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Compare Water Filters head to head
Pick any two picks from this list and see specs, current price, pros, cons and reader ratings side by side.
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#1 on this list
Squeeze
Sawyer
Cheapest reliable filter that works. The thru-hiker default for a decade running.
- Price
- $390 MSRP
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#2 on this list
BeFree 1L
Katadyn
Fastest gravity/squeeze flow rate on the market. Clogs faster than a Sawyer — worth it for speed.
- Price
- $390 MSRP
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Squeeze | BeFree 1L |
|---|---|---|
| Filter Type | Hollow Fiber Membrane | Hollow fiber |
| Removes | Bacteria, Protozoa | — |
| Flow Rate | Medium (variable by pressure) | — |
| Weight (filter only) | 3 oz (85g) | — |
| Lifespan | Up to 100,000 gallons (manufacturer claim) | — |
| Field Cleanable | Yes, backflush syringe included | — |
| Pore Size | — | 0.1 micron |
| Volume | — | 1 liter |
| Best Use | — | Fast & light day hikes, trail running, backpacking |
| Maker | — | Katadyn |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Squeeze
- Exceptional filtration for bacteria and protozoa
- Extremely lightweight and compact for backpacking
- Highly durable filter unit, lasts for years
- Affordable upfront cost and minimal maintenance
- Easy to clean in the field with simple backflushing
- Compatible with standard PET soda bottles
- Included pouches can be prone to leaks over time
- Flow rate can diminish without regular backflushing
- Vulnerable to damage if frozen when wet
- Doesn't remove viruses or improve taste significantly
BeFree 1L
- Unmatched flow rate for quick hydration
- Extremely lightweight and packable
- Easy to clean in the field with a simple swish
- Soft flask allows for direct drinking or easy squeezing into other vessels
- Reliable filtration for bacteria, cysts, and protozoa
- Clogs faster than some competitors, especially with turbid water
- Soft flask can be awkward to fill from shallow sources
- Vulnerable to freezing damage
- Not compatible with standard threaded bottles
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.