Filter vs. Purifier
- Filters: Remove protozoa (Cryptosporidium, Giardia) and bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella)—main concerns in the U.S. and Canada.
- Purifiers: Also combat viruses such as hepatitis A, rotavirus and norovirus.
Filter Types
- Straw: Light, easy to use. Only works at water source.
- Bottle: Lightweight, quick, affordable. Water volume limited by bottle size.
- Gravity: Easy to use, handles large quantities of water, has a replaceable element.
- Pump: Precise, works in shallow water, has a replaceable filter. Bulky.
- Ultraviolet light: Fast, no filter to replace. Requires batteries and prefiltering for cloudy water.
- Squeeze: Compact and affordable. Water quantity limited by reservoir size.
- Chemical: Inexpensive, ultralight backup method. Long wait time, doesn't taste great.
Read full article: How to Choose a Water Filter or Purifier
