If you're considering a Berkey water filter, the first question most people ask is: which size do I need? Berkey makes several models ranging from the compact Travel Berkey all the way up to the Crown Berkey, and choosing the right one depends on your household size, daily water usage, and where you plan to use it.
Here's a straightforward breakdown to help you decide.
Understanding Berkey Sizing
Every Berkey system works the same way — water goes in the top chamber, passes through Black Berkey Purification Elements via gravity, and comes out clean in the lower chamber ready to drink. The only real difference between models is how much water the system holds and how many filter elements it can accommodate.
More capacity means less frequent refilling. More filter elements means faster flow rate. That's really all there is to it.
The Lineup
The Travel Berkey holds 1.5 gallons and is designed for 1-3 people. It's the most portable option and works great for singles, couples, dorm rooms, RVs, and — as the name suggests — travel. If counter space is tight or you want something you can take camping, this is your pick. It ships with 2 Black Berkey Elements.
The Big Berkey holds 2.25 gallons and serves 1-4 people comfortably. This is far and away the most popular Berkey system, and for good reason. It's the sweet spot between size and capacity for most American households. A couple or small family that refills it once a day will have plenty of clean water. It ships with 2 elements but can hold up to 4 for faster filtration.
The Royal Berkey holds 3.25 gallons and is built for 4-6 people. If you have a larger family, multiple pets, or you simply drink a lot of water, the Royal gives you that extra gallon of capacity that means fewer refills throughout the day. It ships with 2 elements and can hold up to 4.
The Imperial Berkey holds 4.5 gallons and serves 6-10 people. This is where you get into commercial-scale territory. Great for large families, small offices, church groups, or anywhere a lot of people need access to clean water. Ships with 2 elements, can hold up to 6.
The Crown Berkey is the largest at 6 gallons, serving 12+ people. Built for large group settings — offices, community centers, or families who want to fill it once and not think about it for a while. Ships with 2 elements, holds up to 8.
Our Recommendation
When in doubt, size up. A bigger Berkey doesn't use more filter life — the filter elements last the same number of gallons regardless of the system they're in. You'll just refill less often, which is a nice quality-of-life improvement.
For most households, the Big Berkey is the right call. If you have kids, pets, or cook with filtered water regularly, step up to the Royal.
Do I Need Fluoride Filters?
The Black Berkey Elements do an incredible job removing contaminants, but they don't fully address fluoride. If your municipal water supply adds fluoride (most do), consider adding a set of PF-2 Fluoride & Arsenic Reduction Filters. They attach beneath the Black Berkey Elements in the lower chamber and remove up to 97% of fluoride. Each set handles about 1,000 gallons.
We carry all Berkey systems, replacement filters, and accessories. If you have questions about which system is right for your situation, contact us — we're happy to help.
Shop Berkey Systems →
---