Purifying water has become a necessity. Everyone now has a water filter in their homes, but how will you purify water when you are going on a trip? That is why portable water filters are your best friend. You can easily take them anywhere, and you will not have to rely on freshwater for your drinking needs, which may cause stomach upsets. Portable water filters provide protection from bacteria and protozoa, and are ideal for a trip. You will not have to worry about the quality of water, and you will not need to carry gallons of purified water with you, which is certainly a nuisance. We have prepared this guide for you to choose the best portable water filters in 2021.
Why Do You Need A Portable Water Filter?
If you travel often, you know the importance of clean drinking water. Different places in the world have different kinds of water, and when you are used to drinking filtered water, you can get sick from drinking unpurified water. If you go for a hike, it is not feasible to carry a large amount of water with you. Instead, you can take a lightweight, portable water filter with you. You can easily purify any kind of freshwater that becomes available to you during your travels. Drinking directly from water streams without filtering it can cause serious health problems. There are different organisms living in freshwater and you cannot see how clean the water is just by looking at it. Diarrhea is a very common issue that a lot of people face due to lack of filtered water. Therefore, a portable water filter is a must have if you are a frequent traveller.
What Are Some Things To Consider Before Buying A Portable Water Filter?
Weight
If you are going on a hiking trip, you do not want a very heavy water filter in your backpack. It will be difficult to carry around and you will get tired more quickly when you are carrying a lot of weight. It will be better to purchase a lightweight filter. If, however, you will be travelling by car and will not need to carry one around, you can purchase a heavier one.
Durability
You want to invest in a portable water filter that will last you a long time. When you are carrying one in your backpack, or you have placed it in your car, it is bound to face some bumps and falls. Make sure you buy one that does not break easily and can withstand a bumpy ride.
Capacity
You need to consider the capacity of the water filter before buying one. Some filters can be used for long periods of time while some need to be replaced after a few weeks. This will depend on how long your trip is and how many people are using the filter. Keep a check on the amount of water the portable water filter can purify before making your purchase.
Function
It is important to consider what kind of place you are visiting before buying a water filter. If you are hiking up in mountains, you are more at risk from bacteria and algae. If you are going to a place that is well populated, you need to be careful of viruses. Invest in one that is better suited to your needs.
What Are The Different Types Of Portable Water Filters?
Straw Water Filters
These are as simple as drinking from a straw. They are extremely lightweight and easy to carry, and all you have to do is find a water source and drink through this straw. It will purify the water as it passes through the straw. The filter has a very fine membrane that allows water to pass through, and any organisms like bacteria cannot pass through. This is the perfect portable water filter if you are going in an area where freshwater is readily available.
Bottle Water Filters
Portable water bottle filters are like normal water bottles you carry. You can fill up the water bottle with water, and it will get purified as you drink it. These can be carried easily in your backpack when you are hiking. You can use them as normal water bottles too when you come back home. You will just need to remove the filter from it.
Pump Water Filters
These water filters require you to pump water by hand. They are bigger in size than bottle and straw filters, so they will be suitable if you are going on a road trip. You can use different filters in these depending on your needs.
Gravity Water Filters
As the name suggests, these water filters use gravity to purify water. You pour in contaminated water from the top, which will go through the filtering process and clean water will be collected at the bottom of the container. Here you can store the water as well, and drink it whenever you like. This water filter does not need batteries to operate and it allows you to store water as well.
How To Pick A Quality Portable Water Filter?
Once you know the different kinds of portable water filters, you can choose one according to your needs. Make sure to choose one that is easy for you to carry around. You need to make sure that the filters in the water purifier are effective and will clean the water completely. It is important to do your research and purchase from a brand that has good customer reviews and provides some sort of guarantee on the purification of water. Buying very expensive ones might not be a good idea as well because you can find cheaper alternatives that provide quality and value for the money you pay. Therefore, it is important to do your research before you invest into one, and choose the one that best suits your individual needs.
FAQs
When should a portable water filter be replaced?
The best option is to keep track of the amount of water you have purified using the filter. This way you can change the filter after you reach the maximum capacity, which will be mentioned on the packaging.
How do I clean a portable water filter?
It is important to clean the filter after a few uses and you can do this by soaking it in a mixture of warm water and bleach. Rinse the filter after soaking it for a few minutes and dry it completely.
Do all portable water filters remove viruses?
Standard portable water filters are not designed to remove viruses from the water. If you are going to a place where you are at a greater risk of catching a virus, make sure to buy a specialized filter that is effective against viruses.