KATADYN "B-Free AC 0.5L" Review: Even faster water purification! A highly practical water purification bottle that can be used like a water bottle
Written by Yosuke.C
Hydration in the field. Japan is blessed with abundant water resources, and it's not uncommon to have access to stream water or spring water flowing near hiking trails, so there's relatively little worry about running out of water in the field. However, compared to the past, it's also true that it's no longer possible to say that "any stream water or spring water is absolutely safe."
Even in rivers that appear clean at first glance, it is difficult to determine the level of contamination, making it difficult to judge in the field. Invisible dangers such as E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, and Echinococcus (Hokkaido region) lurk within the river. It is reassuring to have a portable water purifier so that you will never have trouble securing water
There are many portable water purifiers for outdoor use on the market, but I had the opportunity to try out the revamped KATADYN BeFree AC 0.5L , and I'm reviewing it here. I also have the older model, so I'll share the differences with you in the revamped version. The BeFree AC 0.5 is a highly practical water purifier that purifies water quickly and can be handled with one hand, making it ideal for active use while hiking. I recommend this product to anyone looking for not just "drinkable water," but "delicious drinkable water."
table of contents
Main features of BeFree AC 0.5L Blue
KATADYN is a specialized brand of water purifiers that was founded in Switzerland in 1928. It is a highly reliable water purifier brand that is used by military and public institutions around the world, and is also used by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force)
The BeeFree AC 0.5L is a compact, portable water purifier ideal for outdoor activities like mountain climbing, hiking, and camping. It features a two-stage water purification system consisting of a hollow fiber filter and an activated carbon filter. The hollow fiber filter, a macaroni-shaped hollow fiber membrane with countless microscopic pores measuring 0.1 microns (0.0001 mm), removes 99.9% of microorganisms and 99.9999% of bacteria, resulting in safe water. The activated carbon filter reduces unpleasant odors and chlorine. It features a Hydrapak soft flask, a flexible material that emphasizes lightweight design and can be folded after use for easy portability.
The flip cap can be opened and closed with one hand, making it highly user-friendly, the silicone spout makes it comfortable to drink from, and each part can be disassembled, making this a water purification bottle that is easy to maintain
Favorite points
- Two types of filters remove 99.9999% of protozoa and bacteria from water and reduce odors
- The gussetless design makes it easy to put in a side pocket or bottle holder (0.5L only)
- Flexible and durable soft flask
- Large opening for easy water filling
- A filter that can purify water when turned upside down
- Lightweight at just 72g
- Simple structure that is easy to maintain
Points of concern
- Replacement cartridges are a bit expensive
- Can only use the designated bottle
- The activated carbon filter only purifies 200L of water, which is not much
Main specifications and evaluation
| Item Name | BeFree AC 0.5L Blue |
|---|---|
| size | 8.5×5.4×27.3cm |
| material | Soft Flask Material: TPU (Hydrapak Soft Flask) / Graduated |
| weight | 72g |
| output | Maximum 2ℓ/min |
| Cleaning capacity |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Water purification performance | ★★★★☆ |
| Weight & Portability | ★★★★★ |
| Filtration Speed | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of care | ★★★★☆ |
| Filtration capacity per use | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Durability and ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| Suitable activities | Solo or small group day trail running, long-term camping trips such as hiking and mountain climbing, etc |
Detailed Review
Two types of filters remove 99.9999% of protozoa and bacteria from water and reduce odors
The BeFree AC 0.5L purifies water using a two-stage structure: a macaroni-shaped hollow fiber filter and an activated carbon filter with macropores, mesopores, and micropores. The hollow fiber filter has countless pores measuring 0.1 μm (0.0001 mm), eliminating 99.9999% of protozoa such as amoebas and daphnia, as well as bacteria such as E. coli, from the water. The activated carbon filter also reduces odors and chlorine, making the water taste better.
Many water purifiers on the market are constructed solely with a hollow fiber filter, which is sufficient for ensuring drinking water. However, the BeeFree AC 0.5L has been updated with an activated carbon filter, focusing not only on water quality but also on taste. River water may appear clean, but it often has a distinctive odor. However, the BeeFree AC 0.5L had a reduced odor and was easy to drink. The activated carbon filter has a purification capacity of approximately 200L, while the hollow fiber filter has a purification capacity of 1000L of safe water. This 1000L volume purifies enough water for 333 days, assuming you consume 3L per day for cooking in addition to drinking water.
A soft flask with a large opening that makes it easy to fill with water and is flexible and durable
When the filter is removed, the soft flask's opening is approximately 33mm, larger than that of a plastic bottle, making it easy to fill with water and allowing for quick refills at water sources. While water purifiers that can accommodate plastic bottles offer versatility, they also have the disadvantage of being less efficient at filling the container. Furthermore, while bottle-shaped containers are highly durable, they cannot be reshaped, making them difficult to fill in shallow water. However, the BeFree AC 0.5 's flexible soft flask made it easy to fill even in water that only trickled out.
The soft flask also has a scale so you can see the remaining amount at a glance
It is made of TPU, a material that combines the elasticity of rubber with the strength of hard plastic, and uses Hydrapak's soft flask, making it highly durable and flexible, so it can be rolled up and stored when not in use
Replacement cartridges are a bit expensive
One thing that bothers me is the running cost of replacing the cartridges. the BeeFree AC 0.5L costs 8,580 yen, and a pack of three activated carbon filters costs 6,380 yen (2,126 yen each). Because of its high water purification capacity, it doesn't need to be replaced that frequently, but it's still a little expensive compared to other water purifiers on the market. The activated carbon filter improves the quality of the water, making it delicious to drink, which is a major benefit, but the running costs are a bit of a concern when considering long-term use.
Lightweight, fast water purification speed, and a gusset-less design makes it easy to use while on the move
Just turn it upside down and purified water will come out
The BeFree AC 0.5L starts purifying water immediately when held upside down. The purification speed is even faster when sucked through the mouth, making drinking feel just like drinking from a regular straw. The flip-cap design allows for one-handed opening and closing, and the silicone mouthpiece makes it easy to drink.
One-handed operation possible
The water purifier and container combined weighs just 72g, making it extremely lightweight. Its bottom gusset makes it easy to fit into a side pocket or bottle holder, making it ideal for active use as a water bottle. Its 500ml capacity is slightly smaller than the previous model, which had a bottom gusset. The smaller size means the capacity is about 100ml less, but that only means it's more compact. Whether this is considered an advantage depends on the user, but for me at least, the smaller size wasn't a hassle, and the lack of a gusset made it easy to slip into a side pocket or other places, making it easy to use
Size comparison with the previous model. The previous model is larger due to the gusset, with a capacity of 600ml
The holofiber filter has a loop, so you can attach it to your backpack using a carabiner or similar, without using a bottle holder. This can be a nuisance when doing vigorous activities like running, as the bottle swings around, but it's not so noticeable when hiking, and everything, including operating the carabiner, can be done with one hand, making it easy to use. The loop makes it about 13g heavier than the previous model, but its increased versatility means it can be used in a wider variety of ways
Can also be attached to a backpack using a carabiner
Simple structure that is easy to maintain
Storage is a concern with water purifiers. Many water purifiers are designed so that the filter, which contains moisture, never dries completely after use, making hygiene during storage a concern. The BeeFree AC 0.5L has a simple structure, but the two filters can be removed, allowing them to dry thoroughly. Therefore, by removing the container and filter after use and allowing them to dry thoroughly before storing, hygiene is no longer a concern.
Summary: A long-awaited product for hikers seeking "lightness" and "comfort"!
We introduced KATADYN Be-Free AC 0.5L
With no effort required for filtration BeeFree AC 0.5L allows you to enjoy delicious water without stress during a wide range of outdoor activities, not just mountain climbing and hiking. It is said that more than half of the human body is made up of water. Why not take BeeFree AC 0.5L
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Yosuke
A person who travels around with just one backpack, with the motto of "as light as possible" without causing inconvenience
From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains
A freelance writer with over 20 years of outdoor experience who enjoys the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on his experience writing articles for over a dozen outdoor web publications, he will share his own experiences and the best tools he has used
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