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One of the most common questions I get on social media (Tiktok in particular): is your Berkey water filter worth it?

This is a great question because it is quite an investment.

I’ve now had my Big Berkey for over 6 months now, so I figured it was a good time to write up this much-requested review. The filters range in price from the $200’s to the $300’s, ranging in size and functionality.

While immense efforts and progress are being made in increasing universal access to clean and sanitized water, this is clearly not enough as billions of people in different parts of the world are still bereft of this basic necessity. Even in places like the suburbs of the United States (where I live) the water system is not clean nor is it safe to drink from the tap.

In this review, I will talk about the Berkey Water Filter, and dive into the following topics:

  • What is a Berkey Water Filter?
  • What sets the Berkey Water Filter apart from other filters?
  • Cost of the water filter
  • Health benefits of a water filter
  • Should you invest in a water filter?

Alright, let’s dive in!

How Do I Know If I Need a Water Filter?

Depending on where you live, you may or may not need to invest in a water filter. Most of the time, it’s beneficial because of the way our water systems work in the United States, but first, let’s learn how to test our water.

You can actually test your water on your own, but there is a website (EWG) that can help do this for you. Berkey also has this implemented on their website as well which you can find here: https://www.berkeyfilters.com/pages/water-quality-search.

In my specific area, there are 16 contaminants in the water, and in my parent’s town in Massachusetts, there are 8. Better, but still bad.

Some of the contaminants in my water supply include:

  • Bromodichloromethane (93x the amount EWG has on their health guide)
  • Bromochloroacetic acid (154x the amount EWG has on their health guide)
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (140x the amount EWG has on their health guide)
  • Total trihalomethanes (143x the amount EWG has on their health guide)

Every single one of these contaminants is a cancer-causing property. This seems crazy, right? That our water systems can be so unsafe?

Well considering the federal government has not revised its tap water standards in over 20 years, these limits are nowhere near health-protective. The water industry in America is very corrupt, but that’s a whole other topic for another day.

Improving access to safe water should be our top priority, however, that is quite the issue to tackle. While I think there are things we can do to be proactive about our local governments providing clean water for all residents, it’s a long battle to fight.

If you are looking to tackle the problem in your own home, one of the best things you can do is get a water filter. Today, I wanted to talk about my personal water filter of choice, the Berkey Water Filter.

What is a Berkey Water Filter?

Berkey Water Filters are an adaptable water filter system now popular on the market. Contaminated and unfiltered water can transmit diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, etc. Because of its robust and technologically supported filtering system, the water filter filters out contaminated water, along with the chemicals it can carry. To top it off, it is large enough to provide ample water while at the same time maintaining its compact size.

Including in its huge capacity which by the way is 2.25 gallons, comes two filters you can choose from. In addition to this, you also have the liberty to add fluoride filters which basically reduce fluoride by as much as 97%. Fluoride, if ingested in excessive amounts, may cause fluorosis which primarily affects the teeth and bones.

As required by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), the water you normally use and drink should be tested at least once a year. This might not be necessary anymore as this new product has made a boom in the market that it is now currently the customers’ favorite.

If you’re looking for something that can last years, this is the best option for you, providing you clean and sanitized water.

What makes this different from the others?

berkey water filter

Whether you are looking to keep your Berkey water filter at home or bringing it on the road with you, you can count on the Big Berkey as it is easy to transport and move around. It comes with a water purifier complete with everything, serving you potable water within minutes of assembly. The ease this product provides is on an entirely different level from other watering filters.

Other filtering devices found in the market take time to assemble because of the number of materials needed to assemble them. The Big Berkey, however, is made customer-friendly so that it immediately serves its purpose.

To add to the wide application of this product, it is a great option for homes and even mobile homes, like RVs, not to mention that it is equipped with 2-4 Black Berkey Filters which can make this product ultimately supply up to 16 people purified drinking water while being filled continually.

The Black Berkey Filters are what purify your water and keep it fresh and containment-free. Each filter can filter through 3,000 gallons of water, which comes out to being less than 2 cents per gallon of water.

The system I got: Big Berkey Water Filter. 2.25 Gallon Capacity

This system comes with two Black Berkey Filters, but you can add two more replacement parts if you want as well.

Why is the Big Berkey Popular?

It is a fact that water contains dirt, impurities, and chemicals that are not visible to the naked eye which in turn makes the water smell and taste bad, but sometimes odorless. Essentially, if this is left unmitigated this would cause danger to one’s health and can cause serious long-term issues.

With such a low cost per gallon, the Berkey systems have become increasingly more popular over the last couple of years, especially as more and more people have become aware of the need for purified water. While your body needs minerals found in water, it does not need other things found in many water systems like high amounts of chlorine or fluoride. Instead, the Berkey systems work to remove the bad stuff and add the good stuff that your body needs to the purified water. In fact, it removes  99.999% of bacteria and viruses from the water.

Thus, a suitable filtering system can be the solution to this problem. The popularity of the Big Berkey has made a huge impact in the marketplace revering it as great water filtering that removes impurities, making the water safe to drink while at the same time improving taste.

With its 3054 reviews and 1373 people adding Big Berkey to their cart recently, it is making way to provide universal access to clean water all over the world.

There are other sizes to choose from as well:

What do others think about this product?

Chances are you are here because you wanted to hear my opinion on Berkey water filter systems. Many of the homeowners found that the Big Berkey was capable of producing the desired results they had been expecting for their water. A customer shared his experience,

“…this filter has solved our water problem at our summer home, which, when tested last summer, showed a small number of coliform bacteria. Now, instead of buying dozens of plastic jugs, we just fill our bottles from the Berkey Filter.”

True enough; the hassle of buying dozens of plastic jugs is being alleviated by the Berkey Filter. This product is living up to its name!

Sometimes, instead of going for a long-lasting solution, we opt to go for the short-lasting. But, upon the discovery of the Big Berkey, a customer shared that everything changed for her and her family.

“I’m done with bottled waters, its plastic smell and huge after consumption mess. This is daily filling and easy water access. I love the natural water taste, no complaints so far. “

A simple decision in your life can cause a great impact on your health. A buyer of this product shared her experience that purchasing this product has been life-changing.

“So glad I finally made the leap and purchased a system. Such a great investment into my health; I can’t believe how contaminated the water I was actually drinking. Now I don’t have to worry about the sketchy city water reports where all the contaminants are slightly below the toxic level.”

There is always an alternative to expensive products. An avid fan of the Big Berkey shares her joy in purchasing the product.

“I was considering a whole house filtration system, but due to cost & complexity, I researched another alternative. Berkey is the best! I plan on getting it for my kids’ apartments since they have fluoride in their water. Thank you for a good, quality product!”

Indeed, the Berkey never fails!

How much does this product cost?

This product only costs $278! Yes, for that affordable price, you can now have access to clean and safe water. While this product is sold at this price, it genuinely gives credence to its capability and function. A lot of customers say that the product is consumer-friendly and is reasonable.

The product has been set at a price that can be afforded by everyone. Unlike the other filtering products which are expensive and take longer times to assemble and do not guarantee results, the Berkey system is made in such a way that anyone can access clean water at an affordable price. That is the Berkey system that I have.

Popular Questions about the Berkey Water Filter

I get dozens of DMs about my Berkey system on a weekly basis. And I understand why! You want to know if the system is truly different from say a Britta or other water purifiers that you can buy at the store. I wanted to take a second to answer some of the questions that I get here, that way you can get your answers if I don’t get to your DM.

Why is Berkey banned in California? Why are Berkey water filters banned in Iowa?

First – California. Like many things in California, the world of water filtration systems in CA are highly regulated. Because of excessive regulations and procedures for the sale of indoor water systems, you can’t purchase many Berkey products there. You can read more about why California has banned some Berkey products here.

Second – Iowa. Due to regulations over the water systems in Iowa, being able to buy a Berkey in Iowa has been banned by the state. Similar to California, it all comes down to government bureaucracy and a whole lot of red tape. You can read more about why Berkey’s can’t be sold in Iowa here.

Is the Berkey water filter worth it?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes! I recommend the Berkey purification system to just about all of my friends. So much so, they’re probably sick of hearing about it by now. The system is easy to use, provides you with beneficial minerals, filters out things like fluoride, chlorine, and bacteria, all while making you less susceptible to things ie: viruses.

Why are Berkey filters so expensive?

When I first started researching different filtration systems, I was looking for a few things in particular. I wanted a system that would not only provide me with purified water but also water free of things like heavy metals, fluoride, bacteria, viruses, and chorine. There were filtration systems that were less than the Berkey, but after going through all the reviews, they were not the same quality.

I was also attracted to the Berkey because of the lifetime warranty that they provide. The stainless steel, replacement filters, and the lower chamber system were all appealing to me. What really sold me was the pricing, once I did out the math. Each Black Berkey purification system filters through 3,000 gallons of water. With my Berkey, I have two Black Berkey purification systems, which provide me with 6,000 gallons of use.

As someone who lives by herself and only consumes about one gallon of drinking water a day, these filters will last me a very long time. Lastly, they also offer free shipping on all orders over $49. So if you buy a Berkey system, you will also get free shipping.

Conclusion: Should you buy it or not?

Berkey Water Filter

Filtering water is unquestionably the most important step in making sure that the water we are drinking and using is free from waterborne diseases and microbes. The quality of water is of paramount importance and must receive priority over any other consideration and must not be compromised at any cost.

The Berkey and its Black Berkey purification system undoubtedly provide the solution for the worldwide problem of water. Instead of going for the expensive filtering systems, investing in improved water and sanitation through this product is a good choice. Set at an affordable price, I would highly recommend looking at investing in one of the Berkey Water Filters.

While there are many water filters on the market, the Berkey filters are of high-quality, which means they last a long time. They have a lifetime warranty, which they call the Berkey Care Lifetime Warranty. This lifetime warranty applies to the Travel Berkey, Big Berkey, Royal Berkey, Imperial Berkey, and Crown Berkey. Not to mention each system comes with free shipping. Who doesn’t love free shipping?

Drinking water may seem like just a simple day-to-day activity, but it’s either helping or harming your body. A filter system versus tap water can truly dictate how healthy your body will be. You don’t want pathogenic bacteria, heavy metals, herbicides pesticides in your water, do you?

Quick Links: How and Where to Order This Stainless Steel Water Filtration System

The best place to purchase one of the Berkey Water Filters is on their website. To order, just visit this link. You will automatically be directed to this product.

  • You can find the Big Berkey Water system here.
  • Browse all Berkey products here.
  • You can find the Black Berkey Purification add-ons here.
  • You can check out their lifetime warranty here.
  • Browse their free shipping policy here.

You can search their blog for more information, or shoot me a message as well. 🙂


I really hoped you enjoyed this review on Berkey Systems. I spent a long time writing this blog post and trying to answer all the questions I have gotten about it. As always, feel free to connect with me on Instagram for a glimpse into my day-to-day, Tiktok for fun videos, and Pinterest for Inspiration.

xx Linds

P.S. If you enjoyed this post, check out my newest post: “What Are PUFAs? And Why Should You Stay Away From Them?” or “Air-Purifying Plants: 10 Houseplants That Will Purify Your Air.”