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The Berkey water filter, a stylish countertop solution, seamlessly blends with any kitchen aesthetic. Its contaminant removal capacity is average, effectively eliminating chlorine, fluoride, copper, and lead, yet struggles with iron and sulfate. The filtered water's taste is average and didn't impress in blind taste tests. With an easy setup and maintenance process, it offers a convenient alternative to traditional pitcher filters. Overall, the Berkey suits most households looking for an alternative to pitcher water filters. To find better options, check out our top-ranked water filters.
REASONS TO BUY
Lots of water storage
Simple design
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Specific placement
Challenging to fill
Berkey Sizing Scheme
The Berkey comes in several different sizes.
Travel Berkey - 1.5 gallons
Big Berkey (tested here) - 2.25 gallons
Royal Berkey - 3.25 gallons
Imperial Berkey - 4.5 gallons
Crown Berkey - 6 gallons
All sizes utilize the same filtration system. Though we tested the Big Berkey for our review, our affiliate links point to the Royal Berkey, which is one of the most popular sizes and suitable for a 2-6 person household.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Berkey is a departure from a pitcher water filter. It resembles a Kilner jar and sits on a countertop or a decorative pedal stool. The sleek stainless steel aesthetics help complement the style of your kitchen, whether you have a modern or rustic design. While this filter is decently fast, you can add more to speed up water filtration.
The Berkey allows instant access to filtered water with its gravity-fed design.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Contaminant Removal
The Berkey underperformed the hype associated with the model. Its results were average compared to the rest.
The model removed 88.33% chlorine, 100% fluoride, 30.43% sulfate, 100% copper, 79.37% iron, and 100% lead. Of these scores, only iron and sulfate remained above the standard for acceptable water quality. This filter should provide adequate filtration power for most household and municipal water sources. Other filters will better suit your needs if your local water is particularly high in iron or sulfate.
The model can support up to four filters to increase speed and filtration power. These filters can produce up to seven gallons per hour.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Taste
The Berkey delivers neutral water, receiving average ratings from our testing team. Its online community flaunts the improved taste over regular tap water, testifying to its ability to enhance water quality. However, despite these accolades, it didn't distinguish itself in our blind taste test.
The model will improve the taste of municipal water sources. Our team felt the taste was pretty average when compared to other filters.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Setup and Use
The Berkey takes around 30 minutes to set up, has standard maintenance requirements, and has a moderate annual cost.
The Berkey doesn't require any technical skill, but you do need to prime the filters for installation. Priming the filter uses the included rubber adapter to connect the faucet and filter, allowing it to be flushed out. Fortunately, the process is smooth and easy. It follows standard maintenance procedures, which require the filters to be changed and then primed every 6,000 gallons. The annual cost is higher than that of a pitcher model but lower than other types that use multiple filters. The annual cost of this model is $83 and includes the replacement filters, which have an impressive lifespan.
The Berkey is a stylish addition to any kitchen.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Berkey?
This model is ideal if you are short on fridge space or want a convenient and stylish water filter option. It is, however, quite expensive upfront, given the overall filtration performance and space requirements.
What Other Water Filters Should You Consider?
If you are looking for easy access to water without taking up any fridge or counter space, then look at an under-the-sink water filter like the APEC WFS-1000. It has the smallest footprint of any under-the-sink model, thanks to its tankless design and compact filter set. But, if you're in need of a water pitcher that can remove nearly 100% of all contaminants, we recommend the ZeroWater 10-Cup 5-Stage Pitcher.
