Emergency Preparedness Journal

Comparing Berkey and Zero Water Filters: Which is Better?

Berkey offers an impressive array of water contaminants it can remove, such as cysts, viruses and bacteria. Furthermore, its 3,000 gallon filter capacity covers two or three years’ worth of use.

ZeroWater can effectively remove fluoride, heavy metals and chlorine contaminates; however, some organic chemicals remain.

Cost

ZeroWater’s filters are more cost-effective, coming in various sizes and with readily available replacement filters than Berkey filter elements; however, customers have reported they require replacement more often and do not last as advertised.

Both systems are designed to remove multiple contaminants. Berkey’s unique media placement creates a labyrinthine path for contaminants to travel along, so even if particles slip past one layer they should likely still be caught by another one. Berkey is capable of reducing more contaminants than competing brands – including heavy metals like lead and chromium 6 as well as organic chemicals and inorganic toxins like BTEX. In addition, its system works on total dissolved solids (TDS), contributing to water hardness; though not replacing an actual water softener this feature would offer added benefits.

Performance

ZeroWater’s five-stage filtration system packs more contaminant removal into one compact filter than any other water filter available today, using coarse screen to remove rust and dust, foam distributer for organic contamination removal, carbon and oxidation reduction alloy for chlorine reduction and an ion exchange resin that removes fluoride from water supply.

The filter reduces lead, chromium 6 arsenic and other heavy metals as well as pesticides; bacteria; germs; cysts and other harmful microorganisms. Furthermore, it filters glyphosate chloramines and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Filters like the LifeSaver Filter offer excellent contaminant removal capabilities that make them ideal for emergency use or to protect against potentially contaminated foods and water sources. While more expensive than other gravity water filters, this one lasts longer and ultimately costs less over time; especially crucial since infants and pregnant women can be vulnerable to contamination issues caused by food.

Durability

Berkey and Zero Water both offer gravity water filter systems designed to eliminate heavy metals from drinking water, including fluoride. Constructed from stainless steel for durability and easy maintenance, these gravity water filtration systems feature large capacities suitable for large families as well as additional filters designed to remove fluoride.

ZeroWater may boast NSF certification, but its filter performance falls far short of that offered by Berkey. Berkey Elements technology outshines ZeroWater’s five-stage process in filtering out up to 200 contaminants with remarkable reduction rates; Berkey filters also lower bacteria and cyst counts significantly while ZeroWater doesn’t.

Zero Water filters only 40 gallons at once, forcing you to change out filters every one or two months compared to Big Berkey’s 3,000 gallon capacity and failing to reduce total dissolved solids – an essential feature for many users.

Warranty

A Berkey gravity water filter is a two-chambered stainless steel system designed to remove contaminants such as lead, mercury, chromium 6, arsenic and cadmium from water supplies. Additionally, viruses, endocrine disruptors, chlorine as well as reduce glyphosate, trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as well as blocking Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium parvum cysts can all be eliminated through its five stages of filtration.

Lifetime warranties cover stainless-steel tanks, lid knobs, plugs and plastic spigots; however, filters are not covered. Some users have reported filters rusting quickly after short break-in periods, releasing unknown compounds into their water supply that alter its taste and necessitating frequent cleaning – which could pose issues for families with children or pets who require frequent filter maintenance – although this issue can be easily avoided by following manufacturer break-in instructions.


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