The 10 Best Backpacking Water Purifier in 2023 – Our Top Picks

Last Updated on March 1, 2023

When you are planning to go hiking, camping or any other outdoor expeditions, a water filter is one of the essential accessories among all.

Suppose, if you go somewhere for hiking or camping and take all your belongings with you excluding the best backpacking water purifier.

Then you may get sick or affected by stomach problems which will ruin all your travel enthusiasm. To save yourself from bacteria or germs affected water, you must have a germ protected water purifier.

For the lacking of pure drinking water around 30%-40% of illness take places during hiking, camping or a day trip. This is why the water treatment facility must need for any outdoor adventure.

Quick Answer – Backpacking Water Purifier

1. Life Straw Mission Water Purification System

2. MSR Guardian Purifier

3. First Need Xle Elite Purifier

4. eSpring UV Light Water Purifier Replacement Cartridge

5. SteriPen Ultra

6. SteriPen Adventurer Opti

7. Potable Aqua PURE Water Purifier

8. Seagull IV X-1F Drinking Water Purifier

9. PURINIZE Natural Water Purifying Solution

10. Miniwell Collapsible Water Filter Bottle Filtration System

Reviews of the Best Backpacking Water Purifier

There are many excellent and effective water purifiers in the market. To choose the best backpacking water purifier, you need to give importance to some features such as maximum germ-killing power, maximum treatment capabilities, chemical-free, filter system, salt treatment.

Again, all water purifiers are not suitable for backpackers. A backpacking water purifier should be lightweight, reliable, durable, cheap and also easy to use.

Here we have made a list of best water purifier based on our research and customer review, which may help you to select your own.

1. Life Straw Mission Water Purification System

The Life Straw Mission Water Purifier System is suitable for team or family hiking, camping, hunting and other emergency preparedness. It’s designed for filter or purifies a large amount of untreated water from any natural sources.

These gravity-fed water purifiers do not need any chemicals, batteries or any other parts. It’s advance ultrafiltration hollow fiber membrane with a 0.02 micropore removes all harmful bacteria(99.9999), viruses(99.99) and protozoa(99.99) virtually.

This water purifier system is portable with a hanging strap. You can carry it anywhere and hang on any stout trees or stand.  It can purify 9 to 12 liters (2.3-4.3 gallons) water per hour.

The system can purify 18000 (4,7775 gallons) liters water in its whole lifetime. You can use 5 liters (1.3 gallons) or 12 (3.1 gallons) compact roll-bag reservoir based on your demand. This portable filter provides full protection from water-borne germs and also easy to use.

2. MSR Guardian Purifier

MSR guardian purifier is one of the best backpacking water purifier that comes with game-changing technology. This is a military-grade water purifier which keeps the water away from every type of water-borne bacteria, virus and protozoa.

In your camping or hiking times, it also guards you against dirt and silts of water. This water purifier has .02 microns in its medical-grade hollow fiber technology which can kill the tiniest germs from any source of water.

The water purifier system has a high rate of water flow of 2.5 liters per minute. The MSR uses 10% of water to flush out contaminants from its filter.

In its lifetime, it can effectively filter water up to 10,000-liter. The size and weight of these water purifier systems will not give any stress to the backpackers. It weighs only 17.3 ounces.

For its long-lasting cartridge and durability, this water is perfect for the group tour, hiking, camping, hunting and other expedition.

3. First Need Xle Elite Purifier

The First Need Xle Elite is a portable water purifier. This is best for backpacking, backcountry travel, hiking, camping and any other outdoor adventures.

The First Need XLe is a gravity-fed pumping water purifying system which is a very easy to use and grip. This is also a lightweight, durable and more massive capacity water purifier.

This water purifier is certified to EPA guide standards (viruses, bacteria and cyst) without using any chemicals. It has a Matrix 3-stage purification technology which microstrains down to 0.1-micron nominal (0.4 absolute).

The purifier has a self-cleaning filter technology, which enhances the main duration cartridges cleaning.  The flow rate of this purifier is 1.89 liters per minute and the filtered water has no bad smell.

Average canister capacities of this water purifier are 180 gallons before replacing the canister. It can be a little heavy but well worth it.

4. eSpring UV Light Water Purifier Replacement Cartridge

The eSpring UV Light replacement cartridge is best suited for the eSpring water purification. It’s a simple UV technology that offers simple replacement water filter system.

The eSpring water purifier LED display alerts you when the filter needs to change.  The LED indicator will blink and bars colors will be red when the cartridge filtering ability over.

You may need to change the filter once a year after filtering 1,320 gallons of water. The replacement cartridge has a carbon-block water filter with a strong UV light, which is lethal for microorganisms.

The filter reduces more than 140 potential health-effect contaminants from the water such as MTTB, pesticides, lead and mercury to provide you pure drinking water.

It has a UV bulb, which can kill 99.99% viruses, bacteria, cysts and protozoan parasites. The filter also provides essential minerals in your water, such as calcium, magnesium etc.

5. SteriPen Ultra

If you are a backpacker who loves long distance hiking or traveling, then SteriPen ultra water purifier can be the ultimate option for you.  It also helps you to save yourself from bad water in the outdoors.

This reliable, as well as rechargeable water purifier, kills more than 99.99% viruses, bacteria and protozoa. This water purifier has a UV light filter, which removes harmful microorganisms from your water.

The device also protects you from typhoid, dysentery, cholera, botulism etc.  The UV lamps put into the water and stir change the DNA of microorganisms. Therefore, they cannot reproduce.

It takes 48 seconds to purify 500 ml water and 90 seconds for 1-liter water for purity. This is a lightweight purifier so; you need not carry any big water purifier at the time of travel, hiking or camping.

The SteriPen ultra is a USB rechargeable from laptop, wall socket or solar panel. The water purifier will purify 50 liters on a full charge. In a battery lifetime, it will purify up to 15,000 liters water.

6. SteriPen Adventurer Opti

The StriPen Adventurer Opti is a  lightweight and compact water purifier system. If you are a regular backpacker or adventure traveler, this water purifier designs for you.

This water purifier system has a new optical sensor. It activates the lamp after the SteriPen sink under the water.  The water purifier UV light smashes the DNA of viruses, bacteria, protozoa and giardia.

It kills more than 99.99% of these germs. The water purifier does not need any pumping, chemicals, test strips or filters. If you are using this SteriPen for a liter of water, it takes only 90 seconds.

For a half liter of water, it takes only 48 seconds. The UV bulb of this purifier lasts for 8,000-liter water. The SteriPen powered by two non-rechargeable CR123A lithium batteries treat up to 50 liters water.

The adventure option is safe and does not affect water taste, pH and any other substance. This is an excellent purifier.

7. Potable Aqua PURE Water Purifier

If you are planning backpacking with family or friends and need a large amount of drinking water, then the Portable Aqua PURE Electronic Water Purifier will be great solutions for you.

The water purifier is the smallest, compact and most cost-effective device. It uses a brine solution (water and salt) to produce a mixed oxidant disinfectant. These elements of the water purifier are capable of removing germs from the dirtiest of water.

The EPA guide standard device kills or inactivates more than 99.99% percent of all organisms of water including bacteria, viruses, cryptosporidium, giardia etc.

This is the most scalable in the market. You can choose one liter to 20 liters for treatment. The device you can recharge via USB port on your computer or wall socket.

However, it has also a built-in solar panel system. After one-hour solar panel charge, you can able to purify 2 liters water. This device will purify up to 60,000 liters water in its lifetime.

8. Seagull IV X-1F Drinking Water Purifier

The Seagull IV X-1F Drinking Water Purifier is constructed with matrix purification technology. This technology assures you to provide pure drinking water.

The EPA microbiological guided standard purifier system removes all viruses, bacteria, cyst, giardia, etc down to 0.1 microns (0.4 absolute).

The Seagull water purifier removes all chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, asbestos and organics. It removes all bad taste and provides you with a clean, refresh and tasty glass of water every time.

The water purifier does not need electricity, chemicals or large water tanks. The water purifier system is very simple to install and operate. The flow rate of this machine is 4 liters per minute.

The average capacity of the filter is about 4,000 liters. It’s suitable for home, offices, schools, hospitals, caravans, yachts, boats and all outdoor activities. You can use any sources of water like dams, bore, lake, river etc for it.

9. PURINIZE – The Best and Only Patented Natural Water Purifying Solution

The PURINIZE is an easiest, reliable, cost-effective and tinny water purifier. It may be a great water treatment solution for backpacking, hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking and emergency preparedness.

The water purifier is a 100% non-toxic sulfate mineral salts solution, which removes more than 200 contaminants. The PURINIZE water purifier eliminates 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, giardia, protozoa, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and more.

To purify one liter of water, we need to add 20 drops of PURINIZE. Then shake or stir the water bottle and let stand for at least 60 minutes.

However, depending on water quality and pollution,  drops and wait time may vary for the surrounding environment and how.

One single piece of PURINIZE water drops can able to purify 60 liters of water. After treatment, the purified water anyone can use including pregnant woman and kids.

10. Miniwell Collapsible Water Filter Bottle Filtration System

In a survival condition, get pure water is a big challenge. But if you have an effective water purifier, then clean and pure water problems solution is not a challenge.

The Mini will Collapsible water filter is very easy to use and low price. It’s specially designed for all outdoor adventures like hiking, hunting, camping, climbing, traveling and emergency needs.

The Minwell L630 UF features a 0.1-micron ultrafiltration membrane. It removes 99.99% all harmful waterborne bacteria, viruses, protozoan cyst.

It also eliminates heavy metal, residual chlorine, odor, color and unpleasant taste. The water purifier has a silicon pad to the around mouthpiece.

Therefore, you can use it to the handy bottle, disposable plastic bag, hydration pack, with a bucket or jar. Even you can drink directly through the filter from the fresh water source.

The water purifier has filtrations capacity up to 2000 liters.  If flow rates become slow, back-flush the water filter.  But remember that at the time of back-flushing must use clean water.

Final Words

To enjoy your outdoor expeditions, the need for an adequate water purifier can’t be denied. However, keep in mind at the time of backcountry tour that always keeps alternative.

If any water purifier malfunctions, another option will actively supply pure drinking water.  Again, for the single tour, family trip or team adventure- you can select the best water purifier according to your demand.

After reading all the detail of best backpacking water purifier, we hope that you have a clear idea about which one is the best for you and can easily find your perfect one.

10 Best Backpacking Water Purifier

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Campbell John

Hi, I am John Campbell, an outdoor enthusiast. Just like you, I value the habitat, heritage and tradition of great outdoors. I do my best to make sure the correct research, writing, and photo are shown on Tacticalgearslab.com. Indeed, I am committed to preserving a great online experience for you.