Over the years we've asked a handful of repeat customers to share what owning a Berkey has actually been like day to day, and several others have sent reviews in on their own. This page collects them in one place: a long-form review from a Chicago family of four who bought a Big Berkey in 2018, a video review of the Travel Berkey, and shorter notes from customers in California, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts. These are their words, lightly edited for length and clarity.
What customers keep coming back to: the taste difference compared with tap water, the end of buying bottled water, how simple assembly and upkeep turn out to be, and picking a system size with a little room to grow. Every new Berkey system ships with Black Berkey Elements while supplies last, and the authorized replacement is the Berkey Phoenix Element; the reviews below reflect each customer's system as purchased.
3 Ways Our Berkey Has Improved Our Life
Sean Purdue, a repeat customer from Chicago, Illinois, bought his first Berkey system in January 2018. We asked him to write an in-depth review of his experience, and this is what he sent.
We have fairly good quality drinking water where I live, or so I thought. It comes from the local water utility here in Chicago, and is considered to be clean and treated. Unfortunately, it does have a slight metallic taste, and occasionally a strong chemical taste and odor, which can be a bit off-putting and can ruin a good cup of coffee. We have always used bottled water to tide us through these episodes. I was initially a bit skeptical about purchasing a Berkey water filter, considering the upfront cost, but due to ongoing pressure from my wife who drinks lots of water and coffee, I eventually relented and purchased a Big Berkey. And I'm glad I did, as it has literally improved my life in so many ways.
1. Happy Wife, Happy Life
Firstly, and most importantly, my wife is happy, lol. But to be honest, so am I as it has been a game changer.
We opted for the Big Berkey as it serves a family of four without being too big and cumbersome on our kitchen counter. The polished stainless steel chambers look awesome too. Our system came with two Black Berkey filters, which are independently tested to reduce over 200 common drinking water contaminants. We have since added two PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters to the bottom chamber to address those contaminants too.
Since we have had filtered water on tap, I have become a bit of a water snob. While I know Berkey does not advertise or guarantee a water taste, for me there is a huge difference in taste between the water delivered by the Berkey and the water that comes from our taps. There are no chemical odors or tastes often associated with chlorinated water, and no lingering metallic taste either.
The water not only tastes great, but we now feel better knowing the filter is tested against contaminants often found in drinking water. From the site, these include lead and other heavy metals, organic and inorganic compounds, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, PFAS and BPA, and more.
2. Saves Money and Protects the Environment
We no longer have to keep a stash of bottled water on hand. This has resulted in a huge savings for us, and as a result, our Big Berkey has already paid for itself in about 6 months. Our family is also very environmentally aware, and the plastic footprint associated with using bottled water has always been a big concern for us. The Berkey offers an environmentally friendly solution. We now have a steady supply of filtered water, without contributing to the planet's plastic problem.
3. Filtered Water at Home, Work and On the Go
Since the water from our Berkey is in a class of its own, I have now bought each member of my family a Sport Berkey water bottle to use when they are away from home. My kids now have filtered drinking water when they are at school, and my wife and I use ours to stay hydrated when we commute to work or are at the gym.
I have also purchased a Berkey Light system for our small office to give myself and my team access to filtered water throughout the day.
I have absolutely no regrets about purchasing the Berkey. The taste of the water is beyond delicious. My family is hooked on Berkey water. We use the Big Berkey at home for everything, including cooking and making coffee. Our dog drinks it too. My wife even waters our house plants with it. Definitely one of my best purchases for my home in a long time.
Sean Purdue, Chicago, IL. Big Berkey, purchased January 2018.
Travel Berkey Video Review
A customer recorded this video review of the Travel Berkey, the smallest full-size system in the lineup (1.5 gallons, about 17 inches tall and 7.5 inches across, 304 stainless steel, recommended for up to 3 people). We think reviews like this are more useful to a first-time buyer than anything we could write ourselves.
"We really like the Travel Berkey system. We took it with us on a month long vacation with no issues. We have pretty good water here but with the Berkey water I can now easily taste the difference between tap and filtered. Assembly is easy, mostly hand tightening with the exception of needing a screwdriver for the lid knob. So if traveling, don't forget tools. I do hope that Berkey continues to improve filtering of those horrible forever chemicals. A good product so far."
Sandy H., Oklahoma. Travel Berkey.
On Sandy's PFAS note: Black Berkey Elements have since been independently tested across 25 PFAS compounds to non-detectable levels, and Phoenix replacement elements have been tested for PFOA, PFOS, and GenX through 1,500 liters. The full reports are linked from our contaminant list.
More Berkey Reviews From Our Customers
"I just received my first order from Big Berkey and everything was perfect. I really appreciate your time in answering my questions before I ordered, sending me a detailed receipt upon completing my internet order transaction, which was followed by a shipping confirmation when the package was shipped. The order was filled correctly, packed very well so there was no damage to anything. I was amazed how quickly this order arrived. You folks care and will have my repeat business when I need more supplies and I will certainly recommend your company to others."
Larry Miller, Santa Clarita, CA.
"Everyone who spent time with me before in the Berkshires thought my well water was superb. But now with the Berkey water filter I feel as though I've never really tasted wonderful water before, and the others agree. It's different now. Delicious. I would almost say a treat! And the highest superlative comes from my many dogs. They are big water drinkers but now they have become HUGE water drinkers. As you know, if a taste passes muster with an animal, then it's really good."
"In choosing the size Berkey water filter I needed, I forgot to factor in my dogs and their constant need for water. So, yes, I have the Big Berkey now but the Imperial should be here next week sometime. Choose your unit realistically and generously. In this case bigger is better."
"I would add here that the customer support (Dan DeBaun) is rather like dealing with a knowledgeable caring friend, not a businessman. He cheerfully answers myriads of questions and never makes you feel stupid, though I know he's heard them many times before."
Mary Jane Goodrich, South Egremont, MA. Big Berkey, upgrading to Imperial Berkey. Private well, tested and treated.
What These Reviews Have in Common
A few threads run through every review we receive, and they line up with what we hear on the phone:
Taste is the first thing people notice. Berkey does not make taste claims, but chlorine and metallic notes are the most common complaints about municipal water, and both are within what the elements are tested to reduce.
Bottled water spending stops. Sean's payback math (about six months for a family of four) is typical for households that were buying cases weekly.
Size up if you're on the fence. Mary Jane's Big Berkey to Imperial upgrade is a common story. Our sizing guide walks through daily use by household size, and pets count.
Assembly is simpler than expected. Hand-tighten, prime the elements, fill the top chamber. A screwdriver for the lid knob is the only tool.
If you own a Berkey and would like to add your experience here, send it over. We publish reviews as written, with only light edits for length and clarity, and we don't publish claims the product hasn't been tested for.
Find the Right Berkey for Your Household
Compare sizes, see what each system ships with, and review the independent lab results before you buy.
Dan is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.
By
Dan DeBaun
