Finding the perfect water filtration system is important because drinking contaminated water can be really dangerous. While there are many filtration companies, you can’t risk choosing the second-best because a water filter system is a major long-term investment.
Luckily, we can rely on a few top companies like AquaTru and Berkey to get great filters; but choosing just one brand from the top two contenders is hard.
AquaTru is a trending seller that uses the latest tech, but Berkey has been in the business since the 1990s, so you can’t blindly choose one over the other. We know choosing between the two is difficult, so let’s review them thoroughly.
Ultimately, you’ll decide based on performance, quality, and personal preference, so we hope this AquaTru vs. Berkey battle works out in your favor.
A Brief Look into AquaTru & Berkey
AquaTru and Berkey are among the best water filtration companies, so they are strong rivals. While we can’t openly favor one over the other, we’ll review their performance and quality so you can choose what suits you best.
AquaTru
AquaTru is an up-and-coming water company that’s been storming the field. AquaTru filters are come with a great RO technique, but let’s see if they’re worth your time and money.
A Little About AquaTru’s System
AquaTru filters use the reverse osmosis technique to filter every contaminant in the weather. Reverse osmosis ensures you get the purest water without harmful chemicals and disinfectants.
Most AquaTru filters use a 4-stage RO system, but you can pair them with other cleaners and filters. We will review the filtration systems in detail, so don’t worry because you won’t miss a thing.
Key Features
Here are a couple of top features of the AquaTru water filtration system:
Berkey
Berkey is your old-school water filtration company that never disappoints. Berkey’s water filtration uses gravity-fed filters, so it’s a little different from the rescind techniques, but they’re worth every penny. Let’s dive a little deeper.
A Little About Berkey’s System
Berkey uses gravity-fed filters, so they work by forcefully pushing water through the filters. Although gravity-fed filtration doesn’t necessarily guarantee a high contaminant-kill count, Berkey gets the job done by eliminating a whopping number of 200.
Berkey’s filters work in three stages absorption, adsorption, and microfiltration. Although a bit orthodox, Berkey ensures maximum water purity and quality.
Key Features
Here are a few important pointers about Berkey’s filtration system:
Quick Comparison Chart
Here’s a side-to-side comparison for you to review:
| Features | AquaTru | Berkey |
| Annual Cost | $500-720 for the first year $200-220 for upcoming years | $715-1245, including purchase $40-50 yearly |
| Warranty | One-year limited warranty | 1-2 years (extension available; varies from model to model) |
| Method of Filtration | Reverse Osmosis Filtration | Ab/dsorption, microfiltration |
| Type of Filter | RO Membrane Filter | Gravity-fed Filters |
| Filtering Capacity | 600-1200 gallons | 3000 gallons |
| Holding Capacity | 3 liters | 1½ – 2.25 gallons |
| Filter Lifespan | One year per filter | 10 or more years (depends on usage) |
| General Lifespan | 2-3 years (including warranty) | 10 years |
| Types of Models | Countertop, under-sink, and alkaline filters | Countertop, under-sink, shower, and alkaline filters |
| Number of Contaminants Removed | 83 contaminants | 200+ contaminants |
| Water Purity Level | Up to 99% of contaminants removed | Up to 99% of contaminants removed |
| Certification | NSF Certification: 42, 53, 58, 401 P473 | NSF 53 independent certification |
| Sellers | AquaTru Official Website Amazon Vita Express Walmart Lowes | Berkey Waters Official Website Amazon |
Detailed Comparison: AquaTru vs. Berkey
Let’s review the performance, effectiveness, cost, maintenance, and warranty of AquaTru and Berkey filtration systems in detail.
Annual Cost
An AquaTru water filtration system costs around $300-500, depending on the size and model. AquaTru water filters don’t require much maintenance but can cost about $100 for repairs and accidental damages.
An AquaTru water filtration system uses a combination of three filters, which sum up to $100-120. On average, the annual cost of an AquaTru water filter is a minimum of $500-720 for the first year and $200-220 for the upcoming years.
In comparison, a Berkey water filtration system starts at roughly $230 and goes up to $590. Berkey water filtration systems come with a general home maintenance kit costing $25 and optional professional maintenance costing $100.
Berkey filters cost around $360-530. On average, the annual cost of a Berkey water filtration system is a minimum of $715-1245, but maintenance and upkeep are optional. On average, the cost of Berkey reduces up to an impressive $40-50 because of its lifespan and low maintenance.
Warranty
AquaTru water filtration systems have a limited warranty of 1-2 years (depending on the model), but they last up to 2-3 years.
Berkey water filtration systems have a guaranteed warranty of 1-2 years, but they last for decades.
Filtration Method
AquaTru relies on reverse osmosis, one of the purest filtration methods.
Reverse osmosis forcefully pushes water against a fine membrane, removing up to 99% contaminants. Reverse osmosis has countless benefits, including improving taste, preventing odor, and controlling water pH.
AquaTru’s water filtration system uses 4-stage RO technology to achieve maximum purity. The water in an AquaTru water filter goes through a sediment filter which removes major physical contaminants like dust and debris.
An activated carbon filter removes chlorine and chloramines, and the main RO filter removes other contaminants. The filtered water then runs through a final VOC carbon filter to improve taste and quality.
Thus, AquaTru achieves maximum purity and quality by running water through four highly-refined filters.
On the other hand, Berkey uses gravity-fed filters, which are a little traditional, but they get the job done. Berkey uses gravity to force water through a filter, so it doesn’t require electricity.
A typical Berkey filter contains two main chambers; water pours into the upper chamber and movies through a filter into the lower chamber. The system uses an activated carbon and an ultra-filtration filter.
The activated carbon filter removes chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, industrial solvents, and many more contaminants by attracting them; this removal is carbon absorption.
The gravity pulls the water downward through an ultrafiltration filter which removes up to 90-100% of pathogens by separating low-eight molecules from heavy-weight. Although the system is a little simple, it can take a long time to filter water.
Filtering Capacity
AquaTru’s VOC filter has a capacity of 600 gallons, while its RO membrane lasts up to 1200 gallons. AquaTru’s VOC filter will last a year, and the RO membrane will last two years.
Berkey’s filtering capacity depends on the model, but its activated carbon and ultrafiltration filters collectively last up to 3000 gallons for 2 years. Adding additional filters will boost the filtering capacity to 12000 gallons for 8 years.
Holding Capacity
Most AquaTru models have a holding capacity of 1 gallon and 3 quarts, while Berkey’s water filters can hold a little more than 2 gallons.
Lifespan
AquaTru’s filters last 1-2 years (1 year for VOC and 2 years for RO membrane). The overall lifespan of AquaTru filtration systems is 2-3 years, with one year of warranty.
Berkey’s water filters easily last 4 years (2 years for activated carbon and 2 for ultrafiltration filters). The overall lifespan of most Berkey water filtration systems is 10 or more years.
Removal of Contaminants
AquaTru water filtration systems can remove up to 83 contaminants, while Berkey removes more than 200. Let’s see which major contaminants both filtration system tackle:
| Common Water Contaminants | AquaTru | Berkey |
| Acetone | ❌* | ✔️ |
| Aluminum | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Arsenic | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Atrazine | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Bacteria | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Barium | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Benzene | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Cadmium | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Chlorine | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Chloramine | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Chloroform | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Copper | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Fluoride | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Iron | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Lead | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Mercury | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Nickel | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Perchlorate | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Radium | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Selenium | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Silver | ✔️ | ✔️* |
| Zinc | ✔️ | ✔️ |
*Note: There isn’t much proof that RO filters can remove acetone because it is typically removed by aeration and carbon filtration. This is why we can’t say for sure if AquaTru removes acetone.
Berkey can remove silver, but its filter typically removes sediment minerals but intentionally leaves ionic minerals to retain purity. Silver can be leached from sedimentary rocks like quartz, which also exists in ionic form, so whether or not Berkey removes it depends on the form.
There are numerous contaminants that Berkey and AquaTru can remove but aren’t listed here.
Performance and Effectiveness
AquaTru uses RO technology, a fancy way of saying it’s great at removing contaminants and purifying water. AquaTru water filtration systems can remove up to 80+ contaminants and maintain water quality and pH.
Berkey water filtration system tackles more than 200 contaminants, removing each at least 90-100% to achieve maximum purity. Berkey’s ultrafiltration filter can maintain taste and quality and prevents odor.
Comparatively, both filtration systems guarantee maximum performance, so we can’t put one over the other.
Energy Consumption
AquaTru uses RO technology, roughly 1-2 watts per gallon. Although this is quite low, most AquaTru users should expect a minor boost in their electricity bills.
On the other hand, Berkey’s gravity-fed filters don’t need electricity, so their power consumption is literally 0.
Filtration Speed
AquaTru’s filters use modern tech and design, so they’re unbelievably fast.
A typical AquaTru filtration system can filter a single liter in 3-4 minutes, while Berkey can filter a full tank in 45-60 minutes.
Certification
AquaTru has NSF 42, 53, 58, 401 and P473 certification.
- NSF 42 certification declares that AquaTru filters can remove contaminants like chlorine.
- NSF 53 declares AquaTru counters contaminants causing health problems.
- NSF 58 certification is solely for reverse osmosis techniques; it declares AquaTru’s RO membrane can successfully remove contaminants regulated by EPA.
- NSF 401 certifies AquaTru can remove emerging contaminants
- P473 is a protocol that declares the AquaTru water filtration system is designed to handle contaminants.
Berkey has NSF 53, certified to handle and eliminate health-concerning contaminants.
Although it seems like AquaTru has more certifications, it is because of the nature of its models and designs.
Types of Models
AquaTru offers countertop and under-sink reverse osmosis filters. It also has a carafe countertop filter.
Berkey has a wider range of models: under-sink, countertop, portable, and shower filters.
Certified Sellers
You can buy an AquaTru water filtration system from Amazon, Walmart, and AquaTru’s official website.
Berkey water filtration systems are available only at Amazon or on the official website.
AquaTru vs. Berkey: Who Comes Out on the Top?
You’ve seen everything about the AquaTru and Berkey water filter systems in detail, but picking your favorite can still take a while. Let’s review some pros and cons to make your decision easier.
AquaTru Pros & Cons
AquaTru has some amazing benefits, so let’s weigh them out.
Pros
Cons
Berkey Pros & Cons
You have seen what Berkey offers, but let’s see if it’s worth the purchase:
Pros
Cons
The Final Verdict?
AquaTru surely brings a lot to the plate; AquaTru water filtration systems are fast, effective, and modern. They can remove up to 83 contaminants and have major NSF certifications.
On the other hand, Berkey is a little orthodox, but it makes up with its high quality and stunning performance. Berkey water filters can remove over 200 filters, have an amazing shelf life, and last for decades with only $40-50 yearly maintenance.
So which one should you choose? Well, AquaTru is great if you’re looking for a quick and easy solution. But Berkey surely wins the match with its long lifespan, amazing quality, and electricity-free techniques.