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Brita is known for its faucet and pitcher filters, but the company also makes filtered water bottles. According to Brita's website, these bottles aren't intended for outside use — they're intended for just filtered tap water — but this bottle also filtered natural freshwater for me just fine. The Brita filtering water bottle uses an activated carbon filter, which is extremely porous and pulls contaminants, such as chlorine and particulates.
This Brita-filtered water bottle is plastic, BPA-free and relatively sturdy. It consists of just three parts: the bottle itself, the flip-top cap and the active carbon filter, which nicely locks into place on the bottom side of the cap. It's easy to put together and requires almost no prep; just quickly wash the bottle and run the water bottle filter under hot water before your first use. I wouldn't take this filter bottle on a backpacking trip. It would suffice for day hikes if you filled it up with tap water first (use it with natural water at your own risk).
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If you want your tap water to stay cold during the day, then you need a water bottle made of heavier, durable material, preferably steel. Luckily, Brita's Premium Filtering Water Bottle also comes in stainless steel. For about $7 more, this water bottle has all the great features of a plastic water bottle and also keeps your water cold for about 24 hours. While I did notice that the ice in my water bottle may melt, the water did stay cold.
This bottle is also BPA-safe, double-insulated and very sturdy. It looks just like the plastic Brita bottle but a bit heavier. Both are also the same circumference and should fit into most car cup holders. Do note that while the straw and lid are dishwasher safe, the body needs to be hand-washed.
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Despite being one of the most popular water-filtering products on the market, the Lifestraw Go did not meet my expectations for filtering. The double-stage filtration includes a hollow-fiber membrane and a carbon capsule, yet this is the only bottle that produces water with particles after passing through the Lifestraw filter. That's not to say the Lifestraw Go isn't safe to drink from. The particles were probably just sediment, but it did produce a relatively strong mineral taste compared to the other bottles on this list.
The Lifestraw Go is made of BPA-free plastic throughout and has three simple parts (bottle, cap and filter; four parts if you count the carbon capsule inside the filter). Overall, the Lifestraw Go feels pretty sturdy. I prefer the durability of stainless steel, but it's lightweight and comes with a carabiner, so it would make a good backpacking water bottle. Any time you use the bottle, let the water sit for a few moments to prime the hollow-fiber membrane filter.
Waterwell claims its double-stage filtration system removes 99.9% of waterborne pathogens, but based on the taste of the water that came from this bottle, I wouldn't be so sure. I didn't feel or see any particles like I did with the Lifestraw Go, but the taste alone was enough to make me wary of bringing this bottle into the backcountry for clean water.
The bottle and cap are made from BPA-free plastic and feel just as sturdy as a plastic bottle should. The filter is attached to the straw by a flimsy rubber tube, which could be the culprit behind the poor filtering. The water tasted sour, but I couldn't quite place the taste (sulfur, maybe). Despite its poor filter attachment and sour taste, the Waterwell is easy to use, with the same setup as most of the other bottles on the list: bottle, cap and filter. The water bottle filter detaches easily and the bottle opening is large enough to insert a standard dish scrubber.
For the sake of safe drinkable water, two friends and I ventured out to a freshwater source in Southern California. We were lucky to find a tiny trickle of a waterfall in the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa Wilderness area in the Santa Monica Mountains, which culminated in a series of four tiny pools of water. Of the four water holes, we settled on testing the bottles in the one that looked the least stagnant (and had the fewest bugs and tadpoles).
The day before the hike, I cleaned and prepped each water filtration bottle on my list according to their instructions. I filled each bottle from the same water hole and tasted the water from each bottle on site. I then drank from the bottles one by one and poured some water from each to see how clean it looked. I was ready to drink gallons of water if need be and keep drinking until I determined the best reusable water bottle.
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I considered five important criteria when using each reusable water bottle: filtering and filter capacity, materials, taste, ease of use and cleanup. These are all factors you should consider when looking for a water purifier bottle. You'll want to purchase one that suits the activity you plan to use it for. For instance, if I was looking for a filtered bottle to take backpacking, I wouldn't choose the Brita. I also wouldn't invest in the Grayl Geopress if I only needed a bottle for tap water.
Look for a filtering mechanism that filters out harmful contaminants, bacteria and viruses and other unpleasantries out of the presumably non-potable water. Does the water bottle filter leave any particles in the water after filtering? Also, consider how much replacement filters are and how easy it is to replace them.
Most filtered water bottles are made of plastic or stainless steel. If the bottle you are looking at is made of plastic, make sure it is BPA-free. Also, make sure it is durable. Would a few drops dent the water bottle? If you are a hiker and need a lightweight bottle, is the material too heavy?
It's pretty obvious, but you want a filtered water bottle that leaves you with fresh-tasting water. Specifically, you don't want any remnants of mineral odor or chemical tastes such as a chlorine taste.
Putting the bottle together should be easy. Inserting and replacing the filter should be simple. Also, consider how the water flows from the straw to your mouth. Do you have to tilt it a certain way to get most of the water out?
You want a filtered water bottle that is easy to clean. Check to see if the bottle is dishwasher-safe. After use, what are you supposed to do with the bottle? Can you easily store it?
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Stainless steel or glass water bottles are the healthiest because they are natural and chemical-free. Some plastic water bottles can expose you to chemicals when the material is under the hot sun for too long. If you opt for a plastic water bottle, look for one that is BPA-free.
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Yes, filtered water bottles are good for you, because they can remove harmful contaminants from your drinking water. While your tap water may already be clean, filters can help remove bad taste from your water. Additionally, these water bottles are great for hiking when you need to purify natural water.
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The disadvantages of a stainless steel water bottle include the bottles being a little heavier than plastic, often they are not dishwasher safe, may cost more and they may dent easily when dropped.
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Source: cnet.com