Answered from our dataUpdated September 25, 2026
What does Berkey filter out?
Across the 11 Berkey systems we list, the makers claim reduction of 20 contaminants.
These are the makers' claims. Certification for them is being verified and is not counted here yet.
- 11 products behind this answer
- 3 categories
- updated September 25, 2026
Counted from the contaminants each maker says its product reduces. How we score and check
By category
Where the products behind this answer sit. Each links to that category's ranked list.
What the makers say they reduce
- Copper 11
- Lead 11
- Mercury 11
- Chloramine 9
- Chlorine 9
- Herbicides 9
- Pesticides 9
- PFAS 9
- THMs 9
- Bacteria 9
- Cysts 9
- Iron 9
- Pharmaceuticals 9
- Viruses 9
- VOCs 9
- Arsenic 7
- Fluoride 7
- Aluminum 2
- Cadmium 2
- Chromium 2
The 11 products behind this answer
Best overall score first. Each links to its full review, where the score is broken down.
Some links on this page earn us a commission. It never affects our scores or rankings. How this works
What this means
- Maker claims, not lab results. Each count is what the maker says its system reduces.
- Certification is stronger proof. We're checking every claim against the certifiers' own listings.
- Test your water first. It tells you which of these you actually need to reduce.
The ranked lists
Every product we score in these categories, in order, with the reasons for each place.
Compare them head to head
Comparisons in Countertop between products and brands in this answer.
Related questions
- Does Berkey remove fluoride? Seven of the 11 Berkey systems we list claim to reduce fluoride.
- Does Berkey remove PFAS? Nine of the 11 Berkey systems we list claim to reduce PFAS.
- Does Berkey remove lead? 11 of the 11 Berkey systems we list claim to reduce lead.
- Is Berkey worth it? We list 11 Berkey products and score seven of them. Their overall scores run from 5.3 to 6.6, with a median of 6.4, against a median of 5.7 for all 284 products we score.
- Is Waterdrop a good brand? We list 29 Waterdrop products and score 29 of them. Their overall scores run from 5.0 to 7.6, with a median of 6.0, against a median of 5.7 for all 284 products we score.
- Is Aquasana good? We list 18 Aquasana products and score 18 of them. Their overall scores run from 4.8 to 6.7, with a median of 5.8, against a median of 5.7 for all 284 products we score.
Counted from our data September 25, 2026 · How we score · All answers