Sorting through all the current gravity water filter options can be costly and tough to complete if you have an actual life.
Look, in this day and age, does anybody have the time to be conducting backyard taste tests? Who has the cash to buy all these water filters anyway?
The answer is, I do. Boom.
To ensure you can find the best gravity water filter for your backyard, campsite, or favorite hiking trail, I’ve spent the past 10 months reviewing, comparing, and ranking the best gravity-fed water filters on the market today. Here’s what I found.
1. Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Countertop Water Filter — 9.63/10 (Best gravity water filter)
The Big Berkey gravity-fed countertop water filter is the best gravity-fed water filter for your next backyard get-together. It has a classic stainless steel look, produces delicious tasting filtered water, and retains all the beneficial minerals water is supposed to have.
Pros
The Berkey gravity water filter checks many boxes for what you should be getting out of a premium water filtration system, including the ability to boost your filtration time by adding optional filters.
This water filter also removes 200 contaminants from dirty water, knocking out parasites, viruses, cysts, and other super gross bacteria that you had no idea were in your water. Welcome to the real world, Neo.
You can count on this filter to extract nasty heavy metals and nitrates from your tap water, as well as chemicals like chlorine.
It requires zero installation time, and all I had to do was assemble it before filling it up with H2O and letting the carbon + ion exchange filter media do its job. Before I knew it, I was drinking H2O that tasted inherently clean.
Maintaining this water filter was a breeze, as it is with most gravity-fed water filter systems. Giving the stainless steel a quarterly wash is a breeze, and by doing so, the filtration system keeps producing unbelievably clear tap water. Replacing the filters also seemed quite simple as well.
The best thing I liked about the Berkey gravity water filter was that I could choose to add two more filters to the process anytime I wanted. We are all looking for ways to save a bit of money these days, and adding two more filters meant I would double my filter life and ensure that I wouldn’t be buying a replacement filter for another three years.
Cons
The one knock against the Big Berkey has to be that they are priced $50–$100 higher than other gravity-fed water filters. Yet, with the quality of water you can produce from using this water filter and the number of harmful contaminants it removes from the lake or river water, I can shell out a few bucks more for the premium result.
Overall
Big Berkey gravity-fed filter is the best gravity filter for the campsite because it delivers a laundry list of contaminants it can remove and its traditional stainless steel look.
Knocking out 200 different impurities, assembling at a moment’s notice, and being straightforward and effortless to maintain make this gravity water filter my number one choice,
While it is a little more costly than most water filters, its powerful ability to remove toxins and contaminants can’t be overlooked.
If you want to be drinking filtered water that’s free from over 200 pollutants and one of the most cost-effective filters to maintain, you can find it here.
2. Propur ProOne BIG+ — 7.99/10 (Convenient but tough to maintain)
Propur ProOne BIG+ is my choice for #2 because they offer an environmentally friendly filter that operates without electricity but does come with overall maintenance costs.
Pros
Unlike most gravity water filters, Propur ProOne BIG+ filters last 12 months before needing replacement. That means less money spent on maintaining the gravity-fed filtration system throughout its lifetime.
This filter can function without electricity, so you can pretty well take this gravity-fed filter wherever you need to filter dirty water, making it an excellent option for emergencies.
One of the most important things I look for in an efficient gravity-fed system is if it can retain the minerals I need, like calcium and iron. The Propur filter has this feature and leaves behind all the good stuff while erasing contaminants like fluoride, pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, and chloramine.
I loved that replacement filters for this unit are silver lined. That means it does a phenomenal job removing bacteria from your drinking water. Silver ions destroy the membrane of bacteria and then bind to the DNA, eliminating bacteria’s ability to grow.
Cons
The biggest downside to this gravity-fed filter is that it was pretty challenging to clean out and maintain. I could already see spots where rust was beginning to form, and that was after eight months of testing. It makes me wary of this filter’s ability to sustain performance.
Overall
Propur ProOne BIG+ is my #2 recommendation for the best gravity-fed water filter because it is one of the greenest water filters on the market, and it’s got the ability to operate anywhere.
While it doesn’t remove the same amount of contaminants as my first choice, it is a reliable second option.
If you’d like to know more about the Propur ProOne BIG+, you can learn more about it on ProOne’s website here.
3. The Santevia Gravity Water System — 7.82/10 (Removes contaminants effectively)
The Santevia Gravity Water System is #3 because while they have a little problem with not having any science to back up their filtration claims, they still produce a wholly natural tasting drinking water supply.
Pros
I’ve always been a big fan of the ceramic filter. It’s been around since 1827 and is a tried and tested water filtration method. I could taste the difference it made when drinking the tap water I had put through the filter elements of this unit.
This little beauty of a ceramic filter reintroduces minerals into your drinking water. You can count on the finished product to retain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and other beneficial minerals.
When it came to water storage, this gravity-fed water filter held 2.5 gallons of water when filled, which meant I could move my filter system around with ease whenever I felt like relocating it.
Cons
The average annual filter replacement costs are relatively high, coming in at $200. For this water cowboy, that’s a bit too much to claim the number one spot on my list.
Overall
The Santevia Gravity Water System is #3 on my list. While it is pretty pricey to maintain over its lifetime and is a bit cheap looking compared to my first two choices, it still delivers great-tasting water.
While you will get far more filtration with Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter, if you want to learn more about the Santevia, you can do it here.
4. Zen Water Systems Vitality Gravity-Fed Water Filter
I enjoyed the fact that the Vitality filter by Zen Water systems is available in three different size options, allowing me to choose which storage capacity works for me. The biggest available option is a whopping eight gallons, and if that’s too much, you can decide on the four- or six-gallon option instead.
The Vitality Gravity-Fed Water Filter features silver-infused granular activated carbon, which you can count on to filter chlorine and chloramine, improve the overall water look, and prevent the growth of bacteria.
The one knock against it is that the system itself is constructed from cheap plastic, which doesn’t predict a long, productive lifespan.
With its weaker construction, there’s no doubt that my first choice has better prospects of delivering filtered water for an extended period.
5. Miniwell Gravity Water Filter
The best option for hitting the beach or spending a couple of days camping, Miniwell Gravity Water Filter features ultimate portability.
The most economical gravity-fed filter is also one of the best for people on the go. Its lightweight and functional design make it my favorite choice for those with an active lifestyle and a little less need for a filter with a larger storage capacity.
The one strike against it was that the filtered water still had considerable sediment left in it after I had completed the filtration process on two occasions. I’m not sure if it was because of a faulty filter element or not. It didn’t happen every time, but it’s worth mentioning.
Although it is a great little filter that features extreme portability, it can’t come close to the filtration method of my number one choice for the best gravity-fed water filter.
6. Ginkin Gravity Water Filter
The Ginkin Gravity Water Filter is a two-piece composite filter that removes 99.99% of sediments, cysts, disease-causing pathogens, and particulates.
This gravity-fed filter is excellent for filtering non-potable water, and its 2.9 gallon capacity means it’s portable as well. Look no further for those looking for a gravity filter built for the campground.
The biggest problem with this filter is that I spent a lot of time trying to assemble it because the instructions are pretty lousy. To be honest, it was like I was putting it together blind. Thanks to my background in water filters, I was able to figure it out, but the average joe will need some help.
With all the nonsense that comes with assembling this gravity filter, stick with the easier installation of my first selection.
7. Nikken Water Gravity Filter
Without a doubt, the Nikken Water Gravity Filter is the most inventive-looking filter on my list.
Its modern design has a filter element that can transform acidic water into alkaline drinking water—if you’re a believer in the health benefits of drinking alkaline water, that is.
What I didn’t like about the Nikken Water Gravity Filter was that for the price I paid, it does look and feel like it only cost a few bucks to construct, which left me feeling a bit ripped off.
With its flimsy construction and its higher cost, you’re better off investing in my first choice for the best gravity-fed filter.
8. Doulton Stainless Steel Gravity Filter System
The Doulton W9361122 Stainless Steel Gravity Filter System shows off its roots as the 170-year-old company delivers a pretty solid stainless steel filter.
UNICEF uses this gravity-fed filter to help filter water in places that have experienced an emergency. It features two ceramic candle filters that possess a lifetime capacity of 2,600 gallons.
The biggest strike against this filter is that the filtration process takes a very long time before you can pour yourself drinking water.
This filter is a fundamental unit that does an average job of filtering water. No bells, no whistles, and unfortunately, not a lot of excitement either.
9. Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw
While the Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw may not look like most filters, its ability to travel anywhere and deliver drinkable water immediately gets it into my top 10 list.
This mobile filter uses a high-grade coconut shell activated carbon fiber filter to clean water, and it’s so tiny that you can fit it into almost any traveler’s pack.
One drawback was that when I examined the package this filter arrived in, I couldn’t find any NSF verification, despite the website claiming it has one. That was kind of disappointing.
Although the price is right, this gravity filter is better for personal use, unlike my first choice, which delivers far more volume than this unit.
10. Waterdrop King Tank Gravity Water Filter System
The Waterdrop King Tank Gravity Water Filter System can meet your family’s daily water needs, thanks to its tremendous 2.25 gallons.
A solid option, this filter features a water level spigot that allows easy tracking of your drinking water status. That’s kind of neat.
On the downside, it is a bit clunkier in design, and the King Tank often fell apart when it came to testing its portability.
With all the features and harmful contaminants removed by my first place selection, it’s pretty clear why this filter came in last place.
The Bottom Line
For over ten months, I spent time at 10 different campsites testing gravity filters and drinking copious amounts of water, and I now declare the Big Berkey gravity-fed countertop water filter the top gravity-fed water on the market today.
Its ability to remove over 200 harmful contaminants, quick installation procedures, and relatively low maintenance costs are the most significant benefits of this gravity-fed water filter.
Although it does have a higher start-up cost, the overall benefits and low-effort maintenance are worth the initial price.
If you want a gravity-fed filter that removes a boatload of contaminants and is super easy to maintain, get the Big Berkey gravity-fed countertop water filter now.
Methodology
Everybody wants a peek into Santa’s workshop, so in this section, I do my best to give you an inside look at how I arrived at my choices for the top ten gravity-fed filters on the planet. It took over 10 months and a heck of a lot of bug bites, but here’s how I determined the best from the rest.
Step 1: A big list of every filter
Like Santa, I started with a list. I started writing down all the gravity-fed filters I could think of. I began to trace a line throughout my lifetime and attempted to recall every gravity water filter I encountered. It was a long, strange trip, and by the time it was over, I needed a nap.
After a few hours of restful sleep, I came to on the floor of my laboratory with a clear vision of my next step in deciding the number one gravity water filter in the world.
I needed to review the reviews. Online reviews, that is.
Step 2: Online reviews
I gathered my list and booted up my laptop. While I waited for it to boot up. I looked at my list of gravity filters and realized that my analysis would take some time. This list of gravity-fed drip filters had so many options. From multiple filter elements to overall water quality, I would have to focus on the benefits of these features to understand which gravity filtration system indeed was the best.
Step 3: Product analysis
After gathering insight into how my list of countertop gravity filters performed for customers in the real world, I started to ask myself some questions.
- How long have gravity water filters been around?
- Why do most customers decide on a gravity water filtration system?
- Are gravity filters a better option than bottled water?
- Do any units have filter media that can act as a fluoride filter?
- Are gravity filters dependable over time?
- Why do gravity water filters have a cheaper price tag than most other filtration options?
- How do I find a gravity system that features a carbon filter or a solid carbon block filter?
- Does a countertop gravity water filter have the capacity to provide filtered water for the whole family?
- Do gravity water filter systems actually work?
Step 4: Interviews with real customers
Because I was conducting the testing of these gravity water filters in the wild, it was a little more complicated than usual to access the internet. So I decided to walk around the campsite and see if I could find people who have intimate knowledge of gravity water filters.
Low and behold, the campsite I was staying at for the better part of a year had rented out sites to the Grand Assembly of Gravity Filter Fanatics. How lucky can one guy get? It turns out that every single camper had immense knowledge of my list, so I spent hours talking with each one.
My understanding of gravity water filtration systems was growing exponentially.
Step 5: Interviews with Big Berkey, ProOne, and Santevia
My search for the number one gravity water filter was useless without listening to what the creators of these fine gravity water filters had to say about their products. You see, each one thought they had the most incredible gravity water filter, but the truth was, there could be only one.
After stealing a Wi-Fi signal from the family of four that had started camping next to me, I set up zoom meetings with some gravity water filter companies. I asked them some hard-hitting questions about the abilities of their respective filters. After I was done with my interviews, I watched a few hours of Netflix before the family next door figured out I was stealing their Wi-Fi and password-protected it.
Step 6: Test drives
To truly understand the gravity water filter, you have to know how it will work in real life. Over the next 10 months, I gave each gravity water filter 30 days to impress me and tested them with lake water, rainwater, and river water to determine how much they actually filtered.
Each gravity water filter I used was put through a series of water tests and was used to host one big campsite water party each month. During this time, the data I collected helped me whittle my list down to the 10 top gravity water filters on the market.
The parties also helped solidify my reputation with the Grand Assembly of Gravity Filter Fanatics, which would come in handy for future countertop gravity filter testing.
Step 7: Ratings
To finally decide which gravity water filter truly deserved the top spot, I determined a point structure that was based on the answers to these questions:
- Are any of these selections pump filters?
- Which gravity water purifier could have the best water quality?
- Which one had the cheapest filter replacement?
- Do any of these filters feature a stainless steel spigot?
- What does the gravity filter cost?
- Can it actually remove contaminants?
- What’s the filter capacity?
- Do they need a replacement filter?
- Do any of them feature stainless steel water filtration?
- Could I pour the water straight into water bottles and pretend it’s fancy bottled water?
- Do any act as an alkaline gravity water filter for my water supply?
Best gravity water filter for cleaning dirty water
What I learned during this testing process was that I hate camping and that the best gravity water filters can clean even the stankiest water supply.
I also learned that the Big Berkey gravity-fed countertop water filter is my number one choice for the best gravity filter because of its all-around fantastic performance.
If you’re looking for a free-standing water filter that harnesses the power of gravity to clean even the dirtiest water in the campground, look no further. Its highlights include the following key features:
- Berkey filter elements
- Removal of heavy metals
- Ceramic filters
- Great tasting filter water
- Easy installation
- Low maintenance
Although it does come at a higher cost than most gravity filters, its benefits are definitely worth the price of admission.
If you want a gravity filtration system that will erase contaminants and provide filtered water in a timely manner, get the Big Berkey gravity-fed countertop water filter now.
