Water is one of the most important elements for survival, yet many people take it for granted. Two-thirds of the human body (by weight) consist of water, making it very important for survival.
Did you know that a person can live for weeks and some even for months without food? For water, that certainly isn’t the case. An average shaped person with perfect conditions (not very hot or cold) can live without water for three to five days! So having access to clean water is just important, it is a necessity!
For this article, I decided to look for the 4 best water filters for survival and preparedness to help fellow Preppers and Survivalists.
4 Best Water Filters for Preppers and Survivalists
First, lets define water filtration. Water filtration is simply a system or process used to strain out particles and/or pollutants from water. This can include reverse osmosis, activated carbon filters, water distillers, UV light units, and more.
With that being said, here is the list of 5 best water filters:
1. Sawyer Mini
The Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System is one of my favorites (even over the Lifestraw). If you need a filtration system that can be taken on the go or need it for an emergency preparedness, this is your the water filter to go with!
Weighing in at 2 ounces, the Mini can fit in the palm of your hands. The filter removes 7 log (99.99999%) of all bacteria (like salmonella) as well as other harmful bacteria which causes cholera and E. coli and 6 log (99.9999%) of all protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium.
The Sawyer Mini can be attached to the included collapsible drinking pouch, inline on a hydration pack, on a standard soda bottle, or simply use the included drinking straw to drink directly from the water source.
Recommended for: camping, hiking, on the go, emergency preparedness.
2. Big Berkey
The Big Berkey Water Filtration system is the ideal system for use at home with small or medium sized families, travel, or during unexpected emergencies. This filter purifies both treated water and untreated raw water from such sources as remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies in foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best.
The Big Berkey system removes pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites entirely and extracts harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, organic solvents, radon 222 and trihalomethanes. It also reduces nitrates, nitrites and unhealthy minerals such as lead and mercury. I definitely recommend this for everyday use.
Recommended for: everyday use, home, travel
3. Platypus Gravity Works
Platypus Gravity Works 4.0L Filter System
is the easiest and fastest way to get filtered almost anywhere. It delivers 4 liters of water (over 1 gallon) in less than 2.5 minutes!
This filter meets all EPA & NSF guidelines for the removal of Bacteria and Protozoa including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Salmonella and Cholera.
Don’t be discouraged by the price ($110), this may be the best preparedness investment you make. Here the link for the instruction manual.
Recommended for: on the go, hiking, emergency preparedness
4. Lifestraw Personal Water Filter
One of the most popular personal filters out there, the Lifestraw Personal Water Filter is compact, ultralight and perfect for your bug-out bag (similar to the Sawyer Mini).
The LifeStraw removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, including E. coli, and 99.9% of waterborne protozoa, including Giardia & Cryptosporidium. LifeStraw also reduces turbidity, filtering down to 0.2 microns.
Recommended for: camping, hiking, on the go, emergency preparedness.
