Best RV Water Filter Systems: Compact Options for RV Life and Off-Grid Travel

As an RV traveler, you know just how important it is to have clean water on your adventures—and how many options there are. Often, water comes from hookups, rural campsites, and off-grid sources. You have to be prepared for a variety of situations and be able to adapt on a dime. 

That’s why in this blog, we’ll be spotlighting compact, effective filtration solutions that can keep up with RV life and keep your water supply in check. 

Importance of Clean Water on the Go

No matter where you go, it’s important to stay hydrated and healthy. This becomes even more important when you are traveling because you disconnect from pre-treated city water systems and might not be certain where your water comes from.

Drinking clean water not only tastes good—it prevents you from getting sick, which can cause complications when you’re out on the trails. Consuming contaminated water can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and more.

When you’re traveling with an RV, this is especially important because your water is used not just for your own hydration, but also that of your pets, as well as for cleaning foods like fruits and vegetables and brushing your teeth.

If your water source is compromised, so is your trip.

Where to Get Your Water

There are many ways to experience the great outdoors!

If you have an RV, it probably has at least a 5-gallon tank that you fill from a water hookup, or you might have individual jugs that you rely on for fresh water. Many gas stations offer services that provide potable water for a reasonable price, but water hookups from campsites might not always be reliable.

We always recommend filtering any water that comes into your RV! Below, we’ve included our favorite RV and van life water filter systems that can help you do just that—plus ways to take clean water with you when you venture beyond your RV or don’t have a pressurized water system in your van.

Camco Tastepure RV Water Filter

The Tastepure RV Water Filter from Camco was specifically designed to attach to your RV’s water system with ease. It is able to reduce bad taste, odor, chlorine, and sediment in drinking water as it comes into your RV through an in-line filter.

What we like about this choice is that it works to protect you even when it’s not in use. Using GAC and KDF technology, it reduces the growth of harmful bacteria and other organic matter.

It also comes with a flexible hose protector, which minimizes any kinking and optimizes water flow.

Our Tip: When using in-line filters, don’t forget to use a pressure regulator to protect your RV plumbing and filter from damage at high-pressure hookups.

Best for: Price

Coldstream Stainless Steel Countertop Water Filter System

The Coldstream Stainless Steel Countertop Water Filter System is designed to sit on your RV’s kitchen counter-top and attach easily to your faucet. 

What sets it apart is its super-charged filtration capabilities. It is able to remove 99.9% of contaminants, like bacteria and lead—and is also effective against fluoride, PFAS, and microplastics.

You can trust this countertop water system to provide clean water nearly instantaneously while retaining essential minerals, healthy salts, and electrolytes.

Our Tip: Always dry out your filter properly during the offseason, especially if freezing weather is a concern. Frozen filters can become unusable or unsafe.

Best for: Heavy-duty filtration

Clearsource Premier Mini RV Water Filter System

The Clearsource Premier Mini RV Water Filter System uses a two-stage, 0.2-micron filter to protect you against contaminants. This enhanced filter guards against bacteria like Legionella, E. Coli, giardia, and more.

This filter’s aluminum chassis and stainless steel fittings are designed to make it lightweight, durable, and able to put up with life on the road.

Best for: All-around protection & portability

Uzima UZ-2

The Uzima UZ-2 is a gravity-fed, stacked-bucket filter system. This filter will not fit directly into your RV’s water system, but rather uses gravity to provide clean water without electricity, hoses, or other add-ons.

Fill up the first bucket with water from any source, and watch as it passes through a WHO-certified hollow fiber membrane filter to dispel 99.999% of bacteria and protozoa.

Easy to set up in just minutes, it’s ideal for off-grid camping where water hookups might not be available. With the proper care, it can accompany you on your adventures for 5-10 years for long-lasting protection.

Best for: Off-grid

VFX All-In-One Filter

You won’t find a more versatile filter for travel than the VFX All-In-One Filter. This 0.1 micron filter leverages advanced technology to protect you against bacteria, parasites, and protozoan cysts in your water—however it’s available!

Different attachment tools included with the filter enable it to connect to hoses, spigots, water bottles, buckets, and hydration pouches. Like the Uzima UZ-2, it won’t fit into existing water systems, but is rather designed to be its own portable system.

In this way, it’s ideal for both campsites and more off-grid adventures. It works without a need for electricity and can filter up to 1L per minute, which means your whole family can stay safe on the trails.

Best for: Adaptability

Protect Your Water Tank

When it comes to ensuring safe water on your travels, it’s not just about individual filters. It’s always a good idea to keep your water tanks sanitized and in good condition, and to check the quality of your water, with or without filtering it. That’s why we also recommend:

Aquatabs

You can use Aquatabs to purify suspect water if you don’t have access to one of these filters. These powerful tablets neutralize harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses in just 30 minutes. What’s more—they also help prevent the growth of biofilm in your tank.

Simply add the appropriate number of tablets to your tank, mix well, and in 30 minutes, your water will be ready for use. We recommend the Aquatabs 397mg dosage, which can purify up to 4 gallons of suspicious water at a time.

Aquagenx Alert Water Test

Another way to make sure you’re staying safe is by testing your water. The Aquagenx Alert Water Test (E. coli & Total Coliform – P/A – CBT) detects E. coli and Total Coliforms in a 100 mL sample. The water turns blue if contaminants are present, making sure you have fast, clear results.

Designed for use on-the-move, this kit is durable and efficient. There is no need for electricity, labs, or even temperature control. Just collect a 100 mL sample, add powder growth medium, incubate for 20-48 hours, and score results.

Knowing the quality of the water you have available is important in keeping you safe in the wild. With this test kit, you can test rivers, lakes, and streams so that you can stay healthy and hydrated, no matter where you go.

Find Your Next Filter on Business Connect Adventure

We offer a variety of water filtration and purification products that can suit your specific adventure needs. From gravity-fed filters to in-line solutions, find your next water solution for your RV or van on our site.

Have questions about a specific product? We’d love to help. Connect with a team member to get personalized answers fast.

Cameron Barnes

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