Berkey vs Alexapure - What's the Difference?

When choosing the right home or business water filter between two highly similar brands, you may be lost as to which one to go with.

Experts in the wellness industry highly recommend both Berkey and Alexapure water filters because they have desirable merits that are often similar to each other.

However, there are a few differences between the two brands of water filters. This Berkey vs Alexapure water filter comparison outlines the differences between the two filters to help you make an informed decision.

Fluoride Filtration

Both Berkey and Alexapure filters can filter fluoride from water, but Alexapure filters do so readily out of the box.

If you want to filter fluoride using a Berkey system, you’ll have to buy additional/optional Berkey PF-2 fluoride filters because a standard Black Berkey filter does not filter fluoride.

The two additional fluoride and arsenic filters cost about $114 per set of two.

Water Filter Size vs Number of People

If you compare the Big Berkey to the Alexapure Pro, the Berkey system will serve more people better than its counterpart.

The bigger Berkey water filters filter faster and at lower prices, making them ideal for large families or business premises where demand for ready-to-drink purified water is higher.

That said, both filters (Big Berkey and Alexapure Pro) can comfortably serve up to four people.

Multiplicity of Options

A Berkey water filtration system takes the win when you consider how many Berkeys of different sizes you can choose from depending on your needs.

While the Alexapure Pro filter is available in only the 2.25-gallon size, Berkey filters are available in multiple sizes, ranging from 1.5 gallons for the Travel Berkey to 6.5 gallons for the Crown Berkey.

Berkeys are also available in more styles, not just the single countertop style of the Alexapure Pro. You can buy light Berkey filters like the Go Berkey and the portable Sport Berkey water filter bottle for when you are on the move.

Filter Lifespan

The Alexapure has a shorter filter lifespan of 5,000 gallons compared to the combined lifespan of 6,000 gallons of the two standard Black Berkey filters.

With the two standard filters of the Berkey, you can filter more water for a longer time before you need to replace them.

Filtration Capacity and Effectiveness

Berkey filtration systems take the win in removing the highest number or amount of harmful contaminants. Both Alexapure and Berkey filters remove over 200 contaminants, 203 and 206, respectively.

Compared to the Alexapure, Berkey water filters fitted with fluoride and arsenic filters can filter up to 3.5% more lead.

Upfront and Lifetime Costs

If you consider the 2.25-gallon Alexapure with its similar capacity counterpart, the Big Berkey, the Alexapure has a lower upfront cost.

However, you must also consider the cost of replacement filters. The Alexapure filters cost more per filter than the Berkey filters, however, they have a longer lifespan.

A set of two replacement water filters for Berkey water systems will cost about $225. You can use each set of two Black Berkey filters for up to 6,000 gallons before replacing them. To increase filtration speed and capacity, you can use four filters at a time. This will enable you to filter up to 12,000 gallons.

One standard Alexapure filter filters up to 5,000 gallons of water. You’ll spend $120 to replace one filter that lasts about three years before needing a replacement filter.

As with the Berkey, you can buy and use up to four filters at a time. The filters will cost around $480 and increase the Alexapure filter lifespan to 20,000 gallons. However, you’ll have spent more money than buying four Berkey filters if you use four Alexapure filters simultaneously.

Number of Filters vs Flow Rate

Since the Alexapure Pro only comes with one standard filter, its flow rate is painstakingly slow. The filter can accommodate up to four filters, but it still won’t match the flow rate of bigger Berkey filters that can take up to eight.

The larger size of the Berkey allows for fitting more water filters, increasing the flow rate and water output to a level not matched by the Alexapure.

Warranty

The Alexapure Pro comes with a limited one-year warranty, while Berkey filters come with a 100% guaranteed lifetime stainless warranty against workmanship defects.

Wins, Pros, and Cons of Berkey Water Filters

Berkey water filtration systems win in the following areas:

Availability of more filter options based on size
Filtration speed and capacity
Efficiency at removing lead
Ability for bigger Berkeys to serve larger populations
Versatility in style (travel size and sport Berkeys)

Berkey Pros:

They don’t need electricity to run
Their filters cost less per filter
They remove a higher number of contaminants
They are more established as a brand

Berkey Cons:

Some users report instances of staining on Berkey housing
Some users have reported a rubbery taste in the filtered water (caused by the rubbers used in the systems)

Wins, Pros, and Cons of Alexapure

The Alexapure wins in the following areas:

Lower upfront costs
More trustworthy certification by the NSF/ANSI
Removing fluoride upfront without the need for additional fluoride-oriented filters

Alexapure Pro Pros:

Only one model available reduces confusion when purchasing if you decide to buy the Alexapure filter
Lower upfront price makes it more affordable for buyers on a budget
Fairly long filter lifespan of 3 years for 5,000 gallons of water filtered (per filter)

Alexapure Pro Cons:

Having only one standard filter makes the Alexapure Pro painstakingly slow, forcing users to buy additional filters to increase the flow rate
Less popular brand
Some users have reported their Alexapure leaks

Shopping Berkey Water Filters

As authorized retailers of Berkey water filters, we invite you to shop Berkey water filters to experience their clean water for yourself. Seeing– no, tasting is believing!

References:

Berkey vs Alexapure – What’s the Difference?