Lifestraw Solo Water Filter vs Lifestraw Personal Straw – Lifestraw Peak Series Comparison

Safe drinking water is such an essential part of all any outdoor adventure, so we sent Jack out to test and compare two rival products from the Lifestraw Peak series.

They’re small and compact, boast huge lifespans, and offer almost unimaginable filtration power. According to the packaging, these two LifeStraw filters seem to have a tonne of strengths. I hit the trails to see if these hydration heroes could live up to their big name and if they’re basically the same or very different.

Why am I the right person to do this review?

I’d love to say I was sent these because of my love of everything remote and rugged, but I’m not sure this is the only qualification I can claim. The somewhat gross fact of the matter is, I’m a sweaty dude. I love hot and harsh summers, but they don’t love me, and when a lot goes out, a lot must come in. 

I’m constantly experimenting with ways to have a safe and continuous water supply on my adventures, and on paper, Lifestraw seems to have nailed the design brief. I was curious about the differences between the two products and the practicality they offer for someone who likes a cool drink and solid peace of mind.

Even water in pristine alpine areas can make you sick and ruin a great trip | Photo by Caroline Kingsford

Lifestraw Water Filters I Compared

Lifestraw Peak Series Personal Straw Filter

The LifeStraw Peak Series Personal is more straw-like

Weight: 65g
Dimensions: 32mm x 195mm
RRP: $49.99 on Wild Earth
Material: Plastic and Polysulfone (a high-performance BPA-free thermoplastic)
Lifespan: 4000L
Colourways: Blue or Dark Grey
What you get in the box: The filter and manual

Lifestraw Peak Series Solo Water Filter

The LifeStraw Peak Series Solo is far more compact, with reduced performance

Weight: 48.2g
Dimensions: 33mm x 129mm
RRP: $54.99 on Wild Earth
Material: Plastic and Polysulfone (a high-performance BPA-free thermoplastic)
Lifespan: 2000L
Colourways: Blue or Pink Lemonade
What you get in the box: The filter, a backwash syringe (for cleaning), and a manual

Performance

Personal Straw Filter

Looking at these side by side, it’s obvious that the Lifestraw Personal Filter is the bigger of the two. With that size comes an increased filtration lifespan and potentially more ergonomic handling, possibly providing extra reach to a water source or stream. It’s surprisingly easy to drink through, requiring a lot less draw than I initially thought it would.

The extra length in the straw may limit the conditions you’ll want to use it in, and it’s more suited to a glovebox emergency than a running pack for an ultra-trail marathon. It fits in the hand nicely, and the bottle thread feature is a useful repertoire addition, allowing it to be used straight from a drink bottle or hung from a bladder to gravity feed a container.

I’ve been leaving this one in the glovebox to knock around while driving, and it’s still looking brand new. The thick plastic has a real toughness to it, and the threads and caps all hold strong even when done up in a rush.

Both straw filters are built tough, so you don’t need to be too precious about them

Solo Water Filter

The smaller of the two products, but potentially more versatile in its uses, the Solo Water Filter boasts half the lifespan of its longer sibling (and is more expensive!), but has been my choice to throw in the bag to forget about until needed. It’s very easy to drink through, is nice and compact in the hand, and if you choose the ‘Pink Lemonade’ colourway, it’d be a challenge to lose in the bush.

Like its counterpart, the Solo Water Filter is made from the same hard plastic. Built to last, I can see it continuing to do its job regardless of how scratched up it gets. The built-in loop on its end cap adds a touch of versatility, allowing you to hang it on the outside of a pack for quick access.

Another added bonus is the backwash syringe it comes with, something that I’d want to use if it’s been sitting in the gear room for a while untouched. The ability to flush out any old, stagnant water, or even sand and dust, is a big tick for the Solo.

The syringe that comes with the solo is a welcome addition given its much smaller filter

Read more: How To Clean Water Bottles & Hydration Bladders

Design

After putting both straws through their paces, the list of positives keeps growing. The products themselves look sleek, walking the line of hard-wearing adventure gear and food-safe tech nicely. They filter out a tremendous 99.999% of parasites, bacteria, and microplastics, which is just so damn effective I don’t even think I can fully comprehend their power.

The Solo’s fun ‘Pink Lemonade’ colourway is super refreshing, and both straws fit great in the hand and feel super solid. The caps and plugs all screw nice and snug, and I trust that they’re actually leak-proof after being initially tentative.

Quality design has gone into both mouthpiece constructions, meaning they’re actually nice to drink from, and it’s awesome that they stop water flow at their end-of-life.

The end cap loop on the Solo means it can be tied to lightweight bags or your belt

Read More: Guide To Treating & Purifying Water in the Bush

Sustainability

Lifestraw has a clear goal to positively impact the planet. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified and is listed as a B Corp company (just like We Are Explorers). The team’s initiatives to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities in need are bold and much needed around the globe. Sales not only go towards providing larger Community Water Filters, but also community education and employment. The website shows how Lifestraw plans to tackle its safe drinking water ambitions, and every product sale provides a child with safe drinking water for a year.

The products themselves aren’t made from recycled materials, which, considering the technical and medical grade construction, is understandable.

However, the packaging the products come in is all plastic-lined. This renders all the cardboard it travels in unfit for Australian Recycling Standards. I found this very disappointing, leaving me with only the paper manuals able to be recycled. As a huge fan of Lifestraw’s global impact statements, I feel this is an area that could be improved fairly easily.

Price

At the time of writing, both Lifestraw filters are sitting around the $50 mark on a range of Australian hiking gear websites. For the quality of water you end up with, durability of the product, and longevity, I can see them lasting. I think this is a bargain. 

Alternative water treatment options like water tablets sit in a similar price range and I’ve always found they leave a bit of a weird taste in my bottle after using them. Other competitors like the Sawyer Squeeze run a fair bit pricier on average too, and if you don’t need the soft bags and little extras that Sawyer include, Lifestraw are delivering on a super competitive option.

Either option is pretty compact and offers far more drinkable water than tablets for the price

Personal Straw Filter v Solo Water Filter – Which is better?

Considering both the Personal Water Filter Straw and the Solo Water Filter are part of Lifestraw’s Peak series, it’s no surprise they offer up many similarities. Rather than focus on the obvious size and lifespan differences, it’s worth considering the real-world applications you might find yourself using them in.

Read more: LifeStraw 3L Peak Series Compact Gravity Water Filter System Review

In a bona fide emergency, take either, they do their job and offer fantastic filtration capacities for a situation that requires safe drinking water in a pinch. Nowadays, I’d say some form of safe drinking water solution is a must-have for every outdoor emergency kit.

For lightweight travel, I prefer the Solo Water Filter. It fits in a trail running vest, bum bag, or even a jacket pocket. I’ve paired it with a soft water bladder for quick scooping and sipping — it’s light, effective, and less bulky. It also screws onto a bottle and stays out of the way, unlike the 7cm-longer Personal Straw Filter.

For basecamp setups or 4WD trips, the Personal Filter makes more sense. The longer body and bottle-thread make it great for gravity-fed systems. I’d stash it in the glovebox or keep it in a bikepacking bag if I ever end up building my dream gravel bike rig (one day…).

Read more: Lifestraw Go Water Bottle Review

Final Thoughts

I’ve been using both filters for a while now, and although they’re quite similar, the Solo Water Filter has become my go-to. Its compact size, ease of use, and convenience make it perfect for most of my activities (running and hiking). It hides away nicely and covers all the requirements I need it for.

That said, it’s less about which one is ‘better’ and more about which one suits your needs. Think about where you’ll be using it, what your storage setup looks like, and how you travel. Your environment, pace, and gear choices all play into which filter works best for you.

Both products deliver reliable, high-quality filtration and can handle rough treatment. Whether you’re planning an epic hike, building an emergency kit, or just want peace of mind on weekend trips, these filters are a solid addition to any gear bag.

The ‘straw’ style of filter is very simple; you’ll want standard thread bottles to attach it to or some kind of converter to avoid situations like this

FAQs Lifestraw Water Filters

What’s the difference between the LifeStraw Solo and Personal Filter?

The Solo Water Filter is smaller, lighter, and a bit pricier, with a 2,000L lifespan. The Personal Filter is longer, tougher, and lasts for 4,000L.

Can you drink directly from a stream with these LifeStraws?

Yep! Both models let you go full Bear Grylls and drink straight from the source – creek, river, puddle. Just stick the straw in and sip away.

Do these LifeStraw filters remove bacteria and parasites?

Absolutely. Both filters remove 99.999% of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, which is basically everything you don’t want in your guts.

Can these LifeStraw water filters remove viruses?

No, the Personal and Solo models aren’t designed to remove viruses and heavy metals or chemicals, which are more of a risk in developing countries. If this is a risk, consider the LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Water Purifier.

Which LifeStraw is better for hiking?

If you like moving fast and light, go for the Solo. It fits in your vest, jacket pocket, or tiny hip pack. For longer trips or basecamp setups, the Personal Filter has extra lifespan and a bit more versatility.

Can LifeStraw filters be reused?

Definitely. These aren’t one-and-done. The Solo even comes with a backwash syringe so you can clean it out and keep it flowing. Treat ‘em right and they’ll last longer. However, once water stops flowing through after 2000 or 4000L of filtering, the whole unit has to be replaced.

Do LifeStraw filters fit onto bottles or bladders?

Yes. Both filters can screw onto compatible bottles, and the Personal Filter plays nicely with gravity-fed setups too.

Are LifeStraw filters good value for money?

For around $50, you’re getting safe water, reliable build quality, and a product that’ll probably outlive your hiking boots.

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