With the growing concern over water quality and contamination, more people are turning to water filtration systems for their homes. Two of the most popular brands are Berkey and Hydroviv.
But which one is better? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of Berkey and Hydroviv to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Berkey | Hydroviv |
| Filtration Method | Gravity-fed through carbon/charcoal media | Pressurized through solid carbon block |
| Contaminant Removal | Broad spectrum including heavy metals, VOCs, bacteria, viruses | Priority contaminants based on water testing |
| Filter Life Span | 3-5 years | 6-12 months |
| Flow Rate | Slow, ~3-4 gallons per hour | Fast, fills glass in seconds |
| Capacity | Up to 24 gallons per day | 8-10 gallons per day |
| Maintenance | Occasional scrubbing and cleaning of filters | Change filters when indicated |
| Cost | High upfront, lower long-term | $149-$299 upfront, replace filters ~$50 |
| Certification | NSF 42 and 53 | NSF 42 and 53 |
Overview Of Berkey
Berkey is one of the most well-known names in water filtration. Their signature product is the Berkey gravity-fed filtration system.
It uses Black Berkey filter elements made from a proprietary blend of carbon and other materials to remove contaminants through mechanical filtration.
Pros
- Long filter life span of 3-5 years with proper care
- High contaminant removal including heavy metals, VOCs, bacteria, and viruses
- Can handle anywhere from 1 gallon to several gallons per day depending on system size
- No electricity required
- Lower recurring costs since filters last a long time
Cons
- High upfront cost, systems range from $200-$500+
- Large size takes up counter space
- Slow filtration, approximately 3-4 gallons per hour
- Requires priming and cleaning filters periodically
Berkey systems come in different sizes from the small Travel Berkey to the largest Royal Berkey that can handle up to 24 gallons per day.
The most popular size for households is the Big Berkey which can filter around 6 gallons daily.
Berkey filters are NSF 42 and 53 certified so they meet stringent standards for contaminant removal. Overall, they offer thorough filtration with simple maintenance.
Overview Of Hydroviv
Hydroviv takes a different approach to water filtration. Their systems use certified carbon block filters similar to those used in pitcher filters or faucet mounts.
The key difference is Hydroviv helps you customize the filter based on your home’s specific water quality.
Pros
- Customizable filtration based on your water’s contaminants
- Simple design is easy to install and use
- Filter replacements sent automatically when needed
- Fast flow rate, can fill a glass in seconds
- Lower upfront cost, starting at $149
Cons
- More frequent filter replacements every 6-12 months
- Not as thorough filtration as Berkey, doesn’t remove all heavy metals
- Requires tap water testing to customize properly
- Smaller capacity, not ideal for large households
Hydroviv units come in under sink, on counter, and refrigerator models so you can choose the setup that works best for your home.
Their water quality experts analyze your tap water and select the right filter to target your local contamination issues.
The filters are certified to remove lead, VOCs, pesticides, chlorine, and pharmaceuticals. Hydroviv systems are easy to maintain with filter replacements shipped to your door. However, the filters must be changed more often than Berkey models.
In-depth Comparison of Features of Berkey And Hydroviv
Filtration Technology
Berkey systems use a gravity-fed design with the upper chamber holding untreated water that filters down through the proprietary Black Berkey filters into the lower chamber. The carbon and charcoal medium captures contaminants through mechanical filtration.
This means particulate matter and chemicals are physically trapped in the pores and surface of the filter material.
In contrast, Hydroviv uses a pressurized solid carbon block filter that water is pushed through. Carbon block filters also rely on mechanical filtration to screen out contaminants as water passes through.
However, the carbon is compressed into a solid form rather than the loose granular form used in the Berkey filters.
Each filtration method has pros and cons. Gravity filtration is slower but very thorough as the water has more contact time with the filter media. The carbon block filters have faster flow rates but may not capture as much since the water does not penetrate as deeply into the solid carbon material.
For contaminants like heavy metals and chemicals, the Berkey’s gravity-fed design seems to provide better removal capabilities. But the Hydroviv filters excel at filtering out common contaminants like chlorine rapidly.
Watch the video for details!
Filter Capacity
One of the most significant differences between the systems is filter capacity.
The Black Berkey filters used in the gravity-fed systems are designed to last 3-5 years with proper maintenance. Individual elements cost ~$99, so replacement costs are low. With just 2-4 filter elements per system, the Berkey can handle thousands of gallons before needing new filters.
Hydroviv filters last just 6-12 months depending on usage and water quality. Their replacement filters cost ~$50 each. Most systems only use 1 filter, though some models allow adding a second one.
So over the course of 5 years, you would spend approximately $300 on replacement Berkey filters compared to $500-$1000 for Hydroviv filters over the same time frame.
If you’re filtering water for a family daily, Berkey is likely the more cost-effective option long-term. Hydroviv filters better suit lighter household use or situations where you only need filtration during certain times of year.
Customization
One advantage of Hydroviv is the ability to customize based on your water. Their water testing analyzes over 500 potential contaminants. Then their filters target the specific issues in your water.
Berkey systems feature the same broad filtration across all households. You can add additional filter elements to increase contaminant removal for very poor water quality, but the systems are not tailored to your water.
Hydroviv is a smart choice if you know you have problems with particular contaminants. For example, if you have well water high in arsenic, Hydroviv can design a system targeting arsenic removal.
With Berkey, you’re relying on the standard carbon/charcoal filtration to remove contaminants. This may work well for general purposes but lacks the specificity of a customized Hydroviv system.
Also Read: ReadyRefresh Vs. Sparkletts Bottled Water: In-depth Differences
Ease Of Use
Berkey and Hydroviv systems are both designed for convenient at home use with no expertise required.
The Berkey does take more effort to operate properly. The filters need occasional scrubbing to remove buildup that can impede filtration. Priming the filters when starting a new set involves filling, draining, and repeating several times.
Hydroviv systems work immediately out of the box like other water pitchers and filters. Simply install them properly, and they are ready to use.
Maintenance involves replacing filters on schedule with the new ones shipped by Hydroviv.
For households who want simplicity and minimal maintenance, Hydroviv is the easier to use option. Berkey systems produce great water quality but require more involvement in scrubbing and cleaning the system.
Supported Contaminants
Based on third-party testing and verification, here are the main contaminants addressed by each system:
Berkey
- Heavy metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium
- Chlorine and chloramine compounds
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Industrial and pharmaceutical contaminants
- Bacteria and viruses
- Parasitic cysts like giardia and cryptosporidium
- Foul tastes, odors, and discoloration
Hydroviv
- Lead
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Chlorine and chloramines
- Pharmaceuticals
- Foul tastes, odors, and sediment
While the Berkey provides broader and more complete filtration, Hydroviv still addresses many common water contaminants. For most households with general water quality issues, Hydroviv likely provides sufficient filtration.
Berkey is the way to go if you know your water contains heavy metals or other chemicals. Its 6+ gallon daily capacity also suits larger homes and families that need more filtered water.
Also Read: Aquasana Vs. Pentair: Which Water Filtration System Is Better?
Home Installation
Berkey systems are freestanding units that sit on your counter or floor. No plumbing or installation is required. You fill the upper chamber with tap water, allowing gravity to pull it through the filters into the lower chamber.
Hydroviv offers several installation options:
- Counter top unit – Like the Berkey, sits on your counter and requires no plumbing.
- Under sink unit – Installs below sink to filter water coming from the faucet. Requires basic plumbing.
- Refrigerator unit – Replaces internal water filter in fridge. No plumbing needed.
The ability to do countertop, under sink, or refrigerator installation provides more flexibility. But you are limited to those locations versus the Berkey that can be placed anywhere.
Both brands are straightforward to setup at home with Hydroviv providing more variation. Just account for the large footprint if installing the Berkey on a counter.
Cost Comparison
The upfront cost is quite different between these two brands:
- Berkey systems range from $258 for the Travel Berkey up to $335+ for the Big Berkey and $500+ for the Royal Berkey. Each larger model increases capacity.
- Hydroviv systems start at $149 for a countertop model. Under sink installation is $199 and refrigerator model is $299. Additional filters are $50 each.
Over 5 years assuming replacement filters as needed, you would spend:
- Berkey Big Berkey: ~$335 upfront, 2 filter sets for $198, total $533
- Hydroviv Counter Top: ~$149 upfront, 10 filter replacements for $500, total $649
Keep in mind the Berkey provides up to 6 gallons per day while the Hydroviv makes 1-2 gallons per day. Hydroviv works best for 1-2 people while a Big Berkey can support a large family.
If you’re on well water and want maximum contaminant removal, the extra upfront cost of the Berkey makes sense long-term. For city dwellers, Hydroviv is likely sufficient and cheaper in the long run.
Additional Factors To Consider
Here are a few other things to weigh when deciding between these two filtration systems:
- Certification – Both are NSF 42 and 53 certified for contaminant reduction so you can trust their performance claims.
- Filtration Capabilities – Berkey removes more contaminants at higher efficiencies but most people don’t require that level of filtration.
- Speed – Hydroviv systems filter water in seconds while Berkey takes 3-4 hours for a full upper chamber.
- Filter Supply – Hydroviv delivers replacement filters to your door. Berkey filters must be purchased separately online or in stores.
- Appearance – The polished chrome and designer shades of Hydroviv blends into kitchens nicely. The Berkey has a more industrial look.
As you can see, there are several nuances between these two brands. For most purposes, Hydroviv should sufficiently improve your home’s water quality at a lower overall cost.
Berkey is ideal for those concerned about heavy metals or who need to filter large quantities of water daily.
Also Read: Clearly Filtered Vs. Hydroviv: Which Filtration System Is Best?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While Berkey is one of the leading brands, there are comparable water filtration systems available. Reverse osmosis systems provide the same level of thorough contaminant removal as Berkey. They force water through a membrane to filter out dissolved solids and chemicals. However, reverse osmosis waste a lot of water and require more maintenance. Outside of reverse osmosis, most other gravity-fed carbon filters similar to Berkey perform equally well.
ZeroWater is another top filtered water brand. Their five-stage filter system reduces contaminants to zero parts per million similar to Berkey. Testing shows ZeroWater and Berkey perform nearly identically for contaminant removal. ZeroWater filters may need replacing more often than Berkey but otherwise deliver the same clean water.
Yes, Hydroviv is highly effective at removing common contaminants found in most drinking water supplies. Their carbon block filtration reduces lead, pesticides, chlorine byproducts, pharmaceuticals, and more. While Hydroviv does not filter out every single potential contaminant like Berkey, it still produces water exceeding bottled water quality for most homes.
The key to Berkey’s filtration is the combination of carbon and charcoal used in their proprietary filter media blend. Other gravity filters using a similar carbon/charcoal blend like those from ProPur and AquaRain will equal Berkey for contaminant removal. SureWater is another equivalent gravity-fed option made with loose granular activated carbon that performs on par with Berkey filters.
The Bottom Line
Choosing between Berkey and Hydroviv comes down to your specific water quality concerns, household size, and budget.
While the Berkey system offers superior filtration capacity and breadth of contaminants removed, the Hydroviv is more affordable and sufficient for most homes with some water quality issues.
Weigh the pros and cons of each brand against your needs to decide the best system for your household. With either Berkey or Hydroviv, you can enjoy cleaner, healthier water every day.