The Purewell 5-Stage Water Filter Straw is a personal filter you drink through directly. It is small enough to live in a go-bag, a glovebox or the RV's emergency kit, and it needs no pump, power or bottle. This review covers what it does well, where it falls short and what to pair it with.
The short version
- Good for: a backup drinking-water option you can forget about until you need it. It's light and simple, and the carbon stage helps with taste.
- Not for: filling the RV's fresh tank, filtering water for a group, or treating water that may carry viruses or chemicals.
- Pair it with: disinfection tablets such as Aquatabs if your water source is questionable.
What the five stages are
Purewell describes the straw as five layers working in series. Exact wording varies between Purewell listings, but the core parts are the same:
- Pre-filter (mineral beads or mesh plugs at the intake) to stop debris.
- PP cotton to catch sediment and silt before it reaches the finer stages.
- Coconut-shell activated carbon to reduce odors and improve taste.
- Hollow-fiber ultrafiltration (UF) membrane, the stage that physically blocks bacteria and parasites.
- A final layer at the mouthpiece end.
Our listing carries Purewell's SGS and TÜV certification claims. These are third-party testing labs; they are not the same as an NSF/ANSI certification for a specific contaminant claim.
What a filter straw does and doesn't remove
The CDC's guidance for campers is the right frame for any straw, Purewell included. A fine hollow-fiber membrane removes bacteria and parasites, but filters alone do not remove viruses, and no portable filter makes water with fuel, chemicals or toxins safe. The CDC's advice is to filter first, then disinfect with chlorine, iodine or chlorine dioxide when viruses are a concern. Floodwater and sources near towns or campgrounds are the usual cases.
Where it fits in an RV kit
- Go-bag or bug-out bag: one straw per person, since it filters only as you drink.
- Day hikes from camp: a straw is the lightest option. If you'd rather fill a bottle, look at the Katadyn BeFree or Sawyer Squeeze.
- Feeding a group at camp: a gravity system is easier. See the Waterdrop gravity bag or the Membrane Solutions 6L.
- The RV's own water: use an inline or canister filter on the hose. Our hookup guide shows where it goes.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Five stages, including carbon for taste | Filters for one person at a time |
| No pump, batteries or bottle needed | No virus removal; pair with tablets when needed |
| Compact and light for a go-bag | Must be dried before storage; freezing can damage the membrane |
| SGS and TÜV certification claims | Purewell's published capacity figures vary by listing |
Using it well
Expect a few sips to get water flowing, and some harmless black carbon dust in the first mouthfuls. Spit those out. After use, let it air-dry before you pack it, and keep it out of freezing temperatures. Our Purewell setup and cleaning guide covers priming, cleaning and what to do when flow drops.
Verdict
The Purewell straw is a sensible, low-effort backup for a go-bag or RV emergency kit, especially if you want a carbon stage for taste. Treat it as one piece of a water plan, not the whole plan: keep a few disinfection tablets with it and a bigger filter for camp.