Product ReviewsSteriPEN Ultra ULT-MP-EF SterPen UV Water Purifier - Blue

Lightweight, rechargeable water sterilization device that is easy to use, but with some minor issues

I have tried out the product at home in order to gain experience before going on a trip. Therefore, I can only comment on the product's appearance and ease of use.
The product appears to be very well designed. It seems to function reliably and the small display was easy to understand. It might have been useful to add a small buzzer to indicate then the process is complete as it is somewhat difficult to view the screen while stirring vigorously.
The battery charging process was easy to perform, using a USB adaptor of the type intended for recharging cellphones. I was a bit unhappy to find that the product requires the use of the supplied cable, which appears to me to use an unpopular USB plug variant, rather than the latest USB-C type plugs. I think that if the supplied cable were ever lost in the field then it would be impossible to replace it locally, and the user's regular telephone charging cable could not be used. This is a relatively minor issue that should definitely be fixed in any future product version.
The product is easy to use with bottles having a narrow neck. You simply hold the bottle upside down with the product's tip inserted into the bottle neck and the product's rubber ring providing a seal to prevent the loss of water while the bottle is being shaken. In this case, just a few drops of water are lost while shaking. However, when using a bottle with a wider neck the process is not ideal. The product needs to be constantly moved in a circular motion to stir the water and ensure that water from all depths of the bottle is distributed throughout the bottle and comes into the proximity of the product's tip, in order for the ultraviolet light to have its sterilizing effect. Unfortunately, this stirring motion is quite difficult to achieve in practice. One solution is to carry an empty bottle with a narrow neck for use during the process and then transfer the water to the wide-necked bottle. However, I would have preferred the manufacturer to have included means, such an extra, wider rubber ring, that would allow a seal between the product and a wide bottle neck. This would allow even the popular steel bottles with relatively wide necks to be used with the bottle held upside down and shaken during the process, which in my opinion is a much safer option that trying to stir within the confines of a bottle neck, and would ensure that the entire contents are subjected to the ultraviolet light.
As I have not used the product in the field I cannot make any comment about its sterilization efficacy. However, an objective lab report indicates excellent functionality.
Also, I cannot obviously make any comments about the product's long-term reliability. Also, I cannot comment about whether the product is adequately proofed against the ingress of water, although the various rubber seals look quite professional and substantial to me.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: lilac_8827

21st Century has arrived!

Beats a regular pump filter nine ways to Sunday. Weight. Ease of use. Highly recommend!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: shipfast2day

Lightweight and Trustworthy

The SteriPen ULTRA is a totally trustworthy handheld water purifier. It is an amazing device to make sure the water you drink is free of harmful bacteria, protozoa, cysts, and viruses. Highly recommend for camping/backpacking or travelling abroad or anywhere where the water source is unknown. It could save your life, too.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: webdealin

As advertised, excellent product

As advertised. Simple charging. Read out visible so you know it’s working. On button a bit tough to push so not likely to operate accidentally, a very Good thing. Remember to take container with wide opening.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: vino-rodr

Best Steripen yet.

I have used Steripen on hikes for years; it's fast and easy to use, and effective as far as I have seen. This model is great because it is rechargeable (even from solar) and has an improved interface that counts down seconds of treatment, giving a smiley face when done.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: betterdealforu

Great water purification tool

This small and easy to use tool can purify a fantastic amount of water on a single charge quickly

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: smin5595

Key item for backpacking and when water availability gets questionable.

Nice size, great quality protective case, and best of all RECHARGEABLE!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: look-here-buy-here

Great product for traveling or living in a country with unsatisfactory drinking water.

I purchase this for my trip to Peru. Worked Great! Highly recommend you have this item to always be drinking purified water in Third World countries that do not have satisfactory drinking water.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: innovationbest

Awesome but fragile

I’ve had 3 steripens now. I’ve broken 2 through a simple drop on the ground breaking the bulb. A search on line didn’t bring up spare bulbs. But apparently they are available. Anyways I trust the method and they’re super convenient. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: nickdarling2014

Love it!

I used this all summer and drank from multiple creeks and rivers and never got sick. Even drank from a creek in Glacier which tasted delicious! Love this!