Water
Water Storage Ranked by Cost per Gallon
Stored water is bought by the gallon whether the label says so or not. This ranking divides each product's lowest verified price by the storage capacity its own brand states, so a big tank and a small jug compete on the same number. It ranks storage only: filters and treatment are listed below, unranked, because a filter's job is not measured in gallons it holds.
| # | Product | Basis | Lowest verified price | Cost per gallon | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon Water Container Reliance | 7 gal of storage capacity, brand-stated | $19.88 at Walmart | $2.84 | |
| 2 | WaterPrepared 55-Gallon Water Storage Tank WaterPrepared | 55 gal of storage capacity, brand-stated | $269.00 at WaterPrepared | $4.89 | |
| 3 | WaterPrepared 35-Gallon Utility Water Tank WaterPrepared | 35 gal of storage capacity, brand-stated | $249.00 at WaterPrepared | $7.11 | |
| 4 | Augason Farms Exodus 35-Gallon Water Tank + Water Preserver Augason Farms | 35 gal of storage capacity, brand-stated | $250.00 at Augason Farms | $7.14 | |
| 5 | Sawyer 1-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System (SP160) Sawyer | 1 gal of storage capacity, brand-stated | $46.99 at Cabela's | $46.99 | |
| 6 | Alexapure Pro Water Filtration System Alexapure | 2.5 gal of storage capacity, brand-stated | $279.99 at My Patriot Supply | $112.00 |
Read the basis carefully: this is the cost of the container capacity, not of the water service. A cheap cost per gallon on a tank you cannot move when it is full (a gallon of water weighs about 8.3 pounds) may be worse for your plan than a pricier jug you can carry. The water storage calculator turns your household into the gallon target this board helps you hit cheapest.
Not ranked, on purpose
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter: the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
- Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System: the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
- Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Microfilter: the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
- Aquamira Water Treatment Drops (1 oz): the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
- Potable Aqua Drinking Water Tablets with PA+: the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
- Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth Bottle: the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
- CNOC Outdoors Vecto 2L Water Container (28mm): the brand states no storage capacity for this product (it filters, carries, or treats water rather than storing it), so a cost per gallon of storage would be invented math. It is priced per unit on its card instead.
Prices checked November 11, 2026.