Introduction

When it comes to top quality home water filters, Berkey and Propur are both available for home use. They are both gravity filters that are very similar in design and capabilities, but there are subtle differences between them. In this article we compare the Big Berkey water filter vs Propur Big+, outlining the differences between the two models to help you choose the best water filter for your needs. .

At a Glance

While comparing Propur vs Berkey is a bit of a challenge given that they are so similar, the Berkey has the edge when it comes to how many contaminants it is capable of removing and to what degree. Propur is owned by an ex-Berkey dealer who has attempted to replicate the Berkey business. This is why the products seem very similar.

If budget is an issue, the Propur Big+ comes in slightly cheaper in terms of upfront cost if you opt for the bare basics and don't take the long-term filter replacement costs into account. But if you are wanting a filter that is extremely effective at removing the widest range of pollutants while also offering a decent flow rate, we recommend the Big Berkey, as it has been independently certified to remove over 200 common drinking water contaminants.

Comparison of the Big Berkey vs Propur Big+

Filtration quality

The Big Berkey is fitted with 2 or 4 Black Berkey filter elements while the Propur Big+ can be fitted with 2, 3, or 4 ProOne filter elements. Both the Big Berkey and the Propur Big+ water filters are able to remove a wide range of common water contaminants such as bacteria; heavy metals; volatile organic compounds (VOCs); common chemicals such as chlorine, herbicides and emerging contaminants such as pharmaceutical drugs.

• A full list of contaminants the Berkey is certified to remove can be found here.
• A full list of contaminants the Propur is certified to remove can be found here.

When comparing the Big Berkey vs Propur in terms of what contaminants they remove, the Berkey not only removes slightly more contaminants, it is also lab certified to remove a higher percentage of harmful contaminants such as Bisphenol A (BPA), copper, hormones and other common pharmaceutical contaminants, as well as chromium VI, uranium and other harmful radioactive contaminants, to name a few.

Advantage: Berkey

Performance comparison

The Big Berkey is capable of filtering 3.5 gallons of water per hour (with 2 Black Berkey filter elements fitted in the upper chamber). However if 4 filter elements are fitted, the flow rate is effectively doubled and increases to 7 gallons per hour.

The Propur Big+ by comparison takes 4 hours to filter 3 gallons of water with 1 ProOne G2.0 7" filter element fitted. The time is reduced to 3 hours if 2 ProOne G2.0 7" filter elements are fitted and 1 and a half hours if 3 ProOne G2.0 9" filter elements are fitted. No matter how many filters are fitted, getting clean water is a much slower process compared to the Berkey.

Advantage: Berkey

Models & upfront cost

Lets take a closer look at the different models offered by Berkey vs Propur, along with the associated upfront costs.

Berkey models

The Berkey range of water filters include a wide selection of sizes ranging from 1.5 gallons (Travel Berkey) to 6 gallons (Crown Berkey), including a light-weight 2.75 gallon BPA-free plastic model (Berkey Light) for consumers looking for a cheaper option without compensating on performance.

• Travel Berkeywater filter (1.5 gallons) - $249
• Big Berkey water filter (2.25 gallons) - $278
• Berkey Light water filter (2.75 gallons - $243
• Royal Berkeywater filter(3.25 gallons) - $305
• Imperial Berkeywater filter (4.5 gallons) - $335
• Crown Berkeywater filter (6 gallons) - $360

The initial Upfront cost of the Berkey water filter systems range between $250 and $360. All Berkey water filters come fitted standard with two Black Berkey filter elements, with the option to purchase an additional two Black Berkey elements (for around $120 per set of 2) to double the flow rate as well as the lifespan of all four filter elements. While the Propur filter elements do remove fluoride, the Berkey filters require an optional set of 2 PF-2 arsenic and fluoride filters (cost $65 per set of 2) to be fitted into the lower chamber to remove fluoride and arsenic. If these contaminants are an issue in your water, it could increase the upfront cost associated with purchasing a Berkey.

Propur models

Propur offers a smaller 2.25 gallon Traveler model (same holding capacity as the Big Berkey but with a maximum of 2 filter elements), which ranges in price from $200-$265 depending on how many filter elements are selected. Propur also offers a light-weight 2.5 gallon BPA-free plastic and PVC model (Big II) which is priced from $140-$200 depending on the number of filter elements. 

The upfront cost of the Big Berkey fitted with 2 Black Berkey filter elements is $278, whereas the initial purchase price of the Propur Big+ ranges from $219- $360 depending on the number of filter elements included. However, when comparing the upfront costs of the Berkey vs Propur one needs to bear in mind that you would need to fit three filter elements to filter water at a rate anywhere close to that of the Big Berkey, so would need to consider the cost of these filter elements as well.

Advantage: Berkey

Filter lifespan & replacement costs

The lifespan of the filter elements together with the cost of replacing them can have a significant impact on the running costs associated with a water filtration system. It is therefore important to take these factors into account when choosing a water filter that fits within your budget. A comparison of the filter lifespans and the cost of replacement for Propur vs Berkey is outlined below.

Berkey filters

The Big Berkey comes fitted standard with two Black Berkey filter elements, which when used together, will filter 6000 gallons of water before they will need to be replaced with a new set of filter elements at a cost of $120 per set of 2 filters. If you upgrade to a set of 4 Black Berkey filter elements (cost $240 per set of 4), the lifespan will be doubled from an estimated four years to around eight years, while also doubling the rate of flow.

Propur filters

The Propur ProOne G2.0 7" filter elements have an estimated lifespan of approximately 1 year, and will filter 1000 gallons of water before they will need to be replaced. The Propur ProOne G2.0 9" filter elements have a slightly longer lifespan and will filter out 1200 gallons before they will need to be replaced. Fitting 2 or 3 filter elements into the system not only increases the flow rate but also the lifespan, effectively doubling or trebling the lifespan respectively. Cost of Propur replacement filter elements range from $74.50 each to $199 for a set of 3 ProOne G2.0 7" filter elements, and $79.50 each to $213 for a set of 3 ProOne G2.0 9" filter elements.

When it comes to cost per gallon of water delivered, if you do the maths it is clear that you will get far more bang for your buck from the Big Berkey vs Propur Big+.

Advantage: Berkey

Cleaning and care

If you hope to extend the life of your filter and be provided with clean water for many years to come, you will need to ensure that your filtration system is well maintained and cared for. Cleaning and care guidelines for the Berkey and Propur water filters are outlined below.

Big Berkey

Before you start filtering water with your Berkey you will need to rinse out the inner chambers to ensure the interior is free of dirt and debris. You will also need to prime the Black Berkey filter elements prior to inserting them into the filter. Priming the filters is a simple process whereby water is forced through tiny pores in the filter elements to clear away any air that got trapped in the micro-pores during the manufacturing process. Berkey recommends rinsing out the bottom chamber of the filter once a month with soapy water. If you will be filtering hard water with a high mineral content that can promote scale buildup, any affected parts should be soaked in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water for about a quarter of an hour. Use a ScotchBrite pad or a soft brush to scrape away the scale, then wash with soapy water and rinse well before use.

Should the flow rate of the Black Berkey filter elements drop significantly before they are due to be replaced, the tiny micro-pores are likely to have gotten clogged up with sediment. However, this does not mean they will need to be replaced yet. To get them flowing properly again, remove the filter elements and give the external surface a good scrub with a toothbrush or ScotchBrite pad, then reprime the filter elements before inserting them back into the upper chamber of the filter.

Propur Big+

Propur recommends cleaning the stainless steel chambers and plastic components using dish soap (NOT dishwasher machine soap) or a 50/50 solution of vinegar mixed with water. Wash thoroughly with a soft cloth or sponge before rinsing and allowing to air dry. 

The Propur filters do not need to be primed before use, simply rinse under running water. When cleaning the filters you need to take care not to allow water to get inside the stem of the blue plastic base. Hold the filter by the plastic base and hold under cool clean running water for around two minutes, while scrubbing the white ceramic part of the filter with the abrasive side of the sponge that came with the filter — DO NOT use soapy water to wash the filter. Rinse the filter well and place on its side to dry.

When it comes to cleaning and care, there is not much difference between the Big Berky vs Propur Big+, however, the Propur has a slight edge here as the filters don't need to be primed before installing.

Advantage: Propur

Pros and cons of Berkey vs Propur

In this section we discuss some of the pros and cons of the Propur vs Berkey water filters to help you choose the best water filter that best meets your needs.

 Berkey Pros:

• Wider variety of models to choose from — having a wider choice of sizes to choose from gives Berkey the edge over Propur, which only has 3 different sizes to choose from. Whether you are looking for a small personal filter to slip in your backpack or suitcase, or a large family size filter to cater for an extended family, Berkey can deliver.
• Wide range of contaminants effectively removed — contaminants levels are reduced significantly
• Fast flow rate — Berkey's flow rate significantly outperforms the Propur
• Longer filter lifespan — When comparing the Big Berkey vs Propur Big+, a Berkey fitted with 2 x Black Berkey filter elements will last longer (approximately 4 years), and will purify 6000 gallons of water before they will need to be replaced.

Berkey Cons:

• Additional PF2 filters required to remove fluoride and arsenic
• Filters need to be primed
• Plastic spigot

Pros Propur:

• Wide range of contaminants removed
• Filters don't need to be primed
• Stainless steel spigot
• Includes stand

Cons Propur:

• Slow flow rate
• Filters need to be replaced annually, which could work out expensive
• Smaller range or models to choose from

Verdict

Our comparison of the Big Berkey vs Propur Big+ show that the Big Berkey outcompetes Propur in terms of flow rate, filter lifespan and maintenance costs, and is also more effective at reducing key contaminants to more significant levels. While both Propur and Berkey offer a lifetime warranty on manufacturing and workmanship defects, Berkey offers a 2 year warranty on filter elements compared to Propurs 1 year warranty.

Berkey vs Propur: which water filter is best for me?

Weighing up the pros and cons of a Berkey water filter vs Propur can help you narrow down your choice of which of these two top water filters are best for your needs. But there are also other factors that can help sway your decision. For example, how many people are you needing to cater for? Berkey has a wide range of filter sizes and can produce clean water at a much faster rate. If you have a large family or have guests visiting frequently, one of the larger units in the Berkey range, such as the Royal Berkey (3.25 gallons, caters for 2-6 people) Imperial Berkey (4.5 gallons, caters for 6-10 people) or Crown Berkey (6 gallons, caters for 8-12+ people) may be more suitable for your needs. Both Berkey and Propur offer smaller and lightweight options, but while Propur's Traveler has a capacity of 2.25 gallons (equivalent to the Big Berkey) the Travel Berkey, which can cater for 1-3 people, has a capacity of 1.5 gallons and weighs a mere 6 lb's, making it very convenient to slip in your luggage when you go on vacation.

Ultimately your final decision when choosing between a Berkey water filter vs Propur will depend on how many people you are catering for and your budget, both in terms of how much you can outlay in upfront costs and how much you are prepared to spend replacing filter elements in order for the filter to continue to be effective at its job.