LifeStraw Go - Review 2023

Clean water. Anytime. Anywhere.

The LifeStraw Water Bottle looks like your typical bottle. But this tumbler with “straw” has an edge worth knowing about.

Based on the Lifestraw, a Danish invention intended to allow impoverished people in war-torn and underdeveloped states to drink from any water source–including swamps–the Lifestraw Go is a water bottle any prepper or survivalist will like. We tested in boggy water with all manner of unwanted floating particles and it more than adequately filtered it out to make it safe for drinking.

With weather striking in ways we didn’t previously expect and rendering clean drinking water scarcity in some cases, this filtered water bottle is suddenly very interesting in the United States and beyond.

Made with BPA-free plastic, rehydrate on the go. Refill it from your office’s fountain or by the river without fearing for your health.

It’s a plastic-made tumbler with straw. Meaning it won’t break easily like glass. Neither the vessel will dent over time like the stainless steel water bottles.

It’s currently available in colors blue, clear, teal, grey, purple, and fish. You can choose between a 22 oz. and a 1-liter bottle. There’s also an option to buy two together and save a few bucks.

Now, for the star of this review, the 2-stage filtration system. This tumbler with straw filter has both membrane microfilter and activated carbon.

The Membrane Microfilter has 0.2 micron-sized pores. It keeps out harmful bacteria and parasites like E. Coli, cholera, typhoid, and Beaver fever.

Be sure to soak the filter in water for 15 minutes to activate it. Otherwise, some people have complained of leaks. But if activated properly, there’s no leakage.

As the water moves up the straw and reaches the activated carbon filter, chlorine reduction happens.

These filters assure that your hydrating experience won’t lead to any hospital visits.

LifeStraw Go Water Bottle’s filter can clean up to 100 liters of water. That’s over a month’s worth of everyday use.

That’s a lot of clean water and saved money!

The straw is attached to an easy-to-pop straw mouthpiece. The entire lid closes like most water bottles. Screw it clockwise, and that’s it. The mouth diameter is also wide enough for a thorough cleaning before storing it. That’s an edge over competitors with a narrow opening like Klean Kanteen Insulated Classic 20 oz. Water Bottle.

But the straw doesn’t reach the bottom of the bottle. You’re not going to drink the entire volume like you’d like to.

The mouthpiece is somehow exposed. Keep in mind to clean it when you can. Yes, the filter can provide safe drinking water, but it can’t do anything if the mouthpiece catches dirt. Whereas, the Water-to-Go Go! has a cover over its straw lid.

This tumbler with straw comes with a carabiner as well. It doesn’t have any carrying handle like the YETI Rambler Water Bottle or CONTIGO Autoseal Chill Water Bottle. Meaning you either put it in your backpack’s water holder on the side, or you attach it if there’s none.

LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Filter looks like your usual water bottle. But this tumbler with straw cares about your health. Way better than your entry-level container.

Is it for you?

You can choose from two LifeStraw Go with Filter water bottles, a 22 oz. and a 34 oz.

The 22 oz. tumbler with straw is the best option if you don’t like adding more weight to your backpack. If you’re not sure if you’ll stumble to any water source for a long time, opt for the 34 oz. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle would be the smart move, particularly if you’re out hiking or camping.

If you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, this bottle might not satisfy you. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle isn’t for you as well if you can’t stomach looking at the brown, murky water and sipping it (even after knowing it’s filtered through the straw).

This tumbler with straw is also a healthy companion if you have any hydrating requirements from your physician. You’re limited to water only. Tap water from the fountain in the park. From the bus terminal in Southeast Asia. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Filter is your reliable partner.

Flavored drinks won’t make sense due to the filter. So is your favorite brew of coffee.

If you’re all about flavored drinks, you can opt for Cirkul 32 oz. Stainless-Steel Bottle and Comfort Grip Lid. It’s a container offering you flavored yet healthy cartridges. It turns your water into a fruity beverage in every refill.

Do you prefer hydrating with coffee instead of water? Your best bet would be Klean Kanteen Insulated Classic 20 oz. Water Bottle. It can keep your coffee warm for an entire day!

LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Filter is ideal for your rehydrating needs. Its focus on water is a need for anyone who forgets their everyday water intake. Off to the heart of wilderness? You’ll be glad you have this tumbler with straw on your artillery.

How does it compare to other water bottles?

Now, LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Filter is plastic made, not as solid as Tritan plastic. Make sure that you avoid dropping it. It doesn’t have any double-walling insulation you’ll usually see in stainless water bottles as well. This feature isn’t needed for this tumbler with a straw since LifeStraw Go is out for one purpose, to filter water.

This flask from LifeStraw is also easy to use. Its flip straw is a no-brainer.

But here’s something worth considering…

Some people complain about how the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle leaks. But it’s necessary to let the filter (straw) soak in water for 15 minutes in order to active the carbon filter particles. Otherwise, it won’t run through the straw so well and people will be tempted to tip the bottle, etc. So, it doesn’t leak (excepting defects) as long as it’s used right. Ours definitely didn’t leak.

Another option would be a tumbler with straw made with 28/8 stainless steel. LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel is also available for another twenty bucks out of your bank.

Brita Filtering Water Bottle won’t be a bad alternative. It’s leak-proof, and the straw is also enclosed to keep it clean. But mind you, this one only has activated carbon as a filter. It only reduces the chlorine smell and taste of the water, not the bacteria and germs in it. Which also translates to a few bucks saved. Only get Brita Filtering Water Bottle if you plan to stay within the town.

LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Filter is easy to clean as well. Put the filter under clean running water to flush out any particle that attached itself to the straw. Let it air dry before storage. The plastic vessel itself is dishwasher-friendly. Place it on the top rack, and it’s good.

It’s not as complicated as Hydro Flask 16 oz. Wide Mouth with Sip Lid. This water bottle from Hydro Flask needs disassembling of the entire lid. Then you have four parts that require hand washing.

Conclusion

For under $40, you can get a tumbler with a straw (filter), filtering your water as you sip. Refill your LifeStraw Go Water Bottle anywhere, anytime. Although it’s not leak-free, it does what it’s supposed to do with efficiency.

Not to mention the help that you extend to others with every item you buy.

On the other hand…

We figured buying a LifeStraw for roughly $20 and pairing it with a Nalgene Water Bottle for under $12 is cost-effective. That’s only a total of $32, $13 cheaper than the 1 liter LifeStraw Go Water Bottle.

You get the same volume. Plus, the leak-proof and almost indestructible solidity of Nalgene’s Tritan plastic. Couple that with the efficient filtering function of LifeStraw. Pairing these two will take a few more seconds of assembling before you drink. But it’s the best match if you’ll be in all-out ruggedness.