We sell Berkey water filters, so take this review with appropriate context. But we also use one in our own kitchen every single day, and we're going to be straight with you about what's great, what's not, and who should and shouldn't buy one.
What We Love
The water tastes noticeably different. This isn't a subtle change. If you've been drinking municipal tap water, your first glass of Berkey-filtered water will taste cleaner, smoother, and more "alive" than what you're used to. Coffee and tea taste better. Cooking with it makes a difference. Once you adjust, going back to tap feels wrong.
The filtration is genuinely powerful. Over 200 contaminants reduced or eliminated, including things like pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, pesticides, and chlorine that standard pitcher filters barely touch. The Black Berkey Elements have been independently tested against EPA protocols. This isn't marketing fluff — the lab results are publicly available on Berkey's website.
The long-term economics are unbeatable. After the initial system purchase, you're looking at less than 5 cents per gallon of purified water. Filter elements last up to 6,000 gallons. Compare that to buying bottled water or replacing pitcher filters every month.
No electricity or plumbing required. It sits on your counter and uses gravity. This makes it genuinely useful for camping, power outages, and emergency preparedness — not just a kitchen appliance.
What We Don't Love
The upfront cost is real. A Big Berkey system with filters runs around $400. That's a meaningful purchase, even though the long-term math works out heavily in your favor. If you're on a tight budget, it's a harder sell versus a $30 Brita pitcher.
It takes up counter space. The Big Berkey is about 8.5 inches in diameter and 19.25 inches tall. It's not huge, but it's not nothing. You need a dedicated spot for it.
You have to refill it manually. There's no water line connection. When the upper chamber is empty, you fill it from the tap (or any freshwater source). For a family of four with a Big Berkey, that's typically once a day.
Priming the filters when you first install them takes about 15 minutes and can be a little messy if you've never done it. It's not difficult, but it's not zero-effort either.
The EPA situation has created some filter availability uncertainty. The ongoing legal dispute between Berkey's manufacturer (NMCL) and the EPA over filter classification has affected the availability of original Black Berkey Elements as replacements. Systems still ship with filters, and the new Phoenix filters provide an alternative replacement option, but it's worth being aware of.
Who Should Buy a Berkey
You should strongly consider a Berkey if you care about water quality beyond just taste, if you want to stop spending money on bottled water, if you want a system that works during emergencies and power outages, if you have a family and want to invest in long-term health, or if you want the most thorough contaminant removal available in a consumer product.
Who Shouldn't Buy a Berkey
If you're on a very tight budget and a Brita pitcher does the job for you, that's okay. If you don't have counter space and aren't willing to make room, a Berkey might frustrate you. And if you want something completely hands-off with zero maintenance, an under-sink reverse osmosis system might be more your speed (though they cost more to install and run).
Our Verdict
We think a Berkey is one of the best investments a household can make. The water quality improvement is dramatic, the long-term cost is minimal, and having a reliable water purification system that doesn't depend on electricity or plumbing is genuinely valuable. Is it worth $400? For what you get and how long it lasts, absolutely.
We carry the full Berkey line — systems, filters, and accessories — as an authorized dealer. Free shipping on orders over $99, and we're here to answer questions if you need help choosing the right system.
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