Water purification system to bring for travel.

What are people's recommendations for something lightweight, inexpensive and that will kill bacteria AND viruses? I know it will be hard to find something to satisfy all three goals, so all recommendations will be appreciated. Killing both bacteria AND viruses is most important of course.
I won't be camping, but may be staying places where the water will not be safe or where they will have run out of bottled water. I have Lifestraw but read that it wont remove viruses as well as bacteria. Ideally, something large enough for 2 people to share (will save on costs). How to the UV systems compare to the purifiers? Thanks.

Where are you going? I'm an American living in the developing world and have never had issues finding drinking water. I can't imagine where you're going that it would be such a concern. You may be overestimating difficulties.

Iodine or chlorine tablets are cheap, lightweight, and easy to carry and use. They make the water taste bad, usually, but what can you do. Good for short trips, not so good for longer usage though.

I won't be camping, but may be staying places where the water will not be safe

Will you be staying somewhere where people live? Not to point out the obvious or anything, but they need water to survive...

I highly recommend the First Need Water Purifier.

https://generalecology.com/category/portable/product/first_need_xle_portable_water_purifier-new

I've used it for years mostly for backpacking in the mountains but I've filtered Delhi tap water a couple times and didn't get sick even though it still tasted like sewage. I'm pretty sure I've filtered water from cisterns that had dead animals in them while backpacking in Turkey.

"Will you be staying somewhere where people live? Not to point out the obvious or anything, but they need water to survive..."
Locals get used to lots of contaminants that will turn our soft Western bellies inside out... Ever hear of Delhi belly or Montezuma's revenge? You eat or drink the exact same thing as the locals, they're fine the next day meanwhile you can't go farther than 10 feet from a toilet for the next three days.

Locals get used to lots of contaminants that will turn our soft Western bellies inside out

Speak for yourself. I've spent weeks in Delhi, much of it a long distance from a clean toilet (or indeed, any toilet...). And anyway, bottled water is widely available in Delhi.

Speak for yourself. I've spent weeks in Delhi, much of it a long distance from a clean toilet (or indeed, any toilet...). And anyway, bottled water is widely available in Delhi.

Many locals don't drink/can't afford bottle water. If you've been to Delhi then I'm sure you've been to Varanasi and seen the locals drinking out of the Ganges. They don't get sick but most of us westerners would.

I use "My Bottle" from Katadyn since a long time.
Enough in my point of view.

Michel

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