Torrance – October 15, 2026 -- Vital Lyfe's Access, a push-button watermaker that filters water from any naturally occurring source, including seawater, is now available for pre-order and will begin shipping later this year. TIME has named it a Best Invention in the Outdoors category.

Access filters seawater and other natural sources with one button

The system is built for off-grid exploration and communities, short- or long-term sailing, maritime environments, rural living, disaster relief organizations and emergency response. Vital Lyfe describes it as user-friendly and cost-effective, with a simple, intuitive process that lets anyone make filtered water.

TIME picked 300 inventions for its 2026 list

TIME collected nominations from its editors and correspondents worldwide through an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields such as health care and AI. Each contender was judged on originality, efficacy, ambition and impact.

Vital Lyfe's founders pitch home-made water as the goal

CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Criss called Access "a game-changer for self-sustainability and health" for people focused on the outdoors, off-grid living and maritime environments. He said the team set out to build a beautiful product that is easy to use and affordable.

COO and Co-Founder Andrew Harner said Vital Lyfe wants people to be able to make their own water wherever they are. He described Access as "just the beginning" of decentralized water infrastructure that could be more resilient and more universal.