Big Berkey
#14 in Up to 2.25 galFull review
The best known countertop gravity filter, sized for a small family. Priced well above lookalikes with the same capacity.
Amazon $367$367
The Big Berkey is the better gravity water filter overall, rated 2.6 to 2.4. The Big Berkey leads on value and capacity. The Travel Berkey costs $40 less ($327 vs $367).
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.
Travel Berkey
#17 in Up to 2.25 galFull review
A compact Berkey for one to three people, a dorm, an office or a trip. You pay a lot per gallon of storage for the small size.
Amazon $327$327
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Big Berkey for value ($163.11 per gallon of capacity ($367, 2.2 gal) vs $218 per gallon of capacity ($327, 1.5 gal)) and capacity (2.2 gal tank vs 1.5 gal tank).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every up to 2.25 gal gravity water filter; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Big Berkey | Travel Berkey |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.6/5 | 2.4/5 |
| Value 25% | 27 $163.11 per gallon of capacity ($367, 2.2 gal) | 9 $218 per gallon of capacity ($327, 1.5 gal) |
| Running cost 15% | 34 $0.047 per gallon filtered ($140.94 per element, 3,000 gal each) | 34 $0.047 per gallon filtered ($140.94 per element, 3,000 gal each) |
| Capacity 15% | 17 2.2 gal tank | 0 1.5 gal tank |
| Certification 20% | 10 testing claims only, no certification | 10 testing claims only, no certification |
| Element life 15% | 100 3,000 gal rated per element | 100 3,000 gal rated per element |
| Warranty 10% | 11 1-year warranty | 11 1-year warranty |
Independent tests
Big Berkey
| Tested by | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Water Filter Guru | Reviewers calculated 0.75 gal/hr with two Black Berkey and two PF-2 fluoride elements installed (volume and time not given). Tap Score lab tests of city tap water found aluminum 0 ppm before and 1.44 ppm after at 50 gal, then 0.052 ppm before and 0.069 ppm after in a second test with over 100 gal run through the fluoride filters; no TDS reported. Date is the review update date. |
Travel Berkey
No independent test published yet.
Specifications
| Big Berkey | Travel Berkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and flow | ||
| Tank capacity | 2.2 gal | 1.5 gal |
| Price per gallon of capacity | $163.11 | $218 |
| Elements included | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum elements | 4 | 2 |
| Flow, as shipped | - | 2.8 gal/hr |
| Flow, fully loaded | 7 gal/hr | 2.8 gal/hr |
| Filtration | ||
| Element type | Black Berkey carbon-media element (BB9-2) | Black Berkey carbon-media element (BB9-2) |
| Certified | Tested only | Tested only |
| Certification detail | 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. | 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 | Add-on filter |
| Running cost | ||
| Rated life per element | 3,000 gal each | 3,000 gal each |
| Replacement element | 140.9 $ | 140.9 $ |
| Cost per gallon filtered | $0.047 | $0.047 |
| Build | ||
| Material | 304 stainless steel | 304 stainless steel |
| Height | 19.2 in | 18 in |
| Diameter | 8.5 in | 7.5 in |
| Weight | - | 4 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |