Propur vs Berkey: Comparing Water Filtration Devices

By Jeff Wise Published: May 10, 2022 Updated: August 28, 2026

Is the water you are drinking as clean-tasting as you want it to be?

Most municipal drinking water contains chlorine and other chemicals. That water may meet legal standards, but many families still prefer an extra filter at home.

Clean-tasting drinking water is important every day. When it comes to gravity filters, two names often come up: Propur vs. Berkey.

These are two providers of gravity filters for home drinking water. What is the same and what is different?

Keep reading to see what each offers and which one may be the better fit for your home.

propur vs berkey

Gravity Filters

Gravity filtration uses gravity to move water through a filter. The filter media reduces many unwanted contaminants as the water passes through. It is a simple way to filter tap water without electricity or plumbing.

How Gravity Filtration Works

Gravity filtration works in two steps. Water in an upper chamber passes through filter elements into a lower chamber. The filtered water is then ready to pour from the spigot.

Benefits of Gravity Filters

Gravity filters are portable. You can move them to another home, take a smaller model when you travel, and choose a size based on household use.

Countertop gravity filters do not need a plumber. Set the system on a counter and add municipally treated tap water. They also need no power, so they still work during a power outage.

Home filters can also reduce bottled-water use and waste. That is better than relying on the millions of plastic water bottles thrown out every year.

Black Berkey and Phoenix Filters

Berkey water filters are one of the best-known gravity systems on the market. Their reputation comes from long-life filter elements and simple daily use.

New Berkey systems typically include Black Berkey elements. The official replacement filters sold today are the Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition filters.

Berkey Filtration Elements

Berkey filter elements use a microporous filtration process. As tap water passes through the elements, many common contaminants are reduced.

Water Contaminants Reduced

A Berkey system with quality elements can reduce 200+ common tap-water contaminants. That includes lead, arsenic, iron, and mercury.

It also reduces pesticides, heavy metals, chlorine, and other unwanted chemicals. Independent lab testing is used to measure performance on specific contaminants.

Propur ProOne Filters

ProOne filters are gravity filters similar in style to Berkey. They are marketed for reducing a long list of tap-water contaminants and come in several sizes, including larger gravity systems plus pitcher and bottle options.

Water Contaminants Reduced

Propur’s contaminant list is also extensive. They report reduction of pesticides and heavy metals, plus a range of volatile organic compounds.

They also publish independent lab results for the contaminants their filters are tested against.

Propur vs. Berkey Water Filtration Speed

Home water filters are useful, but flow rate still matters. You want filtered water without waiting all day. Here is how the two systems compare.

Berkey Speed

A Big Berkey with two elements is often rated around 3.5 gallons per hour. Flow slows a little as the water level in the top chamber drops.

Adding two more elements can roughly double the flow rate, up to about seven gallons per hour.

Propur Speed

A Propur Big+ with one filter is often described as taking about 4 hours to filter 3 gallons. A second filter can reduce that to about 3 hours for 3 gallons. A third filter can bring it closer to 1.5 hours for 3 gallons.

Flow also changes depending on the Propur filter size you use.

While this comparison focuses on gravity systems, some homeowners also consider reverse osmosis. See our breakdown of AquaTru vs Berkey.

Berkey Costs

Berkey often has a higher upfront cost. Future costs can be lower because the filter life is longer than many competing gravity filters.

Upfront Costs

Berkey offers several tabletop water filtration systems. Sizes vary based on household needs:

Travel Berkey water filter - 1.5 gallons = $327
Big Berkey water filter - 2.25 gallons = $367
Berkey Light water filter - 2.75 gallons = $305
Royal Berkey water filter - 3.25 gallons = $408
Imperial Berkey water filter - 4.5 gallons = $475
Crown Berkey water filter - 6 gallons = $504

Most Berkey units use high-polish 304 stainless steel, which is strong and rust-resistant. The Berkey Light is the exception. It is made from BPA-free copolyester and is lighter and see-through.

Filter Costs

Each Berkey tabletop system typically comes with two filter elements. Official replacement elements are the Phoenix filters. Element life is often estimated around 6,000 gallons before replacement, depending on water quality and use.

Replacement Timeframe

To understand true cost, look at replacement timing.

If you are a family of four and each person drinks about one gallon of water a day, estimates often look like this:

2 filters can last a few years
4 filters can last substantially longer

Actual life varies based on water quality and household use.

Propur Costs

Propur often costs less upfront. Replacement filters may add up faster because the stated filter life is shorter.

Upfront Costs

Propur has several tabletop gravity models and a pitcher option.

Big+ gravity water filter - 3 gallons = $229.95 - $379.95
Traveler+ gravity water filter - 2.25 gallons = $209.95 - $279.95
Big II gravity water filter - 2.5 gallons = $139.95 - $199.95

Price differences usually depend on filter upgrades and extra filters.

Filter Costs

Propur filters come in different sizes based on the unit.

The G2.0 9" fits the Big+. Pricing is often around $89.95 for one filter and up to $298.95 for a four-pack.

The G2.0 7" fits the Traveler, Big+, and Big II units. One filter is often around $78.95, with a four-pack around $208.95.

The G2.0 5" fits the Traveler and Big II units. One filter is often around $72.95, with a four-pack around $135.95.

Replacement Timeframe

Propur filter life depends on size. In general, the larger filter lasts longer, but the largest filter only fits certain units.

The 5" filter is often estimated around six months. The 7" filter is often estimated around 10 months. The 9" filter is often estimated around 1 year.

Propur vs. Berkey Cleaning

Both systems need basic cleaning to keep water tasting good and flowing well.

Berkey Cleaning

Rinse the chambers when you first get the unit. The filters also need to be primed before first use.

Priming forces water through the pores and helps clear trapped air from manufacturing.

About once a month, clean the lower chamber with soapy water. If your water is hard, soak the chamber in a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution for about 15 minutes to help with scale.

Use a Scotch-Brite pad or soft brush after soaking, then wash with soapy water and rinse well.

The filter elements can be gently scrubbed to help remove sediment that slows flow. Reprime the filters before putting them back in the unit.

Propur Cleaning

Propur recommends a similar cleaning style for the housings. Use a 50/50 vinegar and water solution in hard-water areas, or simple dish soap on the chambers.

The filters do not need priming. Rinse them under water before use. Cleaning the ceramic surface is usually done under running water for about 2 minutes with the sponge included with the unit. Do not use dish soap on the filter itself.

Propur vs. Berkey Accessories

Each company offers extras for daily use.

Berkey Options

Berkey accessories include stands and a stainless steel spigot.

You can also add fluoride filters if you want extra fluoride reduction. Berkey also offers a 22-ounce Sport Berkey bottle for travel and everyday carry.

Propur Options

Propur offers a small pitcher and a portable bottle option, plus some pressurized whole-house, under-counter, shower, and refrigerator filter products.

Finding Your Best Water

If you want better-tasting water at home, a gravity filter is a simple place to start.

When it comes to Propur vs. Berkey, look at upfront cost, filter life, flow rate, and which system you want to maintain long term. Berkey often costs more at first, but the longer filter life can make it more affordable over time.

That longer filter life, plus the broad contaminant-reduction testing, is why many families choose Berkey.

Berkey Clean Water can help you choose the right size. Contact us or take our Water Quality Quiz.