We all know how important it is to meet our daily water intake requirements, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. I, for one, am ashamed to admit how frequently I’ll reach the end of the day and realize I’ve barely had more than a cup of water since breakfast. But it’s not just the amount of water that is important; we also have to consider the quality of water we’re drinking. It can get to be a lot to think about, so finding a product that makes it all easier for you can be a real game changer. And this is exactly why I was so keen to test out the British Berkefeld Gravity System.
A 2024 study led by Imperial College London found that, across the UK, our tap water contains traces of PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’. While the levels remain within UK and EU safety limits, we are yet to understand the potential long-term effects of consistent exposure to these chemicals, making filtration systems like this all the more appealing for our modern kitchens. Not only do these water filters claim to remove PFAS, but they also reduce other common contaminants like chlorine and microplastics. Plus, it’s a far more cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice than bottled water.
But while there are countless water filter options out there, few are stylish enough to satisfy our design-obsessed team, which is why this sleek stainless steel option caught our attention. But, of course, those good looks mean nothing if the product doesn’t deliver on quality, too. So, I put it to the test to find out exactly whether this design is worth your money.
British Berkefeld
1 Litre Stainless Steel Gravity System & Ultra Sterasyl
With its sleek stainless steel finish and minimalist design, this product is a dramatic improvement on the water filters of the past. I tested the petite 1L system, though there are also 6L, 8.5L, and 12L options available, too.
How Does It Work?
The system comes with two steel chambers, and a ceramic filter.
(Image credit: Future)
So, first things first, let’s get into exactly how this filtration system actually works.
As the name suggests, this design uses gravity to provide you with fresh, filtered water, using water from your kitchen sink. Formed of two distinct chambers, designed to sit on top of one another, the Ultra Sterasyl® ceramic filter sits neatly within the upper one, filtering the water before it can drip through to the chamber beneath, much like the Endless Rhythm Water Dispenser.
While the drip-down gravity system is clever, the real magic lies in the ceramic filter within. Constructed from a ceramic microfilter with carbon granules, these inserts claim to remove 99.99% of common contaminants, including bacteria, chlorine, lead, PFAS, cryptosporidium, and more, while retaining all the healthy minerals, leaving you with great-tasting, high-quality drinking water.
The idea is that the upper chamber, with the ceramic filter fitted within, is filled with tap water. This water then passes through the filter, removing any impurities, before dripping into the attached lower chamber, eventually leaving you with a full chamber of pure, filtered water, no plumbing or complicated installation necessary.
The Set-Up Process
The system is filled directly from your kitchen sink, for maximum ease.
(Image credit: Future)
Eager to give the product as fair a test as possible, I carefully studied the instruction manual before attempting to set it up. At first, the instructions were clear enough, and the entire system took less than three minutes to put together. All you really have to do is screw the filter in place within the upper chamber using the equipment provided. There was no need to use any additional tools, and the screw-in system felt super secure, so it’s perfect for those of us who struggle with even the easiest kitchen DIYs.
From there, all that’s left to do is to mount the upper chamber onto the lower one and fill it with water. The manual instructs you to fill the water to just below the rim, which is straightforward enough, though I did feel that some additional information regarding the volume of water would have been helpful. Even just a minimum requirement would have been appreciated, as it was unclear whether the system would work as effectively when only partially filled.
Once the chambers are securely stacked on top of one another and the accompanying lid is placed on top, your water system is ready for use. The manual notes that, due to the carbon granules within the ceramic filter, the first batch of water is likely to contain dark particles and should be disposed of without being consumed, and the lower chamber should be thoroughly cleaned before being used again. I didn’t encounter any signs of debris or black specs after the first pass-through, so once you’ve done that, your system will be completely ready to go.
What I Noticed
The ceramic filter sits securely within the upper chamber.
(Image credit: Future)
From there, I was ready to fully explore the product, and I’ll tell you now, my feelings were mixed.
While the setup instructions were clear enough, there isn’t an outline of how long I should expect the filtration process to take. The manual does state that the maximum flow rate will be achieved once the filter is fully saturated, which could take 2-3 chambers worth of water, but without a suggestion of what maximum flow rate should look like, it’s tricky to know.
You’ll also have to lift the lid off to check how far along the process is, rather than there being a visual aid to communicate exactly how much water has been passed through, and how much is left to go.
On average, I found that it takes around 45 minutes to one hour for the full liter to pass through. Though it is possible that my filter is yet to reach maximum flow rate, and once it has, this number could go down. The average person is recommended to drink around 3 liters of water a day, which, with this machine, would take quite a while to achieve.
While this system is relatively petite in circumference and is perfectly suitable for small kitchens, once the chambers are stacked on top of one another, it does stand rather tall. Which, while not a problem in itself, does mean it’s unlikely to fit in most standard refrigerators, so you’ll have to enjoy your freshly filtered water with ice or at room temperature.
However, drinking temperature preferences aside, I was perfectly happy keeping this out on my kitchen worktops, even while hosting. Unlike other bulky filtering devices, this design feels elevated and sleek, looking more like a piece of chrome decor than a kitchen appliance.
Beyond looks, there is another crucial aspect to this design that I’ve yet to mention: the taste. Now, I should mention, I’ve never been particularly sensitive to the varying flavor profiles of different waters. I’m not someone who can distinguish between tap and bottled water, and I have never had a real preference between the two, either. So I’m surprised to say that I actually did notice a difference in taste when using this system. Although it’s not dramatic, in a side-by-side taste test of regular tap water and water filtered using the British Berkefeld Gravity System, I found that the filtered water had a cleaner, fresher taste and was generally more pleasant to drink.
It’s also worth noting that while the larger systems come with a gravity tap, allowing you to fill up your cup with ease, this is seemingly not an option with the 1L model. It’s by no means difficult to remove the upper chamber and pour the filtered water directly from the lower one, but I did find myself wishing I had the option to fill up my cup without disassembling the design every time.
It does mean you risk losing some water if you choose to pour some water while the filtration system is still in process. There’s also no spout or divet for the water to flow smoothly from, so there’s a higher chance of spillage than you’d find with a regular filter jug.
The general cleaning process is impressively simple, though, and perfect for those of us who need a low-maintenance kitchen. The manual instructs that “periodically, you need to clean the housing,” guiding you to handwash the chambers with hot, soapy water. The ceramic filter, too, is surprisingly easy to clean, requiring nothing more than a gentle brush under running water.
Is It Worth It?
The sleek design is 138 mm tall, and 113mm wide.
(Image credit: Future)
I do think that, depending on your circumstances, this could be a very worthwhile purchase.
Firstly, and perhaps most notably, if you live in an area with particularly questionable water quality, or you simply don’t enjoy the taste of your tap water, this could be a real game-changer.
Another selling point of this product is its portable design. The stainless steel is surprisingly lightweight, and it’s super easy to assemble, take apart, and store, which could make it an appealing choice for frequent campers.
A major factor in your decision will be a preference for cold drinks. I know that I’m more likely to consume more water if it is kept at a refreshing, chilled temperature, so the fact that this doesn’t fit in my fridge is a notable downside for me. Being able to track how far along the process is would be a helpful addition, too.
At £119, this isn’t necessarily a budget option, and there are products that offer similar results at lower price points. Unlike other filters on the market, this one looks remarkably sleek and would be a great fit for a minimalist kitchen. As it only stores 1L of water, this would also be a great choice for single-occupant households.
Smart and Stylish Alternatives
A stylish take on the traditional filter jug, this design holds over 1.6L of filtered water, while being small enough to fit on a fridge shelf. The sturdy handle and spout make for easy pouring, and it costs about the same as the British Berkefeld design.
BLACK + BLUM
Charcoal Water Filter Hydration
This centuries old filtration method couldn’t get much simpler; just pop it in a jug of tap water and let it work its magic. It’s by far the most affordable, and low-maintenance way to filter your drinking water.
LARQ
Purevis Self-Cleaning and Purifying Water Pitcher
Claiming to revolutionize the filtration process, this water pitcher has high standards to meet. But, if the elegant design is anything to go by, we’d trust it. Plus, it’s self cleaning.
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to your tap water problems, it may be worth looking into a filtered water tap attachment for your kitchen sink. It’s just one of the many genius things taps can do nowadays. For more clever ideas and new finds, subscribe to our newsletter.