If there is one thing that all hikers and outdoor enthusiasts have in common, it’s that they all agree you should never blindly drink out of a natural water source. That’s because the unfiltered water, although fresh and natural, contains harmful bacteria and waterborne parasites that would likely go undetected by taste alone. With a filter water bottle, you can enjoy safe, clean drinking water anytime, anywhere, and especially during emergencies.

In the following guide, we reviewed 10 of the best filter water bottles on the market today. Read on to find out our top pick for use during emergencies!

Filter Water Bottle FAQ

What Is a Filter Water Bottle?

A filter water bottle is designed for filtering fresh water source into safe drinking water.  

What Does a Filter Water Bottle Do?

A filter water bottle uses a built-in filtration system to remove bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants found in freshwater sources.

How Does a Filter Water Bottle Work?

A filter water bottle uses a built-in filtration system to remove contaminants from freshwater sources. Different brands and models will differ in their filtration method, fill method, and drinking method. Some models go even further to remove radiological contaminants from water.

Where Can You Buy a Filter Water Bottle?

You can buy a filter water bottle at your local outdoor equipment retailer or online at Amazon.com.

How We Reviewed

The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: Features, Pros & Cons, Price, Where to Buy, and Filtration Effectiveness. We were mainly concerned with the water bottles’ functionality, durability, ease of drinking, ease of filling, filtration capability, portability, cost of replacement filters, and fill capacity.

Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)

Filter water bottles range in price from around $18 to $60. The higher-priced bottles feature larger fill capacity, more advanced filters, greater filtering capability, and are made with more durable materials.

What We Reviewed

The GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier [+Filter] Bottle features award-winning one press design for making 16 ounces of clean, purified water in as little as 15 seconds from any fresh water source.

This durably designed filter water bottle is ideal for use during emergencies. It’s easy to use; simply press a button to drink. There is never any sucking or pumping required. What’s more, this water bottle removes nearly all viruses, disease-causing bacteria, and protozoan cysts from the water source. It even filters particulates such as sediment and silt, as well as other harmful chemicals such as chlorine and benzene, and heavy metal. Finally, this water bottle eliminates bad odors and improves the clarity and flavor of the sourced water.

PROS

• Easy to use
• Filters in 15 seconds
• Lightweight and durable design
• Eliminates bad odors

CONS

• Button difficult to push for some users
• Difficult to clean for some users
• Pricey

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$.

Filtration Effectiveness

Removes 99.99% of viruses, 99.99% of disease-causing bacteria, and 99.99% of protozoan cysts.

The refresh2go 34oz Milestone Filtered Water Bottle uses a multi-function filtering system that includes two straws for filtering and drinking. This lightweight filter water bottle features graduation markers for tracking water intake. It comes equipped with a leak-proof lid and mouthpiece for added convenience. Constructed with BPA-free materials, this water bottle also features a built-in filter that works hard to minimize chlorine tastes and odors and is built to handle 40 gallons of water in its lifetime. Finally, this water bottle is dishwasher safe.

PROS

• Easy to use
• Large capacity
• BPA-free plastic; well-made, durable construction
• Cheap replacement filters
• Affordable

CONS

• Creates noise when water is sucked through
• Takes some effort to suck water for some users
• Caused air bubbles for some users

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $.

Filtration Effectiveness

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor; one filter treats 40 gallons of water.

The KOR NAVA BPA Free 650ml Filter Water Bottle is made out of BPA-free Eastman Triton polyester materials that are both durable and FDA-approved.

This sleek filter water bottle is ideal for traveling and for use during emergencies. It features Easy Flow technology involving a Perfect Fit Mouthpiece that delivers superior water flow without the need for sucking, biting, or squeezing. What’s more, made out of health-safe carbon activated materials, the filter has been tested and certified to NSF 42 standards, which means that it is capable of removing harmful chemicals such as chlorine, as well as bad tastes and chloramines from water sources.

PROS

• Easy to use
• Compact, lightweight design
• Makes water tastes great
• Well-made, durable construction

CONS

• Made noises when filtering for some users
• Filter did not last long for some users
• Difficult to determine fill level for some users

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter certified to NSF 42 standards for removing chlorine, bad tastes and odors, and chloramines.

DoBrass developed a leakproof design thanks to the small hole in the lid that allows air in and out of the bottle. This hole also serves a purpose to prevent dust from entering your water when you’re hiking. Fortunately, the bottle is well designed, so you don’t experience difficulties when sucking on the bottle to obtain water.

We recommend this water bottle if you’re often on the go, as the handy rubber carry strap easily hangs from your backpack for easy use whenever you need a drink.

Not only is DoBrass’s bottle eco-friendly, but it also improves the taste of water by reducing the chlorine levels found in tap water. To create delicious-tasting water, the bottle undergoes four filtering stages. As a result, this is ideal for filtering water from streams and lakes during outdoor sports, or tap water when you’re traveling abroad.

PROS

• Leakproof design
• Provides safe drinking water
• Compact, lightweight design
• High-quality materials

CONS

• Can sometimes be difficult to obtain water 
• Large capacity that’s not a portable size
• Inconvenient to keep the filter dry during maintenance

Price

Aquamira Frontier Flow: Filtered Water Bottle

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter is tested and certified to NSF 42 for removing chlorine, bad taste, odor and bacteria.

No products found.

The Seychelle 1-10403-28-HI-FC-S Bottle with Filtration is an all-around versatile filter water bottle for emergencies. It features a flip-top design that is convenient to use and eliminates the need for sucking and squeezing. As the first portable radiological filter bottle on the market, this water bottle is capable of removing up to 99.99% of radiological contaminants from drinking water. What’s more, it can also remove up to 99.99% of contaminants and pollutants. Finally, this water bottle is made with BPA-free, FDA-approved polyethylene 4 plastic.

PROS

• Easy to use
• Compact, lightweight design
• Durable, safe construction materials

CONS

• Leaked for some users
• Pricey
• Water tastes salty and bitter for some users

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter removes up to 99.99% of radiological contaminants and 99.99% of contaminants and pollutants.

SurviMate developed a filter water bottle that’s durable and suitable for everyday use. Take it to the office or explore the outdoors with this high-quality bottle and drink water safely everywhere you go.

This water bottle has a unique design that means it’s durable and long-lasting, even after multiple drops and falls. This is all thanks to the safe food-grade material that keeps the bottle tough. However, the bottle is also designed to remain portable and lightweight so you can conveniently attach it to your belt or bag with the inclusive clip during your travels.

PROS

• Advanced filtering system
• Durable and long-lasting
• Convenient to carry and store
• Large capacity

CONS

• Need to thoroughly secure the lid to prevent leaks
• Can be noisy to drink from
• Bite valve is difficult to clean

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter has been tested and certified to NSF 42 standards for removing pollutants, contaminants, odors, and bad tastes.

The Survival Hax Water Purifier Bottle is made with BPA-free materials for a chemical-free, iodine-free, durable construction. This compact filter water bottle is easy to use and features a large opening for scooping up water. It also features an advanced Purifier Straw made with activated carbon materials for removing 99.99% of bacteria and parasites. Finally, this water bottle can hold up to 650ml or 22 ounces of water, making it the perfect item to have in case of emergencies.

PROS

• Portable, lightweight construction
• Easy to fill, easy to drink out of
• Durable construction

CONS

• Filter is difficult to replace
• Stopped working after short use for some users

Price

This product is currently unavailable on Amazon.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter removes 99.99% of bacteria and parasites.

The LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle features a 2-stage integrated filter straw for removing 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and waterborne protozoan parasites. Featuring a 23-ounce capacity, this filter water bottle comes equipped with a LifeStraw that can filter up to 264 gallons of water in its lifetime. In addition, this water bottle is made with BPA-free Tritan material for added durability. Finally, this water bottle also removes bad odors and tastes from the water, and the silicone mouthpiece can be easily removed for hassle-free cleaning.

PROS

• 2-stage filtering system
• Durable construction
• Lightweight and compact
• Easy to use

CONS

• Leaks unfiltered water into drinking valve for some users
• Produces chemical taste for some users
• Difficult to drink out of for some users

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter removes 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and waterborne protozoan parasites.

The Sagan Life Journey Water Filter Bottle features an easy-to-use design without the need for waiting, pumping, and squeezing. This filter water bottle features the XStream Straw Water Purifier that is capable of purifying 250 gallons of water in its lifetimes. What’s more, the filter has exceeded EPA water filter standards and removes up 99.99% of all bacteria. Featuring a lightweight and compact design, this bottle is also backed with a 100% money-back guarantee.

PROS

• Compact and lightweight; fits in backpacks
• Effective filtering system
• Easy to use

CONS

• Filter takes up a lot of space in the bottle
• Pricey

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter removes 99.99% of all bacteria, virus, and protozoan.

The Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System features a free flow filtering system that eliminates any need for waiting and sucking. This compact filter water bottle comes equipped with the Collapsible 0.6L Hydrapak Flask that can be easily stored in backpacks. Meanwhile, the Stay Clean Drink Nozzle prevents dirt from getting inside of your mouth. Finally, this bottle comes equipped with its EZ-Clean Membrane for hassle-free cleaning.

PROS

• Easy to fill
• High flow rate
• Compact, lightweight design
• Easy to clean

CONS

• Stopped working after short use for some users
• Fill bag broke after short use for some users
• Bottle leaked for some users  

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $.

Filtration Effectiveness

Filter removes 99.99% of bacteria and protozoa.

The Verdict

After reviewing all 10 products based on the five parameters, we present our verdict of the best filter water bottle brand to use during emergencies: The KOR NAVA BPA Free 650ml Filter Water Bottle. This water bottle scored high in terms of its functionality. It features an optimized water flow system that filters water quickly without the need for pumping.

In addition, the carbon filter has exceeded NSF 42 standards for top-of-the-line filtering capability. With a large capacity of 650ml, this water bottle is also ergonomically designed for optimal drinking comfort without any need for sucking and squeezing. What’s more, this bottle is also highly durable, as it’s made from BPA-free and FDA-approved materials.

No one ever thinks a tragedy will happen to them. We see events on the news all the time such as accidents, home invasions, and house fires. We rarely plan for these things because we never think that we will be in such a situation. If you do one thing this coming year, whether you have a family or live alone, create a fire escape plan. Even if you live alone, it’s a good idea to have a fire escape plan for yourself and in case you have company staying over.

A fire escape plan does not need to be elaborate. There needs to be just enough detail to ensure everyone is safe, knows how to get out, and where to meet once they are out. A good fire escape plan will take into consideration the basics, different ages of family members, and the different needs of those who are disabled, have cognitive issues or are elderly.

What Is a Fire Escape Plan?

A fire escape plane is an action plan on what to do if your home is on fire. A basic plan will show exit routes, how to leave safely, who’s in charge of safely getting things like wallets and keys, and who the safety captain and co-captains are.  Everyone’s fire escape plan is different based on what type of home you live in, if you have pets, and who lives with you if anyone. Your plan needs to account for pets if you have them. Keep in mind, pets like smaller children might panic and hide. Get out and alert firefighters to the last place your pet was, hiding places, name, and size.  

Specialized Fire Escape Plan

Your fire escape plan might include special instructions for getting those who are younger, have a disability, or older to safety. The key here is to keep age and ability in mind when creating your fire escape plan. The focus of this group is to get out safely and should not be given any other tasks to take care of. A specialized fire escape plan should include who will need help and who the helper will be.

Benefits of a Fire Escape Plan

The main benefit of having a fire escape plan is to make sure you and your family get out safely. There is also a benefit in planning what to do before a fire, during a fire, and after a fire. These are things that can be forgotten in the aftermath of a fire so pre and post planning can be beneficial.

Before a Fire

Before there’s a fire, there is planning for things to put in place before, what to do during, and how to deal with the aftermath. Before a fire put together personal information to keep at relatives, neighbors, or in a safe deposit box at the bank. This should include medical records, birth certificates, copies of insurance policies, social security cards, drivers licenses, and medical insurance. If you have pets, include vaccination records for them as well. This will save time in worrying about replacing that information if it’s lost in the fire.

During a Fire

The benefit of having a fire escape plan during a fire could be the difference between life and death. The information in your fire escape plan gives everyone the best opportunity of surviving and getting out safely. Having a fire escape plan in place can also inform your family about what to do if evacuation is not possible or not safe.

After a Fire

Having a fire escape plane can be beneficial after a fire so everyone knows where to go and what to do next. This includes where to meet during, knowing where all of you will go immediately after, and a plan to house pets if need be. This ensures everyone, both human and animals, has a place to go before it becomes a necessity.

How to Create a Fire Escape Plan for Your Family

So how do you create a fire escape plan? Start with the basics and plan your route. Make sure that every room has two ways to exit that are appropriate for your type of house. Look at the list below for ideas that cover different house types, who’s in charge and how to exit safely.

Basic Plan

• Plan to exit either by a window or a door
• If you have a two-story home, invest in retractable fire ladders that have an adequate weight limit
• Have younger children help make a color-coded map that shows escape routes, meeting places, and how to dial 9-1-1
• Make a written list explaining how to escape using different exits
• Put copies of your plan on the back of all door including the bathroom, basement, and garage doors
• Decide what adults are in charge and what their duties are
• If you live an apartment building or complex, pull all fire alarms and bang on doors as you leave, do not stop
• Practice your fire escape plan at two to three times a month

How to Exit

• If the door is hot, leave it closed
• Put a towel under the door to keep smoke out
• Move to a window on an exterior wall
• Open the window and alert people you are there and wait for help
• If you are able, get a wet rag to put over your nose and mouth and stay on the floor
• If the door is not hot, carefully open the door and crawl to the nearest exit, stay below the smoke
• Once you are out, stay out, do not go back in for any reason

Who’s in Charge?

If there is more than one adult in the home one should be in charge and the other should be the backup or co-captain. These are the people who will know where all the important information is, take a head count at the meeting place, call the proper authorities, and contact other family members for either help or updates. If there are two adults, they should discuss who will be in charge of any infants and young children, those with special needs, and the elderly.

Infants and Young Children

The main concern in a fire is those who cannot help themselves such as infants and young children. If there are more than one child and more than one adult, put in the action plan who will go to which child. This will avoid blindly running from room to room at the same time. When you have your assigned child proceed to the exit. Younger children may not hear an alarm or become frightened and hide. Check under the bed and the closet of your assigned child while calling their name.

Special Needs

Those with special needs might be more difficult to calm in a stressful situation. So it is important to practice the fire escape plan regularly. Again, assign an adult to the person with special needs who understands what those needs are. If they are in a wheelchair, make sure the assigned person can either lift them or safely drag them to safety. The assigned person will also need to know what calming techniques work if the special need is one where the person has a cognitive issue such as Down’s syndrome, Autism, or diminished mental capacity.

Elderly

With the elderly, there can be mobility issues and problems with confusion. This is another group that should have an adult assigned to them. Make sure the adult assigned can assist with mobility issues and knows how to keep the person calm but moving. This is especially important for those with dementia. Stay calm, be as soothing as possible, answer their questions, but stress the importance of leaving without panicking them. If it is an issue of moving slower due to age, get them started towards the exit and then move on to your assigned people and then work back to them as long as it is still safe to do so.

Pets

Pets fall into the same categories as elderly, infants and young children, and those who have special needs. Assign the pets out evenly amongst the adults. Remember, pets are like young children. They might panic and bolt, or panic and hide. Look under furniture and in corners as you make your way out. Once you are out, let the authorities know there are pets inside, what their names are, favorite places to hide, and overall temperament when stressed.

Conclusion

We don’t like to plan for bad things or tragedies but the more prepared we are the better the odds are that we will survive. Creating a fire escape plan does not have to be difficult. Keep it simple especially for younger children, the elderly, and those with special needs. Have kids help create the plan and make colorful maps to put on the back of doors. 

When choosing who is in charge of which child, a person with special needs, an elderly person, or a pet keep in mind who has the strength to bodily move who. The goal of the fire escape plan is to get everyone out safely. Remember, to do that follow your plan. Touch the doors, stay low and below the smoke, know your exit routes and the exterior windows. Practice often enough that everyone knows where to meet and who’s in charge. Careful planning on your part and knowing your fire escape plan will help you and your family survive. 

Most of us don’t think of power outages until we’re searching for flashlights or candles in the dark. Some think the light on their cellphone will be good enough to make it through power outages. That might work if power outages happen only when your phone is already fully charged. But, what about being prepared for power outages that happen suddenly, when you are least prepared?

Now that winter is here and it is darker outside longer, the effects of power outages can be longer and differ from power outages during warmer months. A power outage need not be a disaster, regardless of the time of the year, if we learn about the different types of power outages and how to prepare beforehand. Let’s look at two types of power outages, how to prepare for power outages and some tips for making it through one.

Implications of a Power Outage

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

As you know, the first implication of a power outage is no power. You might first notice a flicker of lights, especially during a storm, or the lights and all electronics might suddenly shut off. At that point, you need to verify what type of power outage is happening. Power outages can either affect your individual home, your entire neighborhood or your city. You should know how to tell which one is occurring and have a plan for either type.

Widespread Power Outages

When the lights go out, besides running around flipping switches, look outside. Are your neighbors’ homes dark? If it’s dark out, are the street lights on? If you answered yes to the first question and no to the second, chances are the power outage is affecting more than just your home. There isn’t much you can do at this point, and the issue has most likely been reported.

Just Your Home

Ask the same questions here, but if your neighbors have lights and the street lights are on, then most likely the power outage pertains to just your home. You would want to call the utility company and let them know. They will have to have someone come out and find the cause of the power outage. They will tell you if the issue is something that is their responsibility to fix or if you need to call a certified electrician. In either scenario, you need to be prepared to be without power.

• ​Some medical conditions if they affect your ability to feel cold, such as fatigue, diabetes and poor circulation.
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• ​Fear, panic or a mental illness that impairs your ability to respond to cold appropriately
• Having had frostnip or frostbite in the past
• Being very young or elderly (These age groups do not produce and retain body heat as easily.)
• High altitudes
• Smoking

HOW TO BE PREPARED

Being prepared for power outages means more than making sure there are candles and flashlights in your home. You need to have a short-term plan of what to do right after the power outage and a long-term plan to keep everyone, including pets, healthy and safe for its duration. Let’s consider power outages that just apply to your home as a short-term outage and widespread power outages as a long-term outage. While both types of power outages will have some of the same points in being prepared, there will be differences in the number of supplies and types of supplies.

Just Your Home

If the power outage is only in your home, the information below should help you make sure everyone is okay until power is restored.

• Having flashlights, batteries, candles, matches and a lighter in the same location
• Making sure there are phone chargers in your car
• Having at least one gallon of clean water for every person in your home and at least one gallon for every two pets
• Keeping the doors to your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible
• Having another heat source and a battery-operated generator for indoor use or a fuel-operated generator located outside the home
• Calling your local electric company and alerting them to the problem
• Having a carbon monoxide tester on hand in case you have to resort to a gas/fuel power option

Alerting your local electric company allows them to come out and either locate the problem specific to only your home or find an issue that is causing a more widespread issue.

Widespread Power Outages

A widespread power outage might last longer than one that is just affecting your home. A widespread outage might take longer to locate or require the removal, or replacement, of equipment. Some things that can cause a widespread power outage include a car hitting a telephone pole, a natural disaster or a cut power line somewhere in the neighborhood. Dealing with a widespread power outage might require more supplies and ones that will be needed for a longer period.

10 TIPS FOR LIVING THROUGH POWER OUTAGES

Living through a power outage is manageable as long you’ve prepared in advance and use your resources wisely. Below are tips for getting through power outages without too much difficulty whether the power outage is just at your home or widespread.

• Prepare a first aid kit with the basics and a list of prescription medications for all family members and pets.
• Be mindful of the time of the year, and have an adequate heat source if it’s winter or a way to keep cool if it’s summer.
• Keep emergency cash available.
• Have at least two weeks of non-perishable food items stored in a cool and dry location.
• Keep one gallon of water, per person, per day for all family members, and remember extra water for your pets.
• Don’t just keep batteries and flashlights on hand; remember kerosene lamps and smaller LED lights.
• Keep antibacterial cleansing wipes and hand wipes on hand to keep things as sanitary as possible.
• Have phone chargers for your car so you can charge phones.
• Have a basic battery-operated radio to hear emergency broadcasts.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep foods and medications cold for as long as possible.

A quick side note about medications:  there are medications that require refrigeration. If you’re experiencing a widespread power outage, a full refrigerator will hold its temperature for about 48 hours and one that is half full:  for about half that time. If the power isn’t back on within those time frames, go purchase a cooler and some ice to store medications. Place medications in double, zippered plastic bags to ensure they are usable when needed.

This also goes for refrigerated infant formulas and foods that are not going to be used within 24-48 hours. Keep them in separate plastic bags to avoid spillage and cross-contamination with medications. Putting in cold beverages can help keep the coolers colder longer. Frozen food will last 24-36 hours. Again, as those times approach, transfer these items to ice-filled coolers if you can or cook it up, and share it.

This is a time to look out for those around you too. Make sure if there are those who are elderly, or with a special need, you check up on them. They might not be prepared, or if they have a cognitive issue or are elderly, they might be agitated or confused. Help them locate basic supplies in their home, and reassure them that this is a temporary situation. If you find them in medical distress, call 9-1-1, and wait with them until help arrives.

Managing Children

Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels

The key is to remain calm. This is especially true if you have young children. Children can become nervous and worried if you are. Don’t forget to put things to keep young kids occupied in your disaster kit. Keep simple card games, storybooks, and board games in a dry location with the rest of your power outage kit. It’s also okay if you forget these things. Use your imagination. Help them build a fort in a main room. If it’s daylight out and the power outage is not due to a dangerous situation, take them outside to play for as long you can. This will help younger kids with restlessness focus on something else.

CONCLUSION

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

So, the lights are out. This was something exciting when we were kids. As an adult, it can be stressful depending on how long the power outage lasts. It can be a minor inconvenience when it’s just your home that’s having the power outage. When the power outage is widespread, the situation can become worrisome. The concern about hot water, food spoiling or no internet or television increase. Again, the key is to remain calm.

Don’t forget that you might have tasks to do after the power is restored. Reset clocks and any alarms that run on electricity. Go through your fridge and freezer. If the food feels warm or freezer items are cool/cold but soft, don’t chance it; throw it out. Check your homeowners’ insurance policy to see if losing food due to a power outage is covered.

Being prepared for a power outage is the same as preparing for a fire escape plan or what to do during a natural disaster. The key is all in the planning that needs to take place before a power outage becomes an issue. It’s not a bad idea to include a power outage plan in your home disaster planning and reviewing it occasionally with your family. That way everyone will know where everything is to help your family stay safe and live through a power outage.

Featured Image gentleflamechen from Pixabay