The British Berkefeld Gravity Fed Water Filter: an “Unfiltered” Review

This winter, after much deliberation, we finally decided it was time to buy a water filter that removed PFAs, chlorine, microplastics, fluoride, arsenic, aluminum, pesticides, lead, glyphosate, diseases, and more from our city tap water. Of course the Berkey water filter is a popular choice for a lot of homesteaders and other “crunchy” people, but I discovered some disturbing things about the popular company as I was researching this past autumn. I learned that the EPA has issued a stop sale or removal order of Berkey’s supply chain because of the 2022 class action lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit claims that the Berkey filtering products do not filter as well as advertised. This recent lawsuit and the fact that the Berkey is not independently certified was enough for me to research other filter options: enter British Berkefeld!

You might be thinking: why is this slow-living blog writing about water filters? That’s a great question and one I asked myself when I first started writing this. When I write my sourdough blogs, I always encourage readers to filter their water (which is ESSENTIAL to a healthy, active starter and delicious bread). I have used an array of filters throughout the years, but none that did the job really well. It was my passion for clean, whole ingredients that inspired me to take the plunge and buy the filter of my dreams. Sharing resources and tips for a more organic, holistic lifestyle is my passion and writing about clean water is a natural extension of that! I wrote this review because it’s what I was looking for and couldn’t find as I did my research.

The British Berkefeld Water Filter

After copious research, we decided on the British Berkefeld (BB) because it is the most powerful free-standing, portable, gravity-fed water filtration system available. Their natural ceramic filters are third party tested and certified to remove around 99% of contaminants from drinking water while maintaining the beneficial minerals. I wanted to write a review of this filter after using it for a few months to help others in their journey to clean, healthy water. 

AS A DISCLAIMER: I am not being paid to write this article, British Berkefeld has no idea who I am! This is a completely unsponsored review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. There are a few affiliate links throughout the blog, which means I made a commission from any sales at no extra cost to you.

Pros of the British Berkefeld Water Filter

Natural ceramic filters handmade in England since the 1862

There are two different kinds of filters offered on their website: the Ceramic Ultra Sterasyl Water filter, and the Ceramic Ultra Fluoride Water Filter. Simply put, one filters out fluoride and one does not. Now you might be thinking: why would you want to buy a filter that doesn’t remove fluoride? Not all drinking water contains dangerous amounts of fluoride. Be sure to research your local tap water or test your well water to find out what contaminants are present. 

The ceramic candles are handmade in England from only natural, compostable materials. This means they can biodegrade in your yard after they are used (after removing the small plastic screws and bolts, or course). I love that they are a more environmentally friendly option, safer for our bodies and the planet! 

Third-party certified 

All British Berkefeld water filters are third party certified which means they are tested to make sure the product actually does what it claims to do. This kind of certification is essential when verifying health claims made by companies.

Regular sales  

Unlike other filter brands, British Berkefeld regularly runs excellent sales and you can save a ton from keeping an eye on their site for discounts, buying scratch and dent products, or using coupon codes. 

No need to prime filters 

Priming requires you to soak your filter in water for hours or days before use. Many water filters require this, but the British Berkefeld filters do not. Usually you also need to run water through the filters and pour that water out to prepare the filter for use. The British Berkefeld only requires you to run a few gallons of water through your filter (and pour this water out) before it is ready for everyday use. 

Filters work with other gravity systems 

These filters can be used in any other gravity fed system currently on the market. This is convenient if you bought a gravity fed system from another brand and want to switch to BB filters. 

The clearest, most delicious water 

Of course this should go without saying, but the water that comes from our British Berkefeld filter is incredibly delicious and clear. Even my husband, who is not a water snob at all, notices the difference and loves the taste of our new water. 

Leaves the beneficial minerals in the water

Unlike many other water filters, including black filters and reverse osmosis, BB ceramic filters do not filter out the beneficial minerals in the water. I considered purchasing a reverse osmosis filter (RO), but when I learned that all RO water needs to be remineralized in order to hydrate and nourish our bodies fully, I knew the BB filters were the best value.

Cons of the British Berkefeld Water Filter

Cost 

The British Berkefeld isn’t cheap, but I like to remember that filtered water is an investment in my health. If you are looking for a less expensive way to effectively filter chemicals, bacteria, and pollutants, and more from your water, you will not find it. Any filter brand worth their salt will cost a few hundred dollars. This makes sense when you think about the fact that the BB ceramic filters are handmade in England and third party tested for efficacy. I find this price tag to be worth it, especially when I shop sales and use coupon codes.

COUPON CODE: use the code r_wildwood for 10% off the entire British Berkefeld Website

Need to replace filters every 6 months to a year

Replacing filters is inconvenient and costs money. This isn’t a con for the British Berkefeld specifically, but more of a reality of using a water filtration system. Their website offers a filter subscription at a discount which is a convient option.

Takes up a fair amount of space

Using a gravity fed water filter will take up more space than an under sink or whole house filter. It’s just the nature of this style of filter. For some people this is a major drawback so they opt for an inline filtration system. We have a walk-in pantry where we can easily store our filter on a plant stand. It’s for this reason that gravity fed filters are a great option for anyone renting, frequently RVing or camping, or not ready for the cost and commitment of an under-the-sink filtration system. 

I hope this review helps you to make an informed decision about which filter system to buy! I absolutely love my British Berkefeld ceramic filters and if any of you have tried the product please comment and let me know what you think!