Nearly evenly matched, Berkey and AlexaPure wow homeowners with their impressive water contaminant removal capabilities and confidence-boosting stainless steel construction. But now, how do you compare Alexapure vs Berkey?
Taking sides in the ongoing Berkey water filter vs AlexaPure debate requires more than knowing the brands’ unique offerings. In this Alexa Pure vs Berkey water filter comparison, we’ll help you determine which system to bring home.
Before we start, have a look at the following table to have an idea of how these two gravity water filters fare in a head-to-head matchup.
| Berkey | AlexaPure | |
| Contaminants Removed | 232+ | 209+ |
| Filtration Rate | – 1 gallon/hour – 3.5 gallons/hour (if the system has two filters) |
– 1 gallon/hour – 4.5 gallons/hour (if the system has two filters) |
| Filter Longevity | 3,000 gallons | 5,000 gallons |
| Storage Capacity | 2.25 gallons | 2.25 gallons |
| Warranty | Two years (Lifetime with Berkey Care) | 12 months |
| Price | $$$ | $$ |
Table of Contents
AlexaPure vs. Berkey: An Overview
Comparing AlexaPure and Berkey starts with an appreciation of their general properties, including filter type, storage information, and filtration mechanism or how they work.
1. Filter Type
AlexaPure’s gravity-fed countertop water filter features a proprietary gravity block and a hybrid ceramic shell, which provide exceptional microbial control capabilities. As such, it can reduce E. coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Shigella species by 99%.
One good thing about AlexaPure filters is they are interchangeable. You can use them with other gravity-fed water filtration systems.
On the other hand, Berkey features the Black Berkey System, with six water filtration compositions. At Berkey’s core high-grade coconut shell, along with elements such as granular activated carbon media, ion exchange resins, and microfilters.
2. How They Work
Berkey and AlexaPure are gravity water filters, relying on the water’s weight to push it through the filter. An upper holding tank accommodates unfiltered tap water. Gravity pulls the water through the brands’ respective filters, draining the filtered water into a collection chamber.
Filtration depends on the media. However, they work on the same principle: the media will absorb and trap water impurities, including volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, pesticides, and other organics.
The specific contaminants and organisms removed will depend on the microfilter’s pore sizes, which typically range from 0.05 to 5 microns. Only those larger than the microfilter’s pore sizes will be removed from the water. If you are wondering how do Berkey water filters work or how AlexaPure products function, this is it.
3. Storage Capacity, Dimensions, and Materials
A size comparison between Berkey and AlexaPure shows the products are nearly identical. Berkey is 8.5 inches wide and 21 inches tall, while AlexaPure is 1.5 inches taller but 0.25 inches narrower. Both gravity-fed countertop water filters can hold 2.25 gallons of water.
If you place them side-by-side, it would be challenging to determine which is which. Both feature stainless steel, making it food-safe. Families will never worry about chemicals and other substances leaching into their filtered water.
Water Filtration Performance
With the gravity water filters’ physical attributes out of the way, let us focus on how well they remove water impurities.
1. Contaminants Removed
Berkey and AlexaPure can remove more than 200 water impurities. However, Berkey edges the competition by removing slightly more contaminants (232+ vs. 209+). To give you an idea, below is a comparison table of what impurities the two brands can eliminate.
| Berkey | AlexaPure |
| – 57 organic chemicals – 52 semi-VOCs – 40 pesticides – 24 inorganic chemicals and heavy metals – 24 radioactive particles – 17 pharmaceutical agents – Nine perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) – Six petroleum products – Three disinfectants (i.e., chloramine and chlorine) – Bacteria – Cysts |
– 58 volatile organic compounds – 53 semivolatile organics – 44 pesticides – 17 pharmaceuticals – 15 heavy metals – 14 herbicides – 8 inorganic non-metallic compounds and disinfectants – Viruses – Bacteria – Cysts |
The following table highlights the degrees to which AlexaPure and Berkey filtration systems can remove water impurities.
| Berkey | AlexaPure | |
| Nitrite | 95% | 99.9% |
| Aluminum | 99.1% | 99.9% |
| Arsenic | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Lead | 99.9% | 96.4% |
| Chromium VI | 99.8% | n/a |
| Mercury | 99.9% | n/a |
| Chlorine | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Chloramine | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Fluoride | 98% | n/a |
| Turbidity | 97.8% | n/a |
| PFOA | 99.9% | n/a |
| Glyphosate | 75% | 99.9% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| Fecal Coliform | 99.9& | n/a |
| Kleibsiella | 99.9% | 99.99% |
| Virus | n/a | 99.99% |
| Cysts | 99.99% | 99.9% |
2. Filter Longevity
Berkey’s filter can accommodate 3,000 gallons of water. However, it is worth noting that each Berkey setup includes two filters. Hence, these countertop gravity-fed water filters should last 6,000 gallons.
Meanwhile, AlexaPure only uses a single filter with a 5,000-gallon capacity. If we are to compare their per-filter performance, AlexaPure will come out on top. However, Berkey’s two-filter design gives it a 1,000-gallon edge over AlexaPure.
Filter lifespan relates to how frequent a Berkey or AlexaPure water filter replacement should be, which also translates to operating costs. The more frequent you have to replace a filter, the more expensive the system will be in the long run.
3. Filtration Rate
There is no clear winner in this aspect if we only look at AlexaPure and Berkey’s per-filter filtration rate performance. AlexaPure and Berkey can only accommodate a gallon of water per hour.
However, adding another Black Berkey increases the filtration rate to 3.5 gallons per hour. Using four filters in the Big Berkey can improve its filtration performance to seven gallons per hour.
Meanwhile, adding another filter to AlexaPure increases its filtration rate dramatically to 4.5 gallons. However, note that the package only comes with one filter, unlike Berkey, which comes with two.
Other Considerations
Although Berkey has a slight advantage over AlexaPure up to this point, it would be worth exploring other considerations that can determine the clear winner in this head-to-head matchup.
4. Variants
Berkey comes in six models or variants featuring the Black Berkey Elements filter. They only differ in their capacities. These include the Travel Berkey (1.5 gallons), Big Berkey (2.25 gallons), Berkey Light (2.75 gallons), Royal Berkey (3.25 gallons), Imperial Berkey (4.5 gallons, and Crown Berkey (6 gallons).
Hence, you might want to check which model an affiliate program markets to make the correct choice.
Meanwhile, AlexaPure only has one model – the 2.25-gallon AlexaPure Pro. Some families might want a countertop gravity water filter with a larger capacity. Having two AlexaPure Pros is impractical.
5. Certifications
One question we always get is, is Berkey or AlexaPure NSF certified? Sadly, neither countertop gravity-fed water filter has an NSF/ANSI certification. However, it is worth noting that NSF certification is voluntary.
Concerned homeowners should know that Berkey and AlexaPure utilize third-party laboratories to test their water filters against NSF/ANSI standards. Hence, even though they do not have an NSF certification, we can be confident about their water filtration performance.
AlexaPure and Berkey submit their water filters for testing at the EPA-certified EnviroTek Laboratories, Inc., in New Jersey.
6. Warranty
Berkey is the clear winner in this category, especially if you opt for its Berkey Care program that extends its limited two-year warranty to a lifetime. Even without Berkey Care, 24 months is still longer than AlexaPure’s 12-month guarantee.
7. Price
The AlexaPure Pro price is $279,95 on the official website. Meanwhile, the Big Berkey, which shares the same size as the AlexaPro, costs $384.
The drastic price difference can be a deal-breaker for some homeowners, especially since Berkey’s water contaminant removal performance is only slightly better than AlexaPure.
AlexaPure vs. Berkey Pros and Cons
Choosing between AlexaPure and Berkey is never easy because they have nearly identical performance. Let us look at the advantages and disadvantages of both gravity-fed water filters to make it easier for you to choose.
| AlexaPure | Berkey | |
| Pros | – Removes viruses – Higher filtration capacity on a two-filter setup – Longer filter life (based on one filter) – 27% more affordable |
– Removes more contaminants – Removes turbidity and PFOAs – Six models to choose from – Two filters in the package – Two-year warranty or lifetime guarantee with Berkey Care |
| Cons | – No NSF certification – Only one model – Only one filter per purchase – One-year warranty |
– No NSF certification – Lower filtration rate – Pricier – Issues with “rubbery” bad taste |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is better: Berkey or AlexaPure?
Berkey edges AlexaPure by a slim margin in the AlexaPure Pro vs Big Berkey matchup. Berkey has a higher lead removal rating (>99.9% vs. >96.4%). Its lifetime warranty remains unbeatable.
AlexaPure’s principal advantages over Berkey are its higher filter lifespan (5,000 vs. 3,000 gallons) and slightly lower purchase price. However, Berkey still beats AlexaPure in the long run because you get two filters in the package.
You can also ask Reddit members about their experiences with these two products to determine which is better.
2. Does AlexaPure remove viruses?
According to Envirotek Laboratories, Inc.’s “AlexaPure Filter Microbiological P231 Test Report,” AlexaPure can reduce Rotavirus by 99.99%. The document also showed that the gravity water filter could remove 99.9999% of Klebsiella and 99.9% of Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts.
3. What filters are comparable to Berkey?
One of the most noteworthy Berkey water filter competitors is ProOne Big+ (also known as ProPur. This brand can remove more nitrites (100% vs. 95%), antimony (100% vs 99.9%), lead (100% vs. 99.9%), and glyphosate (100% vs. 75%) than Berkey.
Another Berkey water filter alternative is AlexaPure Pro, although it does not remove barium, chromium VI, mercury, fluoride, turbidity, PFOA, and microplastics.
Conclusion
Alexapure vs Berkey? It does not matter which between AlexaPure and Berkey you choose for the home because both products can remove more than 200 contaminants.
However, AlexaPure has the advantage of eliminating viruses, while Berkey has the upper hand in lead removal and clarifying the water (turbidity reduction). Homeowners who seek an NSF-certified product will be disappointed with AlexaPure and Berkey because neither has it.
The deal-breaker here would be the price. Being roughly $100 cheaper, AlexaPure appeals more to budget-conscious families than Berkey.
As the founder of Usawaterquality, I have been working to deliver quality advice on utilizing water components for numerous households. Here, we believe that water quality is the most critical part of health care, so the investment and attention for the water system will never go to waste.