Last Updated on April 16, 2022 by TODD FRANZEN
What if you could carry a water filter with you anywhere? Wouldn’t that be great! Ultralight water filters are the best because they can fit in your backpack or pocket and don’t weigh much.
In this blog post, we will review the 5 best ultralight water filters on the market today so that you can find one for yourself. We’ll show you how to choose the best for your needs and give an overview of each candidate below.
Reasons Why You Want An Ultralight Water Filter
Carrying a water filter with you anywhere can be the best thing you could do. Ultralight filters are best because they’re lightweight and can fit in your backpack or pocket. This gives a few reasons to buy an ultralight filter for yourself. We also give some tips on how to choose the best one for your needs below.
1) You don’t want to carry around heavy things: Filters can take up space and weigh a lot more than other objects like cameras or cell phones. If you want something lighter, an ultralight filter is what you need!
2) You want to save money: Ultralight filters cost less than regular ones because they’re smaller and don’t have all the bells and whistles. This means you can save your money for other things on your trip!
Carrying a water filter with you is important, especially if you’re going on an outdoor excursion. Not only will it save you money in the long run, but it’ll also keep you safe and healthy. Not to mention the money you’ll save!
1) MSR Hyperflow
The MSR Hyperflow is lightweight and compact, weighing only 7.8 ounces. It’s also small enough to fit in a pocket or purse when not attached to a larger pack. This makes it very easy to bring along. The MSR Hyperflow pump filters water at a rate of three liters per minute and can filter particles as small as 0.02 microns in size, which is great for filtering out bacteria and protozoa in addition to dirt and other larger contaminants.
Filters water at a rate of one liter per minute and its design makes it a little easier to filter water out of a river or creek. The Hyperflow also can connect to most water bottles, so you don’t have to carry extra containers with you.
The MSR Hyperflow is a great choice for anyone looking for an ultralight and compact filter that can handle a wide range of contaminants.
This best ultralight filter has received many positive reviews from users that have enjoyed its performance. It does have some drawbacks. Its micron rating of 0.2 will not filter out bacteria. And it’s not the best at chemicals and toxins.
Overall, the MSR Hyperflow is a great ultralight filter for anyone looking to remove large contaminants such as dirt and particulates as well as bacteria and protozoa. It’s easy to use and its compact design makes it a good choice for those who want something that can
2) Grayl Ultrapress Water Purifier Bottle
The Grayl Ultrapress Water Purifier Bottle is a great option for anyone looking for an all-in-one ultralight filter. This bottle not only filters water but also purifies it, making it safe to drink. It has a built-in filter that can remove particles as small as 0.02 microns and purify water by killing bacteria and viruses. This best ultralight water purifier is great for backpackers and hikers who want something lightweight and need to worry about filtering large contaminants like dirt or sediment.
This ultrapress water purifier weighs only 12.5 ounces, making it very easy to carry around in a pack all day long. It also has a built-in purifier Cartridge that will last for up to 300 uses. That means you can filter and purify hundreds of liters (40 gallons) of water with this one cartridge before needing to replace it.
The Grayl Ultrapress Water Purifier Bottle is a great option for anyone looking for an all-in-one ultralight purifier that can remove large contaminants and purify the water. It’s easy to use and has a long lifespan for the cartridge. It also is a vessel to carry 16.5 ounces of water, making the entire weight with water less than 2 pounds. Its fast flow rate can filter up to 3/L a minute, making quick filtration at any moment.
This makes the new Grayl Ultrapress a serious contender in the Ultralight Water filter segment.
3) Platypus Quickdraw
There are a number of reasons why I like the platypus Quickdraw. Mainly due to its ability to be used in sports. I am an avid mountain biker and there have been multiple times when an ultralight water filter that I could carry with me on long rides to refill my bottle’s contents would be amazing. Wrapping the blatter around the filter makes storing in a backpack or cycling jersey simple and effective.
Its size and compact ability make the Platypus Quickdraw one for serious consideration.
The Platypus Quickdraw is a great ultralight filter for anyone looking for something that is lightweight and easy to carry with them. It has a fast flow rate of one liter per minute and can remove particles as small as 0.02 microns in size. It also comes with a built-in hanger, so you can easily hang up the bladder for easy cleaning and drying.
This makes it a great option for anyone looking to remove large contaminants such as dirt or sediment from river or creek sources, while also being able to purify the water, killing bacteria and protozoa and their endotoxins.
Its ability to backflush helps extend the life of the filter as well as remove any particles that may have settled. This ultralight filter can remove contaminants down to 0.2 microns, which is considered an absolute standard for the industry and will keep you safe from the most common threats in US ecosystems today.
The filter weighs 2.1 ounces and its ability to filter 3 L a minute makes the quick draw one of the lightest in the bunch.
4) Katadyn Befree
Katadyn Befree is one of the simplest filters in the bunch. Its bladder and filters are engineered together and its capabilities are impressive. The soft flask bladder can carry 1 liter of water and the hollow fiber membrane can filter around 2/L per minute. And weighs in at 2.2 ounces.
Its pore size of 0.1 µm is effective at removing cysts bacteria and sediment. As well as its flexible and foldable reservoir makes this a great sports companion.
The Katadyn Befree is a great ultralight filter for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and lightweight option.
The Katadyn Befree’s hollow fiber membrane removes particles down to 0.1 microns, which will remove dirt or sediment that can be found in rivers and creeks throughout the US. It also contains a carbon core that can remove taste and odor.
The best ultralight water filter also has an impressive lifespan, with up to 1000 liters worth of use before needing to replace the cartridges. The soft flask bladder is easy to carry around as well as it weighs in at 2 pounds when full of water.
This makes Katadyn Befree a great choice for any backpacker, hiker, or traveler who wants an ultralight filter that is easy to use and can be stored in small spaces.
5) Aquamira Frontier Max
The Aquamira Frontier Max Ultralight water filter caught my eye mostly because of its choice of pump filters and its ability to morph from a straw to a squeeze bag. Weighing in at .98 ounces, the Frontier Max is the lightest of the bunch.
Its bladder is a little more robust and has the ability to be pressurized. With the ability to easily fill the bag from any river or stream. The pressure reservoir can hold up to 3 liters of water and the straw filters at a rate of 500 mL per minute. This makes drinking clean, filtered water that much easier.
The pore size on this bad boy is down to 0.05 microns and it also has an activated carbon core that adsorbs chemicals, improving the taste of the filtered water. Its ease of use and maintenance make this a good choice for any outdoor enthusiast.
Its four choices of filters, The Everyday, The Backcountry, The Backcountry+, and The Worldwide give you a wide range of options for what your water filter source is.
This makes Aquamira Frontier Max perfect for hikers, campers, or anyone looking to get an easy-to-use water filtration system that can handle a variety of water sources.
To Sum Up Ultralight Water Filters
I think what is most important is knowing what type of activity you are going to be doing. The amount of time you will be doing it and assessing the types of water sources you may experience. Any one of these filters will solve your water filtration or purification needs.
But ultimately, the best ultralight water filter for you is the one that fits your needs and your budget. So do some research, consult with friends, and make a decision that will work best for you and keep you safe while out in the wilderness.
Click Here to read about squeeze bag filters and how these might be a great alternative to ultralight water filters.
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