Buying a Berkey is probably one of the best decisions you can make, but it shouldn't leave you sweating which size Berkey to buy. If you are thinking about getting the Travel Berkey and are not sure whether a larger system would be better or if you are undecided between the ever-popular Big Berkey and the Royal Berkey systems, don't fear, we are here to help you make an informed decision when choosing your Berkey filtration water purifier.

The Royal Berkey and the Big Berkey are equally efficient at removing harmful contaminants from drinking water to provide you with reliable and safe drinking water. The main difference between these two systems is their size and cost. The Royal Berkey is larger, and can therefore store a larger volume of water and cater to a larger number of people comfortably. It also costs more.

The Big Berkey and the Royal Berkey are the two top sold water filter systems from Berkey. Both the Royal Berkey and the Big Berkey are sold standard with 2 black Berkey purification elements, which can be increased to a total of 4 black Berkey filter elements in the upper chamber, and they can both be fitted with up to 4 pf-2 fluoride and arsenic filters in the lower chamber.

While the difference between these two Berkey filter water systems is limited to size and cost, it can prove to be a big inconvenience when you buy a system that is not the right size for your household. You don't want your Berkey system to be too big and cumbersome for your needs, but it may be even more disappointing if you choose a system that is too small to ensure you and your kids have access to clean, safe drinking water all day without having to keep topping up your system. Lets look at some of the pros and cons of both the Big Berkey vs the Royal Berkey water filter.

Big Berkey Filter 

Pros

The Big Berkey is the number one selling water filtration system on the market, for good reason. It is Berkey's original model, and the most affordable stainless steel countertop filter capable of serving up to 4 people in the Berkey range. This makes it a popular choice for small families. Its small size offers added convenience and portability, making it suitable for use in homes, cabins, RV's, and emergency situations. If you have decided on the Big Berkey, that's a good choice, especially if you are on a tight budget, but before buying your Berkey filter system check out the cons below, as the Royal Berkey or one of the other sizes in the range may be more suitable.

Key Features

Storage Capacity: 2.25 gallons of water stored

Footprint: 8.5 inches 

Height: 21 inches

Portability: 13 inches high with upper chamber nestled in the lower chamber for transportation

Max Number of Black Berkey Filters: 4

Max Number of PF-2 fluoride & arsenic filters: 4

Flow Rate of water of up to 3.5 gallons per hour with 2 Black Berkey purification elements fitted, and up to 7 gallons per hour with 4 Black Berkey filters fitted

Cost: $387 

Cons

If you have a large family or your kids' friends like to hangout at your place, you may find the Big Berkey to be a little undersized for your needs. Of course you can work around this by topping up the system regularly, but that may be a tad inconvenient and you may not always remember to do so. You may also find that now that you and your kids are drinking cleaner water, your consumption will increase, as great tasting water may make you drink more water, resulting in you needing a bigger Berkey system. By the same token, if you are on a tight budget, want a portable, lightweight system and only need to provide safe drinking water for up to three people, the more compact Travel Berkey may be an option.

Royal Berkey Filter

Pros

The Royal Berkey is the next size up from the Big Berkey and when you compare it with the Big Berkey, it can store an additional gallon of water and has a faster flow rate than the Big Berkey. It caters for up to six people comfortably, making it ideal for an average size family. The extra capacity of the Royal will ensure that your family has access to safe and drinkable water all day long. You can even give the dog water from your Berkey!

Key Features

Storage Capacity: 3.25 gallons of water stored

Footprint: 9.5 inches 

Height: 24 inches

Portability: 15.25 inches high with upper chamber nestled in the lower chamber for transportation

Number of Black Berkey Filters: 4

Number of PF-2 fluoride & arsenic filters: 4

Flow Rate of water of up to 4 gallons per hour with 2 Black Berkey purification elements fitted, and up to 8 gallons per hour with 4 Black Berkey filters fitted

Cost: $430

Cons

Being a larger systems, means it has a larger footprint (9.5 inch diameter compared to 8.5 inch diameter of the Big Berkey). It is also taller at 24 inches compared to 21 inches of the Big Berkey. If you add a Berkey stainless steel stand to raise the spigot for easy access from the counter, this will add and additional 6 inches in height, making it 30 inches high. So, before getting all excited to buy the Royal, first check whether it will fit on your counter, and if there is an overhanging cabinet, that there is enough space between the counter and the cabinet above.

Key Things to Consider when Choosing your Berkey Filter

To summarize, if you want your Berkey filter system to be the optimal size for your family you should consider these key things before purchasing any of the Berkey systems.

• Number of people you are catering for -- the key question that you must ask is, how big is your family?
• Max flow rate (how much water can your system filter per hour) -- the more water the filter can process per hour, the faster you will have access to clean water. A system with a higher flow rate can also serve more people comfortably than a system that filters at a slower rate.
• Storage capacity -- how much water does your family drink in a day? Will you need to top up the system during the day?
• Amount of counter space needed -- How much space will the system take up on your counter (footprint plus height)?

We recommend that you systematically go through the above selection process when choosing your Berkey.

Big Berkey vs Royal Berkey: which water filter is best for me?

Bear in mind that Berkey filter systems fitted with Black Berkey purification elements are created equal in terms of their filtration ability and capacity to eliminate contaminants. When it comes to filtering both treated and untreated water, they are all up to the task of delivering clean, safe water and you will not be able to tell the difference in water quality between them. The Big Berkey is a top-sellingfavorite, but if you need to cater for more people, the Royal Berkey or one of the bigger Berkeys water filter systems may be a better option. To get long-term satisfaction from your Berkey, buy the product that is most suitable for the number of people you are catering for, after considering the factors mentioned above.