Berkey isn’t the only water filter brand in the business.
Though it’s often touted as the best, these costly filters aren’t for everyone. The good news is there are a variety of comparable countertop filters that might suit your needs even better than a Berkey.
Read on to discover the top Berkey water filter alternatives on the market, so you and your family can stay safe and hydrated for years to come.
1. Alexapure
Capacity: 2.25 Gallons | Multiple Filter Types: No | Filter Life: 5,000 gallons
Filters 206 contaminants:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Parasites
- Lead
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Fluoride
- Chlorine
Alexapure makes a single stainless-steel gravity-filtration system known as the Alexapure Pro. Removing over 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, this filter can help keep you and your family safe from microbiological contaminants like rotavirus and E. coli. It even removes chlorine and foul odors to make your water taste good.
The activated-carbon filter comes encased in a hybrid-ceramic shell infused with silver to prevent bacterial growth and keep things clean. Alexapure explains how the filter works on a surface level but doesn’t publish the specific technology behind it. This is standard industry practice, and I wouldn’t consider it a red flag.
The Alexapure Pro functions with one filter, but you can insert up to four additional filters to increase the water’s flow rate. A single filter can still give you up to 5,000 gallons of safe drinking water, enough to last a family of four roughly three years.
So, how safe is it really? Many fly-by-night filter companies get cagey about third-party testing, but Alexapure is proud to post its test results online for the world to see. The only downside is the lack of official certifications. While the Pro has been tested to NSF/ANSI standard 53 for contaminant removal, it does not have a current certificate for standard 53 or any other standard.
Read more: Berkey vs Alexapure
Alexapure Pros:
- One filter for everything
- Long filter life
- Removes viruses
- Improves water taste
- Affordable
Alexapure Cons:
- No NSF/ANSI certifications
- Only one size
2. ProOne
Capacity: 2.25–3 Gallons | Multiple Filter Types: No | Filter Life: 900–3,600 Gallons
Filters over 200 contaminants:
- Bacteria
- Parasites
- Lead
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Fluoride
- Microplastics
ProOne comes in as solid competition with some of the best gravity filters around. The 3-gallon ProOne Big+ and 2.25-gallon ProOne Traveler have stainless steel bodies, while the 2.50-gallon ProOne Big II is made of blue food-grade, BPA-free plastic.
Though they have varying capacities and look a bit different, all the ProOne systems function using a ProOne G2.0 series gravity filter with a carbon core and ceramic silver-infused shell. The ProOne filter is similar to the Alexapure, but it does have an advantage. This filter is actually certified under NSF/ANSI-42, so it’s guaranteed to improve your water’s taste and aesthetic quality.
The website states that the filters have also been tested to NSF/ANSI standards 53, P231, P401, and P473, but they do not have an actual NSF certification for these additional standards. You can fact-check the tests by viewing the lab report on the ProOne website.
It’s helpful that ProOne has a dedicated page discussing its gravity filters, as well as cleaning, maintenance, and more. Adding additional filters to each unit will extend the filter’s lifespan further and increase the flow rate. The ProOne Big+ can take up to three filters, while the Traveler and Big II can take two. The filters also fit into other gravity filtration systems, so you have some flexibility here.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like the ProOne has been tested for virus removal, which can be a big issue in many regions. If you’re concerned about viruses, go with a filter like the Alexapure Pro that’s been third-party tested against them and rated for removal.
ProOne Pros:
- NSF/ANSI-42 certification
- Filters over 200 contaminants
- Improves taste
ProOne Cons:
- Not rated for viruses
- Large cost variance between sizes
3. Purewell
Capacity: 2.25–2.9 Gallons | Multiple Filter Types: Yes | Filter Life: 3,000–6,000 Gallons
Filters a variety of contaminants:
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Bacteria
- Parasites
- Heavy metals
- Limescale
- Sediment
The Purewell water filter consists of a unique three-part filter system removing over 99% of bacteria, parasites, lead, chlorine, and other contaminants. Purewell manufactures hollow-carbon filters with a minuscule pore size of 0.01 microns to filter out additional materials. Yet, when used properly, they maintain a decent flow rate of 4 gallons per hour.
Purewell’s claim to fame is great taste, and it does have the NSF/ANSI-42 certification for chlorine reduction in taste and odor. The units come with two black carbon filters that have a combined lifespan of 6,000 gallons. You can clean and reuse them for several years to reduce waste and save money.
Unfortunately, standard Purewell filters do not remove fluoride. Those needing extra fluoride filtration must purchase additional fluoride filters, which cannot be reused and only have a lifespan of 1,000 gallons per pair. People who need a reduction in dissolved solids must purchase separate TDS filters.
While the Purewell filter removes most heavy metals, bacteria, and protozoa, there is no data available for viruses. I could also not locate a comprehensive independent lab test for Purewell, only the select pages published on its own website.
Purewell Pros:
- Chlorine taste reduction
- Affordable
- Long filter life
- NSF/ANSI-42 certification
Purewell Cons:
- Different filter types
- Expensive filters
- Not rated for viruses
4. ZeroWater
Capacity: 2.5 Gallons | Multiple Filter Types: No | Filter Life: Variable
Filters a variety of contaminants:
- Sediment
- Fluoride
- Chlorine
- Chloride
- Cyanide
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Arsenic
- PFOA/PFOS
ZeroWater makes various filter systems. Its 2.5-gallon units are the most comparable to Berkey, but there are some key differences to consider. Instead of stainless-steel bodies, these units are made of transparent glass. They resemble office water dispensers more than hearty off-grid filters.
While they won’t work as portable survival filters, ZeroWater filters do have several unique advantages that put them on the list. First, they work on a five-stage ion exchange system to remove 99.6% of total dissolved solids. This allows them to meet the same TDS standards as purified bottled water, giving ZeroWater a big leg up in the filter game.
Second, these filters have a unique capacity to mitigate heavy metal contamination. ZeroWater filters are certified to NSF/ANSI standards 42 and 53, so they’re rated against materials with adverse health effects and meet stringent requirements for lead and heavy metal reduction.
ZeroWater’s test results indicate that these filters remove 99% of lead, chromium, copper, and iron. They filter 92% of mercury and also reduce dangerous materials like arsenic, asbestos, and cyanide. This filter could keep you and your family safe if you live in an area with construction, fracking, or other development.
However, ZeroWater filters also have some issues. They basically distill your water, stripping it of beneficial elements like manganese, magnesium, and selenium. They also do not remove bacteria, protozoa, viruses, or parasites. If biologics are your primary concern, ZeroWater isn’t for you.
Additionally, the filter’s lifespan is up in the air. It depends entirely on your water’s starting quality, so the filters could last a few months or only a few weeks. Variable filter life means that even though ZeroWater systems are cheaper initially, they could cost more over time if you constantly replace the filter.
ZeroWater Pros:
- NSF/ANSI-42 certification
- NSF/ANSI-53 certification
- Inexpensive start-up cost
- One filter for everything
ZeroWater Cons:
- Removes beneficial micronutrients
- Cannot remove bacteria, parasites, or viruses
- Glass units can break more easily
- Variable filter lifespan
5. Doulton British Berkefeld
Capacity: 1.58–3.17 Gallons | Multiple Filter Types: Yes | Filter Life: Six Months
Filters over 230 contaminants:
- Bacteria
- Sediment
- Heavy metals
- Parasites
- Microplastics
- Chlorine
Doulton may not be a household name in the US, but this British-born company has operated since the 1800s. Its countertop filter strongly resembles the Berkey and comes in three sizes, so you can choose the one for you based on how many people you have in your household. Each system takes up to four dedicated Doulton filters.
Doulton manufactures two ceramic filter types for their gravity systems. The Ultra Fluoride filter removes fluoride, and the Ultra Sterasyl filter removes other contaminants. These have confirmed a 99% removal rate for bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and chlorine.
It’s important to note that Doulton does not ship overseas, but some US vendors carry its products. However, these vendors often don’t have every size in stock. It may be difficult to source some things depending on what you’re looking for.
While it doesn’t seem that Doulton’s gravity filters have an NSF/ANSI certification, they do have a Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) certification. The WRAS has stringent manufacturing and contaminant removal standards. It’s pretty much the gold-standard certification in the UK, which definitely adds to the company’s credibility.
Unfortunately, Doulton does not publish any information on viruses, pesticides, or herbicide removal. Additionally, heavy metals seem to linger even with the Ultra Sterasyl filter. It can remove 99.5% of lead, but data on mercury and cadmium isn’t available. If you’re more concerned about heavy metals or viruses, don’t risk it.
Doulton Pros:
- Affordable
- Reputable company
- WRAS certified
Doulton Cons:
- Extra filter for fluoride
- Short filter life
- Not rated for viruses
- Limited availability in the US
Hello! I have purchased a Membrane Solutions UV countertop water filtration system before reading this.
I was wondering if you had any information or opinions on this brand/ model. I see it wasn’t on your list. TIA!