So, you’ve heard of the Lifestraw GO Bottle and you’re wondering whether it’s worth it. In this Lifestraw GO filter bottle review, we’ll answer that question for you.

The idea of drinking fresh water in the wild may seem intriguing to you. Luckily, that’s what portable water filters are here to do.

I have personally used nearly a dozen different water filters and I keep this in my camping and hiking backpack because this is a necessity for me. It also saves me energy, and money by cutting back on bringing heavy plastic water bottles.

In this article, you’ll learn if this product is worth it.

Let’s dig in.

What is LifeStraw and How Does LifeStraw Work?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQjggjQfsAg

LifeStraw is a company that has created a modern water filtration systems designed to fit inside your bag. You can drink from almost any water source, without any downsides. 

The body of the straw holds a large filter to make sure that the water you’re drinking, no matter how filthy, will be clean by the time it reaches the end of the straw. 

The company itself (Vestergaard– owns LifeStraw) has done great things, giving back and helping 3,367,145 students drink safely, along with helping 1,870 schools and donating 12,220 water filters. 

The company’s reputation is very high and the company is respected by hikers, preppers, and many others.

Vestergaard also works with the US President Jimmy Carter Foundation to eradicate Guinea Worm and has contributed to successfully decreasing the number of infections from over 3.5 million cases to 54 cases in 2019.

LifeStraw has donated 38 million Guinea worm filters to the Carter Center since 1994.

Why You Need Water Filtration

Water is necessary for living and it is taken for granted. Water ranges from regulating body temperature to flushing out toxins, protecting the body tissues, as well as the joints and spinal cord, and carries out many of the body’s chemical reactions. 

By some estimates, you should be drinking up to a gallon of water per day. This is why you need safe water wherever you are.

Water contamination can be fatal, so the best thing you can do is to have a water filter on hand.

There are many different types of water filtration, but portable water filters are superior to all the other options because tablets don’t filter out the rocks, dirt, and silt that may be in the water. 

You will need a water filtration system unless you are carrying a water quality testing kit; which even then if the water isn’t safe, you won’t be able to drink it.

Lifestraw GO Filter Bottle vs LifeStraw

First, we will compare these two filters, then we will compare to different company products.

There is one distinct feature that makes the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle superior. You don’t want to lie on your belly every single time you take a sip of water. This is something I immediately realized when I first bought the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. 

With the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, you also have to do more steps, while with the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle there are fewer steps. For the LifeStraw, you have to do a staggering 9 steps, and with the LifeStraw Go, you only have to do 4.

Lifestraw Steps

• Step 1: Open the Top Cap
• Step 2: Open The Bottom Cap
• Step 3: Get on Your Belly
• Step 4: Stick the Straw into Hopefully Steady Water
• Step 5: Drink
• Step 6: Take it Out
• Step 7: Empty the Filter
• Step 8: Close the Top Cap
• Step 9: Close the Bottom Cap

Lifestraw Go Steps

• Step 1: Fill The Bottle If Necessary
• Step 2: Wait 10 Seconds
• Step 3: Drink
• Step 4: Empty the Filter

Bringing your own water while camping or hiking is still very important because you still have to find the water source, and that may vary in difficulty, so with the LifeStraw Go, you can still drink water after you walk away from your water source and you’re still thirsty. 

Going through nine steps every time you want a sip of water (that is much harder to drink) does not suit me. It probably won’t suit most people, which is why I reccomend the Lifestraw GO.

Now, let’s compare this product to other companies’ products.

LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle Vs. GRAYL Ultralight Filtered Water Bottle

First off, the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle is lighter, weighing 5.9 ounces, while the GRAYL Ultralight Filtered Water Bottle is 10.4 ounces. 

The LifeStraw Go also has an up-to 1-liter capacity, while on the other hand, GRAYL Ultralight has a 16-ounce capacity.

GRAYL Ultralight costs are in more than double than the Lifestraw GO. So, if pricing is important to you, the GRAYL Ultralight is not my recommendation.

All other features are basically the same, and I would personally go for the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle.

If you want a more in-depth comparison of Lifestraw vs GRAYL, click here.

Specifications

Specifications

• For every LifeStraw Go purchased, a child in need receives safe drinking water
• Surpasses US EPA, NSF, and ASTM standards for water filters
• Replaceable filters
• Top Rate Amazon’s Choice
• Removes minimum 99.999% of waterborne parasite(Ascaris lumbricoides, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, etc.)
• Removes minimum 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria (Brucella melitensis, Campylobacter jejuni, Francisella, etc.) with Hollow fiber Membranes
• Removes minimum 99.999% of microplastics with Hollow fiber Membranes
• The LifeStraw lifeSpan is for a lifetime with a limit of up to 4000 liters(1000 gallons) of contaminated water filtered
• Eliminates chlorine, bad odor, harmful chemicals(pesticides, herbicides), turbidity(silt, sand, and cloudiness)
• No batteries or extra powers needed
• Enhances the taste of water with an Activated carbon capsule
• Made out of durable BPA-free Tritan and features a food-grade silicone mouthpiece
• If you like Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, fitness, kayaking, boating, traveling, or emergency preparedness, this is ideal for you

Buy LifeStraw Go

Features

Ease of Use

The ease of use easily surpassed my expectations and a huge selling point for this product. Filling the bottle with water, waiting 10 seconds, drinking, then blowing the water out of the filter(not in the bottle)— a piece of cake.

Design Quality

I think the design of this product is better than a lot of my previous water bottles and I have no complaints. There is a great selection of colors and a few size options. 

Don’t forget that this water bottle also makes it safe, as a portable water filter, with a decent price tag(a lot of that money is being donated anyway, too).  The fragility is not a problem I have encountered so far. I did gently knock it against a rock with no damage whatsoever.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Everytime you purchase a LifeStraw Go, a child in need receives safe drinking water.
• It is light(5.9 ounces), convenient, and easily transportable.
• Rated 4.4 out of 5 with about 3500 ratings(as of now).
• It is Easy to use(no batteries or extra powers needed and few steps.)
• The water bottle is large, up-to 1 liter(1/4 gallon)
• It has an endless life with it’s high performance 0.2 micron inline filters(4000 liter*1000 gallons* and even then the filter is replaceable.)
• The filters cleans water to its purest state.
• This is a completely leak-proof water bottle.
• Cheaper Short & Long Term
• This is made with durable BPA-free Tritan and features a food-grade silicone mouthpiece and a high quality hollow fiber membrane, activated carbon capsule.
• Free Shipping and Returning

Cons

• If you already have a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, you can’t just plug that in, the straw used in LifeStraw Go is a different model.
• A little difficult to drink(it’s like drinking a decently thick smoothie).
• You have to wait for the filter for 10 seconds to prime the filters for maximum performance and safety.
• You have to only use water and never any other liquids.

Buy LifeStraw Go

Potential Problems and Easy Solutions

Here are some of the problems that you may run into, and solutions for you.

Too Hard to Drink Out Of

When I first got my LifeStraw Go, I noticed that it was hard to drink out of, so I inspected the bottle, and I noticed that there was tight cellophane(A thin, flexible, transparent cellulose material made from wood pulp used as a moisture-proof wrapping) wrapping all around the cap. 

So, I took that out, and it was significantly easier to drink out of after that.

If you are still having difficulty drinking, here are some instructions to make it easier:

1. Remove the carbon filter from the top of the straw
2. Pry open the plastic casing
3. If you can see the seam(A similar line, ridge, or groove made by fitting, joining, or lapping together two sections along their edges) on the top of the plastic casing, gently remove the carbon bag
4. Reposition the bag with seams along the cylindrical wall of the plastic casing
5. Gently push and wiggle the bag back into the casing, and replace the cap
6. Put the carbon filter back into the straw and check to see if easier to draw water through the straw

Filters Clogged Up

I personally have never noticed any clogging, but in a few Amazon reviews, people have complained about the filters clogging, and clearly, these people did not read the manual or video. 

You have to blow out the water forever single-use, or else clogging may occur after just a few drinks.

The Mouthpiece Isn’t Protected From Contamination

This is true and applies to mainly third world countries where there are airborne bacteria and viruses. 

If you drop the bottle, then it is also contaminated and should be cleaned with clean water. I recommend you clean the bottle every day you use it, just like any normal water bottle.

How to Use LifeStraw Go

Using the Lifestraw is already much simpler than other alternatives, but I decided to make this simple instructive section to help you out.

Starting at the top of the bottle is the mouthpiece (outside), the lid (outside), the activated carbon filter(inside the filter), the carbon filter chamber, the carabiner clips(An oblong metal ring with a hinged and spring-loaded gate), and finally the microfiltration membrane filters (inside the filter).

Filter Replacements

You should replace the filter every 1000 gallons of water or every five years or so. To replace the filter, you first have to unscrew the top of the cap and insert the new filter into the top cap, and then screw it back on tightly. Make sure that the carbon capsule is all the way on the top.

You’ll also need to rinse the carbon capsule every two months. You have to extract the filter with a coin or fingers and rinse the filter with clean tap water and then insert it back in until you hear a click.

Cautions

In order to take more serious measures for extra safety, DO NOT:

1. Use LifeStraw Go with two or more individuals (1 individual for 1 LifeStraw Go)
2. Use LifeStraw Go with dirty and bacteria-contaminated hands(like with any other object touching your face)
3. Use LifeStraw Go if you have a bacteria-contaminated mouth
4. Use LifeStraw Go in a coliform(kind of bacteria that invades the intestines) dense environment.
5. Use LifeStraw Go if you fail to maintain a sterile mouthpiece.
6. Use LifeStraw Go in extreme heat or freezing temperatures(may lead to damaged product)
7. Use LifeStraw with seawater or water near mining or large agricultural operations

For more detailed instructions, visit the LSGO 2Stage Manual V2(LifeStraw Go manual): Here.For more detail, visit the LSGO Dossier Microbial reduction FINAL(LifeStraw Go details): Here

Should You Get Lifestraw GO?

LifeStraw Go is a useful, decently priced product that was designed by a humanitarian company.

LifeStraw Go is easy to use. All you have to do is fill up the bottle, wait 10 seconds, drink, and blow out the remaining water. The design quality is also unbeatable, made with durable materials.

I and many others (hikers, campers, fishers, kayakers, boaters, travelers, and preppers) have had a pleasant experience with LifeStraw Go, and I support the company and its actions.

Considering the weight of each pro and con, my personal experience with LifeStraw, and the average Amazon rating(4.4/5), my rating is 4.6/5 – which is very good in my books.

★★★★★ 4.6/5

If you feel this product is right for you, click here to buy on Amazon. If you aren’t happy with all this, there is free shipping and returning, so you don’t have to worry about not liking the product.

Buy LifeStraw Go