifesaver bottle has nice ergonomic design and is rightfully considered to be a perfect pick for its proved effectiveness. The water in this bottle will be purified with the use of a pump system and a carbon filter. You just fill in the bottle and pump several times, and your clean water is ready. The carbon filter has micropores that remove not only viruses and bacteria but also chemical residues, pesticides, and heavy metals. Using just one filter, you will be able to purify up to 4,000 gallons of water. You also do not run a risk of using the inactive cartridge as at the end of its lifespan it will shut down. The device is quick, yet ultimately effective, producing the purest water without the foul taste of iodine or chlorine.
Grayl Water Filtration Cup
We can’t help but mention Grayl Water Filtration Cup. It’s yet another excellent device for water purification though it’s obviously not a rival for the ones mentioned above in terms of weight. Its body is made of stainless steel giving it not only a nice look but also high durability for the most severe conditions. At the same time, this purifier is one of the fastest ones, producing 16 ounces of clear water within only 15 seconds! An outer cup and an inner cup both from stainless steel make up the system. A threaded filter is attached to the inner cup and to get some clean water you only need to pour it into the outer cup and press in the inner cup. Having performed such simple manipulation, you immediately get the purest water. The ingenious filtration mechanism of the Grayl cup combines three parts. The first is the activated carbon which is ultra-powdered for sifting all impurities. The second is the anti-microbial agent for destroying fungus, bacteria, and mildew. And the third is the standard granulated carbon containing charged ion mesh for eliminating pathogens. Moreover, this purifier will decontaminate your water from many other dangerous contaminants, for example, lead, arsenic, chlorine and sulfur, industrial chemicals, etc. No protozoa and bacteria will get the chance to stay in your water with this device. One filter is enough for purifying forty gallons.
Among portable water filters, such devices as Seychelle Water Filter Bottle, LifeStraw, Sawyer Mini and Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter are rightfully deemed to be the best.
LifeStraw
LifeStraw is especially estimated by ultralight backpackers and is widely used all over the world, making life simpler for many hikers and travelers. This ingenious innovational filter uses hollow-fiber membranes with the filtering capability of up to 0.2 microns. Life Straw removes parasites, microbes and bacteria, giardia and chemicals. It is also very easy to use with nearly any source. Just uncap both sides of the device, dip its base into the source of water and after 30 seconds make a couple of quick sucks for the water to start flowing. The capacity of this filter is 1,000 gallons what truly deserves attention along with its agreeable price and light compact design. It will surely be a perfect pick for travelers.
Seychelle Water Filter Bottle
Seychelle Water Filter Bottle is another excellent bottle filter option for traveling enthusiasts. Just like the Grayl Cup it is made of stainless steel and is lead-free thus being both a convenient, stylish and durable accessory. This filter bottle has only one filtration stage, but due to strong ionic absorption it easily removes almost any and all contaminants, be it chemicals, microorganisms, heavy metals or chlorine. It’s just another perfect buy for your travel backpack.
Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter is one of the most expensive models and was designed for extreme travelers to last through heavy use under any conditions. This portable filter has a pump design and a silver-impregnated ceramic element showing excellent results at removing bacteria and fungus as well as any other contaminants having size over 0.2 microns. Over one minute already a quart of pure drinkable water will be obtained. The filter capacity is about 13,000 gallons, and a measuring gauge will inform you of the time to replace the old filter. Along with outstanding durability, it also has a considerable weight: 20 ounces.
Sawyer Mini
Sawyer Mini is an absolute leader among portable water filters for backpackers. Weighing just two ounces it provides the truly high performance and is compatible with almost any container, or you can also use the drinking pouch and straw which are included. All is provided for your convenience. Besides this filter as compared to other portable models has an astonishing capacity: nearly 100,000 gallons! It fails to remove viruses and chemicals, but it is proved to eliminate such contaminants as bacteria, Salmonella enterica, protozoa, cysts and Giardia, Vibrio cholerae.
Listed above are the most popular water purifiers and filters with proved efficacy. Those are the best ones in terms of design, portability, convenience and weight. Each of them has their unique features distinguishing them from the others and making them a great pick. What is the most important is that all of them are cost-effective and will become handy for producing clear and healthy drinkable water wherever you choose to go.
