Bottom Line
Weight, size, functionality, and affordability make the Sawyer Micro one of the best and most foolproof water filtration systems on the market. Very popular among thru-hikers who are notoriously tough on gear over thousands of trail miles, we agree this water filter rules. Not sure this one is for you? Head back to our lineup of our favorite high-performing water filters to find the best one for you.
Quick Specs
Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter
Price: $33
Weight: 2 oz.
Longevity: 378,500 L
Filter: Hollow fiber membrane
What’s Included: Micro filter, one 32 oz. pouch, backwashing plunger, cleaning coupling, spare gasket, drinking straw
Pros
- Lightweight & compact
- Effective
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Easy to backwash
- Good flow rate
- Versatile
Cons
- Requires backwashing
- Not good for winter
- Not for large groups
- Pouches wear out over time
- Difficult to fill in puddles, seeps, or lakes
- Doesn't filter viruses
Water Quality
Like other Sawyer products, the Sawyer Micro removes 99.99999% of all bacteria and protozoa, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
Ease of Use
To start filtering, simply fill up the included pouch, screw on the filter, and either drink directly from the pouch or squeeze clean water into a bottle.
The Micro comes with a syringe for easy backwashing. Sawyer claims will restore 98.5% of the filter’s flow rate each time you clean it. We recommend backwashing your filter fairly often to keep up its flow rate.
You can use the Micro with squeeze pouches, a water bottle, or the included straw to drink straight from the source. Also, the Micro can attach in-line to a hydration bladder so you can filter while you drink, or set up a gravity filter system.
Treatment time
The Micro’s flow rate is a hair better than the Mini’s and about the same as the original Squeeze filter. It’s fast and effective.
Like most filtration methods, squeezing can become tedious over time, especially if you filter a lot of water for a large group. When traveling in groups, bring a few Micros (one for every two or three people) to share the workload, or go with a gravity filter.
Weight
The Micro weighs only two ounces, which is excellent. It’s lighter and slightly more compact than the original Squeeze filter while retaining the same functionality.
Maintenance & Longevity
Like the Mini and the Squeeze, Sawyer products guarantee their filters with a limited lifetime warranty. Sawyer products are still getting the job done after 10 years of use.
However, the more you use any filter, the more particulates in its fibers. That means it is getting the job done, but regular backwashing will keep the filter working at a near-optimum flow rate.
Like all hollow fiber filters, the Micro can’t withstand freezing temperatures—its interior fibers will break. If you take the Micro on a chilly trip, try to keep it from freezing by putting it in a ziplock bag at the bottom of your sleeping bag at night.
Should You Buy the Sawyer Micro Squeeze?
This filter is packed with durability, functionality, and efficiency. However, it might not be good for you if you want to avoid packing a cleaning kit and want the fastest flow rate possible.
What Other Water Filters Should You Consider?
We love how Micro Squeeze functions and takes up negligible space and even less noticeable weight.
Sawyer Squeeze Review: Sawyer’s original squeeze filter model, this version is more burly and flows faster than the Micro.
Katadyn BeFree Review: The BeFree’s shake-to-clean design usually provides a faster flow rate and makes cleaning easier. It has a soft flask for water collection, which we’ve found more robust than Sawyer’s squeeze pouches.
Sawyer Mini Review: The Mini is about an inch longer but still at the two-ounce mark. This is Sawyer’s number one selling filter and a better option if you usually use a bladder and hose for hydrating.
