Travel Berkey Review

Berkeys have a cult following for a reason — they're built with premium materials, have a long-lasting filter, and deliver high-quality filtration without electricity or plumbing. While they may be a big upfront investment, they're among the cheapest to maintain in the long run and will last a lifetime.

Our Travel Berkey Experience

Thanks to its compact footprint, we had no trouble finding a spot for the Travel Berkey in our kitchen. Its premium stainless-steel body is a step up from the usual plastic-pitcher vibe, adding a polished look that blended seamlessly into our space. We appreciated that it held enough filtered water to keep the whole house hydrated. And though we had to keep it close to the edge of the counter to use the spigot, it never felt awkward or unstable.

Having tested dozens of water filtration systems, what stands out about the Berkey is its durable design and fantastic, years-long filter life. This makes it surprisingly affordable to maintain over the long haul. Ultimately, if you're looking for a well-built product that's portable enough to take on your adventures, the Travel Berkey is a solid choice. The Berkey also comes in a range of other sizes (the Travel Berkey is one of the smallest options), so you can find the best fit for your needs.

Lead & Metals

Now, onto the test results. The Travel Berkey performed slightly above average in our metals test, primarily for its ability to knock out 100% of lead from our samples. It missed the mark with other metals, though, which kept it from earning a top score.

If you live in a home built before 1986 or in a city with outdated water lines, you may be getting an unhealthy amount of lead from your tap, which can permanently harm your brain, heart, and more. The Berkey reduced severely elevated lead levels (17 times above the EPA limit) to undetectable amounts. While we'd also like to see a lead-removal certification for total peace of mind, we think the Berkey's a solid choice for users with lead concerns.

Berkey claims both its Phoenix and Black filters help reduce other metals and radiologicals, but that didn't hold true in our tests. We got very inconsistent results with arsenic, uranium, and lithium, metals linked to cancer, kidney damage, and other health effects. We sometimes saw 90+% removal with one water source, while with others, we saw no change for the same element. To play it safe, we scored each metal based on its lowest performance, which is shown in the chart above.

Essentially, with high metal loads, the main filter can quickly become saturated and ineffective. For better coverage against arsenic and other heavy metals, Berkey suggests adding on the optional PF-2 filter. While it may help, it also needs to be replaced more frequently, making the Berkey more expensive in the long run. We haven't tested the PF-2 filter yet, but for broader metal protection, a reverse osmosis system is typically the stronger option.

Forever Chemicals (PFAS)

The Berkey handled “forever chemicals” like a pro. After spiking our water with PFAS, the Travel Berkey reduced them to non-detectable levels, earning a perfect 10 score in this category. Our tester was so impressed that he noted, “The Berkey is a top-tier, highly recommended option for complete PFAS removal.”

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are an emerging, common threat in city water. They never break down and can stick around in our bodies for a lifetime, where they increase our risk of cancer, disrupt our hormones, and cause other health problems. So, avoiding them is crucial.

Since there are tens of thousands of types of PFAS, we can't possibly check for every one of them. But to give our filters a challenge, we checked for two that are filtered in different ways. Whether looking at PFNA (an easy-to-trap PFAS) or PFBA (a difficult-to-trap PFAS), the Berkey nabbed 100% of both. This gives us confidence that the Berkey can handle a wide range of PFAS chemicals.

Microplastics

While the Berkey blew us away with its PFAS removal, it disappointed us with its lack of microplastics removal. In fact, it was one of the worst filters we tested in this metric.

Microplastics come in a range of sizes, but the smallest particles raise the most concern because they can accumulate in our bodies. We're still not entirely sure how they affect our long-term health, but if you like to play things safe, you may want a filter that can tackle the smallest varieties. Unfortunately, while the Berkey handled the larger stuff ok, it did little to keep the smaller stuff from entering our cup. Its pores are simply too large, allowing risky microplastics to slip right through.

Fluoride & Nitrates

The Berkey also underwhelmed in fluoride, nitrate, and sulfate removal, earning one of the lowest scores of the group. Aside from full-on reverse-osmosis systems, most filters struggled with this category, so we weren't entirely surprised with its performance here.

The Berkey removed some nitrates, but if you're pregnant, formula-feeding your baby, or live near farmland, you may want better protection against this health risk. It also caught 0% of fluoride and sulfate, which are less of a concern for most households. Fluoride is great for teeth and is generally found at “safe” levels in the US, but at excessively high levels may affect the brain. Sulfate, on the other hand, poses less of a health risk and is mainly associated with a bitter taste or rotten-egg smell in certain well water.

If any of these contaminants concern you, it's best to use a reverse osmosis system to remove them. Berkey claims its Black and Phoenix filters remove fluoride, but that didn't hold up in our tests. If you're specifically looking to reduce fluoride, Berkey recommends using the PF-2 add-on filter for more complete coverage. Again, we haven't tested this filter, so we can't say for sure how well it works.

Taste & Chlorine

The Travel Berkey did a decent job at improving the taste of our tap water. It's not life-changing, and not every tester agreed, but most people report that the water tastes better.

Taste is subjective, so for this test, we had a crew of in-house testers rank the flavor. We also read through hundreds of Amazon reviews that mention taste. Over 80% of users think that the Berkey improves tap water flavor, with the biggest difference being its ability to remove 100% of chlorine. However, others felt it didn't make much of a difference. So, depending on where your water comes from, you may notice a big improvement or just a subtle shift in taste.

Daily Use & Upkeep Cost

The Travel Berkey scored above average in daily use and upkeep. Its crazy-long filter life makes it one of the more affordable systems over time, and its generous 1.5-gallon capacity means fewer refills. It has a few quirks we'll discuss below, but overall, we were very happy with the experience.

The upfront cost of the Travel Berkey is a bit jarring, and replacements aren't cheap either. But when you consider that each filter set lasts for 6,000 gallons, that significantly lowers the lifetime cost. So, whether you're a family guzzling through water (4-year lifespan) or a single with limited water needs (>10-year lifespan), the Travel Berkey is one of the cheapest filtration options to maintain.

Setup is a cinch compared to reverse osmosis systems, but a little more involved than standard pitchers. You'll have to prime each filter individually, then screw them into place. The screws are particularly long, so it can get a little annoying twisting the wing nuts round and round to get a tight fit. You'll also have to give the filters a good scrub-down every 3-6 months and routinely clean the stainless steel chambers, which, again, can be tedious with the screws. That said, the chambers are dishwasher safe.

The Travel Berkey filters water more slowly than most, but you won't have to do it very often. One fill of the upper chamber is enough to fill the lower chamber, so you won't have to constantly top it off. And with its generous 1.5-gallon capacity, most two-person households will only need to refill it a few times a day. A heads up, though: the Berkey is pretty tall, so fitting it under some faucets can be tricky. We had the best luck using a pull-out hose or a household pitcher.

Should You Buy the Travel Berkey?

The Travel Berkey is best for someone who wants a long-term, high-quality water filtration solution that doesn't require electricity or plumbing. It improves the taste of your water and limits your exposure to risky contaminants like lead and PFAS, though it won't catch everything. Its large capacity means you won't have to refill it often, and its tall, slim design takes up little counter space, making it perfect for apartments, small kitchens, or RVs. While the upfront cost is steep, it's surprisingly affordable in the long run. But if you want broader protection against microplastics, nitrates, or a range of heavy metals, there are better options.

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