SteriPen Review: Pros and Cons of UV Water Purification 

Over a decade ago I had to create, execute, and write up an experiment using the scientific method for my 9th grade biology class. I used the original Steri-Pen and treated local pond water at half the recommended time, 3/4 the time, and the full time, along with no treatment as the control. (The original water had some plant matter and visible swimming things, but was mostly clear). The water was then swabbed and put in petri dishes and incubated. The full treatment grew nothing, the 3/4 had very little growth, and the half and no treatment samples just exploded with bacteria and fungus. I think my teacher continued to use my write up as an example for future years lol. But the Steri-Pen for sure works.

I’ve used my older model 5 months in Africa with no issues. Don’t pull water from the surface . Gasoline and oil float.

Everything about your videos are excellent. Presentation, videography, content, everything! I don't know why your channel hasn't taken off like a NASA rocket? I'm thinking of trying to help spread your entertaining, excellently made, informative videos!

I enjoy reviews of a product that has been used for six months to a year before giving ones opinion. The people who do a unboxing, read info from the insert, then give their opinion, I do not trust. Thanks Doc Ernie for your use and honest review, it’s much appreciated

Thanks for the videos! Keep em coming.

I lost my Steri-pen years ago and never bought another. I found I almost always boiled the water I use in the field too, so it was redundant (I always have a Sawyer too). Now that you get free replacement bulbs, it may be worth re-examining. That model is currently only $52 on Amazon right now. Thanks, Ernie. Have a great NYE tonight, if you aren't on-duty. IF you are, I hope it isn't too crazy.

Pretty nice! These are very light and with the lifetime warranty I am very interested. I already use a bandana and a milbanks as a prefilter, so this is just perfect. I boil my water most of the time, because I use a wood stove and don’t mind stoking it - it’s cozy.

One on it’s way to me now...thanks!

As a pre filter in really swampy water the 1 Micron 4"x8" Singed Polyester Felt Filter Bag PESP3S Size 3 from Amazon works really well. It can be cut to what ever size you need. Or used just like it is. Then cleaned when you get a good water source. The flow rate is good after the bag is wet , dry it's slow till it wets threw. Plus it is a 1 micron filter and can be purchased in larger micron sizes.

I use mine in both my stainless canteen and my nalgene..i also have the liberty lifesaver with scavenger hose

It really comes down to do you trust your water setup. SODIS is UV and it works but can take a very long time if it’s cold, more of a base camp thing but I still don’t use this method. I have looked at those UV pens for a long time but never picked one up. I think with your setup I would get a CNOC Vecto 2 LTR water bag, that way you can use it with your pen or filter then use the pen if you think you need to.

I've had a steripen for 5 years now, never failed, and I never got sick. Only problem is the batteries die.

I had a Steripen years ago and it let me down twice. I think it was second generation. Back then if the device couldn't dry out completely then it would go into failure mode. After a week of rain nothing was dryable. After the second trip that it let me down I've been using a combination of Aqua Mira and a Sawyer Mini. The mini for immediate use every chance I get and the Aqua Mira for the canteen. This setup is what I used on the Appalachian Trail for 200 miles. This year I replaced the mini with a Lifestraw.

Try using the Sawyer Squeeze as a gravity system. So easy. Then, once your water is filtered, hit it with the UV light. Your water will be clean, clear, and devoid of protozoans, bacteria, and viruses. Cheers.

I love the no-pumping/squeezing aspect of my Steripen. My only complaint is that the pre-filter gets clogged too fast on dirty water. I wish the pre-filter was bigger and had a higher flowrate, would not get clogged so fast.

You can use a Cnoc Vecto with it.

I know they are great (in not silty water) but dang they arent budget friendly. Glad they could put a usb on board. Also try the cnoc bags they have a wide mouth. Not sure how it does with 2 liters

Im not sure if the ultralight version sucks or what the problem is, but mine (ultralight version) stopped working today, after maybe 5 liters of water. Needs new bulb - maybe because i was hitting the steripen against the side of the bottle when i was stirring it..? I really wanted this to work, but it is what it is...

Depending on how pristine the area is, you could actually get away with drinking untreated water, especially in places like the Alaskan wilderness, or anywhere you are tapping the snow melt water, running off a mountain, or a pristine spring. Of course you could just boil water from sources that appear pristine, or that are away from civilization just to be sure. However, many rivers and lakes, and other water sources are close to civilization, and you just don't know how adversely the water has been affected, especially by chemicals, pesticides, sewage, heavy metals, and micro plastics. Many municipalities are having problems with sewer pipes bursting and breaking as the infrastructure ages, and a lot of that untreated sewage runs into rivers, and ground water! Thise facts are why I chose to use a Grayl Geopress, as it serves as a filter to remove Viruses, Bacteria, Protozoa, Parasites, Chemicals, Pesticides, Heavy Metals, and Micro Plastics! The Grayl Gropress also serves as a water reservoir, or bottle, so multi functional, and it can be stored in the water bottle pocket of your backpack! All you have to do is fill the Grayl Geopress reservoir with water, and then press down the filter assembly like a coffee press. Easy...no stirring, no squeezing! The Steripen, and the Sawyer products will not treat and purify water in the same manner as a Grayl Geopress, so although they will destroy or remove bacteria, you might be drinking a nice cup of water, with a side of plastic, lead, or pesticide! In the case of the Sawyer Squeeze, you could be drinking viruses too! In many cases the Steripen will still require some type of straining through a bag to remove all the particulates in the water. The Renovo MUV, the Survivor Filter Pro, and the Lifesaver Liberty would be my secondary choices for water filtration and purification. I would use the Steripen as a secondary source of filtration, unless I was in a pristine area, or when drinking water from a rap when traveling. Finally, as I mentioned previously, boiling water works great, but it does not remove chemicals, pesticides, or micro plastics!

Would a steel water bottle or canteen improve the UV system any by being reflective on the inside?

I m going to india and nepal, is it powerful enough to clear water thee, be it tap or river?

Ernie, is drinking out of that water bag a good idea? Seems to me that the water on the outside could be contaminated while the water on the inside is sterile. just wondering!

Filtering water is a standard practice, before you use any type of purification!

Reliability is a major concern The online review across boards strongly question the reliability People complain about the functional failure I would not carry it as my only purification system

Why are you drinking from the same container you collected dirty water in?????

I can see why they put that tight fitting charge port cover. Bloop oppps.

You can use one gallon zip lock instead 😂, ul and take few back up 😅

Viruses are my concern

You cannot guarantee a pristine water source. By the way you started this video it tells me this is not for me. Thanks

The steripen doesn't make sense to me. Sure, the UV kills or renders inactive the organisms that it hits, but it will miss some. The infective agents in the water can be shielded from the UV rays by other things in the water. The water will have suspended solids such as clay particles. That will block or encapsulate some germs. Small bits of organic matter will have organisms inside that will be shielded. Oily, opaque globules can be floating in there. The seams, lips, threads, stains, and imperfections of your dirty water container can block some UV rays. I don't see how that's a good replacement for" chemical disinfection, heat disinfection, or superfine filtration.

Im sure it does not kill parasites SOoo, one should also use a basic two-stage filter bottle as well. That should catch any live parasites. drinking out of a nice clear stream that has maybe fish and other things alive in it it's pretty much guaranteed that there are parasites in the water that you cannot see with your eye but a simple two stage filter a basic one will take care of those.

If this thing will treat 8,000 litres, that's 4 litres per day for five and a half years straight.

Anyone else here from joe Rogan?

I would feel a lot safer if I boiled my water

Looks like a lot of work..............Next time use a Life Straw.

Jump cuts are so hard to watch

No need to "agitate" clear water, in particular in such a small container. None.

А по русски нельзя что ли рассказать ?