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MSR Guardian Purifier Review

This investment provides unbeatable water quality all over the world so you can drink without worry
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msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review
A unique hollow fiber filter sets the Guardian apart from other options in the lineup.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Price:  $390 List
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Manufacturer:   MSR
By Amber King ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 22, 2024
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 23
  • Water Quality - 20% 9.0
  • Durability & Maintenance - 20% 9.0
  • Treatment Time - 15% 8.0
  • Weight & Packability - 15% 2.0
  • Ease of Set Up - 15% 8.0
  • Ease of Filtration - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

The MSR Guardian Purifier is truly the Cadillac of hand pump filters. It's fast, easy to use, and expensive. As one of the few filters that can extract viruses as well as bacteria and protozoan pathogens, it's at home in the backcountry and abroad. The water quality output is incredible, and the filter itself is insanely durable and self-cleaning. It does well in freezing, hot, and turbid water conditions, making it one of the most reliable hand pumps out there. Hiking to the Grand Canyon? This is the one to buy and bring along. Unfortunately, it costs an arm and a leg, and it's quite large to carry around when packability is a concern. Of the hand pump purifiers out there, this tried, tested, and true product continues to be one of our favorites. Get the skinny on how it stacks up against other top products in our backpacking water filter review.
REASONS TO BUY
Super fast flow
Easy to use
Very durable
Self-cleaning
Filters out viruses
Can be frozen
Excellent long-term value
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Bulky
Heavy
Excessive for use in North America
Editor's Note: This review was modified on March 22, 2024, to offer recommendations for comparable water filters in addition to new thoughts on the overall value of the filter.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This hand pump purifier can be used anywhere in the worldThis lifetime guaranteed product is easy to use on the trailA solid option for collapsible bottle filtration during fast and light backcountry missionsA low maintenance, easy-to-use gravity filter that works well for everybody on the trailThe best chemical treatment option that will kill all pathogens when given enough time
Rating Categories MSR Guardian Purifier Sawyer Squeeze LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Platypus GravityWorks Aquamira Treatment...
Water Quality (20%)
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Durability & Maintenance (20%)
9.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
10.0
Treatment Time (15%)
8.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
2.0
Weight & Packability (15%)
2.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
9.0
Ease of Set Up (15%)
8.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
Ease of Filtration (15%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Specs MSR Guardian Purifier Sawyer Squeeze LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Platypus GravityWorks Aquamira Treatment...
Measured Weight (entire kit) 20.5 oz 5.7 oz 3.8 oz 11.5 oz 3.0 oz
Removes Particulates (sediment, microplastics)? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Effective Against Viruses? Yes No No No Yes
Effective Against Chemicals? No No No No No
Effective Against Heavy Metals? No No No No No
Effective Against Bacteria? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Effective Against Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium)? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Type of Filter/Purifier Hand pump Squeeze, in-line, on-the-go Squeeze Gravity filter Chemical treatment
Filter Media or Active Ingredient Hollow fiber Hollow fiber Hollow-core membrane microfilter Hollow fiber Chlorine dioxide
Filter Pore Size (Advertised) 0.02 microns 0.1 microns 0.2 microns 0.2 microns N/A
Number of Liters/Gallons per Lifetime (Advertised) 10,000+ L / 2,642+ gal 378,541 L / 100,000 gal 2000 L / 500 gal 1500 L / 396 gal 114 L / 30 gal (per package)

Our Analysis and Test Results

The MSR Guardian is our favorite hand pump and one of the most reliable options out there. Although it's a little bulky and very expensive, it's super easy to use and filters out everything from bacteria to viruses. This purifier can be used anywhere in the world, filtering out the meanest microbes to keep you healthy and happy while traveling internationally or heading into the backcountry. It can't, however, remove heavy metals or chemicals.

Performance Comparison


msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - the guardian purifier is at home anywhere in the world. here we use...
The Guardian Purifier is at home anywhere in the world. Here we use it in the pristine alpine meadows in the Sierra Nevada. While this technology is a little overkill for this environment, it's a great option for travel abroad in developing nations.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Water Quality


This purifier comes with a kickin' filter with a pore size of 0.02 microns. Most filters in this review only have a pore size of 0.1 - 0.2 microns, but this one is capable of filtering out bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. The filter has a hollow fiber design and produces water that is clean, healthy, and tasty.


msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - the guardian's unique hollow fiber filter.
The Guardian's unique hollow fiber filter.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Unfortunately, because it doesn't have activated carbon, it doesn't remove chemicals, heavy metals, or odors. However, we are impressed that it's the only model that can stand up to the most turbid streams. This model is excellent for international travel or backpacking with one to two people.

The self-cleaning unit allows this purifier to get rid of...
The self-cleaning unit allows this purifier to get rid of particulates...even in the most turbid rivers.

Durability and Maintenance


This water filter is exceptionally well-constructed and quite durable. Not only has it been drop-tested up to six feet on concrete, but it can withstand freezing temperatures! Maintenance is minuscule. Every time you pump the filter, it is continually self-cleaned with every stroke. Unlike other models, the filter doesn't get clogged easily, even in turbid water.


This filter's bomber design has proven highly reliable in testing, and the manufacturer claims it can last up to 10,000+ liters, which is far more than what one would expect from any of the gravity filters that we've tested. In fact, this model claims the most extended lifespan by far of the purifying systems we've seen that can remove viruses. If a dependable, well-built machine is what you're after, this hand pump is our favorite — a self-cleaning, low-maintenance option that will have a wide range of applications.

A look at the double intake hose and some key construction features.
A look at the double intake hose and some key construction features.

Treatment Time


In comparison to other hand filters, this operates the fastest. Moreover, it is one of the fastest filtration systems we've tested, period! After many trials, it produces, on average, one liter in 37 seconds.


Overall, you don't have to worry about the filtration process taking forever with the Guardian. It's quick and easy to use. This treatment time slows a bit in turbid water, but it offers consistency in treatment, unlike any other system.

msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - we were pleasantly surprised how easy and fast the msr guardian is...
We were pleasantly surprised how easy and fast the MSR Guardian is to pump.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Weight and Packability


While this purifier is super fast, providing amazing water quality, it's heavy and pretty bulky. Weighing 1 pound, 4.50 ounces, it's one of the heaviest filtration systems out there.


In terms of volume, the Guardian is rather bulky and is a little larger than a Nalgene bottle. We like that it doesn't have a lot of loose parts and comes packaged nicely in its included carry case.

msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - while this is not the lightest system, it still packs down...
While this is not the lightest system, it still packs down relatively small.
Credit: Amber King

Ease of Set Up


Setting up this filter is easy. In the box, it comes with all parts together and intact. There are no loose parts that you might lose. Pull it out of its pouch, take off the cover, and place the hose in the water for direct filtration.


The handpump setup allows you to direct the intake hose to any water source. It works well in medium-size water sources but can also be used in small puddles or hard-to-reach areas like steep banks or off the side of a boat. The hose also features a mini-filter screen that will sift out larger particulates, so your hand pump filter doesn't need to deal with algae or debris sitting in the water — it's pre-filtered first.

msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - the guardian has no assembly required, is simply to use, with some...
The Guardian has no assembly required, is simply to use, with some key engineering that makes filtration easier.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Ease of Filtration


As a handpump, it's not hard to use at all. The large handle is super easy to grab, and the cartridge body provides another place to hold the pump firmly. When pumping, the high flow output easily sucks water and pushes all of it out in one cycle. Of all the handpumps we've tried, it's one of the easiest to use, making filtration nice and easy.


The only real issue we've come across is that sometimes the intake hose's float gets turned around in the water source, and sucking becomes less efficient. Therefore, you need to watch and make sure that it is in position for the most efficient pump action. It may also present a problem in shallow or small water sources because the float is quite large. Also, this pump comes with a bottle top adaptor that fits most wide-mouth water storage containers. You can also easily screw on a Nalgene bottle to the bottom of the filter. If neither of those works, pump into your water storage container.

msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - pumping purified water into a wide-mouth nalgene works well.
Pumping purified water into a wide-mouth Nalgene works well.
Credit: Amber King

While this is a smooth hand pump to use, hand pumping, in general, kind of sucks. Hand pumping requires a lot of effort, forces you to sit in one spot and not accomplish other tasks around camp, and can take a while. While it does provide an excellent output, if you can swing it, a gravity filtration setup is preferable and is a lot less work. But, it can't access the same hard-to-reach water sources.

The Guardian self cleans with every stroke, sucking water in through...
The Guardian self cleans with every stroke, sucking water in through one hose and the purged water back out the other.
The Guardian comes with a bottle adapter.
The Guardian comes with a bottle adapter.

Should You Buy the MSR Guardian Purifier?


So now that you've fallen in love with this filtration system, we're going to offer a kick in the pants: the price. It is one of the most expensive filter or purification systems in this review. Most people don't have this kind of cash to throw down on a system that purifies water. That said, the investment is worth it for the durability of the product. In other words, don't expect to buy another filter for your entire lifetime. If you're a guide or a guide service looking for an option that will continue working for you, this model is good for multiple uses. And with its ease of use, it works for just about anybody. Since its niche is in its ability to filter out viruses, which we don't require in North America, there are better options for a much better price if you stay stateside. That said, in the long run, the overall value is actually pretty good, given that replacement cartridges rarely need to be purchased and no maintenance is required.

msr guardian purifier backpacking water filter review - the guardian is a great choice for group trips, especially...
The Guardian is a great choice for group trips, especially international ones where virus-contaminated water is an issue.
Credit: Jessica Haist

What Other Backpacking Water Filters Should You Consider?


The MSR Guardian Purifier stands out as an easy-to-use hand pump filter option that can get rid of viruses and everything else. Its hefty price and heavier weight are two big downsides that might have some people looking in other directions. If the price tag doesn't scare you away and you want to invest in a comparable hand pump filter option, check out the Katadyn Pocket. This filter offers durability and water quality above all else, but like the Guardian, it is quite heavy to pack around. If you are after a more affordable and lighter-weight option, check out the Katadyn Hiker Pro or the Katadyn Hiker. These Katadyn filtration systems are available at a more reasonable price but do not offer the same durability.

Amber King