Find Your Berkey®
Choose the capacity that fits your home, from the compact Travel Berkey® to the 6-gallon Crown Berkey™. Explore the models below for current prices and options, or compare sizes side by side.
A compact choice for smaller kitchens, apartments, and RVs. Choose Travel when saving counter space matters most; consider Big if you want more water available between refills.
Best for: Small spaces and lighter daily use.
A useful starting point for couples and small households. Big holds 0.75 gallon more than Travel and offers room for up to four compatible primary elements.
Best for: Everyday household use with a moderate footprint.
Royal holds one gallon more than Big, giving you extra water for reusable bottles, coffee, and meal preparation. Choose it when you have the space and prefer fewer refills.
Best for: Households that want more stored water.
A larger reserve for busy households and shared spaces. Imperial holds 1.25 gallons more than Royal and accommodates up to six compatible primary elements.
Best for: Higher daily demand and shared kitchens.
The largest stainless steel model in the lineup. Crown offers the most stored water between refills, with a taller housing that needs generous clearance.
Best for: Large households, offices, and group use.
A transparent, lightweight alternative to stainless steel. The visible water level makes it easy to check the remaining supply; allow for the height of the included base.
Best for: Visible water levels and a lighter housing.
A compact stainless steel option for personal use. Its one-quart capacity suits small spaces and frequent refills. Go Berkey® does not accept PF-2® post-filters.
Best for: Personal use and compact spaces.
Compare stored-water capacity and assembled dimensions first. Household ranges are approximate product-page guidance; daily consumption and your preferred refill schedule matter more than headcount alone. Capacities below are in U.S. gallons or quarts, and dimensions are approximate.
| Model | Capacity | Height × Diameter | General Use | Maximum Primary Elements | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go Berkey® | 1 quart | 14 × 4 in. | Personal use | 1 | Desk, dorm, individual use |
| Travel Berkey® | 1.5 gallons | 18 × 7.5 in. | Approximately 1–3 people | 2 | Apartments, couples, RVs |
| Big Berkey® | 2.25 gallons | 19.25 × 8.5 in. | Approximately 1–4 people | 4 | Most small households |
| Berkey Light® | 2.75 gallons | 26.5 × 9 in. with base | Approximately 1–5 people | 4 | Lightweight household option |
| Royal Berkey® | 3.25 gallons | 23 × 9.5 in. | Approximately 2–4 people | 4 | Growing and active families |
| Imperial Berkey® | 4.5 gallons | 26 × 10 in. | Approximately 4–8 people | 6 | Large families and offices |
| Crown Berkey™ | 6 gallons | 30 × 11 in. | Approximately 6–12 people | 8 | High-volume shared use |
Allow extra room for the spigot, lid removal, and refilling. Berkey Light® is approximately 21 inches tall without its base. Maximum element counts refer to compatible primary filtration elements and available openings in the upper chamber. Included configurations, availability, specifications, and compatibility can change. Review the current product page and the instructions supplied with the exact filter elements before ordering or installation.
Two households with the same number of people can have very different needs. A family that fills bottles and cooks with filtered water may prefer a larger system than a household using it mainly for drinking. Refill convenience and counter space are often just as important as the number of users.
The right model should fit your daily routine rather than forcing your routine to fit the system. Consider how many people will use it, how much filtered water you consume, where the unit will sit, and whether you prefer a compact design or fewer refills.
Countertop footprint and cabinet clearance are usually the deciding factors in an apartment. The Travel Berkey® is a strong option for one or two people with limited space. The Big Berkey® provides more storage for residents who cook frequently or prefer fewer refills.
Recommended: Travel or Big Berkey®
The Big Berkey® is often the most practical all-around choice for two people because it provides additional capacity without moving into the larger-system category. Couples in very small kitchens may prefer the Travel Berkey®.
Recommended: Big or Travel Berkey®
The Royal Berkey® offers a useful balance for many families. Larger or highly active households may find the Imperial or Crown Berkey™ more convenient, particularly when several people fill bottles or use filtered water throughout the day.
Recommended: Royal, Imperial, or Crown Berkey™
Office use can be difficult to estimate because many people may draw water during the same periods. A smaller office may be well served by the Royal Berkey®, while larger teams often benefit from the Imperial or Crown model.
Recommended: Royal, Imperial, or Crown Berkey™
The Travel Berkey® is particularly suited to locations where counter space and storage are limited. A Big Berkey® may be more convenient in a larger RV or vacation property occupied by several people.
Recommended: Travel or Big Berkey®
Some buyers intentionally choose one size larger than their household technically requires. The benefit is not a different filtration process; it is having more filtered water available and refilling the upper chamber less often during busy days, gatherings, or periods of heavier household use.
Consider moving up one size when space allows.
Measure the counter width, the assembled height available beneath cabinets, and the clearance needed to remove the lid and fill the upper chamber. A system may fit on the counter but still be inconvenient to refill when placed directly beneath low cabinetry.
Berkey Water Filters are countertop gravity-fed filtration systems designed to provide a convenient source of filtered drinking water without electricity, plumbing, or permanent installation.
Instead of relying on household water pressure, a Berkey system uses gravity to move water from the upper chamber through installed filtration elements and into the lower chamber, where the filtered water is stored for dispensing.
This straightforward design makes Berkey systems practical for homes, apartments, offices, RVs, vacation properties, and other locations where a countertop filtration system is preferred.
Once assembled and the filter elements are prepared according to their instructions, the system can operate anywhere there is a stable surface and access to an appropriate household water source.
Most Berkey models use polished stainless steel upper and lower chambers. The Berkey Light® uses a lightweight transparent housing, while the compact Go Berkey® is intended primarily for personal use. The standard stainless steel lineup includes the Travel, Big, Royal, Imperial, and Crown Berkey™ systems.
The countertop models share the same general fill, filter, and collect process. Their housings differ in storage capacity, size, and element count. Reduction claims, service life, and maintenance depend on the installed filters.
Depending on the model, compatible systems can also accommodate additional primary filtration elements. Adding elements does not increase the chamber's storage capacity, but it can increase the potential flow rate when the upper chamber is full.
The number and type of installed elements should always follow the instructions for the exact system and filter product being used.
Berkey® systems combine straightforward gravity-fed operation with a range of capacities for different households and spaces. They are designed for countertop use without permanent plumbing or electricity.
Replaceable primary filter elements, spigots, washers, plugs, priming tools, stands, and other compatible parts enable maintenance and adaptation of the system over time. Choose accessories for the exact model you own, and keep the filter instructions available for routine care.
Choosing a system is only one part of the buying decision. You should also understand which filtration elements are included, which replacements are currently available, and whether optional post-filter elements are compatible with your intended configuration.
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are the current primary replacement option for compatible Berkey® gravity-fed systems. They are designed to fit the Go, Travel, Big, Royal, Imperial, Crown, and Berkey Light® models and use coconut-shell activated carbon media for everyday gravity-fed drinking-water filtration.
Travel Berkey®, Big Berkey®, and Royal Berkey® configurations featuring Phoenix Gravity elements are listed to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for chlorine reduction and taste-and-odor reduction, and to NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 372 for lead-content requirements.
NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 addresses lead content in product materials, not removal of lead from water. Phoenix-equipped listings do not apply to systems supplied with Black Berkey® Elements. Verify the exact configuration in the official NSF/ANSI 42 listing and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 listing.
Independent laboratory testing provides additional element-specific performance information. Physical compatibility with a Berkey® housing does not mean every system-and-element configuration carries the same certification; review the current product documentation and the applicable certification listing for the exact configuration you are considering.
Black Berkey® Elements are the original primary filtration elements used in many Berkey® systems. Existing owners may still need information about their capacity, cleaning, maintenance, and compatibility.
Standalone Black Berkey® replacement elements are currently unavailable through normal authorized U.S. distribution channels with no confirmed restock date. Existing Black Berkey® Elements can continue to be used according to their service-life and maintenance guidance, while customers who need compatible replacements now should review the Phoenix Gravity option.
Berkey PF-2® Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements are optional post-filter elements. They attach beneath compatible primary elements within the lower chamber rather than replacing them.
Compatibility and installation requirements depend on the primary elements and system configuration. Current Phoenix product information states that Berkey PF-2® elements are compatible with Phoenix Gravity elements when installed in accordance with the applicable instructions. Use one PF-2® element for each compatible primary element in a supported system. Go Berkey® does not accommodate PF-2® filters. Review current state sales restrictions before ordering.
Do not assume that all gravity-filter elements have identical media, certifications, tested reductions, flow rates, capacities, maintenance procedures, or warranty terms. Review the specifications for the exact element being purchased.
Berkey accessories do not change the system's storage capacity, but they can make everyday use more convenient. Compatibility varies by model, particularly for stands and water-view spigots, so verify the required size before ordering.
A stainless steel spigot provides a durable replacement for the standard spigot and complements the polished appearance of the stainless steel chambers.
A water-view spigot makes it easier to monitor the amount of water remaining in the lower chamber without lifting the upper chamber. Choose the tube length designed for your specific system.
Priming tools, anti-airlock clips, replacement washers, plugs, and parts kits can simplify filter preparation and routine system maintenance.
Start with Travel, Big, and Royal. Travel prioritizes a small footprint, Big offers 2.25 gallons in a moderate size, and Royal adds a gallon of storage. If your household uses more water, compare Imperial and Crown. Use the dimensions chart to narrow the choice before ordering.
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements are the current replacement option offered on TheBerkey.com for compatible Berkey® gravity-fed systems. Black Berkey® Elements remain unavailable through normal authorized U.S. distribution, so customers should review the Phoenix product page for current compatibility, specifications, certifications, testing, and installation guidance.
Many stainless steel Berkey systems accept the same styles of compatible primary filtration elements, but the maximum number of elements differs by model. The Go Berkey® and Berkey Light® have distinct configurations, and compatibility should always be confirmed using the current product instructions.
No. A larger system stores more filtered water and may reduce refill frequency, but it also requires more counter space and vertical clearance. The right model is the smallest one that comfortably supports your daily use without becoming inconvenient to refill.
No. The chamber's gallon capacity does not change. Installing additional compatible elements can increase potential flow when the upper chamber is full, but it does not increase the amount of water the lower chamber can store.
Yes. Many customers begin with a compact system and later purchase a larger housing as their household or daily water use grows. Confirm filter compatibility before transferring existing elements to another system.
Choose the Travel Berkey® when minimizing footprint and portability are the priorities. Choose the Big Berkey® when you have enough counter space and prefer to store more water between refills. For many couples and small families, the Big Berkey offers a more convenient, long-term balance.
The Big Berkey® is more compact, while the Royal Berkey® stores one additional gallon. Households that use filtered water heavily for bottles, beverages, and cooking often appreciate the Royal's lower refill frequency. Measure your available space before deciding.
No. Berkey systems operate through gravity and do not require an electrical connection, household water pressure, or permanent plumbing installation.
Our regularly updated guide explains the EPA stop-sale orders, the related litigation, current product availability, and the distinction between Black Berkey® Elements and Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Elements. Read Is Berkey Going Out of Business? for the latest site summary.
Compare your preferred model’s dimensions, included filters, current price, and availability. If you need help deciding, tell us your daily water use and available counter space.
Product specifications, including components, availability, certifications, compatibility, restrictions, and warranty terms, may change. Always review the current product page and manufacturer instructions for the exact system, filtration elements, and accessories you intend to use.