Tablets or a water filter
Reviewed on
Tablets disinfect; filters remove bacteria and protozoa, and some don't remove viruses. The safest approach is to combine them with stored water.
What to look for
- Tablets: light and cheap, for clear water; they take 30 minutes or more.
- Filter: water straight away and thousands of liters, for rivers and rain; it doesn't remove chemicals.
- For the go bag, a personal filter; for home, tablets and water jugs.
- If you use bleach, make sure it's labeled as suitable for disinfecting drinking water.
Our picks
- Aquatabs, 50 water purification tabletsTablets for clear water: 1 per liter. Each tablet treats 1 L in 30 minutes. They take up no more room than an envelope.
- Katadyn Micropur Forte, 100 tabletsTablets that also keep stored water fresh. They disinfect stored water and keep it for up to 6 months.
- Sawyer Squeeze, water filterA filter for home and outdoors, good for thousands of liters. Filters bacteria and protozoa from river or rainwater; lasts thousands of liters.
- LifeStraw, personal filterA light personal filter for the go bag. Very light: you drink straight from the source. Ideal for the go bag.
Tip: If the water is cloudy, let it settle and strain it through a cloth before treating it: tablets and filters work better that way.
Products reviewed on November 15, 2026.