This detailed Grayl Geopress Water Purifier review will help you determine if the much-hyped product is worth the relatively hefty price tag. Using an inner shell, outer shell, and cartridge, the Grayl Geopress is a near-instant water purification device that allows you to safely drink from nearly any water source.
Because, as all international travel buffs and hikers know, having access to clean, safe drinking water at all times is super important.
As a world traveler and hiker myself, I’ve tried so many different water purification devices in the past but was never 100% sold on any of them. Generally, I’ve found they didn’t work fast enough, required too much manual purification (ie shaking), or weren’t quite trustworthy.
So, after trying out the Geopress in rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, and comparing it to other purifiers I’ve used, I have some thoughts about this high-end filtration bottle.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle Review
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What is the Grayl Geopress water purifier?
The Grayl Geopress is a lightweight purifier that allows you to filter water in just 8+ seconds.
By removing waterborne pathogens including viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, hepatitis A), bacteria (e coli, salmonella, dysentery), protozoa (giardia, cryptosporidium, amoebae), and filtering particulates, chemicals, and heavy metals, this bottle is a heavy-hitter in keeping you safe from illnesses.
The Geopress is sleek in its design, made up of a grippy outer plastic shell, an inner shell, a cartridge filter (which attaches to the bottom of the inner shell), and a screw-on lid.
How Does a Grayl Geopress Work?
I have to say, I’ve used a few different water filtration systems while traveling, and the Geopress purifier is one of the easiest.
No shaking for 10 minutes. No trying to find a bottle that fits the filter. No wondering what exactly it filters out.
The magic of the Geopress happens inside the filter cartridge.
When water is pushed through, non-woven ceramic fibers block particulates, and ion exchange permanently binds pathogens. Meanwhile, the activated carbon absorbs unsavory chemicals, heavy metals, and flavors.
How to use the Geopress:
Step #1 – Fill the outer shell with water to the max fill line.
Step #2 – Screw the lid onto the inner shell and twist the cap a half turn (this allows air to flow through).
Step #3 – Push the inner shell (with the filter cartridge fitted onto the bottom), into the outer shell using your body weight.
Step #4 – Enjoy your freshly purified water
Step #5 – Replace your Grayl purifier cartridge every 350 uses or after 3 years, whichever comes first.
Note: You’ll feel quite a bit of resistance trying to press the cartridge into the dirty water, but within just a few seconds, clean water will be filtered into the main reservoir.
Grayl Geopress Specs
- Fill Capacity: 24 ounces / 710 ml
- Weight: 15.9 ounces (450 g)
- Filter Cartridge Lifespan: 350 cycles (65 gal/ 250 litres), or 3 years
- Press Rate: 8 seconds per 24 ounces (5 liters/minute)
Pros and Cons of the Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty — the pros and cons of the Grayl Geopress.
Geopress Pros:
- ✅ Chemical-free – Doesn’t use any chemicals to filter the water, leaving the water tasting fresh and clean
- ✅ Easy to Use – Requires just the force of your body weight
- ✅ Fast Purification Time – No long wait times, within 8-20 seconds you’ll have a bottle full of clean water
- ✅ Lightweight – Every ounce counts when you’re carrying something around all day. The Gray’s lightweight design makes it great for city trips and overnight hiking alike.
- ✅ High-Quality – Grayl products are made using durable materials, and they have a full-service team if you require assistance
Geopress Cons:
- ❎ A little pricey – Compared to other options on the market, the Grayl Geopress is definitely on the more expensive side. That said, it is still a great bang for your buck if you’re looking for a long-term option.
- ❎ Contaminated water stays in the bottom – I found that, after using the Geopress, the dirty water would slosh around in the bottom of the product. It’s mostly a non-issue given the nature of the product, but be cognizant of this as you refill the bottle so that you don’t have to deal with cross-contamination.
Note: Water purification and water desalinization are two very different things. While the Grayl (and almost any other water filter) can be used with water from almost any source, it can not be used with saltwater. If you try, I promise your water will still be salty, you’ll be less hydrated than before, and your cartridge won’t be happy.
Does the Grayl Geopress really work?
Speaking as someone who has used quite a few water purification systems in the past, I can honestly say that the Grayl Geopress is a trustworthy option.
If you’re someone who travels to countries without potable water, spends time on hiking trails, wants to use fewer single-use plastic bottles, or just wants peace of mind knowing that your water is safe to drink no matter the source, then I recommend investing in this tool.
That said, a water purification system, no matter which one you choose to go with, is an essential travel item.
Considering the Grayl Ultrapress Instead?
If you’ve read this far and still aren’t sure that the Grayl Geopress is for you, then there is another option — the Grayl Ultrapress.
What’s essentially a smaller, more travel-friendly version of the original, the Ultrapress fits into a standard cup holder and can purify up to 3L/minute. It still filters out all the same stuff as the Geopress, but has the following specs:
- Fill Capacity: 16.9 ounces (500 ml)
- Weight: 12.5 ounces (354 g)
- Filter Cartridge Lifespan: 300 cycles (150L/40 gal), or 3 years
- Press Rate: 10 seconds per 16.9 fl oz (3 liters/minute)
Personally, I found the Ultrapress a little more user-friendly than the Geopress, only due to its size. I often travel carry-on only and thought it was nice to have a smaller option. That said, if the size isn’t an issue for you, then the Geopress is still a great investment.
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That’s it for my Grayl Geopress Water Bottle review!
While any water purification tool is essential for travel and hiking, the Geopress is a trustworthy option that’s a great alternative to bottled water.
For more travel tips, check out our other product review:
Happy water purifying!
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