Photo: Yan Krukov

What's better than the LifeStraw?

The Clear Winner The Sawyer Mini is better than the lifestraw because it has a 0.1-micron filter (vs. 0.2-micron filter) and can clean up to 100,000 gallons of water (vs. 4,000 gallons). While the LifeStraw is also a fantastic product, it pales compared to all the Sawyer Mini can do.

primalsurvivor.net - Sawyer Mini vs. LifeStraw – Which Is The Best? - Primal Survivor

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Two of the most popular water filters for camping, disaster prep, and prepper bug out bags are the Sawyer Mini and LifeStraw.

The Clear Winner

The Sawyer Mini is the better of the two products. While they might seem very similar, the Sawyer Mini filters more water to a higher standard than the Lifestraw and is a lot more versatile and reliable.

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Overview of the Sawyer Mini and LifeStraw

Both the Sawyer Mini and LifeStraw are hollow-fiber membrane water filters. This means that the water passes through a mesh-like membrane. The membrane catches bacteria, protozoa, algae, and other waterborne pathogens. Compared to the bulky ceramic water filters of the past, the Sawyer Mini and LifeStraw are very compact. They are also straightforward to use.

No pumping is required, and you never have to change the filter.

I’m not exaggerating when I say these water filters are game changers.

When I was a kid, camping water filters were clunky, and the filters had to be constantly replaced. The Sawyer Mini and LifeStraw are often distributed in disaster-struck places (such as Haiti after their massive earthquake). These water filters have probably saved thousands of lives by providing a cheap and easy solution for clean drinking water.

Sawyer Mini vs. LifeStraw Specs

Filter Micron Rating Filter Life (Gallons) Length Weight

Flow Rate Cleaning

Sawyer Mini 0.1 100,000 5" 2oz 1 ltr 5.5 mins Water backflushing

Lifestraw 0.2 4,000 9" 2oz N/A Air backflushing

LifeStraw vs Sawyer

When comparing the LifeStraw against the Sawyer Mini, you’ve got to understand that LifeStraw was designed for use in 3rd world countries. It wasn’t meant to be a backcountry solution for backpackers and survivalists. Instead, it is a cheap, disposable water filter that could be distributed to save lives. By contrast, the Sawyer Mini was designed for backcountry use. It takes the concept of the LifeStraw and improves it tenfold. Here’s the breakdown.

Efficacy

Backcountry water filters are rated by microns. The rating means how small of particles can get through the filter. The smallest bacteria is 0.37 long. To ensure that all bacteria get filtered out of your water, you’d need a filter smaller than this (protozoa, algae, and other microorganisms are larger than bacteria). Rated at 0.1 microns, the Sawyer Mini is the superior of the two filters. Some comparison posts make a big deal out of the fact that the Sawyer Mini removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria compared to “just” 99.9% with the LifeStraw. Honestly, this slight difference doesn’t matter too much. Both Sawyer and LifeStraw do an excellent job of filtering water.

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Remember, these water filters DO NOT treat:

Viruses

Chemicals

Heavy metals

In backcountry situations, you usually don’t have to worry about these threats.

Viruses, for example, only really become a threat when there has been sewage contamination (such as after flooding). Learn more about water purification systems and what they treat here.

The LifeStraw is Only a Straw

Those videos which show using the LifeStraw to drink straight from a dirty puddle are cool. In a SHTF situation, I’d be happy to have a LifeStraw (read our guide to the best survival straw filters.) However, for everyday planning and prep, there are issues with relying on a straw to filter water.

Issues with Straw Filters:

Must squat down and stick your head close to the water to drink.

Use a lot of mouth-suction power (especially with murky water).

Have no way of taking filtered water with you.

Can’t fill up a cooking pot.

Of course, you can find creative ways to eliminate these issues with the LifeStraw. For example, some people might fill a water bottle with dirty water and then use the LifeStraw to drink from the bottle. To fill a cooking pot, you could suck water into your mouth and spit it into the pot. Yes – these solutions will work in a pinch. But not something that I want to rely on! By contrast, the Sawyer Mini can be used in numerous ways. *Note that LifeStraw has started making other products to address these issues. For example, the LifeStraw Family, Community, and Mission are all gravity-powered. This means you can get clean water to take with you. However, those products aren’t exactly portable solutions. (Read our reviews of the best gravity water filters.)

The Sawyer Mini is a Straw and Much More

Here is where the Sawyer Mini wins hands-down against the LifeStraw. The LifeStraw is only a straw, whereas the Sawyer Mini is very versatile.

Ways to Use the Sawyer Mini:

Be used as a straw to drink directly from the source.

Drink from pouch or water bottle.

Squeeze clean water through the filter into a bottle/pot.

Spliced into a water bladder hose.

I find the best way to use the Sawyer Mini is to keep two water bottles with you. One you fill with dirty water. Screw the Sawyer Mini onto it, squeeze, and collect the clean water in your other water bottle. Just make sure you remember which bottle is for clean and dirty!

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Here’s another area where the Sawyer Mini beats the LifeStraw. You can clean the Sawyer with backflushing – just shoot some clean water through the bottom side of it. The water will push out any gunk built up in the filter. The Sawyer Mini comes with a special syringe just for backflushing. You can also use a SmartWater bottle for backflushing. The LifeStraw can also be backflushed. However, they recommend blowing air through the bottom end to blow out buildup. This isn’t nearly as efficient as shooting water through.

Value

The last I checked, the Sawyer Mini costs slightly more than the LifeStraw. However, the Sawyer Mini can filter 100,000 gallons of water compared to just 4,000 gallons with the LifeStraw. Considering how versatile and long-lasting the Sawyer Mini is, you’ll regret it if you choose the LifeStraw to save a few bucks.

The Clear Winner

Check On Amazon

The Sawyer Mini is better than the lifestraw because it has a 0.1-micron filter (vs. 0.2-micron filter) and can clean up to 100,000 gallons of water (vs. 4,000 gallons). While the LifeStraw is also a fantastic product, it pales compared to all the Sawyer Mini can do.

FAQ

Does the Sawyer mini remove viruses? No, the Sawyer Mini does not remove viruses (they are smaller than 0.1 microns in size and therefore pass through the filter) Does the Sawyer mini remove chemicals? No, the Sawyer mini does not remove chemicals or pesticides. Can the Sawyer Mini Filter out the Leptospirosis bacterium? Yes, this bacterium will be filtered by the 0.1-micron filter. Can the Sawyer Mini or Lifestraw be used after being frozen? No, both filters need to be replaced if they are wet and then get frozen.

Sawyer Squeeze vs Mini

primalsurvivor.net - Sawyer Mini vs. LifeStraw – Which Is The Best? - Primal Survivor

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