Big Berkey
Gravity countertop filter by Berkey · Third-party tested
From $367 with 2 Black Berkey elements at the authorized dealer BigBerkeyWaterFilters.com · checked October 23, 2026
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Our verdict
The most searched-for gravity filter in America, and the most complicated recommendation we publish. The lab data is extensive; the certification is absent, and an EPA stop-sale order has hung over parts of the line since 2023. Informed buyers can still choose it - but choose it informed.
Specifications & certification
| Type | Gravity countertop filter |
| How it works | The original two-chamber stainless gravity system. Black Berkey elements in the upper chamber drip purified water into the 2.25-gallon lower chamber - up to 3.5 gallons per hour with two elements. |
| Certification status | Black Berkey elements are NOT NSF-certified. Berkey's dealer states it directly: the elements are 'tested to NSF/ANSI standards by independent, EPA-accredited third-party laboratories, though they do not carry formal NSF certification.' The newer Phoenix elements are certified to NSF 42 and 372 only - neither carries NSF 53. |
| Filter life | Black Berkey pair rated 6,000 gallons; the current Phoenix replacement pair is rated 5,500 gallons |
| Replacement filters | Phoenix elements $120/pair (current); Black elements ship with new systems while supplies last |
| Running cost | Phoenix pair $120 per 5,500 gallons; PF-2 fluoride pair $103 per 1,000 gallons |
| Flow / pace | Up to 3.5 GPH (2 elements); 7 GPH (4 elements) |
| Size | 19.25 in H x 8.5 in diameter; 2.25-gallon capacity |
| Power & plumbing | None. Gravity only. |
| Warranty | Warranty figures conflict between the dealer and third-party sources - confirm current terms with the seller before buying |
What it claims to reduce
These are Berkey's own published figures, graded by the certification status above - we do not run a lab, and we do not upgrade a brand's wording.
- Tested against 200+ contaminants (dealer-published lab results)
- Lead over 99.9% in lab testing
- PFOA tested at 99.9%+ (Black elements)
- Fluoride only with PF-2 add-on elements
Strengths
- Huge installed base and community knowledge
- Fast flow for a gravity system
- Strong published lab numbers across many contaminants
Trade-offs
- No NSF certification for its main elements - testing only
- In May 2023 the EPA issued a stop-sale order covering certain silver-containing Berkey filters (treating the silver as a pesticide); litigation has kept the dispute alive since - check current status before buying
- Systems do not ship to California or Iowa (dealer note)
Never miss a filter change
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