As concerns about water quality continue to rise, having access to clean drinking water is essential for maintaining optimal health. Water filters have become increasingly popular as individuals seek to guarantee that their water is free from harmful substances.
Two well-known brands in the water filtration industry are Berkey and Brita. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between Berkey and Brita water filters. While both brands aim to provide clean drinking water, there are significant differences in their filtration methods, performance, and overall capabilities.
Read on to learn everything about Berkey vs. Brita and make an informed decision on which brand is the right fit for your needs.
Berkey vs. Brita: How Reliable Is It?
Berkey 9.7 TOTAL SCORE
Brita 9.7 TOTAL SCORE
Comparison Of Berkey vs. Brita
| Key Features | Berkey | Brita |
Removal of Contaminants | 232 contaminants | 12 contaminants |
Storage Capacity | 2.25 gallons | 10 cups |
Filter Lifespan | 3,000 gal./ cartridge | 40 gal./ 2 months |
Portability | Less portable than Brita | More portable than Berkey |
Durability | More durable than Brita | Less durable than Berkey |
Weight | 7.35 pounds | 1 pound |
NSF Certified | No | Yes |
Warranty | Lifetime | 90 days |
Cost | Costly than Brita | Affordable than Berkey |
Berkey vs. Brita: Introduction
Berkey and Brita are well-established brands that provide water filtration solutions to enhance drinking water quality.
Berkey Water Filters are renowned for their exceptional filtration capabilities and operate on a gravity-fed system. These filters employ a combination of microfiltration and adsorption techniques to effectively eliminate various contaminants present in water, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Berkey filters are characterized by their sturdy construction, independence from electricity, and versatility for everyday usage and emergencies. They boast a prolonged lifespan and can effectively purify a substantial amount of water before necessitating replacement.
In contrast, Brita Water Filters have gained popularity due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness. These filters utilize activated carbon filters to reduce chlorine, sediment, and certain impurities, resulting in enhanced taste and odor of tap water.
Berkey filters boast a prolonged lifespan and can effectively purify a substantial amount of water before necessitating replacement.
Maintaining good health relies heavily on the consumption of clean drinking water. Proper hydration is fundamental, as water is essential for many bodily functions. It plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, facilitating joint lubrication, transporting vital nutrients, and aiding digestion.
Efficient absorption of essential nutrients from food is facilitated by consuming clean water. By doing so, the transportation of these vital nutrients to cells is enhanced, which, in turn, supports overall metabolic processes.
Contaminated water has the potential to host detrimental microorganisms, chemicals, and pollutants that can give rise to waterborne illnesses like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. So, to prevent such ailments and foster general well-being, it is imperative to consume clean water.
Berkey vs. Brita: Berkey Water Filter System Explained
Berkey water filters have gained a reputation for exceptional filtration systems, which deliver consistent access to clean drinking water. The brand offers diverse filter options, each meticulously designed to cater to specific filtration requirements.
Berkey’s filters, called Black Berkey elements, are recognized for their effectiveness in purifying water. These filters are installed inside the system, positioned between the upper and lower water chambers. Berkey filters remove more than 200 contaminants.
When water moves from the top chamber to the bottom, it passes through the filter. The filter captures and retains contaminants, preventing them from permeating the filter media. This process ensures that the emerging water is clean and free from impurities.
Here are the types of Berkey water filters:
- Big Berkey – For two to four people and holds 2.5 gallons of water.
- Imperial Berkey – For six to ten people and holds 4.5 gallons of water.
- Berkey light – For two to five people and holds 2.75 gallons of water.
- Travel Berkey – For six people and holds 1.5 gallons of water.
- Royal Berkey – For two to six people and holds 3.25 gallons of water.
- Crown Berkey – For more than six people and holds 6 gallons of water.
Berkey’s filtration elements stand out for their unparalleled performance, boasting an exceptionally long lifespan of 3 to 5 years. These filters excel at eliminating over 200 contaminants commonly found in tap water.
They exhibit relatively fast filtration, taking just 2 hours and 45 minutes to filter the 2.7-gallon Berkey system completely. By incorporating two additional elements into the Big Berkey water system, you can effectively double the individual lifespan of each filter.
Berkey employs a consistent design across all its water filters while offering varying capacities at different price points. For instance, the Berkey system with two Black Berkey filters is priced between $250 and $360. Opting for the Berkey water filter with four Black Berkey filters would require an additional investment of approximately $100.
A set of two Berkey water filter elements is priced at $120. Considering their impressive lifespan of over 6,000 gallons, this cost only needs to be considered once every 4 years. This makes the Berkey filter elements an excellent value-for-money proposition.
When comparing the cost aspect between Brita and Berkey filters, the Berkey filters emerge as the more cost-effective option.
Berkey vs. Brita: Brita Water Filter System Explained
Brita’s water filters have gained significant popularity, leading the company to offer a range of pitcher styles, many of which boast sleek and attractive designs that seamlessly integrate into modern kitchens.
The Brita water filter employs a gravity-style filtration system, which gradually eliminates contaminants from a pitcher filled with water, typically taking 10 to 15 minutes. Brita removes 12 contaminants.
Brita filters utilize coconut shell-activated carbon material and feature minute pores that effectively capture contaminants such as chlorine and heavy metals through adsorption. These filters are compact and affordable.
Brita filters are available in diverse shapes and types, tailored to specific purposes. The shape and size of a Brita filter vary depending on its intended application, whether it is meant for a pitcher, shower, or water dispenser.
Brita filters are categorized into different types, such as Standard and Elite, offering options that cater to various filtration needs.
Standard Brita filters are specifically engineered to eliminate unpleasant tastes and odors from water. On the other hand, Elite Brita filters provide an enhanced level of filtration by removing a broader range of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, PFAS, and various other impurities.
Here are the types of Brita replacement filter elements:
- Standard Pitcher & Dispenser
- Water Bottle
- Elite
- Stream
- Water Faucet
The performance capabilities of the Brita water filter pitchers are highly commendable, making them stand out among other options. Furthermore, these pitchers hold an NSF certification, validating their effectiveness in removing 12 contaminants.
The filter system is designed for convenience and user-friendliness, as Brita’s pitchers often feature ergonomic handles that facilitate comfortable carrying.
The filtration process of the water filter system typically takes 10 to 20 minutes to filter a complete water reservoir. The duration varies according to the pitcher size. The lifespan of Brita’s regular water filters is approximately 2 months.
However, for enhanced performance, Brita offers the LongLast system, which boasts an exceptional lifespan of 120 gallons, surpassing other options in the market.
The Brita water filter is available in various styles and sizes, offering a range of options. The price of these filters typically falls within the range of $20 to $45, accommodating different budget preferences.
Brita’s Standard and Stream water filters have a standard lifespan of 2 months, a common duration for water pitcher filters. They offer a reasonable value for money with a price range of $6 to $7 per filter. In terms of annual costs, you can anticipate spending between $35 and $40 to cover a year’s supply of filters.
Brita also offers a water filter option with an extended lifespan called the LongLast filter. This filter comes at approximately $17 and lasts for 6 months. With the LongLast option, you can enjoy three times the usage compared to the 2-month filters, while the cost doesn’t scale proportionally. This makes the LongLast filter an even more advantageous deal in cost-effectiveness.
Berkey vs. Brita: Features
Here are the features of Berkey vs. Brita:
Berkey features
- Removes 232 contaminants
- 2.25 gallons storage capacity
- 3,000 gal./ cartridge filter lifespan
- Lifetime warranty
- 7.35 pounds weight
- Inexpensive
- Portable
- Durable
Brita features
- Removes 12 contaminants
- 10 cups storage capacity
- 40 gal./ 2 months filter lifespan
- 90 days warranty
- 1 pound weight
- Affordable
- Portable
- Durable
Berkey vs. Brita: Pros And Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Berkey water filters:
- Berkey removes 232 contaminants
- 6000 gallons filter lifespan
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Stainless steel material
- Easy installation procedure
- Not NSF certified
Here are the pros and cons of Brita water filters:
- Removes 12 contaminants
- Low upfront cost
- Simple to clean and maintain
- NSF certified
- Portable
- Not durable
Berkey vs. Brita: Customer Reviews And Testimonials
Here are the customer reviews of Berkey vs. Brita:
Berkey
Ruth Knox said, “Love this new water filter pitcher. The large capacity is wonderful. It is easy to disassemble, clean, and peasy in every way. Great purchase, and worth every penny!”
AMW said, “Water out of our sink smells like chlorine. After filtering it through the Berkey, it tastes much better and has no chlorine smell.”
Brita
Nichole said, “My water is nice and crisp now. I love the design. You don’t have to pull the top off to fill it; it has a nice little hole at the top that opens. It also has a filter indicator on that top that opens to tell you when to change the filter.”
Texan said, “Perfect size for our needs, and the water comes out without any residue suitable for us to use in our humidifier.”
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) On Berkey vs. Brita
1. Are Berkey filters better than Brita?
Berkey is a significantly superior product to Brita, offering long-term cost savings. While Brita may have the advantage of portability and a lower initial cost, it needs to catch up in cost per gallon. Moreover, Brita filters only reduce contaminants to some extent, whereas Berkey filters eliminate a wide range of impurities.
2. Is the Berkey water filter really worth it?
If you aim to find a water filter that effectively eliminates various contaminants, you prefer not to invest in a reverse osmosis system. In that case, the Berkey becomes an excellent option worth considering.
3. Why does Berkey water taste different?
Incomplete priming of the Berkey is the primary reason behind the commonly experienced metallic taste.
Conclusion: Berkey vs. Brita
Berkey filters are a superior choice for individuals seeking a low-maintenance option that requires fewer fill-ups and filter replacements. On the other hand, Brita’s filtration pitchers are more affordable, lightweight, and portable, making them a convenient short-term solution.
However, it’s important to note that Brita’s filter elements have a shorter lifespan, requiring more frequent refilling of the pitcher with drinking water.
When it comes to filtration quality, Berkey filters outperform those of Brita. With their long-lasting durability and potential for long-term cost savings, Berkey filters may emerge as a preferable choice for many individuals over Brita’s offerings.
However, it’s worth noting that Berkey filters need to possess NSF certification or undergo testing to NSF Standards, which is the only aspect where they need to catch up.
Suppose you are in the process of selecting a drinking water filtration system and weighing the options between Brita and Berkey. In that case, it is valuable to consider your specific requirements and personal preferences.
I hope today’s article on Berkey vs. Brita sounds helpful!
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Discover the ultimate water filter for your home with my in-depth comparison of Berkey vs. Brita systems. Learn about their features, performance, and price to make an informed decision.
