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Sawyer Mini Review

This personal and versatile on-the-go filtration system offers great value
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sawyer mini backpacking water filter review
Sawyer Mini
Credit: Sawyer
Price:  $25 List
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Manufacturer:   Sawyer
By Amber King ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 6, 2019
60
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#21 of 23
  • Water Quality - 20% 8.0
  • Durability & Maintenance - 20% 4.0
  • Treatment Time - 15% 4.0
  • Weight & Packability - 15% 9.0
  • Ease of Set Up - 15% 7.0
  • Ease of Filtration - 15% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Sawyer Mini is one of the lightest and most versatile options we've tested and a reliable filtration system for personal use. It can filter out particulates as well as bacteria and protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, but not viruses. It works in many configurations. The filter is super light and offers a little more reliability than other on-the-go systems. While we appreciate this versatility, we will say that filtering on-the-go always makes drinking a little harder. This filter has a narrow output nozzle making it harder to filter water. In addition, the bags, because you have to squeeze so hard to get water through, break regularly. However, as a lightweight system, it still functions well during ultralight adventures. You just have to exercise patience and have a backup plan.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Versatile
Durable and reliable
REASONS TO AVOID
Hard to suck and squeeze
Clogs easily
Low durability of the included bag

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sawyer mini backpacking water filter review
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Sawyer Mini
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Price $24.95 at REI
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$15.00 List
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Bottom Line This high value filter is a lightweight personal hydration systemThe best chemical treatment option that will kill all pathogens when given enough timeLightweight and easy to use, these tablets can be used as an emergency backup to regular treatmentLightweight and reliable, this chemical treatment is perfect for lightweight travel or emergency useAn on-the-go filtration system that is simple and inexpensive
Rating Categories Sawyer Mini Aquamira Treatment... Potable Aqua Purifi... MSR Aquatabs LifeStraw
Water Quality (20%)
8.0
5.0
2.0
1
8.0
Durability & Maintenance (20%)
4.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
4.0
Treatment Time (15%)
4.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
6.0
Weight & Packability (15%)
9.0
9.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
Ease of Set Up (15%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
Ease of Filtration (15%)
4.0
9.0
10.0
10.0
3.0
Specs Sawyer Mini Aquamira Treatment... Potable Aqua Purifi... MSR Aquatabs LifeStraw
Measured Weight (entire kit) 3.7 oz 3.0 oz 2.3 oz 0.1 oz 1.75 oz
Removes Particulates (sediment, microplastics)? Yes No No No Yes
Effective Against Viruses? No Yes Yes Yes No
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 (Giardia = yes; Crypto = no) Yes (Giardia = yes; Crypto = no) Yes
Type of Filter/Purifier Squeeze, in-line, on-the-go Chemical treatment Chemical treatment Chemical treatment Straw filter
Filter Media or Active Ingredient Hollow fiber Chlorine dioxide Iodine and Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide Sodium dichloroisocyanurate Hollow Fiber
Filter Pore Size (Advertised) 0.1 microns N/A N/A N/A 0.2 microns
Number of Liters/Gallons per Lifetime (Advertised) 378,541 L / 100,000 gal 114 L / 30 gal (per package) 25 L / 6.6 gal 60 L / 16 gal (30 tabs) 4,000 L / 1,000 gal

Our Analysis and Test Results

This personal filter is lightweight, versatile, and has many applications. Namely a personal on-the-go filtration system, it's perfect for lightweight missions and backpacking trips where water supply is ample along the way. It's not suited for group use.

Performance Comparison


sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - grabbing water from a shallow puddle on a trail run in the desert is...
Grabbing water from a shallow puddle on a trail run in the desert is a perfect application for the on-the-go Sawyer Mini.
Credit: Amber King

Water Quality


Loaded with a hollow fiber membrane filter with a 0.1-micron pore size it is effective against bacteria and protozoa including Cryptosporidium and Giardia. It does not treat viruses. It does well in clear sources but does clog easily after just a few uses in turbid water. Maintaining the filter is essential. If you use it in areas with high sediment, you might find yourself unclogging it often with the accompanying syringe.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - eddy filters water into his hand bottle during a long run. he takes...
Eddy filters water into his hand bottle during a long run. He takes water from a pristine alpine stream.
Credit: Amber King

To unclog, take the syringe and backflush the system for a few minutes. If you find yourself in areas where sediment is abundant all the time, carry a handkerchief or buff with you. Pre-filter using this system first, then use the on-the-go filtration system. Another tip is to take water from the top of the water column if it's a stand-alone puddle.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - the filtration system provides storage and on-the-go capabilities...
The filtration system provides storage and on-the-go capabilities that filters out bacteria and protozoans.
Credit: Amber King

Durability & Maintenance


This filter can treat up to 100,000 gallons of water which is seemingly a lifetime's worth of water! This rating is far more than other filters in this review! The Sawyer Micro sports this same spec.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - maintenance is relatively easy but frequent with the sawyer mini and...
Maintenance is relatively easy but frequent with the Sawyer Mini and back flushing with the provided syringe is required every few days.
Credit: Jessica Haist

We want to note a few things about durability and maintenance. This filter is nice and sturdy and super easy to clean but does require diligence. After a few days of heavy use of treating personal water on a backpacking trip, we noticed it getting harder to squeeze water through the filter. This issue was easily fixed by backflushing it with a syringe after every use The bag that it comes with it seems durable at first, but have proven to leak (multiple times) if you squeeze it too hard. With this smaller filter, we wanted to squeeze harder and found the bag breaking much more than other Sawyer Squeeze products.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - it's in these situations where we squeeze the bag hard to get some...
It's in these situations where we squeeze the bag hard to get some water flow and the bag bursts at the seam. Be careful when squeezing, and exercise patience.
Credit: Amber King

The nice thing is that this filter can be adapted to fit a water bottle, which is more durable. We'd recommend using this as an alternative for the squeeze bag configuration, or ensuring that you have a bag (or two) on hand for longer trips.

Bring the syringe along with you to avoid clogged or slow-flowing filtration systems. Don't leave it at home!

Treatment Time


As a filtration system that works when you drink through it, time for treatment is instantaneous. It is compatible with in-line systems like a hydration bladder. While it's not advertised on the packaging, it is also suitable for a gravity filtration setup. When we tested the rate of flow, it took us two minutes to squeeze a liter of water through the filtration unit. This decreased more if we didn't take the time to backflush the unit. Overall, treatment when squeezing takes time, but instantaneous if you're simply drinking right through the filter.

The Sawyer Mini can get much harder to use once it gets a bit clogged.
The Sawyer Mini can get much harder to use once it gets a bit clogged.
The Sawyer Mini is a great choice for a personal filtration system...
The Sawyer Mini is a great choice for a personal filtration system in the backcountry.

Weight & Packability


The entire kit with the 16 oz bag, straw, filter, and syringe weighs about 3.70 ounces. The filter itself weighs 1.80 oz, making the system incredibly lightweight and packable. While we wish it came with a little carry pouch for all its contents, it fits nicely into a large ziplock bag. The thin profile makes it easy to carry while trail running or embarking on long missions.


Ease of Set Up


The Mini is straightforward to use, and can be used in several different ways. Use it on its own, with the straw that comes with it, or attach the pouch for additional storage. If you have a hydration bladder, attach it to the end of the tube and drink directly from the filter.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - using this model is as easy as scooping water into the collapsible...
Using this model is as easy as scooping water into the collapsible bag, attaching the filter, and drinking. It takes minimal time or effort and is a very reliable treatment system.
Credit: McKenzie Long

Given the versatility of this filter, collecting water isn't hard. You can use a standard sized water bottle to collect water. The collapsible pouch is helpful but is limited to collecting water from medium to large sources. The straw allows you to get at small puddles and pools but requires you to get pretty close to the ground, leaving muddy knees. Overall, in all uses, setting up this filtration system is super easy.

Ease of Filtration


After setup, you need to either squeeze or suck. When used in straw mode, sucking force is required. Given the smaller output and narrow straw, it takes a little energy to get water into your mouth. Squeezing it through the filter via the bag or filter is a little better, but still relatively slow. The Sawyer Micro is a little heavier and more expensive, but it offers a much better rate of flow namely because of the larger output diameter.


The in-line system with a gravity filter proves to be relatively fast while the hydration bladder is a lot slower. In a lot of ways, we wouldn't even bother using it in a hydration bladder because of the effort required to suck through the bit valve once its in-line is too cumbersome.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - you can attach this filter to the included 16 oz bag for drinking...
You can attach this filter to the included 16 oz bag for drinking. Or, carry the included straw along on your adventures and you can also drink directly from the source, like you can with the Life Straw.
Credit: McKenzie Long

Value


Of the on-the-go filtration systems, this one sports the best value overall. For the whole kit that includes a filter, straw, bag, and syringe, it retails for less than almost any other option! Given its awesome versatility and performance, it's a great deal. The Micro Filter, cousin to the Mini is a little more expensive and offers better performance in some respects.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - jo squeeze filters her water while coming down off an august decent...
Jo squeeze filters her water while coming down off an August decent high in the mountains. The Sawyer Micro proved to be perfect for this clear, cool summer ski backpacking adventure.
Credit: Amber King

Conclusion


We love this high-value filter. It's light, easy to use and highly versatile. Take it on your next trail run or backpacking adventure. It won't cost too much and will last for many years to come. A great investment.

sawyer mini backpacking water filter review - sadly we lost the straw and had to get really close to our water...
Sadly we lost the straw and had to get REALLY close to our water source, but the Mini kept us healthy and happy...despite this high sediment and stagnant water source. Here we trust it while running 20-some miles.
Credit: Amber King

Amber King