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Originally Posted On: https://www.berkeycleanwater.com/blogs/news/berkey-vs-aquarain

 

Water filtration systems vary in terms of filtration quality, capacity, and cost. Before you invest in a new water purifier, you’ll want to ensure you’re choosing the best possible system for your home and health.

If you’ve been comparing Berkey vs AquaRain, you may be struggling to wrap your head around their many differences. Deciding between these systems can be tricky. That’s we created this in-depth comparison review.

Let’s discover which of these water filter systems is right for you!

Berkey Water Filter System

Berkey was founded in Colorado during the 1990s and has steadily grown to become one of the US’s top-rated manufacturers of countertop water purifiers. They offer a wide range of water filtration systems.

Water Filter System Types

Unlike other water filter system manufacturers, Berkey has an astoundingly varied product line. Instead of offering only one or two types of purifiers, they offer seven primary water filter systems, which are the:

• Travel Berkey
• Big Berkey
• Royal Berkey
• Imperial Berkey
• Crown Berkey
• Berkey Light
• Sport Berkey

In addition, Berkey offers two dozen practical accessories, including a carrying case for your Berkey water purifier. These accessories can help extend the life of your system or help make it more portable.

Let’s take a moment to review Berkey’s many products. After all, it can be challenging to determine how worthwhile Berkey water filter systems might be if you’re not familiar with them!

Travel Berkey

The Travel Berkey is the smallest-capacity filtration system made by Berkey. It has a capacity of 1.5 gallons and can filter almost 3 gallons of water per hour! Additionally, this purifier is light enough for easy transport.

When you need to purchase a new Travel Berkey water filter, you can make things easy by purchasing Black Berkey filters. These attach to PF-2 Fluoride Filters that can help you enjoy the cleanest, purest drinking water.

The Big Berkey, Royal Berkey, Imperial Berkey, and Crown Berkey are essentially larger versions of the Travel Berkey. All are made of stainless steel and feature the same basic design. Their main differences are size.

Big Berkey

The Big Berkey is essentially a slightly larger version of the Travel Berkey. However, instead of featuring a 1.5-gallon capacity, the Big Berkey can simultaneously filter up to 2.25 gallons.

Royal Berkey

As you’ve likely guessed, the Royal Berkey’s capacity is greater than the Big Berkey’s. It can filter 3.25 gallons of water at once. Still, its design and appearance are nearly identical to that of the Big Berkey and Travel Berkey.

Imperial Berkey

The Imperial Berkey has a 4.5-gallon capacity but can produce up to 5.5 gallons of filtered water per hour. Much like the other Berkey water filter systems, this device is primarily made of stainless steel.

Crown Berkey

With a whopping six-gallon capacity, the Crown Berkey is the largest of the Berkey product line. It stands about 30 inches tall and weighs about 15lbs. Impressively, this purifier can filter almost three gallons per hour.

You can fit a maximum of eight Berkey filters into this water filtration system. Choosing a replacement Crown Berkey water filter is simple, as this model primarily accepts Black Berkey filters.

These filters can be paired with PF-2 Fluoride Filters to ensure that your filtered water is fluoride-free. Consequently, the Crown Berkey could be the best choice for those looking to enjoy large quantities of purified water.

Berkey Light

The Berkey Light is one of the few Berkey water filtration systems not made of stainless steel. Instead, it’s made of a lightweight, BPA-free polyester material that’s similar to most hard plastics.

At less than ten pounds in weight, this is one of the lightest Berkey water purifiers, especially considering its size. While the Berkey Light is about the same weight as the Travel Berkey, it has almost twice the capacity.

This is also the only transparent Berkey system. Overall, the Berkey light is one of the easiest to transport models. And if stainless steel isn’t your style, you might appreciate this purifier’s less reflective design.

Sport Berkey

The Sport Berkey, also colloquially called the Berkey water bottle, is an excellent tool for staying hydrated while on the go. Remember, staying hydrated is crucial to your health and vitality.

But lugging around a 50lb water filtration system isn’t the most convenient solution to your hydration needs. That’s why the Sport Berkey is such a worthwhile and attractive option.

It can filter water from natural sources such as streams, lakes, and rivers. Even better, the durable filter can remove up to 99.9% of microorganisms, ensuring that you stay hydrated while hitting the trail.

California-Specific Products

Berkey also produces products that are designed specifically for California residents. Thus far, there are two California-accepted Berkey water filtration systems: The Berkey Light and the Travel Berkey.

Available Accessories

If we tried to list all of Berkey’s accessories here, we’d likely run out of room! That’s because Berkey offers two dozen unique accessories that range from replacement parts to light-up LED bases.

Whether you’re hoping to replace a worn-out component or upgrade your Berkey water purifier, you can find everything you need. Overall, the Berkey accessory selection is competitive, comprehensive, and practical.

Filtration Quality

As you may already know, the average person’s tap water might be filled with bacteria, chemicals, and harmful contaminants. Some of the most common tap water contaminants include arsenic, lead, and bleach.

When choosing a water filtration system, it’s vital to consider filtration quality. Fortunately, if you’re choosing Berkey, you’re in good hands. Their Black Berkey filters can remove up to 99.99% of viruses and bacteria.

It can also remove a similar percentage of lead, arsenic, and mercury. Many water filtration systems struggle to remove these types of heavy metals from drinking water. But Berkey excels at keeping your water clean.

Replacement Filters

Berkey replacement filters are a diverse group of products. You can find a replacement filter for every type of Berkey filtration system, making it easy to maintain your water purifier.

You may also be able to attach a specialized fluoride-removing filter to your Black Berkey filters, enhancing your water filter’s effectiveness. AquaRain water filters can’t do that.

The average Black Berkey filter lasts for 3,000 gallons and can be washed clean for reusability. Overall, they’re easy to work with and relatively affordable.

Initial and Long-Term Costs

One of the most attractive aspects of Berkey is affordability. Their smaller-capacity water filtration systems are incredibly accessible, making for reasonable initial investment costs.

Each Berkey device comes with a set of filters, helping to lower initial purchase fees. But what about long-term costs?

Berkey filters don’t have the longest lifespan. As such, Berkey owners may end up paying slightly more to enjoy filtered water. That said, you could potentially lower long-term costs by adding extra filters to your system.

Ease of Use

Using your Berkey water purifier is simple. First, you add water to the top of the vessel. Then you wait for it to filter through to the bottom. Berkey filters work quickly, so you won’t need to wait for long to enjoy pure, filtered water.

No matter which type of Berkey product you’re thinking of buying, you likely won’t struggle to use it. These water filtration systems are designed for ease of use and cleaning.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Nothing lasts forever and Berkey water filters are no exception. Still, general cleaning and maintenance tasks are simple. You may need to wash your Berkey’s filters or wipe down its exterior, but that’s about it.

If your water purifier’s components begin to break or wear out, you can simply purchase a replacement part online. However, Berkey water filters are made to last. It could be years before you need replacement parts.

AquaRain Water Filter System

AquaRain is a relatively small and novel company known for producing a water filter system that utilizes a long-lasting ceramic filter. They only offer a single type of water purifier and a limited number of related accessories.

Water Filter System Types

AquaRain offers only one type of water filter system, called Model 303. This unassuming purifier has a maximum capacity of three gallons and comes with three ceramic filters. It’s designed for countertop use.

The stainless steel body is easy to wipe clean and may complement other stainless steel kitchen appliances and devices. In addition, this water purifier can filter up to 10,000 gallons before the filters wear out.

Overall, the Model 303 water filter system is simple, straightforward, and easy to use. But it’s also the only AquaRain water purifier.

Available Accessories

The bulk of AquaRain accessories are replacement components for the Model 303. They also offer a pre-filter bag that’s designed to remove sediment from natural water sources.

The AquaRain 303 isn’t the most portable device. With a 3-gallon capacity, it would be nearly impossible for someone to carry the Model 303 along with them on a camping or hiking trip.

As such, some of the AquaRain accessories feel misplaced or impractical. This is in stark contrast to Berkey’s diverse selection of helpful accessories and replacement parts.

Filtration Quality

AquaRain claims that its ceramic filters can remove 99.99% of waterborne viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In terms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the Model 303 may be able to lower them to undetectable levels.

But AquaRain ceramic filters only filter out up to 95% of heavy metals, including lead and mercury. Additionally, their filters do not remove fluoride.

As such, the filtration quality of AquaRain filters pales in comparison to Berkey filters. Still, their replacement filters are a little more affordable.

Replacement Filters

There is only one kind of replacement filter for the AquaRain Model 303. These are ceramic filters that can filter more than 3,000 gallons. These filters aren’t as effective as Berkey’s, but they are more straightforward.

Additionally, because there’s only one kind of filter, purchasing replacement filters is a breeze. The AquaRain ceramic filters are also comparatively affordable, which may be a plus for tight budgets.

Initial and Long-Term Costs

The initial cost of the AquaRain Model 303 is comparable to the initial cost of the Royal Berkey, which has a similar capacity. Additionally, AquaRain filters can last longer than Berkely filters.

Overall, AquaRain ceramic filters are more affordable than Berkey filters. As such, the long-term costs of owning and operating an AquaRain water purifier are lower than those who own Berkey systems.

Ease of Use

The AquaRain 303 is easy to use. Like many other gravity-based water filtration systems, you only need to pour water into the top of the vessel and wait for it to filter through to the bottom chamber.

That said, this system isn’t the fastest. For example, the AquaRain 303 can only process one gallon of water per hour. As such, it would take at least three hours to fill the bottom chamber with purified water.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping the AquaRain water filtration system clean is relatively simple. The body of the Model 303 is made of thick stainless steel that is resistant to rust and bacteria.

The ceramic filters can withstand more than a hundred cleanings before wearing out. Each filter features an ‘end of life’ gauge that can help you stay on top of filter changes.

Berkey vs AquaRain: Which Is Better?

While comparing these two brands, we quickly discovered that Berkey was a clear winner. Not only do they offer far more products than AquaRain, but their products tend to be far easier to use and maintain.

Additionally, Berkey water filters remove nearly all common tap water contaminants, including fluoride. But AquaRain does not. Besides, the AquaRain purifier takes ages to filter even the smallest amount of water.

If you’re serious about enjoying the tastiest, purest, and healthiest water, Berkey is a natural choice. Their water purifying systems are some of the longest-lasting and highest-quality options available.

Invest in a Berkey Water Filter System Today

When you’re caught comparing Berkey vs AquaRain water filter systems, it can be tricky to pick the right option. Both are primarily gravity-based and offer superior-quality purified water. That said, there is a clear winner.

AquaRain only offers a single purification system. Berkey, on the other hand, has a water filter system for every imaginable situation, location, and price point. Also, their filters can catch a wide variety of common contaminants.

Do you know what’s hiding in your tap water? Take this water quality quiz now to find out!