Berkey Water Purification Systems Compared with other Water Filters

The table below compares the Big Berkey water purification system with 3 other well-known water filtration systems. On all fronts the Berkey water purification systems win hands down. Berkey Water Filters are not only the most powerful at removing contaminants, but they are also the most cost-effective. The chart below does not take into account that the Berkey Water Filters can last for more than 10 years without having to be replaced, which makes the difference with the other brands even more pronounced.

Model Big Berkey w/2 Elements Aquasana Countertop Filter AQ-4000 Brita Faucet Filter Brita Filter Pitcher5
Retail Price £ 429 £ 50 £ 149 £ 17(avg)
Replacement Filter Cost £ 105/22,700 liters £ 35/ 2000 liters £ 45/
6 months
£ 5.25/
4 weeks
Cost/Liter .4 p./liter 1.7 p./liter n/a 3.5 p./liter
Replacement Filter Cost/Year1 £ 10,60/yr. £ 70/yr. £ 90/yr. £ 63/yr.
1st Year Cost2 £ 325 £ 85 £ 195 £ 80
2nd Year Cost £ 0 £ 70 £ 90 £ 63
3rd Year Cost £ 0 £ 70 £ 90 £ 63
4th Year Cost £ 0 £ 70 £ 90 £ 63
5th Year Cost £ 0 £ 70 £ 90 £ 63
5 Year Total Investment £ 325 £ 365 £ 554 £ 332
Aluminum up to 95% No No No
Copper up to 95% No No >96%
Iron up to 95% No No No
Lead up to 95% >99% >99% >98%
Mercury up to 95% >99% No >95%
Pathogenic Bacteria > 99.99999% No No No
Cysts > 99.99999% >99.99% >99% No
Parasites > 99.99999% >99.99% No No
E.Coli > 99.99999% No No No
Chlorine BDL3 >99% >99% >96%
MTBE BDL3 >99% No No
THMs BDL3 >99% No No
Nitrates & Nitrites Reduced4 No No No
VOCs BDL3 >99% No No
Alachor BDL3 >98% >99% No
Atrazine BDL3 >97% >92% No
Benzene BDL3 >99% >98% No
Lindane BDL3 >99% >99% No
Radon 222 BDL3 No No No
  1. Based on water usage of 57 liters per week.
  2. First year cost includes the purchase of the initial system.
  3. BDL(Below Detectable Level): Chemicals or contaminants reduced to below the limits of the laboratory's ability to detect.
  4. The level of reduction is dependent upon the number of competing contaminants in the source water.
  5. Manufacturer recommends that no more than 7.5 liters / day should be filtered for best results.
Berkwy Water Filters