Grayl GeoPress Review

The Grayl Geopress is a press-action bottle filter that produces fresh, clean-tasting water regardless of the source. The high-quality components and durable design make this the perfect choice for travel, that is when you're not concerned about the weight and bulk of the design. We love the competitive flow rate as well as the updated design that allows you to use electrolyte tabs and drink mixes inside the bottle without damaging the filter. If you're in need of protection from more than the standard backcountry critters (looking at you, Giardia and E. coli), you're gonna love the Geopress.

Water Quality

If you're after premium water quality and performance, meet your new go-to. The Grayl Geopress lives up to all the hype thanks to its unique design that's capable of purifying almost any water source. The manufacturer claims that it removes viruses (e.g., hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus), bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella), and protozoan cysts (e.g., amoebae, cryptosporidia, Giardia). The filter also includes activated carbon that's capable of absorbing chemicals (including PFAS and VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, flavors, and odors.

We've tested this filter throughout the years and have always been impressed by its ability to produce fresh-tasting water, no matter the source. We were also happy to view the results of third-party testing commissioned through SGS labs that confirm its ability to remove bacteria, viruses, and bead stand-ins for Giardia and Cryptosporidium, effectively eliminating >99.9% of each harmful contaminant. The Geopress also features a one-way valve so you can easily drop an electrolyte tab or drink powder into the filtered water chamber, without damaging the filter. If we have plans to travel internationally, this is the filter we're packing to stay safe and hydrated during the trip.

Ease of Use

Although the Geopress is definitely simple to use, it can take a little muscle to press. The process is simple: remove the lid and clear the inner chamber attached to the beefy filter before filling the bottle and pressing the collected water through the filter. Although we found it easier to press with the lid open to alleviate some of the internal pressure, at times, depending on your water source, it can be difficult to press water through the filter. It can also be difficult to pull the filter apart from the bottle, especially when wet.

We prefer to place the filter between our feet and use our full body weight to press water through the cartridge, rather than pressing between both arms or on a picnic table. We love that the drinkable water chamber features a one-way valve that separates the drinkable water from the filter itself, allowing you to drop in an electrolyte tab or drink mix for maintaining hydration in the heat, without contaminating your filter. While it can be difficult to pull apart and also requires some extra muscle for the press action, we appreciate that the filter ships ready to use and doesn't require an extra water bottle for clean water storage.

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Durability and Maintenance

The upside of the heavy, bulky Geopress bottle filter is that its components feel indestructible. The design is very sturdy and constructed for consistent use. We love the addition of rubberized TopoGrip on the outside that makes it easier to hold onto the large bottle.

Unlike hollow fiber membrane filters that require a backflush to keep the filter from clogging, this process could destroy the Geopress filter cartridge. Instead, Grayl recommends simply removing the cartridge from the bottle and rinsing the exterior to remove debris and increase the flow rate. This process takes only one minute and consistently produces a faster treatment time.

Perhaps our two biggest complaints about the Geopress design are its limited filter life (only 250 liters) and the need to separate each component to fully dry the filter between uses. Since the replacement filters of the Geopress are a bit pricey, this filter can turn into quite an investment over its lifespan, not to mention the additional waste of purchasing and throwing away each cartridge.

Treatment Time

For a press-action filter, the Geopress boasts a competitive treatment time of around 15 seconds per 24 oz bottle. This adds up to an average of four liters per minute. We love that the drinking cap stays attached to the bottle, as we found it easier to press with the lid open to relieve some internal pressure. In particularly murky or mineral-rich water sources, we found the flow rate dropped to around 25 seconds per bottle and required some maintenance afterwards. After encountering a slower flow rate in these circumstances, we preferred to take extra time to pre-filter the water to minimize maintenance afterward.

While not the fastest filter on the market, we think the average flow rate of four liters per minute is perfect for one or two people who aren't concerned with the lightest design or the fastest treatment time.

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Weight and Packability

Although the Geopress is among the heavier and bulkier filters that we've tested, it's quite similar in size and weight to a stainless steel bottle. Weighing just over one pound (17.6 ounces), and measuring 11.5 inches tall, the Geopress doesn't take up a ton of extra space in your pack either. We love the simple design that doesn't require keeping track of a ton of extra parts, nor does it require an additional stuff sack.

Although the bottle itself features a smooth plastic, there are rubberized sections on the lid as well as the base (meant to improve the stability of the bottle while filtering) that can get caught on extra layers and jackets inside your pack. And while we wouldn't necessarily recommend this design for an ultralight mission, we think it's worth the additional weight in exchange for quality and reliability for purified water during travels domestic and abroad.

Should You Buy the Grayl Geopress?

The Geopress is not something we would recommend for your average backpacking trip unless you know you'll be drawing from questionable water sources and need protection from a wider range of contaminants. But if this is the case, we can't recommend a better bottle. It's the perfect press-action filter for one or two people, and we love the high-quality and durable construction that's built to withstand your adventures, domestic and abroad. The simple filtration and maintenance make this a great choice for anyone seeking fresh, clean-tasting water and who isn't concerned about carrying extra weight and bulk. While the filter lifespan is relatively short compared to other products, and the replacement cartridges aren't cheap, we still think this is a great choice for getting pure water.

What Other Backpacking Water Filters Should You Consider?

If you like the idea of a press-action filter but want something a little lighter in weight, check out the Grayl UltraPress. It features the same press action within a smaller bottle. If you don't need protection against viruses (in much of the U.S. this is not a huge concern), the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze is a perfect lightweight and packable filter for one or two people. It also features a much longer filter lifespan along with easy maintenance through a backflushing syringe.