LifeStraw Family review

What the Family is and who it suits

LifeStraw sells the Family as a survival water purifier with virus removal; its performance sheet calls it the Family 1.0. LifeStraw describes it as gravity-fed: you hang the filter, fill a dark blue container that holds two liters of untreated water, and treated water runs from a blue tap into a safe storage container. That makes it a better fit for a household than a straw or pouch filter. It is bigger than a personal filter: LifeStraw lists a 39-inch hose and a weight of 1.17 pounds, and it needs somewhere to hang.

What LifeStraw says it removes

LifeStraw says the membrane has a 0.02 micron pore size and removes 99.999% of viruses, 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites and 99.999% of microplastics, plus dirt, sand and cloudiness. It also says the unit meets NSF/ANSI P231 for the reduction of viruses, bacteria and parasites. The performance sheet names viruses including norovirus, rotavirus and hepatitis A, and notes that its list is not exhaustive. LifeStraw calls the Family a purifier because it removes viruses. These are LifeStraw's claims; it says the purifier is independently lab-tested to NSF/ANSI P231, WHO, US EPA and WQA standards.

LifeStraw's removal lists give no figures for dissolved chemicals, metals or salt, and it says the Family does not remove chlorine or fluoride and is not designed for vinyl chloride. Do not rely on it for water that may carry fuel, chemicals or other non-biological contamination. Our guide to making water safe explains the options, including when to use stored water instead.

Flow, capacity and setup

LifeStraw lists a maximum flow rate of 3.1 gallons an hour (12 liters) and says 10 gallons takes about 3.5 hours. The container holds 2 liters at a time, so a household will fill it repeatedly. The manual's routine is to hang the filter straight up, put the blue tap over a safe storage container, fill the pre-filter container, flush the red tap for 10 seconds, refill, then open the blue tap and wait 2 minutes for filtered water to flow.

LifeStraw says the membrane lasts up to 4,755 gallons (18,000 liters), depending on water quality and maintenance. Size your needs with our guide to how much water to store, and treat the Family as a way to extend stored water, not replace it.

Cleaning and care

The manual asks for daily care. Wash the pre-filter with water and a clean cloth, and never use sharp objects on it. To clean the membrane, squeeze the red bulb until flat, let it refill, repeat three times, then open the red tap for 3 seconds. Do not drink water from the red tap. Store filtered water only in a safe storage container, wash that container at least once a week with filtered water, and avoid touching its inside once washed. LifeStraw says regular cleaning increases the filter's life, and its page Q&A says the Mission replacement filter with hose is compatible with the Family.

How it compares and who should skip it

In our water filter comparison this is the household purifier and the one that makes a virus claim. The Sawyer Squeeze is lighter and more versatile but does not claim virus removal. Skip the Family if you need something for a pocket or go-bag, if there is nowhere to hang it, or if your concern is chemical contamination. If a local boil-water notice is in force, follow it, and see our boil water advisory guide.

Does the LifeStraw Family remove viruses?

LifeStraw says yes: a 0.02 micron membrane that removes 99.999% of viruses, and a unit that meets NSF/ANSI P231 for virus, bacteria and parasite reduction. Those are the maker's claims. Still follow any local boil-water or do-not-drink notice, and read our make water safe guide.

Does it remove chemicals, metals or salt?

LifeStraw's removal lists cover viruses, bacteria, parasites, microplastics, dirt, sand and cloudiness, with no figures for dissolved chemicals, metals or salt. LifeStraw says the Family does not remove chlorine or fluoride. Treat water that may carry chemicals, metals or salt as unsuitable for the filter, and use stored or bottled water instead.

How fast does the LifeStraw Family filter water?

LifeStraw lists a maximum flow rate of 3.1 gallons an hour (12 liters), with a 2-liter container to refill. The manual says to wait 2 minutes after opening the blue tap for filtered water to flow. LifeStraw also notes that ultrafilters often flow more slowly than microfilters.

How long does the filter last?

LifeStraw says the membrane lasts up to 4,755 gallons (18,000 liters). The manual says to clean the filter regularly to increase its life, and LifeStraw's page says a Mission replacement filter with hose fits the Family.

Why can't I drink from the red tap?

The red tap is the outlet for the dirt and impurities released from the membrane cartridge, and the manual says not to drink it. Only the blue tap delivers purified water, and that water should go into a safe storage container.