The British Berkefeld is a stainless-steel gravity water filter system that uses ceramic shells filled with other filter media to reduce common tap water contaminants.

Ultra Sterasyl
What We Like:

Ultra Fluoride
What We Like:
For this British Berkefeld review, we tested two individual vessels at the: one containing the Ultra Sterasyl filters and one containing the Ultra Fluoride filters. We conducted both tests at the same time in a home with chlorinated well water in Colorado, with a couple of key goals:
- To evaluate the filter’s performance across our data-driven testing categories, including contaminant reduction, filtration speed, and setup & maintenance.
- To compare the filter’s performance in these categories to similar systems on the market, including the Big Berkey, Alexapure Pro, and Waterdrop King Tank.
In our testing, the system reduced most of the contaminants in our water, but we experienced some issues with leaching from the fluoride filters. While installation was simpler than other systems because we didn’t have to prime the filters, the speed of filtration was incredibly slow.
Table of Contents
📊 Our Testing Data
We obtained our scoring data by conducting our own testing to evaluate the British Berkefeld’s performance, ease of use, design quality, and overall value for money. To support our subjective analysis, we also obtained objective data from our before-and-after water quality tests, as well as relevant data from company websites and official testing organizations. Below, you’ll find our scores across our 6 testing categories for the British Berkefeld.
Factor | Ultra Sterasyl | Ultra Fluoride |
---|---|---|
Contaminant Reduction | 8.56 | 8.40 |
Filtration Rate | 6.50 | 6.50 |
Design | 10.00 | 10.00 |
Setup | 9.00 | 9.00 |
Maintenance | 9.25 | 9.25 |
Company | 9.10 | 9.10 |
This next table shows the testing data from each individual test we conducted.
Factor | Ultra Sterasyl | Ultra Fluoride | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
Overall Score | 8.64 | 8.55 | Ultra Sterasyl |
Health Related Contaminants | 8.50 | 8.60 | Ultra Flouide |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 | 9.90 | Tie |
Performance Certification | NSF/ANSI 42, 53 & 401 | None | Ultra Sterasyl |
Filtration Rate | 0.3 GPH | 0.42 GPH | Ultra Flouide |
Component Quality | Exceptional | Exceptional | Tie |
Component Certification | NSF/ANSI Certified | None | Ultra Sterasyl |
Setup | Excellent | Excellent | Tie |
Servicing Requirements | Good | Good | Tie |
Costs | $0.09/ gal | $0.16/ gal | Ultra Sterasyl |
Warranty Length | Lifetime | Lifetime | Tie |
Shipping | Free Shipping on orders over $99 to the contiguous US | Free Shipping on orders over $99 to the contiguous US | Tie |
Returns | 30 days | 30 days | Tie |
🚰 Contaminant Reduction
We analyzed our water quality before and after filtering it through the British Berkefeld system with a testing service called SimpleLab Tap Score. This helped us to determine the filter’s ability to address our water quality concerns, and how our results compared to the manufacturer’s claims.
We conducted two tests for the British Berkefeld at the same time:
- One with the Ultra Sterasyl filter
- One with the Ultra Fluoride filter
The Ultra Fluoride filter has the same design as the Ultra Sterasyl filter, but with an upgrade (it contains activated carbon and actived alumina) that enables it to reduce fluoride. We awarded British Berkefeld two separate scores—one for each of the filters, based on their different outcomes—for contaminant reduction.
Our Performance Testing
To test the British Berkefeld system, we used our standard POU filter testing process. This involved:
- Filling a large bucket with water from our faucet.
- Taking the unfiltered water samples from the bucket.
- Filling both Berkefeld systems with the remaining water in the bucket.
- Waiting for the water to filter, then taking the filtered water samples from the spigot.
We then shipped our samples to the lab for professional testing.
To replicate real use conditions as closely as possible in our testing, we used the system extensively before conducting our tests and filtered approximately 30 gallons through each filter (the Ultra Sterasyl and Ultra Fluoride filter).
We evaluated our results by comparing the data in our Tap Score interactive reports. To determine the safety of the contaminants detected in our water, we compared their concentrations to the Tap Score HGL (Health Guideline Level), which prioritizes human health and is much stricter than the federal legal limits.
Health-Related Contaminants
For reducing contaminants with health effects in our water, the British Berkefeld achieved a score of 8.50 with the Ultra Sterasyl filter, and 8.60 with the Ultra Fluoride filter.
Before it was filtered, our water contained 8 contaminants with potential health effects, with two of these—uranium and fluoride—detected in concentrations exceeding the HGL.
Contaminant | Measurement | Detection | HGL |
---|---|---|---|
Fluoride | PPM | 1 | 0.8 |
Uranium | PPM | 0.0067 | 0.0 |
Nitrate | PPM | 3.70 | 10 |
Barium | PPM | 0.0201 | 2.0 |
Molybdenum | PPM | 0.0017 | 0.03 |
Strontium | PPM | 0.112 | 3.0 |
Sulfate | PPM | 8.4 | 500 |
Copper | PPM | 0.168 | 0.3 |
Also present in trace amounts were copper, nitrate, strontium, sulfate, barium, and molybdenum. There are several possible health concerns associated with exposure to these contaminants, including:
- Developmental toxicity
- Reproductive effects
- Neurological impacts
- Skeletal effects
- Blood issues
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Kidney and liver damage
Our water also contained around 1 PPM of chlorine, which is considered an aesthetic contaminant in trace levels below 4 PPM but can have health effects when present in higher concentrations.
Ultra Sterasyl Filter
Post-filtration with the Ultra Sterasyl filter, our water contained no uranium, showing that the filter had completely reduced it by 100%. Unfortunately (but not unsurprisingly, given the fluoride filter upgrade), the concentration of fluoride in our water remained the same, at 1 PPM. This is the main reason why the filter didn’t score higher in this category.
As for the other contaminants detected, copper and molybdenum were also eliminated completely, while nitrate was reduced by 70%, strontium by just 2%, and barium by 8%.
Ultra Fluoride Filter
Our results were similar post-filtration using the Ultra Fluoride filter, but with two key differences:
- This time, fluoride was completely eliminated, as we’d expected.
- 0.689 PPM of aluminum (just above the HGL of 0.6 PPM) appeared in our water, negatively affecting its score in this category.
We think the aluminum appeared in the form of activated alumina, which is used in the water treatment industry for its fluoride-reduction capability. This would make sense given that only the Ultra Fluoride filter added aluminum to our water.
Note that we tested the filter after we’d already filtered around 30 gallons of water through it. If we tested the filter brand new, this detection may have been even higher. But if we tested it after filtering more water through, it may be lower.
Aesthetic Contaminants
When it came to reducing aesthetic contaminants, both filters performed the same. The only aesthetic contaminant detected in our water was chlorine, and this was completely eliminated by the Ultra Sterasyl and Ultra Fluoride filters.
Aluminum can be considered an aesthetic contaminant due to its corrosive properties. However, it wasn’t detected in high enough concentrations to pull down the aesthetic score for our water treated by the Ultra Fluoride filter.
Minerals & Ions
While we don’t score water filters for their ability to change the concentrations of mineral ions in our water, we still want to highlight some unusual findings we found in this category.
With the Ultra Sterasyl filter, magnesium increased by 41%, carbonate by 1,188%, sulfate by 14%, and potassium by around 1000%.
When we tested the Ultra Fluoride filter, magnesium increased by just under 60%, carbonate by 188%, and sulfate by 303% (this time, no potassium was detected).
Our hypothesis is that these minerals and ions likely came from the filter’s ceramic shell. None were detected at concentrations above the HGL, and minerals like potassium and magnesium can be beneficial in trace amounts in our water—but this is still a testing outcome to be aware of.
Performance Certifications
If you only want to consider buying water filters that have been certified, here’s some important information to know: only the British Berkefeld Ultra Sterasyl filter has obtained several NSF certifications. The Ultra Fluoride filter hasn’t been certified.
This affected their scores: while the Ultra Sterasyl filter was awarded an 8.50, the Ultra Fluoride filter obtained the lowest score of 6.00.
The Ultra Sterasyl filter has been certified to reduce 4 out of the 14 contaminants that the manufacturer claims it can reduce: particulates, cysts, turbidity, and microplastics. The certifications it holds are:
- NSF 42, for the reduction of contaminants with aesthetic effects
- NSF 53, for contaminants with health effects
- NSF 401, for the reduction of emerging compounds and incidental contaminants
British Berkefeld also claims that this filter can reduce PFAS, klebsiella (a type of bacteria*), E-coli, chlorine, heavy metals, lead, glyphosate, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, but it hasn’t been certified for reducing these.
This is a great start, but we’d like to see the filter certified for the reduction of more of the contaminants on this list of claims.
We’d also like to see the fluoride filter get a certification too.
*Although the British Berkefeld is, according to the manufacturer, capable of reducing bacteria, the manufacturer states that the system shouldn’t be used with untreated water from natural sources like lakes and rivers. Just something to be aware of as there’s a lot of misinformation online about this.
🚦Filtration Rate
Gravity water filtration systems filter water slower than those installed inline with your water line. These filters use gravity to pull water slowly down through the filter into a bottom chamber.
But even for a gravity filter, the British Berkefeld is slow. In fact, it had the slowest filtration rate of all the stainless steel countertop water filter systems we’ve tested so far. Because of this it received a low score of 6.50 in this category.
Product | Filtration Rate Score | Filtration Rate |
---|---|---|
Ultra Sterasyl | 6.50 | 0.3 GPH |
Ultra Fluoride | 6.50 | 0.42 GPH |
We tested the flow rate for the system with both filters, obtaining slightly different results for each:
- The Ultra Sterasyl filter had a flow rate of 0.3 GPH (gallons per hour), based on its ability to filter 2.25 gallons of water in 7.5 hours.
- The Ultra Fluoride filter’s flow rate was 0.42 GPH, as it filtered 3.17 gallons in 7.5 hours.
While the ultra fluoride filter was slightly faster, this still isn’t great. To reiterate, it took 7.5 hours to fully filter water from the top to bottom chambers. This didn’t improve after filtering 30 gallons of water.
Other gravity systems we tested had a flow rate of 0.7 GPH, around twice the speed of the British Berkefeld.
Product | Flow Rate |
---|---|
Waterdrop King Tank | 4 GPH |
ZeroWater Glass Dispenser | 2.62 GPH |
Epic Pure Dispenser | 2.23 GPH |
Alexapure | 1 GPH |
ProOne Big+ | 0.77 GPH |
Berkey | 0.75 GPH |
Boroux Foundation | 0.75 GPH |
British Berkefeld Ultra Fluoride | 0.42 GPH |
British Berkefeld Ultra Sterasyl | 0.3 GPH |
The manufacturer has said that pore size is the reason why the British Berkefeld filters have slower flow rates than other black filters. According to one US distributor, the Ultra Sterasyl and Ultra Fluoride filters have smaller pores, which means they’re doing a more thorough job of filtering water—at the expense of filtration speed.
📐 Design
We scored the British Berkefeld on design based on the quality of its components and whether or not it had any certifications for design safety.
Product | Design Score | Component Quality | Materials Safety |
---|---|---|---|
Ultra Sterasyl | 10.00 | Exceptional | NSF/ANSI Certified |
Ultra Fluoride | 10.00 | Exceptional | Not certified |
The system is a cylindrical countertop gravity water filter with a stainless steel exterior, with a few notable differences compared to other brands (discussed later). There are two chambers, one stacked on top of the other, separated by a set of filters.
You can use a maximum of four filters in the system. If you use a larger unit with just two filters, the holes for the other two filters are blocked up with with the two pre-installed plugs. These are higher-quality than others we’ve tested and seem unlikely to allow unfiltered water to leak into the lower chamber.
Like all stainless steel gravity filters, the British Berkefeld’s design is functional first. If you’re looking for a sleek, modern unit that blends in with your kitchen, this system might not do it for you.
Models & Sizes
The British Berkefeld comes in 6 sizes, from the smallest 0.25-gallon Baron system designed for portability, to the largest 6-gallon King Berkefeld unit.
We tested two units:
- The 2.25-gallon unit (with Ultra Sterasyl filters installed). This size is the most popular option for small-to-medium households.
- The 3.17-gallon unit (with Ultra Fluoride filters installed). This size is better suited to medium-to-large households with higher water usage requirements.
The manufacturer sells a glass version of the stainless steel system, which holds 1.85 gallons of water and lets you see the water as it filters through the system. There’s also the Heritage Gravity Water Filter, with a vintage-style design inspired by the manufacturer’s original ceramic gravity filters from the 1820s.
Below shows the different sizes and models currently available in the British Berkefeld range.
- The Baron Berkefeld (0.25 gallons)
- The Duchess Berkefeld (1.58 gallons)
- The Duke Berkefeld (2.25 gallons)
- The Prince Berkefeld (3.17 gallons)
- The Queen Berkefeld (4.5 gallons)
- The King Berkefeld (6 gallons)
Component Quality
The British Berkefed’s component quality impressed us in our testing. It’s made from 304 stainless steel, giving it a sturdy, durable build that feels like it should last a long time and withstand a few bumps and knocks in storage or transport.
The older model has a cheap plastic spigot, but we were pleased to see that the new one comes with a stainless steel spigot, limiting the filtered water’s contact with plastic. The new model also has an embossed logo, which is a nice touch.
Design Longevity
The British Berkefeld uses materials that have a track record for their durability. 304 stainless steel is ideal for water storage thanks to its resistance to corrosion. We were unable to find a definite minimum lifespan for this material, but most manufacturers claim that 304 stainless steel lasts at least 20 years.
We didn’t notice any signs of wear or rusting in our testing. The unit’s use of plastic components is limited, although the filters themselves have plastic parts. According to British Berkefeld, all plastic used in the systems is BPA-free food-grade polypropylene.
Design Flaws & Setbacks
We experienced the same issues with the British Berkefeld as with similar systems. Water continues to flow through the filters even when the lower chamber is full, which can cause overflows if you allow this to happen.
We also couldn’t see how much water was left in the bottom chamber. That meant we needed to remove the top chamber to check how much water was in the bottom one to make sure could refill without causing an overflow.
British Berkefeld sells a glass or stainless steel sight glass spigot that eliminates the need to disassemble the system to check water levels. We just wish this was an included feature and not sold for an extra $35-$65.
Certification
British Berkefeld has obtained an NSF 372 certification for lead-free design, specifically for the vessel containing the Ultra Sterasyl filter.
The British Berkefeld is only certified with one of its two filter offerings. However, regardless of the filters it’s used with, the vessel itself doesn’t change.
This puts British Berkefeld ahead of many competitors—of the similar systems we’ve tested, the Waterdrop King Tank is the only other product with an NSF 372 certification.
Filter Materials
The Ultra Sterasyl filters used in the British Berkefeld have a microfilter ceramic outer shell, containing granular activated carbon and “heavy metal removal media” (possibly KDF).
The Ultra Fluoride filters have exactly the same design, with one difference: they also contain a fluoride reduction media (activated alumina).
All these filter media are commonly used for treating drinking water and are considered safe for the purpose. Though activated alumina is commonly used to treat fluoride in water, we remain uncertain about its potential long term health effects as we’ve noticed it tends to leach into the treated effluent water.
The manufacturer points out that at least the fluoride filter reduction media doesn’t sit in plastic filters in the clean filtered water because it’s part of the main filters. But we think this image below (found on their product page) is a little misleading. It seems to imply that activated alumina leaching will only occur if the filters are sitting in the filtered water. Based on our test results, this isn’t true.
⚙️ Setup
We awarded the British Berkefeld’s setup score based on the out of the box assembly process, which we were pleased with.
Product | Setup Score | Setup Time |
---|---|---|
Ultra Sterasyl | 9.00 | 20 minutes |
Ultra Fluoride | 9.00 | 20 minutes |
Compared to many similar systems, it was much quicker and easier to prepare for use, and there was one key reason for this: we didn’t have to prime the filters.
Systems like Berkey, Waterdrop, and Boroux have frustratingly long priming processes, but the Berkefeld’s filters don’t require priming, saving you from the hassle.
To assemble the unit, we followed the basic instructions in the user manual, which involved attaching the spigot, filters, and lid handle, then placing the top chamber onto the bottom.
🔧 Maintenance
The British Berkefeld’s easy filter setup also contributed to its high maintenance score of 9.25.
Product | Maintenance Score | Servicing Requirements | Costs |
---|---|---|---|
Ultra Sterasyl | 9.25 | Good | $0.09/gal |
Ultra Fluoride | 9.25 | Good | $0.16/gal |
Servicing Requirements
Our main servicing task for the British Berkefeld is replacing the filters. This looks like it’ll be an easy job* because, as with the initial setup, we can install the new filters straight away without priming.
The manufacturer recommends cleaning the filters to extend their lifespan. If the system’s flow rate dips noticeably, cleaning the filters will remove some of the sediment from the filter’s ceramic surface, making it easier for water to pass through.
This is an easy job that involves using a Scotch Brite pad or stiff toothbrush to scrub the filters while holding them under cold running water.
Additionally, we also washed out the top and bottom chambers weekly, which can be tricky given the bulk of the unit and depending on the size of your sink.
*We haven’t had to replace the filters yet.
Costs
To determine the value of the filters in the British Berkefeld, we calculated their ongoing cost (based on their price and capacity).
At the time of our calculation, two Ultra Sterasyl filters cost $78 and can filter up to 800 gallons of water, giving them an ongoing cost of $0.0975 per gallon.
Two Ultra Fluoride filters have a slightly higher cost of $130. They’re also designed to filter up to 800 gallons of water, so their maintenance cost comes in at $0.16 per gallon.
These ongoing costs are similar to (or in some cases, significantly cheaper than) the maintenance costs of the other stainless steel gravity systems we tested, despite the fact that the British Berkefeld systems have a more realistic projected lifespan of just 400 gallons.
Product | Cost |
---|---|
ZeroWater Glass Dispenser | $0.70 /gal |
Alexapure | $0.59 /gal |
ProOne Big+ | $0.41 /gal |
Epic Pure Dispenser | $0.31 / gal |
British Berkefeld Ultra Fluoride | $0.16 /gal |
Berkey | $0.13/ gal |
British Berkefeld Ultra Sterasyl | $0.0975 /gal |
Waterdrop King Tank | $0.06 / gal |
Boroux Foundation | $0.011/ gal |
🏢 Company
Finally, we assessed the seller of British Berkefeld products by examining their warranty, shipping, and returns offerings.
Product | Company Score | Warranty Length | Shipping | Returns |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ultra Sterasyl | 9.10 | Lifetime | Free Shipping on orders over $99 to the contiguous US | 30 days |
Ultra Fluoride | 9.10 | Lifetime | Free Shipping on orders over $99 to the contiguous US | 30 days |
Warranty
British Berkefeld offers an unbeatable lifetime warranty for their stainless steel gravity-fed water filters. The warranty entitles you to free replacement parts if you experience any issues as a result of faulty materials or workmanship.
The filter candles are also warranted for 6 months (the projected filter life), which is something we don’t see many manufacturers offering.
There are a few stipulations: the warranty doesn’t cover damage due to misuse, and you’ll need to cover the shipping fees.
Shipping
You’ll get free shipping if you spend over $99 with British Berkefeld and live in the contiguous US.
That means you may need to cover the cost of your replacement filters, depending on the type and quantity of filters you’re buying.
Returns
British Berkefeld products are supported by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can test and return your filter within this period if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.
It’s not clear whether or not you’ll need to pay the return shipping fee.
You can view the warranty, shipping, and returns terms here.
💰 Value For Money
After reviewing the British Berkefeld across all performance categories, do we think it’s good value for money? And how does it compare to similar systems?
Overall, based on our own experience with the system, we’re confident that it’s one of the best-value stainless steel countertop filters you can buy. There are a few reasons why:
- It’s more affordable (both upfront and to maintain) than most competitors.
- Despite this, its features are still the same, if not better than, other systems. For instance, it’s performance certified and made from quality, certified materials, and its filters are super easy to install. These are features we didn’t see on many of the more expensive systems.
We still think there are areas to improve, like the design flaw that makes it possible for the system to leak, and the activated alumina leaching from the fluoride filters. But if you’re specifically looking for a stainless steel gravity filter, the British Berkefeld is a solid choice.
Thank you for your excellent work!
Glad it was helpful, thanks for reading!