Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter
A 3 gal MaxClear that can grow into three filters. A good base if you plan to add filters later.
Amazon $199$199
The Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter is the better gravity water filter overall, rated 3.5 to 2.8. The Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter leads on value, warranty and certification. The Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter costs $136 less ($199 vs $335).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Berkey Light
A lightweight 2.75 gal Berkey for places where a stainless tank is too heavy to move. Pick it for portability, not price.
Amazon $335$335
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter for value ($66.33 per gallon of capacity ($199, 3 gal) vs $121.82 per gallon of capacity ($335, 2.8 gal)), warranty (5-year warranty vs 1-year warranty) and certification (states certification to NSF/ANSI 42 vs testing claims only, no certification).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every 2.5 to 3.5 gal gravity water filter; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter | Berkey Light |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5/5 | 2.8/5 |
| Value 25% | 82 $66.33 per gallon of capacity ($199, 3 gal) | 45 $121.82 per gallon of capacity ($335, 2.8 gal) |
| Running cost 15% | 50 replacement cost or element life not published (neutral score used) | 34 $0.047 per gallon filtered ($140.94 per element, 3,000 gal each) |
| Capacity 15% | 33 3 gal tank | 28 2.8 gal tank |
| Certification 20% | 30 states certification to NSF/ANSI 42 | 10 testing claims only, no certification |
| Element life 15% | 50 element life in gallons not published (neutral score used) | 100 3,000 gal rated per element |
| Warranty 10% | 100 5-year warranty | 11 1-year warranty |
Specifications
| Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter | Berkey Light | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and flow | ||
| Tank capacity | 3 gal | 2.8 gal |
| Price per gallon of capacity | $66.33 | $121.82 |
| Elements included | 1 | 2 |
| Maximum elements | 3 | 4 |
| Flow, fully loaded | - | 7 gal/hr |
| Filtration | ||
| Element type | MaxClear ceramic shell with carbon media | Black Berkey carbon-media element (BB9-2) |
| Certified | NSF/ANSI 42 | Tested only |
| Certification detail | Listing: IAPMO certified to NSF/ANSI 42 to reduce microplastics, lead and Total PFAS. The listing does not name the standards behind the lead and PFAS claims. | Berkey states Black Berkey Elements were tested by accredited third-party labs against ANSI/NSF protocols for 200+ contaminants. The elements are not NSF/ANSI certified. |
| Fluoride | - | Add-on filter |
| Running cost | ||
| Rated life per element | - | 3,000 gal each |
| Replacement element | 79 $ | 140.9 $ |
| Cost per gallon filtered | - | $0.047 |
| Build | ||
| Material | brushed or polished stainless steel | - |
| Height | 27.6 in | 21 in |
| Diameter | 9.4 in | 9 in |
| Warranty | 5 years | 1 year |