Berkey Water Filter Reviews

Our In-Depth Reviews of Berkey Water Filters Help You to Choose the Best of These Beautiful Portable Water Filters

You will never forget your first sight of a Berkey water filter. They are as beautiful as they are effective, and have a long history of providing clean drinking water in the harshest of environments.

Berkey water purifiers do more than remove contaminants from your water: they provide you with a reliable home water purification system. "Home" can be virtually anywhere, as most of the Berkey products are portable.

If you want the most for your water purification dollar, you may want to consider a Berkey.

History of Berkey Water Filters

Berkey has a long history of helping the British Empire expand. Their products were also used on the RRS Discovery during Scott's Antarctic expeditions

Berkey has a long history of helping the British Empire expand. Their products were also used on the RRS Discovery during Scott's Antarctic expeditions

British Berkefeld is part of Doulton Industrial Products, a company with a long history in water filtration. Combining the centuries of experience of both companies, they are now producing water filters that provide some of the cleanest water around.

In 1901, the ship RRS Discovery was using a British Berkefeld water filter in the galley to purify ice water on its infamous explorations in the Antarctic under commander Scott. 1904 saw British Berkefeld launching their first domestic water filter for home use.

In 1985, British Berkefeld was purchased by Doulton Industrial Products, adding the Berkefeld line to their already prestigious list of fine water filtration products.

Here are reviews of various Berkey water purifiers. You can also see a video comparison here.

Berkey Water Filter Products

Berkey Water Filter products look amazing, especially the stainless steel models

Berkey Water Purifier products look amazing, especially the stainless steel models, which would be right at home in a high-end kitchen

The two most commonly purchased products are the Big Berkey filter (click for review, below) and the Berkey Light water filter (click for review, below). Both get high marks from consumers, and can be used anywhere, including disaster and third world areas. They are designed for prolonged outdoor use.

The Big Berkey, the Royal Berkey (click for review, below), the Imperial Berkey (click for review, below) and the Crown Berkey are all made from stainless steel, and offer the very best in portable water filtration. Designed for durability, each step up through the Berkey water filter model range increases the canister size and speed of filtration.

The Sport Berkey is a sports bottle containing an ionic absorption micro filtration system that can filter just about any water into good-tasting, safe drinking water. Designed to fit on a bicycle or in a backpack, this Berkey water filter is a must for anyone who likes to hike, run or camp.

Berkey water filters are easy to assemble, and are strong enough to treat water taken from lakes or rivers. They are a perfect choice for emergencies, since they require no electricity, tools or plumbing.

Gravity provides the impetus for the water to flow through the filters. The Berkey filter systems are portable, and durable, being made from the same material as bullet-proof glass.

The Berkey filtration system removes parasites like E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella, Giardia and Cryptosporidium, making even stagnant water safe to drink. The system also removes volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), inorganic minerals, radiologicals and trihalomethanes (THMs).

Did you know that each filtration element, known as a Black Berkey, is so strong that it can actually absorb contaminants from the air if left uncovered outside of the canister? Each element has an expected lifespan of 3,000 gallons, or a total of 6,000 gallons when used in pairs.

The Black Berkey filtration elements are strong enough to remove food coloring from water. In fact, the company recommends you try this if you are unsure about the state of your element.

All the Berkey products are portable, and are capable of filtering water from stagnant sources if needed. Perfect for emergency situations, they filter out just about any contaminant you can think of.

The stainless steel models are extremely durable, and intended for long-term, sustained indoor use. These stainless steel Berkey water filters are attractive and durable, but you cannot see the water levels without opening the top, possibly dripping water from the filter. The stainless steel models can also be heavy, especially if you are traveling with them.

All Water Purification has reviewed several of the Berkey water filter models. Our in-depth reviews follow.

Big Berkey Water Filter Review

Read reviews of the Big Berkey Water Filter at Amazon

If you are looking for a simple and reliable water purification system, you should give the Big Berkey stainless steel water filter system a closer look. This versatile water purification system is ideal for use at home, outdoors, and emergencies.

Big Berkey has the power to purify both treated and raw water from remote lakes, rivers, ponds, and water sources in foreign countries where water quality can be highly questionable.

The system comes complete with two high performance purification elements that utilize Berkey's own advanced technology. The Big Berkey's two-stage filters include a fluoride water filter, so if you are concerned about fluoridated municipal water, this is a good choice for your home water purification system.

Big Berkey Water Filter: How It Works

Initial set-up might take some time. You should follow the directions carefully, and do exactly as they tell you. Be warned that it can get a little wet and messy priming the filters when you first set up your Big Berkey.

The Big Berkey water filter is a gravity-fed water purifier. Start by putting water into the top holding chamber, and let the gravity do the rest of the work. It pulls the water through the filters. These capture pathogenic bacteria, parasites, lead, mercury, chlorine, other harmful substances, even fluoride.

Practically any type of water from an untreated source filtered through the unit comes out as fresh and pure, great-tasting water. Really dirty water tends to clog the filters easily, so cleaning the filters as frequently as needed is a must.

You can tell from the taste the minerals are still there after passing through the Berkey. This is exactly what the Berkey filters do: they leave the beneficial minerals intact, while removing harmful organic and inorganic substances. Click to order the Big Berkey Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Big Berkey Water Filter: Pros and Cons

Highly economic and convenient: gravity makes it work, so there is no electrical cost. It requires no pump or human effort to function. It can still supply you with clean and safe drinking water, even during power outages, or in places without a reliable electricity supply. The unit is light and portable as well

Elegant design: the high grade polished stainless steel finish looks classy in the kitchen. Stainless steel is always a much better option for your health, when compared to other water filters made of polycarbonate and plastic components. Plastics may leach harmful chemicals into the water

Large water capacity: Big Berkey measures 19.25" x 8.5" and it can hold up to 2.25 gallons of water

Slow filtration: the rate was slower than expected, especially when there is just a few inches of water left in the top of the unit, as the effect of gravity is slowed due to lack of weight. In fact, the last inch or so never drains from the top to the bottom chamber

Durability issues: the spigot, which is made of plastic, is kind of a set back for a unit this expensive. There are also some complaints by users that the spout of the spigot sometimes started to drip

Big Berkey Water Filter: Conclusion

Big Berkey is a natural choice for anyone who wants it, either for short- or long-term use.

You can take it wherever you like, giving you the ability to have a reliable supply of safe drinkable water, regardless of where you are.

It's not too huge to use as a portable water filter if you're planning to spend a week or longer in the same place, even at a camp site.

There is no effort required to use it beyond filling it up, and the quality of water is high, and superb to taste.

Big Berkey is indeed expensive, yet the cost is probably cheaper in the long run then less expensive to purchase alternatives, as each purification filter is good for up to 6000 gallons.

Click to order the Big Berkey Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Imperial Berkey Water Filter Review

Read reviews of the Imperial Berkey Water Purifier at Amazon

Keep your family healthy by reducing the contaminants in the water that you take in with this powerful Imperial Berkey system. This is a great way to transform unsafe and chemically saturated water into clean, crisp, and fresh-tasting water.

This powerful system filters almost any kind treated or untreated water from any source. It comes with two purification elements, which utilize the latest technology to remove pathogenic bacteria and parasites and extract harmful chemicals, including fluoride, found in your municipal or well water. It can also greatly reduce nitrates and unhealthy metals such as mercury and lead.

Imperial Berkey Water Filter: How It Works

Imperial Berkey is a gravity-fed type of filter. This type offers a powerful water filter for the least cost and energy use.

It works by effortlessly letting the water pass through the system's elements without the need for pumping, or any pressure. Simply feed the water into the upper chamber which contains the filters. The filtered water is then collected in the lower chamber, and served via the spout located at the bottom of the container.

Prime the filters properly according to the manufacturer's instructions, otherwise the filtered water will produce a chalky taste. When you have done it correctly, you will notice a significant improvement in the water's taste.

The filters are so versatile that they remove unwanted elements from your water without taking away beneficial minerals that your body needs. Click to order the Imperial Berkey Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Imperial Berkey Water Filter: Pros and Cons

Low maintenance: the simple, functional design allows you to take it apart and clean the filter elements whenever needed

Adequate water capacity: its 4.5 gallon holding volume makes the unit ideal for groups and the whole family. It is great for outdoor activities like camping, and also during emergency situations when your local water supply cannot be trusted

Attractive: the unit's high-grade, polished stainless steel design makes it a great addition to your countertop, or wherever else you place it

Durable and highly reliable: the unit's stainless steel material is corrosive resistant and built to last. Imperial Berkey is gravity-based, which means it requires no electricity. The Black Berkey filter elements are long lasting: they can purify up to 6,000 gallons of tap water

Portable: its lightweight material makes it easy to carry wherever you need it. The upper chamber nests within the lower chamber for easy transport

Functionality issues: the spout is not positioned at the very bottom, so not all the filter water is poured through. The leftover adds to the humidity inside the container and there is a possibility that it can become stagnant

Slower flow rate than expected: since the system is gravity-based, flow rate decreases as the water level in the upper chamber declines

Imperial Berkey Water Filter: Conclusion

The Imperial Berkey is a practical choice of water filter for homes and outdoors.

It can really help in areas where electricity, water pressure, and reliable water sources may not be available, like your summer cottage, as well as in more extreme situations where drinking water is vital, such as earthquake or tsunami recovery zones or large refugee camps.

While the intial buying price can seem quite expensive, it is a great investment and you can really save a great deal of money in the long run, due to it requiring less filter changes than comparable purifier systems, and not consuming energy during filtration.

This Berkey water filter will save you from buying bottled water, making you an environmentally-responsible individual by not contributing to plastic waste.

Click to order the Imperial Berkey Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Royal Berkey Water Filter Review

Read reviews of the Royal Berkey Portable Water Filter at Amazon

The Royal Berkey is literally the middle man among the five sets of stainless steel Berkey water filter systems.

This system brings a whole new meaning to the word "versatile", as it can be used at home, during travel, for outdoor activities, or unexpected emergencies, such as natural disasters.

It can purify both treated and untreated water supplies, such as lakes, streams, and stagnant ponds, as well as unsafe municipal water supplies in foreign countries.

The powerful Royal Berkey water filter is constructed of highly polished stainless steel. It features two black filters and two PF-2 fluoride filters. This latter benefit is a breakthrough in the world of filter filtration, since only very few water purification systems address the issue of fluoride.

It has a storage capacity of about 3.25 gallons (12.3 liters), and can purify up to 4 gallons (15.1 liters) per hour when configured with two black purification elements. The Royal Berkey can be expanded to use four purification elements, which would increase the rate to up to 8 Gallons (30.3 liters) per hour. When fully assembled, it stands 23" in height, with a diameter of 9.5". For transport purposes, the upper chamber fits within the lower chamber, reducing its height to only 15.25".

Royal Berkey Water Filter: How It Works

The Royal Berkey system assembles quite easily. All you have to do is screw in the purifying elements and the spigot, and put together the chambers and base.

Fill the top chamber with water, then sit back and relax while gravity goes to work: it pulls the water through the filters, removing the pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites entirely, extracting harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, organic solvents, radon 222 and trihalomethanes, and reducing nitrates, nitrites and unhealthy minerals such as lead and mercury. The Berkey filters are remarkable in that it achieves this without removing the beneficial minerals that our body needs.

Make sure to order a Berkey Water View Sight Spigot, so you can see the amount of water in the bottom compartment. Also, it is recommended not to turn the PF-2 filters more than eight times when screwing them in, as turning them too much may cause the media screen to break.

Maintaining the filters prolongs their life. A solution of water and 25 percent vinegar is said to easily clean the black filters. This can be done by either repeatedly soaking the filters in the solution, or forcing pressurized vinegar from the interior to the exterior and then running two batches of water through the reassembled system. Click to order the Royal Berkey Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Royal Berkey Water Filter: Pros and Cons

Agreeable taste: the water produced tastes light and sweet, so proving true its claimed function of only removing the bad elements, but retaining the good ones. This may even provide you with the incentive of drinking the recommended 8-10 glasses of water a day

Simple to assemble and economical: the system only requires three steps to set it up: putting together the purifying elements and spigot, fitting the chamber and base together, and filling the top chamber with water. Zero electricity is required for operation, since it runs on gravity

Elegant design: being made of stainless steel, it adds class to any kitchen space. Plus, you won't have to worry about any harmful chemicals (like those in plastic bottles) seeping into your water

Slow filtration: the water does take quite a while to descend to the lower chamber

Durability issues: the spigot remains an issue with the Berkey systems. Some users complain of leakage from the plastic spigot, as well as breakages in transit

Royal Berkey Water Filter: Conclusion

With many great reasons to buy a Royal Berkey water filter, and just a few minor downsides, this is a fantastic choice of water purifiers for your home, campsite, or country house.

It is ideal for home use (especially those with large families), outdoor activities and environments where electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available.

Berkey water filters are long-established as a world renowned brand, so there is never any trouble in finding replacement water filters or Berkey water filter parts.

Click to order the Royal Berkey Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Berkey Light Water Filter Review

Read reviews of the Berkey Light water filter at Amazon

This is the second most popular model among the Berkey water filters, but that doesn't mean you get anything less than the best.

The Berkey Light is perfectly suitable for your home or use in the great outdoors. It features a shatter-resistant BPA-free copolyester container that offers a storage capacity of 2.75 gallons.

This powerful water filtration system purifies both treated and untreated water from any source. You'll have plenty of safe drinking water readily available when you have a Berkey Light with you.

The system utilizes the latest technological advancements in water filtration systems. It is configured with two purification elements, plus it comes with two PF-2 Fluoride water filters. These filters remove unwanted elements such as bacteria, lead, chlorine, fluoride, rust, foul taste and odor, without removing healthy and harmful minerals that the body needs.

Reader Review! Hear from Rayven about how she uses a Berkey Light as an RV water filter on a daily basis (opens in a new window)

Berkey Light Water Filter Review: How It Works

The system sets up in minutes. Simply screw in the purifying elements and the spigot and snap the chambers and base together. Priming can be challenging though.

Berkey Light works on gravity so electricity is not involved. Just fill the top chamber with your water and let the unit do all the work. It holds enough water to satisfy your daily needs and purifies at a rate of 4 gallons per hour. The unitís elevated base allows it to be used directly from the ground or any flat surface.

When attaching the PF-2 filters, be careful not to turn them more than eight times as you tighten them, as turning them too much may cause the media screen to break. Click to order the Berkey Light Water Filter from Amazon.com

Berkey Light Water Filter review: Pros and Cons

Portable: Berkey Light comes in a lightweight container that is great for use during travel, outdoor activities, and emergency situations. Setting up is a breeze. The rest of the thing just snaps together, and is easy enough to take apart

Translucent: you can see the clarity of water, and since the water level is always visible, there is no guesswork about when to refill the system

Low maintenance: each durable purification element is self-sterilizing, and can be cleaned with a scrub pad. It can filter 6,000 gallons of water between changes

Functional design issues: the unit has the filter sitting above the water in the upper chamber. When the upper chamber is full, the water is filtered at a good rate. As the water level becomes lower and gravity reduces, less of the filter is exposed to the water, which slows down the flow rate. Also, the spigot hole sits about 1" off the bottom of the lower container, leaving 1" of the water untapped

Berkey Light Water Filter: Conclusion

All in all, the Berkey Light water filter is a decent purification system that does what it has to, anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

It is a great way to get rid of harmful microorganisms and unwanted chemicals found in water, even from very unreliable sources (see how brown and yukky the water in the picture is to the right!).

The Berkey Light is super-easy to set up and break down, so you could use it to ensure safe drinking water on a remote expedition, or in a relief camp or long-term campsite location.

Despite some flaws in its design, the quality of its performance remains first rate. No matter where you are, Berkey Light can guarantee you safe and pure drinking water that you need at any time.

Click to order the Berkey Light Water Filter from Amazon.com

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References

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