LifeStraw vs Sawyer MINI: Best Survival Water Filters for Off Grid, Outdoor Rec and More [2023]

Written by Robert Brannon

Most of you are probably familiar with the Survival Rule of 3. You can survive 3 hours without shelter in extreme conditions, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food.

In this article, we're gonna focus on the water part.

Whether you're off-grid by necessity or in the backcountry by choice, having a portable survival water filter at the ready can literally save your life. The best options are light weight and easy to use.

Most critically, they remove dangerous bacteria, protozoa and other pathogens when your available water supply is contaminated or of questionable quality.

Hell, even in the safety of your own home, your water supply may become compromised forcing the government to issue a boil water advisory. Well, if you have one of these babies handy, you and your family have a much better chance of riding it out successfully and confidently.

Three of the most popular survival water filters are the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze and the Sawyer MINI. To make your buying decision easier, we compared the pros and cons of each product, then picked the best option for several uses:

  • SHTF and Off-Grid Situations
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Preparasyon Ijans
  • Vwayaje

Ready? Let’s get started here.

Medya Mansyone

Sawyer’s picaridin lotion lasts a long time, stores well in survival kits and cars, and doesn’t have the laundry-list poison control label like DEET sprays.

Sean Gold
Founder & Lead Writer

Medya Mansyone

Secure a small loop of cord to a trekking pole to create a convenient place to hang a water bladder and filter water.

Nathan Pipenberg
Ekriven

Medya Mansyone

It contains 20 percent picaridin, a powerful insect repellent that will make nights around the campfire much more enjoyable.

Liz Provencher
Freelane Writer