Searching for the best water filter system can make you feel like Goldilocks — most models are too big, some are too small, and many don’t have the right mix of features. Let us introduce you to one that’s just right — the Big Berkey Countertop Water Filter System.It’s the perfect size for home use, but small enough to follow you anywhere, and for peace of mind, it can make water from any source safe to drink without electricity.
Here’s a closer look at why the Big Berkey wins our blue ribbon for best countertop water filter.
Big Berkey Water Filter 2.25 Gallon System – Best Countertop Filter
Big Berkey produces some of the few countertop filtration systems that make water both better-tasting and potable. In testing, it eliminated 99.9999-percent of water-borne pathogens — a level of safety most filters can’t approach — plus greater than 99.9-percent of heavy metals that are particularly dangerous to children like arsenic, aluminum, lead and chromium. It’s stainless steel design looks handsome on the counter, and it takes just 8.5-inches of space. For travel, it breaks down quickly and the parts nest together. It’s ideal for home, camps, RVs and hotels, and if you already have a filter that doesn’t make water pathogen-free, it’s perfect for emergency backup.
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FAQs
Q: How fast does the Big Berkey filter water?
     A: It can purify up to seven gallons per hour.
Q: Do the fluoride filters contain aluminum?
     A: Filters use safe aluminum oxide, not the pure aluminum that can be hazardous to health.
Q: Does the Big Berkey remove chlorine?
     A: Absolutely! It removes 99.6-percent of chlorine and 99.9-percent of free chlorine.
My Take
The Big Berkey is the top pick in many counter top water filter reviews because it’s well-balanced. It’s rugged, but attractive, portable but high-capacity, and it has filtering capability that’s ideal for both home and on the road. From top to bottom, quality is designed into every feature, and the system is expandable — add or subtract purification elements up to four and use or don’t the fluoride filters — the system works either way. The Big Berkey is our choice for best countertop water filter because it’s exceptionally versatile — it replaces a closet’s worth of filters for different circumstances — and it offers unparalleled protection for the whole family in emergencies.
Best Countertop Water Filter Buyer’s Guide
No water filtration system addresses every threat, but for daily use, it’s vital to have a filter that reduces the contaminants you worry about most. Let’s review the features that can make some systems better than others for your needs.
Performance Features
Contaminant Filtration
Water from different sources is at risk for distinct types of contamination. From the fluoride, chlorine and drug residue common in city water to the heavy metals found in wells and the bacteria, parasites and chemicals that contaminate rivers, lakes and streams — few filters mitigate as many dangers in as many situations as the Big Berkey.
In a natural disaster when water treatment plants may be offline due to damage or a power outage, pathogens are the most considerable risk to human health. When the bottled water runs out at the store, the Big Berkey has your family covered.
Micron Rating
The size of pores in water filters is measured in microns — millionths of a meter. Some companies use their filter’s micron rating to wow consumers — but don’t be fooled. There are two types of micron ratings — nominal and absolute. Nominal pore size is an average — some may be bigger or smaller. Absolute pore size is the maximum any pore in a filtration element can be. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. To avoid confusion, Big Berkey doesn’t publish its micron rating. Instead, it lets independent test results do the talking.
Capacity
Capacity reflects how much water a filter element can purify before it needs to be replaced. Filters with higher capacity need less maintenance, they’re more convenient, and over the long haul, they cost less to operate. The Big Berkey comes with two filter elements — each with a 3000-gallon capacity — so that’s 6,000 gallons in total. It could be years before a small family has to replace them.
Flow Rate
Flow rate tells you how fast a filter makes water. Better filters tend to have lower flow rates because they remove more contaminants. The Big Berkey filters only two gallons per hour, but because purified water is held in a separate reservoir, there is always some available while it’s making more.
Size
Countertop systems take less space than whole-house or under sink filters, but when every inch counts, the 8.5-inch diameter Berkey fits almost anywhere. If you’re planning to put it under a cabinet, measure the vertical space as well. You’ll need to remove the top to add water, so give it a place where doing that is easier.
Assembly and Maintenance
Assembling and maintaining the Big Berkey requires no special skills. Easy-to-follow instructions are included, and support videos are available online.
Help and Support
The Big Berkey has a one-year warranty on the canister and a two-year pro-rated warranty on the filters when purchased from an authorized representative. Customer care and technical support are available by phone or online.
Counter top water filter reviews make shopping for a filtration system more manageable, but before you buy, it’s worth the time to consider the impact water has in your life and what not having a safe supply could mean. If you want a filter that just makes water taste better or eliminates the cost of bottles, you have dozens of good choices, but to make it potable, the Big Berkey is your best option.
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