Big Berkey 2.25 Gallon
Score: 78/100
Bluevua RO100ROPOT-Lite UV
Score: 72/100Rankings
The Big Berkey is a gravity-fed countertop water filtration system constructed from surgical-grade stainless steel, designed to remove over 200 contaminants without requiring electricity. Its main limitation is the slow filtration speed and lack of official NSF certification for the complete system. It is best suited for small households, off-grid living, and emergency preparedness.
The Bluevua RO100ROPOT-Lite(UV) is a versatile countertop reverse osmosis system featuring UV sterilization and remineralization, ideal for those who cannot install under-sink units. Its main trade-off is the complexity of maintenance, requiring separate filter replacements and additional descaling kits. It is best suited for apartment dwellers and small households seeking high-purity water without permanent installation.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
0.06 GPMbest | — | |
60 monthsbest | 12 months | |
2 stages | 7 stagesbest | |
— | 99.99 %best | |
| ↓ lower better | 0 PSIbest | 30 PSI |
| ↓ lower better | 0.2 microns | 0 micronsbest |
| ↓ lower better | 1 ratiobest | 3 ratio |
0.5 yearsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Health & Safety(1) | ||
Remineralization | false | true |
Installation & Compatibility(1) | ||
Operating Pressure (PSI) | 0 PSI | 30 PSI |
Filtration & Performance(6) | ||
Filtration Technology | Gravity | Reverse Osmosis |
Flow Rate (GPM) | 0.06 GPM | GPM |
Filtration Stages (stages) | 2 stages | 7 stages |
TDS Reduction (%) | null % | 99.99 % |
Micron Rating (microns) | 0.2 microns | 0.0001 microns |
Pure to Drain Ratio (ratio) | 1 ratio | 3 ratio |
Maintenance & Warranty(2) | ||
Filter Lifespan (months) | 60 months | 12 months |
Warranty (years) | 0.5 years | years |
Dimensions & Build(3) | ||
Height (inches) | 21 inches | 14.1 inches |
Width (inches) | 8.5 inches | 9.5 inches |
Depth (inches) | 8.5 inches | 9.7 inches |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and editors praise the Big Berkey for its robust contaminant removal capabilities, noting that it exceeds NSF/ANSI Standard 53 in laboratory settings. Experts highlight its durable stainless steel build and versatility for various water sources. However, they criticize the slow filtration flow rates and the lack of official NSF certification for the complete system.
Everyday users generally praise the Big Berkey for its reliability, long filter life, and ability to purify water without electricity, making it a favorite for families and emergency preparedness. Common recurring complaints include the slow filtration speed, which can take over two hours to fill, and the hassle involved in priming the filters.
Professional reviewers and lab testing indicate that the Bluevua RO100ROPOT-Lite(UV) delivers strong contaminant reduction performance, specifically noting 97% strontium and minimum 86% fluoride reduction. The UV light performance is considered comparable to other countertop RO systems. Experts recommend replacing the mineral filter every 6 months and using a separate descaling kit to maintain optimal performance.
Everyday users praise the system for its effective multi-stage filtration and the convenience of not requiring plumbing installation. The long 12-month filter lifespan and water-efficient ratio are frequently highlighted as positive attributes. Recurring concerns include the separate cost of descaling kits and the need to replace the mineral filter every 6 months, which adds complexity to maintenance.
