I really appreciate how much effort you put into not only your research, testing and video but also in reply to comments and actually reading the comments and considering them and not just reply to everyone with copy-pase generic replies. You are really putting a lot of work in and its not gone unnoticed.
I'm still choosing between one of these 2. Does Aquatrue get rid of microplastics if I use bottled water to fill it? Whats your take on using bottled water to fill a system? Is there any point or is it a waste
Reverse osmosis will remove suspended solids, including microplastics, down to as small as the membrane pore size, typically 0.0001 microns. Filtering bottled water in a reverse osmosis system would be redundant.
@@waterfilterguru Kind Greetings Water Guru - would love also testing on B Berkefeld the fluoride included filters - now that Berkey has gone awol! Currently have Berkey, without fluoride filters (they were constantly problematic) and no longer trust Berkey. Currently desperate for a good affordable 'real deal' water purification system thats affordable so if the Berkefelds came up as a reliable and honest source, that would be great. Otherwise am stuck! Also, have you ever tested Eldorado Water? Meant to be the best spring drinking water (sadly comes in BPA bottles) never the less - would love to know what that comes out as!! We gotta keep these companies honest and you're the man! :) Any suggestions, testing, and referrals on the above I would so appreciate. Love "Desperate for pure drinking water" 😍 (if I could use what I have being Berkefeld fluoride filters great, yet focus is on 'high quality pure drinking water'. Cheers, and thank you kindly!!!
@@Zaku186 Thanks for the additional request. Which filter cartridge did you get> the Ultra Fluoride or Ultra Sterasyl? How long does it take to filter a full upper chamber?
Berkey claims you can use a scouring pad (like a green Scotch pad) to scrub the outside of the filter elements to restore some of the filter capacity. Do not use soap. They also claim the filters have a capacity of up to 3,000 gallons each - this claim has not been validated by third party certifications, and leaves one to question whether or not it's truly capable. Check out this video where I explain more about exaggerated capacity claims th-cam.com/video/RHG4afa-L6I/w-d-xo.html
I have a hunch most (if not all) of those folks who's systems stopped working after a few months are due to *user error.* The spec sheet _clearly states_ the system *should not be used with water with hardness >10 GPG* - I'd hazard a guess that the majority of these people did not check and filtered very hard water through the system, which ruined it. The same thing will happen with any reverse osmosis system - RO should not be used as primary treatment for hard water, which can precipitate scale inside the system and cause premature failure. I stand by my data-driven scoring system's recommendation of Aquatru as the best countertop water filter - just make sure you understand the operating requirements before using it!
@@waterfilterguru I’m lost again! Was ready to do countertop RO over Berkey style because of the flouride filtering but our AZ water is around 20gpm😭 I’m a renter and of course we don’t have a water softener. Any suggestions or alternatives?? Please help! Have been trying to figure this out for days!
I’ve heard the Sertodo Copper water system is really good too. Pretty expensive, but I’d be interested to see the difference between Sertodo and Aquatru.
I'd never heard of it, a quick search and it looks like they use British Berkefeld filters in their copper vessels. We've got these on the list to test soon
I appreciate your channel I attempted to understand what filters really do was very hard. I have a Big Berkey because it's popular in the prepping community said to be the "best", but I have it I will make the best of it. I do won't to get a reverse osmosis system thanks again.
Right on, thanks for watching. Just remember Berkey shouldn't be relied upon to filter untreated surface water alone - which many folks think it can do. Always make sure to properly disinfect any water that might be microbiologically unsafe, in addition to filtering it. This video explains th-cam.com/video/Btqqwd_cLiA/w-d-xo.html
I've tested Aquatru 3 times, and aluminum was not detected at increased levels in any of the tests. Links to lab reports in the descriptions: Aquatru Classic test th-cam.com/video/NubOZMtj68g/w-d-xo.html Aquatru remineralizing filter test th-cam.com/video/xQCllBCJAHY/w-d-xo.html Aquatru Carafe test th-cam.com/video/pcwO6VKm-0g/w-d-xo.html
@@waterfilterguru Still can’t decide which one to buy lol The Aquatru Carafe seems nice. My only concern is why is it given so much negative reviews on Amazon?
what you'll you recommend if you're looking into Aquatru, but they don't recommend a water hardness over 10gpg. my water is around 20-25gpg hardness & im struggling to find a cost efficient way to soften that water without having a whole house system.
I can make a water filter from parts I purchase locally at my hardware store, Lowe's and Home Depot. Plus, I can purchase replacement filters in bulk for far less than these offer.
Great! I'd love to see it you should make a video about it and share it with us. This video is intended to offer help to those who don't have the same skills as you, or would prefer a certified filtration system proven to be effective against a wide range of contaminants.
I thought Berkey water filters were banned in the USA now. I had bought one right before the ban and haven't been using it. Is this a new version or did their lawsuit win so they can now sell them?
I'd recommend starting with a certified lab test, then using the data to guide your decision. You may or may not need multiple pieces of treatment equipment - it all depends on what water issues are present. Check out Tap Score geni.us/72RzPaw for water testing, hands down the best I've found and what I use for all my testing projects And here's a video I made that explains the step-by-step process to use the data to determine what water treatment equipment you need th-cam.com/video/JU4sPer1944/w-d-xo.html If you want me to do the analysis for you, I offer consultation services waterfilterguru.com/consulting/ I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any questions!
I’ve been purifying water for decades. I’ve drank from the likes of the Mississippi and Missouri for months at a crack. If you have to plug it in it’s worthless. Berky is a bit expensive especially when you can buy Purwell , or aquapure at almost half the price . If you’re stuck on berky filters… buy them they all fit each other. Go to the hardware store and swap the plastic part for stainless ones for a few dollars. For a very small amount of money, go buy stackable stainless pots and drill a couple holes, then buy your filter of choice and a tap. I made one for the camp… 20 dollars and 66 for the filters. Took me longer to go to shopping for it than to assemble . If you want to pay 2-4 hundred because your to lazy to drill a hole… hey have at it.
Not yet - maybe in 2025, but my content calendar is already filling up quick. Always be wary of manufacturers claims and marketing language! Check out this video to learn what to look out for th-cam.com/video/pOOvhhrYlpw/w-d-xo.html
Nice work on this comparison. I am looking for replacement filters for a big berkey. Do yo have any recommendations? I have city water and mostly want to get out chlorine, lead , and fluoride. I know there are some ceramic options. I would rather not have the lower filters sitting in the lower tank. Thanks!
All countertop reverse osmosis systems require electricity. What is your use case? If you are filtering treated city water, RO is your best bet for broad contaminant reduction. But if you are buying a system for emergency preparedness, that's an entirely different application and use case. Then you would need a proper method of disinfection (UV, chemical, boiling, etc.) In addition to a gravity fed filter
I really wish sawyer or katadyne would make a filter for berkey filters. Like a drop in cartridge or something. Even if the flow rate was really slow or something would still be really nice to be able to dump in swamp soup and pour clean water out the other end.
That's a good idea! I'm thinking about why it hasn't been done yet. Possibly because the hallow fiber membranes used in Sawyer, Lifestraw, Katadyn, etc. require water to flow through the filter from one end to the other. Whereas the large stainless steel gravity systems pull water primarily through the bottom half of the filter element, and not always from top to bottom, if that makes sense. Again, just my speculation!
@@waterfilterguru its surprising no one has worked it out. After the controversy with berkey and how popular those were. There are a LOT of people with berkey filters who would jump on a proven drop in solution. And for the company that means there is a lot of money to be made.
Although we haven't tested the under sink version specifically, it uses the exact same filter elements as the classic countertop unit so we could expect similar results
Glad to see the Aquatru holding up to testing yet again. But putting one of the best up against one of the worst just isn't fair lol. Also the quality and research in your videos has gone way up and it is much appreciated.
Great video! I have the Waterdrop gravity feed filtration system, as I have lead in my city water. I was wondering if you could test the Kangan system. I have a coworker who sells them but would like to see the out come of your testing and opinion. Thank you!
@@1hendrixx7 Taste is subjective. To me, it tastes great. In our test the pH without the remineralization filter was still up at 8 post-filtration, at the time of testing
Yes, aluminum oxide* (aka activated alumina). It's a media commonly used for fluoride and arsenic reduction. The problem with the Berkey filters is a design flaw that can cause the media to leach into the filtered water if the filters are over tightened
@@pm4995 The instructions say "no more than 8 rotations" - its pretty easy to overtighten if you aren't paying attention, and the threads don't stop or indicate that you've reached the 8 rotations.
Thank you for your channel! Can you test the boroux black filters? I use them in my berkey water filter. I’ve heard they are better than Berkey black filters, but won’t know for sure until they are tested.
@@Em-ic6ot Not that our testing has detected. If you are concerned about your drinking water being in plastic, you might want to consider the Aquatru Carafe has uses a glass container instead geni.us/JZ34mU
Not stripped, but it didn't bring the mineral content back up to anywhere close to the unfiltered water. This is an expected result though, I'm not aware of any remineralization filters that can do that
@ best way to get the minerals back into the water so it’s both healthy and tastes good? Is there a specific filter or machine or even a mineral drop you think is best? The aqua tru has the mineral filter but it not only doesn’t bring the minerals back up in a real way, but it also tastes bad and fishy
Thanks for the great video! The process of selecting a water filter is much harder than I expected. Just curious, which water filter do you use in your kitchen?
I know just how hard choosing a water filter an be - that's why I made a video that explains how to do so using a data-driven process. Check it out! th-cam.com/video/JU4sPer1944/w-d-xo.html I use multiple water filters, including reverse osmosis for my drinking/ cooking water.
You should review the British berkefeld filter. It's much better than Berkey and their ultra sterasyl filters have nsf certifications 42, 53, 372, and 401. British berkefeld with the ultra sterasyl filters are by far the best gravity fed filters and much better than pro one and Berkey by a mile!!!
Our reviews are not sponsored. Please see the description. Working through a large content calendar of requests from our audience, many of whom requested the Aquatru remineralizing filter and carafe to be tested
So glad I stumbled across your channel! We are moving to Hawaii (military orders) and the water has been contaminated by jet fuel-- they say its fixed but out of abundance of caution-- and skepticism, I'd like to get water filters for the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks and showers. (whole house would be ideal, but couldn't find one renter friendly) We will be on base housing so needs to be renter friendly-- I read RO may help filter any jet fuel contaminates. help? suggestions?
Thanks so much for your informative analyses/videos; when I looked into the reviews, many mentioned their Aquatru systems have stopped working after a few months and the customer service seems terrible. What would be your other top recommendations if I want to avoid Aquatru?
I have a hunch most (if not all) of those folks who's systems stopped working after a few months are due to *user error.* The spec sheet _clearly states_ the system *should not be used with water with hardness >10 GPG* - I'd hazard a guess that the majority of these people did not check and filtered hard water through the system, which ruined it. The same thing will happen with any reverse osmosis system - RO should not be used as primary treatment for hard water, which can precipitate scale inside the system and cause premature failure. I stand by my data-driven scoring system's recommendation of Aquatru as the best countertop water filter - just make sure you understand the operating requirements before using it!
Can you make a video on which in line fridge water filter remove bacteria as well as pharmaceutical products, benzene, plastics etc. I can’t find a filter that covers those mentioned or more, only for bacteria or cysts or sediments. Thanks!!
Hi thanks for your request. Because fridge filters are typically intended for use with treated city water, they are not able to address microbiological contaminants. I'm not aware of any that are Are you on well water? It's recommended to treat microbiological contaminants at the point of entry with a disinfection syatem
@@waterfilterguruI have city water but I just spoke with a RO systems company ( Ispring) and they guided me on how to connect the fridge water line to the under sink system, they sell a kit for it. This way I will have pure water for my fridge as well
Hi! Thank you very much for this video which is very timely for me because I am looking for the filtration system to purify my domestic water (as a tenant). If I understand your results and your advice correctly, the Aquatru system is the best choice overall? Are the microplastics and filters also filtered by the Aquatru please? Finally, the fact that the filter which allows the water to be re-mineralized is not really effective and that the water sees its PH rise is problematic or dangerous for health? What are your advice and opinions? What filtration system do you personally use? Thank you very much for your work and if you can answer my comment! Good luck, Jimmy from France
Hi, thanks for your comment. Great questions! 1. The Aquatru is the performing system according to our data-driven scoring system, learn more here waterfilterguru.com/how-we-test-water-filters/ 2. Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) can be effectively reduced by the reverse osmosis process 3. There are many claims that alkaline (higher pH) water has health benefits - just look at all the bottled alkaline water products available now. The increased pH is intended in this case. Some folks may notice a taste difference with alkaline water 4. I use all kinds of filtration systems, as I'm constantly testing them for my job 😉
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications. Treating water during an emergency situation is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
Berkey warns in the instructions not to tighten the filters too much. The fluoride filter should be just barely finger tight. Our Berkey works just fine, but we follow the directions. Oh by the way, you can order a stainless steel spigot.
Yes, they do. But how many people might miss it because they don't read the instructions that thoroughly? Which then raises a bigger question, why even bring a product to market with such a design flaw that it requires a warning in the instruction manual?
@@elizabethG633 How is the possibility to over tighten the filter and cause the unwanted release of media into the effluent _not_ a design flaw? Please enlighten me, I'd really like to understand why you don't agree
@@waterfilterguru Simply because most companies will put in that caveat when they make those filters or product. Too many times my hubby did not read the instructions and found out the piece he was to be careful with would not come undone Go read for yourself.
@@elizabethG633 Not a caveat - if you screw the filters on too tightly the filter will be compromised. My question is why not simply make a filter with threads that can't be over tightened? 🤔🤔 design flaw
Next review suggestion : APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. Super simple set up - just connecting to the tip of the regular tap with provided adapter. I used it for a few years. To test the water quality, personally, only tool i used was TDS meter. results were always in between 5 or near 0 which was so impressive.
Thanks for the request, I've got it on the list. Keep in mind a TDS reading alone won't tell you if water is healthy or not, learn all about what a TDS meter does and does not measure here th-cam.com/video/yHvdYWXiVzI/w-d-xo.html
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications. Treating water during an emergency situation is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
I keep getting advertisements for SANS. It looks similar to the Aquatru unit. The SANS has a glass pitcher too. I like the idea of glass instead of plastic. I would be interested in that one too. I wish there was a good one that wasn't tall like Berkey and didn't require electricity.
Check out the Aquatru Carafe which uses the same exact technology and is just as extensively certified as the Classic version, but has a glass carafe which catches the filtered water instead geni.us/JZ34mU
Yes, and in fact it's federally regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act in the US www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications. Treating water during an emergency situation is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications. Treating water during an emergency situation (ie. when there is no power) is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
With the Aquatru, I can't imagine spending so much money to filter water at room temperature in difficult to clean... plastic. Berkey uses a stainless steel tank but the plastic filter sits in water and has a plastic spigot. Plastic. Plastic. Plastic. They're both awful. They are both chasing profits above all else. Seems to me, save your money, and just get a Clearly Filtered pitcher and keep it in the fridge to reduce chemicals leaching from the plastic.
You must have missed the info about ongoing costs at 8:15 Clearly Filtered replacement filters cost $0.55/ gallon Aquatru replacement filters cost $0.11/ gallon
@@barkbark6041 Great job. Berkey shouldn't be using a plastic spigot to begin with. Now they must fix the plastic filters that sits in water all day long.
use doulton/british berkefeld gravity system it uses the same type of steel housing but the filters only sit in the upper chamber and are NSF certified. and it can come in a stainless steel spigot
Great info. But you really should consider shaving if you want to look like a professional adult. The stubble look doesn't work. Otherwise, great presentation.
@@waterfilterguru You are actually quite Adorable and a really great TH-cam Presenter!- I'm apologize that I was so direct on your stubble. On another note, I am new to your Channel and Company's Website. Have you ever done Microscopy to check for Microplastics? Are you aware that what they all Microplastics is mostly assembled Nanotechnology that has contaminated our air, food and water supply? I have yet to find a R/O System that actually removes them, so I am grateful for your videos and links. All you need is a Microscope to see them. I am a microscopist and publish my photographs on Substack. You could get a Microscope and Could, if you wanted, do some videos to show your results. It is a whole other level to water testing, and it will blow your mind. I'm happy to introduce you that world, if you are interested, and I could contact your website. Thank you for your work!
@@waterfilterguruI think they are referring to the fact the minerals are stripped. I’m told that not everyone is told they need to put the minerals back in.
I really appreciate how much effort you put into not only your research, testing and video but also in reply to comments and actually reading the comments and considering them and not just reply to everyone with copy-pase generic replies. You are really putting a lot of work in and its not gone unnoticed.
Thank you for your feedback, this is what keeps me doing what I'm doing! 🙏🤙 I greatly appreciate it
Can you test the British Berkefeld filters? Apparently they are certified. Thanks.
Got it on the to-do list! Thanks for the request
I'm still choosing between one of these 2. Does Aquatrue get rid of microplastics if I use bottled water to fill it? Whats your take on using bottled water to fill a system? Is there any point or is it a waste
Reverse osmosis will remove suspended solids, including microplastics, down to as small as the membrane pore size, typically 0.0001 microns. Filtering bottled water in a reverse osmosis system would be redundant.
@@waterfilterguru Thanks I appreciate the quick reply!
Happy to help!
Are you going to test the British Berkefeld any time soon? Seems a much more popular choice now than the Berkey.
Yes, it's on the priority list
Thank you @@waterfilterguru
@@waterfilterguru Kind Greetings Water Guru - would love also testing on B Berkefeld the fluoride included filters - now that Berkey has gone awol! Currently have Berkey, without fluoride filters (they were constantly problematic) and no longer trust Berkey. Currently desperate for a good affordable 'real deal' water purification system thats affordable so if the Berkefelds came up as a reliable and honest source, that would be great. Otherwise am stuck! Also, have you ever tested Eldorado Water? Meant to be the best spring drinking water (sadly comes in BPA bottles) never the less - would love to know what that comes out as!! We gotta keep these companies honest and you're the man! :) Any suggestions, testing, and referrals on the above I would so appreciate. Love "Desperate for pure drinking water" 😍 (if I could use what I have being Berkefeld fluoride filters great, yet focus is on 'high quality pure drinking water'. Cheers, and thank you kindly!!!
Im also happy to hear that. Ive bought one of their filter cartridges and ive been curious about it.
@@Zaku186 Thanks for the additional request. Which filter cartridge did you get> the Ultra Fluoride or Ultra Sterasyl? How long does it take to filter a full upper chamber?
Anyway to do a micro/nano plastics test?
Tap Score offer a few micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) testing options geni.us/jD5Dv
What is the best way to clean the Berkey filter, and how often should it be changed altogether?
Berkey claims you can use a scouring pad (like a green Scotch pad) to scrub the outside of the filter elements to restore some of the filter capacity. Do not use soap.
They also claim the filters have a capacity of up to 3,000 gallons each - this claim has not been validated by third party certifications, and leaves one to question whether or not it's truly capable. Check out this video where I explain more about exaggerated capacity claims th-cam.com/video/RHG4afa-L6I/w-d-xo.html
So tempted to buy Aquatru but from all the reviews many people have said it stopped working after a couple of months
I have a hunch most (if not all) of those folks who's systems stopped working after a few months are due to *user error.*
The spec sheet _clearly states_ the system *should not be used with water with hardness >10 GPG* - I'd hazard a guess that the majority of these people did not check and filtered very hard water through the system, which ruined it.
The same thing will happen with any reverse osmosis system - RO should not be used as primary treatment for hard water, which can precipitate scale inside the system and cause premature failure.
I stand by my data-driven scoring system's recommendation of Aquatru as the best countertop water filter - just make sure you understand the operating requirements before using it!
@@waterfilterguru I’m lost again! Was ready to do countertop RO over Berkey style because of the flouride filtering but our AZ water is around 20gpm😭 I’m a renter and of course we don’t have a water softener. Any suggestions or alternatives?? Please help! Have been trying to figure this out for days!
@@waterfilterguru If your water is harder than the 10 GPG, what are your R/O options?
So does the berkey remove minerals also? I thought only reverse osmosis and distilled does that and not gravity systems. ?
They claim they don't, but my testing indicates they use an ion exchange resin embedded in the carbon block which actually does reduce some minerals
I’ve heard the Sertodo Copper water system is really good too. Pretty expensive, but I’d be interested to see the difference between Sertodo and Aquatru.
I'd never heard of it, a quick search and it looks like they use British Berkefeld filters in their copper vessels. We've got these on the list to test soon
I prefer my water be stored in glass or metal, any recommendations over the berkey without all the plastic of aquatru?
Have you seen the Aquatru Carafe with glass vessel? geni.us/JZ34mU
I appreciate your channel I attempted to understand what filters really do was very hard. I have a Big Berkey because it's popular in the prepping community said to be the "best", but I have it I will make the best of it. I do won't to get a reverse osmosis system thanks again.
Right on, thanks for watching. Just remember Berkey shouldn't be relied upon to filter untreated surface water alone - which many folks think it can do. Always make sure to properly disinfect any water that might be microbiologically unsafe, in addition to filtering it. This video explains th-cam.com/video/Btqqwd_cLiA/w-d-xo.html
Are you concerned about alminum leeching from aquatrue because another review said it does leech alminum ?
I've tested Aquatru 3 times, and aluminum was not detected at increased levels in any of the tests. Links to lab reports in the descriptions:
Aquatru Classic test th-cam.com/video/NubOZMtj68g/w-d-xo.html
Aquatru remineralizing filter test th-cam.com/video/xQCllBCJAHY/w-d-xo.html
Aquatru Carafe test th-cam.com/video/pcwO6VKm-0g/w-d-xo.html
Why you don't do the test in another lab just to double-check and update us if anything came different?just a suggestion
@@eslafalbayati6340 Thanks for the suggestion
👍👍👍
Is the Frizzlife WB99 a good system?
We haven't tested that one yet
@@waterfilterguru Still can’t decide which one to buy lol The Aquatru Carafe seems nice. My only concern is why is it given so much negative reviews on Amazon?
I always take Amazon reviews with a large grain of salt. Their review system is so easily manipulated...
Please test the Kangen style water purifiers. Mine is about 20 years old and I am looking at a new one.
Thanks for the additional request to test Kangen, I've got it on the list
@@waterfilterguru maybe add Alkaviva to the testing list too??
what you'll you recommend if you're looking into Aquatru, but they don't recommend a water hardness over 10gpg. my water is around 20-25gpg hardness & im struggling to find a cost efficient way to soften that water without having a whole house system.
For water that hard, an ion exchange water softener is really your only option. Are you in a rental and not able to install one?
I can make a water filter from parts I purchase locally at my hardware store, Lowe's and Home Depot. Plus, I can purchase replacement filters in bulk for far less than these offer.
Great! I'd love to see it you should make a video about it and share it with us.
This video is intended to offer help to those who don't have the same skills as you, or would prefer a certified filtration system proven to be effective against a wide range of contaminants.
I thought Berkey water filters were banned in the USA now. I had bought one right before the ban and haven't been using it. Is this a new version or did their lawsuit win so they can now sell them?
The stop-sale order has not been lifted, to my knowledge
What system do you recommend when our sourced water is from an actual spring? Family of 3.
I'd recommend starting with a certified lab test, then using the data to guide your decision.
You may or may not need multiple pieces of treatment equipment - it all depends on what water issues are present. Check out Tap Score geni.us/72RzPaw for water testing, hands down the best I've found and what I use for all my testing projects
And here's a video I made that explains the step-by-step process to use the data to determine what water treatment equipment you need th-cam.com/video/JU4sPer1944/w-d-xo.html
If you want me to do the analysis for you, I offer consultation services waterfilterguru.com/consulting/
I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any questions!
I’ve been purifying water for decades. I’ve drank from the likes of the Mississippi and Missouri for months at a crack. If you have to plug it in it’s worthless. Berky is a bit expensive especially when you can buy Purwell , or aquapure at almost half the price . If you’re stuck on berky filters… buy them they all fit each other. Go to the hardware store and swap the plastic part for stainless ones for a few dollars. For a very small amount of money, go buy stackable stainless pots and drill a couple holes, then buy your filter of choice and a tap. I made one for the camp… 20 dollars and 66 for the filters. Took me longer to go to shopping for it than to assemble . If you want to pay 2-4 hundred because your to lazy to drill a hole… hey have at it.
Thanks for sharing
What is the best rated countertop RO system? I live in the UK, and I'm looking to buy one that works the best and removes micro plastics
The Aquatru geni.us/chlQv5o continues to hold it's top position in our data-driven scoring and ranking system
Aquatru sounds tempting however electricity is required so if that's out so is filtering the water
Yes, Aquatru is not intended as an emergency preparedness filter but rather a solution to filter treated water for daily needs
Plans to test the new Rorra? Seeing it all over social media now.
Not yet - maybe in 2025, but my content calendar is already filling up quick. Always be wary of manufacturers claims and marketing language! Check out this video to learn what to look out for th-cam.com/video/pOOvhhrYlpw/w-d-xo.html
Nice work on this comparison. I am looking for replacement filters for a big berkey. Do yo have any recommendations? I have city water and mostly want to get out chlorine, lead , and fluoride. I know there are some ceramic options. I would rather not have the lower filters sitting in the lower tank. Thanks!
Upgrade to a countertop RO instead 😉
Did the aquatru removed manganese?
Manganese was not detected during testing
Can you test the aqualine filters. I’m in Europe and these filters are really popular.
Thanks for the request, I'll look into them.
Hello I would love the aquatru but i need one that is not electrical
All countertop reverse osmosis systems require electricity. What is your use case? If you are filtering treated city water, RO is your best bet for broad contaminant reduction.
But if you are buying a system for emergency preparedness, that's an entirely different application and use case. Then you would need a proper method of disinfection (UV, chemical, boiling, etc.) In addition to a gravity fed filter
Thank you. Can you do a video of the products for an emergency preparedness with the steps. Thanks again!
@@Alex-kb6xr Already did! Check it out th-cam.com/video/Btqqwd_cLiA/w-d-xo.html
I really wish sawyer or katadyne would make a filter for berkey filters. Like a drop in cartridge or something. Even if the flow rate was really slow or something would still be really nice to be able to dump in swamp soup and pour clean water out the other end.
That's a good idea! I'm thinking about why it hasn't been done yet. Possibly because the hallow fiber membranes used in Sawyer, Lifestraw, Katadyn, etc. require water to flow through the filter from one end to the other. Whereas the large stainless steel gravity systems pull water primarily through the bottom half of the filter element, and not always from top to bottom, if that makes sense. Again, just my speculation!
@@waterfilterguru its surprising no one has worked it out. After the controversy with berkey and how popular those were. There are a LOT of people with berkey filters who would jump on a proven drop in solution. And for the company that means there is a lot of money to be made.
Have you tested the under sink version from Aquatru? What are your thoughts? Thanks
Although we haven't tested the under sink version specifically, it uses the exact same filter elements as the classic countertop unit so we could expect similar results
Glad to see the Aquatru holding up to testing yet again. But putting one of the best up against one of the worst just isn't fair lol. Also the quality and research in your videos has gone way up and it is much appreciated.
Thanks for watching and for your feedback, I greatly appreciate it!
Great video! I have the Waterdrop gravity feed filtration system, as I have lead in my city water. I was wondering if you could test the Kangan system. I have a coworker who sells them but would like to see the out come of your testing and opinion. Thank you!
Thanks for the additional request to test Kangen, I've got it on the list
Why does AquaTru have so many mixed reviews on Amazon?
Because people like to complain about user error - if the tanks aren't seated properly it can leak. Easy fix, pay attention 😅
@@waterfilterguru Thank you for clarifying that. How does the water taste? What is the PH without the remineralization filter?
@@1hendrixx7 Taste is subjective. To me, it tastes great. In our test the pH without the remineralization filter was still up at 8 post-filtration, at the time of testing
If I recall correctly, aluminum leaching is a known problem with the Berkey.
Yes, aluminum oxide* (aka activated alumina). It's a media commonly used for fluoride and arsenic reduction. The problem with the Berkey filters is a design flaw that can cause the media to leach into the filtered water if the filters are over tightened
@@waterfilterguruhow much is over tightened?
@@pm4995 The instructions say "no more than 8 rotations" - its pretty easy to overtighten if you aren't paying attention, and the threads don't stop or indicate that you've reached the 8 rotations.
Thank you for your channel! Can you test the boroux black filters? I use them in my berkey water filter. I’ve heard they are better than Berkey black filters, but won’t know for sure until they are tested.
Thanks for watching! We already tested Boroux, check it out th-cam.com/video/sMG46WWpOs8/w-d-xo.html
@@waterfilterguru thanks!
Does the plastic container of aquatrue leech out chemicals?
@@Em-ic6ot Not that our testing has detected. If you are concerned about your drinking water being in plastic, you might want to consider the Aquatru Carafe has uses a glass container instead geni.us/JZ34mU
Cost effectiveness of AquaTru countertop system vs Carafe
Aquatru Classic: $0.11/ gal.
Aquatru Carafe: $0.19/ gal.
@@waterfilterguru both are good right? I don't see much reason to get the classic when both seem very cost effective
Yes both use the same filter technology, and both are extensively certified
Sucks that despite the mineral filter option for the aquatru, it still was stripped of minerals
Not stripped, but it didn't bring the mineral content back up to anywhere close to the unfiltered water. This is an expected result though, I'm not aware of any remineralization filters that can do that
@ best way to get the minerals back into the water so it’s both healthy and tastes good? Is there a specific filter or machine or even a mineral drop you think is best? The aqua tru has the mineral filter but it not only doesn’t bring the minerals back up in a real way, but it also tastes bad and fishy
I have a video scheduled to publish today that covers this exact topic! Here is the link for when it is live th-cam.com/video/YcepPt3geu8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the great video! The process of selecting a water filter is much harder than I expected. Just curious, which water filter do you use in your kitchen?
I know just how hard choosing a water filter an be - that's why I made a video that explains how to do so using a data-driven process. Check it out! th-cam.com/video/JU4sPer1944/w-d-xo.html
I use multiple water filters, including reverse osmosis for my drinking/ cooking water.
You should review the British berkefeld filter. It's much better than Berkey and their ultra sterasyl filters have nsf certifications 42, 53, 372, and 401. British berkefeld with the ultra sterasyl filters are by far the best gravity fed filters and much better than pro one and Berkey by a mile!!!
It's in the works!
I want to know what system you have in your home. I’m a new follower. Thank you.
The Aquatru geni.us/chlQv5o hands down (with remineralization filter)
to be transparent, are you paid by Aquatru ? You seem to only do Aquatru RO system and deleted my previous comment to do test on Bluevua.
Our reviews are not sponsored. Please see the description. Working through a large content calendar of requests from our audience, many of whom requested the Aquatru remineralizing filter and carafe to be tested
Tings that make me go hmmm
So glad I stumbled across your channel! We are moving to Hawaii (military orders) and the water has been contaminated by jet fuel-- they say its fixed but out of abundance of caution-- and skepticism, I'd like to get water filters for the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks and showers. (whole house would be ideal, but couldn't find one renter friendly) We will be on base housing so needs to be renter friendly-- I read RO may help filter any jet fuel contaminates. help? suggestions?
RO is your best bet for broad contaminant reduction. Under sink RO systems require invasive installation, but perhaps you could get it approved
Thanks so much for your informative analyses/videos; when I looked into the reviews, many mentioned their Aquatru systems have stopped working after a few months and the customer service seems terrible. What would be your other top recommendations if I want to avoid Aquatru?
Note that I'm currently relying on the Berkey system which I went with Waterdrop's black filter but they are also out of stock.
I have a hunch most (if not all) of those folks who's systems stopped working after a few months are due to *user error.*
The spec sheet _clearly states_ the system *should not be used with water with hardness >10 GPG* - I'd hazard a guess that the majority of these people did not check and filtered hard water through the system, which ruined it.
The same thing will happen with any reverse osmosis system - RO should not be used as primary treatment for hard water, which can precipitate scale inside the system and cause premature failure.
I stand by my data-driven scoring system's recommendation of Aquatru as the best countertop water filter - just make sure you understand the operating requirements before using it!
@@waterfilterguru I see, I appreciate your prompt response!
@@mehdirezaeianzadeh Sure thing happy to provide additional insight
Can you make a video on which in line fridge water filter remove bacteria as well as pharmaceutical products, benzene, plastics etc. I can’t find a filter that covers those mentioned or more, only for bacteria or cysts or sediments. Thanks!!
Hi thanks for your request. Because fridge filters are typically intended for use with treated city water, they are not able to address microbiological contaminants. I'm not aware of any that are
Are you on well water? It's recommended to treat microbiological contaminants at the point of entry with a disinfection syatem
@@waterfilterguruI have city water but I just spoke with a RO systems company ( Ispring) and they guided me on how to connect the fridge water line to the under sink system, they sell a kit for it. This way I will have pure water for my fridge as well
Hi!
Thank you very much for this video which is very timely for me because I am looking for the filtration system to purify my domestic water (as a tenant).
If I understand your results and your advice correctly, the Aquatru system is the best choice overall?
Are the microplastics and filters also filtered by the Aquatru please?
Finally, the fact that the filter which allows the water to be re-mineralized is not really effective and that the water sees its PH rise is problematic or dangerous for health? What are your advice and opinions?
What filtration system do you personally use?
Thank you very much for your work and if you can answer my comment! Good luck, Jimmy from France
Hi, thanks for your comment. Great questions!
1. The Aquatru is the performing system according to our data-driven scoring system, learn more here waterfilterguru.com/how-we-test-water-filters/
2. Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) can be effectively reduced by the reverse osmosis process
3. There are many claims that alkaline (higher pH) water has health benefits - just look at all the bottled alkaline water products available now. The increased pH is intended in this case. Some folks may notice a taste difference with alkaline water
4. I use all kinds of filtration systems, as I'm constantly testing them for my job 😉
SHTF ..Berkey is better no power needed
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications.
Treating water during an emergency situation is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
can you do also a review of the new waterdrop A2?
Thanks for the request, I'll add it to the list to look into
Could you test the Sans RO water system
I've got it on the list! Thanks for your request
Berkey warns in the instructions not to tighten the filters too much. The fluoride filter should be just barely finger tight. Our Berkey works just fine, but we follow the directions. Oh by the way, you can order a stainless steel spigot.
Yes, they do. But how many people might miss it because they don't read the instructions that thoroughly?
Which then raises a bigger question, why even bring a product to market with such a design flaw that it requires a warning in the instruction manual?
@@waterfilterguru It isn't a flaw!
@@elizabethG633 How is the possibility to over tighten the filter and cause the unwanted release of media into the effluent _not_ a design flaw? Please enlighten me, I'd really like to understand why you don't agree
@@waterfilterguru Simply because most companies will put in that caveat when they make those filters or product. Too many times my hubby did not read the instructions and found out the piece he was to be careful with would not come undone Go read for yourself.
@@elizabethG633 Not a caveat - if you screw the filters on too tightly the filter will be compromised. My question is why not simply make a filter with threads that can't be over tightened? 🤔🤔 design flaw
Right on sir, appreciate you. Aloha!
Thanks for watching!
Next review suggestion : APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. Super simple set up - just connecting to the tip of the regular tap with provided adapter. I used it for a few years. To test the water quality, personally, only tool i used was TDS meter. results were always in between 5 or near 0 which was so impressive.
Thanks for the request, I've got it on the list. Keep in mind a TDS reading alone won't tell you if water is healthy or not, learn all about what a TDS meter does and does not measure here th-cam.com/video/yHvdYWXiVzI/w-d-xo.html
Please test the Life Straw products with highly contaminated water like one would see in a disaster scenario
Thanks for the request! I'll put this on my list
Can you do aquatru vs zero water?
I'll add it to the list, thanks for the request!
You are comparing Apples and Oranges! Wait til you have a grid down situation !!
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications.
Treating water during an emergency situation is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
Please make a video of best ro filters at different price point
Great idea, thanks for the suggestion!
@@waterfilterguru thanks you rock! 🤘🏽
I keep getting advertisements for SANS. It looks similar to the Aquatru unit. The SANS has a glass pitcher too. I like the idea of glass instead of plastic.
I would be interested in that one too. I wish there was a good one that wasn't tall like Berkey and didn't require electricity.
Check out the Aquatru Carafe which uses the same exact technology and is just as extensively certified as the Classic version, but has a glass carafe which catches the filtered water instead geni.us/JZ34mU
I got my big berkey 20 years ago...i think it was half the price back then
How many times have you changed the filters in 20 years, out of curiosity?
Can you do a review of bluevua Bluevua RO100ROPOT Reverse Osmosis System Countertop Water Filter with UV thank you
I've got it on the to-do list, thanks for the request!
Have anyone here heard of Atrazine in your water?
Yes, and in fact it's federally regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act in the US www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations
Thank you. This is helpful.
Glad it was helpful, thanks for letting me know!
If SHTF a device that uses electricity wont help you.
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications.
Treating water during an emergency situation is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
Also this device aquatru it must be PLUGGED IN! No help AT ALL in any power outage.
The intent of our project was to analyze each system's performance with contaminants present in municipally treated tap water applications.
Treating water during an emergency situation (ie. when there is no power) is an entirely different application, requiring multiple steps of treatment including disinfection and filtration.
With the Aquatru, I can't imagine spending so much money to filter water at room temperature in difficult to clean... plastic. Berkey uses a stainless steel tank but the plastic filter sits in water and has a plastic spigot. Plastic. Plastic. Plastic. They're both awful. They are both chasing profits above all else. Seems to me, save your money, and just get a Clearly Filtered pitcher and keep it in the fridge to reduce chemicals leaching from the plastic.
You must have missed the info about ongoing costs at 8:15
Clearly Filtered replacement filters cost $0.55/ gallon
Aquatru replacement filters cost $0.11/ gallon
I bought a stainless spigot. One down
@@barkbark6041 Great job. Berkey shouldn't be using a plastic spigot to begin with. Now they must fix the plastic filters that sits in water all day long.
use doulton/british berkefeld gravity system it uses the same type of steel housing but the filters only sit in the upper chamber and are NSF certified. and it can come in a stainless steel spigot
I would really like to see a Rorra water filter review.
Thanks for the suggestion, I've got it on my list!
Great info. But you really should consider shaving if you want to look like a professional adult. The stubble look doesn't work. Otherwise, great presentation.
Lol thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you were able to get over my physical appearance and consume the content of the video
@@waterfilterguru You are actually quite Adorable and a really great TH-cam Presenter!- I'm apologize that I was so direct on your stubble. On another note, I am new to your Channel and Company's Website. Have you ever done Microscopy to check for Microplastics? Are you aware that what they all Microplastics is mostly assembled Nanotechnology that has contaminated our air, food and water supply? I have yet to find a R/O System that actually removes them, so I am grateful for your videos and links. All you need is a Microscope to see them. I am a microscopist and publish my photographs on Substack. You could get a Microscope and Could, if you wanted, do some videos to show your results. It is a whole other level to water testing, and it will blow your mind. I'm happy to introduce you that world, if you are interested, and I could contact your website. Thank you for your work!
I beg to differ…a man’s stubble is fantastic…let a man be a man!
reverse osmosis is not good for you
Care to share the source where you learned this?
@@waterfilterguruI think they are referring to the fact the minerals are stripped. I’m told that not everyone is told they need to put the minerals back in.