A gravity water filter uses elements in sizes of microscopic pores that disengage contaminants and pollutants, allowing for the purified water to be ready for consumption.
In finding the best gravity water filter, the most important things to consider are efficiency, safety and pricing.
Related Article: Best Countertop Water Filter
5 Best Gravity Water Filters
Here are our top recommendations for the best gravity water filters:
1. Berkey Gravity Filter
In our opinion, the best gravity water filter is the Berkey Water Filter which offers stainless steel composition that allows for excellent durability and longevity of the water filters, discouraging breakage and overall replacement. Additionally, the filter’s small width means that not much space is needed to operate one of these filters. All can fit on any sturdy surface.
Berkey Gravity Filters come in three sizes. The Travel Berkey is the smallest, measuring 18 inches by height and a capacity of 1.5 gallons. The Travel Berkey uses two maximum filters and is excellent for portable and picnic use.
It is recommended for 1 to 3 people to use in these gatherings. Its compact size allows for a convenient 2.75 gallons per hour of water to consume.
Two purification elements are used to allow for effective filtration of harmful substances. This feat is even more impressive considering its relatively small size and comparably minimal output to other variations of Berkey Gravity Filters.
When used for transportation purposes, the Travel Berkey retains a decent measurement of 12 inches in height. Suppose the consumer is not satisfied with just two included purification elements.
In that case, the Travel Berkey has replaceable filters to eliminate Arsenic and Fluoride from the water, which is harder to filter out. Filters for this specific model are not frequently required, with 6,000 gallons making the difference between changing filters.
To put this in perspective, if the Travel Berkey’s capacity were used entirely once a day by consumers until it reaches a total of 6,000 gallons consumed, it would take around 4,000 days until the filter would need replacement.
Finally, this model of the Berkey Gravity Filter is useful for both individual or small family home use. The capacity of 1.5 gallons can be shared extensively in regular use.
Obviously, if used by just one person, the Travel Berkey can provide water for more extended periods before needing to be refilled.
The Royal Berkey provides a more significant upgrade in terms of consumption. With a height of 19.25 inches, this filter allows for home and active outdoor activities.
With a 13-inch height for transportation purposes, it enables portable use in more energetic activities involving groups, such as team sports and outdoor events.
The 8.5-inch diameter and the 13-inch height give this model a larger storage capacity of 2.25 gallons and an emergency use capacity of 85 to 170 people, giving it substantial use for larger gatherings.
This model can hold a maximum of four filters, with two included with the purchase of the product. A Big Berkey with two purification elements delivers a filtration flow rate of 3.5 gallons per hour.
While the filter needs replacement at every 6,000 gallons, a Big Berkey doubles both numbers when reaching the maximum of four filters.Therefore, a Big Berkey with four filters delivers a filtration flow rate of 7 gallons per hour and needs filter replacement at 12,000 gallons.
In the review above for the Travel Berkey, it was mentioned that the Travel Berkey needs a filter replacement every 4,000 days when used at its entire capacity every day.
A Big Berkey with four filters allows for filter replacement at 12,000 gallons, bringing the amount of time needed for a filter to be replaced at 12,000 days in the consumption rate, as mentioned earlier.
Therefore, potential buyers can safely conclude that the Big Berkey is designed by manufacturers to last in a larger environment with even more efficiency.
Furthermore, the Big Berkey allows for more filtration towards arsenic and fluoride. At the same time, even without the added filters, other harmful substances are already removed, including pesticides, inorganic minerals, and heavy metals.
The Royal Berkey is for anything and everything in large groups of people. Whether for a large family or a gathering of a large group of people, The Royal Berkey defines an industrial water filtration system.
With a capacity of 3.25 gallons, along with a maximum of four filters, this is safe water utilized to the absolute maximum. The system can dispense the water at a flow rate of 4 gallons per hour with a minimum of two included filters. This rate is extended to 7 gallons per hour with four filters.
The emergency use capacity also allows it to serve 100-200 people, and the 23-inch height and 15.25-inch width only contribute to this efficiency. The size and capacity allow for maximum capacity for use once a day until it reaches more than 12,00 days when used at its absolute maximum.
This feat is truly remarkable considering the sheer size and use of the filter. This feat undoubtedly makes this filter the quintessential gravity water filter developed by Berkey.
- Different sizes allow for multiple options for consumers depending on their specific needs.
- The two bigger sizes have emergency capacities, meaning that it can serve more than 100 people in large gatherings.
- This set of filters is more costly than other filtration systems, with the smallest model costing $278.
2. Zen Water Systems Gravity Filter
Standing at a height of 22 inches and with a diameter of 13 inches and having a cylindrical shape, serving water for small groups of people or individuals is made easy with this filter.
The magnetic spigot included with this filter also allows for a more sturdy faucet in serving the water. Therefore, users should not worry about whether or not the system will dispense all the water inside the filter, only if there is enough water.
To further the idea that this filter is very convenient, it’s relatively short width allows for this appliance-sized filter to be placed in various places throughout a house or office. Should it still be consuming too much space for whatever reason, consumers can use the filter without the base.
The result of the filter working without the base is a convenient height of just 16 inches. Finally, this filter comes with an entire set of filters, each aimed at filtering different contaminants. The various filters used are the Micro-Ceramic Filter, the 5-Stage Mineral Filter Cartridge, and the Mineral Stones.
- The relatively small size allows for fitting in all types of environments.
- Despite its size, it comes with multiple filters to ensure clean water is dispensed.
- This filter should not be used for large scale events, as it’s maximum work rate according to the product listing is 5 gallons or less per day.
3. Platypus Gravity Filter
This filter has relatively small dimensions of 13.2 inches in length, 2.8 inches in width, and 5.8 inches in height. It also has a light empty capacity weight of just 0.95 pounds. There are not many gravity filters that can be said, which are easy to carry.
Meanwhile, this filter meets all EPA requirements to remove 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% removal of protozoa, including E. coli, salmonella, and cholera.
No pumping is necessary for this filtration system to provide water effectively. The product has one dirty water reservoir and one clean water reservoir. Both reservoirs measure 1 gallon, and other components include a hollow-fiber microfilter, hoses, a shutoff clamp, and a storage sack.
The flow rate is at a decent 1.75 liters per minute (or 1.8 quarts). Each reservoir comes in the form of a sturdy bag and with straps that allow them to hang from a tree or other high places and collect water, which can then be filtered, served, and consumed.
This sophisticated design also extends to an antimicrobial system, no taste, and no BPA anywhere in the filter. This system allows all forms of water to be inserted from various sources and science and technology to provide clean, safe, and healthy water at any time and place.
The Hollow Fiber Technology has 18 times more surface area than a traditional filter system.
The cartridge that eventually needs replacing can last for up to 1,500 gallons of water used, ensuring that this gravity filter will last many outdoor trips and rare emergencies.
- The light weight and hollow fiber composition of this filter means that it is easy to carry and is portable.
- The filter cartridge lasts for up to 1,500 gallons, which means that this system can last many trips and adventures.
- Despite its relatively simple design and portability, this product costs $109.95, despite having less capacity than that of the previously mentioned Zen filter.
4. Santevia Water System
With a length and width of just 13 inches and an even smaller height of 10 inches, this filter is nearly the size of an ordinary kitchen blender. The weight adds the finishing touches to its convenient size at just 8.6 pounds.
However, much more can be said by the health-conscious consumer about the health benefits of owning this small and mobile filter.
The included Santevia fluoride filter removes fluoride from the water along with residual aluminum, something that remains in other brands even after the filtration process is complete.
Therefore, there is space left for healthy minerals to be added by the system. This alkalizes and mineralizes the water. This gives it both taste and tremendous appeal to the more health-conscious consumer.
Furthermore, microplastics, something found in 94% of tap water across the United States, are also removed from the water via the 0.3-micron filtration media system. Other system components contribute to a healthy output for this filtration system, including the following:
- A ceramic pre-filter allows for removing rust, sediments, bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.
- A fluoride filter ensures that industrial chemicals, heavy metals, herbicides, chlorine, odors, and tastes are reduced by filtration to an absolute minimum.
- Porous Maifan stones allow for the oxygenation of the water, along with the alkalization of the water and dissolved minerals such as calcium and manganese.
- A magnetic energizer uses physics as the aligned magnets activate, rearrange, and stimulate water molecules to enhance the water’s absorption.
No artificial materials are used by the filter when processing the water, along with no electricity and a plastic containment, which is BPA-free.
- Despite being a small, countertop filter, the water is processed through four stages of filtration, ensuring that the water will still be effectively filtered.
- The mineral stones allow for the alkalization of the water, thus appealing the filter to the more health-conscious customer.
- This filter is not designed for portable use such as in camping trips or emergencies, as it is a countertop model and cannot be steadily placed on all surfaces.
5. LifeStraw Advanced Filter
With considerably light dimensions of 11 inches of length, 3 inches of width, and 5.5 inches in height, and a small, mobile weight of 10.58 ounces, consumers will find this system easy for outdoor and emergency use.
There is no definitively correct way to use this system. There are four ways that this system can be used effectively to consume, filter, and distribute water. The four ways consumers can use this product are:
- Using the included 1-gallon gravity bag.
- As a straw that is connected between the included soft bottle and gravity bag.
- As an in-line filter with most brands of hydration packs.
- Used while attached to most disposable water bottles.
This filter takes the idea of convenience and creativity to the absolute maximum, as the different components make this filter almost like a toolbox, with different objects applying to varying situations and needs when accessing water.
This system includes a gravity bag that allows for storage of up to 1 gallon of water and a straw that filters contaminants and pollutants out of the water while the consumer drinks.
Access to water is now available under multiple circumstances, not to mention in a very timely manner. The included straw can filter harmful substances such as microplastics, 99.999999% of bacteria, and 99.999% of protozoa.
The filter also ensures the reduction of lead and other heavy metals that contaminate the water supply. This concern can especially be found by consumers who drink water from more unconventional sources such as rivers or lakes.
The hollow filter membrane also allows for this product’s longevity, as it can initially last for 500 gallons, and it’s replaceable carbon capsule lasts for 26.4 gallons afterward.
The system defines overall safety and portability, but it can also be used in more everyday environments. Its performance standards exceed those of the EPA drinking water standards for bacteria and parasites, which is in place, especially for water consumed at home or in public.
Finally, the straw can be used for drinking water from different sources without having to worry about contamination. Furthermore, the straw is also reusable. This component can most definitely suit the consumer that is concerned for the environment, as plastic waste can now decrease by the consumer who reuses the straw.
- The four ways that this filter can be used to allow for the customer to have water served in different ways that can be convenient, all depending on the situation they may face.
- The portable straw means that consumption of water from any source will not require any convoluted setup, just finding a source and drinking.
- Despite having a filter that can last up to 500 gallons of use, the replacement filter only lasts up to 25 gallons of use.
How Do Gravity Filters Work?
Gravity water filters use two chambers to process and serve water to consumers.
The upper chamber receives the raw water and then sends the water to the second chamber, known as the lower chamber.
As the water transfers from the upper chamber to the lower chamber, the mediator (located between the two chambers) separates contaminants and other harmful substances. This process allows for the now-filtered water to pass into the lower section. The lower area focuses on serving the clean water effectively at all times.
Pre-Purchase Considerations
Before purchasing a gravity filter, one should consider some key factors, including capacity, filter type,local water quality, and water consumption.
Size
Gravity water purifiers come in various shapes and sizes. Therefore, having enough space is essential to ensure that gravity water purifiers are fully operable at a given location without any issues.
Filter Type and Water Content
Depending on location, a filter may need to separate water from either numerous or few contaminants. Therefore, the consumer should conduct proper research of the local water supply to see what contaminants are in the local water source.
This process is vital because the consumer should check gravity purifiers to separate specific contaminants and thus obtain the safest water for use and consumption.
Many consumers prefer to drink Alkaline water. Alkaline water is water with a pH higher than 7. Over-acidic water is water with a pH lower than 7. Due to the former’s reported health benefits, some consumers prefer to consume alkaline water exclusively.
Not all gravity purifiers are wary about the specific pH that comes from filtration, so the specifics of the gravity filters must be viewed to ensure that the system can provide the desired water for a more health-minded consumer.
Capacity
How much water the gravity purifier will need to provide is based on how much it is used. Gravity filters generally need maintenance and replacement only once or twice per year. Still, some filters are only made for small-time use and not on an industrial scale.
Before making any final decision, one should analyze how much water they use and how often they do so to choose an ideal filtration system in terms of pricing and technical specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about finding the best gravity water filter? Here are FAQs to guide your purchase.
A gravity water purifier does not use electricity or batteries. The whole system of filtering the water revolves around the filters, which work automatically.
Though manufacturers may have different recommendations depending on the brand and product, most gravity water purifiers only need maintenance and replacement once or twice a year.
While many gravity filters purify the water in a matter of seconds, some take a few minutes to purify the water thoroughly. Users can usually check the system to see how long the water takes to be filtered appropriately.
While a gravity filter is generally affordable, replacement parts for a gravity filter can vary in price from $25 to more than $100. The consumer should note that the price will exclusively depend on the specific water filter that needs maintenance.
Gravity Filters come in various forms and compositions, and therefore a gravity filter can be made of multiple materials. Most gravity filters are composed of either ceramic, stainless steel, or gravity bags.
Conclusion
The five brands discussed in this article should show anyone seeking an effective gravity filter that the overall feature that defines such innovations is convenience.
Convenience is found by consumers in the features of the previously discussed products. This factor is defined in gravity filter systems by durability, portability, efficiency, health, and cleanliness. These are essential in having access to the safest and healthiest forms of water.
As citizens of the digital age, everyone wishes for the easiest and most efficient products. As humans, everyone wishes for the safety and health of the population. Gravity water filters can contribute to both factors.
