Best Filtered Water Bottles of 2025, Tested in the Santa Monica Mountains (2025)

Pros

• Relatively easy to clean with dishwasher-compatible parts
• Wide enough opening and 24-ounce capacity to fit ice cubes
• Filters out particulates, heavy meals and germs
• Can withstand 10-foot drops on concrete
• Has NSF/ANSI and EPA certifications

Cons

• Expensive at around $100
• Inner portion and outer portions can suction together if stored when wet

Why we like it: The natural water I tested in the bottles already looked relatively clean, but when I poured a bit from the Geopress water purification bottle, I was shocked at how crystal-clear it looked. Although I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, as Grayl's heavy-duty filtering and water purification system is designed to filter out protozoa, chemicals, particulates (like dirt and sand), heavy metals and bacteria and viruses.

The Geopress water purifier is made of BPA-free polypropylene, a durable type of plastic. The wide base diameter of the water purifier gives it a sturdy feel, and it's designed to withstand 10-foot drops onto concrete while it's full of water. Without a doubt, the Geopress is the best-filtered water bottle to keep you hydrated with pure water on a backpacking trip due to its intense filtering mechanism and durability.

Who is it best for: I think this filtered water bottle would be great for anyone going on an outdoor adventure. If you're backpacking, camping, hiking or doing anything else outside where you'd need fresh, clean water, then I think this would be a great filtered water bottle for you.

Who should not get it: If you don't need a filtered water bottle and can make do with a reusable one that you pre-fill for short adventures, then I would hold off on getting one and save money since this is a pricey investment.

Pros

• Dishwasher-safe
• Comes with a handle for travel
• Affordable at less than $20
• Sturdy
• Has locking top
• Larger capacity up to 36 ounces
• NSF/ANSI certified by the WQA

Cons

• Easy to scratch up
• Best only for tap water

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).

Who is it best for: This filtered water bottle is best for those who only plan to use it with tap water for short adventures, such as day hikes or an outdoor workout.

Who should not get it: I would not suggest this filtered water bottle to anyone who wants to use it with natural water on longer trips.

Pros

• BPA-free
• Stays cold for about 24 hours
• Filter replacements are affordable at around $5 for each one
• Medium capacity of 20 to 32 ounces
• NSF/ANSI certified by the WQA

Cons

• The body is not dishwasher-safe
• Holds slightly less than plastic Brita bottle

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 $12 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.

Who is it best for: This filtered water bottle is best for those who plan to use it with tap water -- not natural water. I would recommend it to those who are going to use it for cold drinks while traveling in the car, since it can fit into most car cup holders.

Who should not get it: I would not recommend this filtered water bottle for anyone who needs one for natural water. Also, if you'd like your entire bottle to be dishwasher-safe, this is not the one for you.

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.