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As much as I’d like to be chill about my water, I am a water freak. Rarely do I ever drink straight out of a tap unless I know for sure that it’s filtered. And I’m not alone. An industry survey says 92% of Americans own water filters of some kind. It comes from a water filter company, so you should take it with a grain of salt, but even if it was massively overstated, we’re still probably talking about a majority of people.
I can get away with being precious about my H2O until I’m traveling, then I typically have to resort to bottled water, which unleashes a whole different internal battle about single-use plastic and my carbon footprint. So, when I got an ad for a filtered water bottle, I was intrigued.
If you’re intrigued too, yes, filtered water bottles do exist, and yes, they do what the name suggests: filter tap water on the go for purer water anywhere. Or at least some do better than others. “Consumers must understand that no single filter removes all contaminants,” explains Kyle Postmus, senior manager of water treatment at NSF, a third-party testing nonprofit that develops health and safety standards for consumer goods. “Each technology has specific strengths and limitations. Additionally, filter performance degrades over time, and replacement schedules are critical for maintaining effectiveness.”
Determined to find a solution for better drinking water on the go, I tested some of the most popular and praised filtered water bottles on the market. These are the best filtered water bottles your money can buy, according to a self-proclaimed water freak. And note, that all the bottles recommended here meet or exceed standards set by NSF.
The best filtered water bottles
- Best for everyday: Lifestraw Go Series 1L, $50
- Best budget: Brita Premium Filter Water Bottle, $14
- Best for outdoors: Grayl 24 oz. GeoPress Filter, $100
- Best splurge: Larq Bottle PureVis 2, $129
Best filtered water bottle for everyday: Lifestraw Go Series 1L
Pros:
- Two-stage filtration
- Lightweight when empty—great for travel
- Large capacity
- Leakproof lid and carry handle for easy transport
- Wide variety of colors
- Dishwasher safe when filter is removed
- Tested to meet US EPA and NSF standards
Cons:
- Heavy when filled
- 1L bottle doesn’t fit in cup holders (but smaller sizes are available)
- Straw can be a little tough to suck through with less water
- Capacities: 22 oz. or 1L
- Materials: BPA-free recycled plastic
- Filter type: Membrane microfilter and activated carbon filter
What we love: For an everyday,