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 rates 3.5 among 2.5 to 3.5 gal gravity water filters; the Imperial Berkey rates 3.2 among 4.5 gal and up ones. The Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter costs $252 less ($199 vs $451).
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.
Imperial Berkey
For a big household or a shared office. It costs about $100 per gallon of capacity, a better rate than the smaller Berkeys.
Amazon $451$451
Scores side by side
These two sit in different capacity classes (2.5 to 3.5 gal and 4.5 gal and up), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own capacity peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter | Imperial Berkey |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value 25% | 82 $66.33 per gallon of capacity ($199, 3 gal) | 57 $100.22 per gallon of capacity ($451, 4.5 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 | 67 4.5 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 | Imperial Berkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and flow | ||
| Tank capacity | 3 gal | 4.5 gal |
| Price per gallon of capacity | $66.33 | $100.22 |
| Elements included | 1 | 2 |
| Maximum elements | 3 | 6 |
| Flow, fully loaded | - | 16.5 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 | 304 stainless steel |
| Height | 27.6 in | 26 in |
| Diameter | 9.4 in | 10 in |
| Weight | - | 10 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years | 1 year |