The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is crucial, especially when you’re exploring new destinations. Access to safe drinking water isn’t always guaranteed, and the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles is undeniable. That’s why finding the Best Travel Water Bottle is not just a matter of convenience, it’s a responsible travel choice. For years, carrying a reusable water bottle has been a travel essential for us. We initially opted for an insulated bottle to keep water cold, but as our journeys evolved, so did our needs. We realized the importance of a travel water bottle with a filter, capable of purifying water from various sources. This realization sparked my quest to find the best travel water bottle with a filter, and here’s why it should be a priority for every traveler.

One of the most impactful lessons from our year-long travels has been the stark reality of global waste. From remote Indonesian beaches to the ancient pyramids of Egypt and bustling Indian trains, plastic pollution is distressingly visible. It became clear that even in places where we don’t see it as much, plastic waste remains a significant problem. We’re depleting resources and discarding plastics at an alarming rate. Standing amidst the historical wonders of Egypt, I couldn’t help but ponder what future archaeologists will unearth from our era. Instead of stone carvings and temples, they might find mountains of plastic straws and discarded water bottles.

Plastic waste collected from an Indonesian atoll, highlighting the global plastic pollution issue.

While there are numerous ways to reduce plastic waste, eliminating single-use plastic water bottles became our primary focus. While occasional use might seem insignificant, the cumulative impact over a year of travel is staggering. For a family of four, consuming 2 liters of water each daily translates to sixteen 500mL bottles or six 1.5L bottles per day. Annually, this amounts to 5840 small bottles or 2190 large ones. That’s an enormous amount of plastic! Even with recycling efforts at home, statistics reveal that only a fraction of plastic bottles are actually recycled in North America. In many parts of the world, recycling infrastructure is limited or non-existent, meaning most of these bottles end up polluting our oceans. Having personally witnessed and participated in beach cleanups, collecting hundreds of plastic bottles, I knew we needed a better solution.

My search for the best water system for travel has been extensive. Over the past year, we’ve experimented with various methods: LifeStraws, Water-to-Go bottles, large water jugs with dispensers, boiling water in hotel kettles, and opting for filtered water in restaurants. Through trial and error, we’ve refined our approach and found what we consider the “perfect” system. Crucially, all our chosen water bottles are BPA-free, a non-negotiable for health and safety.

Table of Contents:

My Top Pick: The Grayl Filter Water Bottle
Runner-Up: Water-To-Go Filtered Water Bottle
Stand-Alone Filter Option: The LifeStraw
Top Insulated Water Bottles: Klean Kanteen & S’well
Optimal Water Storage: Platypus DuoLock

My Top Pick: The Grayl Filter Water Bottle

Grayl Water Bottle

The Grayl water bottle has become our go-to filter bottle, and we are extremely satisfied with its performance. Its unique design sets it apart – filtration occurs by pressing the inner container into the outer container, rather than requiring suction while drinking. Simply fill the outer container to the marked line, press down the inner container for about 15 seconds, and you have safe, purified water. This press-filtration method offers significant flexibility and ease of use, especially when traveling with children or in groups. The filter’s lifespan is easily discernible as it becomes increasingly difficult to press water through it when nearing the end of its life. (Ensure the cap is slightly unscrewed during pressing to avoid resistance!).

The Grayl excels in ease of use and water purification effectiveness. It provides the advantage of filtering a larger quantity of water at once, which can then be transferred to insulated bottles. This is particularly beneficial when we are hiking in the Himalayas or exploring temples in Myanmar, reducing our dependence on immediate water sources. When accommodation includes a refrigerator, we filter several liters of water the evening before, refrigerating it for chilled water in our insulated bottles the next day.

We did notice that the bottom “dirty water” container can leak if pressurized. To prevent this, we empty any remaining unfiltered water before air travel or ascending into mountainous regions. Some users have reported filter clogging with sediment-rich water. However, we’ve primarily used it with clearer water sources and haven’t encountered any issues with filter lifespan reduction.

Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle in Blue, showcasing its compact and portable design.

Grayl Specifications

Initial Cost: $59.50 US (bottle & one filter)
Filter Replacement Cost: $24.50 US
Filter Life: 150 Liters
Cost per Liter of Filtered Water: $0.16 US/Liter
Weight: 10.9oz (309 grams)
Capacity: 16oz (473mL)
Removes: 99.9999% of viruses and bacteria, 99.999% of protozoa, sediment, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Durability: Impact-resistant to a 6ft drop onto hard surfaces. Not suitable for freezing, boiling water, or microwave use.
Pros:

BPA Free
Dishwasher safe (excluding filter cartridge)
User-friendly operation
Efficiently filters larger volumes for later use
Includes a clip for external pack attachment
Leakproof design
Cons:
Non-insulated. While insulation would be ideal, it would increase weight, presenting a trade-off. However, it does maintain water coolness for a few hours.
Purchase the Grayl Water Bottle on Amazon!

Runner-Up: Water-To-Go Filtered Water Bottle

Water-To-Go

Although I haven’t personally owned a Water-To-Go bottle, I’ve used it on several occasions and it’s a popular choice with numerous positive features. It was a strong contender before we settled on the Grayl. My primary hesitation stemmed from reports of leakage. A leaky water bottle is a major inconvenience, especially when carried in a backpack with sensitive electronics like laptops and cameras! Despite this, it remains a highly regarded self-filtering water bottle. However, the leakage issue was a deal-breaker for me.

Water-to-go Bottle in black, demonstrating its sleek and functional design.

Water-to-go Travel Water Bottle with Filter, showcasing its portability and suitability for travel.

Water-To-Go Specifications

Initial Cost: Approximately $39.99 US (75cl bottle and filter)
Filter Replacement Cost: Around $29.95 CAD for a twin pack
Filter Life: 200 Liters (50cL filters 130L)
Cost per Liter of Filtered Water: $0.14 CAD/Liter
Removes: 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.999% of viruses, and 99.99% of microorganisms, heavy metals, and chemicals.
Weight: 138g (with filter)
Capacity: 750mL (500mL version also available)
Pros:

Large capacity
BPA free
Dishwasher safe bottle (lid must be removed)
Lower cost per liter of filtered water compared to Grayl
Cons:
Leakage issues reported
Black color can cause water to heat up in direct sunlight
Filtration occurs during drinking, requiring suction
No integrated clip for bag attachment (special pouch needed)
Filter replacement availability and cost can vary by region.
Find Water-To-Go Bottles on Amazon!

Stand-Alone Filter Option: The LifeStraw

The Lifestraw

Another category of travel water filter is the stand-alone straw filter, with LifeStraw being a prominent brand. LifeStraw offers various products, including bottles with integrated filters and stand-alone straws designed for use with any bottle or directly from a water source. We initially started our travels with a stand-alone LifeStraw. While we used it a bit, we ultimately sent it home relatively early in our trip as it wasn’t ideal for our needs. Drawing water through the straw required significant effort, proving difficult for our children, although it does become slightly easier with continued use. Its width also made it incompatible with our S’well water bottle. LifeStraw might be more suitable for hiking or emergency situations, but for general travel, the Grayl system is a superior choice.

Lifestraw Go Water Bottle with Filter in multiple colors, showcasing its design and portability.

Lifestraw Go Filter Water Bottle in blue, highlighting its features and filter technology.

LifeStraw Go Specifications (closest comparison to the Grayl)

Initial Cost: $44.95 US (bottle and filter)
Filter Replacement Cost: $24.96 US (2-stage), $9.95 US for carbon filter 2-pack.
Filter Life: 4000 Liters (pathogens), 100 Liters (carbon filter)
Cost per Liter of Filtered Water: $0.056 US/Liter
Weight: 5.9oz (168g)
Capacity: 22oz (650mL)
Removes: 99.9999% bacteria, 99.9% protozoa, chemicals, heavy metals, and particles (note: not viruses in standard models).
Pros:

BPA free
Lightweight
Cost-effective
Cons:
Not impact-resistant
Not dishwasher safe
Standard LifeStraw and LifeStraw Go filters do not remove viruses (LifeStraw Mission, Family, and Community models do).
Can be difficult to use, requiring strong suction
Filtration happens only during drinking.
Purchase the Lifestraw Go on Amazon!

So, while several options exist, the GRAYL emerges as the best water filter bottle for travel, with Water-to-Go and LifeStraw as viable alternatives depending on specific needs. However, a complete hydration system for travel extends beyond just filtration; insulated bottles and water storage solutions are equally important.

Top Insulated Water Bottles: Klean Kanteen & S’well

Klean Kanteen

Among the insulated water bottles we’ve tested during our travels, Klean Kanteen stands out as the best insulated travel water bottle. We use the 20oz size, which conveniently fits into backpack water bottle pockets. It boasts exceptional insulation, keeping water cold for up to 50 hours! While I haven’t personally timed it to 50 hours, it reliably kept our water cold throughout full days in 40°C Egyptian heat. It’s durable, with a chip-resistant finish (though ours did get scratched with daily use). Klean Kanteen is also a company committed to environmental responsibility. A key advantage of this bottle is the lid design with a loop, allowing it to be clipped to backpack exteriors – an invaluable feature when needed. It’s also available in various colors, sizes, and even a kid-friendly version. Most importantly, it’s leak-proof! The wider mouth and superior lid design are why I prefer Klean Kanteen over S’well.

Klean Kanteen insulated water bottle in silver, highlighting its robust and practical design.

Klean Kanteen Insulated Travel Water Bottle in green, showcasing its portability and suitability for travel.

Sizes: 12oz, 16oz, 20oz, 32oz, 64oz
Cost: $30.95 US (16oz)
Cold Retention: 16 oz – 30hrs, 20oz – 50hrs (larger sizes offer longer cold retention)
Hot Retention: 16 oz – 10hrs, 20oz – 24hrs (larger sizes offer longer hot retention)
Purchase Klean Kanteen Bottles on Amazon!

S’well Bottle

S’well is another excellent insulated water bottle from a company dedicated to environmental sustainability. Like Klean Kanteen, it’s leak-proof and keeps water cold all day. I appreciate the wide array of beautiful colors and designs available for classic S’well bottles, and the finish seems slightly more durable than Klean Kanteen. However, the standard S’well lid lacks a clip, requiring it to be stored inside a bag. S’well does offer a Sport Bottle with a handled lid, but color options are limited, and the sport cap is not currently sold separately. We own and regularly use a S’well bottle. If it came standard with a different cap, or if the sport cap were sold separately, the aesthetic variety might have led me to rank it higher (I do appreciate visually appealing items!).

S'well Water Bottle in a vibrant color, emphasizing its stylish and sleek design.

Sizes: 9oz, 17oz, 25oz
Cost: $35 USD (17oz)
Cold Retention: 24hrs (all sizes)
Hot Retention: 12 hrs (all sizes)
Find S’well Bottles on Amazon!

Optimal Water Storage: Platypus DuoLock Soft Bottle

Platypus DuoLock Soft Bottle

Platypus offers a range of collapsible water bottles, but the DuoLock is my preferred model due to its integrated clip (a recurring theme, perhaps!). It comes in 750mL and 1L sizes and various colors. We use the Platypus to store filtered water from the Grayl in the refrigerator. We prioritize drinking from the Platypus first daily as it’s not insulated. Its collapsibility is a major advantage, folding down compactly when empty, making it lightweight and easy to store. It’s particularly useful on long train or bus journeys where water access may be limited. (Platypus also produces a filter bottle, but I have no personal experience with it, and reviews are mixed).

Platypus DuoLock Soft Bottle, demonstrating its collapsible and lightweight nature.