Bottom Line
Sawyer’s #1 bestseller and your one-stop shop for filtering and drinking water, look no further with the Sawyer Mini. Smaller than the palm of your hand, the Mini is an effective, lightweight, and versatile water filter that won’t break the bank. For these reasons, it made the list of our favorite water filters. We are abundantly confident you are good to go should the Sawyer Mini be your water filter system for your next backpacking trip.
Quick Specs
Sawyer Mini Water Filter
Best Budget Water Filter
Price: $25
Weight: 2 oz.(including a 32 fl. oz. pouch)
Flow Rate: 1 L/min
Filter Pore Size: .1 microns
Lifetime Volume: 378,000 L
Pros
- Affordable
- Ultralight
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Fits a variety of bottles
Cons
- Included pouches lack durability
- Slower flow rate
- Clogs easily
- Requires syringe to backflush
Water Quality
This compact yet powerful filter boasts a 0.1-micron rating, eliminating 99.99999% of bacteria, including those nasty gremlins like Giardia and Cryptosporidium that could lurk in wild water sources. It also removes 100% of microplastics, which are sadly everywhere nowadays. The filter significantly improves the taste by removing the “terroir” flavors of dirt, green matter, and bacteria.
It’s important to note that this filter does not include a carbon component, so it’s not designed to remove heavy metals, simple compounds, or pesticides. However, its effectiveness against harmful microorganisms has been proven over tens of thousands of miles of backpacking and hiking, with no reported water-borne illnesses when used correctly.
Ease of Use
Use it with a straw straight from the source, splice it into your hydration pack, attach it to a bottle, or use the squeeze bag to fill your containers. The ease and adaptability of this product are the Sawyer Mini’s greatest strengths.
Filling the squeeze bag from a lake, seep, or slow trickle can be annoying. If you are at a still water source, hold the bag by the top opening and swoop it through the water. After 8-10 scoops, you’ll have a full bag.
Treatment Time
Because the Sawyer Mini is a touch smaller than the original Sawyer Squeeze, filtering time is nominally longer. But with all that added pep in your step from a lightweight filter that isn’t bogging your pack down, the few extra seconds at the watering hole are worth it.
Weight
At two ounces, the Sawyer Mini is about as small and light as water purifiers get. It is a great option for anyone ready to shave off every ounce for the ultimate lightweight backpacking experience.
Maintenance & Longevity
Smaller and lighter, the Sawyer Mini requires more frequent back washing than its Sawyer Squeeze counterparts. The sketchier the water, the more frequently you must backwash to keep your Sawyer Mini performing.
We usually backflush at home between our shorter trips and every few days while on a longer trek.
When you buy the Mini, it will come with one 16-ounce pouch, which is large enough for your trail runs but not large enough for your backpacking trips. They are also notorious for blowing a seam, so pick up some spare pouches. We recommend a 64-oz bag.
Don’t let your Mini filter freeze. We usually put it in a Ziploc next to our electronics in our sleeping bag at night to insure it won’t freeze.
Should You Buy the Sawyer Mini?
The Sawyer Mini is ideal for those who want an ultralight, high-quality filter. At two ounces, this complete filtration system is a solid option. However, it is worth noting that it clogs faster than other models so if you are backpacking in an area with especially silty or still water, you will want to look elsewhere for a primary filter. Having said that, as a backup or on trails with clearer sources, this is almost a no-brainer choice.
What Other Water Filters Should You Consider?
Sawyer Squeeze Review: Sawyer’s trusted flagship squeeze filter model, this version is slightly larger, faster, and more durable.
Katadyn BeFree Review: The BeFree’s shake-to-clean feature generally offers a faster flow rate and easier cleaning process. It uses a soft flask for water collection, which we’ve found more durable than Sawyer’s squeeze pouches. Some CleverHiker gear analysts report that the BeFree provides better-tasting water.
Sawyer Micro Review: The Micro offers the same quality filtration as the Mini but in an even smaller package. It is negligibly heavier (2.5 ounces) and a little more expensive but has roughly the same flow as the original Squeeze.
