Water is one of the most important elements of life, and you must drink it regularly. However, not all water is fit for drinking, making it necessary to have some sort of filtration system available. This is not so difficult at home, but it can prove difficult when you’re traveling – unless you invest in a portable water filtration system.
You can, of course, spend your money buying bottled water consistently. However, if you don’t like the idea of dropping a fortune at the convenience store, keep reading below to learn about portable water filters, why you need one, and five of the best options for your needs.
What Is a Portable Water Filter?
In short, a portable water filter is any type of filter that doesn’t have to be permanently installed. It can filter your water wherever you go — be it in the woods for camping, at the ballpark, or on a road trip.
The great thing is that they come in several different types, depending on what you need. Some of the most common options include those listed below.
- Straw filters: The description of these is in the name. They are small filters that you can put directly into the water. You suck the water through as you would a normal straw. As it travels through, it is filtered, allowing you to drink cleaner water. These are great when you don’t want to carry extra items or in emergencies.
- Filtered water bottles: These are popular enough that you’ve probably seen one in person before. They look like regular water bottles, but there is a filter inside. There is usually a straw to pull the water through.
- UV purifiers: These use UV radiation to rid the water of dangerous viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Though you might find a UV filter in many different types of filters, you’ll typically find them in water bottle filters.
- Pump filters: These are portable, of course, but they tend to take up more space than other portable water filters. That’s because they usually come with two hoses attached to the filter. The dirty water moves through one and clean water comes out of the other one. The pump itself isn’t necessarily large. However, you need some sort of container for the clean water, such as a jug or bucket. This is what takes up space. This doesn’t make it such a great option for hiking or road trips. But if your travels involve setting up long-term camping somewhere along the line, it’s worth considering.
Why Is It Important to Filter Water?
You can probably tell from the little bit of information above that unclean water sources, such as rivers, have some dangerous things in them. And if you’re thinking that this doesn’t apply to you because you won’t be out in the wilderness, continue reading.
It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to another city or another country, there are things in the tap water that aren’t very healthy, either. This includes everything from chlorine to heavy metals and even detergents. No matter what your travel plans are – or even if you plan to stay at home – filtering water is the best way to get clean, healthy water that tastes good.
5 Top Portable Water Filters for Purchase
There are many portable water filters on the market, but the following are five of the best options.
Sawyer Mini Water Filter
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is one of the most portable water filtration system options on the market – and it’s a great space saver. It weighs only 2 oz and is small enough to keep in your pocket. What makes it so great is that you can put it directly into a freshwater source and it will filter as you drink.
If you want to keep some extra water on you, it comes with a 16 oz pouch that you can fill up. You can then attach the straw to the pouch and drink on the go. Once it’s empty, you can just roll it up and put it away.
As long as you clean the cartridge, the Sawyer Mini can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water. And it filters up to 99.99% of things like:
- Protozoa
- Salmonella
- Cholera
- E-coli
- Leptospirosis
- Microplastics
It is not quite as effective at removing viruses, however, so keep that in mind.
GO Berkey Kit
If you enjoy long days or weekends of hiking and camping but want a portable water filtration system that you can easily carry in your backpack, the GO Berkey Kit just might be the best solution for you. It comes with a lightweight, stainless steel holding container, a purifying filter, a primer, and a Berkey Sport Bottle.
The entire kit only weighs three pounds when there is no water in it. It’s a powerful option despite its size and weight. It can filter up to one gallon of water every hour. It removes up to 99.99% of contaminants, including:
- Viruses
- Chloramine
- Trihalomethanes
- Pharmaceutical
- Pathogenic bacteria
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
This kit is great for outdoor use, but it’s also a good option for road trips as well as daily use in the office or at school. And if you don’t want the whole kit, you can purchase the Berkey Bottle water filter. It’s a 22 oz bottle that can remove:
- Viruses
- Pathogenic bacteria
- Microorganisms
- Heavy metals
- E-coli
- Pesticides and more
Either of these options provides enough clean water for one person. If you’re taking a family trip or outing, you’ll either want to get each member their own or pick another portable water filtration system.
Survivor Filter PRO
The Survivor Filter PRO is one of the best on the market, and it’s great to take anywhere you go. You can choose to take it to your hotel or camping. It has a pump filter, which works as a three-stage filtration system. It is incredibly effective at removing:
- Heavy metals
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Parasites
This filter operates at a 0.01-micron level, which can remove up to 20 times more microorganisms than most systems on the market. And while most people think such a thorough level slows down the filtration process, this is not true.
The Survivor Filter PRO can filter 500 mL of water every minute. And every filter can process up to 26,000 gallons of water. It’s very lightweight and even comes with a lifetime warranty.
Aquasana’s Claryum Countertop Filtration System
If your travels include hotel and condo stays, the Claryum Countertop filter is a good choice for you. It’s very easy to install, as you just attach it directly to the available faucet. You can attach it to get rid of more than 77 contaminants, and simply detach it when you’re ready to leave. It reduces up to 99% of the following contaminants and more:
- Mercury
- Chlorine and chloramine
- Cysts, VOCs, lead, and asbestos
- Herbicides
- Pesticides
- Pharmaceuticals
It has been tested and is certified to meet NSF /ANSI Standards. And one filter lasts for up to 450 gallons of water. This simple portable water filtration system can help you keep your family safe — no matter where you stay.
Epic Nano Water Filter Dispenser
If you don’t mind carrying something a little larger on your camping trips or your trip involves stays at hotels and condos, the Epic Nano Water Filter Dispenser is a great option. It only weighs a little over four pounds, so it’s not difficult to transport. And it will easily sit on a counter, in a fridge, or on your camping table.
It’s effective at removing more than 200 contaminants from your water, including:
- Herbicides
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Chlorine
- Viruses
- Microbial cysts
Each filter can process up to 150 gallons of water, which is up to four months of consistent use. And it holds about a gallon and a half of water, so you can fill it up before you leave your home or hotel, and keep some drinking water with you on the road.
It can be a little bulky, though, so keep that in mind as you’re getting ready to pack it in your vehicle. The good news, though, is that thanks to its size and convenience, you don’t just have to use it for your travels. When you return home, you can put it right back to work in your fridge or on your counter.
Look To ONIT Home For Your Home Filtration Needs
Are you ready to ensure your water is always as clean, healthy, and fresh as it can be? ONIT is dedicated to designing and providing products with the technology and capabilities you need to suit your lifestyle. Give us a call to discuss our products or to share any ideas that can help us help you.
Call us now at 1-833-433-0331 to get started on your home water filtration system with ONIT Home