Switching from Berkey to Purewell: A Model-by-Model Guide
If you own a Berkey, you know the appeal: a countertop gravity filter that makes good water without plumbing or power. But between Berkey's rising price, its limited availability, and the fact that it is not sold in California or Iowa, a lot of Berkey owners are looking for a like-for-like replacement. This guide maps each Berkey model to its closest Purewell counterpart, so you know exactly what to buy when you make the switch.
Why Berkey owners look for an alternative
Berkey earned its reputation with a simple idea: a stainless-steel gravity filter that treats water on the countertop. But three practical issues push owners toward alternatives today:
- Price. A Travel Berkey runs roughly $350 and a Big Berkey around $367 — a lot for a countertop gravity system.
- Availability restrictions. Berkey systems are not sold in California or Iowa, a limit that follows from certification disputes. If you live there — or move there — your Berkey replacement filters get harder to source.
- Supply. Berkey has had well-documented periods of limited availability, leaving owners unsure when filters will ship.
Purewell sits in the same category — stainless-steel, gravity-fed, no power, no plumbing — but at a lower price, with a hollow-fiber UF membrane built into the cartridge that many popular gravity systems skip, and with full availability across the U.S.
Model-by-model: which Purewell replaces your Berkey
Use this table to find the Purewell model that matches your current Berkey. Prices are approximate and worth confirming on each store before you buy.
| Berkey model | Capacity | Approx. price | Purewell match | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Berkey | 1.5 gal | ~$350 | K Series 1.5 gal | $199.00 |
| Big Berkey | 2.25 gal | ~$367 | SS Series 2.25 gal | $219.99 |
| Berkey Light | 2.75 gal (plastic) | ~$300+ | BO Series 2.25 gal | $129.00 |
| Royal Berkey | 3.25 gal | ~$450+ | SS Series 2.25 gal (largest Purewell) | $219.99 |
One honest gap: Purewell's largest gravity system is 2.25 gallons, so there is no direct replacement for the 3.25-gallon Royal Berkey or the 6-gallon Crown Berkey. If you need that much volume, two 2.25-gallon Purewell units — or a 2.25-gallon system topped up more often — is the practical workaround.
Travel Berkey → K Series 1.5 gallon
The Travel Berkey is the 1.5-gallon portable choice. Its closest Purewell match is the K Series 1.5-gallon system ($199.00) — same capacity, one-piece 304 stainless steel, and a built-in water-level window. It keeps the same countertop footprint while swapping in Purewell's activated-carbon + silver-ion + UF-membrane cartridge.
Big Berkey → SS, SF, or BO Series 2.25 gallon
The Big Berkey is Berkey's most popular 2.25-gallon model, and Purewell gives you three 2.25-gallon options at three price points:
- SS Series 2.25 gal ($219.99) — the closest direct match to a Big Berkey, stainless steel with the full feature set.
- SF Series 2.25 gal ($179.99) — a mid-price 2.25-gallon option.
- BO Series 2.25 gal ($129.00) — the value pick; same gravity-fed convenience, lower entry cost.
Berkey Light → BO Series 2.25 gallon
The Berkey Light is Berkey's plastic 2.75-gallon model. The closest Purewell equivalent on capacity is the BO Series 2.25 gal ($129.00) — and it upgrades you from plastic to stainless steel while costing less than a Berkey Light. If the material is the reason you are switching, this is the natural move.
What to check before you switch
Common concerns, answered
Will my old Berkey filters fit a Purewell system?
No. Berkey and Purewell use different cartridge sizes and mounting, so filters are not interchangeable. Plan to buy Purewell cartridges with the new system — and note that Purewell's gravity cartridges are rated for 6,000 gallons per set.
Does a Purewell gravity filter remove what a Black Berkey removes?
The two use different technologies. Black Berkey elements are a proprietary carbon-based blend; Purewell uses activated carbon, silver ions, and a 0.01-micron hollow-fiber UF membrane that physically removes bacteria and cysts. Compare each system's published performance data for the specific contaminants you care about.
Is a Purewell gravity filter NSF certified?
No. Purewell's gravity line does not carry an NSF certification mark. If a formal NSF listing is a hard requirement, confirm it on the product page before buying — and note that Berkey systems do not carry an NSF mark either.
What if I have a Royal or Crown Berkey and need more than 2.25 gallons?
Purewell's largest gravity system is 2.25 gallons. For a Royal (3.25 gal) or Crown (6 gal), the practical option is two 2.25-gallon units, or one unit topped up more frequently. There is no single Purewell model at that capacity today.
Do Purewell gravity filters need electricity or plumbing?
No. Like Berkey, Purewell gravity systems work purely by gravity — pour water in the top, and it filters down into the lower chamber. No pump, no power, no plumbing.
Which Purewell should you choose?
Replacing a Travel Berkey: the K Series 1.5 gal ($199.00).
Replacing a Big Berkey: the SS Series 2.25 gal ($219.99), or the BO Series 2.25 gal ($129.00) to save.
Replacing a Berkey Light: the BO Series 2.25 gal ($129.00), stainless instead of plastic.
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