My Quick Review of the WaterWell Bottle Filter
by The Bald Scrambler
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Published: 12th December 2023. Filed at: Reviews. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made via links.
I’ve been using the WaterWell bottle filter for nearly a year, mostly in the mountains up in Snowdonia but also when wild camping in other parts of the UK.
The WaterWell has become my go-to filter for day hikes and this is my honest review.
What You Get
This is what came in the box:
- 1 x 700ml bottle
- 1 x drip-free cap
- 1 x filter (replaceable)
- 1 x backflush syringe
- 1 x “D” gate carabiner
- 1 x cotton mesh bag/holder
WaterWell 700ml bottle
Filter, hose and cap
In a hurry? Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Carabiner clip for attaching to bag/belt
- Very sturdy plastic
- Washable and replaceable filter
Cons
- Holds only 700ml of water
- Replacement filters are currently £20 each which isn’t cheap
What The Manufacturer Claims
The manufacturer has made several claims: 1) The device filters water to 0.1 microns: For comparison, the original Lifestraw only filtered water to 0.2 microns. 2) The bottle is BPA-free: I’m unsure if the filter, hose and cap are BPA-free, but I don’t doubt the bottle is. 3) The filter will last for 1000 litres: I’ve filtered about 50 litres so far through the WaterWell and the flow rate is still good; there’s no sign that it’s blocking up or is anywhere near the end of its lifespan. 4) 100% leak-proof: I’ve never had any issues with leaks, the cap is watertight and secure, even when my bottle is upside down. 5) It’s robust: I’ve tested the WaterWell bottle by dropping it onto hard surfaces and it didn’t crack (see below for more details). 6) Removes 99.9% of waterborne pathogens, including chemicals, VOCs, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, microplastics and lots of other nasty stuff: I’ve used it on the mountains in Snowdonia, including areas where sheep are grazing, and I’ve never fallen ill.
Using and Cleaning The WaterWell Bottle
I’ve found that using the WaterWell bottle filter is easy. It’s easy to fill up, easy to clean, has a good flow rate, and the filter can be removed quickly and flushed backwards with the syringe to clean it and extend its life.
A few things to note:
1) The neck of the bottle is a wide 55mm, so it will fill quickly from streams and rivers etc. It also makes cleaning the inside of the bottle easy.
2) The filter pops off the hose easily with almost no effort.
3) Backflushing is quick and easy. I always wait until I get home and then backflush twice with the syringe.
4) I’ve dropped it a few times in the mountains and ten times as part of my testing for this review, so far, nothing has broken and the WaterWell still works perfectly.
55mm wide bottle neck
Backflushing the filter
Test Results: The Drop Test
As part of my review for this website, I filled the WaterWell bottle halfway (350ml) with water and dropped it ten times from various heights and onto several different surfaces.
It’s still in one piece with no cracks and no leaks.
The plastic is thick and sturdy but does have some flex which appears to absorb the energy from the impact.
My Two Complaints About This Water Filter
I’ve used this filter dozens of times and overall, I’m very pleased with it.
It’s more practical than the LifeStraw and doesn’t have lots of small parts, such as the Sawyer Filter.
I only have two issues:
1) It only holds 700ml which for a thirsty guy like me is pitiful. On a long summer hike, I will easily need 3-4 times this amount. I often hike in the mountains and may not have regular access to a water source when I’m on the ridges, so I have to take a separate bottle with me. I would really like a 1.5 litre bottle, that would be perfect for my long day hikes.
2) The replacement filters currently cost £20 each, hardly cheap.
Overall, I still rate this filter highly at 4.5 stars out of 5.
Alternatives:
The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is great for wild campers as water can be filtered for cooking as well as drinking. I’ve used it dozens of times, and found it reliable and easy to use (see my review here).
The LifeStraw is the original hiker’s water filter but doesn’t come with a bottle, so you’ll need one with a wide neck, or you’ll have to drink directly from the water source, which isn’t practical. I used to own a LifeStraw but no longer use it.
See an overview of all the water filters I’ve used over the years.
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About Daniel Weadley
This review of the WaterWell filter for hikers, campers and scramblers was created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler