PROS and CONS of Drinking Water Filter Systems (Infographic)
Drinking Water Filter System Infographic
Before looking at the different methods for drinking water filter system, it’s important to understand why this is necessary.
There are so many possible contaminants and pollutants that can infect water. The infographic below from the University of Florida demonstrates how this can happen with some shocking water facts and statistics.
Drinking Water Filter System: The Best 2 Options
By now you’re probably thinking about how to make sure your water is always safe to drink and the best products to help you do this.
Although there are lots of different products that provide you with contaminant-free water. 2 options stand out the most, they are:
AquaTru Water Filter | Berkey Water Filter |
- Arsenic: Approx 90% (unspecified). - Fluoride by 91.8% (WITHOUT extra filters). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.9% - Chlorine 96.6% - Cysts 99.99% | - Arsenic by 99.9% (special filters required). - Fluoride by 99.9% (special filters required). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.8% |
Available in 1-size only. | Available in various sizes. |
Plastic materials. | Metal & plastic materials. |
Number of filters: 3 | Number of filters: 2 - 4 |
Filter methods: Mechanical, Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon filters. | Filter methods: Black microporous-filters & white fluoride Filters |
4-stage filter process. | 2-stage filter process. |
Holds a maximum water capacity of 3-quarts. | 2.25 Gallons |
45.7 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm | 19" High x 8.5" Diameter |
System: 1 year limited warranty. | Filters: 2 years; System: 1 year. |
Full Performance Data Sheet (AquaTru). | Berkey Contaminants List NSF/ANSI test results |
SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, use code MRWATERGEEK | SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, Big Berkey bundle sale |
1. Berkey Water Filter Review
One of the biggest selling points of the Berkey water filter is that it can remove fluoride.
This is a concern for many people that live in areas where the municipal authorities routinely add fluoride to your water. The Berkey system is a very popular gravity water filter. Yes, it’s similar to other similar models like the Aqua Rain but slightly more expensive. However, the higher price also reflects the higher filtering capacity.
The Berkey water filter offers a powerful filter that is capable of removing toxic elements. Things like cadmium, lead, arsenic and uranium.
Berkey Water Purifier COMPLAINTS?
There are not many problems with the Berkey because it is a pretty quality product. However, if I had to be picky, then it would have to be the price.
As I briefly discussed in the previous section Berkey is more expensive than your standard gravity water filter. However, it is not as expensive as other brands like Aqua Rain and does offer a more superior filtration quality for the high cost that you pay.
Why You Should Get The Big Berkey?
Now that we have all and any cons out of the way, there are so many benefits to enjoy from getting this drinking water filter system.
By far one of the most standout elements of the Berkey is that it is able to filter bacteria by 99.99999%. And it’s able to do this due to its patented filters and 9 levels of filtration. This means that it can filter almost all types of pollutants and minerals such as fluoride.
In fact, this Berkey is able to filter fluoride because of not 1 but 2 fluoride filters and indeed the best thing about Berkey are its powerful filters.
Despite its very large size, Berkey systems are portable, especially as they don’t use electricity. This makes it an ideal outdoor companion and accessory for outdoor events like camping and maybe even picnics.
Made of very high quality stainless steel.
It’s easy to install and you do not need much experience to configure.
The best thing about Berkey is by far the consistency and the guarantee that this brand offers.
Once installed, it constantly produces fresh, clean and tasty water. This is almost the case irrespective of the water source or if the water is significantly polluted.
2. Aquasana Clean Water Machine Review
This is the latest in water filtration technology from Aquasana called the Aquasana Clean Water Machine. It works by using a selective filtration through Claryum in order to preserve natural minerals in the water.
These include healthy minerals and nutrients such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. Unlike other filter methods like distillation that removes everything and leaves you with a “flat” taste.
The result of this is clean, fresh water that is delicious and healthier.
It is also to reduce the acidic compounds that naturally appear in your water.
This means the clean machine can help to improve the alkalinity and pH level of your water. It does this while still being able to preserve and maintain natural minerals.
Aquasana Clean Water Machine Filtration Stages
It uses an activated carbon filter stage to filter and reduce herbicides, VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), drugs, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
A carbon catalyst capable of filtering things like chloramines and chlorine.
There is also an ion exchange filter. This is responsible for removing heavy metals that include mercury and lead.
It also has absolute submicron mechanical filter. This is powerful enough to detect cysts that are resistant to chlorine (think giardia and cryptosporidium.)
Clean Water Machine COMPLAINTS?
Requires an electrical access unlike the Berkey. However, this means that the filtration is faster. This makes the technology so powerful that it can quickly filter water in front of your eyes.
Another complaint you might have is the price, however, it still represents value for money especially when compared to a generic water filter jug that is nowhere near as powerful.
Why You Should Get Aquasana Clean Water Machine.
Removes more than 95% fluoride so great for people that want to pH level of your water.
This is also good for people who are worried about pollutants. It is capable of reducing around 96% of harmful pollutants. This includes everything from pesticides, mercury, asbestos, lead, medicines, chloramines and pharmaceuticals.
The 16-cup dispenser delivers filtered water at the touch of a button.
It is a professional filter that is approximately ten times stronger and eight times more durable than the best counter-filters.
This is a larger gallon water dispenser, ideal for the whole family, not just a single person.
Carbon-activated machine that filters water through an ultra-dense carbon. This works at the press of a button.
The jug of the thin water machine fits easily into the door of your refrigerator.
Fewer filter changes because the Aquasana Claryum® filter is able to filter at eight times the regular capacity. The result of this is that it only costs 9.4 ¢ per gallon (with lifetime water for life).
- 90 day warranty.
- 1 year guarantee.
Instantly Turns Coke Into Fresh Drinking Water
Drinking Water Filter System: Which is the Best?
Which is the best drinking water filter system? Well the truth is that there are so many excellent options to choose from.
However, I have selected 2 options that I consider to be among the best available on the market today.
The Berkey and AquaTru water filter systems are both quality products.
However, when it comes to my choice, I would go for the AquaTru This is because it is by far the most powerful of the two.
It is faster, deals with more contaminants and good for you especially if you are concerned about pollution.
This is because it can eliminate almost anything that can contaminate your water.
And the list for this is long. The AquaTru can deal with things like asbestos, lead, medicines, mercury, chloramines, chlorine and medicines.
AquaTru Water Filter | Berkey Water Filter |
- Arsenic: Approx 90% (unspecified). - Fluoride by 91.8% (WITHOUT extra filters). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.9% - Chlorine 96.6% - Cysts 99.99% | - Arsenic by 99.9% (special filters required). - Fluoride by 99.9% (special filters required). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.8% |
Available in 1-size only. | Available in various sizes. |
Plastic materials. | Metal & plastic materials. |
Number of filters: 3 | Number of filters: 2 - 4 |
Filter methods: Mechanical, Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon filters. | Filter methods: Black microporous-filters & white fluoride Filters |
4-stage filter process. | 2-stage filter process. |
Holds a maximum water capacity of 3-quarts. | 2.25 Gallons |
45.7 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm | 19" High x 8.5" Diameter |
System: 1 year limited warranty. | Filters: 2 years; System: 1 year. |
Full Performance Data Sheet (AquaTru). | Berkey Contaminants List NSF/ANSI test results |
SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, use code MRWATERGEEK | SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, Big Berkey bundle sale |
HI there, Im desperately looking for a water filtration system. thank you for your reviews above. I have seen that the berkey leeches metal and the Aqua tru leeches plastic so Im feeling pretty stuck as to what to get. Any updated choices that you would recommend now in 2023 as your initial post was some time back. thank you kindly Michelle (New Zealand)
Hi Michelle
To my knowledge neither Berkey or AquaTru leach anything unhealthy into your drinking water and almost every countertop filter drinking system will probably come with similar claims. The only other device of similar quality and in the same category that I can think of is the Clean Water Machine.
Alternatively, you might want to consider an under-sink reverse osmosis filter system. Reverse osmosis is considered to be the gold standard of water filtration.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
Hello I am also looking for comparison between these systems and multipure water systems.
Thank you!
Have you reviews the Multipure water systems? How would it compare to the Berkey, Aquasana and Aquapure?
Hi Karina
No not yet but I’ll look into that for the future, thanks for the suggestion.
Stay hydrated,
Luke