Review of the HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter
As of this writing, there are 167 customer comments and 49 answered questions for the HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter. I’ve read the customer feedback, and then condensed the results into this review. I hope that this helps you when shopping for a portable water filter.
Best Features
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Item Specifics
The HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter has multiple uses. It can be used on a water bottle, gravity system, bucket filter, inline water filter, or as a straw. This portable water filter is for hiking, camping, scouting, traveling, as a filter for survivor use, and emergency preparedness. It has 0.1 micron hollow fiber membrane that will protect you against 99.9999% of harmful bacteria such as Giardia, E. coli, protozoan cysts, Cryptosporidium, and more. This water filter is rated to filter 100,000 gallons of water. It only weighs 2 ounces. There is a limited lifetime warranty in case you happen not to like your portable water filter.
Filters 100,000 gallons
While there were no comments left about this feature, this is definitely a large amount of water that it can filter. Even the well known LifeStraw can only filter 1,000 gallons. If you are looking for a portable water filter that will last a long time, this product is a good choice.
Made in China
Unfortunately, this product is made in China. Customers were disappointed that this product was not made in the USA. Here is what one disappointed customer said, “I’m skeptical about products Made in China. ‘Made in China’ should tell you all you need to know about this water filter. I also note that almost all the positive reviews were written by people who received their Versa-Flow at a reduced price or free for providing a review. Why not ‘Buy American’ and get a proven product.”
Lightweight
The HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter only weighs 2 ounces, which makes it great for hikers. Here is what one customer commented, “Lightweight and easy to pack. I took this on a 4 day backpacking trip and it worked well. It was slower than my friends filter systems, but it was much lighter than theirs and took up a lot less pack space.”
Doesn’t Come with Good Instructions
A few customers commented that the instructions weren’t too informative. You may be able to find directions on YouTube, but just keep in mind that you won’t be receiving detailed instructions with your filter. Here is what one customer shared about the instructions, “It didn’t come with good instructions. If you already know how to put this together, it is fine, but directions would be nice to keep with it, just in case.”
Features Multiple Uses
This portable water filter has many different uses. It can be used as a water straw to drink directly from water sources, as a gravity filter, bucket filter, inline water filter, or you can screw it onto a water bottle. Here is what one customer commented, “Love this filter: very versatile in that you can use it (1) with a bucket for gravity fed water when camping or (2) when hiking, it is small enough to fit into pack or pocket and easily filters water into a water bladder/water/soda bottle. This will filter most harmful concerns in the water for us that live in North America. Great product for a great price!”
May Not Filter Viruses
According to customers, this product won’t filter viruses. If you are needing a portable water filter that will filter viruses, this isn’t what you’re looking for. Here is what one customer said, “Great filter for emergencies at a good price. This will filter most of the harmful things found in the water in North America. It won’t filter viruses, but that isn’t an issue in the States. Obviously if you’re traveling to other parts of the world you might want to consider a more robust filter.”
HydroBlu vs Sawyer Mini
Many customers who reviewed this item also had the Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System. Some of them had the Sawyer Squeeze which is different than the Sawyer Mini, but they are very similar and are made from the same company. Here is what one customer had to say when comparing this product to the Sawyer Squeeze:
“WAY better than a Sawyer Squeeze. We were so tired of repeatedly back-flushing our Sawyer (since it was so slow, even with using very clean water), that I was about to go back to our tried and true pump filter (Sweetwater). Then we saw a fellow hiker whip one of these babies out and filter very quickly. They are the same price and micron level of filter as the Sawyer, but go much faster. No issue at all with taste or clarity. This is our clear choice. Works with Platypus, Sawyer, Evernew or Smartwater bags or bottles. I don’t roll up the bags (“bladder”). After filling them, I find a sloping rock to sit on, and put the bag under my thigh, with the end of the filter hanging down, so the water bottle can be held up to the filter. Then simple sitting pressure pushes the water through. It’s much easier on the hands, and bags.”
New Design and Price
The HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter has changed since other customers have bought it. Now it has a new design, slightly higher price, and it doesn’t come with accessories. However, customers commented that the design was much better than the previous design. Still, some customers were disappointed that the price went up and it no longer came with accessories. Here is what one customer had to say, “Not only has the price gone up on this, it no longer includes the accessories the hose clamp the hose and the bucket fitting this is the main reason people buy these. Now they sell it at an additional price..The Versa flow doesn’t include anything only the filter.”
Can Be Used as a Gravity Filter
A gravity filter is a water filter that uses gravity to filter water. It must be hung by a tree or post. Usually you have to buy a gravity filter, or buy a gravity filter kit to be used with a water straw filter. This portable water filter can be used just the way it is (except that you need a bucket/bag) as a gravity filter. Many customers liked that you didn’t have to buy a full gravity filter kit in order to use this product. Here is what one customer said (keep in mind that when he bought it the price was lower):
“For under ten bucks, this is an amazing deal on this partially DIY gravity water filter. I say it’s a great deal as I’ve spent many times this much on a full gravity water filter kit, including the dry bag, hoses, and storage bag…You can adapt this into a gravity filter kit running off a bucket. But even cooler: if you have a drybag, you could run this filter off that dry bag. Having used water filter pumps, straws, and bottles, I have to say that I much prefer gravity filtration. It’s easier and I end up filtering more water, which means staying hydrated. I’m very much looking forward to using this filter while backpacking (via a modified dry bag), and I already have it set up for car camping via the bucket mount.”
Pros
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Cons
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HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter Conclusion
The HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter can be used on a water bottle, gravity system, bucket filter, inline water filter or as a straw. This is a newly designed improved version so the price is higher than the older version. It features a hollow membrane that is made to protect you against harmful bacteria such as Girardia, E. coli, protozoan cysts, Cryptosporidium and more. This filter is made to filter up to 100,000 gallons of water. It is lightweight and weighs in at only 2 ounces. This filter can also be used as a gravity filter. This product is made in China, which disappointed a lot of customers who like to buy American Made. One other negative as reported by customers is that for some they felt the directions were poorly written. The HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter comes with a lifetime warranty.
Common Questions
Here are some top questions that I found for people considering buying the HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter.
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