Berkey Water Filter Review: 3rd-Party Laboratory Testing

[@ModernCastle]

Buy Travel Berkey - www.amazon.com/Travel-Berkey-Gravity-Fed-Purification-Elements/dp/B00FMUYU6I?tag=mc_1001-20 Questions? Ask away! I do my best to answer all questions and comments within 24 hours.

[@Dahl-rd3zx]

I've had horrible experience with Berkey costumer service. And i also heard that they lied with their tests. So DONT BUY!

[@justinchatlani6297]

I was interested in a Berkey years ago, but there has always been a lot of talk around how accurate their testing has been. I'm glad I never purchased one, your video clears up a lot!

[@ModernCastle]

Glad to hear the video was helpful!

[@Joel.Rogers]

Thanks for the review! You just saved me a few $100 on one of these! Online reviews are so mixed, and most of them are from individual who think just because the water tastes clean, it's pure and safe lol.

[@ModernCastle]

My pleasure! Glad my video was helpful.

[@cparkrun]

hi Derek. thank you and well done on the thorough review and the great video. I was wondering how you sourced the Berkey -- can you confirm it was through an authorized vendor? thanks again!

[@ModernCastle]

We purchased it from Berkey's branded store on Amazon.

[@Boodieman72]

I have had one of these for years and it works great.

[@ModernCastle]

Oh nice! Glad to hear yours is doing well. Have you have your water lab tested?

[@Boodieman72]

@@ModernCastle I have not but the water tastes much better.

[@danielk9230]

must be that bacteria the epa was talking about

[@scarlettwinters5642]

I just tested my Berkey with the dye test and both filters failed

[@letuswalkinthelightofthelo5350]

How do you know it works great? Because water goes from the top to the bottom spigot? We have two Berkeys and I am very skeptics of their ability to remove harmful contaminants.

[@barrylitchfield8357]

If you have the same lab results for all of the filters you said were better than the Berkey filters, please post the results of those lab reports. Just back up your words with data so we, your viewers, can make informed decisions. To simplify this... Tell us WHAT TO BUY, instead of what NOT TO BUY. Thanks for posting this video. 👍

[@ModernCastle]

You can all of our lab reports here - moderncastle.com/water-filters/

[@michaeliiensing4023]

Results seem bought - life straw at a 45? Been using for years without illness in some really nasty stuff. Curious who is funding it all and how 3rd party is actually is

[@ModernCastle]

@@michaeliiensing4023 We receive no "funding" from anyone. Modern Castle is owned and operated by ModernCastle.com, a small, independent review platform. ModernCastle.com owned by Silver Poodle LLC, a reference to my beloved dog, an LLC that I (Derek...the person in the video) formed in 2017. No 3rd party has any financial interest in the website or LLC.

[@jipgossink]

You show us filling up the top half of the berkey, but it is standing on the 'feet' of its filters inside the sink. Not the most clean place of most houses :). Berkey very specifically states that the parts that contain the filtered water, should remain as clean as possible. Could the test results thus be impacted by the bottom half touching the sink while filling it up?

[@ModernCastle]

I don't think that's possible. We routinely clean every surface and area in our testing space, including the sink. This is not a home, but our studio testing space (but setup to look like a home).

[@Christian_1605]

Thank you for all the info.., alot of people are praising Berkey without even knowing it's efficasy..

[@ModernCastle]

Indeed - on the surface, it would seem to be a great purifier. But the lab results were incredibly disappointing to say the last.

[@sparkymtgal]

I am curious where the Alexapure water filter does.. I am a huge fan of Aquasana filters but havent had one for a few years now. Need to get another one. I do have Alexapure filter.

[@Ulvano62]

Bottom line, which filter should I be looking at to purchase for my Crown Berkey for my family?

[@ModernCastle]

If you can afford it, an RO system. Aquatru is the best we've tested to date - moderncastle.com/go/aquatru-counter-top If you need something cheaper then the next best options are: Waterdrop - geni.us/bctVI (Amazon) EpicWater - geni.us/hhfxa (Amazon) You might be interested in the video will all of the water pitchers compared here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpa1eKF-qr6iopo&lc=UgwBzlqP4mfhNEF4yeJ4AaABAg And our full data and other reviews here - moderncastle.com/water-filters/

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

Thanks for your video. I'm wondering if I can get completely away from plastic both in the parts used to filter water (where water comes in contact with plastic) and a filter that removes or reduces microplastics.

[@ModernCastle]

There are some filters that contain no plastic on any parts, but they are very few. Among the few we've tested, their purification performance has been really disappointing.

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

@@ModernCastle Thank you. I've wondered why, especially in today's world where people are finally paying more attention to microplastics.

[@ModernCastle]

@@Zebrajellyfishphoto My pleasure

[@Aalborg1885]

Awesome work! What's the best water filter you've tested?

[@ModernCastle]

Thank you! The best we've tested to date is the AquaTru countertop RO system. See here - moderncastle.com/go/aquatru-counter-top Review here - moderncastle.com/water-filters/aquatru-review/ It scored a 99/99 with the lab testing.

[@Aalborg1885]

@@ModernCastle thanks so much. I live in Denmark which was number one in a list of Best tapped water, but is it still a good idea to filter such water?

[@ModernCastle]

@@Aalborg1885 I'm no expert on Denmark's water quality, but if this - www.oecd.org/environment/resources/financing-water-supply-sanitation-and-flood-protection-country-fact-sheet-denmark.pdf - Can be believed...then you probably don't need to filter your water. Though it certainly wouldn't hurt if you did. Given the quality of Denmark's tap water your filters should last considerably longer, as they just don't have as much stuff to remove.

[@Aalborg1885]

@@ModernCastle Excellent thanks so much! Is there not a risk that this water filter will add very small chemicals/particiles to the water when using? I have chronic illness and I'm very sensitive so wondering what would be best. Tap water, bottled water or tap water through a water filter. I am really in doubt.

[@ModernCastle]

@@Aalborg1885 Yes, there is a risk of that happening. If you're dealing with a chronic illness you should consult your doctor on your best option. We are not qualified to give medical advice.

[@hoops4life77]

You should test the Alexapure Pro I'm wondering how it compares to the Berkey.

[@ModernCastle]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll put that on my list.

[@hoops4life77]

@@ModernCastle Ok thanks :)

[@ModernCastle]

@@hoops4life77 My pleasure

[@mytapscore]

Always great to see more filters independently tested! Which brand will you test next Derek? 🧑‍🔬

[@ModernCastle]

The Waterdrop A1 RO system is next up! After that we've got Clearly Filtered. After that I think we're going to do some big comparison style videos, looking at water quality across the US in major cities.

[@chefgav1]

@@ModernCastleyour water filter videos are top notch and professional. I was never a fan of your air purifier videos but the water testing is leaps above your air tests

[@ModernCastle]

@@chefgav1 Thank you! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying them.

[@rickoneill4343]

How does this compare to the Zero Water filter system?

[@ModernCastle]

Zero's performance with the lab was notably better than Berkey

[@FillyAnne]

Any chance of trying to PureOne gravity fed system?

[@ModernCastle]

I can add it to our list. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@JuanitaMorgan-g6n]

So what filter do you recommend?

[@ModernCastle]

AquaTru's Classic RO system - moderncastle.com/go/aquatru-counter-top After years of lab testing and 20+ different filters tested, that's what I use.

[@sandraconti2176]

RO strips away all the minerals and depletes your body of them as well! RO is not a good choice! @@ModernCastle

[@edstar83]

​@@sandraconti2176Good boy. Drink the fluoride in the water. It's good for your teeth.

[@edstar83]

​@@sandraconti2176Good boy. Drink all the fluoride in the water. It's good for your teeth.

[@edstar83]

​​@sandraconti2176 They say the same thing about water distillers. What do you think rain water is?

[@charcerv1]

Also, their customer service is horrible. I've been on their waiting list for two years, trying to get replacement filters, and I haven't been able to get them. they won't let me return the Berkey either.

[@ModernCastle]

2 years?! That is insane

[@sandmanlopez9920]

Your back! 😮😊💅

[@ModernCastle]

I'm back!

[@davidlello5684]

Do Waterdrop filters fit berkey containers?

[@ModernCastle]

No

[@davidlello5684]

@@ModernCastle Interesting… I called them and they said their gravity filters do fit the Berkey.

[@ModernCastle]

@@davidlello5684 Oh I see...they do have a big berkey tank like filter. I wasn't aware that existed. Good to know. Thanks for sharing the info.

[@scoobasteve3164]

Is it possible to do an update 2023 best water filter pitcher !

[@ModernCastle]

It is on my list for 2024

[@college6276]

@@ModernCastlecan you include the clearlyfiltered waterpitcher? Perhaps some reverse osmosis systems as well😅?

[@ModernCastle]

@@college6276 Yes. Most likely we'll combine every RO system and filter we've tested to date. Here are some of the newer tests you might be interested in: Clearly Filtered - moderncastle.com/water-filters/clearly-filtered-review/ AquaTru - moderncastle.com/water-filters/aquatru-review/ Waterdrop A1 RO - moderncastle.com/water-filters/waterdrop-reverse-osmosis-a1-review/ Aquasana - moderncastle.com/water-filters/aquasana-review/

[@XWxxxxx]

Gravity / Ceramic cartridge filters are designed to remove certain pathogens from perfectly clear water such a mountain stream. If there is any silt in the water they will plug up and not allow water to flow through. You can scrub the cartridge, but soon you will reduce the thickness of the media and then it will not remove all of the pathogens. YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST PRE-FILTER THE WATER UNTIL IT IS PERFECTLY CLEAR. This can be done by a combination of settling, flocculation, sand filtering, and/or common cartridge type sediment filters that are easily available. If you don't believe this, take out all but one of your ceramic cartridges, plug the other holes, add some dirty water like what you will have to use during a crisis, see how much water you can run through it before it plugs up your ceramic cartridge. You will ruin one cartridge but you will know the truth! Another issue: if there is water in a ceramic cartridge, even a little, and that cartridge is allowed to freeze, a fine crack can occur that will allow pathogens through. You may not know it as you cannot see the crack. NEVER ALLOW YOU CARTRIDGES TO FREEZE!

[@sabaof8]

Name the filters that work best.

[@ModernCastle]

Aquatru is my #1 pick - moderncastle.com/go/aquatru-counter-top - It has the best laboratory performance of any filter we've tested

[@soulestialfairy2119]

Please lab test Clearly Filtered Water pitcher 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@ModernCastle]

You can find our Clearly Filtered lab tests here - moderncastle.com/water-filters/clearly-filtered-review/

[@user-ig7nq7pc7k]

What kind of crap is this? Who paid you to bash Berkey? Every test I've seen makes Berkey one of the finest filters on the market - capable of straining out things like Strontium. I just don't get this.

[@ModernCastle]

We are not paid by anyone. We purchased Berkey's filter, let it filter water, sent that water to a lab, and reported the findings. That's it.

[@user-ig7nq7pc7k]

@@ModernCastle Well, I'd like to see the tests side by side for each quantity, so I don't have to jump back and forth comparing them.

[@ModernCastle]

@@user-ig7nq7pc7k You can see most of the side by side lab tests here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpa1eKF-qr6iopo You can see all of the laboratory data here - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15s6AyQ8Eay7G0lIUe2g_CX05wK9g7OT14cGX6NNu_2A/edit?gid=759150934#gid=759150934

[@Dahl-rd3zx]

Berkey has horrible costumer service and the filters dont work after a short while. DONT BUY!

[@DANIEL-MELEK]

Hi. Do you recommend Aquatru water filter instead? What do you use. Thanks

[@Dahl-rd3zx]

@@DANIEL-MELEK I dont know. I've just had horrible experience with Berkey costumer service. And i also heard that they lied with their tests. So DONT BUY!

[@sorayamerrylees4557]

I have one and hate it - worst buying decision ever. I don't trust it at all.

[@edstar83]

Give it to me.

[@TheCoastlander]

Looking at the figures you show, its the EXACT opposite of your claims.....

[@ModernCastle]

What figures and what claims?

[@windstorm6543]

⁠​⁠@@ModernCastle The one that shows the Health Impact Materials (PPM). It’s showing the Berkey doing better with dibromochlormet, bromodichlorometh, uranium, chromium, and arsenic. Would love to see the level of aluminum as in another test by the same lab done a year prior shows that what threw off the health score was the levels of aluminum.

[@windstorm6543]

The video I’m referring to is by Water Filter Guru. Would love to hear from you as I have a Berkey and would love to see what the best solution is for our family.

[@ModernCastle]

@@windstorm6543 Perhaps we're looking at different reports. Here is the report from the lab test we ordered for Berkey - gosimplelab.com/724PQV/all-results Every single containment you mentioned "Exceeds a health related benchmark" according to the laboratory.

[@andydrew3320]

This is precisely why I despise mobs of people who swear by something especially those that live in tiny homes, campers, cabins in the woods etc they will lose it on you if you don’t follow what they do which is having one of these and say they’re mediocre at best. It’s like ehhhhh I go off of data not what everyone else does just because it’s the trendy thing to do

[@AlejandroMay98]

I bet you got the Covid jabs too

[@supabiscuit]

@@AlejandroMay98😂😂😂

[@matt19892]

Idk if you look at the charts that he showed it demonstrated a pretty significant reduction in most contaminants vs unfiltered water. I thought it was strange that he said the filtered results had dangerous levels of x and x and x meanwhile the tap water is like ok you might as well microwave with the door open.