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Best Filtered Water Bottles

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
GRAYL GeoPress 24 ounce Water Purifier Bottle
GRAYL
GeoPress 24-Ounce Water Purifier Bottle
Great for Hiking

This bottle not only improves the taste of water but can guarantee safe drinking water.

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Great for Hiking
Bottom Line

This bottle not only improves the taste of water but can guarantee safe drinking water.

Pros

Perfect for camping or outdoor recreation. Filters out sediments, microplastics, pesticides, bad tastes, chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Purifies water quickly and 1 filter lasts for up to 65 gallons of water. Easy to grip and made of lightweight, BPA-free materials.

Cons

Filter may not last as long with heavily soiled water.

Best Bang for the Buck
Membrane Solutions Filtered Water Bottle
Membrane Solutions
Filtered Water Bottle
Most Eco-friendly

This bottle keeps your water clean while backpacking or otherwise traveling.

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Most Eco-friendly
Bottom Line

This bottle keeps your water clean while backpacking or otherwise traveling.

Pros

It comes with two filters and each one can clean up to 396 gallons before needing to be replaced. It also comes with a normal straw that can be swapped in for drinking already purified water.

Cons

The filter takes up space in the bottle, so you need to refill it more often.

LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Filtration
LifeStraw
Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Filtration
Removes Contaminants

The LifeStraw is among the best filters for hikers or those with limited access to clean water, and this comes with a bottle.

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Removes Contaminants
Bottom Line

The LifeStraw is among the best filters for hikers or those with limited access to clean water, and this comes with a bottle.

Pros

The filtration is in two stages: the first removes 99.99% of nastiness, such as bacteria and microplastics, and the second improves the taste and reduces organic chemical matter. The first stage needs replacing only every 1,000 gallons, while the second needs replacing every 25 gallons.

Cons

It only holds 22 fluid ounces, and it takes some effort to suck water through the filter.

Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle
Brita
Insulated Filtered Water Bottle
Best for Everyday Use

Our tester noted that this insulated bottle is great for traveling and filters tap water perfectly.

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Best for Everyday Use
Bottom Line

Our tester noted that this insulated bottle is great for traveling and filters tap water perfectly.

Pros

The bottle can be washed in the dishwasher; all you need to do is take the filter out first. It’s durable enough to handle some drops and keep going. It also keeps water reasonably cold.

Cons

It takes a little effort to pull water up through the straw, and it doesn’t fit in a cup holder.

Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle, 32 ounce
Brita
Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle, 32-Ounce
Trusted Brand

We love the design of this water bottle from Brita with a filter built directly into the straw.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

We love the design of this water bottle from Brita with a filter built directly into the straw.

Pros

Great alternative to single-use plastic water bottles. Delivers great-tasting water free from chlorine and other water contaminants. Features a leak-proof lid and holds up to 32 ounces of water. Keeps water cold for up to 24 hours, and the filter lasts through 40 gallons of water.

Cons

Despite the leak-proof design, some users found it still tends to leak.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

First Reviewed
November 28, 2021
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best filtered water bottles

Ade Hennis
Written by Ade Hennis

Updated August 2023

A filtered water bottle is an excellent tool for improving the taste of tap water or filtering out harmful bacteria in spring water while traveling. In addition to offering convenience, filtered water bottles can help the environment by reducing the consumption of single-use plastic water bottles.

There are two main types of filtered water bottles: those that improve the flavor of already drinkable water (like tap water) and those that make water found in nature or in foreign countries safe to drink. The latter typically costs more, and the filters for this type of bottle may not last as long. Filtered water bottles designed for filtering tap water can remove the unpleasant taste of chlorine found in most tap water in the U.S.

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Using a filtered water bottle rather than disposable plastic bottles can significantly reduce your impact on the environment.

Types of filters

The filters in water bottles are designed to remove chemicals that affect taste (like chlorine) or to remove bacteria that can be harmful to health.

Carbon filter

A carbon filter is the most common type of filter. It uses active carbon to remove impurities. Active carbon is porous, which allows it to collect particles as water passes through. Notably, as more particles and impurities are removed over time, the filter becomes clogged. This can hinder water flow and reduce the effectiveness of the filter. As a result, carbon filters must eventually be replaced.

Ultraviolet filters

Also known as UV filters, these are less common and require batteries. They are also more expensive, and the cost of batteries adds up. While UV filters cannot treat chemicals in water, they are more reliable when it comes to removing bacteria and viruses from water.

Combination filters

The best (and most expensive) filters available combine carbon and UV filters or additional filtering layers. The nice thing about water bottles with combination filters is that even if the battery runs out, you can still filter a good deal of harmful bacteria with the carbon filter.

Straw filters

Straw filters can be challenging to use, as the filter creates more resistance than a normal straw. What’s more, as the filter becomes clogged, it becomes difficult to draw water out. However, some water bottles with straw filters are soft-sided, allowing you to squeeze as you drink for easier access.

Push or pump filters

These must be pressed down or pumped. The push or pump design is not for everyone, as a decent amount of hand strength is required to use these bottles.

Screen filters

These are among the simplest filter designs. Water is filtered as you pour it through; after a few minutes, your water is drinkable.

Battery-powered filters

These filters are quite straightforward. You press a button, wait a few seconds, and your water is filtered.

Features

Size

Filtered water bottles range in size from approximately 16 to 26 ounces. How much water you need depends on the task at hand. For camping, a larger bottle may be best. If you’re hiking long distances, however, you may not want to carry the additional weight.

Weight

If you plan to carry your water bottle in your backpack or on a long commute, opt for a lighter bottle. Must UV filter bottles tend to weigh more due to the filter and batteries. The material of the bottle can also have a significant impact on weight, with plastic bottles weighing the least. Filtered water bottles usually range from 3.5 to 10 ounces.

Material

Filtered water bottles are usually made of one of three primary materials: plastic, metal, or glass.

  • Plastic filtered water bottles are lightweight and durable, though some people find the plastic gives the water an unpleasant taste — particularly if the bottle becomes warm. Always look for BPA-free plastics. Some thicker plastic bottles can be quite heavy.

  • Metal bottles are heavier than plastic bottles, but they tend to look and feel nicer, and most people don’t notice an unpleasant flavor.

  • Glass bottles are generally the heaviest option due to the thickness of the material. People often enjoy the lack of taste that comes with glass bottles. Most have a rubber or silicone coating to prevent breakage.

Drinking method

Some filtered water bottles have a straw system that facilitates both filtering and drinking. Others have a traditional opening that requires you to tilt the bottle to drink, which is often more convenient than a filter straw.

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Did you know?
All filters, even UV ones, eventually need to be replaced. Some manufacturers denote the expected lifespan of a filter in the number of gallons it can handle. Others list the number of months of regular usage the filter can provide. Most filters can handle somewhere between 40 and 100 gallons of water — or three to six months of regular use.
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Filtered water bottle prices

Between $20 and $40, you’ll find filtered water bottles with straw carbon filters that are typically made of BPA-free plastic. The number of uses for these filters is often limited, and the filters may be difficult to replace.

Mid-range bottles for $40 to $60 offer carbon filters, UV filters, or combination filters for high-quality filtration. These are often made of plastic, metal, or glass.

Filtered water bottles in the $60 to $120 range tend to excel at removing most harmful bacteria and viruses from water and are best suited for outdoor use or international travel.

Tips

  • Clean your filtered water bottle regularly. Even though these bottles remove harmful particles, bacteria can still build up on the straw or in the opening.

  • Don’t ignore the filter expiration date, even if the filter isn’t clogged yet.

  • When comparing prices, don’t forget to factor in the cost of batteries and replacement filters down the road.

  • Filtered water bottles cannot remove salt from salt water and should only be used with fresh or tap water.

  • If lead is a major concern for you, look for filtered water bottles that specifically target lead. This is common with most activated carbon filters.

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Replacing the filter in most bottles is as simple as discarding the old one and pressing the new one into place.

FAQ

Q. Can filtered water bottles remove heavy metals from water?
A.
It depends on the filter, but many carbon filters are capable of removing common heavy metals such as copper and lead.

Q. Can you pour filtered water from the bottle to another container?
A.
As long as the water is already filtered (and doesn’t need to be pulled through a straw), you can safely pour your filtered water into other containers.

Q. Are filtered water bottles dishwasher safe?
A.
It varies from one model to the next. In most cases, filtered water bottles should be hand washed with soap and water.

Q. What’s the difference between a filter and a purifier?
A.
While both serve the same purpose — removing harmful elements from your water — a purifier adds an extra level of protection by removing bacteria and viruses. Many bottles advertise a two-in-one system that filters and purifies for additional peace-of-mind.

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