When planning the items to pack in your bug out bag a personal water filter needs to be one of the first items to choose. Today we will put the two most popular personal water filters to the test in our Lifestraw vs Sawyer Mini head-to-head.
Having a personal water filter in your bug out bag is a must. They are lightweight, and allow you to obtain clean water from most any fresh water source.
If you have done any research on personal water filters there is no doubt you have heard of both the Lifestraw and Sawyer Mini water filters. They are the most popular lightweight filters on the market and they each have their merits. However, there is one clear winner between the two.
lifestraw features and specs
Lifestraw is a fairly newer company, but has received a fair amount of publicity through some viral videos. Several people have decided it would be a good idea to see how the filter works at filtering urine. The result? It’s a bit ridiculous and hilarious at the same time. Check out one of the videos here.
The Lifestraw is a pretty great design for a bug out bag, everyday carry, or emergency kit. It is also great for camping, backpacking, and emergency preparedness.
The Lifestraw is lightweight and incredibly easy to use. It is a straw design that allows the user to simply place the end of the straw in the contaminated water and use like any other straw.
Lifestraw key specs
- Weighs 2 oz
- 9″ long X 1″ diameter
- Filters to 0.2 microns
- Removes 99.9999% of protozoa
- Removes 99.9999% of micro-plastics
- Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria
- Lifespan of 1,000 gallons
- Flow rate of 1-1.2 L per minute
- BPA free materials
Sawyer mini features and specs
Sawyer is a brand that has a long history of producing great quality water filter products specifically for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Sawyer Mini is an ideal choice for emergency preparedness and bug out bags. They are also great for camping and backpacking due to their excellent price point, light weight, and fantastic performance.
The Sawyer Mini has a much better lifespan as it can effectively filter up to 100,000 gallons of water. This spec alone makes the Sawyer a much better pick for your bug out bag in my opinion.
Sawyer mini key specs
- Weighs 2 ounces
- 5″ long
- Filters to 0.1 microns
- Removes 99.0000% of protozoa
- Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria
- Lifespan of 100,000 gallons
- Flow rate of 7 L per minute
- BPA free materials
Lifestraw Vs Sawyer Mini: which works the best?
Before we can answer which portable water filter works the best it is important to note that they are both filters only. Filters will remove any bacteria but not viruses. Bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella can be filtered from water sources, but to remove viruses such as rotavirus or hepatitis you need to purify your water.
Bacteria an protozoa are the most common pathogens to be found in the US and Canada so a water filter is usually sufficient for use in these areas.
If you are looking for a water purification system that will remove chemicals, viruses and dissolved metals you will need a water purifier instead. To learn more check out our guide to water purification systems.
key areas of comparison
In order to properly put the Lifestraw Vs Sawyer Mini head-to-head we need to consider a few different key areas.
bacteria and protozoa removal
When it comes down to what pathogens and contaminants each product can filter out of the water it is essentially the same.
The Sawyer Mini filters down to a slightly smaller micron size of 0.1 versus 0.2 microns for the Lifestraw.
This disparity in filter performance is really pretty minimal and doesn’t give a practical edge to one over the other. However, given the choice, I would always spring for the smaller micron size filter.
size and weight
The Lifestraw and the Sawyer Mini have an identical weight of 2 ounces. This makes them both well suited for hiking, backpacking, and bug out bag use.
When it comes to size, the Lifestraw is nearly twice as long as the Sawyer. This is important for the Lifestraw because it is designed to be used as a straw directly from the water source. The Sawyer Mini does come with an attachable 7 inch straw to make it easier to use directly from the water source.
WINNER: TIE
lifespan
The lifespan or filtration capacity is where the Sawyer Mini shines. There is really no comparison here.
The Lifestraw is currently rated as being able to filter 1,000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. The Sawyer Mini, on the other hand, is rated for 100,000 gallons of use. That’s right, it can filter 100 times as much water as the Lifestraw.
attachments
The Lifestraw is really only designed to do one thing: filter water through a straw. This is fine if you just need a quick drink on the go.
The Sawyer Mini, however, is designed to do more. The Mini comes with the aforementioned 7 inch straw if you want to drink directly from the water source. But it also comes with a 16 ounce squeeze pouch that you can fill and keep on moving.
Yes, you could do the same with the Lifestraw by putting unfiltered water into a bottle and drinking it through the straw. But it is much more convenient to have a lightweight pouch that you can fill with filtered water.
The Sawyer Mini can also be attached to a standard water bottle or hydration pack and used as a straw on the go.
cleaning
The Lifestraw is really designed to be a disposable item. That is why the Sawyer Mini has such a larger filter capacity than the Lifestraw. There is no cleaning involved with the Lifestraw. When it reaches its capacity you simply dispose of it.
The Sawyer Mini comes with a cleaning plunger that extends the life of the filter. This cleaning tool allows the Sawyer to outlast the Lifestraw.
conclusion
If you have been keeping score it should be pretty clear. The Sawyer Mini beats the Lifestraw in pretty much every category.
That being said, there are some reasons to purchase a Lifestraw. Because they are disposable they are a good choice for emergency preparedness where you would only need to use it for short periods of time.
In all other instances you are better off packing a Sawyer Mini.
