REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Inexpensive
Simple
REASONS TO AVOID
No storage capabilities
Hard to clean
LifeStraw Review
A simple and inexpensive on-the-go filtration system designed for the solo adventurer
LifeStraw
Our Verdict
The Lifestraw Personal Filter can easily pick up water from puddles and other water sources on your next adventure. This straw filter operates by sucking force, and it does take some effort to get water from the ground into your mouth. It's lightweight, easy to use, and simple for a super low price. It filters out particulates and pathogens like bacteria and protozoa (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) but cannot filter out viruses. If a lightweight, simple on-the-carry filter for a good price is what you seek, the 1.75-ounce Lifestraw can't be beaten.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
LifeStraw | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||||
| Price | $20.00 List $17.47 at Amazon | $12.96 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $7.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $10.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $14.10 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An on-the-go filtration system that is simple and inexpensive | The best chemical treatment option that will kill all pathogens when given enough time | Lightweight and easy to use, these tablets can be used as an emergency backup to regular treatment | Lightweight and reliable, this chemical treatment is perfect for lightweight travel or emergency use | Stash these tablets in your backpack and hope you never have to use them |
| Rating Categories | LifeStraw | Aquamira Water Trea... | Potable Aqua Purifi... | MSR Aquatabs | Katadyn Micropur Pu... |
| Water Quality (20%) | |||||
| Durability & Maintenance (20%) | |||||
| Treatment Time (15%) | |||||
| Weight & Packability (15%) | |||||
| Ease of Set Up (15%) | |||||
| Ease of Filtration (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | LifeStraw | Aquamira Water Trea... | Potable Aqua Purifi... | MSR Aquatabs | Katadyn Micropur Pu... |
| Measured Weight (entire kit) | 1.8 oz | 3.0 oz | 2.3 oz | 0.1 oz | 0.5 oz |
| Removes Particulates (sediment, microplastics) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Effective Against Viruses | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Effective Against Chemicals | No | No | No | No | No |
| Effective Against Heavy Metals | No | No | No | No | No |
| Effective Against Bacteria | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Effective Against Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Giardia = yes; Crypto = no) | Yes (Giardia = yes; Crypto = no) | Yes |
| Type of Filter/Purifier | Straw filter | Chemical treatment | Chemical treatment | Chemical treatment | Chemical treatment |
| Filter Media or Active Ingredient | Hollow Fiber | Chlorine dioxide | Iodine and Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide | Sodium dichloroisocyanurate | Chlorine dioxide |
| Filter Pore Size (Advertised) | 0.2 microns | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Number of Liters/Gallons per Lifetime (Advertised) | 4,000 L / 1,000 gal | 114 L / 30 gal (per package) | 25 L / 6.6 gal | 60 L / 16 gal (30 tabs) | 20 L / 5.3 gal (20 tabs) |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Lifestraw Personal filter is suited for solo, on-the-go use. Its lightweight design and low price make it very attractive. However, it's sucking speed is a little “sucky” and there are better products out there if you're willing to shell out a bit more cash — a decent option if you're looking for a fast, on-the-go filtration system.
A lightweight personal filter that allows you to drink from virtually anywhere.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Water Quality
Utilizing a hollow fiber filtration cartridge with 0.2-micron pore size, it can filter out particulates, bacteria, and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It does not treat viruses. This handy filtration system works best in clear water but has the affinity to clean out turbid water.
Simply wear it around your neck or tuck into your pack as you adventure through the wilderness. It provides good filtration but struggles a little bit in turbid water.
Credit: Amber King
Durability & Maintenance
This system seems to be pretty durable overall with few parts. It's pretty simple. Our only worry is that the LifeStraw could snap along the length of the tube because it's so long. According to the manufacturer, the filter lasts around 1000 gallons (roughly 4000 liters).
Although you cannot clean the intake of the LifeStraw directly, clogs can be cleared by blowing water back through it.
Credit: Amber King
Unfortunately, you can't troubleshoot this filter, as everything is enclosed and inaccessible. If it clogs, it's hard to unclog. Blowing it out the other way works, but it's inefficient.
Treatment Speed
Using the power of suction, attaining water is instantaneous. It does not require pumping, and it's not a chemical treatment. It's a great emergency filtration system because of its quick ability to attain water. Unfortunately, it cannot store water unless you donate a container that you carry dirty around with you.
Weight & Packability
The LifeStraw is one of the lightest options out there. At just 1.75 ounces and a narrow profile, it's super duper, easy to pack away, and can be used for lightweight travel. It slides nicely into a backpack's side pocket, or you can wear it around your neck with its removable lanyard. We found that it was a little too long to use with a hydration vest as it got in the way, but it could tuck into a pocket in the back.
An ultralightweight filtration system that can be used for trail running or short backpacking trips.
Credit: Amber King
Ease of Set Up
There's not much needed to set it up. You only need to find a water source that you can access.
The LifeStraw's longer length doesn't require you to get your face right into the water, but we typically found ourselves on our knees getting muddy or having to get into the water source to access the water. It might be hard to reach a river with a super steep bank or use this on-the-go filtration system off the side of a big boat…unless you feel like getting in.
Ease of Filtration
After you've found your water source, suck with all you've got. You won't get anything for the first few seconds as the tube needs to fill with water first before you can get water. After those first few moments, the wide intake and output give you a decent water flow. If the water is murky, this becomes even harder, and the flow decreases significantly. There are other products with a similar design that work better including the Sawyer Micro that offers a better rate of filtration flow, and less sucking strength required. However, the Micro also “sucks” in silty water.
The mouthpiece that provides some flow, but takes a little effort at first.
Credit: McKenzie Long
Another caveat to this system is that it doesn't store any water. If you plan on using this while backpacking and have a long section without water, carrying dirty water in a storage container is advisable. From the storage, you can then drink. However, this isn't ideal as you have to sterilize that storage container again before filling it with clean water. Because of these limitations, this filter is best for on-the-go use with less-than-ideal storage options.
This model can also be used to drink from a bottle, allowing you to collect water at the source and carry it with you, and then you can drink it later.
Credit: Luke Lydiard
Should You Buy the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter?
The Lifestraw personal water filtration system is suited for one person's on-the-go use. It doesn't have storage functionality, but water treatment is instantaneous. Sucking through the filter can be cumbersome, and there are better performers out there, but the low price is hard to beat. A great option for emergency use or short trips into the backcountry where water will be plentiful.
Little puddles in granite pockets are a perfect place to get water while alpine climbing with the LifeStraw.
Credit: Jessica Haist
What Other Backpacking Water Filters Should You Buy?
The Lifestraw offers a value that is hard to beat, but its capabilities are limited to personal, on-the-go use. We've found that options like the Sawyer Micro Squeeze and Sawyer Mini cost just a little bit more and offer better performance and versatility overall. If weight savings is key, tablet options such as the Potable Aqua Purification Tablets or drops such as the Aquamira Water Treatment Drops may be a great choice if you have an electrolyte tablet to mask the flavor. And for those seeking the best option for personal water filtration, the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze is our favorite after many years of testing.
—Amber King
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