A water purifier is a great tool to have if you’re an adventure traveler, camper or hiker. A water purifier lowers the contamination of gathered water through a fine physical barrier, a chemical process or through UV treatment.

Most of the time, the water that we use for drinking or cooking comes from groundwater. But sometimes, it will be polluted due to industrial wastewater or leaching of pesticides from agricultural practices. This can make the water unsuitable for consumption. The best way to get rid of these pollutants is to treat the water before consuming it. A good water purifier will have a prefilter to minimize any organic debris and sediment that may be found in the water. Some also come with a sub-micron post-filter that will further reduce the impurities.

While a water purifier works by lowering the contaminants in gathered water, it isn’t as effective at killing biological contaminating agents like protozoa, bacteria and viruses as are water treatment chemicals or UV light pulses. That’s why most people prefer to use a water purifier that has a combo of both UV and chemicals.

Many different factors can murk up water, from glacial sediment to silty river waters and leaf debris stirred up by a rainstorm. While these natural particles aren’t a health concern, they can impact how easy it is to treat and how long a filter element lasts. Many models include a prefilter to reduce these natural contaminants to improve the efficiency of the water treatment process.

Another factor to consider when choosing a water purifier is how much water it can hold for the duration of your trip. While some models have removable and expandable storage tanks, the majority of them have a fixed amount that they can hold for each usage. This should be enough for most people, but for those who have bigger adventures in mind, a model with an extra large capacity might be worth considering.

Aside from the size of the storage tank, you should also look at its material. While most models feature plastic storage tanks, some brands have started introducing stainless steel ones. They’re claimed to have longer lifespans and are less prone to bacteria and germ buildup.

Another thing to check when buying a water purifier is whether it has a replaceable filter element and its warranty details. Some brands offer a replacement guarantee or warranty that will cover your purchase for a certain period of time. You should also check if the brand still supports the model you’re interested in with spare parts. Some models are no longer being made or sold by the manufacturer, so it’s important to understand if you’ll be able to find replacement parts when it’s needed. If not, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer model or look for alternative suppliers.