Purewell 3-Stage PW-OB
A low-priced, certified-filter 2.25 gal system for chlorine, taste and sediment. Fluoride needs a different model.
Amazon $145.99$145.99
2.2 galNSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 3723,000 gal each
A gravity water filter is two stacked tanks. You pour tap water into the top one, it drips through the elements, and the filtered water collects in the bottom tank with a spigot. There is no power, plumbing or water pressure involved, so it works on a counter, in an RV or during an outage. These rankings cover stainless and polymer countertop systems from Berkey, Boroux, Culligan MaxClear, ProOne, Purewell, Waterdrop, Glacier Fresh and Doulton. Pitchers, faucet mounts, under-sink filters and reverse osmosis systems are left out.
Certification is the first thing to read carefully. Some makers hold NSF/ANSI or IAPMO certifications for the filter or the system. Others say only that their elements were tested by a lab. Berkey is in the second group: it states third-party testing, not NSF certification. Each page shows exactly what the maker claims and the ranking gives certified claims more credit than testing claims.
Running cost is the second. The tank is a one-time cost; the elements are the real expense. Some makers publish a gallon rating per element and a price, so cost per gallon can be worked out. Others give only a number of months, and those score as unknown.
Capacity and flow matter for daily use. A 2.25 gallon tank suits a small household, but flow is slow, a few gallons an hour with two elements. A bigger tank or more elements keeps up with a family. Check the height too: a 26 in or 30 in tank will not fit under most cabinets.
Fluoride is not removed by the standard carbon elements. Some systems ship with fluoride filters; others accept them as an add-on.
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.
Top Picks
Waterdrop TK15-A
A small, low-priced certified gravity filter for one to three people, a trip or an RV.
Amazon $119.99$119.99
1.5 galNSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 3723,000 gal each
Shop by Capacity
Up to 2.25 gal
17 rankedTanks of 1.5 to 2.25 gallons, for one to four people, a small kitchen or an RV.
Top rated: Purewell 3-Stage PW-OB $145.99
2.5 to 3.5 gal
6 rankedTanks of 2.75 to 3.25 gallons, for a household that cooks and drinks from the filter.
Top rated: Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter $199
4.5 gal and up
2 rankedTanks of 4.5 gallons and more, for big families, offices and shared kitchens.
Top rated: Crown Berkey $478
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Best Gravity Water Filters Up to 2.25 Gallons
- Purewell 3-Stage PW-OB#1 of 17Full review
A low-priced, certified-filter 2.25 gal system for chlorine, taste and sediment. Fluoride needs a different model.
Amazon $145.99$145.992.2 galNSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 3723,000 gal each - Waterdrop TK-A#2 of 17Full review
A well-priced 2.25 gal system with certified carbon filters. The easy pick if you want Berkey-size capacity for less.
Amazon $159.99$159.992.2 galNSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 3723,000 gal each - Culligan MaxClear Scout 1 Filter#3 of 17Full review
The entry Culligan MaxClear with a certified filter for people who want a name-brand 2.25 gal system at a low price.
Amazon $155$1552.2 galNSF/ANSI 42- - Waterdrop TK15-A#4 of 17Full review
A small, low-priced certified gravity filter for one to three people, a trip or an RV.
Amazon $119.99$119.991.5 galNSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 3723,000 gal each - Waterdrop TK-FS#5 of 17Full review
The Waterdrop with fluoride filters in the box. Costs $80 more than the TK-A, which can take fluoride filters as an add-on.
Amazon $239.99$239.992.2 galNSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 3723,000 gal each
Best Gravity Water Filters of 2.5 to 3.5 Gallons
- Culligan MaxClear Venture 1 Filter#1 of 6Full review
A 3 gal MaxClear that can grow into three filters. A good base if you plan to add filters later.
Amazon $199$1993 galNSF/ANSI 42- - Culligan MaxClear Venture 3 Filters#2 of 6Full review
The fully loaded Venture. It makes sense for a busy kitchen where a one-filter system would hold up the line.
Amazon $309$3093 galNSF/ANSI 42- - ProOne Big+ 3 Gal#3 of 6Full review
A 3 gal stainless gravity filter that uses ProOne G2.0 filters. A mid-priced option, though the listing publishes little about flow, filter gallons or warranty.
Amazon $229.95$229.953 galNSF/ANSI 42- - Boroux Legacy 3 Gal#4 of 6Full review
A Royal Berkey sized 3 gal stainless filter with long-life carbon filters. A fair price, but the filters lack an NSF reduction certification.
Amazon $399$3993 galNSF/ANSI/CAN 3726,000 gal each - Royal Berkey#5 of 6Full review
The middle Berkey for a household that drinks and cooks with filtered water. A step up from the Big Berkey without needing much more space.
Amazon $408$4083.2 galTested only3,000 gal each
Best Large Gravity Water Filters (4.5 Gallons and Up)
- Crown Berkey#1 of 2Full review
The largest Berkey, for a large family, a church kitchen or a workplace. Cheapest per gallon of capacity among the Berkeys.
Amazon $478$4786 galTested only3,000 gal each - Imperial Berkey#2 of 2Full review
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$4514.5 galTested only3,000 gal each
How We Rank
Each system is ranked against others of similar tank size and scored on price per gallon of capacity, running cost, capacity, certification, rated element life and warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per gallon of tank capacity | 25% |
| Running cost | replacement element cost per gallon filtered | 15% |
| Capacity | tank size in gallons | 15% |
| Certification | NSF/ANSI standards the maker states are certified, with testing-only claims at the floor | 20% |
| Element life | rated gallons per element | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.