Best Gravity Water Filters

In the last decade, water filtration systems have undergone an exponential evolution and are now not only affordable but also high-quality.

There are several different types of water filters, like squeeze or straw-style and pump filters. Gravity-style filters take up less space, since you simply slide the filter in dirty water bottles.

Gravity-fed water filters don’t require constant pressure to function.. It operates by pulling water from a holding tank and flowing it down through your filter into a waiting receptacle.

Though most gravity filters are the same in appearance and functionality, they all have their own unique pros and cons that only appear with comparison.

There are gravity-fed water filters that are large enough to supply a family and others more suited to small families.

Best Gravity Fed Water Filters

With this article, we aim to guide you through how gravity filters work as well as offer insight into picking the best one for your needs.

If you need a larger filter to sit on your countertop, check out the best-selling Big Berkey. This comes with two filter elements, each of which will handle up to 3,000 gallons of water.

In this case, the package includes two additional fluoride elements as well. Each of these attaches to the stem of the black purification element and can treat up to 1,000 gallons.

The system will remove parasites, cysts, and bacteria and reduce nitrates, nitrites, mercury, and lead. And it will tackle harmful chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and organic solvents too.

The construction here is polished 304 stainless steel. It looks smart enough to stay on display at all times in your kitchen.

It has a diameter of 8.5 inches – still modest in terms of its countertop footprint – and stands 19.25 inches high. You’ll need to watch out for wall cupboards or shelves when deciding where to position it. These loftier dimensions mean it will hold 2.25 gallons.

The speed of filtration is around 7 gallons per hour. As with other gravity systems, you’ll find it works fastest when the upper container is full.

You’ll also find it slows down as the filter becomes older. Re-priming the filters with the rubber washers included in the package can help speed things up again.

Although larger than other systems, it’s not as difficult to carry from place to place as you might imagine. The upper container is designed to fit inside the lower one for a more compact and portable unit.

The key thing to be aware of with this filter is that it’s designed to be used daily. If you go on holiday, either take it with you or ask a friend to babysit it.

If the filters dry out, bacteria will grow in them. You may find that the system you expected to purify your water is adding contaminants.

Features

• Holds 2.25 gallons of purified water
• Filter up to 1,000 gallons
• Flow Rate:2 GPH
• Type:Countertop water filter
• The fluoride add ons remove 68% using microfiltration technology on the first pass.
• By running multiple times, it removes 99.9%

Doulton’s W9361122 is another filter system that passes water between two stainless steel canisters. It has a spigot at the bottom and will hold up to 2.25 gallons of water.

It’s about the same size as the Big Berkey, 8.5-inch in diameter and around 20 inches tall. The stainless steel is lovely quality and polished to a high shine that will look great in your kitchen.

The upper container has holes for two 7-inch ceramic filters. Unlike the Big Berkey, which can accommodate four, that’s the maximum with this system.

The water passes through three stages in the ceramic candle filters. The carbon block core will capture particles down to 0.9 microns, including bacteria, cysts, and organic compounds. It will also reduce chlorine levels, improving the taste and smell of city water.

The filters contain silver to prevent bacteria growth. And they can be cleaned to make them last longer before needing to be replaced.

The ceramic filters won’t tackle fluoride, but you can buy compatible fluoride filters if you wish. These screw onto the outside of the ceramic filters.

The system will take four to five hours to treat 2.25 gallons of water. That means constant use will give you around 10 gallons of filtered water per day.

If you’re using a lot of water, you may want to drill a small hole in the lid. Otherwise, the seal between the two containers creates a vacuum. That will slow down the flow from the spigot, and it may even stop entirely. Alternatively, you can lift and tilt the top container to get the water flowing again.

Assembly is straightforward. Expect the whole job to take about ten minutes. You won’t need any tools. There are some helpful videos on the manufacturers’ website to walk you through the process.

Features

• Great for areas that have hard water
• Removes the taste and smell of iron
• Under the sink, the filter gives you an unlimited supply of drinkable water
• Durable and comes with plastic housing for the filtration candle

The GravityWorks water filter system from Platypus is an all-in-one system that includes the dirty water and clean water bags and the filter and hose to connect them.

It weighs 11 ounces in total, which is a bit heavy for this type of system. But we’re willing to carry a few extra ounces for the extra ounces that these reservoirs provide.

They can each hold four liters of water, so you’ll be able to collect and filter over a gallon of water at a time.

This filter removes over 99% of bacteria and protozoa, making it a great choice for trails. With a flow rate of 1.75 liters per minute, it won’t slow you down when you’re trying to make miles.

You also won’t have to replace the in-line filter often since it lasts for 1,500 gallons. In our testing, it turned murky water crystal-clear, and it passed the taste test even when the source smelled less than pleasant.

Overall, we love the fast filtration, large capacity, and clean water it produces, which is why it has earned the top position on our list.

Features

• High-capacity, gravity-fed, hollow-fiber water filtration system is perfect for family and group camping, outdoor experiences, and crisis preparedness
• No pumping required; reservoir matches easily and hangs from a shrub to deliver four gallons of filtered water for washing and cooking in 2.5 minutes
• Replaceable cartridge filters up to 1,500 g; generates a leak rate of 1.75 liters/minute; apparel weighs 11.5 oz; produced in the United States

The Aquapail is an outdoor gravity water filtration system with a total filter lifespan of 1,100 gallons. With a strong, durable outer case, the Aquapail is ideal for taking with you on camping trips or to your vacation home.

While it isn’t the most compact filtration option, it can be taken apart for transportation and has the added benefit of sturdy enough to withstand all conditions.

You can trust the Aquapail in emergencies, as this filter doesn’t only remove a handful of contaminants – it eliminates virtually all harmful contaminants from a water source.

It takes minutes to filter bacteria, viruses, cysts, and heavy metals, ensuring that waterborne microbes are removed, making water safe to drink.

The Aquapail can be used with well water, stream water, or any other non-saltwater source. The system needs only gravity to filter the water, so you don’t need to be in a location where you can connect it up to your water supply and electricity – you just need to have access to water.

Setting the Aquapail up is simple – you simply put the unit together, attach the filters in place, and you’re good to go.

The only slight negative of the Aquapail is that its filters have a shorter lifespan than other countertop filters, but they work harder than most in that time.

Features

• Ideal for outdoor use
• Eliminates a whole host of contaminants

The Mini well is an ultra-light hanging gravity filter that can filter up to 2000 liters of water. As a great choice for hiking, fishing, camping, travel, or simply keeping in the car for emergency use, this gravity water filter eliminates the need for bottled water. It provides a much more convenient, space-saving, and lightweight solution.

With 0.1 ultrafiltration membranes, the Mini well has a flow rate of 600 ml per minute, helping to provide you with clean water faster.

You can attach the straw to your water bottle for personal use or use it to fill multiple drinking glasses for your family. The lifespan of the filter can be extended with regular backwashing.

The Mini well doesn’t come with its bag or container, giving more flexibility with what you can do with it.

One option is to attach it to a disposable plastic bag to create your DIY filtration system. You could also attach the Mini well to a bucket for a more solid, sturdy version of the same concept.

There’s not much information regarding exactly what the Mini well filters out of the water, but it’s designed for use on spring water that isn’t too heavily contaminated.

Users have reported that the filter doesn’t work well on the water with a high sediment level but is great for removing bacteria and other microbes from natural water sources.

Features

• BPA free
• Leak-proof cover
• Filters out pollutants from water
• Flow rate: up to 600ml per minute
• 28mm collapsible threading bottle
• Filters up to 2000 liters at 0.1-micron ultrafiltration membrane

The simple and durable Travel Berkley gravity filter doesn’t need any electric source to filter water as it works with the power of gravity. You can get 1.5 gallons of purified water in a single round that is more than enough for a small family of 3.

The water flow may be a bit slow, so you might have to think twice if you plan to buy it for a big family.

Other than that, the design and usage of this amazing filter are pretty straightforward and easy. There are two water chambers, two filter elements, a tap, and fixers.

The complete system is stainless steel, and the tap is both BPA-free plastic and stainless steel. Its popularity is large because of its powerful filtration capabilities.

With the Travel Berkley gravity-fed filter, you can rest assured of drinking only pure, fresh, and contaminant-free water.

Features

• 5 Gallon size
• Flow rate: 0.05 GPM
• Can filter 6,000 gallons of water
• Removes 99.999% of viruses and greater than 99.9999% of pathogenic bacteria and other contaminants

The Katadyn is a 0.1-micron fast-flow hanging gravity water filter. Though it costs slightly more than the average price of a hanging water filter, this filter has a sturdier design and construction intended to give you more general use out of the system.

To filter water on the go, just fill up Katadyn’s flask and let gravity do the work. Water will flow through the filter membrane, removing contaminants and organisms, including more than 99.9% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa.

To get more use out of the filter, you can fill the flask with water, attach the cover and give it a shake to free the debris – no backwashing required.

The Katadyn system has a collapsible flask, making it easy to fit the system into tight spaces in backpacks or coat pockets.

With lightweight material, it’s a great tool to have to hand when you’re hiking or camping, either alone or with friends.

It’s powerful enough to be used on water that’s cloudy with sediment and lasts up to 1000 L, depending on water quality.

All materials used in the Katadyn are BPA-free, and no chemicals are used to filter water. The system has a relatively fast flow rate, so you won’t need to wait for hours on end for a drink when you’re thirsty.

Features

• Size:9 x 2.9 x 17.6 inches
• Material:Thermoplastic polyurethane
• Flow Rate:52 gallons per minute
• Capacity:79 gallons

The Santevia Gravity Water System restores tap water to a clean, healthy, mineralized, and alkalized state, with the power of gravity alone; no chemicals, artificial means, water pressure, or electricity.

This is a gravity-powered system that not only cleans your tap with a multi-filter system but also re-mineralizes the water to make it more alkaline, which has many health benefits.

The Santevia Gravity Water System goes through an 8 stage system to filter the water:

• Ceramic Pre-filter removes minerals, sediment, and bacteria
• Granular activated coconut carbon filters chlorine, pesticides, chemicals, and heavy metals. This stage also improves ORP.
• The volcanic Mineral Zeolite stage inhibits bacteria & neutralizes heavy metals through an ion exchange process
• Mineral Stone Infusion promotes oxygenation & alkalinizes
• pH Mineral Balls add calcium, magnesium to increase Ph further
• Energy Balls to assist in balancing Ph and energize the water
• Mineral Stone Immersion to release ionized minerals
• Magnetic Energy breaks the water molecules into smaller clusters for better absorption

This filter removes a variety of contaminants; it also removes fluoride, increasing the risk of various health problems, especially cancer of the bone. The following features of this gravity water filter differ from all others

Features

• Works by gravity
• Large capacity

Buyers Guide for Best Gravity Water Filters

1. Filter Capability

Check if the water filter performs efficiently. Go for the one that filters a high percentage of contaminants from the water and works at a decent speed.

2. Filter Capacity

This is another critical point to consider. Water filters have different storage capacities. Some are best for a single person, and some are suitable for families. Buy one that you think can meet your needs.

3. Household Size

The size of the water gravity filter you buy is directly proportional to your household size. If your family size is 2-3 persons, go for a slightly bigger variant.

4. Filter Replacement Frequency

Ensure that the filters work for a couple of months or have a usage potential of at least enough gallons before you need to replace them.

5. Chamber Material

The two most commonly used chamber materials are stainless steel and plastic. It is best to go for stainless steel to ensure both quality and durability. Plastic ones may be affordable but are not durable.

6. Durability

There is no point in buying a filter that needs frequent servicing. Check the lifespan of the product. Check how long the filter may serve before it needs servicing or repairing accessories.

Compared to RO and electric filters, gravity water filters are affordable and convenient to use. They come in various models that are also travel-friendly, ensuring a steady supply of pure water.

We have provided a list of products that are appropriate for home as well as outdoor use. Pick any of them that fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.       Are gravity water filters safe?

Both gravity water filters are stainless steel. This means you don’t have to worry about BPA leaching or contamination getting into your water.

2.       What is a gravity-fed water filter?

A gravity filter is a filter that takes advantage of gravity to remove contaminants from the water. Typically, it consists of an upper chamber for feedwater, a lower chamber where purified water will be contained, and a mediator with filter elements in between

3.       Do gravity water filters remove fluoride?

Some excellent gravity water filters are also efficient at removing fluoride. These allow water to drain through a ceramic filter using simply – yes, you’ve guessed it – gravity! They can be even more effective than RO systems when it comes to fluoride removal.

4.       What is a gravity purifier?

Gravity filtration is a method of filtering impurities from solutions using gravity to pull liquid through a filter. The two main kinds of filtration used in laboratories are gravity and vacuum/suction.

5.       Should you filter tap water?

Using the right water filter can help further reduce pollutants like lead from old water pipes, pesticide runoff in rural areas, and byproducts of chemicals like chlorine used to treat drinking water.

Wrap Up

Do you want a filter to use daily in your kitchen? Or something to take with you when you go hiking or camping?

If you’re going to be using your system every day, countertop filters are a great choice. They have plenty of capacity and are resilient enough to withstand daily use. Look for models with metal spigots to avoid plastic flavors in your water. They’ll last longer too.

If, on the other hand, you want a filter for use outdoors, something lightweight and portable is a must. Filter systems that use soft-sided bags are great. They can be rolled up small and weigh very little.

Read on:

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• How to Fix Standing Water in a Dishwasher